The Crown Prince and I headed to the chairs placed at the edge of the banquet hall for resting rather than where we were originally sitting.
The existing seats were occupied by the Emperor, Melina, and even the attendants, making it unsuitable for a comfortable conversation.
As we sat down, the waiter brought us two glasses of champagne.
“Thank you, I was just feeling thirsty.”
I smiled at the attendant and brought the glass of champagne to my lips.
The carbonation was very refreshing and cooled my throat, which had been parched from dancing with the Crown Prince.
As I was satisfied, I naturally turned my gaze to the Crown Prince sitting next to me. His face was still shining.
'Your Highness, why are you doing so many pretty things today?'
It was so beautiful that he asked me to dance with him for the first time, but he understood the pain that was building up in my heart and even refused to dance with Melina.
If it weren't for the Crown Prince, I would have wanted to give him a big kiss.
But the joy was short-lived.
'But why is that?'
Even if the first two are loyalty to one's partner, the last one was a bit excessive.
He is polite and considerate to everyone, but he rejects Melina by telling obvious lies.
There's no way he didn't know that his actions were embarrassing Melina.
I looked at the Crown Prince with a puzzled look. Sensing my gaze, the Crown Prince glanced at me and said.
“Why are you looking at me like that? If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t be so observant, and don’t act like it suits you.”
“Oh my. Your Highness, you are very perceptive. Well, I will not decline.”
I asked with a grin.
“Why did you reject Melina? You showed enough loyalty to me by giving me your first dance, so why did you insist on...?”
“Didn’t I tell you? This is your stage.”
The Crown Prince cut me off as if he had nothing more to hear and stared at me silently.
“I wanted this place to be just for you. A place where you can be rewarded for your lifelong dedication to the Empire. But if I were to dance with your half-sister, even if it wasn’t my first dance, wouldn’t the mood be divided? I didn’t want it to be like that.”
Those words left me a little dazed.
The words that he rejected Melina just for me, that he rejected Melina, who might have been real, because he cared about the fake me, touched me with an indescribable emotion.
I covered my mouth with my hand, feeling a bit sad.
If they didn't stop me by force, I felt like I was going to blow a kiss to the Crown Prince right here and there.
I barely suppressed my impulse and whispered in a small voice.
“I will do really well from now on, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince's teeth cracked at the sudden oath of loyalty, and a light laugh escaped his lips.
I naturally opened my mouth to look at him, but then I felt a stabbing gaze coming from somewhere.
Since it wasn't usually a malicious gaze, I turned my head with a slight flinch and saw Melina glaring at me with glaring eyes.
Seeing so many people watching her and not being able to control her expression, I guess she was really upset.
'Oh, okay.'
I smiled faintly, folding the corners of my eyes. It felt so good to see the face that had been filled with a sense of superiority throughout the party suddenly crumble.
From then on, the Crown Prince stayed by my side throughout the party.
He smiled more often than usual, as if he was determined to make me stand out, and he even personally brought me drinks and light snacks to quench my thirst.
At first, I was embarrassed and just smiled brightly, but as time passed, the expression disappeared from my face.
'Oh, it's hot.'
Seriously, my face felt so hot.
All the single women, no, just women, gathered in the banquet hall were looking this way.
After all, he was a Crown Prince with a handsome face, tall stature, and even good manners.
There must be more than one or two women vying for the seat next to him, so if he holds on to me throughout the party, they can't help but feel resentful.
I was so tired of the persistent stares that I decided to let go of the Crown Prince's hand first.
“Your Highness, wouldn’t it be better to take care of other places now?”
“Somewhere else?”
“I’m talking about the ladies who are gathered around here and staring at me with their eyes wide open. Since you said your ankle hurts, wouldn’t it be good to at least exchange a few words, even if you can’t dance?”
"Ah."
The Crown Prince let out a short exclamation as if he had only just realized their presence.
But that was it.
He didn't seem to have any intention of getting up from his seat.
“If you are doing this because you are concerned about me, then it is okay. I think Your Highness’s intention has been successful. Go and have some fun. Your Highness is of marriageable age now, so you should meet various women.”
I couldn't stand to watch so I urged him on, but the Crown Prince still had an indifferent expression.
“Anyway, it’s not my job to choose a Crown Princess. The royal family will select the most outstanding woman among the candidates based on various factors such as reputation, character, conduct, and family influence. There’s no reason for me to deal with other women.”
“But the Crown Prince’s wife isn’t the only woman you can have. Even if the Crown Prince’s wife is chosen according to the regulations, if Your Highness wants to find a woman you like, it would be better to meet a variety of women.”
“In life, one woman is enough. I have no intention of taking in any other woman besides the Crown Princess.”
"Yes?"
I couldn't help but open my eyes wide at the Crown Prince's words.
It was unheard of for the Crown Prince of the empire to have only one woman.
Even without going back to the past Emperors, doesn't the current Emperor alone have numerous governments?
But he said he would not allow any other woman to enter besides the Crown Princess.
I couldn't hide my surprise.
'Come to think of it, he's never brought a partner to a party before.'
The Crown Prince is twenty-two years old, so he must have attended hundreds of parties, but during all that time, the only person he brought along as his partner was me.
'Of course, I had no choice but to do it because the Emperor told me to.'
Still, the only one is the only one.
I playfully opened my mouth.
“I can’t believe that someone like that is staying by my side so faithfully. Is you thinking of marrying me...?”
“Are you crazy?”
The Crown Prince jumped.
“I recognize your devotion to the Empire, but don’t even dream of marrying a woman who would shamelessly lie to the Empire to save her own life. I have no intention of taking you as my Crown Princess.”
“No, I was just joking. Why are you so serious...”
I was so shocked and dumbfounded that I screamed in displeasure.
“I don’t like it either. Even now, you are constantly exploiting people by finding their weak points, so how much more will you exploit me once I become the Crown Princess? I have no intention of marrying Your Highness, so don’t worry, yes?”
As soon as I finished speaking, the Crown Prince's expression hardened.
No, when you say you have absolutely no intention of marrying me, why do you keep making such a stiff expression when you say you don't like me?
'You can do it, but I can't. What is this?'
I was so angry at his double standard that I couldn't control my anger and slammed my heel on the floor.
But at that moment, the shoe tilted and twisted my ankle.
“Ouch.”
When I clutched my ankle and cried, the Crown Prince shook his head as if he found it pitiful.
“Anyway, you have a bad temper.”
He sighed deeply, then lifted the hem of my dress and examined my ankles.
“Does it hurt a lot?”
He pressed hard on my ankle, and a sharp pain came up.
“Oh, stop. It hurts!”
I grabbed his shoulder tightly and growled at him, but he quickly pulled his hand away.
“It looks like you’ve been seriously injured since you’re in so much pain even though I only touched you lightly. Let’s go to your room first.”
“Room? Which room?”
“Of course it’s my room, where else would it be? I’ll call the doctor so you can get proper treatment.”
“But the party is still in full swing, so if we leave first, there will definitely be talk.”
“But you can’t just leave it until the party is over. If you miss the timing for treatment because you’re worried about what other people think, you’ll suffer for a long time.”
“That’s true, but...”
When I still looked hesitant, the Crown Prince forcibly got me up.
“You're just getting treatment for my injuries. Why are you being so observant when it’s not your style?”
Well, since when did I start caring about what other people think?
Even if someone were to spread some mean rumors using today's events as an excuse, I could just laugh it off.
“Yes, let’s go.”
I held the Crown Prince's hand and walked towards the exit of the banquet hall.
Naturally, everyone was paying attention, but we walked on without any worries.
And just as I was about to leave the door.
“Oh, is the party over already?”
A man entered the banquet hall.
A tall, well-built man with elegant olive hair and eyes of the same color.
'That person is...'
The existing seats were occupied by the Emperor, Melina, and even the attendants, making it unsuitable for a comfortable conversation.
As we sat down, the waiter brought us two glasses of champagne.
“Thank you, I was just feeling thirsty.”
I smiled at the attendant and brought the glass of champagne to my lips.
The carbonation was very refreshing and cooled my throat, which had been parched from dancing with the Crown Prince.
As I was satisfied, I naturally turned my gaze to the Crown Prince sitting next to me. His face was still shining.
'Your Highness, why are you doing so many pretty things today?'
It was so beautiful that he asked me to dance with him for the first time, but he understood the pain that was building up in my heart and even refused to dance with Melina.
If it weren't for the Crown Prince, I would have wanted to give him a big kiss.
But the joy was short-lived.
'But why is that?'
Even if the first two are loyalty to one's partner, the last one was a bit excessive.
He is polite and considerate to everyone, but he rejects Melina by telling obvious lies.
There's no way he didn't know that his actions were embarrassing Melina.
I looked at the Crown Prince with a puzzled look. Sensing my gaze, the Crown Prince glanced at me and said.
“Why are you looking at me like that? If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t be so observant, and don’t act like it suits you.”
“Oh my. Your Highness, you are very perceptive. Well, I will not decline.”
I asked with a grin.
“Why did you reject Melina? You showed enough loyalty to me by giving me your first dance, so why did you insist on...?”
“Didn’t I tell you? This is your stage.”
The Crown Prince cut me off as if he had nothing more to hear and stared at me silently.
“I wanted this place to be just for you. A place where you can be rewarded for your lifelong dedication to the Empire. But if I were to dance with your half-sister, even if it wasn’t my first dance, wouldn’t the mood be divided? I didn’t want it to be like that.”
Those words left me a little dazed.
The words that he rejected Melina just for me, that he rejected Melina, who might have been real, because he cared about the fake me, touched me with an indescribable emotion.
I covered my mouth with my hand, feeling a bit sad.
If they didn't stop me by force, I felt like I was going to blow a kiss to the Crown Prince right here and there.
I barely suppressed my impulse and whispered in a small voice.
“I will do really well from now on, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince's teeth cracked at the sudden oath of loyalty, and a light laugh escaped his lips.
I naturally opened my mouth to look at him, but then I felt a stabbing gaze coming from somewhere.
Since it wasn't usually a malicious gaze, I turned my head with a slight flinch and saw Melina glaring at me with glaring eyes.
Seeing so many people watching her and not being able to control her expression, I guess she was really upset.
'Oh, okay.'
I smiled faintly, folding the corners of my eyes. It felt so good to see the face that had been filled with a sense of superiority throughout the party suddenly crumble.
***
From then on, the Crown Prince stayed by my side throughout the party.
He smiled more often than usual, as if he was determined to make me stand out, and he even personally brought me drinks and light snacks to quench my thirst.
At first, I was embarrassed and just smiled brightly, but as time passed, the expression disappeared from my face.
'Oh, it's hot.'
Seriously, my face felt so hot.
All the single women, no, just women, gathered in the banquet hall were looking this way.
After all, he was a Crown Prince with a handsome face, tall stature, and even good manners.
There must be more than one or two women vying for the seat next to him, so if he holds on to me throughout the party, they can't help but feel resentful.
I was so tired of the persistent stares that I decided to let go of the Crown Prince's hand first.
“Your Highness, wouldn’t it be better to take care of other places now?”
“Somewhere else?”
“I’m talking about the ladies who are gathered around here and staring at me with their eyes wide open. Since you said your ankle hurts, wouldn’t it be good to at least exchange a few words, even if you can’t dance?”
"Ah."
The Crown Prince let out a short exclamation as if he had only just realized their presence.
But that was it.
He didn't seem to have any intention of getting up from his seat.
“If you are doing this because you are concerned about me, then it is okay. I think Your Highness’s intention has been successful. Go and have some fun. Your Highness is of marriageable age now, so you should meet various women.”
I couldn't stand to watch so I urged him on, but the Crown Prince still had an indifferent expression.
“Anyway, it’s not my job to choose a Crown Princess. The royal family will select the most outstanding woman among the candidates based on various factors such as reputation, character, conduct, and family influence. There’s no reason for me to deal with other women.”
“But the Crown Prince’s wife isn’t the only woman you can have. Even if the Crown Prince’s wife is chosen according to the regulations, if Your Highness wants to find a woman you like, it would be better to meet a variety of women.”
“In life, one woman is enough. I have no intention of taking in any other woman besides the Crown Princess.”
"Yes?"
I couldn't help but open my eyes wide at the Crown Prince's words.
It was unheard of for the Crown Prince of the empire to have only one woman.
Even without going back to the past Emperors, doesn't the current Emperor alone have numerous governments?
But he said he would not allow any other woman to enter besides the Crown Princess.
I couldn't hide my surprise.
'Come to think of it, he's never brought a partner to a party before.'
The Crown Prince is twenty-two years old, so he must have attended hundreds of parties, but during all that time, the only person he brought along as his partner was me.
'Of course, I had no choice but to do it because the Emperor told me to.'
Still, the only one is the only one.
I playfully opened my mouth.
“I can’t believe that someone like that is staying by my side so faithfully. Is you thinking of marrying me...?”
“Are you crazy?”
The Crown Prince jumped.
“I recognize your devotion to the Empire, but don’t even dream of marrying a woman who would shamelessly lie to the Empire to save her own life. I have no intention of taking you as my Crown Princess.”
“No, I was just joking. Why are you so serious...”
I was so shocked and dumbfounded that I screamed in displeasure.
“I don’t like it either. Even now, you are constantly exploiting people by finding their weak points, so how much more will you exploit me once I become the Crown Princess? I have no intention of marrying Your Highness, so don’t worry, yes?”
As soon as I finished speaking, the Crown Prince's expression hardened.
No, when you say you have absolutely no intention of marrying me, why do you keep making such a stiff expression when you say you don't like me?
'You can do it, but I can't. What is this?'
I was so angry at his double standard that I couldn't control my anger and slammed my heel on the floor.
But at that moment, the shoe tilted and twisted my ankle.
“Ouch.”
When I clutched my ankle and cried, the Crown Prince shook his head as if he found it pitiful.
“Anyway, you have a bad temper.”
He sighed deeply, then lifted the hem of my dress and examined my ankles.
“Does it hurt a lot?”
He pressed hard on my ankle, and a sharp pain came up.
“Oh, stop. It hurts!”
I grabbed his shoulder tightly and growled at him, but he quickly pulled his hand away.
“It looks like you’ve been seriously injured since you’re in so much pain even though I only touched you lightly. Let’s go to your room first.”
“Room? Which room?”
“Of course it’s my room, where else would it be? I’ll call the doctor so you can get proper treatment.”
“But the party is still in full swing, so if we leave first, there will definitely be talk.”
“But you can’t just leave it until the party is over. If you miss the timing for treatment because you’re worried about what other people think, you’ll suffer for a long time.”
“That’s true, but...”
When I still looked hesitant, the Crown Prince forcibly got me up.
“You're just getting treatment for my injuries. Why are you being so observant when it’s not your style?”
Well, since when did I start caring about what other people think?
Even if someone were to spread some mean rumors using today's events as an excuse, I could just laugh it off.
“Yes, let’s go.”
I held the Crown Prince's hand and walked towards the exit of the banquet hall.
Naturally, everyone was paying attention, but we walked on without any worries.
And just as I was about to leave the door.
“Oh, is the party over already?”
A man entered the banquet hall.
A tall, well-built man with elegant olive hair and eyes of the same color.
'That person is...'
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment