Chapter 5. Arrogant Kindness

“……”

I opened my mouth reflexively, but no sound came out.

Enoch Bayern’s face was too close. I could only stare at him blankly, unable to say anything.

His perfectly handsome face, upon closer inspection, had slight shadows under his eyes. Additionally, the contrast between his jet-black hair and pale skin gave him a somewhat decadent look.

He seemed bored, yet there was a faint glimmer of interest in his eyes.

Realizing this, I understood. He was finding this situation amusing.

So, his helping me might have been just…

“I asked if you’ve calmed down.”

“Ah…”

It was rude to remain silent for so long after being asked a question. Snapping back to reality, I finally managed to speak.

“I-I’m fine. Thank you…”

“What are you thankful for?”

“Pardon?”

I hadn’t expected him to catch onto my words like this, so I was flustered. But Grand Duke Bayern continued speaking, indifferent to my confusion.

“Were you planning to dance with Marquis Anderson?”

“N-no… It’s not like that…”

“Really? Then it doesn’t matter.”

Then, something unbelievable happened. Smiling mischievously, he extended his hand to me, asking for a dance.

I inhaled sharply, freezing in place. I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Why was Enoch Bayern… asking me?

“Are you going to refuse?”

“……”

Staring blankly at his hand, which seemed to urge me, I glanced around the room. Everyone in the ballroom was watching us. Their eyes were filled with astonishment, jealousy, or curiosity.

Among them, of course, were my stepmother and stepsister.

“……”

I saw my stepmother and Helene’s faces, looking somewhat angry, and then dropped my gaze back to Enoch Bayern’s hand.

What would happen if I took his hand? Or if I refused, that would surely cause a scandal too.

The faint presence I had, like a transparent watercolor, became vivid like oil paint from the moment Enoch Bayern got involved in this incident.

I would be the subject of gossip for a while. Whether I accepted or refused the Grand Duke’s dance request…

If I were to become the protagonist of a scandal anyway, perhaps…

Maybe it would be better to act out for once.

“…It would be an honor, Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

As if led by an invisible force of fate, I took his hand. But that pull was likely just my imagination. The eyes of Enoch Bayern, who pulled me with a crooked smile, were utterly indifferent.

To him, all of this was probably just a mere amusement.

Under the brightest light of the chandelier, I walked with him to the center of the ballroom’s dance floor. The Grand Duke’s manner as he escorted me was impeccably gentlemanly. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was all a performance.

Wasn’t it odd from the start? That he helped a stranger like me and even asked me to dance…

There might be some reason I don’t know.

Soon, a graceful and gentle melody began to play, and we started dancing, facing each other.

Though a painted smile hung on his lips, there was no warmth in his eyes as he looked at me.

It didn’t seem like he helped me out of sympathy.

And he certainly didn’t fall for me at first sight. That’s absurd.

His gaze was nothing like that of someone in love.

I wasn’t naive enough to misunderstand and harbor false hopes.

Enoch Bayern led me smoothly, like flowing water. Thanks to him, I managed not to make any mistakes at my first ball. It would have been quite disgraceful to attract so much attention and then mess up while dancing with a famous figure in society.

‘…But, this man…’

Doesn’t he even know my name?

He didn’t ask, and I didn’t tell. We were just dancing. Like a midsummer night’s dream, as if attending a fairy’s ball.

“……”

It suddenly struck me how surreal this situation was.

Yes, it was like a fairy tale.

* * *

The dance ended, and I stood facing him, bowing politely.

He also inclined his head slightly in a casual bow, still scanning me with indifferent eyes, then gave me a crooked smile.

Then he turned his back on me.

Without asking who I was, where I came from, or even my name.

As if dancing with me had fulfilled all his obligations.

In other words, it was clear that he had no interest in me whatsoever.

‘But then why…’

Why did he help me and even dance with me?

He was a person I couldn’t understand at all.

I placed a hand on my chest and tried to steady my breathing. My heart kept pounding. My face felt hot…

…To be so shaken by just one dance. Even if someone called me unsophisticated, I wouldn’t have a word to say in my defense.

As I cautiously stepped off the dance floor and glanced around the ballroom, I met the eyes of my family, who seemed firmly resolved to question me.

If I went to the carriage now, they would surely catch me.

I quickly left the ballroom and headed down the corridor to the lounge.

The sound of my low-heeled, worn shoes against the marble floor was barely noticeable. I approached the lounge like a ghost, but then I changed direction, thinking it wasn’t a good idea to hide there.

I would likely be discovered quickly, and I might run into someone else.

I didn’t want to sit with a stranger and talk about Enoch Bayern.

‘Then where… Ah, yes, the balcony.’

‘You mustn’t open or knock on the balcony doors carelessly’ was an unwritten rule on the night of a ball.

This was to avoid disturbing lovers having a rendezvous on the balcony. Or possibly witnessing someone’s affair…

Anyway, the balcony was a safe place to hide without worrying about being discovered, and I was confident it would be fine there. I approached a balcony with its door open.

As soon as I stepped out onto the balcony and locked the door behind me, the moonlit night garden filled my view.

“Ah…”

A sigh escaped through my parted lips. I approached the railing as if in a trance, taking in the beautiful scenery.

The cold air and moonlight soaked into the foliage. The deep indigo night sky.

The serene night garden brought peace to my chaotic mind, and I finally relaxed, letting out a sigh of relief.

My heart was still beating faster than usual, but the tranquility given by the darkness and moonlight gradually calmed me.

Suddenly, I remembered my mother’s words. She said the moonlight was like a song…

Now, I felt like I could finally understand what she meant.

‘…Today is really a strange day.’

A series of inexplicable events, as if I was under a spell.

I caught a carriage at the perfect timing and even danced with the person I admired.

Was all this coincidence a stroke of luck? Or a trap set by fate?

Looking at the pale golden moon, I recalled eyes of a deeper color. It was the first time I had seen such vivid golden eyes.

In fact, it wasn’t just those eyes that were new to me. That man, Enoch Bayern, was extraordinary in every way. A man who seemed to defy all norms. Beautiful, noble, and imposing like a god descended to earth… A person like that…

I felt a tinge of envy.

Envy… Perhaps it was an audacious feeling. He was someone too high to even dare envy.

“…….”

I laughed at myself. My heart, which had seemed to calm, started pounding again. I averted my gaze from the golden moon that reminded me of someone’s eyes. Biting my lips, I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind. The unfamiliar and uncomfortable reactions of my body continued against my will.

Indeed, seeing Enoch Bayern with my own eyes today should be the last time. Otherwise…

Click.

“…Are you really not interested?”

It was then. Along with the sound of a door locking on the adjacent balcony, I heard someone’s voice.

Standing by the railing, I stiffened in that position.

“Why are you so eager to marry me off?”

The voice that responded gruffly belonged to none other than that man, Enoch Bayern.

I gripped the railing tightly. My heart started pounding rapidly, and I felt dizzy for a moment.

Enoch Bayern, that man, why on earth is he here―

“You’re well past the age for marriage. You should get married soon.”

“I’m only twenty-five. Brother.”

Brother.

From the title Enoch Bayern used to address the other person, I immediately realized who he was talking to.

There was only one person Enoch Bayern could call ‘brother.’ Henry Frederick, the current king of the Freuden Kingdom.

…So now, I was unintentionally eavesdropping on a conversation between the king and the Grand Duke.

“Enoch, I got married at twenty.”

“You were early.”

“Most people get married around my age.”

“I have no intention of getting married. I don’t see the need for the hassle of taking a wife and starting a family.”

“…Who was that lady you danced with today? I can’t believe you took my advice to occasionally dance with a woman you fancy seriously.”

“Just a stranger.”

“You danced with a stranger?”

“Well… just…”

After a pause, his voice continued, clearly laced with mockery.

“Out of pity.”