Chapter 77
Before you read, (W)=Wyndert, (G)=Grand Duke, (U)=Unknown Character
Franc braided my hair beautifully for the ball. There were fresh clusters of baby’s breath flowers placed on each side of my braided hair. I almost looked like a fairy when I looked at my reflection in the mirror. (e/n: it said corolla flowers originally but that’s a part of a flower and not a type as far as I know (＾＾；) so I substituted it with baby’s breath because it’s white and looks pretty in hair)
“Every fairy needs some magic.”
Eldeira, who was observing from behind, came up to me and sprinkled jewel dust on my head. As my hair shimmered, I heard Nina and Franc gasping in admiration from behind.
“Kyuuu…”
For the time being, I had to leave Kaiden at home. Kaiden, who was flying around while I was preparing, helplessly sat down on the table.
“I’m sorry. Let’s play together when I get back.”
This banquet was the biggest reason I had to come all the way here from the Grand Duchy. I gently stroked Kaiden’s body as I got up from my seat and hugged him. Then I carefully grabbed the hem of my pale purple dress and went out the door.
“You’re so cute, Shushu!”
Both the Grand Duke and Wyndert gaped slightly as they praised me. Because I had been getting ready since early in the morning, I must’ve looked more shining than ever – because I looked so pretty.
“Hehe.”
I turned around and smiled lightly. The hem of the rich, layered dress spread like petals and fluttered in the wind.
“You’re so cute that we’re in big trouble.”
Wyndert looked worried, then smiled and took my hand. What does being cute have to do with being in big trouble? I couldn’t understand it, but anyway, it felt good to be complimented.
‘You two also look cool today.’
I wasn’t the only one who was well dressed. Both the Grand Duke and Wyndert also appeared more well dressed than usual. This was because they couldn’t afford to lose face in high society in front of the Emperor, especially after having to appear for the first time in several years.
‘I’m sure they will be cooler than the Emperor or Crown Prince.’
I clenched my fingers into a fist, believing that with full sincerity and self-interest. Somehow, my heart raced as we were about to leave.
‘It’s my first time attending a ball.’
Shuelina had never been to a ball in the original novel. She wasn’t allowed to stand in front of the nobles in a ball, because of the uncertain truth about whether she was or wasn’t a real Imperial Princess all the time.
I’ve been to a party where I’ve exchanged greetings with other nobles at the Grand Duke’s estate, but I’ve never been to a dance like this.
‘The New Year’s Eve celebration is amazing.’
The Grand Duke explained to me about the New Year’s Eve party in advance.
After celebrating the coming of the new year by holding a ball at the Imperial Castle for a total of a week, it is said that on the last day, a ceremony is held in front of the spirit mirror of the temple. He also said that the Imperial Family hands out gifts to all the participants to wish them happiness for the coming of a new year.
(W) “After we arrive, you should stay close to me, Shushu.”
(G) “That’s right, because Wyndy will take care of you. You have to be by his side so you can call him right away if something happens.”
While we were riding on the carriage, both the Grand Duke and Wyndert were holding one of my hands and they kept telling me not to fall. This time, Wyndert and I will be attending the children’s party hosted by Azuela. I couldn’t be with the Grand Duke as he would be attending the main ball. That’s why the Grand Duke must’ve been very concerned about what would happen while he was away.
(S) “Understood! I’ll stick around next to you. Even if a pretty person comes to ask me to dance, I won’t follow them.”
(W) “Ahaha, what are you talking about? There’s no way you can go dancing without your brother.”
(G) “You can ask me to dance instead of your brother!”
As I got into the carriage, their worries continued to pour in. I was just agreeing with them to tease them a little.
It suddenly became cold, it had only been slightly cool before. I felt goosebumps form on my forearms in an instant, and I noticed why there was a drop in the ambient temperature when I turned my head.
“Shushu.”
The Grand Duke suddenly whispered to me in a voice that sounded like he was gritting his teeth.
(S) “Y-yes?”
(G) “You should be next to Wyndy when someone approaches you. You can’t trust anyone. They’re the bad guys.”
(W) “That’s right. It’s still a hundred years too early for us to let Shushu dance with a man.”
The Grand Duke and Wyndert spoke as if they were quickly firing cannons and urging me with serious faces. I also hated the thought of dancing with someone.
(S) “But they are still young…”
(W) “What are you talking about? Anyone who sees you will fall in love with you.”
(S) “Yes, yes… I see.”
(G) “Keep in mind. I am worried about the future when I think about how many people will be chasing after a cute and lovely child like you.”
The Grand Duke let out a heavy sigh and muttered. They were so worried about me to the point that they thought whoever saw me would marry me. I know they are thinking highly of me, but….
‘Ugh… Stop it now…!’
In the end, I arrived at the Imperial Palace while listening to their sighs, worries, and jealousy over my unknown and hypothetical dance partner.
The Grand Duke then led me and Wyndert to the hall where the ball was being held.
“Now we have to part here. My daughter, let’s hold each other one last time.”
It was the first time that the Grand Duke held me in such a crowded place. I was worried and trembling. He hugged me tightly at the crossroads, told Wyndert to take good care of me, and then disappeared. We could feel the eyes of a large quantity of people staring at us from every corner.
“Stick next to – ”
“Yes, I’ll stick around right next to you brother!”
Yes, I know what you want to say. I cut off his words and spoke quickly, then took Wyndert’s hand. If we keep walking this way, then we should arrive at the hall where the children’s party is being held.
As I was walking with Wyndert, I saw Lucas standing at the entrance of the hall.
‘Wow.’
Honestly, I didn’t want to look at his handsome face because I resent him, but Lucas was shining even more today than the other days I had seen him. His silver hair was gently curled and it complemented his dark bluish-purple coat. He looked gorgeous even from a distance, enough to draw attention from everyone nearby. Thanks to that, all the children entering the hall alone were nodding to him.
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“I greet the Little Master of the Empire.”
“I greet the Little Master of – ”
“Never mind.”
We too went ahead and bowed our heads to say hello, but Lucas stopped me and prevented me from bending over. Then he put one knee on the floor and held out his hand to me.
“Shuelina, can I hold your hand and enter?”
What, why? When the Crown Prince suddenly offered to be my partner in front of me, everyone’s gazes turned to us.
Their eyes were asking things like ‘What’s with that kid?’ or ‘Why is the Crown Prince kneeling before her?’ as they looked from every direction, I was stuck in a dilemma.
This is a real bother… but because Lucas’ face today looked like it came out from a fairytale, I somehow couldn’t get angry. I stumbled over my feet in embarrassment.
(T/N: I mean, who would complain to be offered to be your partner if he’s handsome, right? Heehee ~)
“Why did you come here? Please stand up!”
“It’s strange because my letters have not been delivered all this time.”
“Uh…….”
If that’s the case, then the Grand Duke and Wyndert must’ve blocked them….
I looked up at Wyndert. I could see him looking towards Lucas with a cold smile.
“It’s a pity Your Highness, but I am already Shushu’s partner.”
“Yes, it’s really a pity to turn down your offer, but I’ve already decided to have my brother Wyndy as my partner.”
Lucas’ eyes twinkled when I said, ‘I can’t as I already have a partner’. Just as I thought, something felt unsettling… Lucas abruptly got up and took my empty hand.
“Eh?”
Wyndert was holding one hand while Lucas was holding the other. As they held both my hands I blinked my eyes in confusion, Lucas brightly smiled at me.
“Then the three of us will go in. I’m fine with it being the three of us.”
“What nonsense is this?”
Eh! I looked at Lucas wide-eyed, while he was having a snowball fight with Wyndert with a casual expression on his face. Wyndert told him that it was ridiculous, but Lucas just turned his head with a brazen face.
“I think Shuelina would be more embarrassed if we stayed here any longer.”
Lucas’ voice was very calm as he said that. But the hand that was holding mine was slightly trembling, and I noticed that he was in a state of slight tension.
‘This makes my resolve weaken.’
He is someone I have to hate…….
“Let’s just enter.”
Wyndert narrowed his eyes at Lucas when I said that, but Lucas’ face brightened. Wyndert looked like he wanted to say something, but he sighed and finally nodded when I looked up at him. Eventually, we entered the hall with both of my hands held tightly by the two of them.
“The Crown Prince, the Grand Prince Vaillot, and the Grand Princess are entering!”
As the knights guarding the entrance shouted, the noise that lingered in the hall came to a halt in an instant.
‘Oh my gosh, that villain…!’
‘How can His Highness the Crown Prince…?’
‘Oh My God!’
I could hear people whispering in my ears. If we (Shuelina and Wyndert) had just appeared, the hall would have still been noisy, but with Lucas, it was completely quiet.
‘To openly call the Grand Duke’s family villains.’
I looked up at Wyndert with a troubled heart, but he had an unconcerned expression on his face as he looked down the stairs.
‘One day, no one will be able to call the Grand Duke family a villainous family or monsters.’
The Grand Duke’s is a very important family on the outskirts of the kingdom that guards the forest of monsters and protects the rest of the country. It was unfair to be treated as demons simply because they have an incomprehensible aura. We need to make it clear to everyone that we are a good family, not demons, and that we are a family that has been hurt by bad rumors so far!!
‘By the way, it’s really big.’
I looked down at the dancefloor, and the hall was so large that it made me feel dizzy. There was a large hall full of people standing under the huge staircase.
At the end of the stairs and the farthest part of the hall, there were two empty thrones. Were those the seats for Lucas and Azuela? That’s because they’re the highest-ranking people at today’s children’s party.
‘Don’t tell me they’re gonna stare at us as we go down the stairs…?’
“Shushu.”
“Shuelina.”
When I faltered in surprise, Wyndert and Lucas called out to me with soft voices.
“Shall we go?”
Somehow the tension eased when I realized I was still holding their hands and I nodded at them. After I nodded my head we took the first step down towards the crowd at the bottom. We went down the stairs slowly. It was a considerate speed as they were afraid I would fall if they went any faster. While Wyndert looked happy as he was escorting me, Lucas looked indifferent, as if he was forced to accept Wyndert escorting me as well.
But in fact, he was just nervous enough to stab those who approached and attacked me. Wyndert knew very well that it was the Empress who wanted to get rid of me the most. It was also possible that he could lose me to the Imperial Family.
(U1) “They are really cool…”
(U2) “Pwetti…” (Pretty…)
As we came down into the hall, the children around us whispered quietly. It was amazing that there was a party full of only children. There were even knights standing at the walls because they were perhaps afraid that something might happen to the children if left unguarded.
“Everyone is looking this way.”
“My brother and Your Highness must be so cool.”
“It’s because you’re cute,” Wyndert said as he tickled the palm of my hand.
By the time I pulled out my hand with a grin because I felt ticklish, the children in the crowd were buzzing again with gosip.