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Chapter – 24
“Even though he isn’t Emperor William’s eldest son and isn’t popular either, the current public opinion in the Vitensia Empire is that Prince Jason has more right to the succession than Prince Kyle. Any more questions?”
“I have one! How are you this smart, Stephanie? Is there anything you don’t know?”
“Seriously. Is there anything you don’t know, Stephanie?”
Dii and Ritader shot wary looks at Stephanie, who knew far too much.
Thanks to her explanation, Dii became certain of one thing.
Jason had appeared here to keep Kyle in check.
Which meant—
Jason wanted the imperial throne.
On the day of the ball, Stephanie shook Dii awake before the sun had even risen.
From the tips of her hair to the invisible tips of her toes, Stephanie meticulously dressed Dii.
While Dii nodded off in her dress, Stephanie carefully applied makeup, drew delicate lines, and braided her hair—hair that seemed just a bit too long—decorating it with countless jewels and ornaments, testing them one by one.
“All done, Priestess. Wake up.”
As Dii rubbed her eyes, Stephanie grabbed her hand.
“Don’t touch your face.”
“That’s cruel.”
“You’re the cruel one for trying to ruin my masterpiece!”
Yawning, Dii stood up and walked sluggishly to the mirror—then her eyes widened.
“Wow! Stephanie, you’re amazing!”
“Oh, come on. You’re only noticing now?”
The Dii reflected in the mirror was dazzling. Her unusually pale skin suited pink perfectly; her cheeks and lips were tinted with a soft apricot-pink. Her long lashes were curled beautifully, and her already pretty eyebrows had been gently shaped.
Loose strands framed her face just right, while the rest of her hair was braided and decorated with colorful flowers and jewels. The diamond choker, the white dress embroidered with elegant patterns—it all suited her perfectly.
Dii asked eagerly,
“Do you think I won’t even get compared to Amila today?”
“Of course! Wow, our western priestess is obviously much prettier! Ahahaha.”
Remembering that honesty wasn’t always necessary, Stephanie spoke mechanically—and even clapped. Her awkward acting was disappointing, but Dii’s mood couldn’t have been better.
“Let’s go, Stephanie.”
“Yes. Let’s.”
Because Stephanie was the daughter of a noble family, she would accompany and escort Dii to the ball. She herself wore a beautiful yellow dress she had prepared.
As they headed toward the ballroom, Dii saw countless carriages lined up in front of the palace.
Jason suddenly came to mind, and without realizing it, she examined the crests closely. Some were obvious—shaped like animals—while others looked like crumpled alphabets, completely indecipherable.
Just then, Amila appeared, walking slowly with her maid Ellie from the eastern temple. Dii pretended to shield her eyes dramatically.
“Ah, it’s blinding.”
Amila barely nodded, clearly not even considering the comment worth replying to.
“Why are you staring at the carriages?”
“Oh, nothing. I was thinking about Jason Depp. We talked about carriages before.”
“The southern king.”
“You know who he is too?”
Since Stephanie had told her about Jason threatening Dii, Amila already knew. Habitually placing a hand on her shoulder, she said,
“Yes. So for Your Highness’s safety, we should deal with Jason Depp—”
Realizing she was reaching for where her bow usually was, Dii quickly grabbed her hand and spoke calmly.
“Amila. Okay, this might be a difficult concept, but—”
“What.”
“Let’s repeat together that we can’t just eliminate people randomly.”
“……”
Amila looked displeased, but since she didn’t have her bow today, she simply nodded.
The ball attended by the emperor of Vitensia was crowded from early on. Every notable noble from Peton was present.
Dii couldn’t believe how beautiful the palace looked. Flowers filled every corner, and the guests were dressed even more splendidly than the palace itself.
As she enjoyed the ball, she began wondering when Kyle would arrive.
Did he dress up nicely too? I look amazing today. Will he finally stop treating me like I’m insignificant?
She searched for him, but he was nowhere to be found. After wandering around, she spotted Ritader and asked,
“Ritader, have you seen Kyle?”
He shook his head frantically.
“No! I didn’t bring a girlfriend!”
“…Ritader?”
“This person hiding here is definitely not my girlfriend! The vision you’re seeing is just because you’re tired!”
Dii gasped.
“Ritader! How could you hide a girl under the table?!”
“Well, it’s just that—”
“If anyone asks, say she’s my cousin’s relative. Got it? Someone very close.”
“R-Really? Is it okay to use the Priestess like that?”
“Of course! And be polite and take her home safely. Especially since it’s late.”
Dii shoved something into his hand and walked away.
As Ritader helped the girl—Sonia—out from under the table, he muttered,
“As expected… trying to deceive the Priestess is impossible.”
“She’s the Priestess? Wow. She’s so pale.”
“Right? Our Priestess is—”
He looked down at his hand and froze. It was money—date money.
“Priestess! I will serve you for the rest of my life!”
Sniffling, Ritader tightly held Sonia’s hand and left the ballroom.
After that, Dii felt strangely empty. Everyone had disappeared with partners, and Amila, in particular, was surrounded by men despite the obvious threat to their lives.
“I think I was born under the star of loneliness.”
Immediately cringing at her own words, Dii clutched her chest.
A few men approached her afterward, but remembering Kyle’s words about how the first dance was important, she couldn’t bring herself to accept.
Kyle, spotting her alone from afar, approached.
“What are you doing?”
“Eek!”
Startled, Dii complained,
“You weren’t around when I was looking for you! Why are you only showing up now?”
“You were looking for me? Why?”
She hesitated.
Because Stephanie worked so hard on me, and I wanted to know what you thought.
Before she could answer—
“Your Highness! Please come here for a moment!”
Kyle turned, and in that instant, Dii headed toward the balcony.
When he looked back, she was already far away.
“What is it?” he asked the official.
“The emperor wishes to show that the King of Peton and the priestess are on good terms. He wants you to dance with the eastern priestess.”
Kyle followed calmly.
Seeing Amila beside William, he smiled.
“Priestess Amila. Isn’t it uncomfortable being with His Majesty?”
“Yes. It is.”
William flinched.
I thought a woman had finally moved Kyle’s heart… but his type is a beautiful and terrifying woman? We have similar tastes.
Trying to sound gentle, William said,
“Then perhaps you could allow Kyle—”
“I never intended to stay with Your Majesty, so this isn’t something you’re ‘allowing.’”
“…I see.”
William laughed awkwardly.
Kyle escorted Amila outside.
“…I’m not nervous,” she muttered.
“Should you be?” Kyle asked.
“Yes. I thought I would be.”
“I see.”
Neither felt anything romantic.
“I’ll be leaving, Your Highness.”
“Alright. Have a pleasant night.”
“I’ll rest. I hate noise.”
“That sounds good too.”
After parting, Kyle turned to look for Dii.
From the balcony, Dii saw Kyle escorting Amila away.
She turned sharply.
“Idiot. You missed your chance to dance with me on the prettiest day of my life.”
She climbed onto the railing and sat there, swinging her legs.
The weather was perfect. Just watching people was enjoyable.
After a while, Kyle came onto the balcony.
“Diana.”
“Did you dance?” he asked.
“No. I was scouting for the most handsome man here.”
“Then just dance with me.”
She blinked rapidly.
Seeing her flustered, he quickly added,
“With your coordination, you’d just step on someone else’s feet.”
“…You’re annoyingly sharp.”
“Come down. I’ll hold you.”
He extended his hand. His rough, calloused hand had its own charm.
Her soft, unblemished hand touched his.
Kyle immediately clasped it, wrapped an arm around her waist, and lifted her down.
“Whoa!”
She looked up at him, caught by the pleasant scent surrounding him.
Their fingers intertwined.
“Memorize it. I’ll teach you.”
She nodded.
Her heart felt strange—like swallowing a cloud and letting it float around inside her chest.
Dancing is… kind of intimate.
Peton’s summer night shone brightly.
Under the perfect temperature and soft atmosphere of the palace balcony, Dii followed Kyle’s lead and learned to dance.
When the music paused, he let go.
“So why were you looking for me earlier?”
“Oh.”
She smiled brightly and spun playfully.
“I wanted to show off my dress.”
“What’s the point of showing me?”
“Stephanie worked on me all morning! I look amazing today. Don’t you think? Like a fairy?”
“……”
“Scared I might fly away with wings? I can tell by your face.”
I’m dying of embarrassment.
He didn’t respond at all, just stared at her with a frozen expression.
Then Stephanie waved excitedly.
“Priestess! Try this! Dessert from Vitensia! Not eating this is a waste of life!”
At the same time, an official ran up.
“Prince Kyle! The emperor is drunk, and we can’t handle him!”
Dii burst out laughing and shoved Kyle.
“Go help him. I’m getting dessert.”
“Yeah.”
They parted.
Kyle glanced back once to see Dii already rushing toward Stephanie, thrilled about dessert.
Turning away, he ran a hand through his hair.
“Damn it.”
“Of course she’d be a priestess.”
He muttered bitterly.
“She reads people far too well.”
