Chapter 46
For some reason, a chill ran down my spine, and I glanced toward Duke Devilport.
He was busy walking around, introducing his young son.
Next to me, Prince Riley kept grumbling.
“I was going to ask first. Anyway, you two enjoy your dance. I’ll step aside as the matchmaker.”
With that, he left, and it was just the two of us.
“…Why?”
Why did His Majesty choose me as his partner?
“Tonight, we’re anonymous. That means I may choose anyone in this hall for my first dance.”
He explained it simply—it was a rare chance to dance with someone without anyone wondering who his partner was. Just a dance, nothing more.
‘So he has a lot to say to me. He must mean to talk while we dance.’
“Your loyal servant obeys your command, Your Majesty.”
I lowered my body in a small curtsy, lifted my skirt, and offered my hand.
‘Stay calm.’
I hadn’t danced often, but I wasn’t completely hopeless.
As soon as His Majesty and I took our place at the center of the round ballroom, the conductor raised his baton and music began.
The vast space fell silent, so quiet you could hear only the soft sweep of gowns brushing the floor.
Our hands touched. His Majesty clasped my arm lightly and led me forward.
He moved with grace and warmth, matching my steps so naturally that I could follow without stumbling. I steadied myself by complementing his lead, gliding calmly across the floor.
Because the ballroom was filled with dazzling costumes, no one noticed that His Majesty’s mask looked almost identical to Mr. Smith’s.
The circle of onlookers widened as they watched us.
I tilted my ear to catch their whispers.
“Who is that lady? She doesn’t look like royalty.”
“I don’t know. Perhaps one of the advisors or palace staff. Maybe someone from Greenmeldy?”
Even with all eyes on us, my anonymity was perfectly protected.
Relaxing a little, I studied His Majesty’s face behind the mask.
The more I looked, the more it seemed exactly like the mask Mr. Smith had bought. Perhaps I stared too much, because His Majesty smiled faintly.
“Why are you looking at me?”
“My apologies. You resemble someone I know.”
His hand brushed against my waist, then pulled away. A tingling sensation spread where he touched, and I bit my lip.
“Is he a good man?”
I raised my head in surprise—so close that our noses nearly touched. I tried to lean back, but he drew me closer, pulling me against him until I was half in his arms.
“I will ask again. The man who resembles me—he is a good man?”
“…Yes.”
A gentle fragrance surrounded His Majesty. He held me close and turned slowly, our garments brushing and untangling again and again.
The music reached its middle. I waited, expecting him to speak, but he said nothing.
‘Didn’t he want to talk? When will he begin?’
Growing impatient, I blurted out,
“…Your Majesty, I am currently assisting Chief Advisor John Smith in searching for the children of Count Meyer.”
I lowered my voice.
“We still have not found them, but I believe we are close to a lead.”
“Excellent. But I never asked you to speak of that.”
“Forgive me!”
His Majesty chuckled softly, easing the tension.
“Put your arms around my neck.”
“…Pardon? But Your Majesty’s body is—”
“You’ll need to, for the next move.”
That was true. I knew this dance well—it was one my grandfather had once taught me during noble lessons.
Taking a deep breath, I dared to place my arms around His Majesty’s neck and shoulders.
At last, the music swelled into its climax.
I bent backward, surrendering my weight entirely into his arms. For a dizzying moment, the world flipped upside down. I clung to him, supported only by the strength of my grip around his neck.
“Ah!”
It was a move where partners often faltered—but His Majesty’s lead was flawless. Not a scratch on me. He lifted me back smoothly, one hand firmly supporting my back.
Even as I almost collapsed, he held me steady, safely bringing me upright.
“Not dizzy?”
His gentle voice brushed my ear.
“I am dizzy, but Your Majesty’s perfect lead steadied me at once.”
He gave me a teasing look.
“You flatter well.”
“It is the truth.”
He chuckled softly. A laugh meant only for me.
For the first time, I realized what kind of person my Emperor was.
Playful. Gentle with people, yet perhaps easily hurt.
Privately, a kind man.
Yes—I was serving a good master.
The music ended. Exhausted in both body and spirit, I placed my hand on my chest and bowed.
Applause erupted.
“Flawless,” His Majesty said as his final words to me, then clasped his hands behind his back and walked away from the center.
The next song began. I quickly escaped to the outer wall of the hall, catching my breath. But something didn’t add up.
There had been no secret talk. No inner-circle business discussed.
Then why had His Majesty chosen me as his partner?
Meanwhile, my rude behavior toward Prince Riley had not been settled yet.
Please don’t think I’m overreacting.
It’s only natural. I wasn’t someone who suddenly possessed a new body. I was born in this world and only regained memories of my past life as an adult. Fear of royals and nobility had been ingrained in me from childhood.
I had never wanted to get involved with royalty. So how did I end up tangled with a foreign prince too?
The only small relief was that, even though I had danced with the Emperor himself, Duke Devilport didn’t seem especially interested.
He was too busy showing off his son to foreign dignitaries, introducing the boy as if cementing his position was his only goal tonight.
I stared at the Duke’s son, bitterness rising in my throat.
‘At this very moment, the daughter of Count Meyer—whose family was slaughtered by this man—is suffering, orphaned and alone.’
Resolving to find Mr. Smith, I slipped outside the hall.
The summer night air clung to me, hot and heavy. I shuddered and hurried into the garden.
“Mr. Smith? Where are you?”
I walked along the moonlit paths, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Through the blooming shrubs, I heard a faint creak.
Creak—creak—
Ahead, a vine-woven swing swayed back and forth, making that sound. My eyes still adjusting to the dark, I stepped closer.
“Mr. Smith?”
The swing stilled. A man sitting there turned his gaze toward me.
In a voice deep with age, he asked,
“And who might you be, young lady?”
Oh no. He was an elderly gentleman, his hair streaked with white. Had I disturbed him in his thoughts? I hurried to cover my mistake with a gentle tone.
“My apologies. I was looking for someone, but I mistook you for him.”
“I’ve been the only one in this garden for some time.”
I thought about excusing myself and leaving, but then the gentleman gestured kindly.
“You look tired. Sit and rest a while.”
He pointed to a bench beside the swing, the kind of seat you’d see in a public garden, meant for many to share.
“It struck me as thoughtful. The Greenmeldy Imperial Family provides even small comforts like this for their attendants and servants. It leaves a good impression.”
Perhaps he was from abroad? I thought I heard a slight Iterin accent.
“Ah, that bench was placed there by the late Empress Dowager Adeline. She noticed her lady-in-waiting once blistered her feet from standing too long in heels, so she had resting places built.”
The gentleman lowered his gaze, subdued.
“I did not know such a story. I see.”
I sat beside him and slipped off my shoes. My heels and soles throbbed in protest.
“Were you dancing?”
“Ah—yes.”
“My daughter used to say the same. After dancing, she would collapse onto her bed, complaining of sore feet.”
How human. I felt a sudden kinship with him, though we were strangers.
“And you, sir? Did you not attend the ball?”
