Chapter 27

“…Yes. I’m fine.”

“That’s a shame. I could still offer my foot right now.”

As the memory of their first meeting’s mishap came to mind, her face flushed with heat. Karina gritted her teeth slightly and said,

“Don’t tease me.”

At the same time, Noah gently released the hand that had been supporting her waist, as if unwrapping it. Karina stepped back in sync with his movement. Pivoting on their joined hands, she spun once.

The arm that had briefly left her waist returned to wrap around her again. Tilting his head, Noah said,

“I wasn’t teasing. I meant it.”

When she looked at Noah again, his face was as bright and innocent as ever. For a moment, Karina felt completely deflated. She exhaled softly, gazing at the empty air.

‘It would’ve been better if it were a joke.’

She shook her head at herself, floating like a fool in the void.

The atmosphere of the song grew more intense, and as time passed, Karina could feel the prickling stares on the back of her head. Lost in her thoughts, which weren’t quite worries, Karina spun once more and then opened her mouth.

“Are you really a knight?”

Noah silently stepped back with one foot. Karina focused on his movements for a moment.

The direction his hair swayed, the moment his gaze shifted, even the soft curve of his closed lips.

“Well, who knows?”

“….”

“What do I look like to you, Miss Karina?”

The plain voice escaping his slightly parted lips, and the man in front of her, obscured by all of it.

Karina slowly closed and reopened her eyes. Between the streaks of light spreading like paint, he was smiling.

“…I don’t know.”

From beginning to end, he was someone she simply couldn’t understand. Even now, there were so many things she wanted to ask.

To Karina, Noah’s impression had changed countless times.

From a mysterious gentleman to a free spirit of the high castle, from a street ruffian to a crazy man climbing the Imperial Palace walls.

The only certainty was that none of those impressions were unlike him.

Caught up in the dance, Karina unconsciously glanced at the crowd. Among them was Phyllis.

‘I wish you hadn’t met that man.’

His slightly distorted face seemed to say as much. It was advice that had already faded into the distance.

Karina’s gaze, which had lingered on Phyllis for a moment, dropped. Noah’s hand left hers, as if to mark the end.

At that moment, the shoe she had been wearing awkwardly gave way. Their hands, which had been barely holding on, separated.

“Ah…!”

In the slowed-down moment, Karina reached out her hand. Strangely, she wasn’t afraid. An arm quickly came to support her waist, and Noah, looking down at her, spoke softly.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let go.”

His shadowed face lit up as if illuminated. It was an unbelievable sight.

Karina was pulled upright and placed back on her feet. Noah slowly let go of her waist. By then, the music had already ended. The nobles, who had been watching cautiously, began clapping one by one.

“Tsk. That was more impressive than I expected.”

The Crown Prince’s muttering was oddly audible. Turning her back to the crowd, Karina clutched her dress in her hands.

Noah lifted his head and smiled. On that stage, until the very end, it was just the two of them.

***

Karina returned to her seat after finishing the dance with Noah.

“I’ll just step out to the lounge for a moment. My shoes are a bit uncomfortable.”

Feigning a grimace as she spoke, Asillis nodded as if he understood. Although Kamil was still on her mind, she didn’t want to dance again. Karina walked off, pretending her feet hurt.

“Excuse me, but aren’t you the young lady of the Edelin household?”

However, she hadn’t gotten far when a young nobleman approached her.

“Yes. Is there something you need?”

“I was just wondering where you were headed, as the atmosphere is so lively.”

He was a man whose persistent eye contact felt burdensome. Karina awkwardly smiled and took a step back.

“My shoes are uncomfortable, so I’m heading to the lounge.”

The man, who seemed to have been hoping for something, looked disappointed as he lowered his gaze. But he quickly brightened his expression and said,

“Then let me accompany you to the lounge.”

“Pardon?”

“I couldn’t possibly let a lady go alone. Please, don’t feel burdened—let’s go.”

Caught off guard by the unexpected offer, Karina opened and closed her mouth, unsure of what to say. She couldn’t immediately think of a reason to refuse.

Just as she was about to decline, a familiar voice interrupted from the side.

“There’s always a reason when someone doesn’t ask for help.”

Phyllis, who had approached without her noticing, was smiling smoothly as he looked at the man.

Karina unconsciously clenched her dress in her hands. The man glanced at her with a flustered expression.

Ignoring the tense atmosphere, Phyllis continued, staring directly at the man.

“I believe the lounge is just down the hall. Don’t you think this is a bit excessive?”

Though his face was smiling, his words carried an edge. Karina had to stifle a laugh at the phrase “excessive.” The man, his lips twitching as if he had something to say, eventually turned and left.

Karina immediately left the banquet hall. As she entered the less crowded hallway, Phyllis called out to her.

“Wait a moment, Karina.”

Karina hesitated for a moment before continuing to walk. The sound of hesitant footsteps overlapped with her own.

Phyllis spoke in a slightly impatient tone.

“You don’t have to rush because of me. I just… wanted to ask if your feet hurt a lot.”

His voice, filled with concern, echoed down the hallway. He must have overheard her excuse to her father.

Karina’s steps, which had been slowing, came to a stop. It was her own decision.

Taking a small breath, Karina replied without turning to look at him.

“It’s a lie.”

“….”

“My feet are perfectly fine. So there’s no need to worry.”

No more words came from behind her. Karina continued walking, turning a corner just ahead. She soon saw the door to the lounge and headed toward it.

“I won’t ask for forgiveness.”

Phyllis’s voice reached her as she walked down the hallway, stopping her in her tracks.

“Just stay there for a moment and listen. Please.”

Karina matched the foot she had stepped forward with to the other and stood still. That was all. She didn’t turn around or respond, remaining motionless.

“My mother’s health has worsened a lot this year.”

Phyllis began speaking cautiously.

“Her condition is beyond what medicine can help, so she needs to rest. She’s been thinking of moving to a quieter place next spring.”

At those words, Karina frowned slightly. It was news she was hearing for the first time.

“I thought the news of a broken engagement would shock her. I figured I could bring it up once her health improved a little.”

But that didn’t make it understandable. The health of Lady Herwin and their engagement were separate matters. Besides, the one who had first mentioned breaking off the engagement wasn’t Karina—it was Phyllis. Learning his reasons didn’t mean she could understand or empathize. Karina’s heart grew even calmer.

“I know this won’t serve as an excuse. I was so preoccupied with what was in front of me that I didn’t consider the hurt you’d feel.”

In a way, it seemed like he was being brave. She had never seen Phyllis so disorganized before. Yet the more Karina listened to him, the stranger she felt.

“I just want you to know one thing.”

His desolate voice echoed in the hallway. As always, it didn’t feel insincere.

“I’m sorry for making you think I didn’t care about you at all.”

After hearing everything, Karina realized one thing.

It didn’t matter whether Phyllis’s story was true or not. Nor did it matter if his apology was sincere.

What mattered most was Karina herself. Her conclusion came more easily than she expected. Karina let out a small, hollow sigh.

‘I don’t want to know.’

It was such a trivial conclusion, it was almost laughable. She had no interest in what Phyllis had to say.

“…It’s too late, Phyllis.”

Had his apology come sooner, or had he explained his meaningless reasons earlier, would things have turned out differently? It was a delusion disguised as hope. Karina shattered that delusion herself.

“There’s nothing I want to hear from you anymore.”

Her flat tone echoed off the walls and disappeared.

After standing still for a while, she moved her rusted legs and took a step forward. Without looking back, Karina entered the lounge. Only then did her aimless steps come to a halt.

The room was empty. Karina walked to the nearest sofa and quietly sat down. Sitting blankly, the faint sounds of music from the banquet hall began to reach her ears.

‘When would be the right time to return?’

As she sat like a statue, Karina suddenly lifted her head. Voices from outside were approaching the lounge.

“This is the lounge. The lady is sitting over there.”

“Miss Karina.”

Gale, who entered with an attendant, called her name as soon as he spotted her. He hesitantly approached her.

“Uh… I heard from the guards that you were here, so I came to find you.”

Karina glanced at the attendant holding something and then turned back to Gale.

“Is there something you need?”

“Yes. The Duke of Edelin seems to be looking for you, so I came to inform you.”

“My father?”

Feigning ignorance, Karina asked, though she already knew why Asillis was looking for her. It seemed it was time to return. Karina started to rise but paused when she noticed the attendant still standing there.

Perhaps misunderstanding her hesitation, Gale reached out awkwardly and explained,

“…Ah, I’m sorry. I heard your feet were bothering you, so…”

Karina gave him an awkward smile and glanced to the side. Only then did the attendant speak.

“I’ve brought something to deliver to you.”

The attendant placed a box on the floor. When Karina saw its contents, her expression hardened. A pair of low-heeled shoes was taken out and set on the ground.

“One of the young lords mentioned it earlier. He said if you were in the lounge and seemed uncomfortable, I should give these to you…”

The attendant’s voice grew quieter and quieter. Karina silently stared at the shoes.

It was truly a cruel form of consideration. She felt relieved that she hadn’t looked back until the very end.