Chapter 15
As a maid who had accompanied her mistress to a ball, there was only one thing Haon could do: wait quietly in an unobtrusive corner so as not to disturb.
Haon watched from a distance as Princess Pireone made her debut dance.
“Our princess is even good at dancing.”
Feeling bored from just standing around, she tried making small talk with Anten, who stood beside her. But Anten kept her rigid posture and ignored Haon’s comment completely.
‘So uptight.’
Grumbling internally, Haon turned her attention back to the princess.
Just then, Princess Pireone and Prince Al, who had been dancing gracefully, suddenly stopped. Haon clearly saw Prince Al’s face flush bright red.
“That’s definitely a green light.”
Haon chuckled and shook her head.
“Oh dear, looks like our princess just snagged an innocent prince. What now, Your Highness? Our princess already has a match.”
Too perfect for her own good—that was the problem.
Haon muttered just loud enough that Anten wouldn’t hear, dramatically resting her hand on her forehead as if she were the dazzling one herself.
Was this what it felt like to fangirl up close? She wished she had some of that popcorn she’d made for the princess.
“Prince Al is adorable and charming, sure, but no one can compete with the male lead.”
Where was Prince Di, the male lead, in all this? It felt lacking not seeing the heroine and hero together.
Just then, as the music ended and Princess Pireone turned away from her partner, a new dance request came in.
“No way.”
Haon’s eyes widened. Even the stone-faced Anten looked visibly surprised.
The one who had asked the princess for the next dance was none other than—
“Your Majesty.”
Princess Pireone lifted her skirt and curtsied with grace.
It was Emperor Heosen himself who had requested the next dance. The emperor waited, golden bob swaying lightly.
“Will you leave my hand hanging?”
“It would be an honor.”
Pireone placed her hand in the emperor’s.
Everyone in the hall turned their eyes to the scene. Some were shocked, others scoffed. Good or bad, all attention was on her now.
That was the weight of dancing with the emperor.
And Princess Pireone knew that well. Surely, so did the emperor.
…Or so she thought.
“…Does he really not know?”
Haon mumbled nervously.
Watching the emperor’s cheerful expression and carefree dance moves, she began to feel a reasonable amount of doubt.
“Come to think of it…”
Since The Queen of Thorned Roses was mainly told from the perspectives of the princess and princes, the emperor had mostly appeared in the beginning. Haon had forgotten about his character.
“He’s got a bit of a flower garden for a brain.”
Despite the surprise rippling through the room, Princess Pireone danced flawlessly.
“Are you comfortable staying in the detached palace?”
The emperor asked with his usual smiling expression.
Pireone replied calmly with a gentle smile.
“Yes. Thanks to Your Majesty’s care, I am staying comfortably.”
“Haha. I couldn’t possibly let a princess from Cekoran be uncomfortable.”
“Actually…”
“Hm?”
At her unexpectedly firm response, the emperor tilted his head.
With a bright smile, the princess added,
“Soon I will become a princess consort of Heosen. Please consider me one of your own.”
The emperor stopped dancing and stared at her.
The spectators held their breath. Curious gazes locked onto the two of them. They couldn’t hear what was said, but the sudden halt in the dance made them wonder if the princess had said something wrong.
Then, the emperor suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
“Ha ha ha!”
Eyes widened across the room. What happened? What was that about? Murmurs spread like wildfire.
Yet, Princess Pireone remained the only one unfazed.
Without another word, the emperor resumed dancing.
He lifted their joined hands, and as the princess spun beneath them, he dramatically raised his other arm and leg in a flashy pose.
Somewhere, someone sighed, “Your Majesty, your dignity…”
Straightening up again, the emperor asked,
“So, have you met all our princes?”
“Yes, I’ve just greeted them.”
“Did any of them catch your eye? Well, they’re all outstanding, so whoever you end up with won’t be a disappointment.”
Princess Pireone looked puzzled and asked,
“Will Your Majesty not choose my match?”
The emperor’s large eyes swirled with glee as he lowered his voice.
“I’ve been reading a book recommended by the empress lately.”
“…A book?”
His eyes sparkled as he gazed dreamily into the air.
“It’s a romance between a foreign princess and princes of another land. Oh, the thrill and sorrow!”
“A romance novel…?”
Pireone’s voice trembled slightly—perhaps her composure shaken by the unexpected reply.
“I support the fiery love of young men and women!”
The emperor clenched her hand enthusiastically.
“Love… is it?”
The word felt unfamiliar in her mouth.
She had known marriage was her destiny when she left Cekoran for Heosen, but not once had she thought of it in terms of love.
To hear such a soft, tender word from the emperor himself…
The emperor continued brightly,
“Let’s not rush the wedding. Take your time getting to know the princes. You’ll be family soon enough, so it’s good to build friendships. I’ll also consider carefully which prince suits you best.”
His eyes twinkled with mysterious expectation as he smiled warmly.
Pretending not to feel the pressure, Pireone nodded.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Soon the orchestra fell silent. The music had paused between pieces, waiting for the last couples to finish their dance.
The emperor patted her shoulder with a gleam in his eye.
“Enjoy your time in Heosen to the fullest!”
“I look forward to it as well.”
He released her hand. Pireone stepped back and lifted her skirt in a graceful curtsy.
A perfect image to the very end.
The emperor turned with light steps and returned to his throne. He sat beside the empress and began chatting excitedly.
Having finished two dances, Pireone turned elegantly and approached Haon and Anten, who had been waiting.
“Princess.”
Haon greeted her with clasped hands and sparkling eyes.
“You were amazing. Gorgeous! So elegant and graceful—and your dancing was superb!”
“Such noise.”
Though Pireone murmured a light scolding, a subtle smile tugged at her lips.
Haon quickly shut her mouth but continued grinning, unable to hide her admiration. Even her scolding was delightful.
‘That cool, sharp one-liner… So classy. Ugh, perfection~.’
She was completely gone.
Anten gave Haon a side-eye and, acting the proper maid, checked on the princess.
“Shall I bring you something to drink?”
“Some hot tea, please.”
“Understood.”
Even in a grand ballroom, the princess’s pine-tree-straight preference for tea made Haon admire her all over again.
‘Our my-way princess. Unshakable as always.’
“I’m stepping away. Stay by the princess’s side.”
“Of course!”
Even as she walked away, Anten glanced back several times, clearly unable to shake her worry despite Haon’s confident response.
As Haon cheerfully waved her off, someone entered her vision.
Among the modest crowd, a tall, golden-haired beauty stood out—
‘Prince Di!’
Haon inexplicably grew nervous and swallowed hard.
Prince Di was definitely walking this way, his gaze fixed ahead—where Pireone stood with her back to him.
Haon’s heart leapt with anticipation.
‘Right, after her dance with the emperor, Prince Di comes over and the real sparks begin. They greet each other and then…’
She recalled the scene from the novel’s early chapters, now unfolding before her very eyes.
‘A dazzling debut in Heosen’s high society.’
“You’ve made a dazzling debut in Heosen’s high society.”
Prince Di spoke the exact line Haon had just remembered.
Haon wanted to snap her fingers and shout, “Yes!” Her heart thudded wildly as she subtly stepped back, trying to blend into the background.
“Was I too forward?”
Princess Pireone tilted her head with innocent eyes.
She had copied the exact response she gave after brushing off Trillinia—still sharp-edged.
Haon felt the urge to facepalm.
‘Oh, come on, Princess…’
Our princess is perfect in every way—if only she’d tone down the attitude just a little…
Suppressing her sigh, Haon watched them carefully.
She already knew the flow of the story, but seeing it unfold live made her heart race.
“Haha. You hold a grudge, don’t you?”
Prince Di laughed it off.
Princess Pireone returned his gaze with a bright smile.
“Let me introduce myself properly.”
“Prince Di.”
She showed she knew his name, and added an explanation, perhaps to make up for suddenly stopping.
“If I greeted you every time we met, I’d only ever know your name.”
“Well said.”
Without a trace of displeasure, Prince Di nodded.
“When we met earlier, I noticed—you speak with remarkable clarity, Princess.”
“I don’t say what shouldn’t be said.”
“That’s exactly why you made such a strong impression.”
Prince Di reached toward her, his hand gently brushing her shoulder.
He brushed aside a lock of her hair and met her eyes.
“You are like a burning red rose.”
That was the beginning—
Of Princess Pireone being called the Rose of Heosen.
