Chapter 6 – Part 6

“You’re asking me to dance?”

“Who else would it be?”

His smooth and confident voice brushed against her ear. That unexpected tone, directed solely at her, made her heart beat quickly. The surrounding gasps and whispers faded into silence.

“Grant me the honor of dancing with you.”

A memory flashed before her eyes. Like most noble children, she remembered learning ballroom dancing from a young age. Eliana had always loved those lessons, and despite being a beginner herself, she had taught Calix a few moves.

‘This is where you turn like this, Calix…’

Looking back now, even though he must have known everything, Calix always listened to her every word until the end. Eliana’s first dance partner was none other than Calix Vartica.

“The Duke of Vartica asked Lady Leiberte for a dance!“

“Oh my goodness, how shocking.“

Bonita’s prediction that no one would ask Eliana to dance was shattered within mere minutes of the party’s start. As Eliana remained silent, Calix took the initiative and grabbed her hand.

Eliana didn’t pull away from his hand. That was her acceptance. Dancing with Calix was a pleasant memory. Moreover, even after witnessing the earlier situation, he still asked her to dance. It was hard to say that he didn’t care for her.

‘For my sake…’

Calix squeezed her hand tightly. The rough joints of his hand pressed against her soft skin.

“The music will start soon.”

With a firm grip on Eliana’s hand, Calix strode confidently toward the center of the dance floor. It was a pair that didn’t match, and no one had expected Eliana Leiberte to be his dance partner.

Shock, envy, jealousy… Eliana could feel the barrage of emotions from the gazes directed at them. Before they reached the stage, Eliana glanced back at Bonita.

“This can’t be happening.“

Bonita’s face was one of utter disbelief at Calix choosing Eliana. She kept muttering, shaking her head as if she couldn’t accept it.

Eliana turned her face back toward the stage. Light poured down from every direction, brightening the stage. Now towering compared to their childhood, Calix was so tall that Eliana had to fully stretch her arm to grab his as they prepared to dance. The lights were so bright compared to her seat earlier that her vision momentarily blurred.

“It’s too bright.”

Calix noticed her squinting and quickly supported her slender waist to guide her through the dance, even in the blinding light.

“You’ll be fine now.“

“Ha…”

Eliana took a shallow breath.

Calix looked down at Eliana as she rested in his arms. Her smooth forehead, lake-like eyes, and delicate chin—everything about her was beautiful.

“Nervous?“

“Strangely… a little anxious.“

“I’ll forgive you if you step on my feet. Though you were my excellent dance teacher, I doubt that’ll happen.”

Calix whispered in her ear.

‘You’re remembering it too.’

His teasing helped Eliana relax a little.

“But I might really step on you.“

“As much as you like. My feet are pretty tough.”

As Calix tilted his head slightly, light glinted off his masculine jawline. With a charming smile, he looked down at Eliana. His eyes held a look of assurance. His hand tightened slightly on her waist.

‘Trust me, Eliana.‘

That’s what his touch conveys.

A new partner. As she let go of the prince’s hand and took her first step to dance with someone else, a new chapter began.

“Don’t worry. Just follow me.”

Calix repeated the words Eliana had once told him when they were younger. The memories made her smile, and Calix quietly smiled back.

The music started. Coincidentally, it was the same piece Eliana and Calix used to practice together when they were young. They moved perfectly with the rhythm like they had been a couple for years. Every step matched the beat flawlessly, blending seamlessly with the music.

Even if she made a mistake or stepped on his foot, Eliana knew that Calix wouldn’t be upset, allowing her to feel at ease. The kindness touched her heart, and she felt on the verge of tears for the first time since she had returned.

Calix noticed the faint glimmer of tears in Eliana’s blue eyes.

* * *

The stage was right before the seats reserved for the most important guests. Naturally, the most prominent seat belonged to Crown Prince Cedric. Next to him sat Elesio. Although Cedric didn’t want to sit so close to Elesio, the man always ended up near him wherever they went.

Cedric had asked Marquis Madrino to arrange for Rachel to sit near the VIP seats.

“Of course, Your Highness. A guest as important as yourself making such a request—it’s only right we fulfill it.”

Cedric had also arranged for Rachel to arrive slightly later than himself. He saw her approaching, dressed in the purple gown he had sent as a gift. Her expression was stiff, likely because her seat wasn’t directly next to his. As soon as she sat down, she looked at him with pleading eyes.

‘What’s wrong?’

Cedric mouthed the words and gestured that they would talk later. He had wanted to appear with Rachel by his side from the beginning, to sit with her directly, but there was a reason he couldn’t.

The moment the engagement was annulled, Cedric had wanted to bring Rachel into the palace, but Empress Heather had flatly refused.

“Mother, why can’t I?“

“Now is not the time to bring another woman into the palace. It’s only been a day since the annulment.”

Empress Heather had frowned.

“What does it matter if it’s been a day? Why can’t I, for heaven’s sake?”

Instead of dealing with the unyielding Empress, Cedric made a direct request to Emperor Davon. He intended to bring Rachel to the palace and formally introduce her.

“Cedric.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please speak.”

He looked at the Emperor eagerly, but the response was swift.

“Restrain yourself. An annulment is hardly a cause for celebration. Now is not the time to bring in someone new.”

With those words, Emperor Davon cut off Cedric’s request. Cedric had planned to publicly formalize Rachel’s position, but his plans were thwarted.

Both the Emperor and Empress had deemed Eliana unworthy. He had thought that they would welcome his chosen Rachel since they all agreed on this. What he hadn’t anticipated was their refusal even to meet her.

‘Everything was perfect up to Eliana’s departure…‘

Cedric’s thoughts flashed to the moment he had encountered Eliana earlier. He hadn’t expected to see her so soon. She had looked at him with an emotionless gaze. Unlike the simple attire she wore in the temple, her outfit today was dazzling and appeared more beautiful than ever.

‘She wants me to treat her as strangers…?’

She must have set that condition so she could appear at the party quickly. The image of her cold blue eyes, completely devoid of pain, lingered in his mind, irritating him. Cedric shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“Elesio, what have you been discussing with that woman for so long?“

Cedric snapped at Elesio, who was still looking toward the stage.

“Which woman, Your Highness?“

“Eliana Leiberte.“

“Ah…”

Elesio twisted his lips slightly before turning his head to look at Cedric.

“You saw us? Seeing as you walked away so quickly, I thought you didn’t notice.“

“Why were you talking with a woman who ended things badly with the royal family for so long?“

“She looked quite beautiful today. Very much so.”

Instead of answering directly, Elesio spoke with a reminiscing look in his eyes.

‘…’

Cedric was momentarily speechless. He couldn’t disagree. Eliana had indeed appeared beautiful to him as well. The fact that Elesio, who had a reputation for dating numerous women, was now praising Eliana’s appearance gave Cedric an odd feeling, even though he had no reason to.

“Beautiful? What’s beautiful about her?“

Cedric’s harsh denial came a beat too late. Elesio smiled, narrowing his eyes and shaking his head.

“Ah, well, considering you threw her away like garbage, it’s no surprise she didn’t appear beautiful in your eyes, Your Highness. You wouldn’t have annulled the engagement if she had caught your eye. But she looked different to me, so I spoke a few words. I mentioned that her appearance stood out today.“

“You had no reason to say that. Complimenting the appearance of someone who ended things poorly with the royal family—how undignified.“

Cedric’s forehead creased as irritation seeped into his every word. Elesio calmly observed him.

‘Compliment or insult, what does it matter? You’re the one who discarded her.‘

“Is it undignified to say something is beautiful when it is? What else should I have said?“

Elesio’s response came with a smirk.

“Eliana Leiberte is just one of the many nobles in this party. I have the freedom to converse with any noble here.”

When Elesio didn’t agree to refrain from complimenting Eliana, Cedric leaned in closer, his face inches from Elesio’s.

“I said, don’t do it. She’s off-limits.”

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.