/
To think that she had the backing of the Marquis of Seyton, one of the most powerful households in the empire! It was such an incredible oath. “Oh, i-it’s alright…”
As Kiel expressed his gratitude, Marie wore an awkward face.
But when a thought suddenly crossed her mind, she asked, “Is Prince Oscar alright?”
“Ah, yes. He was a bit shaken, but he’s fine,” Kiel said with a smile. “Oh, come to think of it, he also told me something.”
“What is it?”
“He said that he’ll definitely marry Miss Marie in the future.”
Upon hearing that, Marie burst into laughter. Hearing him say such things assured her that’s he’s alright.
They spent time on the balcony, chatting endlessly. There was no specific topic, but it was a comfortable and enjoyable conversation.
‘Masquerade balls may not be my thing, but still, it’s nice.’
It had been so long since she casually conversed with a friend like that—the first time ever since she became the Princess of the Cloyan Kingdom.
‘But who’s the other sender?’ She suddenly recalled the mysterious invitation.
She looked around the banquet hall, trying to guess, but there weren’t any clues.
‘Ah, I don’t know.’
But then suddenly, Kierhan looked at her and smiled slightly. His smile was as beautiful as a sculpture, that Marie’s heart skipped a beat.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
“Miss Marie.”
“Yes?”
“Could you grant me one favor?”
Marie tilted her head and replied, “Yes, go ahead and tell me.”
Kierhan extended his gloved hand towards her.
“……Your Lordship?”
“Since we’ve come to the ball together, would you like to dance with me?”
Marie’s face turned as bright as a tomato, as it was her first time to be asked on a dance.
“M-Me?”
Kierhan nodded. “Yes, don’t you want to?”
“Oh, no. It’s just that… I’m not good at dancing.”
Watching her fumble with her words, Kierhan chuckled. “It’s alright. The steps are simple, so you don’t have to feel pressured. And…” He gently took Marie’s hand. Under the white glove, his touch felt soft yet firm. “I’m quite good at dancing, so don’t worry.”
Thump!
Why was her heart pounding? Marie suddenly recalled the story of Cinderella.
Cinderella, who became a princess at the ball for one night. Was it because Kiel resembled the kind and handsome Prince Charming? Accepting his dance invitation, she felt as if she had become Cinderella herself.
‘Of course, I’m not Lord Kiel’s Cinderella or anything.’
Still, she thought it would be fine to feel like Cinderella for just one night. “…Yes, Your Lordship.”
Meanwhile, amidst the crowd, one person stood out, capturing everyone’s attention.
“…”
It was Crown Prince Rael. People were in shock as they stole cursory glances at him.
“Why is His Highness the Crown Prince here at the masquerade ball?”
“Didn’t he hate this kind of gatherings?”
“Why does he look so gloomy?”
Although half of his face was covered with a black leather mask, no one failed to recognize him, considering that it was no different from his usual iron mask.
“But really, why did he come? It’s His Highness’ first time to attend a masquerade ball, right?”
“Right.”
The crowd exchanged puzzled glances and whispered to each other.
The Crown Prince, who usually showed no interest in social functions, suddenly attending a masquerade ball? What could be the reason behind it?
Someone voiced their speculation, “Could it be that he’s searching for a Crown Princess?”
“A Crown Princess?”
“Yes, His Highness should marry soon. Well, it’s been long overdue.”
“Right.”
“Plus, I heard that once the festival is over, the Crown Princess selection will officially begin. Perhaps he came out to see if there’s any woman he likes before that?”
It sounded plausible so everyone nodded in agreement.
“Now, the question is, who has captured His Highness’s heart?”
They noble ladies speculated in curiosity, touching up their appearance, hoping they could be the lucky one.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Rael was sipping his juice in silence, looking irritated as if something greatly bothered him.
His childhood friend, Prime Minister Oren, approached him in surprise. “Your Highness, what brings you to the masquerade ball?”
“…Just because.”
Although he indeed had a special reason why he attended, he chose to keep it to himself.
“Is that so? Anyway, welcome. A lot of ladies have been eagerly awaiting Your Highness’s arrival,” Prime Minister Oren said with a pleased expression, thinking that Rael had come to survey the ladies before the Crown Princess selection begin.
“Instead of juice, would you like some spirits?”
“No need. I’m fine with juice.” Rael, who wasn’t particularly fond of alcoholic beverages, shook his head.
Prime Minister Oren looked surprised when he saw the juice in the Crown Prince’s hand. “What is that juice? Is that the rumored Blood of Virgins?”
“…It’s strawberry juice.” In fact, strawberry juice was his favorite drink. It’s quite an unexpected choice for someone known as the Crown Prince of Blood, making Prime Minister Oren snicker.
“Is there any lady you like, Your Highness?”
Several noble ladies were watching the Crown Prince. They were eager to start a conversation with him but couldn’t because they felt intimidated by him.
His friend, Prime Minister Oren, had made up his mind to be the bridge of love if needed. “Lady Colleen from the Marquis of Edmund, perhaps? Or Princess Catherine from the neighboring kingdom? Or, this might sound a bit weird, but what about my younger sister, Agnes?”
The Crown Prince frowned, annoyed by his friend’s prattle. “…That’s enough.”
The ladies mentioned by Prime Minister Oren were all strong candidates for the Crown Prince’s future bride. Despite his lack of interest in marriage, the ministers persistently pressured him, to the point that they scheduled the Crown Princess selection after the festival.
‘Crown Princess Selection…’ he inwardly shook his head. It was something he didn’t want to do, but he couldn’t disregard the firm urging of the ministers. As the de facto ruler of the empire, it was problematic for him to remain unmarried, so their concerns were valid.
“Would you really not mind if you never like anyone? Still, Your Highness, you should find someone at least tolerable to marry…”
The Crown Prince coldly cut off the Prime Minister’s words. “Enough. I will strategically choose a woman who’d benefit the empire’s interests the most. Appearance and personality are irrelevant to me.”
It was a statement befitting of the Crown Prince of Blood.
Prime Minister shut his mouth and mumbled inwardly, ‘Then why did he come to this masquerade ball?’
Unlike other social functions, the masquerade ball is specifically intended for men and women to mingle. However, Crown Prince Rael, seem uninterested in any woman, only sipping his innocuous strawberry juice. He looked more like a statue rather than the Crown Prince of blood.
‘Hmm?’
Prime Minister Oren noticed something off about him. “Your Highness, are you looking for someone?”
The Crown Prince hesitated for a moment before replying, “No.”
Oren tilted his head. The way he’s glancing around seemed as though he was searching for someone.
Indeed, Rael was looking for a particular person.
It was none other than Marie, the maid.
‘Why isn’t she here? I sent her an invitation… Did she not come?’
Marie had received an anonymous invitation, and it was none other than Rael who’d sent it.
‘Why did I send an invitation…?’
There wasn’t a specific reason behind sending the invitation. He sent it on an impulse, driven by an emotion he could not understand.
‘And why am I here, looking for that girl?’ Rael sighed. He no longer understood himself. It was absurd that he had come out there, and it was even more absurd that he felt dejected just because he couldn’t find her.
‘I should just go back.’
He didn’t have time to waste in a place like this, when he had a lot of things to do.
‘Let’s go back.’
However, just as he was about to walk away, he saw her. In the distance, amidst the bustling crowd, a woman caught his eye. She was smaller than average, brunette, and cute. Though she wore a mask that covered her eyes, he could surprisingly recognize her at a glance.
It was the maid, Marie, whom he had been looking for.
“…!”
Rael stood frozen, gazing at her. What on earth? Upon seeing her, the hollowness in his chest was replaced by an indescribable emotion. It was a warm feeling that he couldn’t quite place.
“…She’s so beautiful.”
It’s the first time he’d seen her all dolled up, and it suited her well. He thought she looked much better than the other ladies who were overly dressed.
But suddenly, the Crown Prince stiffened as he quietly observed her. It’s because he saw Kierhan near her and holding her as she stumbled. ‘Kierhan? What the hell…?’
Suddenly, his heart grew cold. Kierhan extended his hand and smiled at Marie, and she smiled back at him. They seemed friendly. Why? As he watched their friendly interaction, his mood significantly plummeted.
‘Why is he acting so familiar with Marie?’
Rael narrowed his eyes. Kierhan’s enraptured face, his smiles, and familiarity with Marie, grated on his nerves. No, what bothered him the most was Marie reciprocating Kierhan’s smile.
Rael bit his lip. Indescribable emotions continued to surge within him. What should he call that feeling? It was an intensely unpleasant sensation.
“Your Highness?” Oren asked when he noticed the Crown Prince’s mood suddenly turning frosty.
Rael shook his head in response.
“….No, it’s nothing.”
“….?”
Oren made a puzzled expression, but Rael didn’t respond. No, to be more accurate, he didn’t give an answer because his mind was occupied with Marie.
Then suddenly, something even more bothersome happened. He noticed the two of them quietly heading towards the balcony.
‘…Why are they on the balcony?’ The Crown Prince’s expression froze in surprise. ‘Could it be?’
There was only one reason why a man and a woman would go to the balcony at the ball—to have a secret tryst.
‘No. No.’ He shook his head vehemently. They probably didn’t even know each other well, so why would they have a secret tryst? It was unthinkable.
Despite trying hard to think otherwise, his mind kept entertaining it. Then suddenly, Rael snapped out of his thoughts in shock.
‘What are you doing, Rael? Whatever relationship they have, what does it have to do with you?’
With that thought in mind, Rael swiftly turned his head. Yes, he had nothing to do with them. Muttering those words to himself, Rael shifted his gaze to Oren.
“Oren.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“What is the progress on the proposed luxury tax revision that we’re discussing?”
“…Luxury tax, you say?”
Why would they talk about the luxury tax at a masquerade ball? Oren’s expression became puzzled.