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chapter 14
I sprang to my feet. How many minutes had I already been alone like this? Of course, Pervin had come over to me in between, exchanging brief words and repeatedly promising that he would quickly finish his work so as not to leave me alone…
“Still, how have I been alone for thirty whole minutes!”
I wanted to mingle with others so I wouldn’t seem arrogant while alone. But no one came over to me. Not the men, and not the women either. Everyone just whispered among themselves around Lady Stella Bell, who stood far away, and whenever I tried to approach, they seemed to huddle together. It looked like the Marchioness Celestine was about to come over to me, but the surrounding ladies held her back. Could it be that I was being excluded?
Just then, as I glanced around, someone approached me and extended a hand. It was the Emperor, wearing a mischievous smile. A handsome, southern-type blond, he exuded lively energy that dominated the atmosphere here. Earlier, he had been laughing heartily with some noblewomen and the Empress. Now, suddenly approaching me and extending his hand, all eyes in the room turned toward us.
“Would you honor me by allowing me to dance with you, Duchess of Carlyle?”
“Your Majesty has just rescued me from the grip of loneliness. I am truly honored and grateful.”
My sincere words slipped out before I could stop them, and the Emperor’s eyes curved in amusement.
“Interesting, indeed. I wonder why people never see this side of me.”
I took his hand, careful not to step on the flowing hem of my dress. The countless noble eyes fixed on us were intense. As we made our way to the center of the ballroom, I could hear the murmurs of the men nearby.
“The Emperor himself asked for a dance. Surely, Sir Carlyle won’t refuse.”
“Even Duke Sibellome didn’t request a dance because he fears Sir Carlyle. The Emperor is different, indeed.”
“The Emperor is so mischievous. Did he deliberately ask knowing full well?”
“Look at Sir Carlyle’s expression. Surely he won’t try anything against the Emperor, right?”
I felt a familiar, heated gaze from afar. It was Pervin, speaking seriously with a man I didn’t know. As he headed toward us, the Emperor playfully lifted my hand.
“Now that I think about it, I haven’t properly kissed your hand either. Forgive my rudeness, my lady?”
“No, it is my fault for not offering my hand sooner, Your Majesty.”
I obediently extended my hand, and the Emperor leaned down toward it. Three seconds before his lips would touch—3… 2… 1…—I felt a familiar sensation on my hand: rough yet warm lips. Pervin had rushed over and placed his lips on mine for a brief second. I blinked in astonishment. Why was he doing this? A brave man dared to ask me for a dance, and yet Pervin intervened. I tried to pull my hand away, but he held it firmly. The Emperor laughed at the situation.
“Thought he had wheels on his feet. I clearly saw him across the room.”
Pervin shrugged and pressed his body closer to me. The Emperor teased,
“Of course, leaving the flower alone draws bees. But I don’t care; I’ll dance with the Duchess myself.”
The Emperor extended his arm to me, and Pervin, expressionless, held my other arm. Then he added shamelessly,
“Irwen is new to the social scene. I’ll stay by her side and teach her.”
“New? She’s full of wit. In that case, my lady, shall we dance and leave that stone-like Pervin behind?”
The Emperor deliberately teased Pervin, who blushed faintly. Seeing his flushed face, I felt a sudden desire to be close to him—not to tease, but to hold him tightly. Feeling his hand trembling on mine, I placed my hand over his arm and inclined my head toward the Emperor.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I must dance with my husband.”
I leaned lightly on Pervin’s arm, looking into the lively eyes of the Emperor.
“How can I refuse when my husband is here?”
The Duchess of Carlyle led her husband to the center of the ballroom and danced. They held hands, laughing at trivial stories, sometimes sharing serious expressions, and exchanging sweet glances. When the Duchess playfully teased, Pervin couldn’t help but adore her. His eyes were dripping with honeyed affection. Observing closely, the Emperor clicked his tongue in disbelief.
“I can’t understand why such a beautiful bond endured a four-year cold war.”
Then, a sudden thought crossed the Emperor’s mind. The message received yesterday from the Duchy of Verma came to him: “We struggled to conceive, so we wish to share this process with the Carlyle couple.” The Emperor’s face twisted. If Duke Lillias visits soon, Pervin would surely be the target. He had to warn Pervin and prepare a countermeasure.
I led Pervin through multiple dances, not knowing how many. Though I had no formal training, I followed the steps well with my current-life memories, and Pervin, a naturally perfect dancer, was an excellent partner. Surprisingly, he was also a good conversationalist, sharing stories from childhood, sparring with the Emperor, and even how to raise kittens. I hadn’t expected our dance to be accompanied by such conversations. Occasionally, when our eyes met, I found myself nestling into his chest to avoid his gaze.
“Pervin! Come quickly! It’s urgent!”
The Emperor called Pervin with a tense face. Reluctantly, Pervin left my side, leaving me alone again. I smiled at others, but the men were busy trembling, and the women were watching me curiously but kept their distance. I had danced enough, so while a bit lonely, I thought it was fine.
I approached a large table set with food and began eating, initially standing, then sitting properly. Time passed, and my body grew sore. The band now played slow ballads, couples dancing closely in blues. I secretly wished I had a partner too.
The noblewomen, led by the Marchioness Celestine, turned their attention to me as soon as Pervin left.
“Finally, the Duke of Carlyle has left the Duchess. Now is our chance!”
“If only we could speak to such a beautiful lady. Her words must be sweeter than a nightingale!”
Despite their desire to speak to me, my beauty left them too intimidated. Lady Onorin checked her reflection nervously.
“Shall we go now? Or is that too hasty? Is my makeup ruined?”
“Perfect, Lady Onorin.”
“Even my elegance pales compared to hers. How can anyone be that beautiful…”
The Marchioness Celestine comforted her ladies, saying,
“It’s not that we’re unattractive; the Duchess is just overwhelmingly beautiful.”
Watching me eat a macaron elegantly, the ladies admired me once again.
Meanwhile, the Marchioness Celestine’s husband needed a digestive aid. While she handed him a pill, Lady Onorin asked curiously about my whereabouts.
“Where is the Duke of Carlyle? Why did he leave such a beautiful lady?”
“He seems to have gone to the Rose Garden.”
“Rose Garden? That’s usually for lovers… Did he leave the Duchess for a new love?”
Celestine laughed at the absurdity. Pervin, of course, wasn’t that type; he cared deeply for his wife.
After finishing, I left the table and headed toward the garden corridor. The rose garden was in full bloom, beckoning me. As I immersed myself in its beauty, strange moans reached my ears. To my shock, young couples from the ballroom were engaging in intimate acts among the roses. Embarrassed, I quickly turned to leave, running into a darker corridor. The passage was dimly lit, with only plants and vines above.
Suddenly, someone grabbed my clothing from behind. I stumbled backward into a cold wall and a large shadow loomed over me. I looked up fearfully. It was Pervin, eyes dark and intense, catching me with a breathless voice:
“You dare come here? Alone?”
