Chapter 60

Although Elton had come all the way here reluctantly, he kept raising and lowering his hand to knock on the door. He stood outside the door for 10 minutes.

“What are you doing not going in?”

Rayden, who had followed him at some point, was standing at a distance, glaring at Elton.

“Can’t you go in, Captain?”

Rayden shook his head firmly and urged him to hurry, saying there was a gathering of the entire 2nd Knights Division soon.

“But why is His Highness the Crown Prince in a bad mood? Did something happen at Lake Duroco?”

“Shh! If you want to live long, don’t wag your tongue carelessly.”

If he had been born the eldest son to inherit the family, he wouldn’t have to live seeing such dirty things…

Today, more than ever, Elton felt sorry for himself as the second son.

‘Knock, knock.’

Under Rayden’s silent pressure, Elton finally knocked after hesitating three times.

“Come in.”

Elton had to suppress the urge to turn and flee at the sound of Louis’s voice, which was colder than the winter wind blowing outside.

Entering the room, Elton approached Louis, who was working at his desk, without even raising his head after greeting him.

“Um, well, that…”

Louis finally looked up and gazed at Elton. Although Louis’s face showed no expression, it felt even scarier to Elton.

“What is it?”

“It’s a letter for Your Highness the Crown Prince. I was ordered to deliver it.”

Feeling that he must not make Louis ask twice, Elton quickly placed the letter he was holding on the desk.

Louis’s cold golden eyes moved slowly to look at the letter envelope. Seeing Vivian’s name written on the envelope, Louis slowly picked it up and opened it.

Louis’s eyes moved slowly. The letter seemed short, as Louis quickly set it down and looked at Elton.

Louis slowly opened his mouth.

Elton watched the Crown Prince’s lips move sluggishly and swallowed hard.

* * *

“…I see.”

Elton wondered why such a trial was given to him today. He cursed and cursed again at the god he didn’t even believe in.

– Tell her I refuse because I don’t have time.

The Crown Prince didn’t even have time to write a few words. He sent Elton to convey his refusal without writing a letter.

He had begged and pleaded with the captain to go instead, but Rayden pushed him to go, even excusing him from afternoon training.

Elton didn’t know what the Crown Prince was refusing, but seeing the drooping shoulders of the Lady made his heart heavy.

“His Highness has been really, really busy lately. So busy that he’s even cut an hour from his early morning training. Because of that, Allen has also been so busy that his dark circles have dropped this much, and there’s a rumor he got dumped by his girlfriend…”

Elton unknowingly started babbling about the recent happenings in the Crown Prince’s palace.

“…Is he really that busy?”

Vivian asked with a worried expression, seemingly affected by Elton’s words. Seeing Vivian’s small, hunched back straighten a little, Elton nodded vigorously.

“Yes! Of course! That’s why he had to leave Lake Duroco so quickly a few days ago.”

At Elton’s words, Vivian jumped up from her seat.

“Lake Duroco? Did His Highness the Crown Prince come there?”

“Yes. The whole knights’ division was on alert due to a sudden schedule that day. We had to patrol the forest and check people entering from the access road.”

The knights had quite a hard time in the cold weather. Remembering those days, Elton shook his head.

“When did he come and leave?”

“Around 2 PM? But he returned to the palace almost immediately. It seemed like he had urgent business… Since then, his mood hasn’t been great. Do you know why, Lady?”

Vivian slumped back into her seat at Elton’s answer.

“L-Lady, are you alright?”

Elton, surprised, checked Vivian’s complexion. Her eyelashes were trembling slightly.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. You can go back now.”

After Elton, who was dripping with concern, left, Vivian remained alone in the drawing room, staring at the blazing firewood.

Could it be that he saw me dancing with Aitor then?

Vivian clasped her hands tightly in anxiety.

She had been disappointed to hear that Louis danced with Reina at last year’s winter ball. Just hearing about it made her so angry; she wondered how she would feel if she had seen it herself.

Although Vivian had no other feelings for Aitor, she began to feel uneasy at the thought that Louis might have seen her with him.

What if he was disappointed?

Vivian pondered whether she should rush to the Crown Prince’s palace and explain that it wasn’t what it seemed, feeling like a large stone sinking into deep water.

“What would I even say?”

But as she stood up, Vivian stopped in her tracks.

She couldn’t say she hadn’t danced, nor could she give the ridiculous excuse that she just happened to be dancing.

The romance books she had bought in bulk didn’t cover what to do in such a situation. 

Was it as pointless as Tia had said?

Vivian, feeling despair, slumped back into her chair.

* * *

On the day of the winter ball, gloomy gray clouds gathered thickly.

Tia kept muttering that she hoped it wouldn’t snow until the ball started, fearing the beautiful dress would be ruined if it snowed.

Vivian’s winter ball preparations began the night before.

As she lay in bed, Tia came over and placed something on her face.

“It’s cold, Tia.”

“No, Young Lady. You mustn’t move.”

Vivian, startled, tried to get up, but Tia pressed her shoulders down and laid her back.

“What is this?”

“Cucumber! They say putting cucumber on your face makes your skin moist and smooth.”

Vivian didn’t know where Tia had gotten cucumbers in the middle of winter, but she had to lie still for over 20 minutes.

Vivian’s grooming, which started the night before, continued until she boarded the carriage to go to the winter ball.

Tia checked the dress matched with the Crown Prince and glanced at Vivian, who was unusually quiet today.

Normally, Vivian would have asked several times when it would be over, but she had been listless for days.

“It’s done, Young Lady. The Duke is waiting in the lobby.”

“Okay.”

After responding energetically, Vivian went downstairs to Duke Tereon, who was standing with Ian.

“Father, are you alright? You arrived late yesterday, so you must still be tired from the journey…”

Duke Tereon smiled brightly at his daughter, who looked at him with concern.

“I’m fine. By the way, you look beautiful today, Vivi.”

Vivian blushed at the Duke’s compliment.

Ian, who wanted to go with them, was finally coaxed by the nanny to go upstairs, and Vivian and Duke Tereon set off for Dovelia Palace.

“How was the winter ball preparation?”

“It wasn’t easy, but it was enjoyable and rewarding.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

On the way to the palace, Vivian and the Duke continued their conversation, exchanging stories about what had happened. Seeing her father listening intently to her stories, Vivian felt her tension ease a little.

As Dovelia Palace came into view, Vivian’s throat began to dry up.

It was the first ball she attended since the engagement ceremony, and it was clear that many eyes would be on her, just like seven years ago. She couldn’t hide behind her father like the 10-year-old Vivian did back then. At that moment, Duke Tereon pulled Vivian’s hand.

“What is this?”

Vivian opened her palm to see what the Duke had given her.

A strawberry-flavored candy.

It was the candy Vivian used to enjoy.

“You seemed nervous.”

At Duke Tereon’s smile, Vivian’s lips also relaxed.

“You’re finally smiling.”

“Pardon?”

“Do you know how stiff you’ve been, Vivi?”

Duke Tereon made a stiff expression, imitating Vivian. She let out a small laugh at her father’s funny face.

“I think I know why, Vivi. But you don’t have to be so nervous.”

Duke Tereon moved from the seat in front to sit beside Vivian. Then he held her cold hand tightly.

“There’s no need to shrink under the gaze of people who don’t know you well. Be yourself, Vivi.”

Her father’s hand was big and warm, as always. That warmth spread from Vivian’s hand to her whole body.

* * *

“Lady Vivian, please come this way.”

It was the first time. Entering the ballroom with someone other than her family. As the Crown Prince’s fiancée, Vivian had to part with the Duke upon arriving at the ballroom to enter with the Crown Prince.

“You will enter with His Highness the Crown Prince before Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress enter.”

The person who introduced himself as one of the Emperor’s aides quickly explained what Vivian needed to know during the move.

“Oh, dear. Was I speaking too fast? Should I explain again?”

“No, I understood well enough.”

The speech was a bit fast, but it was enough for her to understand and remember.

Vivian’s position was ambiguous as she had not officially become royalty yet. Thanks to the materials the Empress had provided in advance, understanding what she needed to be mindful of was easier.

The aide started praising her, saying she was as smart as the rumors said.

“As expected, it’s Vivian.”

Vivian waved off the aide’s compliments, and Louis’s voice came from behind her.

“Louis…”

Vivian turned around and placed a hand on her chest. Her heart, which had started beating abnormally fast upon hearing Louis’s voice, began pounding as if it would leap out of her mouth.

His hair was neatly styled. Louis, dressed in blue formal attire, slowly approached and stood beside Vivian.

As Louis arrived, the aide politely bowed and stepped back.

“It’s been a while.”

Vivian didn’t think she could look Louis in the eye. Her resolve to have a serious conversation with him vanished like a sandcastle swept by the waves.

Her heart was pounding madly even now, and she felt her legs might give out if she met Louis’s gaze and spoke to him, so she tightly closed her eyes.

“Yes, it has been a while.”

“Have you been well?”

“Yes. How about you, Vivian?”

“I’ve been well too.”

After those words, silence fell between them. Only the distant sounds from the ballroom seeped through the large door.

Perhaps because she was so tense, Vivian’s senses were extremely heightened. Every small sound was magnified, and she could distinctly perceive the deep forest scent she always noticed when meeting Louis.

Gathering her courage, Vivian glanced at Louis standing beside her. Today, his intense eyes made her swallow hard without realizing it.

Had he come to Lake Duroco, and if so, why did he leave without a word? Did he see me dancing with Aitor?

She bowed her head, pondering how to broach the subject.

“Um, Louis…”

After hesitating for a long time, Vivian finally opened her mouth. At that moment—

“It’s snowing.”

At Louis’s words, Vivian looked up. To see Louis’s tall face, she had to tilt her head back.

Louis was looking out the window. Vivian followed his gaze and turned towards the large hallway window.

“It really is. It’s snowing.”

Large snowflakes were falling.

“It was snowing then too. It was beautiful, Vivian.”

Vivian turned her gaze from the window to look at Louis. He was also looking down at her.

“You dance well.”

Louis was smiling, his lips curled up.

‘Thud!’

Vivian heard it clearly in her ears. Something large and heavy fell from her chest. And Vivian thought it was her heart, which had been pounding as if broken, that finally dropped.