The trash father has redeemed himself

The Winter Ball. 8

The annual winter ball has come, meaning all 5 dukes are going to be present at the Royal Palace where the event will be held

The tailors of the empire are dying to be one of the Dukes or The Royal family's dressmaker

And a little special someone is going to be introduced to society, Little miss Elizabeth Alliet is making her social debut, with her father and the other support of the dukes

Seriously it took Carter days to convince Theo, he only managed to do so by guilt tripping him saying

"I guess you are ashamed of Elizabeth, that's why you don't want anyone to know her"

With those magic words Theo called in every tailor the Alliet dukedom knew

Theo and Adrian sorted out their differences, Adrian agreed he was a bit selfish by pushing 8 year olds to marry and Theo agreed he was rude by bringing up the murdered wife

And by the quote from chapter 5

"Right, right, so we could see what you see in him?"- Gabriel Crowell

Yes. They did see what Carter saw in Theo

"I'm nervous, I- I haven't gone outside in months, I mean the new year is coming, I was basically absent for the whole year, what if- what if-"

"You'll be fine Theo, you'll walk with us, you don't even have to talk to anybody, just enjoy your time at the ball and Elizabeth and the rest of the children will be at the greenhouse of the palace"

Meaning while the rest of the adults are at the palace ballroom, the children will be guided to the palace greenhouse so they can play with the other children

Clue? You put Elizabeth a child who's mother was killed in her birth, and is only being introduced NOW and not earlier being put in a room where elitist children have been thought to look down on lowlifes, and even though Elizabeth's father is a Duke, he's a Duke with a bad reputation

"Arriving... Duke Theodore of house Alliet! and... Oh... Young Lady Elizabeth of house Alliet!"

Heads from curious nobles whim at first whipped their heads for Theodore are met with surprise, and the nonchalant nobles had their jaw dropped when they heard a second name

(Translation: two sets of nobles, the curious nobles turned their heads for Theodore but we're shocked to see Elizabeth, and the nobles who didn't care for Theodore we're shocked when they heard an 'Elizabeth')

Whispers erupted in the room, a few nobles laughing at the sight of Theodore being a father some saying it was inevitable that he has a child because he was a manwhore who liked women and men or anything that moved

"I'm surprised he only has a child now"

"Hah! Just when I thought the disgracefulness of this Duke couldn't get any further, I was proven wrong"

Theodore ignores them and goes straight to food with Elizabeth holding hands

"If emperor Hayes still backs him after this, I swear on my dog I'll switch sides and support the Farrington instead"

Theodore ignores again and walks with Elizabeth to the live orchestra to listen to them play instead

"The audacity of this Duke to stand with the other dukes"

"He has bought the Alliet name to downfall"

"I don't know, it was quiet with him absent, I kinda liked the drama be brought wherever he goes"

Elizabeth tugs on Theo's clothes "Daddy my feet hurt... "

"I'm sorry honey, I should have made you wear flats, I didn't think this through" Theo picks up the small child and pat her in the back

Another wave of whispers erupt

"I am not comfortable with this? Why does he sound gentle??? "

"Did he transform into a good person because of the child? "

"Is this an act. It has to be"

"How is this man, the man with the worst reputation in all of the empire, is a much better fatherly figure than my own father?"

A palace staff approaches Theodore "Sir, children are to go in the greenhouse, we shall escort her there"

"W-will she be fine? I'm not implying that the palace is unsafe but this is a new environment"

"Other children will be there with the young lady"

"Uhm- okay... " Theodore turns to Elizabeth "will you be fine sweetheart?" Lizzie nods, "just enjoy yourself honey, come back if you feel uncomfortable"

"Okay daddy"

With that Elizabeth was escorted away

The nobles were divided into four.

The nobles who grew up with loving fathers were reminded of their own caring family and now have a soft spot for Theodore's motherly play

The nobles who grew up with not loving fathers are just looking at Theodore and feel that it's unfair how a man who was so awful and unkind turned into such a sweet person for their child, makes them yearn for Theodore's gentle voice wishing that their own fathers have talked to them that way

The nobles who grew up without fathers and are now jealous because everything Theodore did, to the worrying eyes and accomodating words to the child showed love and concern, to which they are now set on fangirling to motherly Theodore

And last but not the least, the nobles who are surprised by the sudden change, the brash and rude Theodore was now so gentle, those nobles want to hear that gentleness differently, they are now horny for Theodore

Though one thought united the nobles of both Farrington faction and Hayes faction, it is the fact they want to hear Theodore whimper

Their individual thoughts were cut short by the arrival of Duke Laurent

The nobles thought "oh no, Alliet and Laurent are enemies due to them being basically the same in terms of their Dukedoms, what's going to happen"

(Previously stated that "Alliet's were once the wealthiest dukedom but were replaced by the Laurent's both of their Dukedoms are based on bussinesses)

"Vincent! If I'm being honest I don't know anyone in this room so I'm really happy your here" Theodore smiles at the supposed rival

It was so shocking you could swear an old Vicounts dentures fell out because of such a big mouth open reaction he did

"I'm happy to see you too Theo, you look amazing, plus I told you already, saying Vincent over and over is tiring just call me Vince"

I swear on my role as a narrator, a noble lady's glasses just cracked

"I know but I like saying your name, it feels right, have you seen the food? They have amazing desserts"

"Please, lead the way"

A Marquis whispers to a Count "what the fuck has happened these past few months?!??"

TBC...