~Chapter 49~
“The Fall of the Golden Prince”
“I already have a dance partner.”
Both Damien and I responded at the same time, using the exact same words.
“Oh my, what’s going on?”
“Is Prince Leonard kneeling?”
“Did he just ask Rubiana Maledictus for a dance?”
Oh no.
Now everyone was looking our way.
“I heard those two barely even leave the house.”
Prince Leonard didn’t flinch. He just smiled and gestured casually.
“You two spend plenty of time together. Let me borrow her just this once.”
“Traditionally, the first dance is with one’s partner.”
Damien’s tone was polite and respectful, but the sharp glint in his violet eyes beneath the mask was unmistakable.
“Damien, you’re so old-fashioned. Who still follows those outdated rules?”
“Your Highness.”
“Or… do you want me to come to you privately again?”
Despite the smile, Leonard’s words carried a clear threat.
“A single dance is better than that, isn’t it?”
Damien had secured a promise that if I attended this banquet, we wouldn’t have to answer any more royal summons.
Now, Leonard was clearly implying that if I refused even this dance, he’d break that promise.
“Will you really keep the guest of honor waiting this long?”
“…Fine.”
I stepped forward and took Leonard’s hand before Damien could stop me.
Through a slight movement of my lips, I silently told Damien:
‘It’s okay.’
It was better not to provoke the royal family right now. The dance would be over quickly anyway.
‘And I need to figure out why this man keeps approaching me.’
There was definitely something he wanted from me. And I needed to know what to protect myself.
“Ah, you finally said yes. Thank you.”
Leonard smiled with satisfaction as he escorted me to the center.
“Why is she dancing with Duchess Rubiana?”
“Maybe because they’re family now?”
“Wise move. Asking an unmarried woman might stir a scandal.”
Whispers followed us as we began the dance.
I placed one hand on his shoulder, the other on his waist.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
He asked out of nowhere.
“You look like you’re struggling. Maybe Damien’s size spoiled you?”
It was true—Damien was much taller, so the hold felt different.
“…I’m fine, Your Highness.”
“That’s good to hear.”
The music began—soft and gentle.
‘Where’s Damien?’
As soon as this dance ended, I’d go straight back to him.
‘These mind games and political power plays are exhausting.’
All I really wanted was to chat with Damien about creepy stories or Frightening’s new book.
But then…
‘Huh?’
I spotted Damien—not waiting by the wall, but dancing. His partner? An older noblewoman.
He danced silently, lips pressed tight beneath the mask, slowly moving toward Leonard and me.
And right then—
“…!”
Leonard suddenly pulled me forward. I nearly lost my balance.
“Focus, will you?”
“Right now, I’m your partner.”
That was no accident.
It was clearly on purpose—yet impossible to prove.
“Cough.”
What was that?
“Cough, cough!”
My throat was itching like crazy.
The cold was gone long ago… so what is this?
“Cough, cough!”
People began staring.
‘No—I have to hold it in.’
Something told me I shouldn’t let this cough out.
Leonard was watching me intently, golden eyes gleaming.
“Hmm.”
He tilted his head and stared at me like I was some lab rat.
“Aren’t you going to cough up blood?”
My skin crawled.
“I heard you do that a lot when you’re sick.”
A sly grin tugged at his lips. His golden eyes sparkled—less like starlight and more like madness.
He looked like he wanted me to cough blood in front of everyone.
I clenched my teeth and forced myself to calm down. After a few moments, I could breathe more easily.
“You think it’s so easy to cough up blood? People don’t get sick that easily.”
“Hmm, never experienced it myself.”
Leonard moved his finger against my waist, subtly twitching it again and again.
‘Wait… what’s that?’
Golden particles shimmered faintly from his fingers.
‘Is that… magic?’
The particles drifted toward me—too close to avoid—and sank into my body.
Each time they touched me, my throat itched more.
‘This is magic—royal magic.’
Magic only royals could use, powered by Damien’s cursed energy.
Leonard was trying to force me to cough up blood in public.
But…
‘It’s not working properly.’
Somehow, the spell wasn’t having full effect. I didn’t know why—but it gave me strength.
And then Leonard spoke.
“Do you know what Damien’s curses feed on?”
What?
I answered cautiously, narrowing my eyes.
“I heard it’s people’s fear.”
“Correct. Now, did you also know…”
He raised my hand for a turn. As we spun, he whispered like a snake:
“All of Damien’s past fiancées were drained of their fear and tossed aside.”
“They didn’t leave on their own. Damien discarded them.”
My skin prickled.
“You’ll be thrown away too. The soul contract is a lie.”
“When that happens, where will you go? Your family’s gone, and the Duke won’t take you back.”
“You can always come to the palace instead.”
He was trying to poison my thoughts—to plant doubt.
But I knew the truth.
The red moon only appears when the Duke and his partner truly care for one another.
That red moon did appear.
Leonard doesn’t know that. But I do. And that’s why I’m not afraid.
Leonard squinted.
“You’re not scared of being abandoned?”
Of course I was. More than scared—I hated the thought.
But I wasn’t afraid because I knew it wouldn’t happen.
He leaned in, golden eyes shining.
“Then what are you afraid of?”
That’s what he wanted—to find what scared me. To feed it to Damien’s curse.
And that’s when everything clicked.
He’s trying to find my fear.
And I smiled.
“Your Highness, what about you? What is it that you’re afraid of?”
I stared straight at Leonard’s right leg.
“Could it be… that you’re terrified of people discovering your limp?”
Leonard’s face crumbled.
“You little—”
As he turned, I quickly pulled away from his grip.
Crash!
Unable to balance on his right leg, Leonard fell—flat on his face—at the center of his own banquet.
