Chapter 57…
Cynthia looked awkwardly at the Castillo siblings, who had bowed deeply before her.
It was true that Grace’s attitude had slightly hurt her feelings, but she hadn’t expected to be apologized to like this…
Feeling embarrassed, Cynthia hurriedly blurted out:
“I-I’m fine, please, both of you, stand up.”
“……”
“Come on!”
At Cynthia’s urging, Adrian and Grace exchanged glances before straightening up.
Grace was one thing, but seeing Adrian bow his head to her like this made her uncomfortable. They’d finally begun to grow closer, and now… how was she supposed to look at him after this?
Maintaining a calm expression, Cynthia spoke carefully.
“Um… really, I’m fine. Don’t worry about it. I think Miss Grace was probably just feeling awkward and unfamiliar with such an occasion. I don’t really enjoy crowded or busy places either, so I understand completely!”
“My lady…”
Turning her head, Cynthia addressed Grace directly.
“I know the duke scolded you rather harshly, and that must’ve been frightening, but he only did it for your sake. Please don’t take it too personally. Anyway—let’s all enjoy the rest of the party!”
“……”
Wrapping up in a fluster, Cynthia grabbed Tession’s hand and quickly fled the awkward scene.
Maybe her last words to Grace were a bit much, but it wasn’t like she’d ever see the girl again—so she decided not to dwell on it.
Once they were a fair distance away, Cynthia muttered softly:
“You were too harsh, my lord.”
“I don’t think so,”
Tession replied immediately, turning to face her.
“If anyone dares behave that way toward you again, please tell me at once. It’s likely because you rarely attend gatherings like this that they felt bold enough to act out.”
“And what would you do if I told you? Scold them as harshly as you did today?”
“If that’s what it takes, yes.”
Cynthia looked up at him.
His beautiful violet eyes held a firm, resolute determination unlike his usual calmness.
Something about that unwavering gaze made her let out a small laugh.
“You’re really dependable, you know that?”
“……”
“But you don’t have to go that far. If you keep protecting me like this, people won’t stop treating me badly—they’ll just think I’m a joke.”
“That’s…”
Cynthia started walking again.
“Still, knowing you’re on my side gives me courage. I’ll make sure not to lose confidence again!”
After all, it’s not like I’ll be attending these fancy balls anymore anyway!
Trying to keep things light, Cynthia stepped toward the ballroom’s exit.
Alright, time to go home!
She turned to tell him she was leaving—but before she could, Tession caught her hand and gently pulled her closer.
At that exact moment, the orchestra’s lively tune slowed and shifted into a soft, elegant waltz. Around them, noble couples began to take partners and move to the rhythm.
“Oh…”
Cynthia inhaled sharply as Tession’s subtle scent filled her senses. Then his low voice brushed her ear:
“Are you really leaving just like that?”
“Ah, I—I think I’m not feeling too well… I already greeted His Highness the Crown Prince, so…! You can stay if you want, of course—”
“And you won’t even dance a single song with me?”
The almost sulky tone made Cynthia blink.
Tession’s ears had turned red as he gazed down at her. She became acutely aware of his large, warm hand resting at her waist and swallowed nervously.
She really wanted to go home, but—
Now that I think about it, I practiced so hard with Dale, and I’ve never actually danced with Tession even once… that’s kind of unfair.
She was a poor dancer—bad enough that Rikaion had instantly seen through her disguise as “Elizabeth”—but she might never have another chance to dance with Tession again.
After confirming that Rikaion wasn’t nearby, Cynthia slowly placed her hand over Tession’s chest.
“Then… just one song.”
“It would be my honor, Cynthia.”
Tession leaned close and whispered softly near her ear.
He took her right hand firmly in his and began to move. Thanks to her earlier dance with Rikaion, her body still remembered the rhythm, so it wasn’t as awkward as she’d feared.
Compared to before, Cynthia felt much more relaxed as she twirled with Tession at the center of the ballroom.
“Wow, this is fun!”
“Is it?”
“Yes! And maybe because you’re leading so well, I finally understand what it means to be in sync!”
With a bright smile, she stretched her arm gracefully and turned her head in time with the music. It felt entirely different from when she had danced with Dale or Rikaion—lighter, freer, and much more enjoyable.
“Cynthia… you’re beautiful.”
Tession murmured with a gentle smile as he looked down at her.
Cynthia paused and looked up, meeting his deep violet gaze.
Whenever he looked at her like that…
Her heart began to race wildly, and she had to swallow hard to steady herself.
“Ah—!”
Distracted by his gaze, Cynthia missed a step and stumbled slightly.
But before she could fall, Tession caught her perfectly and pulled her into his arms, saving her from embarrassment.
“Be careful.”
So close that she could hear his heartbeat, Cynthia squeezed her eyes shut.
The ballroom, the music—everything faded away. All she could feel was the warm, woodsy scent that enveloped her.
Oh no… my heart’s going to explode…!
“Cynthia, are you all right? Did you twist your ankle?”
Tession looked down at her, concerned.
Cynthia shook her flushed face quickly.
“N-no! I’m fine!”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
He smiled in relief and resumed the dance.
Hearing her own pounding heartbeat, Cynthia glanced between Tession before her and Adrian seated across the room.
Something feels… different.
To her, both Adrian and Tession had always been just characters from the original story—nothing more, nothing less.
Adrian was her “official favorite,” while Tession had become her soft spot after learning his tragic backstory. She liked them both and always found herself smiling whenever she saw their handsome faces.
But…
Being with Tession feels completely different from being with Adrian.
When she was with Adrian, she felt cheerful and at ease. But with Tession, her heart always pounded too hard, her emotions swirled until she felt dizzy.
Was it just because she was hiding so much from him? Because she’d decided to deceive him from the start?
Then suddenly, her heart calmed in an odd sort of way.
…Well. Maybe it’ll all end today anyway.
According to Dale, the elders of House Bailey saw tonight as their last chance to reclaim the Ritemper Trading Company.
On such an important night, instead of negotiating with Duke Tession, Cynthia had managed to expose herself before the Crown Prince. Whether she liked it or not, she’d be thrown out of the Bailey family.
So that’s it. Goodbye, 4.5 million mint.
As the music pulsed rhythmically, her thoughts began to fall into place.
The act of “Elizabeth Bailey” is over.
After this dance, when she returned to the Bailey mansion, she would have to confess—she’d been discovered by the Crown Prince and failed to recover the Ritemper Company.
She hadn’t fulfilled her mission; there would be no extra payment, and perhaps even punishment. But since they were technically accomplices, they couldn’t get too angry.
Thinking this, Cynthia squeezed Tession’s hand tighter. He noticed and smiled gently at her.
Seeing his beautiful smile filled her with both regret and a strange sense of relief—because soon, she wouldn’t have to lie to him anymore.
“You’re doing wonderfully, Cynthia.”
“Thanks to you.”
Her thoughts swirled—Tession, Rikaion who had seen through her, the scheming Bailey elders, Dale, and whatever awaited her next.
While she stood amidst all those tangled feelings, the music gradually faded away.
Cynthia stopped moving, stepped back from Tession, and bowed politely.
“Thank you for the dance.”
“It was my pleasure, my lady.”
Truly, it was.
