Chapter 96

Ares’s mouth went dry, and he clenched his fists.

Being close enough to see their reflections in each other’s eyes for the first time made his fingertips tremble.

Unlike him, tense and unsure what to do, Kirine looked straight at him.

Just as he was about to say something, feeling somewhat provoked by her demeanor, her thin lips slowly parted and unexpected words flowed out.

“I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

Ares, who had been absently staring at her lips, belatedly responded.

Not noticing this, Kirine unclenched his fist and carefully intertwined their fingers.

“I said I’m sorry.”

Thinking Ares hadn’t heard her properly because she spoke too quietly, Kirine apologized again.

“As you know, I…”

After hesitating briefly, still unsure how to phrase it, she continued.

“I’m not from a noble family and don’t have any titles.”

Even as she spoke, it was hard to bear the complicated feelings. But she needed to explain her circumstances to Ares completely.

“My father and mother passed away long ago. And I don’t have any brothers or sisters either—I’m alone.”

The more she spoke, the more she felt the stark contrast with Ares. Her carefully built self-esteem was gradually crumbling.

Nevertheless, Kirine continued speaking.

“Looking at the background alone, it’s true that you’re too good for me.”

It was cruel, but this was reality.

Even if their positions within the Imperial Palace were equal, their backgrounds from birth were as different as heaven and earth.

“People will say I’m being greedy without knowing my place, but as you know, I have no conscience.”

She didn’t care what others said about her. If she had worried about every such comment, she wouldn’t even be in this position.

“But I feel sorry toward you.”

“…”

“There are plenty of more suitable women for you—”

Before she could finish saying “than me,” Ares’s lips briefly touched hers before pulling away.

For a moment, Kirine blinked blankly, not comprehending what had happened, then looked up at him.

But Ares just stared at her shamelessly as if asking what the problem was, then quietly chided her.

“I don’t want to hear such things, so just kiss me instead.”

It was such an Ares-like thing to say.

***

After realizing that Kirine felt just as inadequate as he did, Ares’s expression softened considerably. When he returned to the training grounds and properly focused, he even received praise from the Commander.

But that good mood didn’t last long.

“Stop scowling.”

As soon as they entered the ballroom, Ares moved to a corner and leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. Anyone could see he was in a bad mood.

Reilly, noticing immediately, poked his cheek while speaking, but Ares just brushed her hand away as if annoyed.

“Go away.”

He couldn’t help but be irritated.

It was because Kirine had declined to be his partner.

“How long are you going to stay like this?”

Though Reilly spoke with an exasperated expression, Ares just kept his lips tightly sealed while glaring at the ballroom entrance.

He knew why Kirine had declined to be his partner. She wanted him to wait until she could establish herself as someone worthy of standing beside him.

Actually, Ares didn’t understand why that mattered. If anything, he thought Kirine was too good for him, so there was no need for such concerns.

But Kirine held the opposite opinion. Though he was grateful she thought he was too good for her, it wasn’t at all welcome in the current situation.

“Haah…”

The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became, leading to an involuntary sharp sigh.

The waiting itself wasn’t a problem.

However…

“You seem to be alone. Would you like some company?”

It was just the men approaching Kirine that bothered him.

Fortunately, he could barely endure it because Kirine wouldn’t even acknowledge them.

“Try to understand her.”

Reilly, immediately noticing Ares’s gaze fixed on Kirine, spoke up.

“She wants to be able to stand proudly beside you.”

Actually, Reilly didn’t completely understand Kirine either. If anything, she found it frustrating.

But on the other hand, she was also proud.

Because Kirine had chosen to move forward instead of giving up.

So Reilly had accepted it, and she hoped Ares would respect it too.

Fortunately, her foolish brother wasn’t stupid enough to misunderstand Kirine’s feelings, so he had decided to wait for her.

But he clearly found it difficult to endure the flies buzzing around her.

“I like Miss Rozentian.”

Though it might be unfair to Kirine, she was someone her brother desperately needed.

“So do your best.”

Reilly patted Ares’s shoulder encouragingly before leaving. Even then, Ares’s gaze remained fixed on Kirine.

***

She knew better than anyone that it was selfish. She also knew there was no harder request than asking someone to wait quietly.

But Kirine’s mind remained unchanged. She just felt sorry and grateful to Ares for understanding her.

“Aren’t you bored?”

As soon as she entered the ballroom, someone approached her.

It was one of the knights who had joined the Imperial Knights with Ares.

“No.”

Though she tried to smile politely while saying she was fine, worried it might cause misunderstandings, she deliberately rejected him coldly.

Fortunately, he seemed to take the hint, giving an awkward smile before leaving.

Just as she was about to sigh in relief, she felt a gaze on her. When she turned her head, she saw Ares watching her with displeasure.

How long had he been watching?

Unfortunately, it seemed he had been watching since the knight approached her.

Just as she was wondering how to explain this to him later, Ares pushed himself off the wall.

“…?”

Noticing him approaching while looking straight at her, Kirine gave him a look telling him not to come, but Ares either didn’t notice or deliberately ignored it as he kept getting closer.

As he approached with an ominous air, people’s gazes naturally turned to Ares and Kirine.

“It doesn’t suit you.”

“What?”

When Kirine asked in confusion at his sudden statement, Ares kindly repeated himself.

“That dress doesn’t suit you.”

“…”

Kirine fell silent, not having expected him to say something like this so directly.

The people around them who had been glancing at the pair also looked around awkwardly, unsure how to react.

“It really, really doesn’t suit you.”

At his words emphasizing each syllable as if making absolutely sure his point got across, Kirine let out a short laugh. At the same time, she glanced at her outfit.

But no matter how she looked at it, she couldn’t agree with Ares. Though not as elaborate as the dresses worn by other noble ladies, it accentuated her waist perfectly, and even she thought she pulled it off flawlessly.

Yet for some reason, Ares seemed to disapprove of her dress.

“Are you done talking?”

She had nearly fallen in love with her own reflection in the mirror, yet he said it didn’t suit her?

Though their relationship was secret from others, she thought he was being too harsh even for a lover.

But Ares wasn’t finished.

“What else can you say about something that doesn’t suit you?”

“…”

Seeing his attitude of not backing down even slightly, Kirine finally bit her lip and gestured toward the entrance.

“Come out.”

She had tried to endure it, but she couldn’t anymore.

“I’m going to teach you never to say that again.”

At this rate, she didn’t think she’d be able to sleep properly tonight.

As soon as she finished speaking, Kirine glared fiercely at Ares.

She had been ready to let it go if he showed even a hint of remorse, but instead, Ares left the ballroom first as if this was exactly what he’d wanted.

Kirine followed without hesitation but paused briefly.

Strangely, Ares had acted as if he had been waiting for this.