CH 6.8

dorothea7-9 minutes 18.03.2023

Fewer nobles had reached adulthood than last year, so the tributes were already over and everyone was chattering in their own groups.

Standing alone, head down, Lila looked up at the shadow cast over her head.

She assumed it was Lucas, of course, but she sucked in a sharp intake of breath, startled by the familiarity of what she saw.

Theobald stood before her, with Monaca at his side. Monaca, who had bothered her almost as much as Charlotte, looked at Theobald with a puzzled expression.

“You’re still ugly.”

Theobald rolled his eyes in disgust, feeling his heart race. He could see it from a mile away, but he dared to come closer to check once more.

He gritted his teeth in annoyance when he saw that Lila hadn’t changed. He couldn’t understand why he should be so confused about this ugly woman.

It was unpleasant. Offended that she had turned her head away as soon as he made eye contact with her.

The fact that she dared to make eye contact with him, and instead of looking ecstatic, she looked offended and surprised.

He felt strangely annoyed and irritated, and he couldn’t leave her alone, so he came to her…

When he saw the same reaction from her, he was even more annoyed. And why does she smell so good…

His mouth went dry from the sweet scent he smelled that day.

“Prince, His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince…”

Lila hurriedly bowed. Her heart was beating so fast that her ears were noisy and her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.

‘Why?’

She couldn’t figure out why the Crown Prince, who normally wouldn’t even pretend to know her, had come to her door.

Could it be that he hadn’t been able to deviate from the original route?

The unexpected variables made her cry. After living as an ugly person for 10 years, she was suddenly afraid that all her efforts would go to waste.

She clasped her trembling hands together more firmly.

“Your Highness.”

Just then Lucas appeared from behind, his arm around Lila’s shoulders, and he bowed to Theobald.

“Long time no see, Your Highness.”

At his appearance, Theobald’s expression turned even more sinister. His eyes were drawn to the slender shoulders he was gripping, and then his eyes widened in surprise at his own thoughts.

‘Slender… what the hell?’

Theobald said, turning to Lucas.

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

“I wonder if my wife has any business with you?”

Theobald’s frown deepened at Lucas’s casual question.

“Calling her your wife when you haven’t even been formally married yet… It’s not exactly quite fitting.”

Theobald couldn’t understand why he was saying this. He felt irritated for reasons he couldn’t explain to himself, and then it dawned on him.

‘I don’t like him.’

Theobald glared at Lucas, whose gaze was higher than his own.

“And yet I spoke to the king today.”

Lucas said with a wry smile. Theobald asked with some impatience.

“What words?”

“That we don’t need a preliminary cohabitation period. We’re getting married soon, so there’s nothing wrong with calling her my wife in advance.”

Lila’s eyes twinkled at Lucas’s comment. The fact that she had made a pact with him seemed to give her courage now.

Lucas smiled softly at her as she gently reached for his hand and took it in hers.

“Your Highness, you must come and begin the first dance, so that the other lovers may dance as well, for we are waiting.”

The sneering retort infuriated Theobald, but he was not wrong.

All the nobles were watching him and their conversation. All he could think of to say was an outward facade, so he backed down.

“I see. My, I kept you waiting for so long.”

With his usual fake smile, Theobald extended his hand toward Monaca.

“I’m honored, Your Highness.”

Monaca smiled shyly and gently placed her hand over his, and as they moved, the crowd parted like a river.

Charlotte clutched her purse tighter at the sight of the Crown Prince and Monaca. She pressed her lips together and tried to smile, but Alfonso and Heinrich were quick to recognize her state of mind.

As the Crown Prince began to dance with Monaca, everyone turned to look at Lucas and Lila.

If they were going to leave, they couldn’t do it now. If he had been an ugly duke, he might have been ignored, but there was not a single nobleman who would ignore Lucas now.

They cursed themselves for judging so harshly based on rumors.

“My lady, will you dance with me?”

Lucas asked. Lila looked up at him and nodded, relieved. The sight of her freckled face made people gag slightly.

It took Lucas’s presence by her side to make her feel comfortable enough to do so.

Lucas took her hand and led her to the dance floor. They began to dance effortlessly, swaying to the music as the band played their hearts out.

Lucas put his hand on her waist and thought to himself, ‘She’s so fluffy.’

She’s so fluffy for her size.

I wonder what she’s hiding.

Lucas was even more curious about Lila El Este.

Her cream-colored dress spread like petals beneath an amethyst chandelier, scattering light. Finely studded diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds sparkled with color.

Lila was a little surprised at his skillfulness; she didn’t think he had ever danced like her before, but it didn’t seem like he’d only danced once or twice.

Lila swayed to the fast-paced melody.

‘Come to think of it… It’s the first time I’ve danced since my father died.’

If the dance that her father did where he only spun her around as a child is called a dance, it’s the second time…

‘It’s my first time at a banquet.’

Dancing in a crowd was different. She’d been to clubs when she was a young woman, but nothing compared to this.

In time to the beat, Lucas grabbed her hand and spun her around, his strength so strong it felt like her body was spinning on its own.

When he tugged again, Lila spun of her own accord and fell into his arms.

She couldn’t help but smile at his steady breathing. Lucas felt dizzy at the sight of her childlike smile.

His heart was pounding and his instincts screamed at the intense, seductive scent that threatened to paralyze his sense of smell.

Take her!

She is yours!

It didn’t matter if it was his own voice or someone else’s. Lucas seemed to resonate with the words.

He ended the dance by grabbing her around the waist and holding her down. Lucas looked at Lila, who had her arms around his neck, very close to him, and smiled.

It wasn’t a sunny smile like hers, but a smile that fumbled with the color of madness.

The ballroom was so silent that not a breath could be heard. Then a young lady said in a surprised voice.

“Is that.. dress bursting?”

Starting with her voice, the screams and exclamations began to spread like waves.

“Oh, my God.”