Chapter 73
The carriage, which had been running for about 20 minutes, passed through the main castle’s bridge.
As the distant view of the castle appeared, Lucas and Tristan, who had been playing pranks all along, became serious. Neither of their expressions was good.
I stretched out both hands and placed them on the backs of their hands.
The ballroom couldn’t possibly be a pleasant place for children. Still, I was grateful to the two who came along to protect me.
Finally, I could repay part of my debt to the Grand Duke.
“With the two of you beside me, I’m not nervous at all.”
At my words, Lucas’s eyes widened. The corner of Tristan’s mouth, who had been turning his head away, also lifted.
The carriage came to a stop in the much softer atmosphere.
The Grand Duke, confirming we had arrived at our destination, stood up first.
“Everyone get out.”
Through the wide-open door, the lavishly decorated ballroom was visible. Magic lamps illuminated the path leading to the ballroom.
I took a deep breath and got out of the carriage with the two of them.
‘Seems like rumors have spread.’
Throughout the walk to the ballroom, curious gazes poured from all directions. Most of the attention was directed at the Grand Duke, but some followed me.
It was natural for people to be interested since a commoner child had been adopted into the prestigious Grand Duke’s family.
I straightened my back to look confident. Tristan, who was sticking close to my side, whispered quietly.
“Stay by my side, not my brother’s.”
“That’s cheating, Tristan.”
Lucas, who had mysteriously heard that tiny sound, glared at him.
Tristan stuck his tongue out at Lucas. Lucas shook his head and muttered.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure that guy doesn’t bother you.”
Yes. I have you both.
With these two by my side, I wasn’t afraid of anything I might face. If these children could stand up to it, I shouldn’t be complaining.
‘Cancel, cancel!’
However, upon entering the ballroom, I quickly retracted that thought.
Especially with Tristan’s iron-clad defense that paid no attention to those around us, my face flushed hot.
***
One hour earlier, at the Crown Prince’s palace.
Michael stared blankly at his reflection in the mirror.
His golden hair, the symbol of the imperial family, shone with a deeper color after applying oil. His blue formal attire, made to his measurements, was engraved with the pattern of the legendary Divine Beast.
He fiddled with the amethyst earring on his ear.
‘Will she like it?’
Despite his appearance being praised by those around him, he lacked confidence. He made up his mind and called for a maid.
“Bring me clothes in a different color instead of this. Something like red.”
He preferred a color that the child would like.
The maid’s face showed embarrassment at the command from the Crown Prince, who rarely demanded anything. That outfit had the Empress’s influence on it.
“That outfit was personally prepared by Her Majesty the Empress.”
“So you’re saying no?”
“…I apologize.”
It meant she would follow his mother’s will rather than his, despite him being the Crown Prince.
Until now, even if such things bothered him, he thought it was natural. After all, the Empress was both an oppressor and a solid fence protecting him as a child.
Michael chose to give up, as he always did.
“Fine. I’ll wear the clothes as they are.”
A throne fight he didn’t want, made up of lies. His will wasn’t important in this game.
“Would you please stand up for the final touches?”
Several layers of ceremonial cloaks were added over the formal attire.
Once the brooch secured the cloak, it was uncomfortable to walk. He habitually adjusted his collar and moved toward the ballroom.
Behind him, a servant managing his schedule followed with quick steps.
“Mother?”
“She decided to enter later with His Majesty.”
The servant recited to him the list of nobles he should become acquainted with at this ball. He quickened his pace, feeling the presence of knights following him as soon as he stepped into the corridor.
Michael’s mind was already full of other thoughts.
‘Would even greeting be too much?’
Considering the relationship between the Grand Duke’s family and the imperial family, it would be burdensome. Above all, Lucas and Tristan, who despised him, were always by Liat’s side.
Once, he had ignored his mother’s advice and mingled with them.
He secretly admired those two free-spirited individuals.
“What, you’ve never even played with friends before, being a Crown Prince? That’s ridiculous.”
“Tristan, what kind of manner of speaking is that to His Highness? I apologize on his behalf.”
“No, please be comfortable with me.“
The “friends” his mother had arranged for him were no different from dolls. They were busy praising him no matter what he said. Listening to the mechanically poured compliments became boring.
He wanted to make friends of his own, uninfluenced by his mother.
‘These ones will be different.’
Even being treated like a fool for the first time was fresh and fun.
“What did I do wrong?”
But the first friends he made grew distant for no reason. It was impossible for him, whose information was completely controlled, to find out why.
Even when he approached with difficulty, the two looked at him as if they wanted to kill him.
“Someone like you should just die!”
“With what nerve are you speaking to me?”
From his experience, he sensed his mother’s influence.
Michael, who was more accustomed to giving up than holding on, abandoned the will to improve relationships. He could tolerate it if he thought they were never his to begin with.
But how long must he live that way?
‘I don’t want to let go.’
Even at the risk of going against his mother’s wishes, he wanted to be friends with that child, Liat. With a sigh, he handed over the book he had brought to his servant.
The servant checked the title of the book and opened his eyes wide.
“Your Highness, but this book is…”
“It’s just for passing time.”
Despite Michael’s explanation, the servant’s brow was full of doubt.
『100 Ways to Make Friends』
Michael cleared his throat and gave the servant a look.
The servant, coming to his senses, informed the knight of the Crown Prince’s arrival. As the ballroom doors opened left and right, the knight standing at the entrance shouted in a loud voice.
“His Highness the Crown Prince enters!”
As he walked into the ballroom, he searched for red hair.
‘Has she not arrived yet?’
As his steps slowed, nobles took the opportunity to cling to him. They were all nobles belonging to the Empress’s faction.
“Greetings, Your Highness! I am the one who greeted you last time…”
“…therefore, I wish to convey my gratitude for Her Majesty the Empress’s grace by presenting a gift to Your Highness…”
“The mining business I’ve been doing recently has achieved great success. I would like to offer some minerals to Your Highness as well, if I may have your permission…”
“…Our family has been loyal to the imperial family since long ago…”
The nobles’ words increasingly failed to reach his ears. Michael continued with reflexive responses.
He had thought coming early would allow him to see Liat’s face.
The pleasant anticipation of meeting her began to take on a tinge of impatience. What if she couldn’t come due to some circumstances?
“Our Seilem Barony has decided to support Your Highness the Crown Prince…”
“One moment.”
Michael cut off the Baron’s lengthy speech and looked at the entrance to the ballroom. A sudden silence fell over the previously noisy ballroom.
A subtle tension that wasn’t felt even when he, the Crown Prince, entered.
‘Finally, she’s here!’
Among the nobles, only the Grand Duke possessed such a presence. As the silver-haired man entered the hall, the relaxed air became taut.
The appearance of the family, famous not only for their high status but also for their outstanding looks, caused a stir in the ballroom.
“So, that person is the famous Grand Duke. It seems the rumors about him bringing in a commoner as a Grand Princess are true.”
“That child must be the Grand Princess.”
Behind the Grand Duke, who walked ahead exuding intimidation, three people followed in a row. Michael’s lips relaxed upon finding the person he was looking for.
‘It suits her well.’
The dress, the same color as her hair, suited the child well. However, the nobles’ conversations about Liat irritated him.
“At best, she’s just a commoner child dressed up rather convincingly.”
“Perhaps he’s getting senile with age.”
“Indeed. What was the Grand Duke thinking with that child? Perhaps she resembles his daughter who died in an accident.”
The nobles’ words gradually became more extreme, reassured by the Crown Prince’s presence nearby. Michael couldn’t help but turn to the person who had spoken.
It was a Baron who ran a cotton textile business in the southern territory.
‘His name was Corniel Cotton, wasn’t it?’
He mentally reviewed ways to raise the tariff on the Baron’s cotton textiles. The business the Baron had been boasting about would soon lose its luster.
‘This much I can do without mother’s help.’
Michael sighed and looked back at where Liat was.
Quite a few nobles were giving her unpleasant looks. Even with the Grand Duke standing there, they couldn’t hide their uniquely base curiosity.
He looked up at the noble standing in front of him, speaking to him.
“Your Highness. My name is Daniel Scotch. I was introduced to you before Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Yes. Daniel, if it’s alright, let’s talk over there.”
Michael took a position near Liat. While his gaze was directed at the person in front of him, all his attention was focused on Liat’s every move.
Perhaps because of the close distance, he could hear the three people’s voices.
“Tristan. Stop glaring at people passing by.”
“Little one, this all has meaning! This way they won’t bother you!”
“That’s right. It would be troublesome if someone were to ask you to be their partner. It’s necessary, even if it looks unseemly.”
“Brother, please be quiet.”
Michael detected the change in Lucas and Tristan. After the Grand Duchess’s funeral, the atmosphere of the two, who had been as sharp as awls, had changed.
Even Lucas, who used to cut others off like a knife, softened his demeanor when looking at Liat.
‘It was the same when dancing.’
The image of the three dancing in his head came to mind.
‘I too…’
Michael swore he didn’t want to trouble Liat, who had become his friend. But seeing the nobles paired off in groups, a desire he had never had before stimulated him.
Wouldn’t it be a good memory to share the debutante’s first dance together?
‘Even if I never see her again.’
There weren’t many points of contact between him and Liat, who had become a Grand Princess. Recognizing that this ball might be his only opportunity, his body moved.
When he came to his senses, he had extended his hand to Liat.
‘She’ll hate me.’
Two eyes, wide open and trembling, were captured in his vision. He focused on Liat’s lips.
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