Chapter 24
The Tables Have Turned
Ellea gladly accepted Harris’ invitation. It was a welcome suggestion—better than being alone right now.
“I’d be delighted, Lady Harris.”
“I’ve heard so much about you, I was really curious to meet you in person.”
Though it was their first time meeting, Harris showed no hesitation toward Ellea’s status as a princess. She approached with easy familiarity, leading the conversation confidently as if that was her natural temperament.
Ellea appreciated that candidness and replied with a smile.
“So, do I live up to the rumors?”
“No, you’re far more beautiful than they say.”
“Thank you. You’re stunning yourself, Lady Harris.”
Their conversation was unfolding in a more cheerful and pleasant atmosphere than Ellea had expected—until an unwelcome guest suddenly intruded.
The one person Ellea least wanted to see at this moment.
“May we join your conversation as well?”
That voice…
And judging from Harris’ instantly stiff expression, she too had recognized the voice. Her face hardened the moment she laid eyes on Shainel.
Ellea also immediately sensed the shift in her demeanor.
Just as I thought.
This was the reason Ellea remembered Harris so clearly. The subtle tension between Shainel and Harris in social circles.
While everyone else scrambled to get close to Shainel, Harris was the only one who kept her distance.
Ellea had witnessed their sharp exchanges more than once, though she had never cared enough to learn the reasons behind them. High society held no real interest for her.
Yet even now, that tension remained unchanged. Ellea’s gaze shifted from Harris to Shainel.
Given the setting, Shainel’s expression was no longer the haughty sneer she had once directed at Ellea, but a pleasant smile instead.
But Ellea knew well what claws hid behind that smile—the same claws that had once driven her to her death.
Had she not known the truth, she might have been taken in by Shainel’s beauty and charm, just like everyone else.
But not now.
Her anger at being driven to the edge of death might have surfaced, but she remained calm. She knew that if she showed any fury, people would just find her reaction strange.
If I said I were Elle, what kind of expression would you show me then?
Unaware of Ellea’s inner thoughts, Shainel greeted her with open enthusiasm the moment their eyes met.
“I’m so glad to see Your Highness again here, after our last meeting.”
Could those words possibly be sincere?
When Ellea had previously ignored her, Shainel’s face had briefly frozen. And yet here she was again, smiling brightly as if nothing had happened. In a way, Ellea had to admit it was impressive.
Still, once they were face-to-face, avoiding her wouldn’t suit Ellea’s nature—especially when it came to Shainel.
She slowly looked over the young ladies surrounding Shainel.
As expected, they were her usual followers—chosen more for their ability to make Shainel shine than for companionship.
“Yes. Oh, but what was your name again, Lady? I can’t quite recall it.”
Ellea deliberately pretended not to know Shainel’s name. Caught off guard, Shainel’s face visibly stiffened.
Did she just say she doesn’t know me?
That must’ve been humiliating—acting familiar only to be told she wasn’t even remembered.
Once was enough to be deceived by you. Don’t you think?
The Elle who had lost everything by trusting Shainel no longer existed.
Shainel’s surprise didn’t last long. She quickly concocted an explanation and emphasized it to the surrounding ladies so they wouldn’t suspect anything.
“Her Highness had just arrived at the palace then, so it’s understandable.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Yes, I remember now. Lady Shainel, wasn’t it? It’s nice to see you again.”
Ellea feigned recollection, and beside her, Harris bit her lip to hold back a laugh at Shainel’s flustered face.
In all of Luvane, no one had dared speak to Shainel like this—whether out of fear or admiration. Ellea was the first.
But Shainel, as always, remained composed and quickly changed the subject with a smooth smile.
“How are you finding life in the palace?”
“Oh, but that’s something you’d know much better than I would, Lady Shainel.”
“That’s right. You spend so much time with His Majesty.”
Though the question had been directed at Ellea, the ladies around them jumped in with their own comments before she could answer.
Shainel didn’t ignore their admiring glances.
“No, no. I’m sure things feel very different to Her Highness, who’s new here…”
Ellea watched as she was quietly excluded from the conversation, while the others spoke amongst themselves as if she weren’t even there.
Then Harris whispered beside her.
“Knew it’d turn out like this.”
No wonder they don’t get along…
Even at a glance, Shainel and Harris were polar opposites in personality and everything else.
Harris clearly felt instinctive aversion to Shainel—perhaps she sensed what lay hidden behind the smile.
Ellea wasn’t interested in their drama. She cut in with finality. This kind of empty bragging didn’t concern her.
“Apologies, but I’m not interested in the topic you ladies are discussing.”
“Pardon?”
The ladies fell into awkward silence, flustered by Ellea’s chilly tone.
They exchanged glances, clearly reminded that this was a princess they were dealing with—even if they had felt emboldened earlier by Shainel’s presence.
“I’d prefer to continue my conversation with Lady Harris. Would you mind giving us some space?”
Ellea made sure to meet Shainel’s gaze as she spoke, making it clear she meant every word.
Leave, now. She had no desire to keep listening.
Even then, Shainel responded with practiced elegance, unfazed.
“My apologies. We were speaking too familiarly. We should’ve been more considerate. It’s been a while since Your Highness has attended such an event, given your health.”
So now I’m just a country bumpkin, huh.
But Ellea had no intention of backing down. She didn’t want to lose to Shainel—not ever again.
“You’re right. It has been a while, since I’ve been ill. Lady Shainel probably wouldn’t know what that’s like. What it feels like to die and come back.”
She made sure to emphasize the part about dying and returning.
At that, something flickered in Shainel’s eyes—an odd sense of familiarity. As if she’d seen Ellea’s gaze somewhere before.
That’s impossible. I don’t know her…
Then Harris chimed in like a comrade, siding with Ellea.
“I’d also prefer to speak privately with Her Highness.”
That’s right, Harris. I’ve finally found an ally.
Maybe it was because the princess was beside her, but Harris didn’t back down either. A strange tension settled between the three of them.
Shainel had never liked Harris—and now Ellea was ruffling her feathers too.
Just then, the soft strains of new music floated from the ballroom. It was time for the guests to dance with their partners.
Naturally, the one to lead the opening dance would be Emperor Terban. Typically, this role would fall to his empress or fiancée, but that position remained officially vacant.
Of course, that didn’t mean just anyone had a chance.
Not when Shainel was present.
Ellea knew this all too well. At every similar event, it had always been Shainel who danced first with him.
They had looked like the perfect couple. And for Ellea, wearing her knight’s uniform back then, it had been a place she could never belong.
He’ll definitely dance with Lady Shainel.
So confident in that outcome, Ellea didn’t even watch as Terban rose from his seat. Her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere when she suddenly felt someone lightly nudge her.
Turning her head, she saw it was Harris.
Ellea looked at her questioningly, but Harris simply motioned for her to look straight ahead.
What is it…?
Puzzled, Ellea turned—and there was Terban standing directly in front of her.
She was visibly startled. She wanted someone to explain what was happening.
Why is His Majesty standing before me?
At first, she thought Harris had made a mistake and that he was actually approaching Shainel.
But that assumption crumbled when Terban extended his hand—right to her.
“W-What?”
Ellea glanced around frantically, but no one else was moving. Everyone else was just watching. She was the only one caught off guard.
“Why are you…?”
“To dance, of course.”
“But why me…?”
Harris, catching on to her confusion, leaned in and whispered just loud enough for Ellea to hear.
“Since His Majesty has no fiancée, it’s natural for him to invite the guest of honor—Her Highness—to open the ball.”
Ah, right. Because I’m here…
Only then did she understand. If she hadn’t been present, that honor would surely have gone to Shainel. But with Ellea here, Shainel was pushed aside.
But I didn’t expect to actually dance…
She had planned to greet him and avoid him as much as possible, not this.
She had only danced as Ellea for practice—never in front of people.
I can’t refuse, can I?
Not with everyone in the ballroom watching.
She was here representing the Kingdom of Zebenica. She couldn’t afford to make trouble.
Slowly, Ellea lifted her unmoving hand and placed it atop his.
Cool skin and firm strength enclosed her fingers. Led by his hand, they moved to the center of the ballroom and faced each other.
Please, let me dance just like I practiced.
Focused entirely on not messing up, Ellea barely registered that she was dancing with Terban himself.
If the empire’s princess stumbled in front of everyone, it would be unbearably shameful.
As they assumed their positions and closed the distance, Ellea was too nervous to notice just how close they stood.
When the music began and they took their first steps, all her attention was on matching his movements.
The others likely couldn’t tell, but Terban, being this close, could see it clearly—her tension, her lack of ease.
So that’s why she hesitated earlier.
He had seen her initial panic when he extended his hand. He had felt the slight tremble when they touched.
And now, even as they danced, she was more focused on not stepping on his feet than enjoying the moment.
It was such a contrast to the confident entrance she had made earlier that Terban couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
