Chapter 8

Mel tried her best to smoothly match Rihast’s lead, which was rougher than Rudrich’s. Unlike his appearance, Rihast’s lead didn’t consider Mel’s movements at all, and his failure to time the steps that should have been politely withdrawn at appropriate moments made things difficult for her.

His subtly rude behavior, which other nobles watching their dance wouldn’t notice, allowed Mel to quickly grasp what kind of character he had.

“I wanted to apologize to Your Highness the First Prince when I met you.”

“For what?”

Rihast’s voice was curt as he pretended not to know. She could feel that he wanted to draw a clear line.

“I heard that due to my rash actions, Your Highness has become the subject of unpleasant rumors among the imperial people.”

“Ah.”

Though it was basic etiquette to humbly deny such things, Rihast simply nodded in brief affirmation. Seeing this, Mel smiled gently without showing any sign of discomfort. Rihast seemed to dislike even her smile, clicking his tongue softly as he spoke.

“The princess would do well to be more careful in her conduct. Such hasty behavior is merely laughable.”

Unlike Rudrich, who had shown extreme respect to her despite her being an enemy prisoner, Mel stood here as the princess of Reibritton. Rihast didn’t spare any rudeness necessary to shake off the rumors circulating about him and the princess.

‘Simple- and narrow-minded.’

Mel made this brief internal assessment of Rihast. These aspects of the First Prince would become even more pronounced when he showed his true face. She could guess that Genoa probably planned to use this point to bring down the First Prince and help promote the Second Prince as emperor by leveraging his competence.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

“Huh.”

Rihast was visibly disgusted seeing Mel remain composed even at his blatant mockery. Though she knew he wouldn’t be friendly, his obvious revulsion made her think that if Amelia had been here instead of her, she would have slapped the First Prince.

‘The princess’s cooperation would be essential for absorbing Reibritton without issues, yet he acts like this……’

Mel could tell from Rihast’s attitude that he had completely excluded her from discussions about Reibritton’s future. She could easily guess the reason why.

“It seems the Reibritton Kingdom was quite negligent in studying the Raon Empire. That’s why you ended up visiting this imperial palace in such a state.”

Rihast pointed out her dress that seemed to match Duke Ivanstein’s. From what Mel had investigated beforehand, Rihast was someone with extremely strong pride who never forgave those who tried to damage his dignity.

‘It seems he misunderstands my relationship with the Duke……’

It was clear that Rihast was convinced Mel had chosen Ivanstein after deliberating between him and the Duke. After all the rumors about making candles from his flowers, she had chosen Duke Ivanstein, so now he had drawn a line, marking her as someone who had caused a slight crack in his pride as the princess of Reibritton.

‘There’s no reason to get red-faced over an enemy princess who is merely a prisoner, competing with Ivanstein.’

It wasn’t a bad judgment. Rihast needed Ivanstein’s support to be tied to the same scandal as Duke Ivanstein. It wouldn’t be good to show opposition over Duke Ivanstein and the princess of Reibritton.

Rather, drawing a cold line like this and then giving the impression of facing Duke Ivanstein with cool rationality would be more useful in proving his capability as the next emperor. Mel looked resentfully at this dress that had created this situation before quietly swallowing a sigh.

The dance with the First Prince was nearing its end. Even while dancing with Mel, he kept glancing, like he’s checking Genoa’s position. He seemed determined not to even exchange light farewell greetings with Mel when this dance ended.

‘At this rate, it seems impossible to draw out the First Prince’s true nature.’

Though Mel also wanted to end the conversation here with the unfriendly First Prince, she couldn’t. To successfully complete her deal with Genoa, she had to somehow make the First Prince reveal his true face in front of her.

“Ah.”

Just then, Mel recalled something her mother had told her long ago.

“If you want to see someone’s bare face without their pretense, there are largely two methods, dear. One is to gain their favor and become close enough for them to reveal their true feelings, and the other is……”

A pleasant curve formed on Mel’s lips. She spoke to Rihast in an even brighter voice.

“My. It seems Your Highness doesn’t like my dress.”

Mel gracefully twirled, making her dress flutter elegantly despite Rihast’s poor lead. The dress, which looked as if silver powder had been sprinkled on it, sparkled brilliantly in the light. That light seemed to dye the entire party venue in the colors of the Ivanstein ducal family.

“Could I be mistaken in thinking Your Highness seems disappointed?”

At Mel’s light joke, Rihast’s face twisted violently. With just one dress gifted by Duke Ivanstein, Rihast showed her his true face. It was an attitude that didn’t even need pretense for someone he deemed worthless.

But Mel rather liked that. She preferred someone like Rihast whose inner thoughts were transparently revealed over someone like Genoa whose thoughts were impossible to read.

“If you have that much perception, I suppose I could interpret the princess’s rash actions as intentional.”

“That couldn’t be. I’m hurt that you would say such things.”

“Are we close enough to speak of being hurt, princess?”

Rihast coldly cut off Mel’s words and glared at her. But Mel’s expression showed no concern. If anything, it seemed as though whatever Rihast said had no value to her at all. And that was exactly the kind of response Rihast despised.

“If you’re so worn out, go shake your behind in front of Duke Ivanstein like you usually do, princess.”

With Rihast’s brief warning, their dance ended. As if unwilling to even exchange the brief customary farewell bow, Rihast turned his back on Mel. Behind him, a small but distinct mutter could be heard,

“As I thought, that man won’t do. To think he’s worse than the Second Prince, the Duke’s judgment was right.”

At those words, Rihast’s steps abruptly halted. Turning around, he saw nobles flocking in groups, eager to somehow converse with the princess of Reibritton.

“Princess of Reibritton, would you honor me with a dance this time?”

“I’ve been waiting since you danced with His Highness Rudrich, princess. It’s right that you give me priority first.”

“No, before that person, I should……”

The princess maintained a benevolent smile while looking troubled as she dealt with them.

It was then that Rihast spotted his younger brother Rudrich among the pathetic crowd gathering around the princess.

“If it’s not too presumptuous, I would like to continue our previous conversation, princess. I would appreciate if you could spare some time.”

The princess, who had been politely declining others’ requests with gentle words, smiled happily at Rudrich’s words. That smile was so much like sunshine that Rihast felt the smile the princess had shown while dancing with him had been completely artificial.

“……”

As the princess was about to take Rudrich’s outstretched hand, she glanced briefly in Rihast’s direction. The princess, meeting Rihast’s eyes as he stood quietly watching her, curtsied lightly.

When the princess raised her bowed head, she smiled at Rihast with the corners of her eyes. Some might compose songs about losing themselves in the princess’s clear, beautiful smile, but only one thought occupied Rihast’s mind:

‘Did she just… mock me?’

It was subtle enough that others wouldn’t notice, and she had ridiculed him in a voice too quiet for others to hear.

Only now did he realize the nature of his vague displeasure. That the princess of Reibritton, backed by Duke Ivanstein, had dared to toy with him. Rihast’s mind turned crimson red.

“It seems I have much to learn from my conversation with His Highness the Second Prince. I’ll gladly join you.”

“Thank you, princess.”

While everyone’s attention was focused on the princess of Reibritton crossing the party hall following Rudrich’s lead, no one was alert enough to notice the First Prince striding purposefully after her.

Rihast’s eyes gleamed dangerously, as fiery as the rippling red drink in his hand.

* * *

After leaving the party hall, Rudrich intended to guide Mel to his private lounge.

“Thank you for accepting my request, princess.”

“I’m not in a position to refuse, so please put away your thanks.”

“That’s not true, I believe that Reibritton and the Raon Empire…… Gasp!”

While the two were walking and conversing, Mel’s neck suddenly jerked backward, and something cold poured over her head.

When Rudrich turned around with a sharp intake of breath, he discovered Rihast glaring at the princess with blazing eyes, breathing heavily. Only then did Rudrich realize that Rihast had grabbed the princess’s hair and poured his cold drink over her.

“Brother, what is this!”

Rudrich was about to burst out in anger but bit his lip hard, remembering they weren’t far from the party hall. Fortunately, most of the palace staff were concentrated in the party hall, so there was no one in the corridor except for the two princes’ attendants.

“What kind of rudeness is this, Brother?”

Rudrich’s voice lowered and growled as he reprimanded Rihast. If not for his two hands supporting the princess who was staggering with disheveled hair, he might have lunged at him.

“I merely gave her an appearance befitting a princess.”

“Brother!”