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Herald’s ruby-red eyes reflected Retina’s figure, and her blue eyes mirrored him in return. As their gazes met, an inexplicable current flowed between them.
“You— you go first!”
“I’ll start.”
Herald raised his hand slightly toward her. Retina, who had been about to blurt out anything just to fill the silence, hesitated and then carefully asked,
“Um… Did you ever find the person you were looking for?”
Even as the words left her mouth, she realized how stupid the question sounded. But really, what else could she possibly talk about with the Crown Prince? She worried she might be digging her own grave with this topic—but fortunately, he didn’t seem to recognize her yet.
“So, it’s about that.”
Herald let out a small chuckle, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Even if he didn’t recognize her, the memory of that night seemed to amuse him. He looked almost bashful.
The Crown Prince… blushing? No way. Retina told herself she must be seeing things and focused on his reply.
“Well, I can’t remember everything clearly. Just that her hair was scattered across the bed, shining under the moonlight… and though her face wasn’t clear, she was extraordinarily beautiful.”
As Herald tilted his head, his golden hair spilled forward like liquid sunlight. Retina found her gaze involuntarily drawn to him. She knew she should keep her distance—but his beauty was dazzling enough to ensnare anyone at first sight.
“For Your Highness to call her beautiful, I wonder just how lovely she must be. I’m curious myself.”
Praising herself out loud made her lips tingle with embarrassment. Retina quickly averted her gaze, looking off into the distance. Her cheeks flushed a light pink.
With hair like sunlight and eyes like blazing fire, she could finally understand why people compared the Ludenheim royal family to the sun.
“Indeed. I’d like to see her properly again—the woman I found beautiful.”
He… went all the way in.
His low murmur echoed in her head, and Retina froze. W-What went in? WHAT?!
Suddenly, memories from that night flooded back uninvited.
“Your body… is wonderfully soft.”
“AAAAH!!”
Her lightly flushed face turned beet red, spreading to her ears. She turned her back abruptly, hiding from the Crown Prince’s puzzled expression.
“Lady? Are you feeling unwell?”
“Uwahhh!”
When Herald leaned in suddenly, Retina yelped and jolted like a startled cat. Her unexpected scream drew a few glances, but the music soon drowned it out.
“Haha, I nearly fell off the chair, that’s all. Ahem.”
She straightened her posture, fanning her face to cool it down. Why did she always lose her composure around him—back then and now?
…Probably because of guilt, right?
“Be careful not to get hurt. I can already imagine the fuss your brothers would raise if you did.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
She turned back toward the dance floor where couples were waltzing gracefully. The elegant 3/4 rhythm filled the hall. Every noble was expected to know how to dance—but Retina had never actually danced at a party before. Freestyle flailing, maybe, but proper waltz? Never.
“…”
“…”
It seemed he’d wanted to say something earlier. But now, silence stretched awkwardly between them again. Either she had to leave or bring up a topic—something to break the tension.
“Um.”
“May I have this dance?”
Their voices overlapped perfectly. Retina looked down at his extended hand.
“I’m sorry, but I grew up in the countryside due to poor health, so I never learned to dance properly.”
Dance. Of all things. She’d been tutored extensively in everything else, but dancing had always been her Achilles’ heel. She wasn’t refusing because she didn’t want to dance—she simply couldn’t. She worded it carefully so he wouldn’t take offense.
“If you refuse me now, the rumors will spread faster than wildfire.”
He glanced meaningfully around. Following his gaze, she realized how many noble ladies were watching them. Their stares were so sharp, it felt like her skin might blister.
“I really can’t dance. What should I do?”
“As long as you don’t step on my feet, I’ll handle the rest.”
Unable to escape, Retina accepted his hand. Herald led her to the center of the hall, the crowd parting as they walked.
“Will this really be okay?”
She’d never been the center of attention like this before. Couples circled around them, forming a ring.
“What could possibly go wrong?”
They bowed to each other, and the music shifted to signal the start of the dance.
“Just follow my lead.”
Sliding his arm around her waist, Herald guided her smoothly. Retina, spinning and stepping to his movements, didn’t look like someone who couldn’t dance at all.
“It’s easier to talk while dancing.”
He whispered behind her as she moved in sync with him. So he had brought her here to talk.
“There’s an imperial ball in three days. I want you to be my partner.”
“What? What did you just—”
“Keep looking forward and pretend it’s nothing. I’d planned to bring the woman I was looking for, but as you can see, that didn’t go as planned.”
They spun twice, hands pressed together.
“Your Highness must really like her.”
“Well… it’s more about confirmation than affection. Hah, I’m saying too much. Anyway, will you attend the ball with me? Your brothers should’ve received invitations as well.”
“Why me? I’m not influential, and I haven’t even had my debutante yet.”
“You answered your own question.”
As he pulled her close again, Retina looked up at him—not just because of the dance steps.
“Because I’m insignificant… you chose me?”
“If that’s how you see it.”
“So you plan to use me and discard me afterward?”
“It means I trust your family.”
With a flick of his head, he twirled her. Retina spun on the spot, barely keeping up with his lead as the music neared its end.
So basically… since I’m a nobody who hasn’t debuted, he thinks I won’t pester him like the others. He’ll use me as a partner and toss me aside.
Her glare sharpened. She wasn’t exactly high-ranking in society—she rarely attended parties, and now even the Crown Prince was planning to use her?
Unbelievable. Hmph.
Even if she didn’t care much for social circles, being underestimated so blatantly stung. She didn’t give him an immediate answer.
Normally, someone like her—who hadn’t had a debutante—wouldn’t be allowed to attend the first Imperial Ball of the season. That event was for ladies who’d failed to secure suitors the previous year; debutantes had to wait for the second ball.
But if she attended as the Crown Prince’s partner… everything changed. Who knew when she’d ever return to the capital again?
She glanced up—and met Herald’s gaze fixed on her. She quickly looked down, heart pounding wildly.
How long has he been watching me?!
Being surrounded by handsome men since birth had made her immune to average looks. But Herald wasn’t just handsome—he was dangerously so. She couldn’t handle his gaze at all.
When the dance ended, she curtseyed, avoiding his eyes. Most people would then find another partner or rest by the walls. Retina, however, bolted straight out of the ballroom.
She clutched her chest, feeling the relentless thumping. Thump, thump, thump. The more she tried to calm down, the faster her heart raced.
No way… I don’t… like the Crown Prince… right?
She slipped into the garden to clear her head—but immediately froze.
“Ugh, Baron, not there…!”
“Heh heh, tonight I won’t let you go!”
Retina spun on her heel and hurried back toward the mansion.
“Haha… wow, people here are really intense.”
She searched for an empty room upstairs to rest in. The Sylas estate rarely hosted overnight guests, so empty rooms were usually fair game.
It’s not that late, so maybe no one’s—
“Kyah!”
“Who’s there?!”
She’d accidentally barged in on another couple’s secret tryst in the dark.
“S-sorry!!”
She fled, covering her eyes.
At this rate, finding a quiet spot was hopeless. Defeated, she trudged toward the carriages to wait for her brothers. If they didn’t arrive by ten, she’d just go home alone.
But when she arrived, she found Hein—one of her brothers—locked in a passionate kiss with the flirtatious noblewoman from the ballroom.
“AAAHHH!! My eyes!!”
She screamed, covering her face. Hein and the woman sprang apart in panic.
Nothing was going her way tonight.
