Chapter 55…
“……!!”
Too shocked to react, she looked up at him—just as the music that had filled the ballroom came to an abrupt stop.
“No matter how much I try to be generous, your dancing is absolutely terrible.”
Rikaiyan murmured quietly enough for only her to hear, then stepped away from Cynthia with elegant grace, bowing slightly as he moved his arm. Barely managing to keep her composure, Cynthia gathered her trembling hands to lift her skirt and curtsied in return.
Her fingers, gripping the soft fabric of her skirt, shook helplessly.
“It was a pleasure, Lady Bailey.”
“Th-thank you, Your Highness. But just now, when you said—”
Before her stammering question was even finished, Rikaiyan had already turned away.
She should have stopped him right then, demanded what he meant, denied whatever misunderstanding there was—but she was too stunned to move.
He briefly glanced toward Tession, who was staring at them stiffly, then gave a faint smirk and walked away, his long strides smooth and unhurried.
Cynthia stood frozen in place, her body trembling as she watched his back grow smaller and smaller.
“Cynthia, you don’t look well at all.”
Tession handed her a glass of water, his voice full of concern.
Cynthia set the glass down on her lap without even bringing it to her lips.
“What did Rikaiyan say to you?”
Rikaiyan… Cynthia slowly looked around.
They were on the outer balcony attached to the ballroom, where the bright lights and loud noise were slightly muffled by the large windows.
Only Cynthia and Tession were there.
Seeing no one else nearby, Tession called the crown prince by name.
So they really were old friends.
“A-ah, it’s nothing. I haven’t been feeling well since this morning…”
“Your condition suddenly worsened after dancing with Rikaiyan. I saw how closely he held you. Did he… harass you in some way? This won’t do. I’ll confront him right now—”
Tession clenched his fist and started to turn, but Cynthia hurriedly grabbed his arm.
“No! Nothing like that happened.”
“But…”
“You know I rarely go out. Being in such a dazzling palace just made me dizzy, that’s all. Really, it’s nothing else.”
“…I see.”
“Duke.”
Just then, a nobleman slightly opened the balcony door and called for Tession. He cast an uneasy glance at Cynthia before speaking.
“Um, excuse me… my lord requests your presence for a moment.”
“Oh! Seems like many are looking for you, Duke. Don’t worry about me—please, go ahead.”
“I can’t just leave you—”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll get some fresh air and come inside soon. If you stay here because of me, I’ll feel worse.”
Tession frowned as he looked at her forced smile, but as Cynthia kept nodding and the man behind him urged him again, he had no choice but to leave.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Take your time.”
Once Tession disappeared—after glancing back at her several times—Cynthia was left alone on the balcony. She let out a deep sigh and hung her head.
“Phew… I’m screwed…”
To think she’d been found out—not by anyone, but by Rikaiyan himself!
“This is seriously bad…”
The worst part was not knowing what that cunning crown prince would do next.
‘I have a feeling we’ll be seeing each other often.’
Instead of arresting her or threatening her on the spot, he’d simply left those cryptic words and walked away.
Was he planning to keep an eye on her for now? Or use her as a pawn in his dealings with Tession?
Should she tell Dale about this? The Bailey family? What would happen to her now?
“I really should’ve just run away when I had the chance…”
Forget the 4.5 million mint—her life was on the line. It was already a crime for a commoner like her to impersonate a noble, but to pretend to be Lady Elizabeth Bailey in front of the Crown Prince?!
At this point, her life was practically in his hands.
“Ahh, what am I supposed to do…!!”
“Oh, I’m sorry—I didn’t realize someone was here.”
As she stomped her feet in frustration, the balcony door opened, and someone stepped out.
Cynthia slowly lifted her head.
Huh?
Her eyes widened.
“Count?”
“Ah…! So it was you, Lady Bailey!”
Adrian’s face brightened as he recognized her. He strode over and sat down beside her, loosening the tie that had been choking his neck.
“Phew… I just came from speaking with His Highness the Crown Prince. I haven’t seen him since before my studies abroad—it’s been years—and he’s still as intimidating as ever.”
At the mention of the crown prince, Cynthia’s expression stiffened again.
“He asked so many sharp questions about our family’s new business venture. I was sweating bullets trying to answer without causing trouble.”
“Th-that must’ve been exhausting.”
Cynthia replied with a slight frown.
It was clear that Rikaiyan was difficult for anyone to deal with. But seriously—of all people, why did he have to be the one to find her out?
“Oh, right! I still haven’t thanked you properly, my lady!”
Adrian straightened his posture, turning toward her.
“Thank me?”
“For helping me choose a gift for my little sister! She absolutely loved the book you picked out.”
Cynthia recalled the book cover Adrian had held so carefully a few weeks ago—a lighthearted yet thoughtful novel suited for girls in their late teens or early twenties. Knowing the girl had liked it made her genuinely relieved.
“Oh, I’m glad! It seems Lady Castillo and I have similar tastes, then.”
“Actually, my sister said she’d love to meet you and thank you in person if possible. Would you happen to have a moment later?”
Cynthia stared at Adrian silently for a moment.
She had already been exposed to Adrian once, but continuing to meet people while posing as Elizabeth was risky.
If she slipped up like she had with Rikaiyan, someone else might realize she wasn’t who she claimed to be. And the more people who saw her face, the harder it would be to return to her old life later.
But…
Cynthia swallowed hard.
Adrian was looking at her with eyes full of eager anticipation. It was nearly impossible to say no to the sparkling gaze of her favorite person.
“Lady Castillo, you say?”
“Yes! I’m sure you’d get along wonderfully.”
“W-well…”
Cynthia hesitated, glancing up at him again.
Ugh, why does he have to be so good-looking…
“Then, m-maybe just for a little bit? Only briefly, though…”
“Really, my lady?”
“Yes, but I’m not feeling well today, so I can’t stay long—”
“That’s perfectly fine! Just meeting you will mean the world to my sister. It’ll inspire her, too.”
“Inspire her?”
Cynthia looked puzzled.
“What do you mean, inspire her?”
“She’ll learn what a proper noble lady should be like—from the perfect example herself, Lady Bailey.”
“F-from me?”
Cynthia’s eyes widened.
The perfect example of a noble lady? He meant her? Not one of the many elegant debutantes filling the ballroom—but Elizabeth Bailey, of all people?!
Perhaps Adrian hadn’t had much chance to socialize since returning from abroad. Otherwise, he’d know that the real Elizabeth was infamous for her bad temper and antisocial behavior.
“I-I don’t think I’d be a very good influence…”
“What are you saying?”
Adrian’s expression turned serious.
“My lady, you are more mature and wise than any young noblewoman I’ve ever met.”
“M-me?”
“Yes! When you entered the ballroom with Duke Tession earlier, your expression was so dignified and graceful.”
That… that was just because she’d been terrified stiff!
