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Chapter : 19 Look Into My Eyes
“Do you happen to need a consort?”
The tone was far too calm.
So gentle it was almost like offering an apple.
But the meaning behind those words was anything but light.
A consort.
Those two short syllables carried an unmistakably heavy implication.
A lover other than one’s husband or wife.
In short, an officially acknowledged affair partner.
Leonard was asking whether I needed someone like that.
No—an even bigger problem was who was saying it.
Leonard, the man who had recently become the hottest topic in high society.
“A… consort?”
“Did he really just ask Her Majesty the Empress if she wants him as her consort?”
“Of all people—Sir Leonard?”
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd.
Everyone’s eyes bounced back and forth between Leonard and me.
But their reactions didn’t matter right now.
I had no idea how I was supposed to respond to this situation.
Leonard… becoming my consort?
Why would he even say something like that?
There was no way it was sincere.
The Leonard I knew was not someone who would ever publicly declare himself willing to be another person’s lover.
Which made it even harder to know how I should respond as he waited for my answer.
The interruption came from an entirely unexpected direction.
“A consort?”
A cold, mocking laugh preceded Jerome’s appearance.
He stopped precisely between Leonard and me.
Then he fixed Leonard with an icy stare.
“What did you just say?”
“……”
Leonard chose silence instead of answering.
But his gaze, locked onto Jerome, didn’t waver in the slightest.
Even though the man standing before him was the emperor.
There was not a trace of fear.
An irritated crease formed between Jerome’s brows.
“A consort. Unless I misheard, that’s what you said, wasn’t it?”
“That is correct.”
“Hah.”
Jerome clicked his tongue in disbelief.
“This is why rumors can’t be trusted. They say Sir Leonard is taciturn and uninterested in women…”
He glanced around casually before continuing,
“But it turns out he’s capable of making absurd jokes too. Quite an outrageous one, at that.”
The tension in the crowd instantly eased.
People who had been stiff with shock relaxed, laughing lightly.
“Hahaha, he finally shows up in society after so long, and this is the surprise he brings.”
“Oh my, I almost thought it was real!”
“It seems Sir Leonard was trying to help smooth over Her Highness’s earlier mistake.”
Laughter spread through the hall.
Without thinking, I nodded along.
Of course. A joke.
No matter how you looked at it, that had to be it.
If I ever got the chance, I should lend him a book titled something like 101 Jokes That Actually Work in High Society.
Even Fey, seated across from me, was staring with wide, startled eyes.
Just as the laughter was dying down—
Leonard stood up.
“It is not a joke.”
Jerome frowned.
“Not a joke?”
“Yes.”
Leonard nodded firmly.
Clear. Unequivocal.
What on earth is happening?
I wasn’t the only one confused.
The smiles vanished, replaced by whispers as people leaned toward one another.
Their darting glances and subtle gestures made it obvious what kind of rumors were already forming.
If this keeps going, who knows what kind of scandal will explode.
I had to step in.
“Sir Leonard. And Your Majesty.”
I spoke calmly, drawing attention back to myself.
“Today is His Majesty’s birthday. Unfortunately, due to my own mistake, my attire has become rather… unsightly. May I excuse myself briefly to change?”
Jerome’s eyes widened—just slightly.
A change so small only someone standing close could notice.
There was something unreadable in his gaze.
In any case, after receiving his permission, I turned back to Leonard.
“Thank you, Sir Leonard. Your joke gave us all a good laugh. I’ll have the dress cleaned and sent to you through a maid.”
Leonard replied with an elegant smile.
“It is my honor to have been of help to Your Majesty.”
* * *
“Hah…”
My first banquet had been nothing but one storm after another.
And somehow, I was the eye of the hurricane—or something close to it.
A sudden proposal to become my consort.
From Leonard, of all people.
“Honestly… what is he even thinking?”
The novel’s hidden mastermind.
I knew he wasn’t an ordinary character, but I never expected this.
“A declaration to become the villain’s consort…”
A coup attempt would’ve made more sense.
This wasn’t an event that existed in the original story.
At this point in the plot, Empress Helena and Leonard barely had any connection at all.
Thanks to Leonard, my thoughts were in complete chaos.
The one saving grace was that when I returned to the banquet hall after changing, no one was there.
Jerome. Fey. Leonard.
All the key figures were gone.
“Her Highness the Crown Princess was deeply shaken by her mistake toward Her Majesty and couldn’t stop crying… His Majesty escorted her back to the Crown Princess’s palace.”
“And Sir Leonard?”
“Well… he was here just a moment ago, but…”
Countess Chloe tilted her head, unsure.
Inside, I cheered.
Perfect. Wonderful.
All the main characters were gone.
Which meant everyone I had to worry about was gone.
Just moments ago I’d been agonizing over how to respond—but now my heart felt light.
The gazes still lingering on me were uncomfortable, but manageable.
I’d finished greeting people anyway. I could excuse myself soon, claim exhaustion, and retreat to the comfort of the Empress’s palace.
Just as I sighed in relief—
♩♬♩
The soft melody suddenly shifted into something lively.
It was only a change in music, yet the entire atmosphere transformed.
People who had been chatting quietly rose from their seats.
Their eyes turned toward me—heated, expectant.
…Why?
Why is everyone looking at me?
As I stood there puzzled—
“Your Majesty,”
Countess Chloe whispered discreetly,
“You must open the ball.”
Open… the ball?
“Ah.”
Right. That.
When a banquet reaches its peak, dancing naturally follows.
And traditionally, the highest-ranking person opens the first dance.
Which, at this party, was—
“…Me?”
Everyone was waiting for me to start the dance?
This was despair.
Come to think of it, there was a scene in the original novel where the Emperor danced with the Crown Princess.
Helena’s wine-stained dress.
The Crown Princess on the verge of tears.
Jerome gently guiding her into a beautiful, romantic dance.
But now?
The Emperor had already left with the sobbing Crown Princess.
Leaving me alone under everyone’s gaze.
Maestro.
Read the room!
Did you not see the Emperor leave?!
I can’t dance alone!
I’ve never even danced at a ball before!
Despite my desperate stare, the oblivious conductor was completely absorbed in the music.
His baton moved without hesitation.
Busy, huh.
Already lost to the world of music.
I clenched my fists.
If that’s how it’s going to be—
I’ll collapse!
Yes. I’ll pretend my chronic illness is acting up and retreat to the Empress’s palace.
Helena was known for skipping events due to poor health anyway.
They’ll believe it!
Alright—let’s start with a little dizziness acting.
I lifted a hand gently to my forehead.
That was when—
“Your Majesty.”
I looked up at the voice.
Someone unexpected was holding out his hand to me.
“…Sir Leonard?”
Weren’t you gone?!
“Would you grant me the honor of the first dance?”
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
What is this scheme now?
First the consort proposal, now this?
I thought he was serious and restrained—turns out he’s quite the prankster.
He curved his lips into a gentle smile.
‘Because you are the Empress,’ his eyes seemed to say.
I glanced at his outstretched hand.
‘Let go of that first.’
He shook his head lightly.
‘No.’
Before I could stop myself—
“Why on earth—”
I caught the surrounding stares and quickly cleared my throat.
“Sir Leonard. I appreciate the offer, but this is not a good time. I’m not in the mood to dance.”
Not to mention, I can’t dance.
And even if I could, dancing with you would only worsen the situation.
People were already giving us strange looks over the ‘consort’ comment.
If we danced too, it’d be a full-blown scandal.
“I’ll excuse myself due to ill health.”
“Is it truly impossible?”
“Yes. I’ll accept the sentiment only.”
“That’s… quite unfortunate.”
What is with him?
He suddenly looked like a dejected puppy.
Then he murmured, softly enough that only I could hear—
“I’m so disappointed that I might accidentally let a secret slip somewhere.”
…A secret?
A bad feeling crawled up my spine.
“For example, a certain book Your Majesty borrowed from me…”
“…On second thought, I believe I’ve always wanted to dance with you at least once.”
He grinned.
“I’m delighted to hear that.”
You—blackmailer!
* * *
The lively music filled the hall.
The crowd stepped back, forming a circle.
Two figures stood at its center, under everyone’s gaze.
This was supposed to be the protagonists’ beautiful dance scene.
So why was I standing in the middle of the ballroom?
Why was I the one experiencing the flutter meant for the original heroine?
All because of the man holding my hand.
“You will pay dearly for this, Sir Leonard.”
“If it is from Your Majesty, I’ll pay any price.”
“You’ll regret it.”
“It would be an honor.”
Was it the chandelier?
His jet-black hair shimmered like polished jewels.
His striking features seemed even more pronounced.
After a moment of being captivated, I let out a deep sigh.
“I need to confess something.”
Leonard’s eyes flickered with interest.
“A confession…?”
I slumped my shoulders slightly.
“I’m actually terrible at dancing.”
Terrible might be generous—I’m a complete beginner.
This is my first banquet. My first dance.
Who could’ve known the protagonists would just leave like that?
“So before I embarrass myself—”
“Don’t worry.”
His voice brushed my ear.
Startled, I looked up—only to feel him pull me closer.
He leaned in and whispered,
“Look into my eyes.”
Eyes as deep as the ocean captured my gaze.
“Your Majesty need only—”
He drew me firmly against him by the waist.
“—look at me.”
“……!”
W-Wait.
Isn’t this way too close?!
I screamed internally.
Meanwhile, he looked perfectly at ease.
And just like that, the dance began.
Thankfully—
This… actually works?
Maybe it was Helena’s muscle memory.
Or maybe Leonard’s skilled lead.
Either way, I was dancing naturally—far better than I’d feared.
At first I was stiff and awkward, but following his guidance, my movements gradually smoothed out.
Still, it wasn’t perfect.
Step by step, trying not to lose him—
That was when he whispered,
“So… have you thought about it?”
“Hm?”
“Your answer. To the proposal I made earlier.”
He smiled playfully.
The consort thing?
“That joke isn’t funny anymore.”
“It was not a joke.”
“Then you’re serious? Why would you suddenly say something like that?”
Why bring up something like a consort at all?
“……”
Leonard didn’t answer.
He simply waited for my response.
That subtle silence only made things more confusing.
With that look in his eyes, it almost felt real.
The awkwardness grew.
I changed the subject.
“More importantly… I’m surprised. I thought you disliked banquets.”
“Banquets?”
“Yes. I heard you rarely attend.”
“I don’t dislike them. I’m simply not interested.”
“Then today?”
“Today…”
“Did something happen to spark your interest?”
I asked lightly, half-joking.
“Yes. Something did.”
A languid smile touched his lips.
“Because today—”
His gaze remained fixed entirely on me.
“There is someone here whose heart I wish to win.”
