CHAPTER 21……………………………………
After the dance ended, Ibelina and Arsen stepped back to the edge of the ballroom.
She felt conflicted.
‘He definitely met my eyes—but he ignored me.’
When she had been dancing with Arsen earlier, her father’s eyes had met hers for a brief moment. But with a hardened expression, he had immediately turned away without hesitation.
He had never once looked at her with warmth, yet the same bitter sadness filled her heart all the same.
When Ibelina approached, Karina beamed and lightly patted her shoulder.
“You danced beautifully, my dear. You truly are gifted.”
“You’re too kind. Honestly, I almost twisted my ankle—but thankfully, Arsen caught me before I fell.”
“My goodness, is your ankle all right? Does it hurt?”
“I’m fine, really.”
If she’d been alone, she would never have come here.
It was only because Arsen and Karina stood beside her, like a sturdy pillar of support, that she could manage to stay on her feet.
At that moment, the chamberlain came over and whispered something quietly to Arsen.
He frowned slightly, letting out a shallow sigh.
“Ibelina, please excuse me—I’ve been called by His Majesty.”
“Oh, all right. I’ll wait for you.”
“I won’t be long. Mother, please look after Ibelina.”
Karina gave a brief nod.
Arsen pressed a kiss to the back of Ibelina’s hand before following the chamberlain.
Her cheeks flushed red as she touched the spot where his lips had brushed.
“My dear, aren’t you thirsty? I’ll fetch you something to drink.”
“I can go, Mother. Please stay here.”
“I’ve been standing all this time, but you just danced—you must be tired. Wait here for a moment.”
Before Ibelina could stop her, Karina had already turned away.
Unfortunately, her timing couldn’t have been worse—she bumped into someone.
“I—I’m so sorry! I’m really sorry!”
The woman had been holding a drink, which now spilled all over Karina’s dress.
Her face turned pale, and she looked ready to burst into tears. Her hands trembled as she kept bowing again and again.
Karina narrowed her eyes slightly, then sighed softly.
“It’s all right. Just be more careful next time.”
“I’m terribly sorry! I’ll find a way to compensate you for the dress.”
“There’s no need. It wasn’t a particularly expensive one anyway.”
Of course, anyone overhearing that would have been shocked—the dress was exorbitantly priced—but Karina merely waved her fan.
She neither had the time nor the patience to dwell on the matter.
“I brought a spare dress, so let’s not talk about it any further.”
Thankfully, she had prepared for such accidents.
“Mother, are you all right?”
“I’m fine, dear. I’ll go change—stay here for a bit, all right?”
“Yes, take your time.”
No one would approach her anyway.
Who would want to speak to the cursed lady?
Karina made Ibelina promise not to go anywhere, then headed toward the lounge.
Ibelina stood quietly in the corner, fidgeting with her hands.
It felt as though more people were sneaking glances at her than before.
Behind their fans, they were surely whispering words like “filthy” or “tainted.”
Thinking of her father and brother, she looked around uneasily—when someone approached her.
“Um… excuse me…”
The voice was barely louder than a whisper.
Ibelina quickly turned toward the source of the sound.
It was the same woman who had spilled the drink on Karina.
“What is it?”
“W-well, um…”
The woman hesitated so long it was frustrating, but Ibelina waited patiently.
“It’s all right, take your time.”
“T-the Duke asked you to come to the garden… right away…”
“Arsen?”
The woman nodded stiffly—almost unnaturally so.
It was strange that he hadn’t come to her himself, but she assumed there must be a reason. Smiling faintly, Ibelina replied,
“Thank you for telling me. May I ask your name? I’m Ibelina Lotsfeld.”
“…R-Rosalite Bendis.”
“See you later, Lady Bendis.”
Ibelina politely curtsied, then hurried toward the garden—completely unaware of the expression on Rosalite’s face as she left.
Since it was her first time in the imperial palace, Ibelina asked a passing maid for directions and made her way to the rear garden.
The garden was quiet—no one was there.
“Arsen?”
She looked around and took a few cautious steps forward.
A chill ran down her spine, and she rubbed her arms.
She considered going back—but since he had told her to come here, she thought she should meet Arsen first and return together.
She regretted not waiting for Karina, but it was too late now.
“Arsen, where are you?”
She went a little deeper into the garden.
Then—rustling.
She whipped around.
There had definitely been a sound—but no one was there.
“What… was that?”
A sense of dread crept up her spine. She decided to turn back.
Just then, someone stepped out of the shadows.
Ibelina froze and stumbled backward.
“W-who are you…?”
A face she didn’t recognize.
Her instincts screamed that she was in danger.
When she turned to flee, another man was already blocking her path.
Her anxious eyes darted around.
Three men surrounded her.
Her hands trembled, but she clenched them into fists—determined not to show fear.
“I must’ve lost my way. Would you please move aside?”
She tried to sound calm and walked toward the exit—but a rough hand seized her wrist.
“Ah…!”
Her wrist throbbed with pain from the force.
“Let go!”
“You’re feistier than I expected.”
“If you don’t, I’ll scream and call for help. But if you let go now, I’ll pretend nothing happened.”
At that, the man smirked.
“Pretty lady, I think you’re mistaken…”
“…”
“You’re not in any position to threaten us.”
His whisper at her ear sent chills down her spine.
“Let go! Hey—somebody hel—”
Before she could finish, a hand clamped over her mouth.
She struggled desperately, but it was useless.
Her heel slipped off and clattered across the ground.
“Honestly, when I was first asked to do this, I felt uneasy—but she’s just another woman after all. Guess I was worried for nothing.”
She felt the cloth over her eyes being untied—it slipped to the ground.
Her gaze met the man’s cold, black eyes.
He frowned and muttered,
“Those eyes are disgusting. Hey, got something sharp? I don’t want to look at them.”
Ibelina slashed her nails across the hand covering her mouth.
“Ah! Damn it!”
He yelled, jerking back his hand.
Without hesitation, she ran—but another man caught her wrist almost immediately.
“You dare scratch me?”
He dragged her inward, growling.
A sharp smack echoed—and she fell to the ground.
The man gripped her face tightly.
“This is all because you’re cursed.”
“…”
“If you hated it that much, you shouldn’t have been born that way. Don’t blame anyone else.”
Tears welled in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.
When they touched his hand, he cursed in disgust and shook them off.
“Ugh, now I’ve got her filth on me. Disgusting.”
“Hurry it up and let’s go. The longer we stay, the creepier it feels.”
“Fine.”
He pulled a small vial from his pocket—filled with an unknown liquid.
“See? Should’ve behaved. Even Arvela scares me sometimes, you know.”
“Mmph—!”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. You’ll feel good once you drink this.”
He shrugged and tilted his head mockingly.
The vial contained an illegal drug—banned across the Empire.
The other men grabbed Ibelina firmly as she thrashed.
“If you stay still, it’ll be over quickly.”
It was dark and secluded—no one would see them here.
Her face was drenched in tears, her red eyes glistening.
Something about them made the man pause, vial in hand.
“Hey, what are you waiting for?”
“I—I don’t know… those eyes—they’re creeping me out.”
“Coward.”
The others snickered, but he still looked uneasy.
Then, suddenly, he began to tremble violently.
The vial dropped to the ground as he clutched his head, screaming.
“Wh—what’s happening to you?!”
“G-get away! Aaaah!”
He couldn’t form words—only screamed.
Spit dripped from his mouth as he punched wildly at empty air.
The others froze in horror.
Finally, he wet himself and collapsed, unconscious.
The man holding Ibelina’s arm released her immediately.
The one who’d been looking for a blindfold stood stiff as a statue.
Freed from their grip, Ibelina crumpled to the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
“W-what the hell… Is he dead?”
“I—I don’t know!”
Their terrified eyes darted toward her.
Her tangled hair and swollen cheek made her look terrifying.
“I told you we shouldn’t have done this!”
“You’re the one who said it’d be fun!”
Ibelina glanced at them weakly.
She hadn’t done anything—yet her legs felt bound, unable to move.
The men began to back away.
Then, suddenly, they turned and screamed.
Ibelina blinked, looking behind her—there was nothing there.
“W-what the hell is that?!”
“Go away! Get away from us!”
They cowered and trembled, whimpering as they begged whatever they saw to disappear.
Ibelina gasped for air.
Her whole body felt hot.
Something inside her was swirling violently, tearing her apart.
“Ah… ngh…”
Her chest tightened painfully.
She pounded it with her fist, scratching at her skin—desperate to tear out whatever was inside her.
Then—hurried footsteps approached.
Ibelina lifted her head, eyes wide and wild, instinctively trying to crawl away.
