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“Searching for the Runaway Princess” – Chapter : 11
The sound of music and people’s laughter that had been flowing like waves had long since become nothing more than an afterimage.
Elizia could barely think straight because of her pounding heartbeat.
His body—and his face looking down at her so calmly—were far too close.
Rakan began to move, taking the lead in the dance.
She had plenty of experience with dancing. How many times had she attended parties and danced while holding a man’s hand?
But she could confidently say she had never felt anything like this before.
She couldn’t tell whether she should step to his right or turn under his hand. She was completely disoriented.
Normally, she would just follow the rhythm—step or spin—but even those simple actions felt difficult.
In the end, Elizia ended up stepping on his foot once.
“Why am I like this?”
She was genuinely flustered.
She was talented in both swordsmanship and dancing. She had never made mistakes like this during formal dance lessons.
Even when she danced with Damian, someone she had quietly liked before, she had simply moved like it was homework.
Rakan tightened his grip on her hand, realizing she was struggling.
Her unsteady movements were clearly obvious to him.
Like a puppet, Elizia began to be guided by his movements.
Her shaky body was naturally pulled into place.
After a moment, she was able to follow him properly without much trouble. That was a relief.
“How many people have you danced with here?”
“Three.”
“Three, huh. In such a short time, they were quick to act.”
Rakan spoke in a slightly mocking tone. Elizia just chuckled.
“What about you, senior? How many people have you danced with?”
“You’re the first. You’re the only one who asked me.”
The only one who asked him.
Shouldn’t it normally be the other way around?
Elizia thought this while looking at his chest area. It felt awkward to meet his eyes.
He was much taller than her, so that was where her gaze naturally landed.
Everything about him felt new—his masculine scent, his warm body heat, and the way he confidently led her.
It was like meeting a stranger.
The arm around her waist felt firm. His hand, though elegant in appearance, felt a little rough. It was holding her hand tightly.
Was it intentional? His palm slowly brushed her waist.
Elizia swallowed without realizing it.
The hot, large hand made her feel strangely tense. Her shoulders stiffened.
This is strange. I was smiling earlier when dancing with other guys… so why do I feel nervous now? It’s not even hot.
In fact, she felt a chill. Goosebumps rose along her neck and waist where he held her.
But at the same time, heat rose to her face, like all her blood was rushing upward.
Rakan looked down at her.
“Are you hot?”
“I… think so.”
Elizia answered vaguely while still looking at his buttoned shirt.
“Then let’s go outside.”
Rakan smiled faintly as he looked at her flushed cheeks.
Their hands separated, and his arm around her loosened.
Strangely, she didn’t feel relieved—she felt a bit disappointed.
He turned away without hesitation, as if he hadn’t just been holding her so closely moments ago.
Rakan led the way out, and Elizia followed.
They arrived at the garden beside the party hall entrance.
Magic stones embedded around the area glowed softly under the night sky.
Elizia sat on the edge of a fountain, watching the light spill out from the ballroom.
A summer breeze brushed past her dress, clearing her thoughts.
The chandelier lights flickered like a dream, and music and chatter drifted faintly from inside.
Her racing heartbeat slowly returned to normal.
Elizia spoke.
“Thank you for earlier.”
Rakan, who had been leaning back with folded arms and looking at the night sky, turned his head.
“For what?”
“For putting my name in the rose vase earlier. I didn’t actually want to be chosen as the rose, but I was still worried. It would’ve been embarrassing to lose badly in public.”
“So you do care about things other than grades.”
Rakan teased her lightly. Elizia glanced at him.
“Anyway, after you put yours in, everyone else started putting roses in mine… so I felt relieved. And thankful.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I just gave it where it belonged.”
He really never tried to take credit for anything. He acted like it was nothing.
Elizia laughed softly at his calm expression.
“Honestly, maybe Lady Bess suits the rose title more than me. I’m not really good at representing the school.”
Rakan leaned slightly toward her.
“That’s not true. No one works harder than you when it comes to school or training. That’s exactly why you fit the role of the school’s face. I think that side of you is good.”
“…Senior, do you want something from me? I don’t have money.”
Elizia blinked in confusion.
Rakan burst out laughing, clearly not expecting that reaction.
She ignored him and looked up at the sky again. The pale moon was slowly disappearing behind clouds.
So that’s why… once he put in a rose, everyone followed him.
“Still, it was strange. Everyone followed you just like that.”
“That’s the power of the Empire.”
Rakan answered casually.
Elizia smiled.
The power of the Empire, huh.
It sounded like he was some high-ranking royal who controlled everything.
But she thought nothing more of it.
The “prince” she knew from portraits was someone else entirely—Prince Nobila Herbe Karund.
Not this arrogant man in front of her.
“You talk like you are the prince himself.”
“….”
Rakan stopped for a moment.
Silence fell, broken only by insects and the sound of water.
He stared at her.
Then he asked:
“Elizia. Have you ever seen the prince?”
“No, not yet.”
Rakan crossed his arms.
“Strange. In such a small academy.”
“I have no interest in him, and he probably has none in me. We’re from enemy nations. It’s better this way.”
“Do you at least know what he looks like?”
“Of course. I’ve seen his portrait at least a hundred times.”
Rakan nearly laughed out loud.
Based on everything Elizia had said and done so far, a conclusion formed in his mind.
She had no idea that he—the person standing right in front of her—was the prince.
So that’s it.
Everything suddenly made sense.
He covered his face slightly, trying not to laugh.
When he looked up again, he asked:
“If you ever get the chance, show me the prince’s portrait.”
“Why?”
“I’m curious how well your kingdom’s court painter draws.”
“Oh, sure. Our royal painter Matteo is amazing. His brushwork is so delicate and beautiful. You’ll be impressed.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Rakan looked at her with quiet amusement.
She truly had no idea.
She was talking about the prince while standing right in front of him.
He found it both ridiculous and… interesting.
After a while, they returned to the ballroom.
The event was nearing its end. The rose voting was almost finished.
Elizia’s name stood out clearly on the rose vase.
She didn’t know whether to feel happy or pressured.
She looked at Bess.
The usually confident girl now stood silently, biting her lip, clearly frustrated.
The lights went out again.
The principal appeared for the final announcement.
“The Rose and the Lily of this year’s Swena Royal Academy will now be revealed.”
A spotlight moved across the students.
It landed on Frederick Watts.
“The Lily of this year is Frederick Watts of the Kashtra Empire!”
Applause and cheers erupted.
Then the light moved again.
It was searching for the Rose.
