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n***

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nThe dance hall next to the second annex was a small building prepared exclusively for balls. Of course, it was smaller than the other buildings in the imperial ialace, but it was very large for a dance hall. The floor area was large enough that about fifty couples could dance at the same time. There were only three halls of this size in the entire capital.

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nIt was not uncommon to hold large-scale balls. Most of the nobles held banquets, but rarely held dances exclusively for dancing. This was especially the case because the elderly ladies dominated the social world, and balls were the place for young girls and young people to meet and socialize.

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nTherefore, there were times when a ball was not held until spring had passed unless a good-natured lady held one out of the goodness of her heart.

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n“It’s a ball, it’s really fun!”

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n“Are the noblemen coming too?”

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nIt was nice to hear the babbling of the blushing young ladies. Rosalind leaned against a wall and watched the people entering the ballroom.

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n“They’re coming in.”

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n“Who?”

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nPerhaps remembering Hui’s words that Kahir was sure to come, Rosaline involuntarily stood up straight and turned her eyes towards the entrance.

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n“The young noblemen.”

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nThose words unwittingly relieved the tension in her stomach. She turned her back to the door.

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nHui smiled and patted Rosaline’s skirt as if fixing it. “You are waiting, aren’t you?”

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n“Who am I waiting for, Hui? His Majesty? I’m sorry, but he doesn’t even enjoy dancing, and he thinks balls like these are only for lazy nobles with nothing to do. I have no expectations,” she said distractedly.

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nShe only noticed that the chattering had ceased when Hui bowed in front of her. Only noticed that her nose was being tickled by a familiar scent, ears filled with a low-pitched, charming voice.

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n“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Rosaline, but I came.”

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n“Your Majesty!” She turned around and sank into a curtsy, her skirt swishing around her.

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n‘It’s real. He’s real.’

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nCahir had put on his best for the ball. His normally disheveled hair was slicked back with pomade, revealing his forehead. The gold embroidery on the collar of his outfit looked luxurious, not at all out of place in the equally sumptuous material of his clothes, so smooth that one could see his muscles ripple at the slightest movement.

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nAnd that was all.

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nHe didn’t shade his eyebrows, nor did he put too many accessories on himself. He was even wearing his normal shoes. Still, he caught everyone’s eye, though his being the emperor likely played some part in that.

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nRosaline looked down at herself, once again feeling overdressed in comparison. She felt strangely defeated.

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n‘I guess it can’t be helped that I wasn’t born with the author’s affection like he was.’

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nShe swallowed bitterly, deciding that as long as he didn’t laugh at her, she would be satisfied even without compliments.

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n“Rosaline…” Cahir trailed off, his throat bobbing.

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n“Um, Your Majesty, if…”

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n“Shush, Rosaline,” he interrupted, but he didn’t say anything more. He simply stared, eyes deepening.

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nShe began to feel the weight of all the eyes on them. “Your Majesty, if you’re planning on just standing there, I’ll have to excuse myself to go dance.”

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nJust in time, they heard the squeaking sounds of the musicians tuning their instruments, signaling the start of the first dance. Finally, their audience scattered and became busy with other things.

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n“Your Majesty, please let me pass…”

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n“You’re beautiful.”

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nRosaline stiffened. Behind them, Hui smiled triumphantly.

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n“Where are you looking, Rosaline?” He stepped closer, almost possessively.

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n“Your Majesty, you are too close.”

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n“Not if we’re dancing. Hui, can you write my name on Rosaline’s card?” Cahir asked, his eyes unmoving.

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n“You haven’t even asked me to dance yet.”

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n“Are you going to decline?”

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n“That’s a different matter. Also, how could I…”

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n“Rosaline, I’m rather troubled. Are you going to dance with someone else in front of me, looking that beautiful? I’m the only one in the empire who can match you. Even if you dance with someone with good intentions, you will only crush them with your superior looks. It would be so cruel.”

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nWas that a compliment or an insult?

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nShe hadn’t yet decided which it was when Cahir gently held her hand and pulled her to the center of the dance floor. Those who already had a partner smoothly stepped aside for them, making the ball look like a grand wedding reception.

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nNo one had put their name on Rosaline’s card, in the same way that no one expected Cahir’s name on theirs. The two were already perfectly matched, and everyone acknowledged it.

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nWell, except for Ella.

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nThe first song was a light waltz.

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nRosalind didn’t even have to worry. Because Kahir gently rolled her hands and made her way to the center of her hall. People who were already seated naturally moved to the side. The day of the prom turned into a grand wedding reception.

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nNo one put her name on Rosalind’s card, and no one expected Kahir’s dance request. Rosalind and Cahir were already the perfect pair. Everyone admitted it.

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nExcept for Ella.

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nAs the two of them sat down, a light waltz came out.

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n“It’s our second dance.”

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nIt was the second time after Azela’s birthday party. Rosaline nodded.

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nA large hand cupped her waist, pulling her in. Cahir’s gaze passed over her shoulders and rested briefly on her collarbones. “After this song is over, I’ll get you a shawl right away.”

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n“Hm? I’m not cold.”

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n“You look like you are.”

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n“No, I am not cold. All the eyes on us are making me feel feverish.”

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nCahir didn’t respond. Instead, he focused on dancing, Rosaline following his lead.

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nShe was confident that she could manage the waltz, the most basic social dance. No, actually, no matter how difficult it was, she was confident that she would be able to do it as long as Cahir was leading. He was so good that he could elevate someone’s dancing to a passable level even if they had no sense of rhythm.

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n“Rosaline, don’t you have anything to say to me?”

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n“What do you mean, Your Majesty?”

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n“I told you you were beautiful when I saw you, so aren’t I supposed to receive a compliment out of courtesy as well?”

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n“You don’t like those. You told me that compliments should always be said with the utmost sincerity.”

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nIndeed, Cahir looked great today. Unlike his usual casual appearance, his neatness further emphasized his masculinity. Had she still been working as his secretary, Rosaline would have praised his current appearance to death.

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nHad she not been dancing with him in close quarters, her heart beating violently…

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n“Even then, please compliment me. Don’t I look cool today?”

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nThe waltz was coming to an end, the passion in Cahir’s eyes confounding her, making her wonder if he wanted more than just praise.

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n“Rosaline, are you sure you won’t?”

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nHis lips were chapped. She couldn’t stop staring at them.

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n“Please, Rosaline.” His breath disturbed the stray hairs on her forehead.

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n‘It’s just my hair. I feel this way because my hair is tickling me.’

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nWhy did his words feel so far away?

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nNoticing that she was averting her eyes, Cahir smiled slowly and tilted his head. He looked confoundingly different at that angle, like a man, not a teasing boy.

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nRosaline shifted backwards.

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n“Hey, the song isn’t over yet.” He took back the small distance she had gained, his scent piercing her lungs.

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n‘He really is cool…’

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n“I can tell just by looking at your face. You have a crush on me, don’t you?”

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n‘…No, he just looks like it.”

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nRosaline came to her senses, snorting. “Pfft, not at all,” she said, mildly relieved that her heart was slowing down to a normal pace.

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nAgain, he smiled beautifully. “It was a wonderful dance, Lady Rosaline.”

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n“It wasn’t bad, Your Majesty.”

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n“Ah, then I’ll have to dance even better next time.” He reached for her hand to escort her to the table.

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nAt that moment, a string in her heart snapped.

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nThe relationship between them had changed.

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nShe no longer felt anxious to please him. Although she was… conscious of him, she felt comfortable enough to do and say what she wanted, to refute him if she thought he was wrong.

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nRosaline no longer had the attitude of a tyrant’s secretary, and neither did Cahir treat her as such, much less act like how he used to.

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nEveryone knew that he was particularly generous to her, but she never realized it until then.

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n‘I wonder if… he’ll only be this way towards me.’

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nShe looked down at his hand.

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n“Aren’t you going to hold it?”

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n“…I won’t.”

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nFor some reason, she felt like being a bit grumpy. Rosaline grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled away, leaving Cahir on the floor.

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nA flash of embarrassment passed his face before he swiftly followed her, ignoring the gazes of all the other young women in the hall.

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