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Chapter : 10
“What did you say?”
Dahlia, lost in thought, quickly lifted her head.
Ulysses wrapped an affectionate arm around her shoulder again.
“I said the night air is cold. Let’s go inside. Come, Dahlia.”
“…Yes.”
Dahlia was practically being led into the ballroom.
But Ulysses could not stay by her side for long—many young nobles wanted to speak with the Crown Prince of the Empire.
“Dahlia, wait here for a moment. I’ll be back soon.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Dahlia sent him off with a reassuring smile.
Soon after, the group that had always been somewhat kind to Dahlia—despite Evelyn’s pressure—approached her.
“Lady Hebe, it’s been a while.”
“Oh, Lady Mish.”
“I actually have something to tell you. I heard Princess Pravice has a fiancé now.”
Lady Mish whispered behind her hand.
“And it’s Marquis Celestian. After acting like she couldn’t live without His Highness, she suddenly changed her attitude overnight.”
“Exactly. Lady Hebe really suffered for nothing.”
Dahlia only smiled faintly without agreeing or engaging.
Her reluctance to gossip frustrated them, but before they could say anything more—
“Dahlia, sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Your Highness.”
Ulysses returned quickly.
The gossiping ladies immediately scattered, startled.
Ulysses clicked his tongue.
“What were they saying to you?”
“Nothing important.”
“Good. Let’s dance.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Dahlia took his hand and stepped into the center of the hall.
But neither of them could focus on the dance.
Dahlia’s mind was in turmoil.
Raphael Celestian.
So that man was Evelyn’s fiancé.
No matter how I look at him… he doesn’t seem better than me.
Ulysses also looked puzzled.
Raphael Celestian was usually like background noise in high society.
But today, he stood out just like Evelyn herself.
Handsome, yes—but in a completely different way from him.
Not the type Evelyn would like.
Dahlia also couldn’t hide her disappointment.
…I thought he was similar to me.
After returning home, she had investigated Raphael.
A marquis, not particularly poor, but dressed modestly.
Gentle manners, a courteous hand when returning her handkerchief, and steady eyes.
A respectable man. Likable.
Not romantic feelings—of course not. She already had Ulysses.
But the moment she learned he was Evelyn’s fiancé, it felt like she had been struck on the head.
“Evelyn. I brought you a drink.”
“Perfect timing. You’re quite perceptive.”
At that moment, Dahlia’s gaze shifted.
Not far away, Evelyn and Raphael stood too close to each other.
Raphael’s eyes—
They were not the same as when he had looked at her on the street.
They were clearly the eyes of someone in love.
Evelyn’s expression was different too.
It wasn’t the obsessive madness she showed toward Ulysses—but it looked… better.
Does she like him more than His Highness?
Dahlia had never seen Evelyn with such a calm, healthy gaze.
It didn’t even look like a fake engagement.
Her stomach twisted.
Ulysses noticed her expression after the dance ended.
“Dahlia, are you unwell?”
“…No. The air just feels suffocating. I want some fresh air.”
“Then let’s go to the terrace.”
Dahlia shook her head.
“No, it’s alright. You’re busy, Your Highness. And I don’t want to create unnecessary rumors.”
Ulysses, unaware of her true thoughts, was moved by her consideration and let her go.
Dahlia slipped away from the crowd and stepped onto the terrace.
Once alone, her smile disappeared instantly.
Even in the cool night air, her chest still felt tight.
“…Annoying.”
She lowered her head, gripping the railing tightly.
Then—
“Lady Hebe.”
“…!”
Dahlia quickly turned.
Evelyn was standing there.
Entering uninvited, as if she owned the place.
As always, Dahlia thought bitterly—money and status didn’t buy class.
But she didn’t say it.
Instead, she bowed quickly.
“I’m sorry. I’ll leave the space.”
As she tried to pass, a hand suddenly blocked her path.
Evelyn was standing in front of the terrace exit.
“…Princess?”
Dahlia looked up, startled.
Evelyn asked lazily,
“Annoying, huh? What’s annoying?”
“…!”
“What is annoying, exactly?”
At that moment, Dahlia felt her heart drop.
Did she hear me?
No one had ever caught her like this before.
And of all people—it had to be Evelyn Pravice.
Dahlia wanted to run.
But—
Why should I run?
Her pupils sharpened.
It was always the same.
Evelyn pushed her back.
Dahlia ran.
Even though she already had Ulysses.
Dahlia lifted her head.
“Lady Hebe. Can’t you hear me?”
Evelyn stepped closer, pushing her toward the railing.
That same gaze again.
The condescending one.
Dahlia hated it.
Her anger surged.
“Do you think I’m ridiculous?”
“What?”
Evelyn’s eyebrow twitched.
Normally, Dahlia would have been terrified—but not this time.
With nowhere else to retreat, she spoke.
“If you wanted to get His Highness’s attention by pretending you don’t love him anymore, that would’ve been understandable. But suddenly a fiancé?”
“You’re upset I have a fiancé?”
“Yes, I am.”
Evelyn’s expression darkened—clearly angry now.
Dahlia seized the moment.
“Are you really going to give up His Highness so easily? Then what was all that torment you put me through for? Is love just a joke to you?”
“….”
Evelyn said nothing.
Dahlia continued, listing everything she had endured.
“Even when you tripped me on purpose… even when you made me damage jewelry and then demanded compensation… I endured it all because I knew how deeply you loved His Highness—”
“Wait.”
Evelyn cut her off.
Dahlia frowned, irritated.
Evelyn smirked faintly.
“When did you ‘endure’ anything? You ran straight to His Highness and reported everything, didn’t you?”
“….”
Dahlia froze.
That wasn’t how Evelyn used to be.
She would’ve only gotten angry, not noticed contradictions like this.
Dahlia quickly lowered her gaze.
“No… you’re mistaken.”
“Oh? Then I must also be mistaken about the wrinkled hat?”
“…!”
Dahlia flinched.
Evelyn smiled victoriously.
She tilted Dahlia’s chin up with her fingers.
Her voice turned soft—almost seductive.
“It’s just the two of us. We’ve known each other for how long now? Why don’t we finally be honest?”
Dahlia couldn’t speak.
She found Evelyn both ridiculous and frightening—but usually, the ridiculous feeling won.
Now, fear was stronger.
Evelyn continued lightly.
“Well, I did mess with you. But that hat meant for the Emperor? I didn’t ruin it. That hat was perfectly fine.”
“That was because Your Highness misunderstood—!”
“Then why didn’t you correct the misunderstanding?”
At that moment—
Evelyn’s smile disappeared completely.
