Chapter 108

Siphiel’s cuffs lightly brushed against the back of my neck, sending a ticklish shiver down my spine.

 

“There, it is done.”

 

Perhaps he had grown impatient since we were already late. Siphiel extended his hand to me; after a momentary hesitation, I took it, and together we headed toward the ballroom.

 

The banquet was nearing its peak. The moment Siphiel and I entered through the main doors, every eye in the room fixed on us. No doubt everyone recognized him—the crimson hair, the sturdy build, the brown eyes, and the noble gait that commanded respect even behind a mask.

 

That overwhelming attention soon shifted to me, scanning me from head to toe. I felt as if I were being pierced by their stares. I felt a fleeting pang of regret; perhaps I really shouldn’t have attended today.

 

“What took you so long!”

 

I blinked as I turned toward the source of Scarlet’s cheerful voice.

 

‘Wait, wasn’t this a masquerade ball?’

 

There stood Scarlet, maskless, grinning broadly with her teeth showing.

 

‘If you’re going to reveal your identity so blatantly, there’s really no point in it being a masquerade, is there?’

 

She truly lived up to her reputation as a contrarian. Scarlet waved her arm vigorously, beckoning us over. As we approached, she patted an empty chair, signaling for me to sit.

 

“Please sit, Prince Siphiel.”

 

“No! Not Siphiel, Lilithia should sit.”

 

I blinked, having assumed she was offering the seat to him. Siphiel nodded encouragingly, his eyes signaling that it was fine.

 

“I am perfectly fine standing.”

 

“Exactly. Siphiel can stand. He’s the Knight Commander; standing for a bit won’t kill him.”

 

With a small bow of gratitude, I slowly took the seat.

 

“You aren’t wearing a mask?”

 

“It’s too stuffy.”

 

Come to think of it, I recalled her mentioning she hated wearing masks at these events.

 

“Drink, drink!”

 

Before I knew it, a cocktail glass was thrust into my hand.

 

“I need to go grab more for myself!” Scarlet chirped, springing up from her seat and heading toward the table for a fresh round.

 

It seemed Scarlet had already immersed herself in the festive spirit—and a fair amount of alcohol. I stared down at the cocktail, lost in thought.

 

‘Will this be okay?’

 

Being in a crowded space was already starting to drain me. I was running on sheer willpower, but I felt that if I took a single sip, I might lose my grip and fall asleep right then and there.

 

“Give it to me.”

 

A voice whispered near my ear, the sound almost tickling my eardrum. Siphiel had leaned in from behind.

 

“It looks like you’re having a hard time drinking it.”

 

“I pulled an all-nighter… I feel like if I drink this, something might go wrong.”

 

“Then give it to me quickly before my sister returns.”

 

With a swift motion, Siphiel took the glass from my hand, drained it in one gulp, and handed the empty glass back to me.

 

“If my sister gives you another glass, I suggest you find an excuse to leave. She is quite the heavy drinker.”

 

He wiped a drop of moisture from his lip and straightened his posture. Just then, Scarlet returned with a cocktail in each hand. She pouted when she saw the empty glass in my grip.

 

“I wanted to toast with you, but you finished it already?”

 

As I gave an awkward smile, a hand reached out even faster to intercept the new glass Scarlet was about to hand me.

 

“I believe it is my turn, sister.”

 

Scarlet narrowed her eyes, looking at Siphiel skeptically.

 

“Fine then.”

 

She was about to say she’d just get another one for me, but the music suddenly changed and then stopped.

 

Click—

 

The lights dimmed. Only the center of the ballroom was illuminated by a single, brilliant highlight.

 

“You should take this chance to slip away to somewhere else,” Siphiel signaled me to leave.

 

Scarlet seemed to be acting like an unbridled colt today, clearly delighted by her birthday celebrations, and it looked like very few people could stop her—judging by the palace staff shaking their heads in the distance.

 

I felt a little guilty, but with my stamina at rock bottom, I really needed to avoid her for now. I agreed with Siphiel. I gathered the skirts of my dress, preparing to sneak away, when—

 

“Dance.”

 

Scarlet spun around and uttered a single syllable.

 

“Want to dance?”

 

I stood there with a blank expression, wondering if she was actually asking me. Under her piercing gaze demanding a quick answer, my eyes darted around. A single sentence flashed through my mind like a warning, making my skin crawl: “The Princess is a high-ranking knight.”

 

Why was I suddenly remembering the trembling knights who had watched our last sparring match? I blurted out an answer in a panic.

 

“O-Of course!”

 

“Sister, you’re teasing her too much. How could Vice Head Leader Lilithia possibly refuse?”

 

“What are you talking about?” Scarlet frowned, crossing her arms and leaning back against the railing. “I meant you and Lilithia should dance, Siphiel.”

 

“W-With Prince Siphiel?”

 

At this unexpected turn, Siphiel’s expression remained unreadable.

 

“Wait, did you misunderstand?” Scarlet burst into a fit of laughter, doubling over until she practically touched her knees. Wiping a tear from her eye, she gasped, “I’m going to dance with a man.”

 

‘That’s not really the point, Princess Scarlet.’

 

Once again, she had managed to leave me completely speechless.

 

 

***

 

 

Pushed along by Scarlet, I found myself dancing with Siphiel.

 

“You two look great!” Scarlet shouted toward us, and immediately, all eyes were on us.

 

“Prince Siphiel and… the Head of the Baimery Merchant Guild?”

 

Despite the mask, the noble ladies had already figured out who I was. There really was no point to these masks. I could feel the metaphorical lasers shooting from their eyes, and a sigh escaped me at the stinging stares.

 

“I apologize on my sister’s behalf.”

 

“It wasn’t so unpleasant that I need an apology. It’s just that Princess Scarlet is… quite unpredictable.”

 

“I am used to it since we grew up together, but it must be quite bewildering for you, Vice Head Leader Lilithia.”

 

Siphiel gave a faint smile, glanced briefly at Scarlet, and then spoke.

 

“If you find dancing with me distasteful, please tell me even now.”

 

“Distasteful? Not at all. It’s an honor.”

 

It wasn’t every day one got to dance with a prince. Then again, I couldn’t exactly say I was thrilled, either. The problem was simply the reminder that I was a terrible dancer. I remembered the time I had danced with Ivailo and practically ruined his feet.

 

‘I have to be careful.’

 

I could feel Scarlet’s mischievous gaze on us from afar.

 

“I am glad to hear that. For my part, I am quite happy to be able to dance with you, Vice Head Leader Lilithia.”

 

While I was wondering what he meant by “happy,” Siphiel didn’t waste a beat; he wrapped his hand around my waist and moved my body to the rhythm of the music.

 

I had to stop thinking and focus entirely on the dance. I am not a person capable of multitasking—especially when my focus was entirely on my feet. I couldn’t just relax and enjoy the music; I was determined not to step on another person’s feet in the life of Lilithia Baimery.

 

‘Oh, no!’

 

But fate was cruel, and my dress was unusually long today. I had been staring at the floor, desperately trying to avoid Siphiel’s shoes, when—

 

“Whoa—?!”

 

My heel caught on the hem of my own dress, and I was on the verge of falling backward. Reflexively, I grabbed onto whatever was within reach.

 

My relief lasted only a second before I realized I had buried my face against a broad chest. To my horror, I realized what I was clutching: I had grabbed Siphiel by the collar.

 

“I am so sorry!”

 

Of all the things to grab for a lifeline, I had throttled a prince—at a banquet in his own kingdom, no less. I looked up frantically, and my eyes landed on the red scratch marks near his Adam’s apple. My heart felt like it had been dropped onto a sheet of ice. I had actually scratched the neck of a Prince and a Knight Commander.

 

“The—the scratches!”

 

I let go of his collar, but his firm grip remained steady on my waist.

 

“It is strange. I…”

 

“First, we need to treat this…”

 

“Do you know? You are a truly fascinating person, Vice Head Leader Lilithia.”

 

‘I’m very grateful you didn’t call me ‘weird.’ But really, we need to get that scratch treated.’

 

“I think I finally understand my own heart.”

 

‘I hope that ‘heart’ isn’t telling you to throw me in a dungeon.’

 

My mind was racing with laws regarding “assaulting royalty,” so I couldn’t fully focus on what he was saying. Siphiel looked down at me with a faint smile.

 

“At first, I was wary of you. I wondered what kind of person you were to earn such affection from my sister—to the point she calls you her sworn sister. I thought I should be on guard in case you had an ulterior motive.”

 

“Not at all! You’ve got it all wrong!”

 

I was far too faint-hearted to harbor such schemes. Even the scratch just now was an accident. Siphiel, now looking quite open, poured out his thoughts.

 

“I know. Looking at your actions, you are a truly pure and kind person… no, honestly, you are the most clumsy person I have ever met in my life.”

 

Siphiel stopped right in the middle of the ballroom and spoke softly.

 

“Perhaps that is why… I’ve found myself wanting to get to know you a little better.”