Chapter 61

“Well, that is, um…”

Vivian felt she had to say something. But with her mind a tangled mess like a knotted thread, no coherent words came out. She could only stammer.

Louis’s eyes moved slowly to look out the window. The snow was getting heavier.

“It will be troublesome to return after the ball.”

Louis said this, then turned his gaze to the large door they would have to enter together.

His firmly closed lips and sharp jawline seemed to convey that he didn’t want to continue the conversation.

Seeing this, Vivian pressed her lips tightly together.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire.”

At Rayden’s voice from a short distance away, Louis and Vivian turned around. The Emperor and Empress were walking side by side to enter the ballroom.

As Vivian and Louis greeted them, the Emperor laughed heartily and raised his hand.

“It feels good to see the two of you together like this.”

The Empress, who was standing a little behind, also smiled warmly at Vivian and Louis.

“Young Lady, it’s been a while.”

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”

“I hear you’ve been helping the Empress with the ball preparations.”

“That’s not true. Other young ladies helped as well, and it was only possible because Her Majesty the Empress was there.”

“Haha, excessive humility can be a flaw.”

The Emperor said, patting Vivian on the shoulder.

“Those who will rise to high positions in the Empire don’t need excessive humility. What do you think, Crown Prince?”

At the Emperor’s question, Vivian looked up at Louis. He simply nodded, his expression revealing no thoughts.

“It seems we are keeping the guests waiting too long.”

The Empress, who was standing a little distance away, stepped forward. The Emperor nodded at her words and gestured to Dave.

Dave, who bowed to the Emperor, opened the firmly closed doors to the ballroom wide. As the doors opened, the ballroom’s dazzling lights instantly enveloped Vivian.

“His Highness Crown Prince Luideos Lindez Tapeullon and his fiancée, Vivian Dinever.”

Before Vivian’s eyes could adjust to the bright lights, Dave announced the entrance of the Crown Prince and his fiancée.

“Let’s go.”

Louis offered his arm to escort Vivian. As she took his arm, Louis moved forward.

On the second floor of the ballroom, Louis and Vivian stood side by side on the terrace overlooking the guests invited to the winter ball.

Holding Louis’s arm, Vivian’s hand tightened as she looked at the nobles bowing their heads.

The sound announcing the Emperor and Empress’s entrance followed, and the nobles bowed in respect.

The gentle smile the Emperor had shown Vivian was nowhere to be seen as he appeared with tremendous charisma.

“I am pleased to introduce to you a fine couple today.”

Looking at Vivian and Louis standing beside him, the Emperor smiled contentedly and continued.

“Rather than commemorating the 20th anniversary of my reign, I intend to end the year with a mind to prepare for the future of the Tapeullon Empire. I hope everyone enjoys the winter ball in their own way.”

As the Emperor announced the start of the winter ball, the nobles raised their heads.

As they descended the stairs, Vivian spotted her father, Duke Tereon, her friend Rosie Langdne, and Jennifer and Reina, who also helped prepare the ball.

When Rosie met Vivian’s eyes, she smiled and gave a thumbs-up, only for Countess Laila to quickly pull down her daughter’s arm.

As they reached the first floor, the orchestra musicians raised their instruments to prepare for the Emperor and Empress’s first dance.

However, the Emperor raised his hand to stop them, preventing the music from starting.

“I would like to yield the first dance today to the couple who will be responsible for the future of Tapeullon. Is that alright, Empress?”

“It is alright, Your Majesty.”

The Empress nodded brightly at the Emperor’s suggestion.

Vivian screamed internally. She knew that as the Crown Prince’s fiancée attending the ball for the first time, she would attract attention, but to have the first dance of the ball?

Vivian thought she might faint while dancing.

“Vivian.”

At that moment, Louis’s voice came from above her head.

When Vivian looked up, Louis was extending his hand, inviting her to dance. Realizing she had been standing absentmindedly, Vivian quickly took Louis’s hand.

Holding Louis’s hand, Vivian stepped to the center of the ballroom. Her legs trembled beneath the blue dress that matched Louis’s formal wear.

“I’m not very good at dancing.”

Standing in the middle of the ballroom, Vivian whispered to Louis as she assumed a dancing position.

“I might, well, step on your feet.”

Louis looked at Vivian, who was staring at the floor instead of him.

“As long as you don’t put a hole in my foot.”

At Louis’s words, Vivian quickly looked up. At that moment, the orchestra began to play. Starting with the low notes of a cello, other instruments joined in to create a rich melody.

Feeling a surge of emotion at Louis’s words, Vivian moved her feet half a beat late as the music began unexpectedly.

It’s ruined.

As her steps began to falter, Vivian hurriedly tried to match the rhythm. Fortunately, she narrowly avoided stepping on Louis’s feet. But as her steps began to misalign, Vivian felt like crying.

The ballroom floor, which Vivian had suggested should look like it was covered in snow, had long since disappeared from view.

I’m going to step on it!

Busy watching the floor as she danced, Vivian suddenly felt her body slip. She saw Louis’s dark blue shoes coming into view and instinctively squeezed her eyes shut.

But instead of stepping on Louis’s shoe, Vivian’s foot lifted into the air.

“Open your eyes and look at me, Vivian.”

At Louis’s words, Vivian opened her eyes. Louis, who had lifted her by the waist, spun her around once before setting her back on the floor.

“Don’t be afraid and just follow me.”

As if entranced, Vivian nodded and tightened her grip on Louis’s hand. Instead of watching the floor, Vivian met Louis’s gaze.

Louis was also looking at Vivian. His eyes held her without wavering.

Vivian felt like crying for a different reason.

He’s angry.

Vivian could tell from Louis’s eyes. It was a look he had never shown her before.

“Lou…”

Just as Vivian opened her mouth, unfortunately, the music ended. As soon as the music stopped, Louis, who had been close, quickly stepped back.

The hands they had been holding fell apart easily. Vivian’s fingers reached out longingly, but she couldn’t hold on.

Following Louis’s lead, Vivian bent her knees and curtsied.

As Vivian and Louis’s dance ended, the surrounding nobles eagerly poured onto the floor to dance.

Should I ask to dance again?

Vivian wasn’t sure she could talk while dancing, but it seemed like the only chance to speak privately with Louis would be during a dance.

Just as Vivian glanced at Louis beside her and gathered the courage to speak, another interruption came.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince. It’s been a while.”

Reina appeared, wearing a black dress adorned with closely set jewels that matched her red hair. Today, her glamorous appearance naturally drew the attention of the male nobles around her.

“You must be Arnold’s sister. I heard you helped prepare this winter ball. It seems you did an excellent job. Your parents and brother must be proud.”

Reina, who had greeted him with a seductive look, blushed at Louis’s compliment. Seeing this, Vivian tightly clenched the hem of her dress.

“You’re too kind, Your Highness.”

Reina glanced at Vivian, then looked at Louis, placing a hand on her chest and bowing her head.

“Your Highness, would you do me the honor of a dance?”

Vivian nearly screamed in protest. Though it didn’t matter who Louis danced with after the first dance with his fiancée, it couldn’t be Reina.

Vivian hoped fervently that he would refuse as she looked at Louis.

Louis was looking at Vivian too. After a moment of silently watching her, Louis extended his right hand to Reina.

“Let’s do that.”

At his response, Reina beamed in disbelief and took Louis’s firm hand.

Thus, Louis and Reina walked past Vivian to the center of the ballroom.

* * *

“Isn’t he out of his mind?”

Rosie gestured to a maid passing by with a tray of drinks. Holding two glasses of champagne, Rosie quickly downed the alcohol.

Vivian had found a spot in the corner of the ballroom, away from prying eyes.

“Your Highness, would you do me the honor of a dance?”

Rosie mimicked Reina’s earlier invitation to Louis, smirking as she did.

“Why wear such a revealing dress if she’s going to cover it up? So vulgar.”

Rosie pointed at her chest with her finger and glared at Reina, who was laughing and chatting with other young ladies.

Rosie’s fierce gaze then shifted to the center of the ballroom.

Watching the Crown Prince dance with another young lady, Rosie’s eyes were full of disdain.

“Your fiancé is worse.”

Vivian, who had been staring blankly at her shoe tips, was startled and looked around. Luckily, the corner was deserted, so Vivian quickly covered her friend’s dangerous eyes with her hand.

“Vivi, get this off!”

“No, this is the palace.”

“Alright, alright, just put it down.”

At Rosie’s words, Vivian slowly lowered her arms, feeling a sudden rush of emotion. Rosie’s lavender eyes were glistening with tears.

“I’m upset for you.”

Rosie quickly turned her head and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

“Rosie… I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

Rosie hugged Vivian tightly. Vivian, shorter than Rosie, was enveloped in her friend’s embrace. In the warm embrace of her friend, Vivian bit her lower lip hard.

It seemed the only way to hold back her tears.

“Didn’t he dance with someone else too? Your fiancé danced with Reina last year, didn’t he? Honestly, I didn’t know he was such a petty man.”

Rosie hugged Vivian tightly. Vivian’s body trembled. Her smart but soft-hearted friend was surely doing her best to hold back her tears now.

Rosie looked around and took Vivian’s hand, heading somewhere.

“Where are we going?”

Vivian asked as she was dragged along by Rosie’s hand.

“Why should only your fiancé enjoy the night? You should too.”

Rosie led Vivian around the ballroom to somewhere.

“Where are we going?”

Vivian asked, looking at her friend’s back with anxious eyes, but Rosie just turned and gave a bright smile.