CPIHY~06

Chapter 6

The booming voice filled the grand hall, drawing every pair of eyes toward the staircase.

There, two figures descended slowly — a man and a woman, each step graceful, deliberate, as they met the gazes of nobles below. Everyone strained to catch even the briefest glance from them. Everyone except me.

Heilon de Obersha.

There was no memory I wanted to forget more, no relationship I wanted to undo more desperately.

“Pathetic.”
“Did you truly believe I could ever love you?”
“Do not treat Helen carelessly.”

Those words, once buried deep in my chest, rose unbidden, tightening around my heart.

It was all in the past — things that only mattered if I let them repeat in this life. And yet my heartbeat quickened, sharp and erratic.

While I steadied my breathing, the two at the center — Heilon and the Imperial Princess — reached the floor and greeted the gathered nobles with elegant composure.

Soon, the Emperor and Empress arrived, signaling that the ceremony was ready to begin.

The nobles formed a wide circle around the dais where the Emperor stood with Heilon at his side.

The rites were brief — most had already been performed privately, these were mere formalities. But when the Emperor handed him the final symbol of adulthood — a sword — and Heilon knelt before him, the moment still felt weighty.

When he finally rose, turning toward the crowd, the hall erupted.

Deafening applause. Jubilant cheers.
It didn’t stop until the Emperor himself raised a hand for silence.

Then came the dance.

Heilon and the Princess stepped forward into the center of the floor as the orchestra began the first waltz — the one to open the entire ball.

A soft, flowing melody filled the air, wrapping the hall in elegance.

They were a striking pair — graceful, breathtaking — and the nobles couldn’t look away. Even those who had only seen paintings of Heilon now watched in awe.

And among the young noblewomen, sighs and faint blushes spread like wildfire.

When the first song ended, applause once again thundered through the ballroom — and with it came the silent battle of glances.
Every lady present knew what came next.

According to custom, the Crown Prince’s second dance would be with another noblewoman — someone of his own choosing.

The first with the Princess was a formality. The second was what mattered.

The one who danced that song with him would likely become the next Crown Princess.

Heilon de Obersha — the prince who had lived hidden from the public for years, heir to the throne, the man who had received even the capable Princess Sierina’s direct acknowledgment.

He was flawless.
His ceremony, his manners, his composure — even his smile.

The Emperor and Empress watched with open pride, their satisfaction only feeding the nobles’ greed.

All eyes followed his every step.
Every young lady prayed to be the one he approached.

And then…

He moved.

Slowly.
Deliberately.

Toward me.

Gasps rippled through the hall.

I alone remained calm.

Because I knew exactly why Heilon was coming to me.

***

The House of Clody.

A family of social standing, yet politically unthreatening.
A mother born of a baronet line, a father who led the knights.
And one unmarried daughter.

In other words — the perfect candidate for a political marriage.

“Do not try to act, or to speak beyond your station. That is your role.”

His voice, from years ago, echoed sharply in my mind.

The life where I sat quietly beside him, smiling as everything was taken from me—

Never again. Even if it kills me, I’ll never go back.

“Lady, will you honor me with a dance?”

He extended his hand toward me, his deep blue eyes softened by a faint smile.

That smile.

It was that very look that had once captured my heart.

When I’d been isolated by society’s cruel whispers, he had reached out — a lifeline from the heavens.

Back then, I believed that if I just took his hand, I could climb toward happiness.

But I had learned the truth.

That rope was rotten — nothing but a trap to drag me back into misery.

I would never make that mistake again.

I met his gaze, smiled sweetly, and said—

“No.”

“…!”

The entire hall fell silent.

Breath caught. Fans froze mid-air.

And then, the whispers began.

Refusing the Crown Prince’s invitation — it wasn’t impossible, but it was unthinkable.

Even the smallest tie to the Imperial Family came with enormous benefits.

But that wasn’t why they were shocked.

I’d said it too bluntly.

Even if Heilon weren’t royalty, such words would be considered rude.
My old memories had stirred something raw inside me, and before I knew it, the words had slipped out.

Too late to take them back.

The nobles whispered frantically, but my eyes were fixed only on one thing — his expression.

Heilon’s blue gaze met mine.

No anger.
No surprise.
Nothing.

How can he look so calm?

His composure made something inside me burn hotter — I wanted to break that mask, to provoke any reaction.

But I couldn’t forget who I represented.

Every action, every word I spoke would stain my family’s name.

So, suppressing my irritation, I inclined my head politely.

“My apologies, Your Highness. I was simply startled — I didn’t expect such an honor and spoke rashly.”

“Ah, I see.”

“However, I fear my dancing skills could not possibly match yours. I would hate to spoil Your Highness’s evening with my clumsiness.”

Heilon’s eyes curved faintly — not kindly.

“That doesn’t seem to be the real reason.”

“…”

Perhaps now he’d withdraw his hand and choose someone else. But instead, he stepped closer, still waiting.

“If you’re worried, I’ll lead. You needn’t concern yourself.”

“I might step on your foot, Your Highness.”

“Then I’ll endure it. My foot won’t break so easily.”

“…Still—”

He didn’t lower his hand. Instead, he reached a little farther, his gesture almost commanding.

There was no escaping it now.

To refuse again would risk not just offense — it could harm my family’s reputation.

I exhaled slowly, lifting the edge of my dress.

“…It would be my honor, Your Highness.”

Honor, my foot.

Even as I said it, I was disgusted by my own duplicity.

I placed my hand in his. His smile deepened in quiet satisfaction.

As we moved to the center of the ballroom, the orchestra began again — a soft, rippling melody.

Our steps aligned naturally.

Heilon’s features — dark hair like midnight, eyes blue as dawn — looked sharper up close.

Once, I’d thought those eyes were beautiful.
Now, I knew how cold they could become when they turned on me.

There it is again…

My thoughts tangled, and I deliberately avoided his gaze.

The music swelled toward its peak.

Then, just as our eyes met again, he spoke softly.

“You are quite… unusual, Lady.”

I looked up sharply.

That calm, unreadable face again.

No matter what I did, he remained utterly composed — as if all of this, even my rebellion, existed within his control.

I bit my lip, anger and humiliation twisting together.

My gaze dropped to our feet, our shoes moving in perfect rhythm.

Maybe I should just… step on him.

The thought startled me — and then amused me.

Why not? A simple misstep could easily be excused.
And hadn’t I just claimed I wasn’t a good dancer?

My lips curved.

The music neared its end — the final refrain, where the dancers drew closest.

And in that moment—

Press.

My white heel landed squarely atop his black shoe.

I added just enough pressure to be felt.

A tiny, private victory.

I quickly withdrew, pretending nothing had happened — smiling up at him with innocent charm.

We spun, and I couldn’t see his face clearly, but I could feel his displeasure.

And gods, it was satisfying.

As the music faded, we stopped, facing each other once more.

“It was a pleasure, my lady.”

“The honor was mine, Your Highness.”

Empty courtesies, spoken through tight smiles.

I turned sharply, eager to disappear from the crowd’s gaze. Their stares felt heavier than ever, but I ignored them.

This is the last time.

In the past, the engagement contract had arrived at my family’s estate shortly after his coming-of-age ceremony.
My signature had sealed my fate.

But not this time.

If I refused that contract — if I just said no — everything between us would end here.

A new path. A different life.

The thought felt strange, almost frightening.
But as I left the dance floor, a quiet smile spread across my lips.

This time, truly…

I might finally be happy.