Chapter 26

An invitation from the Imperial Princess’s Palace circulated, announcing a ball to introduce the Prince. With the Empire’s nobility intrigued, many accepted the invitation, all eager to see the Prince. To be precise, they were curious about the truth behind the rumors of the ‘melancholic and beautiful Prince.’ Since the Prince had no standing, the main expectation was, first, his handsome face, second, his handsome face, and third, again, his handsome face.

Thus, more than half the guests were women, and though fewer, there were still some men who seemed interested in men.

Naturally, the rumors were confirmed the moment they saw his face.

Before meeting Amber, he might have thought, ‘Isn’t it better to have a face than neither status nor looks?’ But now, witnessing the current situation, he revised his thoughts with some colorful curses. It was just so d*mn bothersome.

“I am Serena, Lady of the Illis family. This is Madame Valentin. She lost her husband recently. Since becoming a widow…”

“Yes. Pleased to meet you, Madame.”

Wondering why the widow status was being emphasized, Dieldo smiled politely.

“I’ve heard many rumors about you, Prince. If there’s a chance, I’d like to go hunting with you—may I send you an invitation?”

“Sending an invitation is entirely up to you, Sir.”

He responded appropriately, wondering why this person’s handshake was so unpleasant.

Just as a twitch threatened his mouth, the Imperial Princess rescued him. No, it would be more accurate to say Dieldo rescued himself, using the Princess as his means. It was customary for betrothed couples to share the first dance. Though neither wanted the engagement and both planned to break it, it was still an official relationship. Dieldo took advantage of that fact and called to the Princess.

“Your Imperial Highness, would you honor me with the first dance?”

The Princess looked at his hand with displeasure, sighed just loudly enough to be heard, and accepted. To the spring-like, fresh music, they stepped onto the floor.

‘D*mn ball. D*mn perverted noble bastards.’

Thanks to them, not only did he fail to see even a shadow of Amber, but he couldn’t meet the royal research team either. Moreover, the Empire’s harsh pronunciation was utterly grating on the ears.

“Have you met your savior?”

…Even now, that thought hadn’t changed. As he matched the Princess’s steps, Dieldo scoffed at her question.

“Obviously not.”

Having watched the scene from a few paces away, the Princess grinned shamelessly.

“What’s wrong? Didn’t even meet the research team?”

“That’s how it turned out.”

“Then try greeting them next time. The first dance will be over soon.”

“If only I had the chance. Maybe I’ll look while dancing a few more songs. This kind of time-wasting is just…”

Dieldo stopped mid-sentence when he turned his head, thinking he’d ignore anyone who tried to block his way with pointless chatter.

“Now…”

“Hmm?”

His lips, which had been curled in irritation, relaxed, and his expression turned blank, making the Princess look at him in confusion.

“No. It’s nothing.”

With the last bit of rationality, Dieldo stopped the Princess from following his gaze. Yet he couldn’t help but look toward the end of his vision.

It was instinct.

A woman entered the floor with a tall man. She awkwardly placed her hand on the man’s shoulder, allowed him to hold her waist. Even in that moment, she didn’t spare a glance in his direction.

His expression went blank.

Ah.

Her pale pink dress spread softly in time with the music. The long neck beneath her pinned-up brown hair was white. Dieldo watched, not realizing how intense his gaze had become, and frowned as the man leaned down to speak to her.

‘Who the hell is that bastard?’

The man leaned down and said something, making her pout. They seemed close. 

‘Who is he? How dare that old guy flirt with her?’

In truth, the man only looked middle-aged, hardly old, but Dieldo disparaged him without hesitation. Then, suddenly coming to his senses… somewhere in his mind, a voice whispered.

‘Are you really satisfied just watching?’

His eyes wavered. As they did, he lost the strength to lead the Princess, a mistake. He let go of her hand, then quickly grabbed it again, but those nearby would have noticed.

“…I’m sorry.”

The Princess looked at him with slightly widened eyes, surprised by his uncharacteristic apology and his attempt to keep dancing while distracted by someone else.

“It’s fine.”

Though she answered, to Dieldo it was just background noise. His attention was completely elsewhere. The way Amber looked up at the man, her ambiguous smile, her silhouette disappearing and reappearing among the crowd. Amber, Amber, Amber…

“Would you like another dance, Prince Otranie?”

“Ah.”

The song had ended before he realized. He abandoned his plan to dance a few more songs at the Princess’s question.

“No.”

He answered while watching Amber speak to her partner. As Amber left the floor, he followed her, greeted her, and when he came to his senses, he was standing behind Amber on the ballroom terrace.

“Amber.”

‘Amber…? D*mn. Did I just call out to her?’

He realized his mistake only after it was done. The moment Amber turned her gaze to him, Dieldo’s heart tightened. Just because he’d caught her attention. At least, that’s how it started.

And then, another tightening feeling came from their locked eyes.

It had been a month and a few days since they’d last met. And a month was enough time for feelings to change, enough for resentment toward one person to build. But he thought that time and distance wouldn’t apply to them.

So, it couldn’t be. No way. Of all people, Amber wouldn’t look at him like that. Denying it, Dieldo met her cold gaze.

“…….”

He parted his lips, but the problem was, he couldn’t figure out what to say. Should he ask how she’d been? Or explain his identity? What happened while she was away that day? Or maybe their first meeting? …Maybe he needed to say it all. But of all those words, not a single one was easy to start. Why?

For someone who had always been glib, this was a new experience. When he’d first met Amber, hadn’t he brazenly exposed himself and called her ‘Master’?

“Prince?”

As he opened his mouth and closed it again like an idiot, Amber spoke first. He thought, like a fool, how beautiful the Kingdom’s language sounded.

“What brings you here? Ah, did you come out for some air? Then I’ll leave you to it.”

Prince. Not George, but Prince… and in formal speech.

Dieldo realized he’d secretly hoped she’d call him George. That made him blurt out something stupid.

“Why are you talking like that?”

“…Excuse me?”

“You’re treating me like a stranger. Master.”

‘You idiot, shut up.’

He tried to stop himself, but it was too late. Seeing her expression go pale at the word ‘Master’, he knew he’d said something he shouldn’t.

“What do you mean, Prince? Master…?”

“Why are you pretending not to know? I was your George.”

Still unable to shut his mouth.

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Amber’s eyes widened in apparent confusion. As bewildered as she’d looked when she’d looked up at him in the garden. Truly, it was a face that said she didn’t remember. His voice trembled slightly as it escaped.

“It’s the name you gave me.”

“…….”

Amber lightly shook her head, saying nothing. As if giving him one last chance to fix the situation.

D*mn. He knew if he went any further, he’d just look pathetic.

‘…No, does she really not remember? Why?’

‘Witch.’

A face flashed through his mind, but the Witch had said she’d take his emotions as payment. But for his pain, his intense feelings, would she have tampered with Amber’s memory…? Isn’t that possible?

Thinking that far, Dieldo let out a silent, bitter laugh.

What if she does remember? And if she doesn’t? What a selfish, foolish attachment. Whether she’s pretending not to remember or truly can’t, Amber must have her reasons, and in that case, it was right to leave quietly without digging any deeper.

She was always too good for him. She deserved someone better. All he’d ever wanted was to see her, even just once, even from afar. That was enough… wasn’t it? So why was he clinging so desperately now?

“Don’t you remember?”

“I don’t know what misunderstanding you have, but… there’s nothing between you and I worth remembering.”

At those words, Dieldo’s heart dropped. So he blurted out,

“I… belonged to you.”

“Pardon?”

“If you don’t remember, that’s not right, is it?”

“…….”

“You even gave me a name. You took responsibility for me.”

He knew he was contradicting himself ridiculously. D*mn, saying two different things with one mouth. Disgusting… But, when he’d mentioned the engagement and come to the Empire, he’d meant it. He’d just lied to himself about what that meant.