CHAPTER 165
After the engagement ceremony, I immediately changed dresses.
Unlike the modest dress from the morning, I wore a light pink gown adorned with large and small jewels, sparkling brilliantly in the afternoon light.
It was a dress prepared with care solely for this party.
“Do I really need to go to such lengths…?”
The one who persuaded me to wear it wasn’t me, but the head maid of the Imperial Palace.
She had come personally, insisting that the protagonist of a party shouldn’t be overshadowed among all the guests who came fully dressed to impress.
“Elrupe, I think my eyes are about to go blind! You’re dazzling!”
“My goodness! How can someone be this beautiful?”
“I can feel it in my heart—I think I’ll remember today for the rest of my life.”
Watching the excited maids of Doremi gush exaggerated praise, I felt embarrassed and curled my toes.
“I think it’s thanks to all your efforts. I’m always grateful.”
“Oh, we’re just doing what we have to do.”
As the maids who helped style my hair and adjust my dress caught my reflection in the mirror, their eyes reddened as tears welled up.
“Ah, why am I crying?”
“I’m sorry… it’s such an honorable day, I shouldn’t be crying. But I can’t help it; tears keep coming.”
“Waaah… it’s not like we’ll never see each other again. We’re not parting forever… but I still feel like crying.”
They were truly tender-hearted maids. My engagement to Kyle was purely a matter of mutual agreement and conditions, not some grand romantic promise leading to marriage.
Yet seeing them imagining my future wedding made my chest tighten.
“I feel like I’m committing a sin by deceiving the people I care about.”
Having spent so many years together, these companions had become dear to me.
But my true feelings were something I could never reveal to them.
“Would things have been different if I were the real Elrupe?”
A fleeting image of a friend with whom I had once laughed, cried, and shared so much crossed my mind. Perhaps that’s why this engagement felt especially significant to me.
Because this wasn’t a light, everyday dress but a formal, heavy, long gown, it was uncomfortable to walk upright according to etiquette.
“Elrupe, just a little longer, hang in there.”
“The heels are probably too high…”
The maids trailing behind me fussed, clearly concerned about my high heels and the heavy dress.
Still, it was too late to change the dress, so I did my best to walk naturally.
As I hesitated while crossing the corridor, my thoughts wavered:
“Should I swap for lower heels and go back? No… if I go back, it’ll be too late.”
The head maid had insisted on the high heels, and sure enough, my ankles ached terribly.
“El.”
Just then, I heard Kyle’s voice from behind.
Turning my head, I saw him, dressed elegantly, approaching with a gentle smile.
The maids, who had followed me assuming I would enter the party alone, stepped back slightly to give him space.
“You haven’t gone in yet? I thought you would have already.”
“You’re here. I couldn’t possibly go in first.”
He spoke as if he were truly my lover, extending his hand toward me.
I placed my hand carefully in his, and he held it firmly.
The warmth and strength made me recall our earlier kiss, and I blushed.
I quickened my pace slightly, and Kyle released my hand, stopping us in place.
“You look very uncomfortable walking.”
I felt his glance toward the bottom of my dress and became self-conscious.
Trying to play it cool, I couldn’t resist showing him the high heels by lifting the hem of my gown slightly.
He looked at my shoes, tilting his head in disbelief.
“Ah… actually, the heels are quite high, so it’s not comfortable to walk.”
“Why would you wear shoes like these?”
It was as if he’d never cared about a woman’s shoes before.
“It was the head maid’s advice. She said that a dignified lady must wear high heels.”
“You don’t need uncomfortable shoes just for dignity.”
He genuinely seemed displeased with my heels, his brows furrowing.
Of course, I hadn’t wanted to wear such heavy heels with the heavy dress either.
Yet, seeing him disapprove made me feel a little hurt, as if my choice itself was being rejected.
“Was it too much?”
“No, it’s not too much. It’s beautiful… beautiful enough that I want to look at it in secret.”
“…How can you say something like that so casually?”
His casual flirting made my face burn, and I couldn’t meet his eyes.
“I just don’t like seeing you hurt because of useless concerns.”
Then, Kyle knelt, bending slightly.
He gently touched my high heels, still visible as I held my gown.
I tried not to lean on him, and he frowned, looking up at me.
“Kyle, people will see us like this.”
“……”
Though he didn’t answer, I could tell he genuinely cared about me.
I found it strange that he worried so much over just a pair of shoes.
“How did such a pure man come to be rumored as cruel? You can see how troubled he is just by looking at him… how did he hide this side so well for so long?”
I spoke lightly, trying to calm myself while looking at Kyle’s intense, romantic gaze.
“Even if the details aren’t perfect, it looks elegant from the outside. Don’t worry too much; it won’t harm the palace or you.”
“I’ll swap for lower heels.”
“No.”
“……”
“People say attitude changes based on perspective. When they look up at you on the carriage ride home, they’ll see a dignified lady. That’s why I chose these shoes.”
I explained patiently, but Kyle still looked at me with that disapproving, crooked gaze.
Even so, I couldn’t help noticing his dangerously striking beauty.
“Sigh… I can’t look away. I just can’t.”
“Is there another way?”
He reached out, holding my soft cheek gently.
His eyes burned with a possessive intensity, and I shyly looked away.
He sighed, still staring at me passionately.
“……”
“Alright… if there’s another way, I’ll follow it.”
Hearing my words, Kyle lifted me effortlessly.
Our entrance began in a way no one could have predicted.
In short, it was a complete mess.
Even while holding me, Kyle walked upright and steady.
Despite my weight potentially pulling him forward, he showed no strain.
I knew he was muscular, but I hadn’t realized just how strong he was—it surprised me.
“Do you think the play circulating in the capital is true? If so, the protagonists would be Duke Obern and Miss Inferna.”
“Now that I see it, whether the play is true or not doesn’t matter. I’ve never seen such a beautiful entrance in my life. I think this will become a trend in the Empire, which might make it awkward for other gentlemen preparing for their engagements.”
“That’s true… and they’re even more beautiful than the actors from the play, so engaged couples will feel pressure.”
The noisy ballroom had quieted, all eyes on us.
Kyle placed me on a chair adorned with red decorations, then leaned down again to check my feet.
“Kyle… so many people are watching.”
In front of the nobles, he touched the top of my foot.
The sight of the Duke bending to care for his young fiancée in front of everyone would make for excellent gossip.
Yet Kyle stayed focused solely on my feet.
Tap.
I heard a faint sound from his fingers and guessed he had used magic to help me.
“From now on, you won’t feel discomfort.”
As he said, my ankles and toes no longer hurt, and even the heavy skirt felt light as if I weren’t wearing it—almost eerie.
Seeing my astonishment, Kyle smiled softly.
“Shall we dance?”
As in any party, we—the protagonists and hosts—began the first dance, signaling the start of the festivities.
I was a little pleased to finally show the dance we had practiced so diligently. Then, I froze at Kyle’s smile.
