TOFP 06

It was not a simple dance invitation. It was both a warning and a condemnation toward Duchess Odette and everyone who supported her.

A demand to stop such shameless behavior.

Truly, it was a righteous act befitting a holy knight.

However, as always, the upright and flawless man himself did not seem to realize it.

At that moment, Odette’s face had twisted with rage. She was glaring at Kasha as if she wanted to kill her.

Unfortunately, Kasha did not notice that either.

Or perhaps she did, but she was too distracted by the heat passing through Leon’s gloved hand—too warm to think about anything else, even Odette.

“T-thank you… for helping me.”

Only after some time had passed since the dance began did she manage to whisper those words with courage.

“It is only natural for a knight. Please do not mind it.”

But his reply was cold and formal.

Even so, the dance that followed felt like a midsummer night’s dream. One she would never forget in her entire life.

Leon’s expression looked so calm it could even seem cold at a glance, but his face itself was unrealistically beautiful.

His amethyst-colored eyes, worthy of the nickname “Jewel of the Empire,” scattered light dazzlingly under the chandelier.

His smooth platinum-blond hair fell gently along his forehead, shining softly. His straight nose and strong jawline revealed masculine beauty.

His broad shoulders fit perfectly in his uniform, and his long, firm arm held her waist securely.

His dancing skill was flawless as well. He calmly led the terribly unsteady Kasha and supported her with steady strength.

He was a man anyone would fall for.

Even someone like Kasha, the “mad noble lady.”

Even if he had not been beautiful, it would have been hard not to keep in mind a man who saved her in such a situation.

But he was not only beautiful. He was righteous. At that moment, he was superior to anyone in the ballroom.

Held in his arms as they turned across the floor, Kasha’s heart pounded wildly the entire time.

But as soon as the dance ended and Leon escorted her outside the ballroom, she had to return to reality.

“Then. I hope you enjoy the rest of the night.”

Leon bowed politely to her. He still looked calm and composed on the surface.

“…A-are you… alright?”

But Kasha, who had danced with him, noticed it. His breathing was slightly rough. His earlobes and neck were red. The longer they danced, the more his posture became slightly unsteady.

For some reason, she wanted to help him.

“Of course I am fine.”

But his reaction was unexpectedly sharp.

His face flushed red, as if even being asked such a thing was offensive.

His expression was so harsh, and his gaze so shaken, it was hard to believe this was the same man who had just saved her.

Anyone would think she had insulted him.

“Oh… I’m sorry…”

Flustered, Kasha swallowed her apology before she could finish it.

As if disgusted by her reaction, Leon turned away sharply and left.

That sudden change hurt more than the bullying nobles ever did.

Was she such an unpleasant existence that even someone who had helped her out of goodwill would turn away?

Just as despair began to open its mouth beneath her feet—

Of course, the current Kasha knew the reason. She understood now why he had acted that way. She knew what pain he had been enduring.

He was far more righteous than she had ever imagined back then. He even held her hand despite enduring his own curse.

But the nightmare of that day did not end there.

Crash.

“Oh, sorry. The wine slipped.”

Someone spilled wine all over her dress.

Bang, bang.

“P-please open the door! There’s someone in here!”

The restroom door had been locked while she went in to clean her dress.

She had clearly seen attendants standing outside before entering.

After the ball ended and everyone left, it was Daryl who found her sitting blankly on the restroom floor.

After that, she fell ill for a full week and did not step outside the mansion. Until she was deceived by Simon and fled to the tower.

“Lord Daryl of the Riuschino Count Family and Lady Katianna have arrived!”

At the attendant’s announcement opening the ballroom doors, Kasha snapped back to reality.

The scene in the hall was terrifyingly identical to her past life.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward Daryl and Kasha. Odette, standing like the protagonist among them, also noticed her presence.

Odette’s beautiful blue glass-like eyes looked down at them arrogantly.

“So it’s the useless Riuschino siblings.”

The Riuschino Count Family guarded the northern border of the Empire, but they had almost no presence in high society. To Odette, they were beneath her interest.

But one of the siblings walked straight toward Odette.

“Hello, Lady Odette. I am Kasha… Riuschino.”

“……”

“It’s been a while. I’ve really missed you.”

She had clearly heard the name Katianna Riuschino, but it seemed she preferred to be called Kasha in the northern style.

However, Odette felt her throat go dry under the girl’s gaze.

“Was she always unable to make eye contact?”

She had been a girl with almost no presence during her debut. Always mocked, always hiding in a corner of the hall.

That had strangely pleased Odette’s sadistic curiosity.

It had been amusing how she couldn’t even resist when poked.

She had even considered using her as entertainment if the ball got boring.

But now—what was that look? Those burning eyes that looked like they would devour the Tyrot Princess.

Odette straightened her neck and opened her fan gracefully.

Snap.

Kasha’s eyes watching the fan were cold, but Odette ignored it and spoke with a smile hiding behind her fan.

“Missed me? How strange. Were we that close?”

Soft laughter spread through the crowd at the perfect timing.

At the ridicule, Daryl’s face stiffened. But Kasha remained calm.

“Ah, not all things need frequent meetings… to leave an impression.”

“…?”

“Sometimes, just one meeting is enough… to leave a deep mark.”

Her strange eyes, like crushed flower petals, were disturbingly intense. Her slightly awkward speech made her words more striking.

“What is she even saying?”

Odette muttered behind her fan loud enough to hear. Daryl’s expression darkened, but Kasha continued first.

“And it is not only close relationships… that make someone memorable.”

“……”

“There are people you must remember… whether you like it or not.”

“Then are you saying—”

“May this be a memorable ball for you, Lady Odette.”

Interrupting Odette smoothly, Kasha Riuschino slightly bowed and stepped back.

Daryl shot a warning look around before taking her arm and leaving.

Odette clicked her tongue while watching them leave.

That bear-like Daryl Riuschino. He had ignored his sister during her debut before, but now suddenly acting like a proper brother?

It was annoying.

But if Daryl was involved, she could not easily play with that girl today.

Even if their influence was limited in high society, the Riuschino Count Family was still the Empire’s “Red Bull,” the Shield of the Emperor.

It was not worth risking a diplomatic issue.

Odette bit her lip while watching the red dress disappear.

The crimson dress matched Kasha’s strange pink eyes too well, which irritated her even more.

“Why does her dress match mine?”

She did not realize she was angry because she was not confident she looked better.

Clap.

As Odette closed her fan, she frowned.

The atmosphere around her had become oddly distracted. Normally, her followers reacted even to the slightest change in her expression, but now…

Their attention was on Kasha.

“That lady… doesn’t she seem different today?”

“Her presence… I’m not the only one feeling it, right?”

“And she’s wearing such a stunning dress so well.”

“Even her face looks different somehow.”

“It’s not just ‘somehow.’”

Odette’s hand trembled holding her fan.

She would need to find someone to vent her frustration on—and quickly bring attention back to herself.

“Are you alright?”

After leaving the group around Odette, Daryl asked Kasha at the end of the hall.

“…About what?”

“Lady Odette. I knew she was arrogant, but that was clearly disrespectful toward you.”

Daryl’s serious expression made Kasha tilt her head.

He had ignored her for so long that even this counted as concern.

But it was still a good change.

Taking her silence as agreement, Daryl continued seriously.

“The Tyrot Duke may be powerful, but our Riuschino Count Family is the Emperor’s shield on the border. You don’t need to feel intimidated.”

“…Is he comforting me?”

Kasha blinked, lowering her gaze slightly.

His seriousness, despite his lack of awareness, felt new. She didn’t feel like stopping him.

At that moment, couples began forming across the ballroom as the first dance was about to begin.

Excitement filled the air. Musicians tuned their instruments. It was the same scene as her past life.

Then… the next event would be—

“Ah, Daryl. I’ll introduce you to my friends. Oh, here comes Baron Fenilton’s son.”

Right.

Fenilton’s son would soon be taken away from Daryl by Odette’s order.

“Ah, Daryl. Is this your famous younger sister?”

“Teo. Long time no see. This is my sister, Kasha.”

And just like before…

“Lady Kasha Riuschino. It is an honor to meet you.”

“…?”

Kasha turned in surprise to Teo, Fenilton’s son.

In her past life, he had completely ignored her.

So why was he suddenly being so polite?