CHAPTER 69…………………………………………..
A whirl of silence swept through the banquet hall. Most of the attendees didn’t know how to react to this sudden development, keeping their mouths tightly shut while stealing glances at the Empress beside me.
“….”
The Empress was furious. If there were ever a moment where one could kill with a glance alone, it was now.
Her ferocity made it even more awkward for everyone to respond. Just then, a noble nearest to the stairs leading to the second floor shouted loudly.
“We welcome the new Crown Prince! Glory to Astaroth!”
A few others echoed him.
“We welcome the new Crown Prince!”
“Glory to Astaroth!”
Actions were contagious. Nobles who had only been watching began to join in, one by one, showing proper courtesy. It was the moment Terrence received a superficially warm and enthusiastic welcome as he entered the palace.
‘Those people are probably planted.’
The ones who greeted him first were the Emperor’s closest aides—the people Terrence had been busy meeting with until recently.
They had apparently been informed beforehand by the Emperor and were guiding the situation so that it wouldn’t become awkward.
‘Huh?’
I caught Terrence’s gaze from afar. His smile widened. Wait—this is inconvenient. Because next to me…
“Ha!”
The Empress clicked her tongue in disbelief and strode toward the doorway. She seemed to interpret Terrence’s smile as provocation. Honestly, I couldn’t completely dismiss the possibility that he might have intended it.
“Y-Your Majesty, Empress!”
“Your Majesty!”
Her maids hurriedly followed behind her. Observing this, the Emperor calmly smoothed over the tense atmosphere.
“It seems the Empress has urgent business. But we cannot let a well-planned banquet be ruined. Enjoy yourselves in her stead.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Everyone responded in unison, but few could genuinely enjoy the uncomfortable situation. The previously paused music resumed, and several couples attempted to return to dancing.
“Oh, wait. Our Crown Prince should also mingle with the young ladies, shouldn’t he?”
The Emperor gently patted his son’s shoulder.
“If you find someone you like, go and ask her to dance.”
You could sense the tension in the room. At such a monumental moment, would the new Crown Prince’s choice of dance partner really be just “someone he likes”?
‘There’s bound to be a political motive hidden in this.’
Many must have thought the same: the family of the young lady who dances with the Crown Prince could become his largest supporter faction.
Well, the prediction was quite off. Having read the novel, I knew better. Terrence, the somewhat lonely and suspicious mastermind, would refuse the Emperor’s offer, citing poor dancing skills as an excuse.
“Thank you for your consideration. I will dance only one song, though my skill is lacking.”
Yes, yes. That’s how he would politely refuse…
‘What?!’
No—why is he suddenly accepting? You have other motives, don’t you? From the start, you left room for ambiguity to spark loyalty competition among the factions!
“Oh, do you have someone in mind already?”
The Emperor asked brightly. Terrence smiled awkwardly.
“I merely wish to enjoy the honor of dancing with the most beautiful lady present.”
“Haha, let’s see who that might be. For reference, this is the Crown Prince’s personal preference, so other ladies need not take offense. For my part, even after decades, the Empress still seems the most beautiful to me.”
So, the man brought his illegitimate son and stirred his wife’s patience—but the people had to laugh and pretend envy or admiration.
But who was the “most beautiful”? Several women considered top beauties in recent social circles flashed through my mind.
‘It can’t be Riena—Terrence wouldn’t choose her. Saint Arcia? She’s not here today. And dancing first with the married Duchess Luciano seems awkward…’
Meanwhile, Terrence descended the stairs, weaving through the crowd. The young ladies nearby blushed. Whether or not they were disliked by the Empress, Terrence was undeniably attractive.
Seeing him stirred a faint twinge of melancholy in me. Unlike in the novel, if Terrence gained a lover, maintaining a deep friendship between us as male and female friends would be difficult.
‘His dance partner is likely to favor him as well.’
He was a good person. My role was to quietly wish for my friend’s happiness from afar.
But that thought didn’t last long.
“Excuse me, my lady. Would you honor me with a dance?”
Terrence extended his gloved hand toward me.
‘…Me?’
I frantically scanned the room, but everyone was watching us. The Crown Prince had disappeared in the meantime, leaving no one else nearby. By all appearances, I was the one he had asked to dance.
‘Why pick me here?!’
Then I realized his true intent. I wasn’t the most beautiful person here, but I was politically neutral.
‘No powerful family backing, and my relations with the Duke of Cassius aren’t terrible either.’
I was close to Ambassador Leocq, but not a daughter of his family—just a personal benefactor.
In other words, dancing with me signaled that he wasn’t committing to any faction yet, while simultaneously leaving opportunity open for all.
In the novel, there was no equivalent, so Terrence would have refused outright. But socially, participating rather than withdrawing makes one appear graceful and improves reputation.
‘Maybe he even invited me to this event…’
Perhaps purely to celebrate, but also to have a suitable dance partner. Makes sense. Dancing with a freshly divorced woman would avoid unnecessary suspicion. Had he asked another unmarried lady, rumors of an engagement would likely fly.
‘Still, few would think the Crown Prince seriously interested in a divorcee.’
They’d assume he chose the safer option. And honestly, I wasn’t the top beauty, but I wasn’t lacking either. Perfect.
“Pleased to meet you, Your Highness. I am Edel.”
Having deduced all this quickly, I signaled to Terrence that I understood. A heads-up would have been nice, though.
Behind Terrence, I noticed Leandro, aghast. He must have assumed Terrence, a mere guard, wouldn’t appear as a Crown Prince—his shock was understandable.
‘You thought I couldn’t dance just because I hadn’t had a partner?’
It wasn’t that I couldn’t dance—it wasn’t fear of attention or forgetting Leandro. If he danced, why shouldn’t I?
“Though it’s flattering to be called the most beautiful here, I shall do my best.”
I slowly raised my hand and placed it gently in Terrence’s palm.
“An honor.”
He naturally kissed the back of my hand, closing one eye. I knew it was an act—but it still affected my heart.
Joining the line of dancers, the orchestra began a new piece. Yet a small problem emerged.
‘How did the steps go again…?’
Though the Cassius territory often held festivals, Leandro and I weren’t close enough to dance together. The last time we danced had been at our wedding.
I should’ve practiced! With all eyes on us, even Terrence might become the laughingstock.
“Ah!”
I nearly tripped.
“You’re fine.”
Terrence’s arm tightened around my waist. I barely kept my balance.
“Relax and let your body follow me.”
He whispered just to me.
“Here, we turn once around.”
His low, strong voice loosened my stiff body. Movements I had learned before came back naturally.
Before I knew it, I had completed the dance safely—just one song. No more.
“Let’s step aside now.”
Noticing my exhaustion, Terrence smoothly guided me out of the line.
“Is this alright?”
“Yes. I only intended to dance one song anyway.”
Come to think of it, he said that before the Emperor. This mysterious touch reminded me of the novel’s stoic mastermind.
“You look tired. Perhaps you should rest.”
Before I could respond, others crowded around the new Crown Prince. I exchanged a glance with Terrence, then quietly slipped away from the crowd.
“My lady.”
Far off, Leandro approached me. Was he planning to ask about Terrence? And it’s been ages since we divorced—still calling me ‘my lady’?
“Wait, let’s talk for a moment.”
Talking to Leandro would accomplish nothing. I abandoned thoughts of going to the lounge and wandered the hall. Reaching a group of young ladies, I muttered under my breath.
“Oh my, the Viscount of Cassius is looking for a dance partner.”
The young ladies’ eyes lit up. They eagerly blocked Leandro’s path.
“Viscount, how about me?”
“Please, dance with me too!”
“Sorry, I’m busy right now…”
While Leandro floundered, I opened the nearest door and stepped outside into a long corridor.
“Shall we head to the garden for now?”
Lighthearted, I strolled through the palace, only to immediately regret it.
“Why must you humiliate me like this?!”
“Stop it. Everyone can hear you.”
“Let them hear! I have nothing to hide!”
I had stumbled upon the Emperor and Empress in the middle of the corridor, engaged in a heated argument.
