Chapter 53
Sillian’s earlier claim of knowing “just a little” was almost laughable, his dancing was excellent. He guided her smoothly, covering for her lack of skill, even making her awkward steps flow naturally.
“You’re good, Sillian.”
At her words, the man smiled faintly.
Dancing so close, staring only at each other, everything else blurred away. Her tangled thoughts seemed to settle, if only a little.
‘Now that I think about it… this is the first time I’ve ever danced with anyone else.’
She had only ever danced with Euphen. He was both the one who taught her and the only partner she’d had.
Looking back, she realized that simply enduring the pain of contact with him had always taken so much focus, she had never thought of dancing itself as “enjoyable.” She had only cherished the time spent with him.
But here, moving gently to the faint music, spinning slowly while looking into each other’s eyes, it was far more pleasant than she had expected. Pleasant enough that she finally understood why so many men and women danced at parties.
“Are you feeling a little better now?”
At the man’s quiet whisper, Lynette blinked. Had her complicated feelings been written so plainly across her face?
“Yes. Thanks to you.”
“I’m glad.”
The arm around her waist tightened slightly. Their distance closed further, and his warmth seeped through her whole body.
Isn’t this too close?
Just as Lynette hesitated, she felt someone’s gaze.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
The voice was low, almost chilling. A shiver ran down her spine. It was Euphen.
As if caught committing a forbidden act, she flinched and pushed Sillian away, stumbling back. The man bowed silently to the Imperial Prince.
A heavy silence fell. Euphen looked furious, and she felt as if words of reprimand might spill out at any moment.
‘Why is he so angry…?’
Clutching her dress tightly, Lynette kept her lips pressed together.
“I asked what you were doing.”
“We were dancing.”
“Ha.”
At Sillian’s calm reply, Euphen let out a disbelieving laugh.
“Dancing, you say.”
His jaw tightened. Lynette had no idea how to react.
The two men locked eyes, blue irises gleaming coldly even in the dark.
“Did you think I summoned you here so you could paw at women?”
“I wasn’t pawing at her-”
“I apologize.”
As Lynette tried to speak up, Sillian cut her off, bowing his head.
“Sillian.”
“It’s true I momentarily forgot my duty, Lynette.”
His response made her uneasy.
He was only a guard. Someone who could neither oppose nor should ever oppose the Imperial Prince. If Euphen was this angry, what if he dismissed him, or worse?
She knew Sillian wasn’t a man who would harm her for selfish reasons, but the mood was dangerously tense.
“‘Lynette,’ you said…?”
The Prince stepped forward.
“So you know each other? No… it looks more like you’ve been meeting in secret, doesn’t it?”
Bathed in moonlight, his face was colder and more rigid than ever.
“So that’s why you said those things?”
“Ah-”
A large hand seized Lynette’s arm. She gasped at the rough grip, and Sillian immediately caught Euphen’s wrist.
“Release her, Your Highness.”
“Answer me, Lynette. What is he to you?”
How was she supposed to answer that? Saying they were merely acquaintances would be too shallow, but to define their bond as anything more… there was nothing concrete she could say.
“He’s…”
Her lips trembled soundlessly. Then Sillian’s gaze met hers, his expression tinged with something almost bitter.
“Fate.”
“What?”
“I said Lynette is my fate.”
At those words, Euphen’s lips twisted into a crooked smile.
“Impossible.”
His voice was filled with absolute certainty.
“There’s no way Lynette could ever be your fated partner.”
The scorn in his tone made Lynette lower her eyes.
Sillian’s grip on Euphen’s wrist tightened. For a mere guard, this was far beyond what he should dare.
“Let her go, Your Highness. If you touch her-”
“Sillian!”
Her scream cut him off, sharp and desperate. His brows furrowed. Her heart pounded wildly.
This man knew everything. That she was a fake Guide. That touching her brought pain. That every act of guiding shaved away at her lifespan.
Sillian’s crimson eyes darkened.
“Don’t tell me… you said nothing.”
“What haven’t I said?”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Explain what you mean!”
Their voices overlapped, clashing in the night. Lynette shoved at them both, staggering backward.
“Stop it! Both of you, stop!”
At last, Sillian and Euphen fell silent.
“Sillian, don’t say another word.”
“But he has the right to know.”
“I don’t want it!”
“What is it I supposedly don’t know?”
The Prince’s face hardened, harsher than she had ever seen it. Lynette felt utterly lost as to how to untangle the situation.
“Speak.”
His voice dropped, cold and commanding.
Meeting his eyes, Lynette pressed her lips shut and lowered her head. She knew silence alone wouldn’t free her from this.
Should she make up some lie?
But since Sillian had already spoken, insisting it was nothing would never work.
“Your Highness…”
“What secret have you been sharing with him?”
The man stepped closer. Lynette bit down on her lip, only to see Euphen seize Sillian by the collar.
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