Chapter 17
Assad let out a small mocking laugh. Even if it was mockery, Kisha was glad to see even a small change in his expression.
“People with nothing to do,” he said.
“Please dance the next song with me.”
He looked at her sharply, as if he could not hold back anymore.
“Leave me alone, Kisha Astrid. Do not force me to say things about that night when you came to me. It may be unnecessary advice, but you should act according to your current position.”
At his sharp words, Kisha flinched and stepped back. When she looked around in embarrassment, the people who had been watching the interesting scene all pretended not to see anything.
Kisha fixed her dress and bowed slightly before stepping away from him. She could hear her heart beating loudly as if it was hurt. She kept touching the ring on her finger, as if it was her own wounded heart.
Assad did not even respond to her greeting. His mind was filled with completely different thoughts. Nothing was going well, and he had too many things to deal with. It was very annoying.
‘Now that I think about it, where did that clumsy secretary go?’
Mia’s Side
There are moments in life like this. Even while crying, you suddenly look at yourself from the outside and realize how ridiculous you look.
That was Mia right now.
She had possessed a novel. And she became a mistreated extra character! If she just stayed quiet, things would be fine—but she accidentally got her identity exposed to the hidden mastermind! She was trying hard to follow the original story, but she got noticed by strange noble women and was bullied in a group! And now she was sitting down crying from sadness! Just because of background characters in a novel.
When she thought this far, Mia stopped crying. It was not time to cry yet. There was still hope. If the Crown Prince came to the ball, everything would go back to normal. It had to.
Mia decided to return to the ballroom. She looked around the room. If someone opened the door, she needed something to cover herself.
“Even a robe would be nice…”
Mia picked up a candle holder from the mirror table and looked around. There were empty torso mannequins, but no clothes on them. Then she noticed a marble table with perfume bottles, makeup tools, and boxes that likely held jewelry.
One box was slightly open. She brought the candle closer.
“Hmm? This ring…”
She opened the box and picked up the ring. The golden jewel reflected the candlelight. Inside the box, its matching red ring was missing.
‘This is definitely… the love potion used by the Crown Prince’s mistress in the original story.’
It was used to frame Valentina, the woman who caught the Crown Prince’s attention.
‘Why is something from the middle of the story here already?’
Mia felt uneasy. She needed to return to the ballroom quickly. If she waited too long, she didn’t know what would happen with this item.
Then she heard footsteps outside. Along with a tense voice.
“You must hurry. The ball is in full swing.”
The footsteps stopped in front of the door.
“Wait. Why is there someone inside Kisha’s powder room?”
A rough hand shook the locked door handle.
‘Ahhh. Why now?!’
Mia silently screamed and ran around holding the ring. She could not leave something dangerous for Valentina here. But if someone saw her holding it, it would be another disaster. After thinking quickly, she stuffed the ring into her chest area. She felt relieved for a moment.
‘Wait… I’m only in a petticoat right now…?!’
“It’s locked. I’ll get the key.”
“No need. This is enough.”
CRASH.
With a strong kick, the door opened. A man with silver eyes stepped inside. He looked very unhappy.
“Who dares stand in front of the master of the empire?”
‘Don’t tell me… the Crown Prince?’
Mia was shaking behind the curtain, wrapped around her body. She wanted to kneel, but she could not move. She froze under his gaze like prey before a snake.
“Forgive me, Your Highness… I am not properly dressed right now…”
“Are you hiding something?”
Before Mia could answer, the Crown Prince drew his sword. The curtain she was holding was cut into two pieces.
Mia’s face turned bright red in embarrassment. Only after seeing her petticoat did he lower his sword.
“Which family are you from?”
“The eldest daughter of the Rishcha family, Mia Rishcha.”
“Rishcha… I think I’ve heard of it.”
The assistant behind him whispered something.
“Ah. That Rishcha.”
The Crown Prince looked at her carefully.
“You are alone here while the ball is ongoing. Why?”
“…I spilled wine on my dress…”
He quickly understood the situation.
“You were caught in a bad prank. You should return home today.”
“No!”
Mia suddenly raised her head firmly. The Crown Prince was slightly surprised.
“I must return to the ballroom.”
“Why?”
“I have my duty.”
“What duty?”
“I am the etiquette secretary of Grand Duke Ulliel. I cannot leave him and return alone.”
At this, the atmosphere changed.
“Ulliel? That difficult man hired you as a secretary?”
“Yes. That is why I must return immediately.”
The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes slightly, interested.
“Why would he be interested in such a young girl? What do you think?”
Mia did not like his attitude at all. He was forcing her to answer while already seeming to have his own conclusion.
But Mia did not back down.
“Maybe… because of my speech or ability. Or…”
Even she felt embarrassed saying it, but she continued.
“…or maybe my face or body. As a woman.”
The Crown Prince suddenly laughed loudly.
“HAHAHA!”
He laughed so hard he bent forward.
Mia forced herself to stay calm, but her face burned red.
After calming down, he said:
“Most likely, Ulliel liked your family.”
He smiled.
“Of course, I’m not saying he didn’t like your face or body.”
Mia immediately realized how ridiculous her words sounded in her current state.
She just prayed inside her mind.
Please… let all of this be a dream.
