~Chapter 50~
“Unmasking the Duke”
“Oh my goodness!”
When Prince Leonard—who has a known issue with his right leg—collapsed during the dance, the guests began whispering in shock.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
The attendants rushed toward him.
I calmly walked over and acted like I was terribly worried.
“Your Highness, are you hurt? What happened?”
The whispers around us grew louder.
“Did the Duchess step on his foot or something?”
“But she’s so frail. There’s no way she made that strong prince fall over.”
Exactly what I was aiming for.
I didn’t push him—just dodged. And no one would believe the prince fell because of someone as delicate-looking as me.
‘Leonard can’t blame me either—he’d look pathetic if he did.’
“Ah, I’m fine. Sorry for making a scene.”
He tried to brush it off with a light voice, but it sounded like he was gritting his teeth.
“The floor was slippery. Sorry for the embarrassing fall.”
“No, Your Highness! You’re not embarrassing at all!”
People eagerly tried to preserve Leonard’s dignity.
“If anything, it made you more relatable. Ha ha!”
“Falling and still looking so cool—that’s real charm!”
‘Is this what power looks like? Unreal.’
‘People really would applaud even if he pooped his pants, huh?’
Then—tap.
A familiar hand gently touched my shoulder.
It wrapped around my waist and pulled me close.
“You must’ve waited long, Duchess…”
But when Leonard turned around—his partner was gone.
He scowled and scanned the room, only to lock eyes with Damien, who had taken me away.
“It’s time to switch partners.”
Damien said in a flat tone, leaving no room for argument. Without waiting, he led me into the next dance.
Beyond the swirling dancers, Leonard stood alone, staring at us with burning eyes.
‘He’s glaring at me because I figured out his secret.’
‘I bet even Damien doesn’t know that Leonard limps.’
It wasn’t the time to tell him yet—but I would once we got home.
As we distanced ourselves from Leonard, I felt my body slowly relax.
“Haah…”
A long sigh escaped.
“Was it that bad? Did he hurt you?”
“No, Damien.”
“Shhh! Don’t say ‘the prince’ so loudly!”
We were still at his victory banquet, surrounded by people! Damien really had guts saying that out loud.
“It’s fine. He can’t kill either of us anymore.”
He calmly took my hand and lifted it as we twirled. His violet eyes locked onto mine.
“So? Did he hurt you?”
“Sort of, but it’s okay. I found out something interesting.”
His sharp gaze softened slightly.
“You’re the one who made him fall, aren’t you?”
I gave a little smile and nodded.
“Impressive. That fall was pretty satisfying to watch.”
“Right?”
“He looked so upset—but couldn’t do anything about it.”
“You noticed that too?”
The music swelled to its peak.
But unlike when I danced with Leonard, I didn’t feel tired at all.
‘I used to hate dances like this. But maybe… it’s not so bad.’
Maybe because I wasn’t being mocked or left alone like in the past.
“Oops, sorry.”
I accidentally stepped on Damien’s foot twice.
“It’s fine.”
“You’re light as a feather. Didn’t even feel it.”
“Uhh… I’m sure that’s not true.”
The music neared its end.
“You look much more relaxed than before.”
“Well, of course.”
His eyes widened slightly behind the mask.
“…Haha.”
“I feel silly for worrying you’d fall for the prince.”
“Whaaat?”
Was he serious?! That guy was the worst.
“How could I? I don’t like those classic, handsome, ‘radiates masculine energy’ types!”
“They feel fake. Like they’re hiding something dark.”
Damien tilted his head thoughtfully.
“Then what’s your type?”
“I like… someone with a darker, heavier vibe…”
Wait.
I cut myself off.
“Oh? Dark and what else?”
He leaned in, curious.
‘Wait. That’s literally Damien!’
There was a reason I was drawn to him the moment I saw his face.
He wasn’t just handsome—he was exactly my type.
“Uh… just dark and mysterious is fine.”
My face was burning.
‘Ugh, I can’t even fan myself while dancing!’
As I struggled, Damien suddenly said:
“Ruby.”
I looked up and met his glowing violet eyes.
“After this is over… shall we go for a walk?”
“Where to?”
“Remember what we talked about earlier? How about that spot?”
He smiled slyly.
“The street haunted by a ghost seamstress who was falsely accused and now wanders with sewing scissors.”
My eyes lit up.
“Yes! I love it!”
I nearly jumped with joy while still dancing.
For the first time all evening, Damien smiled softly.
“Perfect.”
Even in this hostile palace, I felt calm—like we were back home.
“Ruby?”
I took a step forward and rested against his broad chest.
His scent filled my nose.
“Even just for a moment, I missed this.”
Damien’s fingers gently patted my shoulder.
“Shall we make tonight’s walk a full-course date?”
Even as people whispered and stared, Damien didn’t care.
“No matter where you go, Ruby… I’ll make sure you can never forget me.”
Under the chandelier’s glow, his violet eyes—shining even behind the mask—held nothing but love and satisfaction.
[Later That Night – Part 2 of the Banquet]
“Now, Prince Leonard will give his speech.”
This was the highlight of the second half.
“Prince Leonard! Kyaa!”
“You’re amazing!”
As Leonard stepped forward, the photographers began flashing their cameras.
A prince who’d won a major war? Front-page news for sure.
“I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful evening.”
It was a typical, formal speech.
But even knowing how twisted he really was, I had to admit—his words drew people in.
‘He’s good at this.’
I hesitated for a moment.
‘Will my plan work…?’
Then I glanced at Damien—his sharp jawline and sculpted lips under the mask—and I felt reassured.
“Today’s not about stiff speeches—it’s a celebration! If I talk too long, you’ll have less time to drink!”
Laughter spread across the room.
“So I’ll wrap this up and let others who helped make this victory possible say a few words.”
It was custom for other royals to speak briefly after the main speaker, especially at imperial banquets.
Even Damien was expected to speak—despite the public’s generally low opinion of the Maledictus family.
“I’d like to thank my brother for throwing himself into battle to achieve this great victory…”
After the emperor, empress, princes, and princesses had all spoken—Damien stepped onto the stage last.
“Ugh, why’s he speaking? He didn’t even do anything.”
“Shh! Still, he’s royalty and a duke.”
Whispers and sneers followed him.
With everyone fawning over Leonard, Damien stood at the perfect contrast.
‘But what if… something shocking happened now?’
“How long have you worn the mask, Damien?”
“Twelve years—ever since entering society.”
Twelve years is a long time.
During all those years, the duke always hid his face. Rumors ran wild—was he burned? Scarred? Possessed?
Now imagine what would happen if that secret were revealed right now.
“Prince Leonard’s victory brought me great joy—even though I supported him only as a fellow citizen, not as family. So, to show my sincerity—”
Clack.
Damien removed his white mask.
Silver hair, flawless features, and violet eyes like cut amethysts were revealed.
“For the first time in 12 years, I show my face to express my true gratitude.”
The crowd fell silent.
Every jaw dropped.
No one remembered the other speeches.
They just stared at Damien—unmasked at last.
