CHAPTER 66…………………………….
My Man’s Waltz
The dinner banquet prepared by the King of Malau was nothing short of magnificent. You would hardly believe this was the palace of demons—it felt more like the pinnacle of human civilization.
The decorations and splendor were on a level the somewhat rustic Kingdom of Fritan could learn a thing or two from.
When we arrived, Mick took my fur cape and only then realized how deeply backless my gown was. His brows furrowed sharply.
“I told you after the last salon party that such designs were forbidden.”
He growled low into my ear, but what could I do? It was far too late to run back and change!
With a soft sigh, he pressed close behind me, doing his best to block other people’s gazes.
Looking around at the Malau nobles gathered in the banquet hall, I was taken aback. Everyone—except Mick—had platinum-blond hair.
It was my first time seeing so many at once, and it was fascinating. Though their sharp ears and slanted eyes differed, their pale skin and platinum hair made them resemble me—I almost felt like I belonged among them.
While we exchanged greetings with the Malau nobles, guided by Chancellor Yamal, Princess Shine approached, escorted by Julmon.
She wore a sunflower-yellow gown that perfectly highlighted her charms.
I almost wanted to cover Mick’s eyes with my hands, but before I could, he pulled me into his arms with his own. Julmon’s gaze, however, was fixed entirely on the princess, showing no interest in me whatsoever.
And the princess, too, smiled and gazed only at Julmon. I sensed something unusual in the air between them when she turned to us with a warm greeting.
“You must have been tired earlier. Those negotiations were rather dull.”
“They were still worthwhile.”
“I hope you can enjoy yourselves now. Since you’ve come so far, it would be lovely if you stayed for my engagement ceremony…”
Her sudden announcement caught me off guard.
“You’re getting engaged?”
“Yes. Truthfully, I’d marry tomorrow if I could.”
When Princess Shine smiled sweetly, Julmon’s face flushed red. Only then did I realize why Malau had unexpectedly shifted its negotiation terms.
So Shine and Julmon have fallen in love!
Thinking back to how obsessed Shine once was with my husband Mick, I had wondered why she gave up so easily. Now it made sense. Her love had simply taken an unexpected turn.
Glancing at Mick, I saw him wearing a rare, satisfied smile, clearly pleased by the development.
“My heartfelt congratulations. If not the engagement, then we would very much like to attend the wedding.”
I congratulated Shine, who clung to Julmon’s arm like a golden butterfly. In a way, Julmon had become my benefactor.
At that moment, the orchestra began to play, and the nobles moved toward the central hall to dance.
As I lightly swayed to the waltz rhythm, Mick whispered,
“Come to think of it, we’ve never danced together, have we?”
“We never had the chance.”
Right after our wedding, he had spent most of his time at war. After he returned gravely injured, our bond deepened so much that we could hardly stay out of each other’s arms. And with both of us buried in our duties, there was never time for dancing.
“Will you grant me the honor of this dance?”
Mick’s eyes sparkled playfully as he extended his hand. I blinked in surprise.
“Mick, you can waltz?”
“Is there anything I can’t do?”
Taking my hand, he confidently escorted me to the main floor. I found it both amusing and astonishing—my husband, the so-called bloodthirsty war demon, about to dance a waltz?
His right hand slid gently around my waist, while I rested one hand on his shoulder and the other in his left. When the dance began, he led me as naturally as if he’d done nothing else his whole life.
Wait, when did he even learn this??
Catching my astonished expression, he flashed a smug grin.
“What are you so surprised about?”
“For someone who’s lived on the battlefield, when did you learn to dance?”
He chuckled and whispered in my ear,
“To be honest, the waltz is the only dance I know.”
“Pfft!”
I nearly burst out laughing at his confession, biting my lips to hold it in.
“Shall we learn new dances when we return to Fritan?”
“Hmm… not a bad idea.”
“Really?”
I had expected him to refuse, but he agreed so easily.
“As long as I’m holding you while we dance, I could do it all day and no one would object.”
“…All day?”
Just imagining it made my feet cramp. Pouting, I looked away, while he smiled as though genuinely delighted.
When our eyes met again, his smile slowly faded, his gaze darkening.
The hand at my waist slid upward, grazing the bare skin exposed by my backless dress. His touch teased—barely brushing, then withdrawing—sending shivers through me each time.
I nervously licked my lips, avoiding his eyes, but then he pressed his heated palm flat against my back and drew me close, steering us discreetly toward the edge of the hall.
Just then, the orchestra ended its piece. Mick stroked down my back and whispered, almost impatiently,
“Now that we’ve paid our respects, how about heading up to our room?”
“That’s ridiculous. The banquet hasn’t even begun yet.”
“Hmm…”
He frowned, displeased, while I struggled to cool my burning cheeks. Then, from behind us, a voice spoke.
“Would the Queen of Fritan grant me the honor of a dance?”
Mick scowled before even turning. To my surprise, it was the King of Malau extending his hand toward me.
Mick pulled me back possessively, but refusing a king’s invitation at his own banquet would have been unthinkably rude.
I gently tapped Mick’s hand in reassurance and gave the king a bright smile.
“The honor is mine.”
Reluctantly, Mick released me, and I accepted the king’s escort to the center of the hall.
At once, everyone else withdrew, leaving only the two of us.
The dance began, and the King of Malau guided me with polished grace. For a demon to be so well-versed in human dance was surprising.
Up close, he looked remarkably youthful, with taut skin and an air of enigmatic charm. I suddenly understood why Mick had warned me not to look him in the face—he was a strikingly handsome middle-aged man.
“Perhaps it’s your hair, but you didn’t feel like a stranger to me from the moment I saw you,” he said casually as we danced.
“I was also surprised. Platinum hair is rare in both the Harlan Empire and Fritan Kingdom.”
“Still, surely one of your parents had the same hair?”
It seemed like an innocent question, but his eyes scrutinized me intensely.
“Unfortunately, I don’t resemble either of them. My father, Marquis Uzcal, has brown hair, and my mother is a beautiful blonde.”
“I see…”
After that, the king fell silent, focusing only on the dance, though his eyes never left my face. His persistent gaze kept me tense until the music ended.
Mick instantly appeared at my side like the wind. His face was impassive, but I could feel the restrained fury beneath.
After bowing politely to the king, I rewarded Mick’s patience with a sweet smile.
Just then, Princess Shine approached.
“You can dance again later—why don’t we have dinner first?”
“That’s not…”
“That sounds wonderful. Mick, let’s eat.”
Sensing he was about to refuse, I quickly agreed. I wanted to hear the rest of what the King of Malau seemed intent on telling me.
“Malau’s cuisine may not suit your taste.”
Mick and I sat at the same table as the King of Malau, Princess Shine, and Julmon, sampling Malau’s traditional dishes. The flavors were spicy and rich with unique seasonings, but the taste was exquisite.
“It’s delicious. Truly unique—flavors we’d never find in Fritan or Harlan.”
“Is that so? I’m glad.”
The king smiled warmly at my reply, then turned to study Mick, who ate in silence with a stoic expression. I quickly shifted the subject.
“I couldn’t help but notice earlier—you have such flawless skin, Your Majesty. Even I feel envious. Do you have a secret?”
Mick, who had been staring down at his plate, suddenly snapped his head up at my words of praise, glaring at me as if deeply displeased. I smiled innocently back.
“You have a sharp eye. There is indeed a secret.”
What I had meant as a diversion turned into something intriguing. A skincare secret? My ears perked up. I should be writing this down!
“What is it?”
At my eager question, the king glanced at Princess Shine.
“I hear my daughter Shine has tasted it recently as well…”
The princess dropped her fork with a clatter.
“…How did you know?”
“Ahem…”
Julmon, blushing furiously, cleared his throat and quickly explained,
“I visited my grandmother recently and picked a few during fruit-thinning season. It won’t happen again.”
The king waved off his excuse.
“I’m not scolding you. I only mentioned it because Queen Lea was curious.”
Then, turning to Mick and me, he offered a polite smile.
“In the Geupa Forest, under Malau’s domain, grows a mystical fruit called the Silverberry. Eating just three of them will restore your skin to what it was ten years ago.”
“Oooh~”
“Many human kingdoms once tried to steal Silverberries, but all in vain.”
As he said this, the King of Malau watched my reaction closely. But I, too fascinated by the idea of such a miraculous fruit, failed to notice his scrutiny.
