Chapter 29
El wasn’t exactly graceful, but at least she managed not to step on Leo’s foot. She kept her gaze fixed anywhere but his, concentrating on staying with the rhythm.
Leo hadn’t felt this entertained in a long while. The young lady dancing with him wasn’t like the typical socialites of the capital.
For one, she didn’t know who he was. That alone sparked curiosity. Her dress and jewels were clearly expensive, yet she’d agreed to help him over nothing more than a fan.
Whatever she was, she was certainly an amusing young lady.
Guiding her smoothly, Leo asked,
“Forgive me, but may I ask your name?”
“You wouldn’t know it even if I told you. My family is terribly insignificant.”
El dodged the question lightly as they turned back-to-back, spinning right. When they faced each other again, Leo lifted both palms toward hers and tried again.
“But I’m still curious.”
“……”
“You really don’t want to tell me, do you?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, perhaps it’s because I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Baron Leo Healy.”
So she had remembered correctly—he was a Leo-something.
Leo nearly laughed. Even after he announced his name, she didn’t react. She truly had no idea who he was.
“Now, how about handing me the fan?”
Her little growl was adorable. The way she bit down on those small lips looked irresistibly charming.
A very different charm from Princess Ruena.
Despite looking so much like her twin brother Randol, Ruena didn’t enjoy parties either. With Countess Belboa glued to her side, she had no choice but to stay in the ballroom—and she silently cursed Randol for escaping earlier.
As if sensing her thoughts, Randol reappeared. And walking right beside him… was Duke Kalen Elias.
As they approached, Kalen inclined his head politely.
“It has been a while, Princess Ruena.”
Ruena lowered her chin lightly, staring at him with casual indifference—but behind those concealed violet eyes, something faint flickered.
Like Randol, Ruena was deeply invested in the royal succession. She evaluated suitors solely through the lens of politics. Among them, the most suitable match on paper was Baron Leo Healy.
But her true first choice was someone else entirely: Duke Kalen Elias.
A family with vast lands and unwavering loyalty to the crown for generations.
His lineage alone was valuable—but Kalen himself was even more desirable: unlike other nobles, he didn’t flatter, he was honest, upright, and disciplined.
Where Randol was timid, Kalen was decisive—perfect for ruling the Kingdom of Eneriten.
And unlike most, Ruena had known him since childhood. She knew the warmth and clarity buried beneath his stone-cold exterior.
If she could, she would very much like to rule Eneriten by his side.
But prideful as she was, she showed nothing.
Randol glanced at the dancers and then smirked at Ruena.
“Your devoted admirer, Baron Leo Healy, seems to be dancing with another lady.”
“Anyone may dance with whomever they wish. It doesn’t matter.”
“I don’t recognize her… Who is she?”
At his words, Kalen searched for Leo. Even from afar, the baron’s brilliant platinum hair stood out.
The lady dancing with him could only be seen from the back. Her side profile—barely visible—was unfamiliar. Or rather, it was unmistakably the same young lady he’d seen earlier.
His honey-colored eyes chased her with sharp focus.
Randol nudged him.
“Aren’t you going to ask Ruena for a dance?”
He fully expected the answer to be ‘no.’ Kalen never enjoyed parties; on the rare occasions he attended, he never danced.
“Princess Ruena, may I request this dance?”
Both Randol and Ruena froze in surprise.
Randol had only suggested it to tease her—but Kalen actually said the words. Ruena had assumed he’d refuse, claiming he wasn’t good at dancing.
She knew he felt nothing for her, so the request was shocking.
Her heart thudded hard.
Suppressing the sudden flutter, Ruena placed her hand lightly atop his.
As the princess and the duke stepped onto the floor, the crowd naturally opened space for them.
Princess Ruena and Duke Elias…
It wouldn’t be long before tonight’s gossip spread like wildfire.
Swaying gently, Ruena said,
“I didn’t expect you to ask.”
“I dance occasionally.”
For someone who danced occasionally, his lead was surprisingly smooth. Ruena’s heart fluttered again. Objectively and subjectively, Kalen was… a very alluring man.
She forced herself not to show it. Feelings didn’t matter. Not now. She had to remain neutral.
Kalen guided her through a turn, drifting closer toward Leo.
His eyes were still fixed on El’s back.
When the long song finally ended, El exhaled as though saved. She snatched the fan from Leo’s hand.
“Well then, it was… pleasant.”
She turned to leave—but he caught her wrist again.
“Is one dance not enough?”
“The princess is coming this way. It’s working. If I stir up just a little more jealousy, I’ll have the advantage.”
He smiled, but something about it rang false. She couldn’t tell whether he truly liked the princess or not.
The music began anew. With no other choice, El kept her body as far from him as possible while dancing. At least she’d retrieved the fan. If she found the right moment, she could slip out of the line.
Scanning for an opening, she suddenly froze and pressed herself tightly against Leo.
Kalen was dancing with the princess.
Peeking carefully from behind Leo’s shoulder, her eyes widened.
That really is the Duke! He’s dancing with the princess?!
He’d always seemed uninterested in romance, shrugging off all those letters from noble ladies.
And yet… the two of them looked stunning together.
Kalen’s lead was stiff, but his skill wasn’t bad. His small awkwardness didn’t matter when he was that handsome—and Princess Ruena was undeniably beautiful.
Without thinking, El let out a tiny squeak.
“Gasp!”
“What’s wrong, my lady?”
“Don’t turn around! Just keep dancing!”
Leo was baffled. She’d spent the whole time keeping her distance, yet now she was glued to him and glancing over his shoulder every few seconds.
El’s mouth went dry. Kalen was only a few couples away. A few more steps and he might pass right by them.
I’m going to get caught!
Spotting a narrow gap between dancers, El shoved Leo away and bolted from the line like an arrow.
“My lady!”
She heard Leo call after her, but she didn’t look back.
Shoving through the crowd, El burst out of the building entirely. The cool night air hit her face, and she finally stopped, breathless.
“Haah… haah… That was close.”
She’d ended up in the garden—a place as beautiful as the small Elias manor garden. Sitting on a bench, El caught her breath.
Only then did the pain hit her. She normally wore worn, comfortable shoes; the perfectly fitted heels were torture.
She wriggled her feet under the dress, removed the shoes, then her silk stockings. Stretching her cramped toes felt refreshing.
“Parties are exhausting. I want to go home.”
“A well-prepared party, and you already want to leave?”
A man’s voice startled her. El shot upright, barefoot on the cold ground.
“Who’s there?”
The garden had no large trees—likely for safety. The tallest bushes barely reached a child’s height.
A figure stood beside a neatly trimmed hedge, hard to see in the dark.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
The man stepped forward, moonlight sliding across his features.
Sharp lines. Violet eyes.
El recognized him instantly. The frightening man who had grabbed her throat earlier. His eyes no longer held killing intent, but the memory alone made her freeze.
She stepped back in shock.
“Does the party really bother you that much?”
“Well, um…”
As she hesitated, Randol studied her face.
Moments later, he recognized her too.
“Turquoise eyes—rare. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
El bit her lips instead of answering.
What do I do?
Run? Explain? She couldn’t decide.
The garden offered no cover. Even if she sprinted with everything she had, she wouldn’t outrun him.
So El abandoned the thought of fleeing and chose to speak honestly. It wasn’t as though she’d committed some terrible sin.
“Yes, we’ve met.”
“Are your hand and neck all right?”
She had expected him to interrogate her—but instead, he asked about her injuries. El faltered.
“I-I wasn’t badly hurt. I’ll be fine.”
“I seem to have misunderstood you earlier. I apologize for causing you pain.”
“…May I ask who you mistook me for?”
“A spy. Someone eavesdropping inside the palace tends to invite suspicion.”
“You work in the palace?”
