Chapter – 06
At last, the banquet began.
On the first long-awaited day, a grand ball was held in Eve Palace, the largest and most splendid hall in Sinkester.
However, even after entering the ballroom, Leonald had no intention of dancing.
His homeland, Blake—where only the strong survived—was neither psychologically nor materially rich enough to enjoy balls, so Leonald had never developed an interest in dancing either.
In truth, his inability to properly dance Sinkester’s waltz also played a part.
Thinking that women would dislike him anyway because of his “dirty gaze” and the “notorious Blake reputation,” he pressed himself against the wall the moment he entered the hall.
At that moment, William approached and spoke quietly to Leonald.
“Your Highness, Sinkester’s White Owls have reportedly investigated the route we took to arrive here.”
“You mean crossing the Lesser Desert?”
William nodded silently, and Leonald’s eyes turned cold.
He lifted his head and looked at King Erdan seated on the dais.
Even while speaking with the Saint beside him, the gaze that occasionally landed on Leonald was sharp as a blade.
Leonald ignored that piercing stare and took the champagne William handed him, bringing it to his lips.
“Have they even figured out that we are searching for and storing it?”
“It seems they do not know that much yet, but they have likely realized that our purpose here is not merely attending the banquet.”
“……”
As Leonald tilted his champagne glass to take a sip—
“Your Highness, you should propose to the princess today.”
Cough!
At William’s words, Leonald spat out his champagne.
The young noble ladies who had been glancing at him because of his “dirty gaze” flinched slightly and looked over.
Leonald awkwardly smiled at them, then hissed at William.
“Have you lost your mind?”
“But if Your Highness proposes to Princess Charlotte, several issues could be resolved.”
William calmly continued.
“Demyan also sent a proposal, so wouldn’t it be right for us to counter and tie the score?”
“……”
“And instead of using teleportation, crossing the Lesser Desert could be explained as an attempt to show masculinity to the princess. There are plenty of fools who think like that among men.”
“So you want me to become one of those fools?”
“Only if you don’t want to be exposed.”
Leonald let out another laugh.
His sharp hawk-like eyes gave off a cold aura, but William knew that laugh was not negative.
“And if you keep meeting under the excuse of a proposal, you might even have tea time. You could obtain clues about the sacred relic. At least Your Highness has a decent face.”
“A decent face?”
Leonald set his champagne on the table and smirked.
“Still no. What if I propose and she actually accepts? Proposals aren’t something you do on impulse.”
If the princess had any sense, she wouldn’t marry him anyway…
William muttered quietly, but fortunately his ill-tempered superior did not hear it.
Leonald cleared his throat a couple of times, then took out a prepared wrapped box from his coat and held it out.
“Then at least speak with her. I heard the princess cannot use holy power. This should be a gift she’ll appreciate.”
The first ballroom of the birthday banquet had begun.
At banquets, Erdan always escorted me, but this time he could not.
With many foreign guests present, Erdan had to sit at the highest seat and display his dignity as the sole Pope of the continent.
Thus, the person escorting me today was the kingdom’s only duke, my brother’s right-hand man, and the commander of the Holy Knights—Cedric Myers.
As I left the princess’s palace and descended into the garden, I saw Cedric waiting for me.
As expected of the male lead meticulously described by the author, he was dazzling.
His neatly swept-back hair resembled a pitch-black night sky, and his glass-like blue eyes were sharp yet strangely calm.
His tidy forehead, straight nose bridge, and clean jawline gave off both a virtuous priest-like impression and a firm, unwavering aura.
That impression was completed by his white uniform buttoned up to the neck, silver cape, golden command baton, and sword.
“I greet Your Highness.”
However, he was like a robot.
No matter how handsome someone was, if their personality was as cold as ice, there was no warmth to be found—Cedric proved that.
Looking at his handsome but incurably emotionless face, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
“Yes, good morning.”
“Then let us go.”
Cedric extended his hand, and I placed mine over his, walking toward the carriage.
Nine years had passed, and I was now used to his escort—whether eating together, drinking tea, or even dancing at balls.
But there was one thing I could never get used to: being alone with him in an enclosed space.
So today as well, I simply stared out the window from the moment I boarded the carriage, spacing out.
Then it happened.
“Your Highness.”
Breaking the silence, Cedric called me.
“Huh? Ah, yes.”
Startled, I turned away from the window and looked at him.
He had already lowered the weekly journal he was reading and was looking at me.
“I heard you have many suitors. Have you made a decision?”
His low voice made it hard to read his emotions.
“Not yet.”
“……None of them would suit Your Highness.”
“I think so too.”
At my refreshingly straightforward answer, Cedric’s eyes widened slightly before he rubbed the corner of his mouth.
“As expected of Your Highness.”
“But it’s true. I think I’m too good for anyone.”
“Then who do you think suits you best in this kingdom?”
“Is that important to the Duke?”
At my sudden question, his mouth shut.
A silence followed, and I frowned.
We had never spoken this much alone in a carriage before, so the situation felt unfamiliar.
“Duke?”
At that moment, the carriage slowed and the sound of trumpets echoed outside. Footsteps approached the carriage.
“Duke Myers, and the great Princess of Sinkester. Many guests are waiting in the banquet hall.”
“We’ve arrived.”
What was he going to say?
I stared at Cedric. He hesitated briefly, then opened the door and held out his hand.
“Your Highness, please step out first.”
“Ah… yes.”
We walked slowly toward the ballroom. After passing the entrance and stepping onto the red carpet together, Cedric quietly spoke.
“Could you meet me again before today ends? I would like to finish what I was saying earlier.”
“Alright.”
“Thank you.”
Before parting, he kissed the back of my hand.
Gasps rose from the crowd watching us, but I only smiled inwardly.
He truly has no feelings for me. This is just etiquette.
Soon, applause spread loudly around us.
Erdan and Aurora came down from the high seat, holding hands as soon as they saw me and Cedric.
“Now then, the main characters have arrived. Shall we begin the ball?”
Immediately after speaking, Erdan politely asked Aurora for the first dance. That was the signal.
At once, gentlemen extended their hands to their partners and stepped into the center of the hall, while those who came alone rushed toward me.
“Your Highness, please grant me the honor of a dance…”
“You do know I was the first to arrive in this kingdom, don’t you?”
“Your Highness, we are allies under a mutual defense treaty.”
Right, I really didn’t care even if I wore a trash bag.
My mind went hazy, but I forced a smile.
“It would be my honor. But could you please line up first? I need to write your names on the dance card…”
As if it were an order, the gentlemen obediently formed a single line.
I glanced toward Cedric, who had moved away.
As expected of Duke Myers, the “big catch of high society,” he was surrounded by noble ladies with daughters.
Why did he ask that earlier? It didn’t seem like he cared about my engagement at all.
But my thoughts were interrupted by Prince Louis, who extended his hand to me.
“Princess Charlotte of Sinkester, would you honor me with a dance?”
“With pleasure.”
I put on a service smile, placed my hand over his, and walked into the hall.
