Defying her expectations that he wouldn’t approach her again, Patrick asked her to dance. Amelia was so surprised that she couldn’t even respond. Usually, a married woman’s first dance partner is her husband, or otherwise a relative. Knowing this, Patrick still asked her to dance.

“What impudence is this now.”

Before she could reply, she heard an angry growl. Raphael’s reaction was intense. She was surprised by his fierce glare; if she found it intimidating, Patrick’s pupils must have been shaking as he faced it head-on.

“Are you insane or are you challenging me to a duel?”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

“If that’s not what you meant, I’m curious what it is.”

The atmosphere had sunk so coldly that even breathing seemed noticeable. The tension felt like it could burst at any moment, with everyone just rolling their eyes around.

“I thought she had already danced with the Grand Duke……”

Even Patrick’s response did not ease the chilly expression on Raphael’s face. The hand that held her was just as tight. He gripped her so tightly that it hurt, but in such an atmosphere, she couldn’t say she disliked it.

“Earlier, the Grand Duchess was seen bringing a man…… a man into the room.”

“…….”

“Of course, I thought it was the Grand Duke.”

It seemed she had underestimated him if she thought he would back down at this. Patrick cowardly began to bring up what had happened just before, even making the ridiculous excuse that he thought it was Raphael.

“Didn’t you apologize to me earlier, saying it was a misunderstanding on your part?”

Having checked the room himself, she didn’t expect him to start talking nonsense. She really should have been more careful in the imperial palace……

“It seems I was wrong after all.”

“First Prince…….”

The reason he brought up this story again in a place with people around was obvious. He wanted it to be talked about by the people. The social circle was a place where rumors were made out of nothing, and once branded, it was hard to shake off.

“Silver hair is rare, so maybe that’s why. Isn’t a silver-haired woman unique in the empire?”

He was right. In this ballroom, she was the only woman with silver hair. In other words, Patrick was essentially saying he hadn’t seen it wrong. This turn of events put her at a disadvantage.

“I think a body that can’t fulfill its role might as well not exist.”

“……Grand Duke!”

“If you think of tarnishing my wife’s honor even once more. You’ll have to give up either your wrong tongue or eyes.”

His tone wasn’t joking at all. Just hearing it made everyone around inhale sharply with tension. And everyone knew that if it was Raphael, he was fully capable of such.

“Lose interest in my wife.”

Who would reject a dance invitation in such a terrifying manner? His intimidating presence seemed to prevent anyone from approaching her. In the chaotic ballroom, only Raphael danced calmly. The woman in his arms couldn’t say anything, dumbfounded by the situation.

“…….”

“Why…… aren’t you asking?”

Certainly, they were dancing just like yesterday, but the situation was completely different. The strange tension that tickled her lower abdomen had disappeared. Instead, a suffocating uncomfortable silence took its place.

“I don’t understand what my wife is talking about.”

“Aren’t you going to ask who I met?”

She was anxious because he kept his mouth shut, not because of immense trust in her. She had expected him to press her for answers right away……

“Will you tell me if I ask?”

She couldn’t reveal the Master’s identity to him, so naturally, she would pretend not to know. Just like she did with the First Prince.

“It doesn’t matter to me whether you were with a man or not.”

“…….”

“I have no intention of letting you go anyway.”

***

Raphael said such words and yet danced another song with her calmly. It was possible because he led her entirely, even if she stayed still.

“…….”

She couldn’t guess why he started to obsess over her. It seemed strange to chalk it up to mere possessiveness.

“Need… Need……”

What could possibly make Amelia necessary for Raphael? Especially a woman who’s suspected of being from the imperial family. Moreover, he felt something more than possessiveness towards her.

“Your Highness?”

“Ah, Madam……”

It was Emila who approached her while she was alone.

“Would you like some champagne?”

“Yes, Madam.”

Amelia only blinked blankly at the action of being handed a glass. Perhaps she thought alcohol would be comforting since Amelia liked drinking?

“Having a light drink isn’t a bad idea.”

“…….”

It seemed her guess was right. As long as she drinks, she thinks everything is okay. Normally, she would have refused, but today was different. Raphael was nowhere to be seen, and there was no one to stop her.

“That sounds like a good idea.”

Apart from Patrick, other members of the imperial family were in no position to speak to her due to the many prying eyes.

“Your Highness…?”

“Ah, the alcohol is gone.”

Amelia was currently on her third consecutive glass of champagne. Normally, she wouldn’t even touch alcohol since her body couldn’t handle it. But perhaps because her body had changed, the alcohol went down smoothly.

And it even tasted sweet. People must drink alcohol for this taste. It made sense why Amelia became an alcoholic; she had never tolerated alcohol this well before.

“The alcohol content is low but… it’s better to drink slowly.”

Emila seemed to hover nearby to watch over her, but Emila had a considerable position in society. Meaning there were many others looking for her besides Amelia.

“Marchioness Blake.”

“I’m fine. Please go ahead.”

“Your Highness…….”

“I’ll stop after this one.”

Amelia shook her champagne glass to reassure Emila. At least since Raphael had threatened Patrick, he wouldn’t come looking for her again. The same went for the Emperor and Empress; they were too busy talking at the top table.

If the Emperor had used Patrick to provoke her… that plan had already failed. They couldn’t make another rash plan in such a situation. It would only remind people that the Grand Duchy stood above imperial authority.

“…….”

She thought coming to the party would unravel some mysteries, but it only got more complicated. She barely learned that the First Prince wasn’t the Emperor’s son but his nephew. And her hope that one could have the appearance of the imperial family without being one was brutally crushed.

“Shall I bring more champagne?”

“Yes, please.”

Before she knew it, she had already emptied all the champagne glasses on the tray long ago. Despite telling Emila she wouldn’t drink anymore, she kept reaching for more. It seemed like Amelia’s original body was revolting after tasting alcohol for the first time in a while; there was no other explanation. She couldn’t even remember how many glasses she had drunk.

“I…… Your Highness the Grand Duchess, should I bring some food?”

“No need.”

It was to the point where even the servant bringing the alcohol tried to stop her. She originally couldn’t understand people who drank. She hated the idea of borrowing courage from the power of alcohol, just because one was drunk. But now, she found herself not knowing anymore.

“Raphael Lloyd Siegfried…….”

Amelia frowned as the golden haze in front of her eyes moved dizzyingly. The senselessly flickering made her feel bad.

“How much did you drink? I can’t take my eyes off you for a second.”

“What does it…… matter to you.”

It wasn’t a misunderstanding; it really was Raphael. She pulled him towards her as if to tell him to stop, due to his mumbling that seemed to scramble her brain. Surprisingly, he followed easily, and for some reason, courage welled up inside her, so she grabbed Raphael’s arm and headed towards the balcony.

“Amelia.”

“Stop! Don’t call my name.”

This body wasn’t good at handling alcohol. The quickly rising drunkenness made her stomach churn. Moreover, an unknown boldness emerged. She began to understand why the original Amelia would cause a ruckus whenever she drank.

“Why…… do you need me?”

No answer came back to her question. Instead, a strange sensation crawled inside her mouth along with a breath that was blocked.