Chapter 5.2

Arriving at the Flowers Palace, where the ball was being held, a soft blend of music, laughter, and conversation washed over us. The atmosphere was convivial, with not a single hint of impending disaster.

The carriage door opened. As I instinctively started to get out first, Jeras blocked me.

How petty. Is he not even going to let me get out of the carriage?

But this time, I was wrong. Standing on the bottom step, he bent toward me and held out his hand.

“Your hand, Princess.”

With a gentle smile, Jeras had transformed into an elegant ball partner. The music playing softly, the subtle lighting, and this handsome new side of Jeras created a fantastical, magical atmosphere.

I wished I could just be swept up in this illusion and enjoy a sweet first ball. But all I could think about was stopping this guy from drinking any alcohol.

I smiled as brightly as I could and gripped Jeras’s hand tightly. Very tightly.

“You are my partner tonight, Your Highness, so you must not leave my side.”

“I didn’t know my partner liked me this much. Do you really like me that much?”

“I’m not joking.”

“What about the bathroom?”

“You obviously can’t go.”

“I guess I’ll go down in history as the Prince who soiled his pants at a ball.”

Jeras’s tone was light and mocking. But I was dead serious. What if he runs into Siliya on the way out of the bathroom?

Hiding my worry, I signaled to Jeras. He took my hand and stepped forward. I followed, my steps heavy.

Please, let this ball end without a single incident.

 

***

 

Like most ordinary people, I was never one to enjoy frivolous attention or curious stares. I had learned firsthand that such fleeting attention rarely leads to anything good.

When I was young, I even wished for people to ignore me. It just made things complicated and confusing.

As time passed and I grew indifferent to curious stares, I no longer found them particularly bothersome.

But right now, I was incredibly, immensely, and ineffably uncomfortable.

The moment we stepped into the ballroom, gazes from every direction poured down on us. My skin prickled from the stares, which felt like a downpour of needles.

I had expected this when I proposed to be Jeras’s partner, but not to this extent. It was like sitting on a bed of thorns—no, not just thorns, but thorns made of iron. It was a situation that was impossible to take in stride.

I hated the person who announced our arrival so loudly that it echoed through the ballroom. I hated the people staring at me. And most of all, I hated Jeras, who was smiling so widely next to me.

I moved my lips as little as possible, as if speaking through a ventriloquist.

“What’s so good about this?”

“I like that you’re flustered.”

“And who’s fault is that?”

“It’s your fault. Oh, or is it because I’m so incredibly handsome? My apologies.”

Ugh, I could just… His annoyingly smug mouth. I was fuming inside, unable to do anything.

Jeras, unbothered, led me forward with a relaxed and graceful stride. I could feel the stares becoming more blatant and malicious.

‘I wish these were a thousand requests for a handshake instead…’

“The combination of His Highness and the Princess… How intriguing.”

A clear, sharp voice suddenly addressed us. Everyone had been eyeing us furtively, but no one had dared to approach. The only person who could be so bold was…

‘Consort Florese.’

The woman with golden hair that looked like melted gold and deep green eyes wore a striking red dress. A tiara made of gold, rubies, and black crystals sat atop her hair, which was puffed high like her pride. She looked exactly as she was described in the original story.

Next to her stood Kieryk, his eyes wide in surprise. Consort Florese always had Kieryk as her escort. It was her way of showing people that she was the Consort who had given birth to the First Prince.

‘She really looks young. I’d believe she was Kieryk’s older sister. With that kind of result, I’d want to use black magic too.’

Kieryk was in his mid-20s, so Consort Florese had to be at least in her mid-40s, but she looked to be in her late 20s. Maybe early 30s at most?

Seeing her in person, I could somewhat understand why Consort Florese, who was so fanatical about beauty, chose black magic.

That’s not to say using black magic was a good thing. No matter how much you want to look young, forbidden means always come with a price.

“Your Majesty, the Second Prince Jeras greets you. I trust you are well.”

Jeras bowed politely to Consort Florese. I also paid my respects, bowing. Consort Florese smiled lightly as she accepted our greetings.

“Thanks to His Highness’s care, I am always well. And you, Princess, we haven’t met before, have we?”

“No, Your Majesty. I am Eloe of the Duchy of Kilmaria. It is an immense honor to greet the most noble and precious flower of the Empire, Her Majesty the Consort.”

“Oh my. The Princess is so skilled at choosing only the most pleasant and beautiful words. I am the one who is delighted. I heard you had arrived in the capital, but there was no opportunity to meet you.”

A sharp barb was hidden at the end of her gentle voice. She was basically asking why I hadn’t come to greet her, a blatant sign of disrespect.

I lowered my posture even more. Being chewed out was one thing, but if I handled this poorly, the entire duchy would be slandered.

The kind faces of my family, who had believed in and supported me, came to mind. Although Consort Florese was irksome, I decided to handle this with care.

“I apologize. I was so preoccupied with adjusting to a new life that I did not think of it. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s generosity in extending your hand to me first, despite my shortcomings.”

“I wasn’t trying to scold you. It is only natural that you have a few shortcomings, as you have never been active in society before. Everyone is like that at first. Please don’t worry about it. But…”

Consort Florese’s voice trailed off. Everyone in the ballroom was now focused on our conversation.

“You have chosen quite a remarkable person as your first ball partner.”

I finally understood why the Consort’s judgment was so twisted.

For Consort Florese, who wanted to make Kieryk the Emperor, Jeras was nothing more than an irritating obstacle. Now that this troublesome Jeras had a princess attached to him, he was even more of a thorn in her side.

My appearance with Jeras had already caused enough misunderstanding. No more.

“My brother was worried about me and asked His Highness, who he is close with, for a favor.”

“Ahhh…”

Consort Florese opened her fan and covered her face. Her expression still showed her disapproval.

My back was starting to hurt from staying bowed for so long. She should have told me to stand up by now… As I wiggled my toes and endured the pain, I noticed something strange.

A faint black mist was on the floor. It was so suspicious that I looked closer, and saw it seeping from the hem of Consort Florese’s dress. It was a mist so faint that you wouldn’t notice it unless you were paying close attention, and it quickly dissipated into the air.

Wait a minute…

‘It’s similar to the smoke I saw from that girl and Jeras. Is it because of black magic?’

“Your Majesty, everyone on the list has arrived.”

“I see. Your Highness, and Princess. Let us talk more leisurely another time. I hope you have a pleasant evening after such a difficult journey.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”

“Jeras, I’ll see you in a bit. Take good care of the Princess. I bid you a good night again, Princess.”

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about me. Have a good evening.”

Kieryk gave a brief greeting and followed Consort Florese. What kind of scolding would I get from Consort Florese if I talked to Kieryk? Just imagining it gave me goosebumps.

I rubbed my arm and watched Consort Florese’s retreating figure, or more precisely, the swaying hem of her dress.

“What are you looking at?”

‘Can’t Jeras see it? He has a good sense, he should have noticed. Should I test him?’

“Her Majesty the Consort looks a lot younger than I expected.”

“I’ve heard she maintains her youth with magic. She’s also a natural beauty.”

His tone was nonchalant. Jeras got along reasonably well with Consort Florese, as much as he liked Kieryk. The problem was that Jeras was the only one who thought so, and he’d get a big blow to the back of his head later.

‘Sigh, when you think about it, he’s a pitiful guy.’

I sent Jeras a look of slight pity before I came to my senses.

Who was I worrying about, anyway? He would get a good girlfriend and become the Crown Prince, living a life of luxury.

Let’s not forget the purpose of coming here, after enduring all this hardship. All I have to do is save Sion.

“Thank you all for accepting the invitation. We have done our best to prepare a fantastic night for you. Please, enjoy yourselves.”

Consort Florese announced the start of the ball from the center of the ballroom. Following her, the gentle strains of a waltz filled the air.

As everyone began to dance with their partners, I linked my arm through Jeras’s. He looked down at me and narrowed his eyes, and I smiled brightly back at him.

Until this night ends, Jeras and I must move as one. Absolutely.

 

***

 

“Is it delicious?”

“Yes. You should try some, Your Highness.”

“Eat a lot, Princess. Should I put a few in your cheek pouch when we leave?”

“I’d like to, if only I had one.”

It was truly delicious. Since it was made by an imperial chef, it felt even more so.

Jeras, sitting across from me, soon turned his head, as if he had lost interest. His gaze lingered on the beautifully dressed young ladies gathered in small groups.

It had been an hour since the ball began. During a short break after the fourth song, people were busy looking for their next dance partners.

The most popular one was Jeras. It was no exaggeration to say that almost every lady was glancing at him. However, since Jeras hadn’t danced with even me, his official partner, no one dared to approach him.

‘He’s staring a little too hard.’

Not at the ladies, but at Jeras.

Jeras had been resting his chin on his hand, staring intently at one lady. She was a calm and mature-looking beauty with long brown hair. His profile was expressionless, so I had no idea what he was thinking.

‘Now that I think about it, we’ve barely made eye contact, except in the drawing room and when we got out of the carriage.’

Thinking about it, it was strange. I hadn’t taken my eyes off Jeras for a second, afraid he might disappear without me, but we had hardly ever made eye contact.

“Your Highness.”

“What.”

He still didn’t look at me. It was clear he was intentionally avoiding my gaze.

Regardless of my feelings about Jeras, I didn’t like his dismissive attitude.

What’s he in a bad mood about? Is it because I’ve been dragging him around? Or is it because he wants to dance with someone else but can’t because of me? If that’s the case, he should just say so honestly. I would have let him go a long time ago.

“You can go dance. I’ll stay here, so go ahead and dance.”

“No. I don’t want to get scolded by you later.”

“I won’t scold you. As long as you don’t sneak off somewhere else after the dance, I don’t care if you dance all night.”

“If you didn’t intend to dance a single song, why did you ask me to be your partner?”

To keep an eye on you so you don’t take the medicine… I barely managed to swallow the answer that had risen to my throat.

Jeras tilted his head, still looking at something other than me. I couldn’t help but get annoyed at his extremely disrespectful posture during our conversation.

“Your attitude is even worse, Your Highness. When you’re talking to someone, you should look at them. What is that posture? You keep saying ‘partner, partner’ while ignoring me.”

“I’m not ignoring you.”

“See? Even now, you’re not paying attention to me. You’re thinking about someone else. Ugh, I don’t know why I’m even saying this. Just go dance.”

“Princess.”

Finally, Jeras turned his body to face me directly. Was it because of the light from the beautiful chandelier? His lips looked particularly red.

The glossy, sparkling lips with a smile on them were beautiful, but at the same time, they were extremely ominous.

“Are you jealous…”

“Huh? Your Highness, look over there. Quick! Hurry!”

There was something more important than Jeras’s nonsense.

I cut him off and pointed to the entrance. Jeras frowned deeply and looked where I pointed. A person who should absolutely not be here was standing tall.

“…Sion?”

Jeras muttered, sounding perplexed. The fact that Jeras could see him too meant… The Sion standing there wasn’t a ghost or my imagination. He was the real Sion.

I sprang up from my chair. My vision spun for a moment, and I felt dizzy. A warm hand firmly grabbed my arm, preventing me from falling. It was Jeras’s hand.

“You look pale. Are you okay?”

“Thank you. I’m not okay, though.”

How could I be? Sion… Why in the world was Sion here?

I deliberately didn’t tell my family that I was attending the ball, because I knew they would all want to come… Could the rumor have spread all the way to the duchy?

I quickly scanned Sion, who was talking to a guard at the entrance. Sion was wearing a simple suit with a frock coat. It seemed he had rushed out the moment he heard about the ball, still dressed for work.

‘Why couldn’t he just stay home and work…!’

After finishing his conversation, Sion entered the ballroom and looked around. He must have been looking for me. I hadn’t expected him to show up at all, and my thoughts were tangled like a ball of yarn.

I couldn’t send him back now. What should I do?

While I was caught in my indecision, Sion and I made direct eye contact. Sion’s face, which had been calm until then, suddenly lit up.

Sion only gave a brief bow to the people who recognized and greeted him, then made a beeline for me. He looked like a dog who had finally found its owner after a long time apart, all he was missing was a tail.

Ugh, he’s so adorably cute. Which made me even more upset. I was annoyed by Sion for being so happy without knowing what I was thinking, but at the same time, I was glad to see him.

“Eloe.”

Sion’s sweet voice was music to my ears. Yes, Sion had truly come to this ball.

The female lead could twist the original story to her will, but I, who am neither a protagonist nor anything else, can’t change anything no matter how hard I struggle? Does this mean Sion’s death is a predetermined fate?

‘What does that matter? I will never give up.’

Siliya may be the protagonist of the novel, but I am the protagonist of my life. I am the one who will create and change my life.

I firmed my resolve and clenched my fists.

“You really… look beautiful today. So beautiful I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“That’s what they call ‘clothes make the man’.”

“Yeah. You’re right, Jeras. My house angel finally has wings.”

Sion said with a smile that covered his whole face. It was a 500% genuine smile.

A deep silence fell between the three of us, as if time had stopped.

Sion… Say things like that only when we’re at home… His fanboy-ism has gotten stronger since I last saw him. Or maybe my resistance has just weakened. I was so embarrassed I couldn’t even lift my head.

Jeras sighed heavily.

“Sion, you must be tired and seeing things. Why don’t you get some rest?”

“Eloe, have you danced yet? If not, how about with your brother…”

Sion smoothly ignored Jeras’s comment and gently took my hand. Before I could shake my head, Jeras snatched my hand from Sion’s grasp.

“You’re dancing with me now.”

“Huh? No, I don’t think I…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

Jeras pulled me away with a confident expression. People who were already in position, waiting for the next dance, shuffled aside to make space for us. We were suddenly at the center of the hall.

No, no. Don’t do this. This is too much pressure!

“How can you just do this? I haven’t even had a proper talk with my brother.”

If the situation were different, I would have danced with Sion. I looked at Sion, who was standing alone, watching us. My heart ached seeing his dejected expression.

“Princess, I’m just going to remind you in case you forgot.”

The soft piano melody stopped, and a slightly faster violin waltz began. Jeras’s arm wrapped around my waist in a clean, yet firm grip. The warmth I felt through the dress was unfamiliar.

This was the first time I had been this close to anyone.

But Jeras didn’t stop there. He pulled me even closer. The distance between us closed dramatically, and his cool scent enveloped me. My face flushed with heat.

“A-A-Are you crazy? People are watching!”

“I’m your partner tonight. Don’t look away.”

Who was looking away!

Before I could protest, Jeras began to lead me, moving to the rhythm. I was only used to bobbing my head to the beat, so it was hard for me to keep up with Jeras’s movements.

Jeras managed to continue the dance, despite my stumbling.

“How’s it? Is it manageable?”

“Don’t talk to me. I’m concentrating so hard on not stepping on your feet.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just dance. I’ll move out of the way.”

As he said, I never stepped on Jeras’s feet. That is, until I spotted a red-haired woman leaning against the wall behind Jeras.

‘Siliya…!’

She was too far for me to see clearly, but Siliya was wearing a maid’s uniform, not a dress. Consort Flores must have made her disguise herself.

My heart sank, and I stumbled on my step. I swayed, bumped my forehead into Jeras’s shoulder, and then stomped all over his feet. Ouch, that must hurt!

“I’m so sorry!”

Siliya? Is she still there?

My mind was a mess, apologizing to Jeras and worrying about Siliya. I quickly pulled my feet away and craned my neck to look over Jeras’s shoulder.

But suddenly, the scenery changed as he spun me around. Jeras had turned in place, switching our positions.

Hey, hey! Change it back! I need to find Siliya!

“I told you not to look away. Only look at me.”

Jeras murmured in a low voice. What is wrong with this guy today?!

I struggled to see Siliya, trying to get past Jeras’s obstruction. But the more I struggled, the closer our distance became, and in the end, all I could see while dancing was Jeras.

I retaliated by stomping all over Jeras’s feet.

 

***

 

‘I hope the toilet paper runs out.’

Standing in front of the bathroom, waiting for Jeras, I cursed pointlessly.

The area was very quiet, perhaps because it was far from the main hall. There was no one walking down the wide hallway. Well, that’s good. There wouldn’t be a rumor about a princess loitering in front of the men’s restroom.

After spotting Siliya in a corner of the ballroom, I’d been stuck to Jeras like glue. Sion had been hovering around us constantly, even trying to escort me a few times.

If it weren’t for Siliya, I would have abandoned Jeras and gone to Sion in a heartbeat. I felt sad for my situation, having to choose Jeras while swallowing my bitter tears.

Rejected, Sion’s eyes looked hurt before a count cornered him. He was probably enthusiastically talking about work. Poor Sion.

‘Speaking of which, is there really no toilet paper? Why is he taking so long?’

I was starting to get bored just standing there. I should look outside.

Looking out the window, I saw bright lights from lamps illuminating various parts of the lush, ornate garden. As I was idly admiring the garden, a woman rushed out of the building.

It was Siliya! Where was she going?

I opened the window and practically hung from the sill, following Siliya with my eyes.

Siliya was walking frantically toward the front gate. She was in such a hurry that she almost stumbled and fell. She occasionally glanced back, startled, then quickly looked forward again. She looked like someone being chased, or someone fleeing in terror.

I didn’t take my eyes off Siliya until she became a tiny dot and was no longer visible.

‘Well, if Consort Flores finds out she couldn’t get Jeras to drink, she won’t just let it go.’

But still, the main storyline—that Jeras lives to meet Siliya—wouldn’t change.

Phew, I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. My neck was stiff from being on high alert.

Now, all that’s left is to hand over this troublemaker to Siliya, live a happy life with the Sion I saved, learn some magic, and then find a boyfriend who is handsome, tall, rich, powerful, gentle, and only loves me.

It’s a rosy life, indeed!

“Isn’t that a bit high for a squirrel to escape from?”

Jeras, who had approached without a sound, gently pulled my arm. My body, which had been half-perched on the windowsill, was smoothly pulled back inside.

“Or were you a flying squirrel?”

“Neither. Let’s go back.”

“Alright. Here.”

Jeras naturally extended his hand to me. Since Siliya was gone and there was no need to hold hands, I lightly placed my hand on his to avoid making him feel awkward.

Walking alone with Jeras down the quiet hallway was a little strange. I just rolled my eyes and glanced at him. Then our eyes met. Jeras looked down at me and his eyes crinkled in a smile. His eyes, curving like a half-moon, couldn’t have been more ominous.

“My house angel finally has wings?”

You, you…

“…Don’t say that.”

“I can’t take my eyes off you, for fear that the angel will fly away.”

“La, la, la. I can’t hear you. Not a single word.”

How could he say something like that without his expression changing at all?

I hit Jeras’s arm and covered my ears with both hands, marching quickly. I thought I heard Jeras’s laughter.

My face felt as hot as an electric blanket.