Episode 17
Two days later, Count Duncan’s ball finally arrived.
The day before, Patrick had sent a letter saying he would come to escort Azrael. She was already dressed and prepared early, sipping tea calmly while waiting for him.
As she finished her cup, Azrael reviewed her plans for tonight. She had two goals at Count Duncan’s ball:
- To meet Prince Leonard and persuade him.
- To act more affectionately with Patrick, making Angela burn with jealousy.
She had even prepared an excuse—that she only stayed close to Patrick to distract him, so Leonard would not suspect her.
Knock knock.
Azrael smiled, imagining Angela fuming in silence, unable to show it outwardly.
“Come in.”
It was Mari, not Yuriel. Yuriel was away on an errand Azrael had sent her on, so Mari was serving her instead.
“My lady, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
“I see. Let’s do one last check, then go down.”
Azrael stood before the mirror, adjusted her dress with Mari’s help, and descended to the first floor, where Patrick was waiting.
Because of the café incident a few days ago, Patrick’s attitude had softened. He no longer demanded too much physical closeness like before. Now, he simply offered his arm for escort, keeping proper distance—just as etiquette required with noble ladies.
Azrael smirked inwardly. She deliberately moved closer, but Patrick hesitated and stepped slightly aside, putting space between them again.
‘So Angela has managed to tighten her hold on him.’
It seemed Angela, clever despite her family’s decline, had skillfully entangled Patrick, even though he was proud and selfish.
‘But Angela… you’re still in the palm of my hand. You might think you control Patrick now, but that’s only because I allow it. When you learn the truth later, you’ll be so furious you won’t be able to sleep.’
Azrael smiled faintly at the thought of Angela’s future despair.
She accepted Patrick’s escort to the carriage. He kept a proper distance, yet his occasional glances betrayed his desire. That alone confirmed to Azrael that she still held power over him.
Since the ball was held in the evening, the sun had already set, painting the sky in reddish hues. The sunset reminded her of Leonard’s eyes, and her lips curved in anticipation of their meeting.
Patrick, meanwhile, was mesmerized by her beauty under the twilight glow.
‘Truly beautiful. Is this how a goddess would look if she descended?’
Her delicate smile and radiant face captivated him. Though his heart still leaned toward Angela, he could not resist Azrael.
Patrick comforted himself with a foolish thought—that Azrael smiled only because of him. He dreamed of claiming both women for himself.
Carriages lined up in front of Count Duncan’s mansion. Even though it was night, the place was lit brightly as if it were day.
Ladies in lavish dresses and gentlemen dressed to impress entered the ballroom with cheerful faces.
Patrick and Azrael became the center of attention right after the host himself. Their names had filled the empire’s newspapers for weeks, and nobles even bet on when they would marry. Curious eyes followed their every step.
“So many people are staring at us, Your Highness.”
“Yes, I can tell what they’re wondering. Can’t you?”
“I’m not sure. What would that be?”
Azrael played innocent, even though she knew he was hinting at marriage. She had no intention of speaking the word herself. Patrick would have to propose eventually—whether he loved her or not—because he needed her family’s power.
Azrael intended to simply watch as Patrick struggled between her and Angela. The later his proposal came, the more both of them would suffer, and that amused her.
Count Duncan soon approached, bowing.
“Your Highness, it is an honor to have you here.”
“I am pleased to be invited to your famous ball.”
“Famous, you say? Compared to the palace balls, mine is nothing at all. Ha ha.”
After a brief exchange, Patrick turned to Azrael and offered his hand.
“Shall we dance, Azrael?”
“Yes, of course.”
She quickly scanned the room, checking if Leonard had arrived. Since he had not, she accepted Patrick’s invitation. As his partner, the first dance was expected anyway. She hoped Leonard would appear while she danced.
As they walked to the floor, whispers followed them. When they began to dance, the admiration grew louder.
“They look perfect together.”
“Well, of course. The daughter of the Duke of Nocturne and the Crown Prince himself.”
“They will surely marry soon.”
Angela, standing nearby, felt her eyes tremble. She snapped open her fan to hide the twisted expression forming on her face.
Patrick might not be as brilliant as Leonard, but he had studied imperial etiquette and leadership diligently. Combined with his handsome looks, gentle manner, and graceful bearing, he charmed both nobles and ladies alike. Many young women even fell sick from unrequited love for him.
Azrael, too, was a jewel of the empire—the daughter of the famed beauty, Duchess Nocturne. With her unmatched appearance and bold personality, she captivated everyone. Her tall figure, graceful curves, and striking presence made her unforgettable.
Many young men longed to dance with her, and at every ball her feet would ache from endless requests.
But while dancing with Patrick, Azrael’s gaze kept shifting to the entrance, waiting for Leonard.
Patrick, however, was distracted by Angela’s piercing stare.
The day Azrael left the café first, Patrick had met Angela afterward for a secret rendezvous. She had cried and complained, and he comforted her with apologies and words of love. He explained he needed to marry Azrael to secure the throne, since her family’s power was necessary. Angela, whose family was drowning in debt, could not argue.
Yet Patrick, greedy for both women, whispered promises to Angela all night. He reassured himself that she would accept being a hidden lover for now, until he could raise her as Empress later.
But Angela was no fool. With sharp intuition, she had seen through Patrick’s selfish nature. By playing pitiful yet clever, she managed to keep him tied to her despite his growing attraction to Azrael.
Just as she had deceived Azrael for years by pretending to be her closest friend, Angela was now deceiving Patrick as well.
