CH 13

“Enjoy this joyous day to your heart’s content,” the Emperor said with a refreshing smile as he stepped back.

Lariana stood pressed against the wall of the ballroom. Until now, she had never moved since her debut, always holding Lejandro’s hand. She had thought that being near the wall was the role of the unpopular ones. Lariana stood there miserably, reflecting on her foolish past.

“So, the rumors about the Prince and Lady Heliosen breaking up were true.”

“She acted like a Princess, but look at her now.”

“A noblewoman from an unknown family, it’s only natural, isn’t it?”

“Tsk, acting without decorum and foolishly.”

“Even so, look at her, I thought she would still act confidently after Prince Lejandro’s betrothal announcement. Standing there against the wall makes her look pathetic.”

Marina tried to argue back against the nobles who approached Lariana, but she couldn’t do anything. Lariana tightened her grip on Marina’s hand and lowered her head.

They were right, and she was wrong. She was the foolish one. Lariana had never had a discerning eye for people. She naively trusted others and was betrayed.

Her first dance was always with Lejandro, but today there was no such thing. She just wished for the entrance gate of the grand hall to open quickly.

“Why is he so shameless?”

Marina’s voice reached Lariana’s ears, but she couldn’t regain her composure. As she raised her head, she saw Lejandro approaching with a smile among the countless people searching for their dance partners for the first dance.

“Lari, will you dance with me?”

Both Cain and Lejandro were bad choices, of course. But if she had to choose who was worse, Lariana firmly believed it was Lejandro. She wanted to humiliate him right now if she could.

However, as a noble lady from a remote territory, she had no power to do so. In the situation where she couldn’t do anything, she would end up dancing with Leandro.

At this moment, if she were to take Lejandro’s hand, it would be no different from proclaiming to everyone that she would become his mistress.

Ah, so that’s why Lejandro chose her. Lariana finally realized it.

At that moment, a shadow of a person loomed behind Lejandro. There was only one person in the grand hall who was tall enough to cast such a large shadow on Lejandro, who was not small in stature.

“Lady Heliosen.”

The familiar voice reached Lariana. It was Cain. It seemed like he was the only one receiving all the light in this world. Cain stood alone, as if bathed in light in the darkened world.

Everyone in the hall, including the nobles who had flocked to tear Lariana apart, began to pay attention to this bizarre situation.

It was the first time Cain had spoken to a woman other than Princess Sonia or Lady Evita, with whom he had accompanied to social events as a partner.

“I request a dance with you.”

Suddenly, the buzzing hall fell silent. Only the faint sound of the orchestra playing in the background could be heard.

The shock was momentary. Soon everyone stared at the three of them with great interest, like an audience watching an exciting melodrama.

“Lord Delacroix, what are you doing?”

Lejandro scowled at Cain. He looked nonchalant as he calmly gazed at Lariana.

“I’m simply requesting a dance from Lady Heliosen, whom I’ve always admired.”

“Did you forget what you did to Lariana? This is absurd.”

However, in this situation, it was not Lejando but Lariana who felt the situation was absurd. Both of them had inflicted all kinds of wounds on her, and now they nonchalantly asked her to dance.

The entrance to the grand hall was still firmly closed.

Lariana tightly closed her eyes and let out a sigh. Then, she reached out her hand.

Her outstretched hand grabbed one of the two hands. The hand that held her would never let go of her hand again.

The red lips of the chosen man gently touched and then withdrew from Lariana’s hand. The place where his lips touched felt hot as if it was on fire.

The man had smooth, jet-black hair, and deep blue eyes. His eyes crinkle as he smiled.

Lariana had chosen Cain Delacroix. With just one movement, Lariana garnered admiration from all the haughty nobles seated in the hall. After all, being the Duke’s wife was a better choice than a prince’s concubine.

Lejandro, with a bewildered expression, stiffened. Lariana found it exhilarating, as if she could burst into laughter.

Lariana walked towards the dance floor of the grand hall, escorted by Cain.

“You chose well by wearing a white dress.”

Lariana also wore a satin dress of pure white, so the two of them complemented each other admirably. They looked like the protagonists of a wedding party.

The sneers directed at Lariana had disappeared, and there was only admiration as the two seemed as if they came out of paintings.

“…Not bad.”

With a cold voice, Lariana responded reluctantly.

“There is no one else but you to speak to me like this.”

As Cain gently pulled Lariana’s waist, the dance began.

Lariana had always doubted Cain’s dancing skills, and the reason was that he never danced at all. Even though he accompanied Princess Sonia or Lady Evita to various events, he never danced. Rumors spread that he was incredibly bad at dancing.

However, no matter how bad his dancing skills were, they had to be perfect at this moment. Lariana didn’t want to be embarrassed at all.

“How about focusing a little more on the dance?”

Lariana nervously responded to Cain’s taunt.

“I was thinking about when I made my debut in high society. I wanted to dance like this at the debutante ball.”

“I’m truly sorry for what happened that day.”

Cain apologized, wrapping his arms around Lariana’s waist and spinning her around in a circle.

Although she had intended to attack him with her words, it will be Lariana who ended up wounded. Even now, the memory of that day pierced her heart like needles.

“…Apologizing won’t resolve everything.”

“That’s why I’m asking for your forgiveness for the rest of my life.”

“If I accept your proposal, everyone will say I’ve lost my dignity. I’ll be treated like a fool.”

“Lariana, don’t be swayed by the gossip of pathetic people.”

Cain pulled her closer, their faces so close that their hot breaths mingled.

Lariana turned her head away, distancing herself from him. Emotions surged within her in an instant, overwhelming her ability to control them.

“If it’s like this now, then why did you act that way back then?”

“I don’t remember.”

“What did you say?”

Her life had changed since that day, and his excuse was incredibly irresponsible. A sense of misery washed over her like a tidal wave.

Lariana bit down on her tender lip, trying to hold back a sob. The suppressed blood from her lips suddenly rushed down her throat.

The space around the two of them had been emptied in no time. The onlookers, who didn’t want to interrupt the beautiful sight they presented, easily gave up on their own dances.

Cain and Lariana were undoubtedly the protagonists of the engagement celebration ball for Lejandro.

Finally, their first dance had come to an end. Taking advantage of the awkward moment when everyone was greeting their partners, Lariana hurriedly left the grand hall.

⋆ ★ ⋆

Once Lariana finally left the grand hall, she realized she had nowhere to go. The gardens and courtyards were filled with lovers. She decided to wait at the carriage of Count Beckdel.

However, since she was always accompanied by Lejandro or people from the Beckdel household, she didn’t even know where to find the carriage.

“If you go to the main entrance of the palace, you’ll find the carriages of each family lined up.”

“Thank you.”

Although she was lost in the palace, Lariana fortunately encountered a familiar servant and was able to ask for directions.

When she lived in Heline, she did everything by herself, but it had been two years since she came to the capital city, Petika. Lariana couldn’t even find a carriage and was frustrated with her own pitiful state.

Wearing a satin dress that fit her perfectly and dizzyingly high-heeled shoes with feathers, her body was exhausted more than usual.

Once she left the grand hall, there were a few people around. Lariana wandered for a while before taking off her shoes. She felt utterly miserable.

She missed her father, who was left alone in their hometown, yearning for his daughter.

“It’s all because of Cain Delacroix… If only that damn b*stard didn’t exist, I wouldn’t have come to Petika…”

Lariana didn’t want to cry, but her voice kept trembling. She covered her mouth with the back of her hand, trying to stifle her sobs, but an unpleasant sound reached her ears.

“Yes, everything is because of me.”

From where did the voice come out? Lariana turned around without making a sound and faced Cain, who had approached her.

“I knew you’d be here.”

“The carriages of the Delacroix family will arrive soon. I’ll accompany you.”

“I have one question.”

“Ask me anything.”

“What’s your relationship with Princess Sonia?”

Cain slowly brushed aside his flowing bangs. His appearance was akin to a carefully crafted sculpture, eliciting admiration. Even amidst this, Lariana found herself surprised at his looks.

“I have decided to serve Princess Sonia.”

“Unbelievable.”

“Lariana, becoming my wife means serving Princess Sonia together. It’s something you should know in advance.”

In the midst of the intensifying struggle for the throne, the Delacroix family remained neutral among the three Martessen duchies.

Princess Sonia already had Duke Kaidel by her side, and Prince Lejandro had Duchess Estelle. While the situation had been balanced, thanks to Cain’s choice, it would surely tilt. However, if by any chance Princess Sonia failed to ascend to the throne, the fate of the Delacroix family could not be guaranteed.

“Well, then… What about Lady Evita Kaidel?”