Chapter 111

What’s gotten into him all of a sudden?

I couldn’t hide my bewildered expression.

Whether I was confused or not, Dominic gently led me toward a corner of the banquet hall.

As if he didn’t really want to talk to anyone else.

Or.

…As if he didn’t want me mingling with anyone else.

‘Nah, no way.’

Feeling inexplicably strange, I cast a sidelong glance at Dominic.

At that, Dominic tilted his head and met my gaze.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I hurriedly shook my head.

Well, it’s probably just me being overly self-conscious, right?

But right at that moment.

“His Majesty the Emperor, the Sun of the Empire, is entering!”

The attendant shouted loudly.

The massive doors opened, and the extravagantly dressed Emperor revealed himself.

Everyone in the banquet hall politely bowed at the waist.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

He looked down at the bowing crowd with an arrogant air for a moment.

The Emperor then opened his mouth in a quite generous tone.

“Yes, everyone may raise their heads.”

As people lifted their heads one by one.

I observed the Emperor with hawk-like eyes.

And.

‘Her Majesty the Empress is absent again today.’

The Emperor was alone, as always.

Usually, it was customary for the Empress to host the debutante ball.

However, Her Majesty the Empress hadn’t appeared in public for several years.

Instead, the Emperor simply took that place as if it were only natural.

How should I put it.

It seemed like he couldn’t stand it for even a moment if he wasn’t the center of attention…

‘I really despise him.’

I forced my expression into a neutral state.

Otherwise, I felt like my brow would furrow completely.

The Emperor confidently stepped in front of the crowd.

He seemed to meet the eyes of a few ladies and gentlemen in front of him, and then he spoke.

“I sincerely congratulate the young talents of the Empire on coming of age.”

Amidst the complete silence, where even the music had stopped playing.

Only his confident voice echoed far and wide.

“I hope that you will continue to polish yourselves day and night for the brilliant future of the Empire…”

The Emperor flashed a smirking smile.

“Please enjoy yourselves freely today.”

“Waah—!”

Clap, clap, clap!

Loud cheers and thunderous applause erupted.

As if enjoying the enthusiastic response, the Emperor looked around with a satisfied expression.

Then.

The Emperor’s gaze landed in our direction.

The smile plastered on his face vanished completely.

His snake-like eyes sharply glared at Dominic.

On the other hand, Dominic stared back with a calm, unfazed gaze, and then.

He showed his respect by slightly bowing his head.

‘Well, what is he going to do now?’

A normal Emperor would offer a word or two of praise here, even if just out of courtesy.

Designating the Filmara Forest as a sanctuary with a human body was a truly incredible achievement, not to mention the fact that the Emperor had maintained an amicable relationship with the Grand Temple until now.

If only to help the Grand Temple save face.

But the Emperor did not.

“…”

He pressed his lips tightly together, then abruptly turned his head away.

That was it.

He had completely ignored Dominic!

‘Wow, what kind of petty person does that?’

My jaw dropped.

But Dominic didn’t seem to care much either.

Instead, he turned to look at me.

He had a somewhat nervous expression.

“Lady Maybel.”

Huh?

I blinked blankly.

Lady Maybel.

It was an incredibly formal title, one I had never once heard Dominic call me by.

At the same time, he held his hand out to me with a polite gesture.

“Would you grant me the honor of the lady’s first dance?”

“…”

For a moment, I was speechless.

Right.

If I take that hand…

Dominic and I will truly be making our debut into high society side by side.

Not as children anymore, but as adults.

“Of course.”

Smiling brightly, I placed my hand over his.

Instantly, the tension that had filled Dominic’s face melted away.

We stepped onto the dance floor hand in hand.

Our steps felt light enough to fly.

***

Dominic and I mingled among the people and exchanged a light bow.

Then we stepped close to each other and took our starting positions.

The moment his large hand touched my back.

I flinched slightly without realizing it.

‘What do I do, Dominic is so close.’

The waltz is inherently an intimate dance.

You have to hold one hand and move while standing pressed closely together.

Maybe that’s why.

I kept becoming… hyper-aware of Dominic right in front of me.

‘Look at my heart racing again.’

I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again.

I thought I had grown fairly comfortable around Dominic.

But my heart inevitably pounded anyway.

At that moment, the music began to play.

The first piece was a lively waltz.

We started taking steps in sync.

I swallowed a sharp breath.

‘What if I make a mistake?’

I was so nervous that the back of my neck went stiff.

It was really strange.

I had already practiced the waltz dozens of times with my dance instructor; I could dance it with my eyes closed.

…The reason my body stiffened up this much just from changing partners was—

“May, do I look weird?”

But just then.

Dominic whispered softly to me with a worried face.

I was a little puzzled.

“What’s weird?”

“I mean, my dancing.”

Dominic continued, seemingly at a loss.

“Like, am I too stiff, or moving strangely…?”

In that moment, I realized.

‘Ah, I see.’

Dominic couldn’t help but be nervous too, because his partner was me.

In an instant, I felt at ease.

I let out a soft laugh.

“Pfft.”

“Why are you laughing, May?”

“Just ’cause.”

After giggling for a bit, I asked Dominic in a voice full of laughter.

“But why are you worrying about that?”

I meant it.

Dominic was dancing so well that I couldn’t understand why he was worried.

“Really? That’s a relief.”

Heaving a sigh of relief, Dominic spoke brightly.

“My steady practice paid off.”

“Practice?”

My eyes grew wide.

At that, Dominic looked slightly embarrassed and slyly avoided my gaze.

“Well, I never knew when I might get to dance with you, May.”

“…”

I was at a loss for words.

So, you’re saying you’ve been practicing solely in anticipation of dancing with me?

…Even during the hardships of your military life?

Just then, Dominic met my eyes again.

And curved his eyes into a languid smile.

“How about it, aren’t you proud of me?”

For a moment, my mind went completely blank.

The chandelier lights pouring down like jewels.

The gorgeously dressed people swaying like waves around us.

All of it entirely lost its color.

All I could see right now was Dominic.

His smile, his soft gaze, even the hand pulling me closer to him.

As if bewitched, I followed Dominic’s lead and twirled in a circle.

The hem of my blue dress wrapped dizzily around my legs.

And then.

My body stumbled violently.

‘Gasp.’

I swallowed a short breath.

The toe of my shoe had caught on the hem of my skirt!

Seriously, why make this kind of mistake at such an important moment!

“May?!”

Suddenly, a hand firmly grabbed my stumbling waist.

It was Dominic.

After gently supporting me, Dominic fluidly led me into a spin right back into his arms.

Just as if I hadn’t made a mistake at all.

“Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah.”

Nodding my head, I pressed my lips tightly together.

Now I think I finally understand.

I can’t help but be constantly nervous in front of Dominic.

After all.

…How could I possibly stay calm in front of the person I like?