ILRP 11

I Will Find the Runaway Princess – Chapter : 11

The sound of flowing music like ripples and the laughter of people had long since faded into afterimages.

Elizia was overwhelmed by the pounding of her own heartbeat.

His body, and the face looking down at her so calmly, were too close.

Soon, Rakan stepped forward and began to lead.

Dancing was something she had clearly experienced countless times before.

How many times had she attended parties and danced while holding a man’s hand?

But one thing she could say for certain was that she had never felt emotions like this even once.

She couldn’t tell whether she was supposed to move to his right, or spin under his hand. She was completely disoriented.

She was supposed to simply move in time with him or turn when he guided her, but why was something so simple so difficult?

In the end, Elizia stepped on his foot once.

‘Why am I like this?’

Elizia was genuinely flustered.

Whether it was handling a sword or dancing, she had always been gifted, so she had never made mistakes even when learning ballroom dance.

Even when dancing with Damien, whom she secretly liked, she had only moved as if completing homework.

Rakan tightened his grip on her hand. He seemed to have noticed her disoriented movements.

Soon, Elizia began to be guided like a puppet by Rakan’s movements.

Her unsteady body was pulled along and naturally flowed with his lead.

Thanks to that, after a little time passed, she was able to dance without much trouble. That was a relief.

“How many people did you dance with here?”

“Three.”

“Three, huh. In such a short time, they’re quite quick, those guys.”

Rakan spoke in a tone that sounded almost mocking someone. Elizia simply let out a small laugh.

“What about you, senior? How many people did you dance with?”

“You’re the first. You’re the only one who asked me for a dance.”

The only one who asked him?

‘Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around, where the senior asks a woman?’

Elizia thought this while looking toward his chest area. It felt awkward to meet his eyes while speaking.

Because he was much taller than her, that was where her gaze naturally landed.

The fact that a man like him always carried a good scent, the warmth of his body when they touched, and the way he confidently led a woman—all of it felt strangely new.

Like meeting a completely unfamiliar person.

The arm around her waist was firm. A hand that, despite its refined appearance, felt slightly rough. That same hand was gripping hers tightly.

Coincidentally—or perhaps not—his palm slowly brushed along her waist.

Elizia swallowed without realizing it.

As his large, hot hand enveloped her, her fingertips tingled and her shoulders kept tensing up.

‘That’s strange. When I danced with the other male students earlier, I was smiling because I was enjoying it, so why am I sweating so much now? It’s not even hot.’

No, rather than hot, she actually felt cold. Goosebumps kept rising on her neck and along her waist where he held her.

Yet heat kept spreading across her face, as if all her blood was rushing to her head.

Rakan looked down at Elizia, who was avoiding his gaze.

“Are you hot?”

“I think… maybe I am.”

She wasn’t sure whether she was hot or cold. Elizia answered vaguely while still staring at the buttons on his clothing.

“Then let’s go out.”

Rakan, who had been looking at her peach-colored cheeks, smiled faintly.

Soon, their joined hands separated, and the arm around her loosened.

As their entwined bodies parted, Elizia felt not relief, but a strange sense of regret. It was odd.

He stepped back.

It was hard to believe he was the same man who had just been holding her so firmly.

Rakan gestured toward the entrance and turned away first. Elizia followed him.

The place they arrived at was a garden beside the entrance of the party hall.

The night was beautifully lit with embedded magic stones glowing throughout.

Elizia sat on the edge of a fountain, staring at the light spilling from the party hall.

The early summer breeze brushed against the hem of her dress. The cool air cleared her dazed mind a little.

Chandelier lights swayed like a dream, and the sound of music mixed with lively noise drifted through.

Her pounding heart gradually returned to normal.

Elizia spoke.

“About earlier… thank you.”

At her words, Rakan—who had been leaning back with his arms crossed and looking at the night sky—turned his head.

“For what?”

“For putting that rose in my vase earlier. I didn’t really want to be chosen as the rose, but I was a bit bothered by it. I didn’t want to lose in such a humiliating official way.”

“I didn’t know there was anything you cared about besides grades.”

At Rakan’s teasing tone, Elizia shot him a sideways glance.

“Anyway. After you did that, everyone started putting roses in my vase too… so I felt relieved. I’m grateful.”

“You don’t need to thank me. I simply gave it to the one who deserved it.”

He was the type who openly showed off his looks but didn’t bother with politeness in moments like this. What kind of man was he?

Elizia chuckled faintly at Rakan’s calm expression.

“Honestly, someone like Ves senior might suit the roses more than me. I don’t think I have talent for representing or promoting the school.”

Rakan leaned his upper body slightly toward her.

“That’s not true. No one works harder than you when it comes to school or studies. To be the face of the academy, that’s exactly the kind of person needed. For what it’s worth, I think that side of you is good.”

“…Senior, do you want something from me? I don’t have money, you know. I live on a limited allowance here.”

Why is he suddenly acting nice? No sarcasm, no cold remarks like usual?

As Elizia widened her eyes and asked, Rakan let out a small laugh, clearly not expecting that reaction.

Elizia ignored him laughing alone and looked back up at the sky.

The pure white moon was slowly being covered by clouds.

‘Now that I think about it, after the senior put in a rose, everyone followed him and gave me roses. No matter how high-ranking nobles from the empire they are, can they really sway public opinion like that? Or is this just how the empire works?’

“Still, it’s strange. The moment you put in a flower, everyone gave me flowers.”

“That’s just how imperial power works.”

Rakan answered casually.

Elizia laughed.

So that’s what imperial power is like.

Anyone hearing him would think he was some member of the imperial family controlling the empire itself.

Yet the prince who controlled imperial power was not this arrogant man called “Rakan,” but the ugly portrait labeled “Nobila Herbe Karund.”

“Talking as if that’s how power works… You sound like you’re the imperial prince yourself.”

“……”

At Elizia’s words, Rakan fell silent for a moment. The sound of insects and the fountain filled the quiet night.

Rakan stared at Elizia quietly.

As if thinking, hesitating, or recalling something.

‘Like I’m the prince…’

Rakan himself was the imperial prince. Specifically, the first prince, practically confirmed as the next heir to the throne.

So what did she mean by saying he spoke like the prince?

As Rakan stared at her, Elizia met his gaze in return.

Her violet eyes shone pure and clear under the deep moonlit sky.

After a moment of silence, he spoke.

“Elizia. Have you ever seen the imperial prince?”

“No, not yet.”

Rakan crossed his arms, looking intrigued.

“Strange. Why haven’t you seen him yet? In such a small academy.”

“I’m not interested in him, and he’s not interested in me either. There are plenty of students here. Besides, we’re from enemy kingdoms, so it’s probably better this way.”

“…Do you at least know what he looks like?”

“Of course. I’ve seen the portrait drawn by the court painter at least a hundred times.”

At that point, Rakan couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh.

He recalled everything Elizia had said and done toward him.

She had once asked what kind of person the imperial prince was, and even scolded him for carelessly opening cookies meant for the prince.

Rakan quickly reached a simple conclusion.

The shocking and absurd realization that the princess in front of him did not know his identity.

‘So that’s how it is.’

Now everything was starting to make sense.

Rakan lowered his head slightly to hide the laughter spilling out.

After a moment, he lifted his head again, though it was difficult to suppress the amusement in his voice.

“If I get the chance, show me the portrait of the prince too.”

“Why?”

“I’m curious how skilled the Ortygia court painter is.”

“Alright. For reference, our kingdom’s court painter Mateo is the best. His brushwork is incredibly delicate and beautiful. You’d be moved if you saw it in person.”

“I see. I’m looking forward to it.”

He wondered how his own face had been drawn.

How badly must it have been rendered that the person standing right in front of her was completely unrecognized?

Rakan let out a quiet, helpless laugh as he looked at Elizia.

She was still absentmindedly flicking fountain water with her fingers, wearing a face that said “I know nothing.”

Completely unaware that the person in front of her was “that prince.”

How could that even be possible?

And yet, somehow, it felt very much like her.

Elizia had always been full of strange, interesting behavior.

Besides, the name he was using here wasn’t even his real name—it was an alias.

Of course, those from the empire or related to it knew that fact well enough.

And she was always saying things like, “I’m not interested in the prince anyway.”

‘This is amusing. I’ll just watch for a while.’

Rakan smiled faintly as he looked at Elizia. A truly ridiculous—and amusing—princess.

Soon, the two of them returned to the party hall from the garden.

Unlike the quiet darkness outside, the inside was filled with lively noise.

Near the entrance stood a vase filled with roses. On it was written “Elizia Woder Ortygia”—her name.

The party was nearing its end, and the voting for roses and lilies was also almost finished.

Even without counting, the result was obvious.

This year’s Rose of the Swena Neutral Kingdom Royal Academy would be Elizia Woder Ortygia, not Ves.

Elizia couldn’t tell whether she should be happy or burdened by this.

She sat near the stage and looked at Ves.

The girl who was usually at the center of attention, lively and smiling, now sat in silence biting her lip, her expression clearly bitter.

After about four short pieces of music, all the lights in the hall went out.

The principal, with his white mustache, seemed ready for a dramatic entrance to announce this year’s Rose and Lily.

Magic lights gathered, and heavy music began to play. Through it, the principal appeared like a stage performer.

After thanking everyone and prompting applause, he cleared his throat twice once the clapping died down.

“Now, I will announce this year’s Rose and Lily of the Swena Neutral Kingdom Royal Academy.”

It was the long-awaited moment. Small magical sparks ignited around him.

‘He really loves attention.’

Elizia chuckled and looked forward.

She wasn’t nervous at all. This wasn’t something she had particularly hoped for.

Based on the arrangement of roses and lilies, the Lily would be Frederic, and the Rose would likely be herself—Elizia Woder Ortygia.

The light moved across the students’ heads and soon landed on Frederic.

“This year’s Lily is Kashtra Empire’s Frederic Watts!”

Cheers erupted, followed by applause and congratulatory voices from all around.

Even though it was an almost certain result, everyone sincerely congratulated him.

He must be quite well-connected. That’s what Elizia thought as she looked at the stage.

The light that had illuminated Frederic began moving across the students again.

Searching for the one chosen as this year’s Rose.