Chapter 29
“Hm, it feels like water.”
“Are you saying it’s as cold as water?”
Eyan asked with a slightly stiff expression. But Roni laughed lightly, as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“No. Just that it’s transparent. I can see right through their thoughts. Easy to handle.”
At Roni’s words, Eyan smiled, as if relieved.
“A perfect match for Sharon.”
“So you noticed too, Sir Eyan? Sharon’s lack of awareness.”
“Who would know her better than I do?”
Well, it would be strange if someone living with her didn’t. Roni chuckled quietly, and Eyan began chatting casually with her.
The two of them continued talking about their younger siblings, so absorbed in conversation that they didn’t realize how quickly time passed on their way to the party.
* * *
Sharon was nervous. Gale’s sudden request to be his partner had caught her off guard.
She had only met him once…
She was worried that Gale might have ulterior motives. The men who approached her always hid their true intentions.
There were even those who professed false love, hoping to gain the powerful Bernique family. She had once naively believed that love to be genuine.
Now, dressed in a beautiful blue gown, Sharon looked at Gale, who seemed just as nervous as she was—though also very excited.
In fact, Gale was completely captivated the moment he saw Sharon in her gown.
“Thank you for inviting me, Sir Gale.”
“N-No, thank you for accepting, Lady Sharon.”
“You look great in your blue suit.”
Sharon smiled sweetly. Gale blushed even more, stunned by how lovely she looked.
Is that a lie too?
Sharon thought his expression was just acting. No man in the world would openly show his feelings that blatantly, she figured.
The reason she accepted Gale’s invitation wasn’t just his family—it was because he was Roni’s younger brother. And because she kept remembering his goofy behavior from before.
Sharon held onto Gale’s arm and stepped into the carriage.
At the banquet hall, nobles and commoners alike had already gathered with their respective partners. At least for this one day, status didn’t matter—everyone celebrated together.
Roni and Eyan were nearby, waiting for the party to begin. In the distance, they could see Gale and Sharon awkwardly standing together. Roni figured that being totally inexperienced in dating would be tough.
Amidst the crowd, Viana in a violet dress and Allen in a navy-blue suit came into view. Viana had her silver hair styled up beautifully, and she looked genuinely happy.
Allen was greeting Gale and Sharon. As he turned his gaze toward Roni and Eyan, the music began.
As soon as the music started, Eyan politely extended his hand to Roni. Their hands and bodies came together in time with the rhythm.
Except for Allen and Gale, she had never danced with anyone before, so it felt a little awkward. But Eyan confidently led her without a hint of nervousness. His movements were gentle and considerate.
Roni quickly relaxed, enjoying being guided by him. It bothered her a little whenever Allen appeared in her line of sight, but she tried to focus on her current partner, knowing it was rude to think of someone else while dancing with Eyan.
“You really are fascinating, my lady,” Eyan said, his face slightly flushed, maybe because of the lighting. His blond hair sparkled under the lights.
“What do you mean?”
“Well… you’re always new to me.”
After thinking for a moment, Eyan gave that vague answer, as if there were no better way to put it. It was an absurdly bland response.
“Should I take that as a compliment?”
At her words, Eyan smiled with the corners of his mouth lifted.
As expected of the male lead—his smile really is beautiful. Of course, my Allen is a hundred times more attractive, but still…
Roni’s gaze again drifted to Allen and Viana dancing in the distance.
They looked good together. Allen was leading Viana with precision, and she kept making small mistakes, blushing every time. Allen covered for her mistakes naturally.
It was different from the original comic. Allen ended up dancing with Viana. That should’ve made Roni satisfied—yet she felt a strange gloom settle over her.
Why?
She wanted Allen and Viana to be together, but somehow her relationship with Allen had taken a strange turn.
His final words to her, spoken stiffly and formally, still echoed in her head and stirred her emotions. As she watched Allen, her expression hardened.
That’s when Eyan changed the steps and said, “I think I’ve been a little enchanted.”
“…Huh?”
Roni tilted her head in confusion. Eyan looked into her eyes without saying more.
Suddenly flustered by his intense gaze and the change in dance step, Roni stumbled. But Eyan skillfully held her by the waist and transitioned smoothly into the next step.
What is going on with this guy?
Something felt off. Roni stiffened at Eyan’s sudden display of interest.
Surely this isn’t just because I danced with him instead of Viana? He’s not that easy of a guy… right?
Seeing her uneasy expression, Eyan smiled gently.
“What are you thinking, my lady? I only meant the atmosphere.”
“…Ah. Don’t tease me.”
Roni relaxed at his words. Maybe she was getting full of herself after hearing she was pretty all her life.
Truthfully, they didn’t even interact that much. There’s no way Eyan would fall for her.
She gave an awkward smile. It was a little embarrassing, but also comforting.
Eyan watched Roni’s flustered face shift to relief and fell into thought. His gaze met Allen’s in the distance.
He had noticed—whenever Roni wasn’t looking, Allen had been watching her. Even now, when she stumbled on a step, Allen’s eyes stayed fixed on her.
Allen’s expression as he looked at Eyan was colder than ever. Eyan shrank under the weight of that glare.
He looked away, thinking it might be dangerous to provoke Allen, and subtly shifted their position so Allen’s gaze couldn’t reach Roni anymore—before she noticed.
He didn’t really understand why. He just didn’t like Allen’s eyes always being drawn to her.
Lady Roni Shalligan was someone who, the more he got to know her, the more he wanted to know. Despite her cold first impression, she revealed new sides of herself with every conversation, drawing people in with a curious kind of charm. The fact that she wasn’t aware of it made her even more attractive.
Eyan realized that even after only a few conversations, he’d been impressed by her thoughtfulness and consideration for others.
Thinking back to when Sharon first spoke about her, he smiled. It was a relief that Sharon had such a good friend.
And so, the final night of the festival came to a close.
Chapter 8. After the Festival
“Lady Shalligan, your work impressed me once again.”
Professor Reana greeted Roni with a bright smile. Their eyes met—Reana had seen Roni’s talent. Every assignment she submitted had continued to surprise the professor. With just a little guidance, Roni could become a great artist.
Roni was overjoyed to be recognized. She was happiest when people appreciated her art.
“Your portraits are excellent. You have a remarkable eye for detail.”
“It’s all thanks to your kind encouragement, Professor.”
Reana handed over a drawing of Allen and Viana dancing, still marveling at it. The piece had a unique atmosphere.
Though the scene was clearly romantic, there was an underlying sadness and melancholy—almost as if viewed through the eyes of an outsider.
Reana pushed up her glasses. She liked Roni even more for her modesty.
Lady Roni Shalligan was a rare noble: talented, yet uninterested in the spotlight.
The people in her drawings felt alive. As if a real moment in life had been captured—and you couldn’t help but wonder what happened before and after that moment.
With such a gifted artist before her, Reana couldn’t help but feel excited. She wanted to help Roni share her talent with the world.
“Even if it weren’t me, anyone would praise your art, Lady Shalligan.”
“Thank you.”
“Have you considered submitting something to the upcoming contest? I believe you could win an excellence award.”
