Chapter 41
Aileen responded with a calm smile, pretending nothing was wrong. But inwardly, she could not do the same.
Why is he looking at me like that?
It was the kind of gaze one might use when looking at something rare. The golden eyes she met for a brief moment were filled with interest. As Abelio stared fixedly at Aileen, the people around him began to look at her one by one as well. Faced with so many eyes gathering on her, Aileen grew even more uncomfortable.
Rihardt, who sensed the same thing, felt displeasure and his lips stiffened slightly. He did not like it when anyone other than himself looked at Aileen.
Especially not when that person was Abelio.
Before he realized it, he stepped forward, subtly shielding Aileen so that their gazes could not reach her.
The movement flowed so naturally that no one found it strange. But Aileen noticed his consideration and glanced up at him.
And at Rihardt’s action, the smile shadowing Abelio’s face deepened even more.
“How unexpected, Rihardt.”
Unexpected?
Aileen looked at Abelio with puzzled eyes.
Rihardt, on the other hand, instantly understood what he meant, and his chest went cold. Still, his attitude remained businesslike.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“That can’t be true. If it were you, you would understand. But well….”
Abelio smiled faintly and lightly patted one of Rihardt’s shoulders.
“Let’s say that’s how it is.”
Rihardt smiled without a word. Outwardly he was smiling, but inside, everything was turning pitch-black.
Abelio looked at him and grinned. It was a smile that sent a chill down one’s spine.
Fortunately, that was the end of it, and he abruptly turned away. Watching Abelio head up to the platform at the top of the stairs, Aileen whispered to Rihardt.
“Rihardt, are you okay?”
“There wasn’t anything in particular to be okay or not okay about.”
“That’s a lie.”
When Aileen looked at him with a sulky expression, Rihardt finally felt at ease and let out a small laugh.
“I’m fine. Unlike before, I have you now, Aileen.”
“Me?”
“Yes. I finally understand what it means when people say having someone by your side gives you strength.”
Aileen paused, then smiled shyly.
“Rihardt, you’ve been choosing only pretty words lately.”
“Have I?”
“Yes. …That makes things difficult.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s nothing.”
Rihardt tilted his head, then soon turned his gaze back to the platform. Abelio was expressing his gratitude to the guests attending the banquet.
Aileen followed his gaze and looked at Abelio as well. But for some reason, she found herself glancing sideways at Rihardt.
…His profile is handsome, too.
He speaks nicely, and he’s good-looking. What on earth is this man lacking?
It was troubling. She was afraid she might not want to part from him later. Afraid she might fall completely for Rihardt.
Thinking of the future where she would have to separate from him left Aileen with mixed feelings.
Just then, a hand suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Aileen, it’s dance time.”
“Ah, yes.”
Rihardt slightly furrowed his brow as he watched Aileen, who seemed lost in thought. He was a little worried.
But when he saw her soon smile brightly, as if brushing off her thoughts, he set his worries aside for the moment. Right now, excitement outweighed concern.
It was their first dance together.
They had practiced briefly over the past few days in preparation for today, but this was the first time they were dancing properly, dressed like this.
So without realizing it, Rihardt tensed his body.
Aileen was just as excited.
It’s been a while since I last danced.
As a noble, she had learned dancing as a basic skill in her childhood. It had been a very long time since she had danced in sync with someone like this, though.
Trying to calm her fluttering heart at the long-awaited dance, Aileen went to place her hand on top of Rihardt’s.
But she couldn’t.
“Aileen?”
Rihardt looked back and forth between the hand frozen in midair and her stiff expression with questioning eyes. Even then, Aileen’s gaze remained fixed on one place.
He turned his head and followed her line of sight. The moment he saw the person at its end, he slightly frowned.
There stood First Prince Abelio. Befitting the host of the banquet, he was positioned at the center of the hall.
Of course, since he also had to dance, he wasn’t alone. A red-haired woman had placed her hand atop his.
Crunch—
Feeling her hand suddenly grip his tightly, Rihardt turned his head back to see Aileen still holding his hand with a stiff face. Her tightly pressed lips looked as though she were suppressing something.
Realizing something was wrong, Rihardt asked quietly.
“Aileen, are you feeling unwell anywhere? If so, you could rest in the lounge—”
“No.”
Aileen closed her eyes for a moment. With nothing visible, her heart felt a little calmer.
After steadying herself, she opened her eyes again and smiled as usual.
“It’s nothing. I’m sorry. I was just lost in thought for a moment….”
“…Are you really all right?”
“Of course. And if the younger sibling of the First Prince skips dance time, what do you think everyone would say? Come on, let’s go.”
Rihardt hesitated, then led her toward Abelio’s vicinity. It was the position assigned to Rihardt during this banquet’s dance time.
While gauging Aileen’s mood, Rihardt subtly shifted so that his back faced Abelio. It was a considerate gesture, sensing that Aileen seemed to be paying attention to him for some reason.
Aileen looked up at him and smiled.
“Thank you.”
“…Please explain later why you were like that.”
Aileen, unusually, didn’t answer. As Rihardt was about to speak again, the music began.
Abelio, the main figure, and his partner started dancing first. With the short piece of music, their dance ended, and then others followed.
Aileen and Rihardt did the same. Stepping in rhythm, they moved smoothly through the hall.
Yet Aileen’s gaze, which should have been fixed on Rihardt, kept wandering elsewhere. Even when she looked at him briefly, she soon glanced at someone else.
Rihardt tried to ignore it, but in the end he whispered quietly.
“Aileen, please focus on me.”
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
Only then did Aileen’s gaze fully settle on him. While that satisfied Rihardt, he couldn’t help but be bothered by who had been stealing her attention.
The music raced toward its climax. Dance time was also drawing to a close.
Aileen was no longer looking elsewhere. As Rihardt had said, focusing solely on him made her feel more at ease.
Having returned to her usual self, she spoke playfully to him.
“You’re a good dancer. You didn’t practice with another woman instead of me, did you?”
“I did practice, but not with a woman.”
“Then with whom?”
Rihardt didn’t answer right away. Only when Aileen was about to look at him suspiciously did he open his mouth.
“Claude.”
Aileen flinched without realizing it. The image of two sturdy men practicing dancing together sprang into her mind.
And with Claude playing the woman’s role, no less.
She tried to hold back her laughter, but couldn’t help letting a hint of amusement slip into her voice.
“W-Why with Claude… khm!”
“I needed a partner to practice with.”
“You could have asked to practice more with me instead.”
“You were obviously busy, so I couldn’t.”
“Still, it would’ve been better than Claude….”
“Indeed, it felt a bit strange.”
When Rihardt narrowed his brows and let out a low murmur, Aileen finally let out a small laugh.
“But it’s surprising. I didn’t think you’d practice, Rihardt. I thought you’d be good at everything.”
“I can manage the basics of most things. However….”
Rihardt hesitated briefly, then continued when Aileen looked at him curiously.
“I wanted to do it more perfectly.”
Because it was his first dance with Aileen.
That was why his mood had sunk when her attention drifted elsewhere.
Hearing his words, Aileen seemed to understand something and put on an apologetic expression.
“I see. I’m sorry. I’ll focus properly from now on.”
“It’s all right. And….”
Rihardt suddenly pulled the hand that rested on her waist, drawing her closer. Aileen’s body tilted back slightly.
Facing her surprised face at a distance close enough to almost touch, Rihardt smiled softly.
“Dance time is over.”
“Ah….”
Still a little startled, Aileen glanced around. As he said, the music had ended, and everyone was striking their finale poses.
Standing upright again, Aileen showed him an apologetic look once more.
“Next time, I’ll make sure to focus on the dance.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Hoping that next time, they would still be together as husband and wife.
Swallowing the rest of his words, Rihardt smiled. Aileen smiled back.
Just then, Abelio climbed onto the platform and took his seat. At the same time, an attendant approached his side.
The eyes of the surrounding nobles shone. Some were tense, others filled with curiosity.
Everyone instinctively knew—it was time for the gift presentation to begin.
At such a grand banquet, the gift presentation was a major event for both the host and the nobles.
Especially for the nobles, it was nothing short of a subtle battle of pride, a chance to display their family’s power.
Thus, the gift presentation usually began with those of lower rank.
As Aileen looked at those standing around, preparing to present gifts to the First Prince, she glanced at Rihardt beside her.
“Is it all right if you don’t go yet, Rihardt?”
“It will be a while before it’s my turn.”
Rihardt was the Second Prince and a duke. Naturally, his turn would be almost at the very end.
Nodding in understanding, Aileen looked around the platform and suddenly thought of someone.
Come to think of it, I don’t see the Third Prince.
Third Prince Ludwig, who had attended their wedding along with First Prince Abelio. He was nowhere to be seen at the banquet.
Though they were half-brothers, he was still Abelio’s brother. He surely must have attended…
Aileen looked around her surroundings. She examined all the unfamiliar yet familiar faces, but Ludwig was nowhere to be found. His dark crimson hair was nowhere in sight.
Instead, someone else approached her.
“It’s been a long time, Duchess.”
