Chapter 58

Traditionally, men asked women to dance, but young people found such customs outdated, and it was not uncommon for women to ask men for a dance.

However, no one had ever asked the Emperor to dance.

“Please don’t leave my hand hanging,” she said.

A woman being so bold with the Emperor was undoubtedly a historical rarity.

If she were rejected, it would be a source of mockery for everyone. However, Beatty smiled sweetly as if such a scenario was unthinkable.

Helio looked down at Beatty’s hand for a moment before slowly raising his head. His face did not reflect a man standing before a beautiful woman.

His blue eyes were devoid of emotion, and his tightly closed lips seemed to never open. His inability to speak rendered him no different from a beautiful, lifeless statue.

As Beatty observed him, her cheeks trembled slightly. Her hand remained suspended in the air.

Her delicate hand, which had never experienced hardship, was the focus of everyone’s gaze.

Before long, murmurs began to be heard. Although the words were unclear, the ridicule hidden behind fans or hands heated the atmosphere of the banquet hall.

Beatty’s pride crumbled. Despite Helio’s wariness of her family, she believed he would at least save face in the banquet hall.

At the very least, having had the first dance with the humble Empress should have earned her some reward.

Yet, it seemed Helio was about to reject her. Imagining that scenario made Beatty’s vision darken, and sweat formed on the back of her neck.

Cornered, Beatty considered a desperate measure she would usually never take.

“Your Majesty, do you remember when I conversed with Empress Consort Liliana?”

Beatty whispered very quietly.

Despite her shattered pride, she was still Gabriel’s only daughter. She did not want to openly trade favors just to have a dance.

“I must tell you what the Empress Consort said to me.”

With that, Beatty smiled brightly with all her might. When Helio gazed lovingly at the Empress Consort, she always had this clueless expression.

Helio’s lips curled slightly so only Beatty could see. Was she wrong? Had she gone this far for nothing?

Just as Beatty was about to despair, Helio grabbed her hand tightly. His action lacked gentleness, yet Beatty felt thrilled and relieved enough to cheer.

She could feel people’s gaze shifting from ridicule to envy.

A rush of exhilaration filled Beatty. This was the sensation she had been desperately longing for.

Helio and Beatty walked to the center of the banquet hall hand in hand. Beatty was too preoccupied with hiding her excitement to notice how cold Helio’s hand was.

Graceful music began to play, and several couples, including Helio and Beatty, started dancing. Barely a few steps into the dance, Helio spoke.

“Tell me.”

Beatty pretended not to hear and took a few more steps.

She enjoyed having Helio’s attention. His coldness didn’t matter as long as he wasn’t looking at anyone else; eventually, he would be hers.

“Lady Gabriel.”

“You can call me Beatty.“

“What did you say to the Empress Consort?”

At his words, Beatty raised her head to meet Helio’s eyes.

“I didn’t say anything special. It was the Empress Consort who spoke to me.”

Beatty genuinely believed in her innocence.

She seemed to have no recollection of gripping Liliana’s wrist tightly and shouting that she alone would be Helio’s wife. Or perhaps she didn’t consider it a mistake.

Helio found Beatty’s calm demeanor repulsive. However, showing emotions, even hatred was unbecoming in front of everyone.

After smoothly spinning around once, Beatty whispered as she drew closer to Helio.

“The Empress Consort told me she became Empress Consort against her will. Moreover…”

Beatty put on an expression of genuine regret.

“Shouldn’t an Empress Consort be concerned and caring about the future Empress? Yet, she seemed indifferent.”

By “the future Empress,“ Beatty clearly meant herself.

Helio, who had been listening quietly, let out a small laugh.

Beatty expected him to be furious. The Empress Consort should have felt grateful for her position and respected the future Empress.

But Helio looked down at Beatty as if she were insignificant.

“Are you unaware that the Empress Consort was taken hostage?”

“…What?“

“Utterly foolish. You are indeed lacking.”

With those words, Helio said nothing more. Despite Beatty’s attempts to continue the conversation, Helio remained silent and focused only on dancing.

For the few remaining minutes of the song, Beatty trembled in fear that Helio might let go of her hand and leave her at any moment.

Fortunately, Helio waited until the song ended before making a gesture of kissing Beatty’s wrist.

Although his lips, or even his breath, didn’t touch her, Beatty would never mention that to anyone because of her pride.

Not even to her father, Duke Gabriel.

* * *

As the performance was coming to an end, Agrina leaned in and whispered to Liliana.

“Your Highness, please help me have the next dance with His Majesty.”

Agrina didn’t miss the slight trembling in Liliana’s eyes. However, she didn’t retract her words.

To begin with, it wasn’t an unreasonable request. It had been a clear condition when Liliana allied with the House of Gabriel.

“Agrina Gabriel shall be made Empress.”

She hadn’t exhausted her three opportunities yet, so it wasn’t urgent. However, moving too late after fully securing Vail’s support could be detrimental.

Agrina saw Liliana’s hesitation as a sign of ambition. This seemingly pure woman had also endured harsh royal life and entered the imperial family, so it wasn’t strange for her to desire to rise higher.

To provoke Liliana further, Agrina added another comment.

“It seems His Majesty is still considering Beatty Gabriel.”

She believed that by saying this, Liliana would feel threatened and be more proactive in helping her.

However, Liliana merely stared at Helio, showing little interest in Agrina’s words.

“Who knows.“

Liliana’s response was nothing more than a polite remark. Agrina found it surprising that Liliana wasn’t reacting as expected.

The Harvest Festival Liliana organized showed she was more intelligent than she appeared, but having a sharp mind and firm resolve were entirely different.

‘She seemed easy to sway with a little persuasion…’

Agrina glanced sideways at Liliana. Her fair skin and petite frame made her look endlessly fragile, and although her large eyes were pretty, she didn’t seem capable of handling significant tasks.

Honestly, Agrina hadn’t expected much from Liliana in the first place.

She wouldn’t have considered approaching her if her brother Vail hadn’t suggested it first.

As Agrina scrutinized Liliana, lost in thought, Liliana suddenly turned to look at her.

Those pink eyes, which Agrina had thought were merely pretty, now held a strange light.

Especially the dark pupils, which were as deep as the abyss. Who could look into those eyes and still consider her innocent?

“I’m sorry, but I can’t ask His Majesty for a dance today.“

Again, feeling as though she was being sucked into Liliana’s eyes, barely managed to regain her composure.

“…May I ask why?”

Liliana touched her cheek and answered cautiously.

“His Majesty doesn’t seem to be in a good mood. Proposing a dance now might backfire. For both you and me.”

Agrina looked at Helio again.

However, Helio, kissing Beatty’s hand, appeared graceful and flawless. It was easy to imagine how pleased Duke Gabriel would be watching that scene.

“Your Highness, are your shoes uncomfortable?“

Liliana’s maid whispered very softly. Liliana smiled her usual soft smile and shook her head.

“But…“

“Really, it’s fine.”

As Liliana bickered with her maid, Agrina fell into thought. Could Liliana indeed read Helio’s emotions that others couldn’t perceive?

Helio was a cold emperor who would even restrain his mother. He would never let his guard down around a mere hostage.

‘I want to confirm this…’

Agrina wanted to be sure whether to trust objective facts or her instincts.

As if the heavens had answered her wish, Helio started walking towards them. Agrina bowed respectfully, but Helio’s gaze was fixed solely on Liliana.

However, Agrina remained unfazed and boldly stepped forward. After all, Helio was not the type to make a significant decision based on first impressions.

“Your Majesty, may I have the honor to…”

Before Agrina could finish, Helio raised his hand to stop her.

Helio glanced at Agrina briefly, and in that fleeting moment, she caught a glimpse beyond the Emperor’s stern facade.

Helio was utterly weary of women approaching him. Even though Beatty was the only one who had done so at the banquet.

‘..The Empress was right.‘

Agrina’s red eyes gleamed brightly.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.