Chapter 40

Diana’s eyes were fixed on the hands of Evan and Sophia, which were clasped together. Even at a glance, something about them clashed with their formal attire.

“…Gauntlets?”

Evan and Sophia were holding hands while each wore large, heavy armored gloves. At the absurd sight, Diana’s jaw dropped. She had expected they wouldn’t simply hold hands like normal people, but to come out wearing gloves fit for the battlefield—no one could have imagined that. The gloves stood out all the more against their dresses and formal wear.

“Oh my, what are those on their hands? They look like the gloves knights wear.”

“Maybe it’s something special just for the two of them?”

Everyone was interpreting Evan and Sophia’s gloves in their own way. As soon as they reached the center of the ballroom, Evan and Sophia quickly let go of each other’s hands and separated.

“There you are.”

Still wearing the thick gauntlets on both hands, Sophia approached Diana. At the same time, Diana asked,

“What’s with those gloves? Did you two agree to wear them together?”

“Of course not. We both wanted to avoid even the feeling of touching hands, so we prepared for it separately. I didn’t expect we’d think the same thing.”

Sophia, flexing her gloved hands, spotted Kahil and Irene not far away.

“Still, it was worth it. I got to see those two standing together after entering.”

Kahil was still silent, standing there while Irene stayed by his side. Sophia looked on with amusement.

“They really do look good together.”

“I find it scary, honestly. Why is he suddenly not speaking?”

“Oh, that?”

At Diana’s question, Sophia smiled slyly.

“I gave him a little tip. I told him that newcomers at an Imperial banquet should only speak after the formal conversation begins. It’s surprisingly effective.”

“He actually believed that nonsense… Oh, right. But why did you tell him that?”

“The higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment.”

Sophia muttered darkly as she stared at Irene.

“That way, Lady Irene will be even more shocked when the Grand Duke shows his true colors.”

Behind her fan, Sophia wore the most wicked smile of all. Seeing this, Neil trembled and slipped away, making an excuse about work, while Diana could only accept it with resignation.

“Before we begin the banquet, His Majesty will deliver a congratulatory address.”

The Imperial banquet began with the Emperor’s speech. Evan climbed the stairs and stood at the center of the nobles. All eyes turned to him.

“…….”

Diana, too, looked up at Evan standing at the podium. Maybe it was because it had been a long time since he’d stood there officially, but Evan seemed to have a different aura, and Diana couldn’t take her eyes off him.

“Thank you all for coming.”

At last, Evan spoke. As his gaze swept over the nobles, it lingered for a moment on one spot—where Arthur was standing.

“I hope this will be a welcome banquet for the Grand Duke that everyone will remember.”

Arthur’s brow twitched and twisted at Evan’s words. Then, Evan’s gaze turned to Diana. Their eyes met.

“…….”

Under the sparkling chandelier, Evan smiled at Diana. She stared back, dazed. Nearby, the ladies began to whisper among themselves.

“My goodness, did you see that? His Majesty smiled at Lady Christine during his speech! I’ve never seen His Majesty smile like that before.”

“It just shows how much he loves Lady Christine. I’m so jealous.”

Evan’s short speech ended. As he descended the stairs, Diana muttered,

“I just realized, I must be weak to His Majesty’s smile.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. It’s hard to explain… I used to be scared when he smiled. Lately, not so much.”

Normally, she would have been afraid he was up to something, but maybe it was the atmosphere of the banquet—today felt different. Diana shrugged lightly.

When Evan’s speech ended, music began to play. It was time for the first dance. By tradition, everyone was to dance with their partner, so Sophia headed to the center of the ballroom.

“Finally, once this worst moment is over, I’m done. Wish me luck.”

“Take it easy, please.”

All the ladies and gentlemen who had brought partners stood at the center of the ballroom. Of course, the most noticeable were Evan and Sophia, and Kahil and Irene. Watching from afar, Diana focused on Kahil’s dancing.

How well can he dance?

Contrary to Diana’s hope that he might be good at dancing, Kahil began to fumble as soon as he took Irene’s hand.

“…As expected.”

Her hope vanished instantly. Even among the crowd, Kahil’s awkwardness stood out. If only he weren’t so big, it might have been less obvious.

“Look at that. His Highness’s dancing.”

Others were noticing Kahil’s dancing as well.

“He must be clumsy because he’s spent all his time on battlefields.”

“True, but isn’t it kind of refreshing to see this unexpected side? It would be boring if he were too perfect.”

Soon, they would see an even more unexpected side. Diana looked at the ladies chatting excitedly with a hint of pity. Meanwhile, Evan and Sophia began to dance, still wearing those thick gauntlets.

“It’s cruel that partners must always dance the first dance together.”

“Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to change that rule.”

“That’s why you and I are in this dreadful situation, aren’t we? Oh well. Let’s just hope this ends quickly, Your Majesty.”

With a little smile, Sophia began to move her feet.

“By the way, I got new shoes today, so if I accidentally step on your foot, Your Majesty, I apologize in advance.”

Beneath her fluttering dress, the sharp heels of Sophia’s new shoes peeked out. They moved dangerously close to Evan’s shoes.

“What a coincidence. I got new shoes too. I anticipated your clumsy mistakes and reinforced the toes with the same material as the gauntlets, Lady Christine.”

Evan, too, was wearing new shoes. They looked normal, but inside, the tops were covered with solid metal.

“Of course, I understand. Considering your short stature, Lady Christine, you need high heels to look me in the eye. As the considerate person I am, I made allowances.”

“Oh my, thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. So if my short legs accidentally kick your shin, will you forgive me?”

“I think your heel will break first Lady Christine. If that happens, you won’t be able to dance anymore. Without shoes, you’ll disappear from my sight.”

An invisible battle began between the two. While dancing to the music, Evan and Sophia did their best to sabotage each other’s feet. Their dance was so intense that everyone watching couldn’t help but comment.

“Do you see that? His Majesty and Lady Christine’s dance. Amazing. To dance so fast…”

“They really stand out among the others. Remarkable people, truly.”

“They look perfect together, don’t they?”

Their dazzling footwork looked like nothing more than fancy steps to the audience. Among the murmuring nobles, Diana, who knew the truth, watched Evan and Sophia’s dance in disbelief. Still, she had to admit, at least to outsiders, they looked perfectly normal.

“I didn’t expect to see you here, Lady Diana.”

“……!”

While watching Evan and Sophia’s dance, Diana turned at the sound of a voice beside her.