Chapter 14
“Brother! Have you already chosen a partner?”
With a cheerful voice, a boy with a youthful face and vibrant violet hair ran up to them.
At the word “partner,” Prince Al’s face turned bright red. He instinctively glanced at Princess Phileone to gauge her reaction. Unlike the flustered Prince Al, Princess Phileone looked perfectly composed.
“Q, it’s not like that. This is Princess Phileone.”
Prince Al hurriedly introduced her.
“Your Highness, this is the fourth prince, Q Sahana Kar Heosenia.”
At his introduction, Princess Phileone gave a slight nod.
Oh no, please, Your Highness…
Haon could barely contain her dismay at Princess Phileone’s dignified and aloof demeanor—so regal it seemed she might snap like a blade. But even through her panic, Haon’s eyes sparkled.
‘Whoa, just one debut at a ball and I get to see all the princes!’
Prince Q, in the novel The Queen of Thorned Roses, was the cutesy character—a charming and playful youngest prince. Though he met an untimely death in the early-to-mid chapters…
‘Oops, was that a spoiler?’
Haon reflexively covered her mouth, even though no one had heard her.
How unfair, for someone so adorable and sweet to die young. The world was truly unjust.
Haon made a new vow.
‘Prince Q, I’ll protect you too!’
Even if she was just the lowest of the lowly maids, surely she could do something!
Clenching her fists, Haon steeled her resolve.
Perhaps sensing her fiery gaze, Prince Q suddenly turned toward Haon.
With a bright smile like a sunflower, he beamed at her.
It was the kind of cuteness that could stop a heart. Even to a mere maid, Prince Q offered such a radiant smile—truly, a kind and beautiful soul.
Prince Q stepped closer to Haon and stood on his toes. Touched, Haon leaned down to help him whisper in her ear.
Prince Q shyly whispered:
“If you don’t lower your gaze, I’ll pluck your eyes out.”
…Huh? What did she just hear?
Stunned, Haon stared blankly.
But Prince Q skipped back to Prince Al’s side with an innocent face, as if nothing had happened.
“Brother, that must be the beautiful Princess Phileone, right?”
Calling him “Brother” in that cute tone while chattering away—he was truly diabolical.
‘Is this Prince Q’s hidden true nature?’
Haon was too shocked to recover. For a moment, she genuinely debated whether or not to save him from the fatal accident awaiting him.
Shaking her head, Haon snapped out of it. No matter what, a life was still a life. She’d nearly lost her senses there. Taking a shallow breath, she pulled herself together.
Prince Al, looking slightly shy, and the bubbly, bright Prince Q chatting beside him, with Princess Phileone standing serenely like a calm lake—the trio looked like they’d stepped right out of a painting.
‘I’m seeing them in real life!’
Haon could barely keep herself from screaming or sobbing in joy. She felt like she was finally reaping the benefits of having possessed a web novel character.
And the ball, with its lavish atmosphere, made everything even more dazzling.
“Oh! Brother Si!”
Prince Q called out cheerfully again.
Haon, who had been lost in the fantasy of the royal trio, snapped back to attention.
Instinctively following Prince Q’s voice, she turned her head.
Prince Q had already flitted over to Prince Si, beaming as he tugged him along.
“Do you know Princess Phileone? The one from Czekoran. I was just talking with Brother Al and her. I didn’t think you’d come to the ball, but I’m so happy to see you here!”
Prince Q’s words came nonstop, his lively chatter tickling the ears.
“It’s good to see you again.”
Princess Phileone grasped her dress and gave a graceful curtsy.
Prince Si offered a brief greeting in return, and Prince Q, still holding his hand, asked with wide eyes:
“You’ve already met Princess Phileone?”
“For a moment.”
Prince Si was never one for many words. As he glanced between Princess Phileone, Prince Al, and Prince Q, his gaze landed on Haon, standing just behind the princess.
Haon, who had been staring intently at him since he arrived, flinched and quickly looked down when their eyes met.
“Chased me all the way here—how persistent.”
Offended, Haon puffed her cheeks and retorted.
“I didn’t chase you. The princess specifically summoned me as her attendant.”
“Of course.”
With a shrug, Prince Si turned away.
As he walked off, Haon stuck her tongue out at his back.
Still, she couldn’t help feeling pleased. He had spoken to her.
Holding her fluttering chest, Haon watched him carefully.
‘I wonder if he’s okay…’
While the others chatted cheerfully, Prince Si stood off to the side with his usual stoic face.
She couldn’t help but think back to what she saw in the secret room—the grief over Prince Bui, the sudden expulsion of herself. It weighed on her.
‘He looks fine, but inside…’
Rather than joy at seeing her favorite character’s hidden side, she was more worried about him.
It also left her unsettled, having been kicked out before she could learn more.
‘Next time we’re alone, I’ll ask him again.’
She wouldn’t give up. Not this time.
After all, they had shared the secret of Prince Bui already.
Haon renewed her determination.
While she was lost in thought, Princess Phileone and Prince Al must have exchanged a few words—they were now heading to the center of the ballroom hand in hand.
‘Ah! Her Highness’s debut dance!’
In the center, couples were already dancing.
‘It’s a pity her partner isn’t the main male lead, Prince Di. But Prince Al is fine too.’
Haon clasped her hands in front of her chest, her eyes shining as she watched them go.
“I feel a very intense gaze behind me.”
Prince Al joked as he escorted Princess Phileone to the center.
“Gaze?”
“Your maid is very loyal.”
At his comment, Princess Phileone glanced over her shoulder. Haon was watching her, eyes brimming with admiration.
“Haon.”
A soft smile played at the corners of Princess Phileone’s lips.
“That’s the first time.”
She turned to Prince Al, confused.
He kept his gentle gaze on her.
“She smiled. That maid must be someone who can make Your Highness smile.”
“…That child is my jester.”
“I see.”
Princess Phileone glossed over the comment.
Prince Al, smiling, came to a stop and turned to face her.
Placing a hand to his chest, he asked with practiced grace:
“May I have the honor of being your first dance partner?”
“Gladly.”
Princess Phileone lifted her skirt and dipped into a curtsy.
Prince Al held out his hand, and she placed hers gently on top.
As she stepped forward, so did he, closing the space between them. Carefully, his hand came to rest on her waist, and she placed her other hand on his shoulder.
The orchestra’s music rang through the hall.
“Shall we dance?”
“I’m ready.”
Locking eyes, they waited for the beat to fall into place. Then, with a squeeze of their joined hands, they began to dance.
Following Prince Al’s lead, Princess Phileone stepped gracefully.
Step, step, turn. Step again.
Their movements flowed with the music, smooth and elegant.
As they danced, Prince Al broke the silence.
“It doesn’t feel awkward at all, even though it’s our first dance together.”
“That’s thanks to Your Highness’s excellent lead.”
“No, it’s due to Your Highness’s natural grace.”
Princess Phileone’s dancing was flawless. Even in this splendid ballroom, her presence stood out.
She was dignified, like a statue carved from eternal snow.
“If only you smiled a little more—it would be perfect.”
He found himself wishing for that smile she had briefly shown her maid. But his comment was met with a low, firm response.
“I am not a doll meant to smile for your amusement.”
“I didn’t mean it that way. If I offended you, I apologize.”
Prince Al quickly bowed his head.
“It’s merely a matter of efficiency.”
Staring directly at him, Princess Phileone suddenly broke into a dazzling smile. It was like a rose blooming in the middle of a snowfield.
Prince Al was so captivated he forgot his steps.
Raising an eyebrow at his reaction, she smiled and pulled him in by the waist.
Just like that, she took the lead from him.
As she guided him, she said:
“Was this what you meant?”
Her voice was light and smooth.
“Sometimes, a soft flower can leave a stronger impression than a stiff old tree.”
“…I shouldn’t have meddled. My apologies.”
“Not at all. I wasn’t exactly in the best mood.”
She released his waist, allowing him to resume the lead.
She added lightly,
“I’m just a bit tired.”
“Because of Lady Trillinia?”
“That might’ve been her name.”
Feigning ignorance, Princess Phileone’s response made Prince Al chuckle.
“You’re rather proud, aren’t you?”
“How unkind.”
She lowered her eyes and lifted the corners of her lips.
“I’m simply maintaining the dignity expected of royalty.”
Prince Al extended his arm, and Princess Phileone spun gracefully. Her dress billowed around her, then settled again as she returned to his arms.
“I’m truly honored to have shared your first dance.”
Her eyes asked what he meant this time.
“Because I was the first to see your smile.”
“The first, you say.”
She gave him a mysterious little laugh.
“Who knows? Were you really the first?”
“Then…?”
Just as he asked, the orchestra’s music came to an end. Their dance finished with perfect timing.
Princess Phileone let go of his hand and stepped back. With a soft smile, she lifted her skirt and curtsied.
“It was a lovely dance.”
As she turned to leave, someone was already waiting behind her.
“May I have the next dance?”
A hand extended toward her.
Princess Phileone lifted her gaze to see who it was.
