Daniela let out a short exclamation of surprise. Then, as if to make a point, she stood up, bowed politely on one knee, and sat back down.
“Hello, Miss Emily.”
“…!”
“Are you satisfied now?”
With one corner of her mouth lifted in a smirk, Daniela stared directly at Emily. Before anyone noticed, the attention of the nearby nobles had shifted to the two of them.
Emily glared at Daniela, biting her lower lip as if out of frustration. Then suddenly, she let out a short, mocking laugh and continued speaking.
“Abandoned by the Crown Prince, and now suddenly the Duchess of Albrecht—does the world feel like it’s yours now?”
“What?”
“Truly impressive. How are you so talented? You always seem to find a prince to save you every time you’re in trouble. I’m curious—what’s your secret? You’re not using some suspicious dark magic, are you?”
“…Ha.”
Daniela laughed in disbelief. She wanted to retort, Watch your words. I didn’t go looking for a prince—he came to me, practically threatening marriage.
But instead, she gave a cold smile and replied in a gentle tone.
“Do you really need magic to win someone’s heart?”
“…What?”
“Maybe you don’t know this, but the best way to earn someone’s sincerity is to treat them with honesty and openness. …But I suppose someone like you, who only knows how to sneak around and mock others, could never manage that.”
Daniela stood up again, gently patted Emily’s tense shoulder, and continued.
“I still don’t understand why you’re acting like this toward me… But if something in the past upset you, you could’ve just said so. No need to act so petty. Look at yourself—now you’re just embarrassing.”
“Ugh…”
“I don’t know what I might’ve done to you in the past, but I apologize. Just this once, I’ll be generous and let it go. But from now on, I expect you to show proper respect. After all, I’m a duchess, and you’re just a noblewoman. Right?”
At that moment, the nobles who had been watching with great interest turned their mocking gazes on Emily. It was a clear defeat.
Emily’s face turned crimson with humiliation. Clenching her fists, she trembled all over and glared at Daniela before pushing her way through the crowd and fleeing.
With a deep sigh, Daniela returned to her seat. She felt drained. While confronting Emily had been satisfying, now that it was over, she felt slightly embarrassed to have caused a scene.
“My lady.”
Mella and the maids of House Albrecht had pushed through the crowd to reach her. Daniela smiled awkwardly and said:
“You saw that? Sorry.”
“No need to apologize, my lady. You did the right thing.”
“Indeed. No matter how close she is to the princess, how dare she act so rudely to a duchess? She deserved a far greater insult than what she got.”
“Thanks for saying that.”
Buoyed by the support of Mella and the maids, Daniela managed a small smile.
The banquet continued. The maids, trying to lift Daniela’s spirits, sat beside her and shared gossip and amusing stories from high society.
Daniela only listened quietly. She wasn’t up to date on current rumors, and saying the wrong thing could accidentally reveal something about the future, which would be disastrous.
Maybe that’s why it felt so dull. She even felt like her energy was being drained.
“Oh, my lady—your glass is empty. Shall I get you another?”
At Mella’s words, Daniela shook her head and slowly stood up.
“I’ll go get some fresh air. That’s alright, isn’t it?”
“I’ll come with you, my lady.”
“No, I’d rather go alone. I won’t go far, and I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry.”
She then headed for a nearby balcony.
As she pulled back the heavy curtain and stepped inside, a cool breeze swept over her. Just as Daniela was taking a deep breath—
“I heard you used to be quite close to Miss Emily Linburton.”
“…!”
“Something must’ve happened between you two that I wasn’t aware of.”
Startled by the voice from behind, Daniela nearly screamed silently. It was Adrian.
“Apologies. Did I startle you?”
“No, but… why are you here? Did you have something to say to me?”
Placing a hand over her chest to calm herself, Daniela asked with a wary expression. Adrian gave a wry smile.
“Have we become so distant that we can’t even talk without a reason? I’m a little hurt.”
“…Oh. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry.”
Daniela apologized awkwardly. An uncomfortable silence fell between them.
Adrian silently looked at her profile. Her long, luscious red hair fluttered in the breeze—it was beautiful. Unlike when she lived in the Crown Prince’s palace, she now carried a fresh, pleasant scent that he found captivating.
Daniela, meanwhile, didn’t know what to do under Adrian’s intense gaze. She didn’t understand why he was looking at her like that. If he had something to say, she wished he’d just say it and leave. His silent staring made her uncomfortable.
The silence was getting unbearable. She had to say something to get Adrian to leave.
Thinking that, Daniela opened her mouth first.
“I heard the news. That you’re getting engaged soon.”
“…What?”
“I was told that His Majesty and Her Highness the Princess had already picked out several young ladies from noble families for you—and that today’s event is basically your matchmaking party.”
“……”
“Have you met them yet? They must all be beautiful and lovely ladies. The ball is about to start—shouldn’t you be dancing with them?”
Adrian’s gentle face stiffened slightly.
Seeing her smile so brightly while talking about his engagement, Adrian felt a dull ache in his chest, like something heavy was pressing down on it.
Did she truly feel nothing? Even though she used to be his fiancée not long ago. Had she really moved on completely?
He knew her reaction was appropriate—what was expected. But still, he couldn’t help the sting of disappointment.
For the first time in his life, Adrian felt a lump of sorrow rise in his chest. His voice dropped slightly as he replied.
“I appreciate your concern, but that’s not something for you to worry about.”
“…I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn.”
Caught off guard by Adrian’s sudden coldness, Daniela apologized. She didn’t think she’d said anything offensive, yet his distant tone confused her. At the same time, she felt slightly relieved. This gave her an excuse to leave.
Daniela glanced at Adrian and continued carefully.
“I apologize again for my careless words and actions, Your Highness. I understand that seeing me is uncomfortable, so I’ll take my leave now.”
At that moment, a sense of urgency surged within Adrian.
He couldn’t let her walk away like this. If she left now, he feared he might never get another chance to speak with her again.
That irrational urgency and longing moved him. Adrian reached out and grabbed Daniela’s dress sleeve.
“If you truly meant that apology, then I’d like to ask you for one favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
“Just once more—would you dance with me?”
“What?”
Caught off guard by his sudden request, Daniela asked in a sharp voice.
“I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.”
Just then, a cold voice rang out from behind.
Ashid entered through the curtain with a stern face. He pried Adrian’s hand off Daniela’s sleeve and stepped between them, his tone icy.
“No matter how close you were in the past, I don’t know what kind of man asks another man’s wife to dance—especially behind his back.”
“…You misunderstand, brother. I had no indecent intentions. And as far as I know, there’s no rule against dancing with a married woman.”
Adrian replied calmly.
Even if Ashid was Daniela’s legal husband, he had no right to control her every interaction in society.
Adrian had never understood Ashid’s constant hovering over Daniela. It felt unjust.
