burn out

"Oh, you are here." Malcolm pushed open the door of the study, and found Simon sitting quietly at the table. The light in the study was not bright, and he could only take care of the desk. Young Master Simon Wallace was engrossed in his hands In the book, his lips are slightly pursed, his thick and long eyelashes cast a fan-shaped shadow under his eyes, half of his face is hidden in the darkness by the backlight, and half of his face shines brightly under the light, with clear outlines.

"Okay, master, there are so many books here, I can't read them all in a lifetime." Malcolm walked to Master Simon, put his hand on his shoulders that were not broad enough, "Now, let me take you to the ball. Your dear father and brother have taken part in that joy."

"But, I don't like prom." Simon raised his head, the expression on his face was just like his words.

"My little master, there are always many things in this world that you don't like but want to do. As the earl's son, this is the etiquette you must follow. Well, stand up and go out with me."

The young master Simon Wallace, who had just turned 16, stood up reluctantly. For the prom, today he was wearing a navy blue camel silk brocade tuxedo tailored for him by a tailor not long ago. Although he didn’t like it himself, he had to Said, this suit makes him look elegant and beautiful.

Simon walked out of the study room and stood in the corridor on the second floor looking at the decent noble ladies and young masters downstairs who were immersed in the music. What qualifications did he have to join in such a wonderful scene?I'm just a vulgar and lowly illegitimate child. I discredit my father and brother, and the glory of the family is dimmed because of me.

"What are you thinking? Little thing."

Simon turned his head in shock, his tall and handsome brother was standing behind him, with contempt in his jewel-like blue eyes.

"Ah, I, no, I didn't think about anything, I was just watching them dance." Simon's ears were red, and his eyes wandered around.

"Why don't you go down?" Master Bertrand Wallace looked at his embarrassed younger brother, unexpectedly in a good mood, and spoke a little softly.

"I'm about to go down, yes, brother, I'm going down now." Simon ran downstairs holding on to the banister of the stairs as if fleeing, completely ignoring the etiquette of being a nobleman, he was too afraid of his moody brother, God knows what sad words he'll say next.

"Hmph, what a rough guy from the bottom of his heart."

Simon found a place in the corner and stood quietly. Although such behavior was very impolite for a gentleman, he felt that going forward to invite any lady would embarrass him even more than at this moment.

The dance floor was brightly lit, and the ladies wore gorgeous gowns and danced beside the gentlemen. The flounced round skirts hung on the ground, and the bows sparkled under the embellishment of the lights.

"Hey, you've been in a daze here."

It was a pretty and lovely lady who spoke.

"..." Simon was surprised by the behavior of this bold lady, and stared at her with wide eyes.

"Oh, well, you can't talk." The lady winked at Simon, "I'll give you a chance to invite me to dance."

"If you can accept my invitation." Simon stretched out his hand to invite.

"Who are you from? It was the first time I attended a prom. My father told me to be more reserved and learn the manners that a lady should have. God, those so-called gentlemen's sons are all selfish, stupid and conceited monsters." "As a lady, she should not say or do anything at all, just waiting proudly with her fan waving is enough, but when she saw Simon standing still, she was suddenly attracted.

"Earl Wallace is my father." Simon replied politely.

"Oh, well, now you should think I'm a vulgar and unmannered country girl." The young lady curled her lips.

"No, just the opposite." Simon smiled politely again, "I hope I have the honor to know your name."

This beautiful lady is so different, to hell with all the red tape, Simon thought, asking her name directly.

"Ha, that's funny, I'm not really a lady, and you're not really a gentleman. Looks like we could be friends, my name is Ivy Swift."

A piece of music is played.

"Oh, my dear brother, I can't see that you can dance so well. At this moment, you don't look like an inferior person at all." Berlant sarcastically said after Simon exited the dance floor, "However, your taste is still exposed. It's your essence, that's the merchant's daughter, do you understand?"

"Brother, I don't care what you think of me, but you want to ridicule a lady because of me. In my opinion, your gentlemanly cultivation is not as good as you think." Simon countered.

"Oh? Okay, very nice Simon. Are you mocking your brother for a merchant's daughter?" Berlant laughed angrily, he took a sip of the red wine in his hand, leaned over and his lips almost touched Sticking Simon's earlobe: "Oh, this does not surprise me. Birds with the same feathers will naturally gather together. Like the... illegitimate child of a humble businessman and a noble earl." After finishing speaking, he patted himself The dress, as if just touched some dirty things.

"I wish you a good time, oh, I seem to have forgotten to say, dear Miss Swift, you look beautiful, maybe my brother is very suitable for you." Berrand smiled and raised his wine glass at Simon, smiling walk away.

Simon's fair face was even paler, and the lace of his cuffs was tightly rolled into his clenched fist.

Ivy curled her lips: "Poor kid, I seem to have caused you some serious trouble." She was obviously also a little frustrated.

"No, it's not your fault, you know that. Oh, everyone probably knows that I'm... just a lowly bastard."

"Oh? Mr. lowly illegitimate child, would you like to dance with the lowly businessman's daughter again?" Ivy smiled and took his hand: "I forgot, as a lowly and inferior person, we don't need To hell with that etiquette! Come on Simon, be happy."

Brandt drank the wine in his glass in one gulp, looking at the couple as cheerful as larks from a distance.