Chapter 22
“Your Highness, that sword dance earlier was absolutely stunning. I truly enjoyed watching it.”
“Thank you, Lady Heilrus.”
Just another polite formality. Havel repeated his mechanical reply and walked towards the hall. Havel brushed off the wrist where the Duke of Heilrus’s daughter had briefly held it, then surveyed the party hall.
Earlier, before the performance ended, she was definitely over there.
The sky-blue trace of Serira was no longer visible where she had stood. A warmth spread through him as he recalled Serira, dressed in a gown that matched the color of his tailcoat, staring intently at him.
Suppressing the urge to rush to her and embrace her tightly, especially when she looked only at him, was more unbearable than having his flesh cut.
Moreover, she came looking so beautiful. The thought that he might be late and someone else might approach her made anxiety rise in him.
He had to find her quickly. Havel’s gaze swept across the party hall. Then, it stopped at one spot.
She stood by the dessert table, set up for light refreshments, dressed in a sky-blue gown.
Relief washed over Havel’s heart as he found Serira. But it was fleeting. Seeing her smile at someone else, Havel approached her quickly, his face stern.
* * *
I quietly watched the couples dancing on stage.
When was the last time I danced? It felt like ages ago.
I didn’t enjoy dancing and rarely danced even when attending parties, but sometimes in the past, I would go to the dance floor with Rayon. But even that felt like a faded memory now.
As I blankly watched others dance, Rayon tilted his head.
“Sera, would you like to dance?”
“Huh?”
“You were watching, so I thought you might want to dance.”
There was no hidden meaning or emotion in Rayon’s golden eyes as he looked at me.
This is why I like Rayon. Well, if there were any other feelings between us, we probably wouldn’t have been able to remain friends until now.
Rayon looked at me as if he would immediately offer his hand if I wanted to dance. I smiled at his puppy-like expression, and he extended his hand to me.
“Lady Serira, may I dare to ask you for a dance?”
Rayon’s playful eyes curved into crescent moons. Just as I was about to tell him to stop fooling around, the voices of a man and a woman interrupted us.
“Lady Ventus.”
“Rayon.”
Havel and Mary. Both of them called out to us at the same time.
Unintentionally, they looked at each other. Mary was the first to greet Havel.
“I greet Your Royal Highness, the Grand Duke.”
“Rise… Lady.”
Hmm? I looked at Havel, who was frowning slightly and trailing off. Rayon also looked at Havel with a bewildered expression. Mary, too, looked at him with a puzzled face.
Surely Havel…
Havel’s eyes briefly clouded over as if in thought, then he looked at Mary and spoke again.
“My apologies, Lady. What is your name?”
It was the moment the worst-case scenario became reality.
Havel genuinely didn’t remember Mary’s name or family. Of course, Havel couldn’t remember all the many nobles in the Empire, but Mary Stephan was the daughter of a well-known marquess family and a rather prominent figure in society, so it was only natural to think that he would know her.
Mary’s lips trembled at Havel’s words. She had probably never been treated this way in her life.
“Mary Stephan. I am the eldest daughter of Marquess Stephan. I greeted Your Highness at the Princess’s birthday banquet last time, but it seems I didn’t leave much of an impression.”
“…You are Marquess Stephen’s eldest daughter. My sincere apologies, Lady. It is not your fault, but mine. There will be no second mistake.”
“It’s alright.”
She didn’t look alright at all. Her lips were smiling, but Mary’s eyes were burning fiercely at Havel.
Well, that’s unexpected. I thought the Grand Duke might be part of Lady Stephan’s collection.
I found it strange that I felt no hint of favor from Mary’s attitude, then she suddenly turned and our eyes met.
“Lady Ventus, it’s been a while.”
“Yes, Lady Stephen. It’s been a while.”
“Your dress today is unique and truly beautiful.”
“Huh? Oh, yes, thank you.”
I smiled awkwardly, not expecting the sudden compliment. Mary seemed to be done with me and turned to Rayon, extending her hand to him first.
“Rayon, will you dance with me?”
“Huh?”
“Don’t want to?”
Mary’s lips drooped at Rayon’s blank expression, and Rayon hastily took her hand.
“No, no, I’d love to, Mary.”
Rayon, you’re hopeless. I could guarantee that if Rayon were a real puppy, his tail would be wagging furiously right now.
Rayon the puppy, having found his owner, left the hall with her. I looked at the Havel who was left behind and curtsied slightly.
“I greet Your Royal Highness, the Grand Duke.”
“Rise, Lady.”
A deep blue tailcoat. As I properly faced him, the clothes he was wearing came into view. Did he know that I had dressed to match his outfit? Probably not because it wasn’t the exact same color. Men are insensitive to such color-related matters.
Considering he couldn’t even remember Mary’s name just now, it wouldn’t be surprising if he didn’t know at all.
“The dress, the color suits you well, Lady.”
“Oh… thank you.”
But contrary to my expectations, Havel saw right through it.
Havel looked at my dress with gentle eyes, as if satisfied that I had worn a dress matching his dress code.
The way he looks at me… it’s really dangerous.
A strange tickle spread through me, and I wiggled my fingers, then clenched my hand into a soft fist. Suddenly, Havel extended his hand to me.
“Lady Ventus, would you please dance one song with me?”
A soft smile lingered on his lips, and a warm gaze met mine. In it, I caught a glimpse of affection that made my heart pound.
Even though I know it’s fake, it feels so real.
I felt the surrounding gazes suddenly focus on us. Looks filled with envy, jealousy, and curiosity seemed to prick me. To hide my confusion amidst my pounding heart and the surrounding stares, I lowered my head, and Havel’s voice resonated.
“The lady, who was the main force in the monster subjugation, can surely enjoy this much honor.”
As if to uphold his promise to be careful not to let others misunderstand, Havel said that, and the gazes that had been filled with doubt and dissatisfaction softened somewhat.
As Havel said, it seemed they understood my and Havel’s relationship as simply the main contributor to the subjugation and the knight commander who led the subjugation.
I glanced around slightly and then saw Princess Daisy, who seemed to care neither about Havel’s words nor the surrounding gazes, and was solely focused on Havel’s profile.
Her persistent gaze, fixed only on Havel, was so passionate that even a stranger could tell what feelings she harbored for him.
…I don’t like it.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
My lips moved before my brain. As I placed my hand on his, Princess Daisy’s gaze, which had been on Havel, turned to me.
Her green eyes met mine directly.
Ah… what did I just…
Feeling strangely guilty, I was the first to look away.
Havel, holding my hand, led me to the dance floor. With his broad chest blocking my view, Princess Daisy disappeared from sight.
I felt a large hand supporting my lower back. I slightly raised my head and saw Havel’s smiling face.
“Thank you for giving me your first dance, Serira.”
“…It’s nothing, Your Highness.”
Following the tango-style melody flowing through the floor, Havel’s body moved gracefully.
Under the soft lighting of the hall, I moved my body, following Havel’s gestures as he gently led me.
The warmth from his firm hand and his fresh scent that brushed past my nose seeped deeply into me, like music building to a crescendo.
Why did I dislike Princess Daisy looking at him? Why did I become conscious of Daisy and take Havel’s hand?
As I thought about this with a dazed mind, Havel pulled me closer in sync with the climax of the melody.
Our breaths were so close, almost touching. The moment I met Havel’s deep purple eyes, my hazy mind, filled with questions, became clear. Just as a thick fog lifted, Havel alone filled my brightened vision.
Only then did I find the answer to the question that had been confusing me.
As his hand tightened around my waist, pulling me close, the fast-paced music ended. Havel’s hand, which had been on my waist, slowly withdrew, as if regretfully.
As I let out a slightly rough breath, I felt my disheveled hair fall across my cheek. I took a breath to compose myself and reached to brush my hair back, but Havel’s hand touched my cheek before mine.
Havel, with a careful touch that almost didn’t touch my cheek, tucked my hair behind my ear, then gazed intently at me with his purple eyes, as if only he and I existed in this place.
“It’s a little late, but… you look so beautiful today, Serira.”
Feeling his low voice tickle my ear and seeing the smooth curve of his eyes, I had to admit it.
Havel Precia, I was strongly swayed by this man.
