~Chapter 94~
For Partrizia, today’s ball was the absolute worst.
She was already irritated by Leah’s presence, but what really drove her mad was the terrible quality of the men who asked her to dance — all because of Leah.
“How dare these nobodies ask me to dance!”
All the decent men were too busy staring at Leah dancing with Johann, waiting for their chance.
Because of that, Patrizia only got to dance once and had to sit around like a wallflower.
“I’m supposed to be the star of the social scene!”
“What’s so special about that girl that everyone’s losing their minds over her?”
Partrizia muttered, glaring at Leah.
“Why? I can’t take my eyes off her either.”
Florian, sitting next to her, twirled his wine glass and teased.
His eyes had been glued to Leah the whole time.
“…I knew a dress like that would look good on her.”
He stared at Leah like a snake watching prey.
“Don’t you agree, sis?”
“There’s nothing to agree with! I’m so annoyed, I can’t stay here any longer!”
Patrizia, unable to control her anger, tried to get up.
“…Patrizia.”
That’s when Narcissa, her mother, grabbed her hand.
“You can’t leave right now.”
“…Mother!”
Tears welled up in Patrizia’s eyes.
‘Why is she always trying to stop me!’
“If you make such a scene over something like this, the very thing you’re afraid of will happen.”
“…”
“Everyone will laugh at you.”
“But if I stay, I’ll just have to keep watching that girl…!”
“You’re royalty. Even if that girl bothers you, you need to endure it.”
Narcissa said coldly.
“Remember, your shame is my shame as your mother.”
Patrizia trembled.
Her mother was truly angry.
That meant she needed to stay quiet.
“…Yes, Mother. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Patrizia bit her lip and sat back down.
Her hands trembled as she gripped the chair.
She was boiling inside.
‘I won’t let this humiliation slide.’
She glared at Leah with hatred.
‘Let’s see how long you keep smiling after making a fool of me.’
‘You’ll pay for this.’
She downed the wine in one go.
Hearing her grinding her teeth, Florian shook his head.
—
Leah flinched.
While taking a break at the table with Johann, she suddenly looked around.
“Leah, are you okay?”
Johann asked gently.
“…It’s nothing.”
Leah rubbed the back of her neck.
‘Why did I suddenly get chills?’
She sipped the champagne Johann gave her and glanced toward the royal family’s table.
Was it because of Carmen?
Thinking of Carmen’s look earlier, she could tell she was planning something again.
Maybe she’d use perfume again? That would be easier to handle.
If she tried to spray it in her face again, Leah would just run with it.
“Duke Blumhardt, there you are.”
A middle-aged man with a stylish mustache walked up quickly to Johann.
“What is it, Count Kessler?”
Johann looked at him curiously.
“I’m sorry to bring this up during a joyful event, but…”
Kessler lowered his voice and glanced around.
“There’s interference in carrying out the proposal we passed during the last policy meeting.”
“…We should talk in the lounge.”
Johann’s expression turned serious.
“Shall we?”
“Let’s. Leah, will you be okay alone for a bit?”
He gestured for the count to go ahead, then turned to Leah.
“Of course, don’t worry.”
Leah was a little uneasy about being alone, but she didn’t want to interfere.
‘It’ll only be for a moment.’
She figured no one would cause trouble in such a public setting.
“…Hello, Miss Leah.”
A few young men who’d noticed Johann was gone approached her.
This caught Leah completely off guard.
“I’m the second son of Marquis Westin…”
“I’m the eldest son of Count Landsberg…”
Suddenly, three or four men surrounded her.
Some wanted to dance, others were curious, and some were just blatantly staring at her.
“You danced with Duke Blumhardt, so how about giving me a turn now?”
“Ah, I…”
She wasn’t confident about dancing with anyone but Johann yet.
“You danced surprisingly well.”
Weird compliments…
“You’re the most beautiful person here tonight. Honestly, I thought all commoners looked the same. Oh — but you’re not a commoner anymore, are you?”
And flat-out offensive remarks.
“I was curious why Duke Blumhardt broke off the engagement with Princess Partrizia… now I get it.”
Their blatant curiosity suffocated her.
“…”
She felt very uncomfortable and instinctively took a step back.
‘What do I do? The duchess told me how to handle situations like this, but I can’t speak…’
And now she saw Florian heading her way, which made her freeze even more.
“Sorry, but I…”
Leah tried to say something — anything.
“Miss Leah, I’ve been looking for you.”
Just then, Matthias appeared.
“…Your Highness.”
“I came to dance with you, remember? Oh, and I see you’re surrounded by fine gentlemen.”
“…Dance?”
Matthias winked at her.
“…Okay.”
Could she really dance with the Crown Prince?
“Excuse us.”
The Crown Prince glanced sharply at the men and placed Leah’s hand on his arm, leading her away.
“Miss Leah, don’t worry. I came to help you get out of that situation. Just relax and enjoy the dance.”
Light music began to play.
“This is an easy piece. Even kids can dance to it. If you’re nervous, just follow my lead.”
“…Alright.”
The nobles stared wide-eyed.
The Crown Prince was dancing with a woman who used to be a commoner — it meant he officially recognized her as Johann’s fiancée.
“You’ll probably face more uncomfortable situations like this at future balls.”
Matthias said kindly.
“Johann won’t always be around.”
“…”
“Don’t think too hard about people who approach you. If you relax, they’re easier to deal with.”
“…But…”
“They may look polished, but they’re all the same inside.”
He whispered, smirking.
“No depth, just ego.”
“If you want to turn down a dance, say you’re not feeling well or have a headache.”
Just like Isabella had taught her.
“If they say something rude, it’s okay to tell them it’s not very gentlemanly. That usually makes them blush and leave.”
He spoke gently, like giving advice to a newcomer.
His voice felt oddly familiar.
“…They care a lot about appearances and honor.”
“Thank you for your kind advice, Your Highness.”
Leah bowed her head slightly.
“I really like you, even though it’s our first meeting.”
“…I’m honored, Your Highness.”
“Not because you’re Johann’s fiancée, but because you remind me of someone I miss dearly.”
Huh?
“Can I ask who I remind you of?”
Leah asked softly.
“…My younger cousin.”
Matthias said with a slightly pained look.
“She died young, but when I saw you, I thought of her immediately…”
He murmured with a bitter smile.
“…”
Leah’s heart ached too.
“There’s a terrace over there where you can rest. Tell Johann to meet you there.”
When the music ended, Matthias pointed her toward the terrace.
“I’ll make sure no one goes in, so you can relax until Johann comes.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
She had been feeling exhausted from all the stares, and the thought of some quiet alone time was a relief.
“…Whew.”
Leah leaned on the terrace railing and sighed.
She held a wine glass someone had handed her on the way.
She normally didn’t drink, but today she’d had a bit.
‘He said I look like his cousin who died young…’
Was that just a coincidence?
They both felt oddly familiar to each other.
Something about the Crown Prince made her feel nostalgic and sad.
And it felt like she was about to remember something — something important.
‘What is it that I forgot…?’
