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~Chapter 46~
His face, now close to mine, was chilling. His eyes held a greed whose aim I couldn’t discern, and his tightly set mouth was possessive. It was a face I had never seen on him—the ever-smiling him. A shiver ran through me, as if I were seeing the raw essence of Bessas himself.
“I don’t want to.”
At my words, his eyes narrowed.
“I don’t want to dance.”
Bessas’s eyes curved, as if amused. Then, without a word, he lifted my hand with his left. I couldn’t escape his firm grip. It felt like being caught in an unbreakable noose. Before I could resist, the music grew louder.
At that moment, another hand covered mine, the one entwined with Bessas.
Murmurs echoed through the banquet hall.
I didn’t need to look to know who it was. The touch and scent were familiar.
“Étienne.”
My voice trembled slightly as I called his name. As if responding, he pulled my hand. Where Bessas’s hand had been, a lingering sense of greedy touch remained.
“Thank you for escorting me this far, Bessas.”
Bessas’s arm, which had seemed as if it would never let go, relaxed smoothly.
I staggered and leaned into Étienne’s embrace. Only when he held my shoulder did a sigh of relief escape me. Only then did I realize how tense I had been.
Bessas watched me quietly for a moment. It felt as if sparks flickered in his dark eyes. But only for a moment—he returned to his usual relaxed expression.
“Aren’t you leaving Dalia too lonely?”
“Busy? You meddle even in our affairs.”
“We’re family.”
“I didn’t realize you were so considerate.”
Even though no one far away could hear Étienne’s voice, the air in the hall was heavy. It was because of his unhidden hostility.
Unfazed, Étienne continued.
“Anyway, this is enough. Whatever happens with the Crown Prince tangled in nasty rumors isn’t my concern. He’s not my Dalia.”
Bessas seemed to understand the meaning of his words and looked around. Everyone was watching us—the Crown Prince and the prince couple. Surely, not all words exchanged in whispered ears were innocent.
Bessas smiled widely.
He seemed to think helping in this situation would gain him nothing. And indeed, that was true.
〈I’m not Étienne, but I’m family too, so it’s fine, right?〉
Those were the words he had made sure everyone could hear just moments ago. But now, if he didn’t step back, people might imagine he had impure intentions rather than seeing him as family.
“Alright. My dear little sister. If that’s what you want.”
Bessas stepped back with a relaxed gait.
Watching him retreat, the tension in my body melted. Étienne straightened me up. He examined my face piece by piece, as if confirming every detail. Even his usually composed expression was slightly disheveled.
The emotions he conveyed—ambiguous yet intense—left me unsure if it was anger or something else.
After seemingly concluding that my features were intact, he stepped slightly away and bent at the waist without a word.
I followed suit and lightly lifted my skirt.
As if waiting for this, he pulled me closer. Our bodies pressed together swiftly.
The last time he had taught me to dance, I had been nervous—but nothing compared to now.
My palms tingled with tension.
I steadied myself and placed my hand on his shoulder. Étienne lifted his other hand to meet mine. His sweet breath brushed against my nose.
My heart raced. The pounding beat ran through my chest, up to my neck, and down to my fingertips.
He mustn’t notice. But with gloves, he wouldn’t. It had to be this way.
I fidgeted in his firm grasp. Thankfully, the music swelled again. Étienne moved, and my feet followed naturally.
Round and round we spun, slowly.
A slight dizziness came over me, and with each step, the background behind Étienne moved gradually. The opulent gowns of nobles and hundreds, even thousands, of candles seemed to exist solely for him.
The ballroom felt enchanted, almost unreal.
I forced my eyes to his right shoulder as we turned.
Each twirl made my skirt flare heavily. I didn’t mind the weight. With Étienne supporting my waist, movement felt light.
It was as if I were walking on clouds.
A cliché, yes, but it truly felt that way.
If my hands were free, I would have slapped myself to wake from this dream.
But no need—Étienne had already shattered me awake.
“Why did you disobey me?”
His voice, low and husky in my ear, made me pause.
What did he mean?
Only after two more full turns did I understand. He meant being dragged by Bessas earlier, right?
I smiled faintly. From afar, we might look like lovers dancing and whispering sweet nothings.
“I had no choice. Even though I refused, he was relentless. What could I do? He’s the Crown Prince, after all.”
Technically, he had even more power than Étienne.
I waited for his response. But instead of speaking, he stopped abruptly.
Étienne lifted me slightly from his arms. His face came into view. His eyebrows were raised.
Hmm… that’s a habit when he’s angry.
As expected, his tone was sharp and commanding.
“What does that matter? Crown Prince or Emperor, you follow only my orders.”
“How can you say that? Étienne, you weren’t there earlier, but I had no way to avoid it. Every situation is different, and I… tried to handle it…”
“Why are you questioning that? Is it hard to understand? Don’t think. Just obey.”
He ground out his words, almost shoving them into my ears. My mouth fell open. So he meant I shouldn’t even think?
“Why should I?”
I snapped back, unable to hold it in.
“Why should I only follow your orders? Why can’t I even look at another man, let alone dance? You said yesterday you wanted a divorce. That you didn’t even like me. Then why go so far?”
As if I were his.
I swallowed the last words with a gulp.
Even in this moment, I foolishly hoped he would admit he was jealous of me being with another man.
“I don’t like losing what’s mine. Always have.”
His short reply left me dumbstruck. I exhaled shakily.
“Am I an object? Am I your possession?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“No, not at all.”
I had known Étienne might treat me this way, but hearing it aloud was different.
I bit my lower lip hard. His gaze fell to it.
His face twisted, mischief and irritation mingling.
“Don’t, you’re mine.”
“No. I won’t.”
I pushed down the hand on his shoulder and shoved his chest away.
I spun around. Countless eyes looked at us, puzzled.
Annoying. Infuriating, Étienne.
In the middle of the ballroom, what was this? So embarrassing.
I tried to smile at the eyes watching, but my mouth felt stiff.
I just wanted to leave.
As I stepped away, Étienne suddenly grabbed my wrist.
I spun like a top, my skirt forming a beautiful circle.
Before I could react, his face tilted close. Just before our lips met, he whispered in a husky voice:
“Don’t even think about running. I’m not letting go.”
His words pierced my mind. Then his lips pressed roughly against mine.
I gasped. His warm breath invaded me, like a small bird caught in a storm. My mind went blank.
I had to push him away.
His chest, solid as a statue, didn’t budge. My arms went limp.
As if to resist even a small push, Étienne gripped my wrist. His other hand framed my chin and neck, sending a shiver down my back.
He breathed rapidly between kisses. I felt as if I were in a storm, both floating and falling at the same time.
In a daze, I clutched the fabric of his clothes, trying to push back.
When I gave up, he leaned slowly, exhaling over my lips. His shimmering blue eyes held me relentlessly.
Gasping, I tried to catch my breath.
Étienne lightly brushed my lips with his fingers. A tingling sensation lingered.
He smiled, composed.
“Now everyone knows. You’re mine.”
What?
I snapped out of my trance. I stepped back.
Étienne also stepped away and bowed politely. Before I could respond, applause erupted around us.
Startled, I looked around. Everyone’s eyes shone brightly.
Me… in front of all these people… kissing…?
Damn it, that bastard…!
People murmured with anticipation. And rightly so—this ballroom, so idle and dull, was now filled with a prince couple dancing and kissing. Especially considering their famously bad relationship until just the other day.
Even I would have watched with excitement if I were among them.
“So, what’s the story? They suddenly fell in love? Oh my, so interesting!”
Ahhh!
If you’re going to watch, pay for it!
