Chapter 177

“So, what should I do?” Rashid, who had arrived at the center of the hall, lowered his gaze toward her face. How did she end up right here anyway? She hesitated for a moment, but since she had already come this far, there was only one answer. “Don’t blame me even if I step on your feet. As you know———”

“I know. You’re useless no matter how much you try.”

“Ah! Really.” With a glimmer of laughter in her narrowed eyes, Rashid faced her as if he had been waiting for her. As she took his hand, grand music resounded throughout the hall. In the stillness, with all eyes focused solely on them, the music brought some comfort to her heart.

“…”

No! To be honest, it’s a lie. How could she let her guard down while dancing with a man like this? Even as she moved her feet following Rashid’s lead, she couldn’t relax. It wasn’t because she was dancing with a man who made her heart flutter, but because she was afraid of stepping on his feet and getting killed. “Don’t pierce. Don’t stab. Don’t kill.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Excuse me, then.” Only when she finally looked up at Rashid and smiled did his gaze darken as they turned under the chandelier. When did he become so skilled at dancing? He still seemed like an Emperor, but his attire had changed, making him feel like an entirely different man.

“Your Majesty, what happened?”

“That seems like something I should be asking.”

“…”

One step back. As Rashid’s outstretched hand lightly brushed her, her nape inexplicably tingled. It was difficult to describe the color of the crimson irises that held her purple dress. It seemed satisfied, or perhaps it was full of desire. “You acted like you would never wear it.”

“Well, that was my intention.”

“…”

One step closer again and she whispered as her lips passed by his ear. “Well, apparently, there seems to be a traitor living in our house.”

“Who dares? It seems like there are several lives at stake, huh?”

“Oh, it’s just a mallard duck. Her name is Selene.”

“……”

“If she happens to meet Your Majesty in the future, please let me know.”

“What?” Taking advantage of the slight loosening of his grip, she turned around in a full circle. Judging by how Rashid immediately caught her back, it seemed he wasn’t completely wrong about not being completely off in dancing.

“If she dares to touch another person’s button again, I’ll poke her eyes out.”

“……” A soft sound, as if suppressing laughter, passed by their bodies. Whether it was dancing or posturing, he was a man who knew exactly when to withdraw his feet. “Well, I think I saw something similar in the second-floor study.”

“Do you think I…”

“Maybe not.”

One by one, the dancers increased, but all eyes were still focused on their side. The ladies, especially those who had always shown great interest in the Emperor, couldn’t tear their thirsty gazes away.

“……”

Particularly, it was even more intense for Lavinia, who always had a strong interest in him. Rebecca, who openly flirted, and Lania, with her cool smile, were disregarded. The desperate desire of those women, who seemed eager to capture her with their arms and take her away at this very moment, was enough to make her back ache. “These women…”

“Your Majesty.” It was a gaze that she could feel even without looking, so Rashid couldn’t possibly notice. Without turning around, he looked down at her with a creased brow, as if he found her pitiful.

“A so-called stepmother who can’t properly control her daughters.”

“Well, how can the daughters be happy when their new stepmother is dancing with another man?”

“Why? You have a real daughter, don’t you?”

“What? Who?”

“Reina.”

“……”

Wow! This is quite piercing to the heart. She tightly closed her eyes, trying to ignore the slightly upturned corner of his mouth. Whether she danced or not, it didn’t make much difference. She just knew that Rashid’s strong hand would never let her fall.

“Really? My daughter?” It was a word that felt as unfamiliar as boiling ice cream. Yet, there was already a sweet sensation, like melting softness, spreading on her tongue, which she had never tasted before. Despite casually mentioning her only hope, Rashid remained calm and composed. “Reina would probably like it. Seeing you dancing like this.”

“No way!” This brother of hers sure had big dreams. No matter how briefly excited she might have been, the reality was reality. Right now, she should personally see how her ‘Older Brother, Current Brother-in-Law, and Niece’ are faring during the protest. It was said that they were lying sprawled on the sickbed, shouting ‘Long Live Big Brother!’ while eating his favorite apples. Considering that she miraculously managed to avoid skipping school, it would be unwise for him to be so self-assured about all these root causes of illness. “Why? Do you still hate me, by any chance?”

“Why would you bring that up? Oops.”

He surprised her! Rashid, who was about to take a step forward, suddenly pulled her closer. Before she could fall, he swiftly lifted her, but her eyes widened involuntarily.

“Your——Your Highness!”

“At this point, it seems like your daughter can also change her mind.”

“Perhaps.” He’s making a ridiculous claim. His excessive confidence was both irritating and astonishing. Following Rashid’s gentle touch as he set her down slowly, her new shoes touched the ground. The plush sensation was different from before—it felt like sitting on a cloud. “Take a look at that.”