Chapter 51
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nTL: Lilac | PR: Faith
n“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
nAstelle politely bowed and begged for forgiveness.
n“It’s been too long since I have been to a ball, so I’m not good at dancing. I dare not obey His Majesty’s orders, because I think dancing at this rate would be rude. Please forgive me.”
nAstelle was very polite from her expression to her tone of voice, but it was a clear rejection.
nThe banquet hall became so quiet it felt like cold water was poured on it.
nNo one was able to speak out loud, but it was a shocking situation.
nIt is shocking to hear that the emperor, who had prevented people from even approaching him, asked the former empress who he had divorced out of nowhere to dance, and the former empress even coldly refused the emperor’s request.
nIn fact, Astelle was surprised as well.
nWhy are you doing this all of a sudden?
nShe came to the ball to ask permission in front of people but she had no intention of even dancing with Kaizen.
n‘……I really hate situations like these.’
nHowever, Kaizen, the causative, stared straight at Astelle and said:
n“I don’t care about skills.”
n“Again, I may make a mistake. Please understand.”
n“Do you dare refuse my hand?”
nAstelle gracefully bent her knees and bowed her head.
n“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
nIt was a firm refusal.
nIn fact, Astelle was a little worried.
nShe was supposed to ask for permission to send Theor back home first, but things have gone awry.
n‘What if Kaizen gets mad and leaves?’
nFortunately, Kaizen did not leave his spot.
nHe did not give up and reached out to Astelle again.
n“Even if I ask you so earnestly?”
n“……”
nAstelle was a little startled to see the serious emotion in his red eyes.
nShe thought he would get mad and walk away.
nKaizen made it feel like he would not give up all night unless Astelle accepted it.
nShe began to hear gossips around her.
nAstelle bit her lip in embarrassment.
nWhen the emperor spoke like that in front of so many people, she couldn’t just keep refusing him forever.
nMore than anything else, she needed to get permission.
n‘……I can’t help it.’
n“I may step on Your Majesty’s feet.”
n“It doesn’t matter if you step on me.”
n‘I really want to step on you.’
nAstelle slowly placed her hand on Kaizen’s extended hand.
n“Thank you.”
nKaizen’s sarcasm was heard.
nAstelle took his hand without saying a word and went out into the middle of the ballroom.
nA sweet melody slowly leaked out in the light silence.
nIt was waltz music.
n‘In the end……’
nAstelle didn’t like the music.
nUnlike other dances, the waltz brings two people too close together.
nThe first dance started while many people watched.
nAs soon as the music started, Kaizen’s hand led Astelle strongly.
nAstelle also stepped calmly and leisurely.
nEach movement evoked an elegant yet restrained dignity.
n“You’re really good at dancing,” Kaizen whispered in a low voice as if admiringly.
nAstelle did not answer.
nFrom a very young age, Astelle practiced dancing every day under the guidance of dance teachers.
nTo look elegant and beautiful in every movement.
nThere was only one reason for practicing so hard.
n‘It was because of this man.’
nShe could feel the warmth of his clasped hands.
nIt was a familiar warmth that had been forgotten for a long time.
n‘Can this man guess how hard I tried just to hear those words?’
nThroughout the dance, Kaizen didn’t take his eyes off Astelle.
nBut Astelle did not look at him.
nThe onlookers watched her and exclaimed in admiration.
n“That Lady, she really dances with dignity.”
n“After all, the person who was the empress is different……”
nA murmur was briefly heard.
nThe music ended with the last step.
nAstelle bowed deeply to Kaizen and turned around.
nAnd she left without looking back.
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nAstelle headed towards the balcony to cool off for a moment.
nAs she approached the balcony, the mood of the nobles around her changed slightly.
n“Hello, Lady.”
nThe nobles, who had not spoken a word to her until now, approached her.
n“I saw you dancing, you are very talented.”
n“Aren’t you going to participate in other dances?”
nThey were talking nonsense and gossiping when the Emperor was trying to please Astelle and begging for a dance.
n“Thank you, but I’m dizzy, so I’m going to take a break.”
nAstelle leisurely ignored their greeting and turned around.
nIn the ballroom, it was time for the next dance again.
nA sweet melody resounded sweetly in the banquet hall.
nIn the wide center of the hall, a pair of chandeliers were spinning dazzlingly as people danced in pairs.
nKaizen was holding the glass that the servant had brought.
nPeople were also gathered around him.
n‘Now is my chance.’
nAstelle couldn’t waste any more time.
nIt would be difficult for her if Kaizen goes somewhere else after this.
nAstelle walked across the banquet hall toward Kaizen.
nThe nobles that were gathered next to the emperor stood aside in amazement.
nKaizen, who had been drinking, belatedly turned to Astelle.
n“Your Majesty.”
n“Astelle? What’s going on?”
nShe bowed deeply before Kaizen in front of everyone.
nAnd she began to beg.
n“I beg Your Majesty, the Lord of the Empire, to have mercy on me.”
nNow everyone in the banquet hall was looking at this side.
nThere was a look of embarrassment on Kaizen’s handsome face.
nIt surprised him.
nAs soon as the dance was over, Astelle turned around coldly then suddenly came to him with a request.
n“What’s going on?”
nOriginally, Astelle was going to ask at the end of the ball.
nSuddenly and unexpectedly, Kaizen asked for a dance, and everyone’s attention was focused.
n‘If I stay here any longer, something strange may happen.’
nSo Astelle just decided to get Kaizen’s permission and go back right away.
nAstelle slowly knelt in front of Kaizen and brought out the words she had prepared.
n“Your Majesty, my maternal grandfather, Marquis Carlenberg is exhausted from traveling long distances.”
nAll the eyes of the people around were focused on this side.
nAstelle continued with tears in her eyes.
n“He is very ill and is bedridden. It hurts my heart to think that it is all because of me.”
nWith a pathetic expression on her face, she lowered her gaze and wept.
nA tear ran down her cheek.
nThe former empress, who was expelled, is crying in front of the emperor because her old maternal grandfather is not feeling well.
nIt was a scene that looked pitiful enough.
nThe nobles who were watching began to add one word after the other.
n“Is the Marquis very ill?”
n“Oh my, he must be very old……”
nAlthough the Marquis did not live in the capital city, most of the nobles were people who had heard of his name.
nSome even offered to send him medicine or something.
nKaizen, who had been looking with complicated eyes, approached Astelle.
nHe grabbed Astelle’s shoulders with both of his hands and comforted her kindly.
n“Don’t blame yourself. Why would it be your fault?”
nIt was much friendlier than Astelle had expected.
nThe problem is, it was way too sweet.
nWhen the two got too close, there was a strange atmosphere again.
nAstelle pulled her body back slightly to get away from Kaizen, she didn’t miss the chance and spoke quickly.
n“Fortunately, thanks to Your Majesty’s care, my grandfather has recovered a lot. I beg of you, Your Majesty. Can’t you send my grandfather and my little nephew back to the mansion first?”
nSurprised by what the former empress was trying to say, the people watching lost interest when they saw that she was making an insignificant request.
nIt was an understandable request.
nEveryone thought the emperor would surely allow it.
nThe reason why Astelle came along with the emperor was already known to the people living here.
nAlthough they do not know the details, it is known that it is related to the will of the Empress Dowager.
nIt is okay to send back the elderly and the child who does not need to be taken along.
nIn fact, from the emperor’s point of view, it was better not to take the two of them.
nIf he takes them, they will only get in the way.
nEveryone thought so and assumed that the Emperor would grant Astelle’s request.
nSo did Astelle.
nSo when Kaizen answered firmly, everyone couldn’t help but be surprised.
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