Chapter 96

Her sticky gaze mixed with a flirtatious voice.

Add to that slightly flushed cheeks and a hand wrapped around the opposite shoulder, emphasizing her chest.

I was starting to wonder if she was mistaking my gender.

Why is she acting like this? Did she receive orders to seduce me?

…If that’s Isabella’s goal, wouldn’t it be more common sense to send a handsome nobleman instead?

Of course, if she really did that, I’d rather run away than witness such a sight.

“A meeting between two people without partners must be fate bestowed upon us by the gods. How about it, would you like to dance with me?”

Truly a bold statement.

For a lady to ask for a dance first was considered improper, and it wouldn’t be strange if she received disapproving looks.

The scent of peaches grew stronger.

Her eyes shone with a strange desire, and her outstretched palm was slightly curved, as if trying to pull me in.

“I’m afraid that would be difficult. As I mentioned, it’s not desirable for me to go to the central hall.”

“Oh my, if you’re worried about others, there’s no need to dance there. Look, isn’t the balcony spacious enough?”

Claire, refusing my refusal, glanced towards the back balcony.

Beyond the curtained windows, wide balconies stretched out, one after another, for taking in the fresh air.

Certainly, there would be no need to worry about others’ gazes there…

Wait, I don’t even know how to dance in the first place.

“That may be true, but… actually, I’m embarrassed to admit that I know nothing about the Empire’s social dances. I fear I would only inconvenience you, Miss Claire.”

“There’s no need to be embarrassed. It’s something to be proud of, isn’t it? It means you’ve been dedicated to martial arts. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you well.”

Claire smiled slyly and extended her hand further, as if urging me to take it quickly.

“If I make a mistake, Miss Claire’s toes will be crushed.”

It’s going to hurt. A lot.

A scream so pitiful it would echo throughout the entire Imperial Palace would erupt.

“Despite appearances, I’m a quite skilled magician. I’ll just cast a barrier spell on my toes, and it’ll be fine.”

Persistent woman.

What’s the point of dancing with me that you’re going this far?

My head is getting complicated.

What should I do with this woman?

It seems she won’t accept any roundabout refusals, so should I reject her directly?

Or would it be better to go along with her and see what she’s up to?

Yes. That would be better. Let’s do that.

“If you insist so much, I have no choice. Please take care of me, Miss Claire.”

“The honor is mine. Take care of me too, Princess Hasalleur?”

Finally, I took her hand.

Claire smiled slyly, mischievously.

—-

Unlike the heated atmosphere inside the banquet hall, the air on the balcony was cool.

The orchestra’s performance, blocked by thick curtains and glass windows, sounded muffled, like singing underwater… but perhaps because of that, other sounds became even clearer.

The soft footsteps on the marble floor. The rustling of the dress hem with each turn.

Claire’s whispering voice. The sound of her pounding heart. Even her faint breath touching and scattering against my chest.

Before I knew it, the risen full moon poured down its blue light, watching Claire and me spinning around on our private stage.

Her figure, soaked in moonlight, was somehow dreamlike.

The deepening peach scent was now sweetening not just my sense of smell but the tip of my tongue.

“Yes, like that. Place your hand on my waist… and pull me close as you turn.”

Claire leaned her body slightly against me.

Perhaps because of the height difference, her face occasionally touched my chest.

…Her breathing seems to have become rougher. She’s also subtly rubbing her cheek against me.

Did this woman always have this tendency?

“Miss Claire, isn’t this a bit too close?”

“Hehe, the waltz is originally like this. There’s nothing strange about it.”

Claire, half-embracing me, looked up at me.

Her eyes were blurred with desire, and a sweet breath escaped through her slightly parted lips.

A drop of sweat from her chin fell onto the front of her dress, spreading a sticky body scent.

Our eyes met, and she smiled sweetly.

A sight so tempting that any man would be unable to resist the urge to pull her close and kiss her.

“Now, the performance isn’t over yet, is it?”

Claire lightly stepped back and turned her body. The hem of her dress spread out as she spun.

And then she approached again.

Close, then far, then embracing again, endlessly continuing the dance.

I just followed Claire’s lead and moved my body.

Staring blankly at her sweaty white neck and the chest that swayed with each turn.

…

…

……

……

……

**…Now, if I twist her neck.**

**I could easily kill her.**

**If I pierce and crush her heart, she wouldn’t be able to counter with magic.**

Claire’s seduction can be considered successful.

Right now, I’m barely resisting the temptation to snap her neck.

He was holding on, after all.

The faint scent of perfume mixed with medicine didn’t stir desire, only wariness and irritation, and the touch of the face against my chest was disgusting.

Who are you trying to mess with now? If I were to fall for this, would you just send me straight to Isabella?

So this was your plan all along? Trying to bewitch me with such trivial things? Honestly, I felt like I could just slit your throat right now and toss your lifeless body over the balcony.

And then, I’d go find Ophelia and boast, “I got bored waiting for your never-ending plan, so I finished things early.”

If two people go out and only one comes back, with the other either found dead or missing, it’s impossible to clean up the mess. So I had to hold back. Suppressing the urge to kill was torture. Thankfully, the veil I was wearing hid my expression completely.

A while later, the music coming from inside the palace came to an end. With a brief round of applause, I could sense the crowd dispersing.

Finally, it’s over. I sighed in relief internally, let go of the hand I was holding, and gave a slight bow.

“That’s it for now. It was a pleasure, Lady Claire.”

“I enjoyed it too, Your Highness. For someone who said it was their first time, you danced the waltz quite well. Shall we head back inside now?”

Claire lifted the hem of her dress and extended her hand toward me.

Luckily, it didn’t seem like she was going to cling to me any further. I was worried about what I’d do if she tried to get too close.

—

The banquet hall was quite bustling when we returned. Tired nobles and ladies were cooling off with drinks on one side, while some men had gone upstairs to play cards.

“I’m feeling a bit thirsty myself. Care to join me for one last drink?”

Claire subtly gestured toward the table. Alcohol? No way.

“I’m afraid that might be difficult. I’m not much of a drinker, and I wouldn’t want to cause a scene here.”

How could I trust anything you’d give me to drink? Who knows what you might slip into it?

“Just one drink wouldn’t hurt, would it? There are plenty of mild options.”

“My apologies. I have matters to discuss with His Highness Prince Leopold, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to face him after drinking.”

I drew a clear line. Dancing was one thing, but drinking something you offered could be downright dangerous.

Now that I’d brought up Leopold’s name, Claire, who’s aligned with Ernst, wouldn’t push any further. I’d made it clear that we’re on opposing sides.

“Is that so? What a shame. Well, I’ll take my leave then. I hope we can meet again sometime.”

“Of course.”

Next time, it’ll be with Ophelia. You said you missed your sister, right?

I kissed the back of her hand again as I saw her off.

—

“Looks like you had a good time, huh?”

“Huh?”

Freide walked over to me, grinning mischievously and spouting nonsense.

“I saw you earlier, heading toward the balcony with some redhead. You’ve got some skills, huh? Even with your face covered, you managed to charm a lady.”

So she saw me briefly stepping out with Claire. Though it didn’t seem like she saw everything.

“It wasn’t me charming her. She was the one trying to seduce me. She’s the eldest daughter of House Sigmillus.”

“Ah, that witch from the Third Prince’s faction? Hmm…”

Freide’s eyebrows twitched as she listened to my not-quite-an-excuse explanation. Her expression was hard to read—somewhere between suspicious and annoyed.

“Why, is there a problem?”

“That woman… She’s oddly cold toward men but always kind to women, so there are some strange rumors about her.”

“I get what you’re saying. She does seem to have a certain preference. She was getting all up in my face earlier.”

Probably because she has to deliver women to Isabella, so she has no choice but to seduce them.

…Or maybe not? Honestly, she seemed like she was enjoying it a bit too much.

“Ah, so that’s why your clothes are like that? Makes sense.”

My clothes?

Freide’s gaze was directed at my chest. I looked down and lifted the hem of my dress slightly.

Ah.

There was white powder all over my chest, leaving a pale, dusty smear. Seriously, that damn woman.

I brushed off the powder with my free hand, though it didn’t completely disappear.

“Sounds like she had a good time.”

Freide chuckled.