Chapter 68: I took away Yeju's first love.
Regina was extremely excited.
Rumors about the Emperor were rampant at the Academy.
She had heard stories about him being a cruel tyrant and a despot who had given up on being human even before she entered the social circle.
However, the Emperor she saw at the last ball was completely different from what she had imagined.
With hair as radiant as an angel's and violet eyes that exuded a mysterious charm, he had an aura that was unforgettable even after just one glance.
So, she wanted to meet the Emperor properly during this hunting festival.
At first, her father was not enthusiastic, but recently his attitude had become more positive.
"If you really want it, I'll try to arrange a seat for you at this grand ball."
And finally, the day had come.
Regina attended the ball with high expectations.
She already knew that the Emperor had a lover.
But she didn't pay much attention to it.
The position of Empress was more about political goals than emotional connections.
So, Regina was confident.
The Loretta family had been one of the long-standing loyal families to the royal court.
The past tense implied that it was no longer the case.
The cautious Loretta Count had stepped back during the bloody prince's rebellion.
'If I step forward, it means the Loretta family is willing to stand by the Emperor again.'
She might be a more attractive alternative than the powerful Pioneer Duke's family.
"Since my daughter is still unfamiliar with such occasions, could you please do me a favor if it's not too much trouble?"
The Count said this while gauging the Pioneer Duke's daughter's reaction.
He recalled the rumors about her strange personality.
She had broken up with many men badly, and according to rumors, she had an abnormal obsession with them.
"I hope Lady Loretta has a pleasant time."
Contrary to the Count's worries, Karina stepped back gracefully.
Regina let out a sigh of relief without realizing it.
At that moment, she felt a chilling presence from somewhere.
She turned her head slightly to look at Karina, but she seemed indifferent and was only smiling.
Aster extended his hand to Regina.
The gentle atmosphere from a moment ago had vanished instantly.
Regina swallowed hard and took his hand.
Somehow, it felt like she was exposing her neck to a predator.
Aster and Regina stepped onto the floor and began to dance slowly.
Regina, who had just regained her composure, opened her mouth to make the most of this opportunity.
"This is my first time at such an event, but it's an honor to dance with Your Majesty."
"It's an honor for me to leave a good impression on you, Lady."
Aster smiled charmingly as he spoke.
Regina tried to recall the topics she had prepared to keep the conversation going.
She was so flustered that she couldn't remember anything.
She had spent weeks thinking about what to talk about.
As Regina panicked and stumbled, Aster caught her hand and pulled her close.
"You should focus. You might slip."
Regina stepped back, startled by the sudden closeness and the scent of his cologne.
She felt the gazes of the people around her, making her shoulders shrink.
She thought she was used to being the center of attention, but it was different this time. Their eyes were filled with curiosity, friendliness, and even disdain.
Especially, the contempt stung her like sharp needles.
Finally, the music ended, and the two of them stepped off the floor.
Aster took a drink from a passing servant and handed it to her.
An awkward silence fell between them.
Regina, trying to find a topic, recalled the scent she had caught a whiff of when she was briefly in his arms.
It was uncommon for men to wear perfume, but it suited him well.
Aster's gaze drifted past Regina's shoulder to somewhere else.
"The Duke's daughter gave me a new perfume as a gift."
"The one with her name on it, right?"
"It seems you know. She asked me to promote it a bit..."
Aster laughed lightly and finished the drink in his glass.
Then he began to recount a story that sounded somewhat like a lament.
Regina smiled awkwardly as she listened.
Seeing the two of them getting along, people who had been waiting for an opportunity like hyenas started to gather.
It was a strange phenomenon.
Some people hated him to the point of pain, while others were eager to approach him.
Looking around, most of them were girls her age.
"Ladies, what are you talking about so happily?"
Regina, who had been standing next to Aster, was pushed aside by someone else.
Even a few people who hadn't shown interest in Aster a few days ago were now clustering around him.
"What were you talking about, Your Majesty?"
"Would you like to dance with me?"
"That's a nice scent. Are you using something special?"
Aster smiled calmly and conversed skillfully with the young ladies.
He declined all dance invitations and casually mentioned the perfume.
"The Duke's daughter gave it to you?"
The young ladies who had just entered the social circle after the Academy's graduation ceremony were all gathered around him.
Their interest quickly shifted to the perfume Aster had received.
"Can I try it? When will it be available?"
They clung to Aster, making a fuss, but he kept a polite distance.
'His eyes aren't smiling.'
Stepping back, it became even clearer.
His smile was completely different from the one he had given to the Pioneer Duke's daughter.
Regina realized that the man she had fallen for only showed that side when he was with Karina.
She began to doubt her choice.
Then, Raymond Cassel appeared in the ballroom.
He walked straight to Karina.
Their strained relationship was well-known, so tension filled the ballroom.
"Pioneer Duke's daughter."
Raymond knelt in front of Karina.
He bowed his head and raised one hand.
"I, Raymond Cassel, offer you my honor and name."
The atmosphere froze instantly.
After sending Aster off, I stayed in my seat for a while.
'There are many young ladies I didn't see at the last ball.'
Many eyes were on Aster and Regina as they danced.
The newcomers to the social circle after the Academy's graduation ceremony didn't seem to have much animosity toward him.
'The social circle's atmosphere might be changing a bit.'
I observed them and tried to remember their faces.
If they had a good impression of the Emperor, it might be useful in the future.
After the dance, Aster and Regina left the floor.
I watched them have a brief conversation and then turned to meet someone else.
A new queen had emerged while Tatiana had reduced her social activities after marriage.
The youngest daughter of the Gwen Viscount family, who had amassed incredible wealth through trade.
Given her background in trade, the products she introduced to the social circle were always exotic and unique.
Fortunately, she didn't seem to have any bad feelings toward me.
"I actually wanted to meet you."
No, she seemed to be quite friendly. She approached me closely and started asking various questions.
"I heard you're opening a new perfume boutique. I couldn't visit earlier because I was at the Academy."
Rumors tend to be exaggerated the more they are repeated.
I leaned in slightly and said to her, who was clearly excited.
"I was hoping to invite Lady Gwen before the opening. I've heard about your discerning taste."
Philia blushed and bowed her head slightly.
"If you invite me, I would be delighted."
"Can I send an invitation to your residence?"
Seeing her sparkling eyes full of anticipation, I couldn't help but smile.
"Being able to invite Lady Gwen is an honor for me..."
Philia's eyes widened as she looked behind me.
The murmurs from the back grew louder and closer.
Turning around, I saw Raymond, dressed properly for the first time in a while.
His expression was rigid.
To others, it might look like he had made a solemn resolution.
But I knew it wasn't a solemn resolution.
'He looks pale with anger.'
Raymond probably didn't expect me to show up like this.
The Raymond I knew from the Academy was overly lenient.
He had always accepted the unreasonable actions of the main characters.
"Pioneer Duke's daughter."
Raymond slowly knelt in front of me.
I never thought he would bow to me, but here I was looking down at his head.
He raised his hand, palm up.
"I, Raymond Cassel, offer you my honor and name."
I smiled and placed my hand on his.
Raymond touched his forehead to the back of my hand and looked up at me.
Seeing the bracelet faintly glowing, I realized the ending conditions were met.
"Please accept it, Lady."
His golden eyes were filled with anger and hostility.
He had always hated me, and I had always hated him.
"There's no need to feel so guilty about my affairs."
I smiled provocatively, and his smooth expression cracked.
Feeling uncomfortable with his hand still on mine, I tried to pull back.
He tightened his grip and pulled me closer, making his damp and unpleasant lips touch the back of my hand.
He was looking up at me with a slight smirk.
But then, the smirk vanished from Raymond's face.
Turning around, I saw Aster standing there with a cold gaze.