Chapter 24
“Then at least, you’ll dance the second dance with me, won’t you?”
At Julius’s persistence, lincia reluctantly nodded.
When the appointed time came, the banquet hall doors opened and people began to enter one by one.
The nobles each let out brief words of admiration as they stepped inside.
Since it was an unrestrained banquet, there was no set order except for Julius’s congratulatory speech.
lincia took Harvich’s hand and began to dance.
“…You look tired.
If you don’t feel well, you may leave early and rest.”
“I’m fine for now.”
lincia gave a short reply and avoided his gaze.
Usually, couples exchanged light words until the music ended, but she had nothing to say to Harvich.
There was something she was curious about though—why had he suddenly apologized?
But she doubted he would tell her.
“After you collapsed, the luncheon concluded without trouble.”
lincia looked up at him, not understanding why he was telling her this.
“I thought you might still be worried about that day.”
“…”
“…And the reason I was late that day—”
Why was the man who had never explained anything suddenly trying to say something to her?
“You don’t have to explain.
I’m sure you had your reasons.”
“…”
“Whatever the reason, it’s me who has to understand, isn’t it?”
“…”
“Don’t.
It’s not an important story.”
After lincia’s words, no more conversation followed.
She knew she was being childish.
“There’s no need to explain things that aren’t important.”
But she was angry with the man who had answered her coldly that night.
And she couldn’t understand the sudden gentleness he showed now.
Even if she could, Harvich would soon change again as easily as flipping a hand.
It was lincia who would be hurt by that.
She no longer wanted to expect anything.
So it was better not to care what attitude he took.
She realized it too late.
And she wasn’t in a state to spare attention for this changed Harvich anyway.
Soon, she would have to face Julius for a long time, exchanging words and dancing.
Her heart began to race with unease.
When the music ended, Harvich parted his lips to speak, but lincia quickly looked around for a suitable partner instead.
She needed a man she was familiar enough with that it wouldn’t seem strange to dance the second dance.
Her eyes landed on Tereo.
She knew in her head that taking his hand wasn’t much different from dancing with Julius.
And that dancing with Tereo could also cause misunderstandings.
…Especially with Harvich.
But when she saw Julius approaching from the distance, her reason snapped.
Anything was better than a man who threatened her life.
Without hesitation, lincia took Tereo’s hand.
Just then, he had been reaching out, so to the eyes of others, it looked like he had asked her to dance.
Of course, they themselves knew who had reached first.
Tereo glanced down at their joined hands and gave a sly smile.
“I didn’t know you wanted to dance with me this much.
To reach out first like this.”
Julius’s eyes briefly flicked toward Tereo, then turned away.
As her pounding heart calmed, lincia’s focus fell on Tereo.
“…If I must choose between the worst and the lesser evil, isn’t it natural to pick the lesser?”
“You have quite the talent for making me feel embarrassed.”
Even as she felt disgusted at Tereo’s misunderstanding, she hated that she couldn’t push him away.
As the music began, Tereo moved into a slow step.
“It’s been a while since I last danced with Your Highness.”
lincia turned her head at his words.
As if displeased, he suddenly interlaced their fingers tightly.
Startled, she tried to pull away, but his grip was too firm.
It was so unpleasant she frowned before she realized it.
“What are you doing?”
“Since Your Highness approached me first, I’m only responding in kind.
It seems you’re rather shy.”
Tereo, still grinning, lowered his hand toward her waist.
“And, doesn’t Your Highness have something to say to me?
For example, about leaving the north…”
lincia’s face twisted in open displeasure.
“What…”
In society, one was supposed to hide their emotions, but before Tereo she couldn’t.
He spouted so much nonsense that it was impossible.
Of course, he seemed to enjoy even that.
Even now, his smirk made it seem like he was entertained by her reactions.
“When a married lady asks for a dance, it’s for the sake of a private conversation, isn’t it?”
Why did every man seem intent on tormenting her?
Her willpower, strained to endure everything, finally hit its limit.
As soon as the song ended, lincia yanked her hand away.
“Even as a joke, hearing such words from you is disgusting.”
She replaced a polite farewell with scorn and turned her back immediately.
She heard Tereo’s footsteps following behind, but ignored him.
What she needed right now was Harvich.
She scanned the hall urgently.
She didn’t have to look long—Harvich was already walking toward her.
lincia hurriedly grabbed his hand.
“Your Highness, I still—”
“Use the proper title.”
Harvich looked at Tereo with a blank expression.
“Oh, I didn’t realize it mattered to you.
I’ve gotten too used to saying ‘Your Highness the Princess.’
If His Grace dislikes it, I’ll correct myself.”
Tereo grinned as usual, but his eyes held meaning as he looked at Harvich.
“My conversation with Her Grace isn’t finished yet.”
Then he turned his gaze to lincia.
“Your Grace, I leave the north tomorrow.
Will you not grant me a final conversation?”
Barely swallowing her irritation, lincia carefully glanced at Harvich.
Even if he didn’t help her, she would understand.
After all, she had already danced with Tereo and run away—it must look ridiculous.
But Harvich held her hand tightly and moved her behind him.
“My wife is not in good health, so I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
With that, he led her toward the terrace.
From his pace to his expression, Harvich looked like a man brimming with anger.
“W-wait… slow down a little.”
Even then, his grip on her hand was so strong she couldn’t shake it off.
As soon as they reached the terrace, Harvich asked her.
“Why did you dance with him?”
It was true she had given cause for misunderstanding, but was that reason enough for such anger?
It had been Harvich who upset her the night before.
She had been grateful despite her irritation that he had helped her.
But if it was all just for questioning her…
She knew she had no right to feel wronged about life in the Grand Duke’s fortress, but she still couldn’t hold back her sorrow.
“…I don’t know.
Maybe I just wanted to dance with the father of my child.”
