Chapter 33
Today, the reason Empress Serena had deliberately set the stage in this banquet hall was most likely because of Rixion Luhanes.
Either Rixion Luhanes himself requested it, or she believed the rumors that I had some sort of connection with him and wanted to help the future sister-in-law.
So I knew that in front of Empress Serena, I had to at least outwardly smile and act kindly toward this man—but I had absolutely no motivation to do so.
The moment Rixion Luhanes called my name in the middle of this grand banquet hall…
All the nobles present in this vast hall would immediately perceive me as this man’s fiancée.
We weren’t actually engaged, so they’d probably remember me as an ex-girlfriend. But in The Saintess of Erendel, Elizabeth Christener’s name would be recorded as the male lead’s ex-girlfriend.
At the very least, I did not want my proud image as the young lady of the Christener family tarnished in front of so many people, fawning over this man.
No—putting everything else aside, I was simply furious at the man in front of me for instantly undoing the fruit of 23 years of my painstaking efforts. I had no mental space to think about anything else. I couldn’t even force a polite smile.
Except for the gently resonating music, the entire hall was eerily quiet.
I glanced around just in case, and indeed, it wasn’t just the people near us—everyone in the hall was watching.
Even the emperor, empress, and royal family were observing Rixion Luhanes and me with curious eyes.
I couldn’t entirely blame their reactions. When I first met Rixion Luhanes at the marriage meeting, their reactions had been exactly the same.
“Why… why is that man…? That sociopath who shows terrifying indifference to everyone else—why? For what reason? How? Why Elizabeth Christener of all people?”
I imagined that most of the people in the hall were thinking the exact same thing.
The quick-witted nobles would already know that I had met Rixion Luhanes at a marriage meeting, which only increased their curiosity.
It was even sadder that my own older brother—the one who had personally sent me to that marriage meeting with Rixion—was among those people.
I glanced toward Michael, just in case, and sure enough. He was watching with an expression twice as intrigued as anyone else.
Honestly, what was he thinking? Instead of helping his sister in trouble, he was the most curious spectator.
“I actually regret not coming sooner,” he said.
I wasn’t sure whether the man in front of me was genuinely oblivious or doing it on purpose.
It was astonishing that he could say such things with a smile, even though I was showing so clearly that I disliked him. In fact, he even looked somehow… happier.
I stared at Rixion Luhanes with a puzzled expression.
At first, I could understand that he had come to the marriage meeting at Empress Serena’s request.
I could understand his polite behavior toward me, and the formal suggestion to meet again.
But his subsequent actions were completely incomprehensible.
At one point, it seemed like he was interested in me—but when I told him honestly that his attention made me uncomfortable, he retreated quietly.
I thought the issue had been resolved, but then he later said incomprehensible things like wanting to become close with me.
When I was confused about what that meant, he suddenly distanced himself and turned cold.
Of course, I was grateful for his help with Rowin and Lin, but after that day, I hoped to never have any further entanglements with him. I thought it was truly over.
Yet… why was he approaching me again now? In front of so many people, no less.
I was more confused than ever.
I even found myself reasonably suspecting that Michael had made a deal: if I married him, he’d give up the family-owned gold mine.
Or perhaps the late Duke Luhanes had offered an even greater reward as a marriage gift. The late duke seemed rather reluctant to sever ties with our family.
“Otherwise, there’s no reason for him to go to such lengths.”
If I remained quiet, I could objectively be considered a decent match: attractive enough, from the immensely wealthy Christener family.
But those facts were probably not important to Rixion Luhanes.
One question led to another.
“Why on earth is this man doing this to me?”
That was the one thing I wanted to ask him.
The music changed.
“Miss Christener.”
As the gentle music shifted to a lively waltz, the man’s hand, from head to toe, reached out before me.
“Will you allow me the first dance?”
Social dancing was an unavoidable part of being born into nobility.
I had been forced to learn dancing for my social debut and, unwillingly, could handle at least a waltz reasonably well.
My dance instructor for the debut had been hired personally by Michael after an audition.
The instructor had trained countless hopelessly clumsy students to success. She had a kindly face, though her speech could be harsh. She was the one who ensured that even I, the clumsiest of all, never stepped on my partner’s feet.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I think I can survive today and live well tomorrow too.”
I remembered my debut dance instructor and silently thanked her.
“Miss Christener.”
Snapping out of my brief reverie, I unconsciously furrowed my brow and then quickly smoothed it.
I disliked everything about him, but above all, I hated that voice. That sweet, misleading voice calling my name.
I deliberately kept my gaze near his shoulder and lifted my head expressionlessly. When our eyes met, he smiled slightly and leaned closer.
“No matter what you’re thinking, I hope you’ll focus on me just this once.”
His low voice, like a whisper, reached my ear over the waltz. It seemed almost conscious of the onlookers around us, pretending not to notice.
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
I reflexively resisted the urge to rub my ear and offered a brief apology. Even if I disliked both the partner and the dance, my previous reaction had been rude.
Immediately after Rixion Luhanes asked me to dance, I had imagined refusing and storming away.
But I couldn’t actually do that in front of Empress Serena. I wasn’t bold enough to insult the empress’s younger brother publicly.
So I accepted Rixion Luhanes’ invitation. And while dancing, it was only proper to focus on him.
“No, there’s no need to apologize.”
Rixion Luhanes accepted my apology with a smile, showing no particular displeasure.
At first, I worried slightly—he seemed like the type to dislike dancing even more than I did. Had he even learned it? Did he try punching the instructor? But surprisingly, he turned out to be a very competent dance partner.
I had learned dancing hurriedly for my social debut, so I wasn’t very experienced. Naturally, I felt a little awkward, but Rixion Luhanes skillfully led me through the steps.
Since I only had to follow his lead, I even had a moment to drift into my own thoughts.
In reality, Rixion Luhanes was more reasonable than I expected, which gave me some mental ease.
I pretended to focus on my dance partner, staring quietly into his blue eyes.
I didn’t know what his true intention was, but one thing was certain: he had no real feelings for me.
As before, I couldn’t completely relax in front of a man who could turn at any moment.
“I won’t be fooled. Reveal your intentions, Rixion Luhanes.”
I stared intently into his eyes, determined to uncover his true thoughts.
A charming smile appeared in his blue eyes once again.
“Now, you’re finally looking at me properly.”
And once again, a sweet, incomprehensible line followed, leaving me unsure of how to respond.
