The nobles gathered in the banquet hall took their partnersâ hands and headed towards the center.
There were also young ladies and young men who were fond of each other.
The central hall of the banquet hall had a separate space for dancing.
Under the giant chandelier, Asilia, in a gorgeous dress, danced holding the second princeâs hand.
It was the best place to catch everyoneâs attention, but unfortunately, the second prince was bad at it.
No matter how great Asiliaâs dancing skills were, the second prince couldnât keep up with his partner, so they had a ridiculous appearance.
It would have been better to dance a slow and easy dance for the second prince, but her pride could not tolerate it.
As a result, the spectators were busy swallowing their laughter.
Not far from Asilia, Rania was dancing with another man.
It wasnât her husband who was with her when she attended the divinity ceremony last time.
The first song was usually performed with a husband or a mutual partner, so it was an unusual act.
Rania and her partner also danced to some extent, but it wasnât enough to grab peopleâs attention.
Rosena sighed deeply and looked up at Yerhan.
When he asked her to dance earlier, she suddenly agreed. She couldnât even remember the last time she danced.
Rosena and Yerhan came out alone. It was a bit far from the center of the crowd with people dancing, so the surroundings were quiet.
Rosena held out her hand, trembling a little.
Then Yerhan gently wrapped a hand around Rosenaâs hand. His other hand wrapped around Rosenaâs waist and pulled her closer to his body.
As their chests touched, her heart pounded as if it was about to jump out any moment.
ââŚItâs been so long, so I might make a mistakeâ
âUnfortunately, itâs the same here.â
Yerhan whispered to Rosena, who was very nervous.
âItâs my first time dancing with someone.â
At Yerhanâs words, Rosenaâs tension eased.
In fact, it was the first time for Rosena to dance with a man. All she did was learn dance from her tutor at the mansion.
Rosena rarely took part in social circles, and when she was older, she was busy doing her best to fill her fatherâs vacancy.
Yerhanâs hand dug between Rosenaâs fingers. The fingers were tightly entangled like roots, and the body temperature fluctuated.
The two moved slowly to the music. There was no fancy technique, but it was stable because they were considerate of each other.
Yerhan gave Rosena a bit of pressure on her back whenever she nearly missed a beat. Thanks to that, Rosena was able to match the tempo with ease.
Each time the layered dress spun, it spread like petals. It was like embroidering flowers on a marble floor.
Each time their bodies touched and fell off, Rosena swallowed her breath. Every time her face touched his hard chest, her cheeks lit up. It seemed as if there were only the two of them left here, forgetting that there were people around.
When she closed her eyes, she felt a soft scent as if she was being hugged in his arms. Even after several years, the scent of his body did not change.
While dancing, Yerhanâs finger touched her bare skin. Only that part became hot, like a flaming earthquake.
Rosena, who was looking down at the floor to avoid stepping on his feet, raised her head for the first time.
Then, Yerhanâs blue eyes immediately appeared.
The gaze she met with was not as fresh as the ones from young ladies and young men. Deep in his gaze, emotions such as desire and covetousness were also perceived.
As the music reached its climax, it got faster. However, it wasnât too difficult because Yerhan led her well.
Gradually getting used to dancing, Rosena was no longer off beat.
The tension was completely relieved, and the movement, which was a little stiff, improved a lot.
The end of the long music was approaching, and Yerhan placed his hands on her neck.
Rosena placed her hand between his shoulder and neck, and he lifted her upwards in a flash.
The dress spread widely in the air, then sank in an instant.
As soon as the music ended, Yerhan, who had put Rosena down on the floor, bowed straightly. It was a perfect act of etiquette.
âIt was an honor.â
He lowered his back and raised his chin slightly to look at Rosena. His eyes seemed to heat up.
Rosena, who had been staring at him, forgot to catch a breath and belatedly bowed in response to Yerhan. And upon looking around, it seemed attention was focused on their side for some time.
Even though their skills were not good enough, everyone looked at them with favorable eyes.
As Rosena stood without saying a word, Yerhan spoke up.
âStand here for a moment. I will bring you something to drink.â
Yerhan headed straight for the table where drinks were prepared. Every time he moved, the eyes of countless women followed. Rosena also noticed the affection hidden in their eyes.
The women who treated Yerhan as a monster and kept away from him were also waving their fans and looking at him in a subtle way.
Rosena narrowed her eyebrows in the unfamiliar feeling of frustration. She didnât want him to be ignored by others, but it wasnât pleasant that heâs getting this much attention.
Rosena looked down at her palms as she straightened out her messy hair. It felt unrealistic that Yerhanâs body had just touched her hand.
It was the moment she felt the warmth that did not escape from her hand.
âYour Highness.â
At someoneâs call, Rosena raised her head.
âLady Lionel!â
Rosena, who saw the other personâs face, called her warmly. Then Ibella smiled broadly and immediately stood in front of Rosena.
With her hair up and adorned in not too flashy decoration, Ibella appeared full of dignity.
Even among the other ladies, her aura seemed to shine from behind her.
âI am late to greet you because I just arrived.â
âI see.â
Rosena looked at her and naturally smiled. It was the first time they met since Illianâs birthday.
When Ibella appeared, the surroundings became a little noisy.
Ibella was as famous in social circles as Asilia.
If Asilia held power in the social world, Ibella held wealth. However, Ibella was more difficult to deal with than Asilia. Because regardless of status or power, she did not stand by anyone.
Seeing Ibella talking with Rosena without hesitation, everyone became interested. It was only natural that Ibella, who had been hard to talk to even for Asilia, first approached and greeted the third princess, who had no power.
âBy the way, where is the MarquisâŚ?â
Rosena looked around Ibella and asked.
âFather will be back in a little while. Thatâs why Iâm late.â
At Ibellaâs explanation, Rosena nodded her head. In fact, Rosena waited for the Founding Day to meet Marquis Jurgen.
Rosena couldnât go far without permission, so this was the only way to meet naturally.
Marquis Jurgen seemed to know about Rosenaâs biological mother, so she was going to ask him this time.
After a brief chat with Ibella, Rosena realized that Yerhan had not yet returned.
Rosena glanced over the direction he had gone earlier. His appearance was so striking that she was able to find him in no time.
Rosena stared at him, who stood at a distance.
A delicate face with features that can be said to be beautiful, and a solid body under a dark navy blue robe caught her eyes. He immediately drew attention as if he had popped out of the painting.
Rosena, who briefly had Yerhan in her eyes, realized that he was talking to someone.
Standing in front of Yerhan was a pretty-looking woman. She had reddish cheeks, and even for Rosena, a woman, she looked lovely.
She didnât know what they were talking about, but Yerhan was listening to her while holding two glasses of drinks in his hands.
Then she said something while laughing, and he raised the corners of his lips.
ââŚ!â
Her heart sank. The smile that he sometimes showed her was now directed at that woman.
Rosena clenched her fingers. Her chest was so tight that it began to throb. Her whole body was responding to the point that even breathing hurt. She just turned her head, but she couldnât move.
She hated seeing him laugh with other people. No, actually, she didnât like that woman talking to Yerhan.
Hatred without reason kept simmering.
Rosena, who thought it would be good for the two of them to fall, belatedly came to her senses. She was jealous of that woman.
Rosena spread out her pale white palms.
Heartbreakingly stuffy and angry, are those feelings of jealousy?
This feeling of wanting to rush immediately and grab his hand and run away to a place where no one is�
Rosena stood around and looked at Yerhan with her face twisted.
Then Yerhan slowly looked up, perhaps feeling the gaze.
She made eye contact with him. At that moment, the suffocating breath opened up at once, and only his face came into view.
Rosena felt like crying, so she made eye contact with Yerhan. And slowly, the eyes containing clear blue eyes bent, and the whole body relaxed.
Rosena realized. She had been turning a blind eye to it, but she had already got Yerhan in her mind.
Rosena ran straight into the terrace, leaving Ibella behind. She couldnât calm down from the moment she came to this realization.
The tremor that began with the fingertips quickly wore off all over the body. Even though she was enjoying the cold wind, the burning sensation of her face did not go away easily.
ââŚHaaa.â
The breath that she had held for a long time burst out.
Rosena wrapped her face in her palm. Even if she blocked her view, the soft smile on his face continued to glisten in her mind.
Rosena wanted to cry. She felt like it would be sweet and happy if she loved someone someday. But before getting drunk with sweetness, bitterness came first.
She wanted to laugh at herself in the past, who had affirmed that she did not love Yerhan. She really didnât know the day would come when sheâd become jealous of someone.
The blowing wind caressed the cheeks that had been heated to the fullest.
Rosena belatedly realised that she had stormed out without asking Ibella for a proper understanding.
On her way back to the banquet hall, the terrace door opened.
âRosena.â
Yerhan came to the terrace. His disrayed hair seemed to show how urgent he had come.
âDid something happen?â
Rosena took a step back unconsciously as he approached. A hard marble railing touched her waist.
Her calm heart began to beat again, her head spinning and she was out of breath. It was as if he had lost control of herself.
ââŚI was worried because out of the blue, you ran.â
Yerhan stood there and talked, no longer coming close.
Rosena couldnât say a word. Just being looked at by him shook her heart and couldnât speak.
âItâs windy.â
Yerhan took off his coat and held it out to Rosena.
Rosena, who slowly lowered her gaze and looked down at his coat, spat out without realizing it.
âWhat did you talk to that person about earlier?â
âThat person?â
Yerhan looked at Rosena with a puzzled face. Rosena pursed her lips, belatedly trying to patch things up.
âNo, I meanâŚâ
But all that popped out of her mouth were stutters.
When Rosena couldnât finish her sentence and talked gibberish, Yerhan looked puzzled and took a step closer.
Then he answered, placing his coat on Rosenaâs shoulder.
âIt wasnât much of a conversation.â
She was so curious about the small conversation that she was going crazy.
Rosena felt his touch thoroughly through the coat that was covering her entirely.
âWeâve only talked a little bit about you.â
ââŚAbout me?â
Rosena looked up with her eyes wide open. Then Yerhan gave the same smile as before.
âShe said you were so beautiful today.â
She was out of breath. She was ashamed of herself for being jealous of her. And a sense of relief came deep into her heart.
The force that was supporting the leg loosened, and the body tilted forward.
Rosena buried her head in Yerhanâs chest.
Surprised, Yerhan called in Rosena urgently, Rosena muttered to herself.
âIâm dizzyâŚâ
Rosena, who let go of excuses in the wind, heard the sound of his heart. The sound of a heart beating fast and losing its beat was like that of Rosena.
Rosena closed her eyes slowly.
âI like you.â
She kept the words that she couldnât put out in her mouth.