Bella exclaimed his name inwardly. Blake Rowell, 25 years old. A soldier and war hero. He was a newly elevated noble who had received his title for expanding the Empire’s territory.

He was a proper gentleman who, despite bringing bloodshed like a god of war, always acted like a knight serving a lady when it came to the Princess.

He bowed and kissed the back of Natalie’s hand.

‘Wow, look at the size difference…’

He seemed to be at least a head and a half taller than Natalie. The standing illustrations she was used to seeing were always cut off at the waist, so she hadn’t realized the difference would be this great when they stood side by side.

Special illustrations of the two together were released during events, but seeing it in person was moving.

She would fit in his arms with room to spare. A simple tiptoe wouldn’t be nearly enough for Natalie to kiss him, hehe…

Bella smiled a bit mischievously as she already imagined the two dating.

She picked up a glass of champagne from a table and sipped it instead of popcorn, hiding behind a pillar as she secretly watched Natalie.

Soon another male lead appeared. A slender man with dazzling blonde hair and eyes as blue as a lake.

As he appeared, Blake, the exemplar of chivalry, could be seen giving him a respectful greeting.

‘Leon…!’

Bella called his name inwardly with excitement. Leon Herbert, 20 years old. He was the crown prince of the neighboring Kingdom of Edelbern.

He was a year younger than Natalie. Usually dignified and composed as befitting a prince, but once dating began, he would show a cute, younger boyfriend side full of aegyo. Because of this contrasting charm, Leon was definitely Bella’s first pick.

‘Ah, he’s already so cute.’

Even though there was no sign of that side of him now, Bella superimposed the image of Leon with maxed affection onto him. The champagne went down very smoothly.

‘I wonder which one she’ll dance with first this time.’

As Natalie elegantly extended her hand wrapped in white gloves, Leon took it and placed it on his arm. It seemed her choice was Leon.

As the two moved to the center of the floor, the music changed to a dance tune.

Leon lightly placed his hand on Natalie’s waist, and Natalie rested her hand on Leon’s arm. They began to dance across the floor, gliding while gazing into each other’s eyes.

How could one express the emotion of seeing a scene that had been captured in a single illustration now unfolding before one’s eyes?

Bella forgot to drink her champagne as she watched them dance, completely absorbed.

‘They’re so elegant and cute together, everything.’

Leon truly looked like a prince from a fairy tale. As he looked down at Natalie with his brilliant blonde hair and handsome face, smiling gently, Bella’s cheeks flushed even from a distance.

Natalie was smiling back faintly. But the smile on Natalie’s face wasn’t a broad one, just a polite smile.

Bella thought it must be because this was their first meeting and things were still a bit awkward.

‘I wonder who she’ll choose this time?’

She liked all five male leads, and if she had to pick just one, Leon was her favorite. But that was when Bella was playing.

This time, she couldn’t click the choices. Natalie would choose her fiancé entirely by her own will. The thought of witnessing this made her heart flutter.

‘Amazing. It feels like watching a movie adaptation of the game. No, it feels a bit different…? Maybe because I’m not just a simple spectator but have become a character myself, the sense of reality is incredible.’

It was then. Bella’s view was suddenly blocked, and a large shadow fell over her body.

Looking up, she saw a large man leaning against the pillar where she had been hiding, resting his arm on it as he looked down at her.

“Blake!”

Having unconsciously called out his name, Bella quickly added, as if nothing was amiss:

“…Lord Rowell.”

“Do you know me?”

“You’re a war hero. Who in this gathering wouldn’t know Lord Rowell’s name?”

Bella quickly deflected. A somewhat shy smile appeared on Blake’s face.

She had thought he was big when he stood next to Natalie, but seeing him up close, his imposing presence was tremendous.

To meet his eyes at this close distance, she had to tilt her head back. And those shoulders as wide as an ocean.

Due to his position, he was wearing his military uniform even at the ball, and thanks to the elaborate ceremonial decorations, his figure was even more striking.

Bella almost lost herself staring at his broad shoulders and chest tapering down to a sharp waistline. But that wouldn’t be proper, so she quickly raised her gaze.

“Since you already know me, my introduction isn’t necessary. May I ask for the lady’s name instead?”

“Bella Carta.”

“Miss Carta.”

Blake’s olive eyes gazed intently at Bella’s face.

“Excuse me, but you seem to resemble a certain noble person I know.”

Bella was flustered. The noble person clearly referred to Natalie. But in Bella’s opinion, the two didn’t look alike at all. They just had similar height.

“If the person you’re thinking of is who I imagine, that’s not the case.”

She shook her head firmly.

“Perhaps it’s because of this dress? Only Her Highness the Princess and I are wearing this style today. Actually, I’m just a low-ranking lady-in-waiting to the Princess. Thanks to her, I received this dress as a gift and was able to attend.”

Bella pointed to the light blue Empire dress she was wearing. Blake’s gaze moved downward.

‘Uh…?’

Bella swallowed nervously. His gaze seemed to be fixed on her cleavage.

‘He’s probably just looking at the dress.’

That must be it. I’m just being sensitive because I’m not wearing a bra or corset today.

It was only for a brief moment anyway, and his eyes had already moved back up to gently look at her face.

There was no reason for him to be staring at her chest.

Evening dresses were meant to reveal the upper chest and shoulders. Empire dresses had a similar level of exposure.

Every lady in this dance hall was showing a similar amount of their upper chest, so there was no reason for Bella to be special.

Still, she couldn’t help feeling self-conscious, so Bella pulled up the semi-transparent thin shawl draped over her arms to cover her shoulders.

“I see. I apologize.”

Blake slightly bowed his head.

“You’re wearing such a meaningful and beautiful dress, yet why are you hiding in this corner?”

That was to avoid drawing attention. Natalie needed to stand out, but not Bella.

When Bella smiled awkwardly without answering, Blake extended his hand and continued.

“May I ask you for a dance, Miss Carta?”

“Me? You’re asking me?”

Bella quickly shook her head.

“Isn’t there someone else here today who should be receiving dance requests from gentlemen? Especially someone noble who would be delighted by Lord Rowell’s invitation to dance.”

At her tactful refusal, Blake tilted his head slightly and said.

“But I wish to ask you, Miss Carta.”

‘Why is he doing this? Is it because Leon claimed the first dance?’

In the game, he would usually request the second or third dance and wait patiently.

Bella took a step back.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. Actually, I don’t know how to dance. That’s why I’m quietly staying in the corner.”

“I see. That’s unfortunate.”

Bella downed all the champagne she was holding. Then, showing the empty glass, she said.

“My glass is empty. I need to get another. Please excuse me.”

Blake didn’t try to stop her as she quickly escaped.

Bella moved toward the champagne table near the opposite wall while looking at the dance floor.

‘Oh my!’

It seemed that one song had already ended. Natalie and Leon were nowhere to be seen.

Turning her head to look around again, she saw that Natalie had already returned to her place and was talking with someone else.

A tall figure no less imposing than Blake. Black hair, a stern face, and red eyes. It was the third male lead.

Bella, of course, recognized who it was at a glance.