Episode 6 – A Dangerous Dance
Because of the loud music, Patrick leaned in close to Azrael’s face so close it almost looked like they might kiss.
Patrick (smirking softly):
“I’ve heard the Duchess is the most beautiful woman in the Empire. But I think that title now belongs to you.”
Azrael had been avoiding looking at Patrick, pretending to focus on something over his shoulder. But at that moment, she finally looked up and met his deep, intense gaze.
For a brief moment, she wavered. But then the pain and betrayal she had suffered came rushing back. She no longer felt love or pity for him. That part of her was gone.
Still, Azrael smiled sweetly, tilting the corners of her lips upward like she was charmed.
Azrael (acting gently):
“You flatter me, Your Highness.”
She even blushed a little, pretending to be shy just like Angela always did.
Patrick, pleased by her reaction, gently squeezed her back with the hand he had placed there, a familiar gesture he used when he wanted to hold her close.
The brief moment of ease Azrael had felt disappeared. It was still hard to be around him without feeling sick. So she reminded herself again and again:
Azrael (thinking):
“Don’t be fooled by his face. He betrayed my love and had my loyal family executed. He’s a cold, heartless man. Never forget that!”
She refused to be tricked by Patrick’s charm again. She decided it was her turn to fool him.
Since becoming the Crown Princess, Azrael has worn many masks. It wasn’t easy at first, but she got used to hiding her true feelings. If she had to play pretend to survive in the palace and take down Patrick, so be it.
Azrael (thinking):
“That experience is finally useful now.”
She glanced shyly at Patrick, then quickly looked away, cheeks turning red again as if too embarrassed to hold his gaze.
To Patrick, it looked like an innocent charm. He chuckled, clearly enjoying her act.
But as Azrael turned her head, her eyes met Angela’s.
Angela was smiling like a sweet, innocent lady, but her eyes were sharp and burning with jealousy.
To others, she might look like any other noble lady admiring the couple. But Azrael knew the truth Angela was scared she’d lose what she thought belonged to her.
Azrael smiled even wider and leaned a little closer to Patrick on purpose, locking eyes with Angela.
Azrael (thinking):
“You won’t get anything this time, Angela. Not even this man. I’ll make sure of it.”
Azrael had no plans to avoid Patrick out of revenge. No, she planned to stay close to him. Use him. She’d stop Angela from getting him, and stop Patrick from becoming Emperor.
But to do that, she had to stay smart. No emotions. Only strategy.
The nobles watching the dance were clueless.
Noblewoman (whispering):
“They look perfect together. So graceful, so elegant.”
The Duchess, Azrael’s mother, smiled as she watched her daughter.
She didn’t want Azrael to marry into the royal family she knew how hard that life was. But she never stopped her children from choosing love. Like every parent in the Nocturne family, she just wanted them to find someone who truly loved them.
Still, she couldn’t help but feel proud.
Duchess (thinking):
“She’s my daughter. No one here can match her beauty.”
Meanwhile, Angela watched the couple closely exactly as Azrael had hoped.
Angela truly believed Azrael was falling for Patrick. And her expression showed it she looked enchanted, smiling brightly, as if watching a romance.
Angela (thinking, smugly):
“You’re too late, Azrael. You might have caught his eye for a moment, but Patrick already belongs to me.”
She smirked slightly, remembering the time she spent with Patrick just the night before. She was sure his heart wouldn’t change so easily he had always whispered love to her with those deep, longing eyes.
Still, deep inside, she was afraid. Azrael was beautiful, and Angela knew the extent of her family’s influence. She clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palm to hide her fear.
The music stopped. Patrick and Azrael finished the dance, bowed politely, and stepped off the floor.
Right away, young noblemen rushed toward Azrael.
Young Nobleman:
“Lady Azrael, may I have the next dance?”
Azrael quickly took his hand, using it as an excuse to get away from Patrick.
Azrael (graciously):
“With pleasure.”
It was a custom at Imperial Balls unless someone was engaged or married, you didn’t dance twice in a row with the same person. It was to protect noble ladies from unwanted attention, especially those with many admirers.
Thanks to that, Azrael could easily keep Patrick away.
Still, she could feel him watching her, clearly hoping for another chance.
But Azrael kept dancing with other noblemen, one after another. She had no desire to spend more time with Patrick tonight. He made her sick especially knowing he was dating Angela while still eyeing her.
It hadn’t even been a full week since her family was executed.
She had almost felt something again, but it was fleeting. The pain and betrayal were too deep. She still remembered that moment at the execution platform how Patrick and Angela had stood together. It felt like yesterday.
Later, when she saw Patrick dancing with Angela, her anger flared up again. Her hands trembled with rage, and she clenched her fists so hard her nails pierced her skin, drawing blood.
As the next song began, a nobleman approached her.
Count’s Son:
“Lady Azrael, may I have this dance?”
Azrael quickly hid her fist, smiled like nothing was wrong, and stepped onto the floor with him.
Time passed.
While dancing, Azrael looked around the ballroom, trying to find Prince Leonard.
But he was nowhere to be seen.
Azrael (thinking):
“Did he already leave?”
In her past life, she’d only seen him once when she greeted the Emperor. She thought she had just missed him before, but maybe he’d left early.
Azrael (sighing inwardly):
“I guess I won’t meet him tonight after all.”
After dancing with several partners, her feet were starting to ache. She needed a break. She didn’t want Patrick to find her again, so she decided to slip away somewhere quiet.
Azrael (thinking):
“I need to rest for a bit. I’ll go back to Mother soon… I can’t deal with Patrick right now.”
As she turned away from the dance floor, she caught sight of a man entering from the balcony.
It was Prince Leonard.
He stood taller than anyone else in the room, his face calm and distant. Just seeing him brought back old memories.
Unlike Patrick, who only cared about power, Leonard was a man who truly loved the Empire. He was strong, noble, and respected even her father had admired him deeply.
When he died in her past life, the Duke had mourned for days.
Azrael smiled. Her heart fluttered slightly as she walked quickly toward him.
