CH 23

Two royal guards hurriedly approached us. Raphir raised his hand to stop them from getting in between us.

It was a voice that resonated deep within me, even though I had no recollection of it.

Normally, when requesting a dance with a woman who has a partner, it was customary to seek the partner’s permission first.

Personally, I found this cultural practice quite distasteful, as it undermined the individual’s autonomy. Nevertheless, it was evident that this unfamiliar man was disregarding such etiquette.

Furthermore, my dance partner was the prince of this country.

As evidence of this, Raphir, who always wore a casual smile as a habit, now had a faint tension in his lips.

The gazes of everyone around us were fixated on this scene.

The knights standing behind Raphir were ready to act at a moment’s notice, awaiting any command.

Even my brothers who were keeping their distance were approaching us.

“Yes, alright,” I said hastily, taking the man’s hand.

It was the best way I could think of to prevent the situation from escalating.

Ignoring the commotion around us, the man held my hand and led me back to the center of the hall.

“I’m sorry,” I conveyed silently through my gaze, unsure if Raphir understood.

We stood facing each other, the only ones among the crowd preparing to dance.

The rest of the people formed a large circle around us, leaving us in the center.

As the music did not start immediately, the man subtly directed his gaze towards the musicians.

The musicians hesitated, unsure of what to do, but when Raphir nodded, they finally began to play.

As the music played, the man started stepping to the rhythm.

Soon, Raphir and Sylphia began dancing together.

Only then did the rest of the people feel at ease and join in pairs or groups on the dance floor.

“…Do you realize what you’ve just done? It seems you didn’t recognize who he was because of the mask. That person just now was…”

“He’s the crown prince. I know.” The man said in a low, stern voice.

Suddenly speaking informally, disrespecting the royal family.

I couldn’t help but frown.

He removed his mask and, at the same time, pulled me close to him with his other hand, which was wrapped around my waist.

Our breaths mingled as our eyes met.

His face was unrealistically beautiful.

Having seen my father, brothers everyday and occasionally Raphir and Sylphia, I thought I had developed immunity to most forms of beauty.

Nevertheless, for a moment, I forgot to breathe, as his face boasted extraordinary features.

It was a face that could not be compared to most beauties, with delicate features and a bold manliness.

His expression was chilling enough to be perceived as threatening, yet at the same time, there was a hint of indescribable sadness.

“Even like this, you still don’t know?”

“…….”

In his hazy eyes, a faint gray shimmered within his green eyes.

It was the eye color from my memories.

‘…No way.’

For a moment, I felt my heart stop beating.

“Yes, it’s me.”

He put his lips close to my ear and said.

“I came to keep the promise you broke, Ruby.”

‘This can’t be real.’

Clyde?

This is Clyde?

The appearance of the man before me was so different from the skinny boy I remembered.

His arms were thick and sturdy, appearing twice the size of mine even with a slight exaggeration, and his body seemed impossible to lift with lightweight magic anymore.

Even if seven years had passed, could a person change so much?

Back then, he clearly looked about the same age as me, but now he seems at least 4 or 5 years older.

His appearance, aura, and even the faint dry scent that I could barely sense—everything about him indicated a fully grown adult man.

“…I think you’ve got the wrong person.”

I barely managed to open my mouth to speak.

“My name isn’t Ruby. I’m….”

“Eila Rojasis.”

I felt a chill run down my spine at the name Clyde muttered in a low voice.

“The youngest daughter of Julion Rojasis, who captured and used me as an experiment seven years ago.”

“…….”

“And the woman who saved me and my mother under the name Ruby.”

“…I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I said, keeping my voice as steady as I could.

Clyde’s eyes narrowed.

He reached out and pulled my mask off.

“Wait, what is this rude-“

Unperturbed by my protests, he moved his hand to the back of my neck and effortlessly snapped the braid that held my hair up.

My hair, reaching down to my waist, cascaded down my back.

The dance steps came to a halt.

I could only face Clyde, holding my breath.

“If you wanted to deceive my eyes, you should have at least disguised yourself.”

Clyde slowly swept his palm across my cheek.

The area where his skin made direct contact with mine felt like a jolt of electricity.

“I haven’t forgotten your face for a single day in these seven years. Don’t think you can deceive me anymore.”

“…….”

“Why didn’t you keep your promise?”

Clyde asked in a low voice.

“…….”

“If you’re going to do this, why did you save me?”

When I remained silent, unable to move my mouth, Clyde leaned in so close that our foreheads were touching.

“Look into my eyes, Ruby. And tell me.”

“…….”

“Why did you do that?”

His gaze was so suffocating, as if he were gripping my throat.

And his voice growled low, like a beast.

Except for the eye color, he was exactly like the description from the original novel.

‘I changed history, so things shouldn’t have gone awry…?’

The cute, innocent boy was nowhere to be seen.

‘This is a different story….’

Feeling as if I had been deceived, I bit my lip.

Someone grabbed my shoulder from behind and pulled me away from Clyde.

It was Nita.

“What are you doing to my little sister?”

Nita glared at Clyde with a look of caution and enmity.

The music had stopped, and the couples who were dancing had all returned to their places, observing us.

Aslan snatched my mask from Clyde’s hand.

Aslan’s expression was also cold, unlike anything I had ever seen before.

“Reveal your name. You have offended the daughter of Rojasis.”

“…….”

Clyde tilted his head slightly without giving a response.

As if sensing the opponent’s strength before a fight, dry but sharp air surrounded his body.

“Didn’t you hear me? I told you to reveal your name. Otherwise…”

“It’s alright, Brother Nita.”

“It’s no big deal, I think he got me confused with someone else.”

A look of confusion crossed Nita’s face.

“Eila. But…”

“Don’t intervene, Eila.”

I approached Aslan, who was speaking sharply, and grabbed his arm.

“Brother Aslan, please stop. We can’t ruin the ball over something trivial.”

“Something trivial? How can this be…”

“If the commotion gets bigger, it will reach Father as well. Please, Brother Aslan.”

“…….”

As I lowered my voice and spoke, Aslan’s pupils slightly trembled.

“Apologize.”

Before I knew it, Raphir was standing right next to me.

“…Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Nita and Aslan took a step back and placed their hands on their left chests.

Raphir returned the greeting with a gesture and then looked at Clyde.

“Formally apologize for the offense you committed against the lady. And if Lady Rojasis accepts the apology, we will conclude this matter here.”

“…….”

Clyde glanced back at the crowd, which was now focused on me, and then back at me.

‘Please.’

I looked at Clyde with pleading eyes.

Finally, Clyde lowered his gaze quietly.

“…I apologize.”

Nita furrowed his brows at his words.

“Is that what you call an apology? If you have any decency, you should-“

“I accept your apology.”

I quickly stepped forward and said.