CHAPTER 48 …………………………………
“Don’t tell me you’re stupid enough to throw away even the chance to stand at a ball with the woman you admire? If you do, I think I’ll be really disappointed in you.”
“If I go to the ball, I’ll have to see Father.”
“Of course! There’s no way the Emperor of the Empire wouldn’t attend the imperial ball!”
Noah, who had been lying down staring at the ceiling, heard the tea cooling and sat up. After scolding his brother, he finally let out the thoughts he’d been holding in.
“I know very well what kind of burden you carried as the eldest son and heir since you were young. I’ve seen that expression on your face countless times—enduring things you didn’t want. That’s why I was happy when you returned after running away. I thought… maybe now you’d finally be able to confidently ask for the things you want.”
“At least now, I’m not stuck unable to do anything. Like you said, I can get away from the things I don’t want.”
“That’s only half of it, though. If you take a step back, you should also learn to step forward. Not just stand there and watch the woman you love go to the ball holding another man’s hand! You should want to be the one holding that hand.”
Seeing his brother keep his mouth tightly shut, Noah suddenly felt that he had only been fooling himself into thinking his brother had changed. He had gained the strength to reject what he didn’t want, but he still didn’t seem to have the will to reach out and take what he did want.
Before their argument could grow worse, Noah crawled back under his blankets. He turned his back—he didn’t trust himself to look at his brother without losing his temper.
“I think Miss Joyce also told you to think it over. Please, for once, be a little selfish.”
For someone chewing over his little brother’s words, tonight felt unusually long.
***
“Young Lady, the Count and Countess will be returning home shortly.”
“Really? They’re early today. I should go greet them.”
“Everyone else is gathered in the drawing room.”
When I arrived at the drawing room, sure enough, everyone except me was already gathered, drinking tea. As usual, Luna had dressed up beautifully since morning.
“The sleepyhead shows up last as always.”
“I woke up ages ago, okay?”
Just as I snapped back at Theo, noise burst out from outside the door.
“It seems your mother and father have arrived.”
“Oh! I’ll be the first to greet them!”
Theo bolted out and practically shouted his greeting.
“You’re here! Father-in-law, Mother-in-law!”
“Well, look who it is! Did you come to see Joyce early in the morning?”
“I was talking with the Woodville sisters last night, and time got away from us, so I ended up imposing without permission.”
“Haha. If it’s you, Theo, you’re welcome anytime.”
Philip chatted with Theo like they were old friends. It was Molly who noticed Noah, standing awkwardly to the side.
“Oh my, Prince Noah?”
“Count Woodville, Countess. Good morning.”
“Your Highness, what brings you here?”
“I invited him because he and Theo know each other. And because my sister and His Highness agreed to attend the ball together.”
Seeing a prince first thing in the morning must have been too much—Philip’s expression immediately stiffened. Molly’s face darkened as well, and she said nothing.
Why did the atmosphere suddenly turn like this?
“Luna.”
Philip, who always called Luna gently, spoke with a stern expression. Luna looked startled.
“Yes, Father.”
“The Prince asked you to be his partner for the ball?”
“Yes. I sent him my answer that I would go with him.”
“It would be best to consider that matter undone.”
Everyone froze at Philip’s completely unexpected words.
“Father, why all of a sudden?”
While Luna stared blankly in shock, I stepped forward in her place.
“Unless it is certain that His Highness will inherit the throne, I cannot permit it.”
With that, Philip strode out of the drawing room.
Luna hurriedly chased after him.
I thought I saw tears in her eyes for a moment… What a disaster of a morning.
Just when the mood couldn’t be worse, Noah stepped in to smooth things over.
“It seems we’ve inconvenienced the Count by barging in first thing in the morning. We’ll take our leave.”
“At least stay for breakfast.”
“It’s quite all right, Madam. We can’t trouble you any further.”
Theo followed Noah out in silence.
And just like that, the first meeting between the Woodville family and the Coventine family ended on an unpleasant note.
***
“It seems the Count is worried.”
“And what exactly is he worried about?”
After finishing my lessons, I couldn’t help sighing, thinking of how sad Luna must be right now at the estate. Hearing my sigh, Peredil pressured me to talk, and I ended up pouring out everything.
Since the matter involved Luna’s ball partner, I was worried about his reaction, but it was unnecessary. He listened calmly, without a flicker of emotional change.
“Prince Noah is only half a prince.”
“What do you mean?”
“There isn’t a single noble who doesn’t know the Emperor wants the first prince to inherit the throne over Noah, his second son. So even if Noah appears to be the heir publicly, the moment the First Prince returns, he’ll be pushed aside immediately. Everyone assumes so.”
“So that’s why my father said he must be certain.”
“Exactly. If Prince Noah were to lead a rebellion after being pushed aside, Miss Luna would be caught up in it too. Of course the Count wouldn’t want his daughter tied to a power struggle.”
His explanation was clear and neat, befitting a capable diplomat—but my chest still felt tight. I understood Philip’s decision, but thinking about Luna, who had probably cried, made it hard to accept.
“Ugh. It’s not even an engagement. Let her at least do that much. Giving such huge meaning to something as small as a ball partner…”
“You think so lightly of ball partners, do you?”
“Why? If you didn’t have a partner, would you have asked me?”
“Maybe I would have.”
He smiled faintly.
Something about that smile felt dangerous. Anyone could’ve mistaken it as a sign he liked me—and that I liked him back.
“You think I would’ve accepted?”
“Wouldn’t you? There aren’t any better choices in the Empire.”
I avoided his gaze, pretending to look elsewhere. Then he rested his chin on one hand and stared straight at me.
“Why aren’t you answering? You would’ve refused?”
“Well… of course I would refuse.”
“Why?”
He seemed offended by my answer. Maybe he thought I would just shrug and agree.
“Last year it was my sister, this year it’s me. Do you want people calling you the ‘Woodville Killer’ or something?”
He fell silent—clearly not keen on that nickname.
“I need to go comfort my sister.”
Worry for Luna made me decide that teasing Peredil could wait. When I stood to leave, he didn’t move at all.
“Aren’t you going?”
He fidgeted with his lips, as if holding something back.
“…So, have you chosen a partner?”
Ah. So he was curious. Pretending not to care while secretly wanting to know.
“I asked Theo. He hasn’t agreed yet.”
“That’s probably for the best.”
“What’s the best?”
“It’s safer to go with someone you already know well than some new guy you know nothing about.”
I leaned in close to help him think about his own feelings like he wanted.
“And why do you care, Duke? What does it matter to you who stands next to me?”
Noticing my face so close, he turned away, embarrassed.
“A friend naturally worries that his precious friend might show up with a questionable partner.”
He really never gets tired of that “friend” nonsense.
“Listen carefully. If the man next to me is weird, that’s worry. If the man next to me is too outstanding, that’s jealousy.”
He stared at me in shock.
“It’s homework. You can’t sleep if you have unresolved thoughts, so spend tonight figuring out whether it’s worry… or jealousy.”
Leaving him dazed, I slipped out of the office and headed for the estate.
***
“Susan. Bring me some wine and a glass.”
“You’ve been asking for wine much more often lately, my lord.”
Peredil shifted his posture at the dinner table and raised the glass Susan filled for him.
Before, he only drank when something troubled him. Lately, though, he sought wine because he was practicing toasts.
Which posture looked best when raising a glass? What words should he say? What kind of toast would make her look at him with admiration?
Drowning in endless thoughts, he let out a sigh.
“Sigh…”
The maids, always curious what new thing was plaguing the Duke’s mind, all looked at the youngest maid, Susan.
She nodded confidently, telling them to leave it to her.
“My lord, are you perhaps troubled by something?”
