Chapter 1 – Part 5

“Before you start complaining, try developing some awareness. Bringing up the battle of Grinnish in front of me? How pathetic.”

Cedric openly belittled her.

‘That was intentional, to provoke you.’

“Your Highness.“

“Speak.”

“As your fiancée, it’s only natural that I accompany you to important events. Dismissing that as a lack of awareness is something I don’t understand. Nowhere was I ever taught that.“

Cedric’s eyes widened in disbelief. Normally, Eliana would have cowered by now. Even if he merely frowned, she would have said:

“Did I do something wrong, Your Highness? I’ll fix it, whatever it is.”

But today was different. The conversation dragged on. Maybe it was the change in her appearance, but Cedric felt he was dealing with someone else entirely.

‘She used to say we were destined for each other, that she would do anything to win my favor and be seen kindly by me…’

The woman who once groveled, like a toy that popped back up no matter how many times it was knocked down, was now pinpointing the flaws in his words with precision.

‘She’s trying to act smart, but in the end, it’s just another attempt to cling to me.’

Cedric dismissed the unfamiliar feeling rising within him. He couldn’t believe a simple change of clothes could make her a different person.

“You’ve decided to act differently today, I see.”

Cedric found her attempts amusing, thinking she would soon return to clinging to him, as always.

‘She’s just a woman who turns a blind eye to all the humiliation I throw her way because she wants to sit on the throne as Empress.’

Cedric leaned in closer, his face inches from Eliana’s. The proximity was so close that their noses could almost touch. The closeness of Cedric’s breath made Eliana feel intensely uncomfortable.

“Are you so desperate to be treated as my fiancée?“

“...”

“Have you ever thought that allowing you to sit in that seat is already me being exceedingly patient?“

Cedric’s golden eyes filled with her reflection. Eliana despised even being seen in his eyes.

“Your great generosity brings tears to my eyes.“

“Are you mocking me?“

“Is that how it sounds to you? If that’s how it sounds, then I suppose that’s what it is. How could I possibly interfere with Your Highness’s personal feelings?”

Her words, sharp despite their melodious tone, pierced Cedric’s ears. He unconsciously straightened up, a surge of anger rising within him.

“Don’t cross the line unless you want to be humiliated in front of everyone.“

“Humiliated… So, all the times I’ve been embarrassed in front of the nobles, that wasn’t humiliation but favor, was it? Your Highness?“

Cedric’s brow furrowed in a fierce scowl at her response.

“What did you just say?!”

Cedric ground his teeth, his shoulders tensing as if he might lash out.

Meanwhile, across the room, Rachel was watching the two of them. Usually, Cedric would have glanced at her by now without even bothering to engage in a lengthy conversation with Eliana. But today, he was engrossed in a drawn-out exchange, not even sparing a glance in her direction. The atmosphere felt different from usual.

“Are they having a standoff or something?”

The two were locked in an unusually long confrontation.

“There’s no way. Eliana could never stand up to His Highness. She wouldn’t dare challenge him.”

Rachel had received word from Cedric about when he would arrive at Lucie’s mansion and had secretly been gifted a dress a few days earlier. The dress was so to her liking that she regretted being unable to arrive arm in arm with Cedric.

‘Even now, nobles are admiring my beauty. If I were the Crown Prince’s fiancée, how much more praise would I receive? It’s frustrating and infuriating.’

Once the formalities with Eliana were over, Cedric would be hers. But today, their conversation dragged on.

‘I can’t stand it any longer. I need to step in.’

Rachel began to rise from her seat, intending to interrupt the flow. At that moment, the music started. The first dance was about to begin. Out of habit, Rachel sat back down. The first dance was, of course, reserved for the Crown Prince and his fiancée.

The familiar music played, but neither Cedric nor Eliana moved. Both remained seated, not even flinching.

The nobles all around watched them.

‘They won’t be able to maintain this high-handed attitude once they realize all eyes are on them.’

Eliana knew. If Cedric had been entirely driven by his impulses, they would never have been engaged in the first place. He couldn’t ignore the influence of those more powerful than him because there was something he desperately wanted. Now was no different.

‘Even if I were to throw away the position of Empress, you could never give up the throne.‘

“Your Highness, the first dance is about to begin. You should head to the floor.”

Noah approached and informed him.

“D*mn it.”

Cedric finally stood up abruptly, almost knocking over the glass on the table. He placed one hand arrogantly on his hip and extended the other toward Eliana.

“Get up.”

Eliana looked up at him. The thought of dancing with Cedric was dreadful. However, it wasn’t yet time to throw everything away. When Eliana didn’t immediately rise, Cedric leaned in.

“Do I have to lift you up myself?“

“No, I’ll refuse that.“

“Refuse?”

Ignoring his mocking tone, Eliana stood up and barely placed the tips of her fingers on his large hand. Cedric, noticing this, turned his head away in disbelief.

As the Crown Prince and his fiancée took the center of the floor, the other nobles joined, quickly filling the space. The music started. Eliana moved as if dancing alone, making no effort to engage with him, which Cedric noticed.

“Did you read some cheap romance book somewhere? The kind of trash you’re into?”

Eliana raised her gaze. His perfectly formed lips only spewed venomous words, and his twisted, cruel nature was almost pitiable.

“Did it say that changing your attitude would get you more attention from a man? How outdated.“

“I’ve never read such a book. I have far too many other things to think about.“

“And what exactly are you thinking about?“

“I have no desire to tell Your Highness.”

Talking to someone unwilling to listen wastes time, so Eliana had no intention of revealing any of her plans to Cedric.

“I don’t want to hear it anyway. Your stories are as dull as a parrot’s squawk.”

The music continued as they danced. Then, Cedric’s eyes caught sight of Rachel standing outside the dance floor. Coincidentally, a male noble was approaching her, possibly to ask her to dance.

‘Is he going to ask her to dance?’

Cedric focused more on Rachel, momentarily forgetting about Eliana. Because of this, his steps faltered, falling out of sync with the music. He moved in the opposite direction of where he was supposed to go.

Thud!

Due to his carelessness, Eliana was thrown off course and collided hard with another noble couple dancing nearby. With a loud sound, Eliana fell to the floor.

“Oh my!”

“Lady Eliana Leiberte has fallen!”

“Oh dear!”

The surrounding area erupted into a commotion, and everyone froze. Eliana felt a sharp pain in her ankle from misstepping.

“I-I’m so sorry, Your Highness, Lady Leiberte. It was not intentional.“

“We didn’t mean to do it.”

The noble couple, pale with fear, repeatedly apologized.

‘Ah…’

Eliana bit her lip. Cedric had made a mistake, not because of the dance itself.

‘He was looking at Rachel.‘

“Are you all right? It wasn’t on purpose; it was just a mistake.”

His voice was calm despite causing her to fall. The crowd’s murmuring reflected much more concern.

“Unless you’re too injured to stand, get up.”

He whispered to her in a low voice. With so many eyes watching, he might have pretended to offer a hand, but Cedric didn’t even bother to do that.

His attitude screamed for payback. She had annoyed him, and now she was getting her due.

‘Fine, keep doing that.’

Even if Cedric offered his hand, Eliana did not intend to take it.

“Get up, Eliana.”

Cedric urged her once more, his voice low.

“Very well.”

Eliana stood up on her own. Her ankle throbbed, but she showed no sign of it on her face.

“Are you all right? I’m truly sorry, Lady Leiberte.”

The noble couple, still stricken with guilt, asked again. They were at a loss for what to do.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine. It was just an accident during the dance.”

They were not to blame. They were only victims of Cedric’s negligence.

‘The fault lies solely with the Crown Prince, who was too busy looking elsewhere.‘

“It seems I’ve disturbed everyone’s good time. Please continue enjoying the dance.”

Eliana bowed slightly to the other nobles watching from the sidelines.

“You should step out for now,“ Cedric said, attempting to link arms with her for appearance’s sake. Eliana pushed him away with the palm of her hand.

“I can go on my own.”

The nobles, observing their interaction, began to murmur again.

“Are they not on good terms…?“

“Why, you already know. It’s been a rumor for a long time….”

The hushed voice wasn’t trying to hide, making it less of a whisper and more of a direct remark.