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Chapter 06
At last, the banquet had begun.
On the first day of the long-awaited event, a ballroom was held in Eve Palace, the largest and most splendid hall of Singkester.
However, even after entering the ballroom, Leonhard had no intention of dancing.
In his homeland, Blake—a place of survival of the fittest—there was neither the psychological nor material leisure to enjoy dances, and so he had never taken an interest in them.
Honestly, his poor sense of rhythm with Singkester’s waltz also played a part.
Thinking that women would avoid him anyway because of his “dirty gaze” and “notoriously dangerous Blake reputation,” he immediately stuck himself to a wall upon entering the hall.
Then William approached and spoke quietly.
“Your Highness, Singkester’s White Owls have reportedly investigated the route we took to arrive here.”
“You mean crossing the Lesher Desert?”
William nodded silently, and Leonhard’s eyes turned cold.
He lifted his gaze toward the platform where King Erdan sat.
Even while conversing with the Saint beside him, the gaze occasionally directed toward Leonhard was sharp as a blade.
Leonhard pretended not to notice and took the champagne William handed him.
“Have they figured out we were searching for and storing it as well?”
“It seems not that far yet, but they’ve likely realized our purpose here is more than simply attending the banquet.”
“……”
Just as Leonhard was about to tilt his glass—
“Your Highness, you should propose to the princess today.”
“Cough!”
At William’s words, Leonhard nearly spat out his champagne.
The noble girls who had been glancing at him—drawn to his sharp, almost predatory eyes—flinched slightly at the sudden reaction.
Leonhard gave them an awkward smile, then hissed at William.
“Have you lost your mind?”
“But if you propose to Princess Charlotte, several issues could be resolved.”
William continued calmly.
“Demián has also sent a proposal. Wouldn’t it be wise to counter it and even the score?”
“……”
“And since you crossed the Lesher Desert instead of using teleportation, we could claim it was to demonstrate masculine sincerity. There are many men foolish enough to do such things.”
“You want me to be one of those fools?”
“As long as you don’t get caught.”
Leonhard let out another short laugh.
Though his sharp gaze made the atmosphere feel cold, William knew that laugh was not negative.
William cleared his throat and pulled out a pre-prepared box.
“If that is difficult, at least speak with her. I hear the princess cannot use divine power. A gift would be well received.”
The first ballroom of the birthday banquet had begun.
Normally Erdan would escort her, but this time he could not.
With foreign dignitaries present, Erdan had to sit at the highest seat as the only pope of the continent and display his authority.
Thus, the one escorting me today was Cedric Myres—the kingdom’s only duke, my brother’s right hand, and commander of the Holy Knight Order.
As I left the princess’s palace and walked down into the garden, I saw Cedric waiting.
As expected of the male lead meticulously described by the author, he was dazzling.
His neatly slicked-back hair resembled a pitch-black night sky, and his glass-blue eyes were sharp yet strangely calm.
A straight brow, a long nose bridge, and a finely sculpted jawline gave him the impression of both a virtuous priest and an unwavering knight.
His white military uniform buttoned all the way to the neck, silver mantle, golden command staff, and sword completed the image perfectly.
“I greet Your Highness the Princess.”
But he was robotic.
No matter how handsome he was, there was something unapproachable about someone as cold as ice.
I inwardly sighed while looking at his face that was still absurdly good-looking despite being incurably emotionless.
“Yes, good morning.”
“Then let us go.”
Cedric extended his hand, and I placed mine over his as we walked toward the carriage.
After nine years, I was now used to his escort—eating together, drinking tea, even dancing at balls.
But there was one thing I could never get used to: being alone with him in an enclosed space.
So, as always, the moment I got into the carriage, I stared blankly out the window.
Then—
“Your Highness.”
Cedric’s voice broke the silence.
“Huh? Ah—yes.”
Startled, I turned from the window to face him.
He had lowered the weekly paper he had been reading and was looking directly at me.
“I hear you have many suitors. Have you made a decision?”
His voice was calm, but its emotion was difficult to read.
“Not yet.”
“…There will be no one among them suitable for Your Highness.”
“I think so too.”
At my refreshingly straightforward answer, Cedric’s eyes widened slightly, then he rubbed his mouth.
“As expected of Your Highness.”
“But it’s true. I think I’m too good for all of them.”
“Then who would be the most suitable person in this kingdom?”
“Is that important to you, Duke?”
At my sudden question, Cedric fell silent.
The carriage had never been this quiet before, making the atmosphere feel strangely unfamiliar.
“Duke?”
Just then, the carriage slowed and a trumpet sounded outside. Footsteps approached.
“Duke Myres, and Her Highness the Princess of Singkester. Many guests await you in the ballroom.”
“So we’ve arrived.”
What was he trying to say?
I stared at Cedric. After a brief hesitation, he opened the door and extended his hand.
“Your Highness, please step out first.”
“Ah… yes.”
We walked slowly toward the ballroom. Crossing the entrance and stepping onto the red carpet, Cedric spoke quietly.
“Could you meet me again before the day ends? I would like to finish what I was going to say earlier.”
“Alright.”
“Thank you.”
Before parting, he pressed a kiss to the back of my hand.
Gasps erupted from the surrounding crowd, but I only smiled inwardly.
He truly has no feelings for me. This is just etiquette.
Applause soon filled the hall.
Erdan and Aurora descended from the high seat, holding hands as they approached us.
“Now, the main guests have arrived. Shall we begin the banquet?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Erdan formally requested the first dance from Aurora. That was the signal.
Nobles immediately followed suit, extending their hands to partners, while those alone rushed toward me.
“Your Highness, may I have the honor of dancing—”
“I was the first to arrive in this kingdom, as you know!”
“Your Highness, we are allies bound by a mutual defense treaty!”
So even if I wore a trash bag, it wouldn’t matter.
My mind spun, but I forced a smile.
“It’s an honor. But could you please line up first? I need to fill out the dance card…”
As if it were an order, the nobles instantly formed a neat line.
I glanced toward Cedric.
As expected of the “big catch of high society,” he was already surrounded by noble ladies with daughters.
Why did he ask that earlier? It didn’t seem like he cared about my marriage at all.
But my thoughts were interrupted when Prince Louis approached and extended his hand.
“Princess Charlotte of Singkester, may I have this dance?”
“Gladly.”
I put on a service smile, placed my hand in his, and walked into the ballroom.
