*Episode 7 – *
* I Can’t Believe It*
**Step, step—**
I walked across the hallway in a white dress and sparkling crystal earrings.
But I was also sobbing like a mayfly that knows it’s going to die soon.
> “Ugh… I swear I won’t live long… I’m going to die young in this life too, just like a mayfly…”
I felt so frustrated. When was Carlos going to fall for Azela and lose interest in me?
When was this love triangle with the Duke finally going to start?
If that happened, I’d disappear to the countryside right away. But only when I was sure Carlos wouldn’t come looking for me.
Just then, I noticed a dark shadow appear near my lowered gaze.
When I looked up with a tearful face, I was surprised to see Azela Perry standing in front of me.
> “I greet the Crown Princess.”
I quickly straightened up and bowed my head politely.
Azela looked at me quietly for a moment, then hesitated as she spoke with a bitter look in her eyes.
> “I’m sorry to stop you like this, but… I have a favor to ask.”
> “If it’s Your Highness’s request, I’ll gladly do anything. Please feel free to speak.”
I tried my best to sound respectful and kind.
Although Azela looked a little flustered and even took a step back. Tch…
Anyway, she bit her lip, looking unsure whether to speak or not.
But maybe she had no other option, because soon, she let out a sigh and finally spoke.
> “At the upcoming ball… I want to be the one who dances the first dance with Carlos, not you.”
> “Ah…!”
> “To be honest, I don’t expect anything more from Carlos anymore. But at least for this official event, I want to maintain the dignity of the Crown Princess…”
Her beautiful green eyes started to tear up.
Seeing her trying so hard to hold back her sadness hurt my heart.
In the end, I felt deeply guilty and looked away from her gaze. Then, in a quiet, trembling voice, I answered:
> “Don’t worry, Your Highness… I won’t dance with His Highness Carlos, just as you asked… I promise…”
I truly meant it.
I looked up again with determination.
Azela stared at me in silence for a moment.
Then she gave a small smile and softly whispered the strongest words of trust in the world.
> “Yes. I believe you.”
—
**The ballroom** sparkled with golden lights and grand chandeliers. Nobles filled the space, dressed in their best clothes for the ball.
But I had no intention of squeezing between them.
I had already found a dark corner behind one of the pillars and was hiding there quietly.
Repeating Azela’s words in my head like a lunch menu:
> “I believe you… I believe you…”
> “No one will find me. No one will dance with me.”
> “Why not?”
> “Because I don’t want to dance the first dance with His Highness Carlos—gah!”
I accidentally yelped and quickly covered my mouth.
My heart was pounding like crazy.
**Killian.**
He was standing right behind me in his purple formal suit.
> “Duke! You almost gave me a heart attack!”
I whispered in panic. Killian, confused, asked:
> “…Are you carrying Carlos’s child?”
> “Ha… No! Of course not…”
I was too shocked to explain and weakly shook my head.
But suddenly, my mind snapped back to reality, and my whole body trembled.
I had let my guard down.
The terrifying Duke, rumored to have killed children during witch hunts, was standing right in front of me.
> “W-Well then, I’ll be going! I’m not feeling well!”
I stuttered with wide, nervous eyes and quickly turned to leave toward the bright lights.
But I didn’t get far.
Killian grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.
I didn’t move an inch.
> “D-Duke!”
> “I’m sorry, but… why are you avoiding me?”
> “I don’t have holy power! I’m not a witch! The rabbit and the bird— they just got better on their own and went home!”
I panicked and started blurting out nonsense, like a thief making up excuses.
And then— I stopped.
Because I saw something in his eyes.
His **eyes**—they looked like deep purple **delphiniums** at midnight.
Killian’s face was calm, even emotionless.
But his eyes told a different story.
A man used to enduring false accusations and cruel rumors.
A man who had grown numb to people leaving his side, siding with lies.
But inside, he was rotting away.
He stayed silent, knowing that no one would believe him even if he said he was innocent.
Just then, someone yanked my arm and pulled me away.
A sharp pain shot through me, and I quickly turned my head.
Carlos stood there in a red formal uniform, his eyes blazing.
> “Your Highness…!”
> “…Carlos.”
> “Stay away from Killian, Liliana.”
The Crown Prince. The Duke. And me, stuck in the middle.
The tension between the three of us made everyone in the ballroom stop and stare. Some whispered, “Looks like the Duke is causing trouble.”
But Killian remained calm, expressionless, staring back at Carlos.
Carlos’s black eyes narrowed, and he glared back at Killian. Then he tightened his grip on my wrist and said in a cold voice:
> “Didn’t you hear what I said yesterday? Killian may be a war hero, but he’s not someone you can be close to.”
> “……”
> “My own brother killed children during witch hunts. Most people at least wait until they grow up… but not him.”
Carlos muttered under his breath, twisting his mouth into a sneer.
Then, staring into Killian’s emotionless face, he gripped my wrist tighter and added:
> “Be careful, Liliana. Stay away from him.”
> “I can’t believe it.”
> “……!”
> “I don’t believe what you’re saying.”
Both Carlos and Killian looked at me.
But I ignored them, focusing only on my racing heart.
Then, I looked up—not at Killian, but at **Carlos**—and repeated clearly and firmly:
> “I don’t believe what you said about Duke Killian, Your Highness.”
—
The night sky had turned into a beautiful navy curtain.
The moon and stars sparkled brightly, and purples and blues danced like waves in the sky—just like an aurora.
I walked through the flower-filled garden under that dreamlike sky.
Then I stopped to admire the beautiful scene, my eyes full of wonder.
And **Killian** did the same.
He stopped beside me and silently looked up at the sky.
His purple cloak swayed in the wind, and his pale blue eyes stared somewhere far above.
His silver—or maybe golden—hair shimmered in the moonlight.
He looked like a god, an angel, or even the night sky itself—silent and beautiful.
He took my breath away.
I wondered what he might be thinking in this peaceful moment.
Was he mad that I ruined the ball?
Was he annoyed Carlos had left the ballroom?
Or maybe… was he disappointed in me for begging not to be killed—saying I wasn’t a witch?
Then it happened.
Killian’s gaze slowly shifted toward me.
> “……!”
His eyes made my heart skip a beat.
How could someone’s gaze be so… kind, honest, and straight?
In this selfish, twisted world, such pure eyes really existed.
But something felt strange.
I couldn’t hold his gaze for long.
It didn’t make me uncomfortable—just… strange.
Like there were butterflies fluttering inside me.
I swallowed hard.
It must’ve been the guilt I felt toward him.
I had to say sorry and ask for forgiveness.
I clenched my hands, turned to face him, and tried to meet his beautiful eyes.
Then, in a shaky voice, I opened my mouth to speak.
