Chapter 7 – Part 4

What followed was a rare and unexpected spectacle.

Cedric, the Crown Prince, and Rachel Slonian. Eliana Leiberte, the woman formerly engaged to the Crown Prince and Duke Calix Vartica.

No one had imagined they would see the four of them on the same stage. And so soon.

As the music began, the two couples started to dance. Each couple acted as if the other didn’t exist. The rest of the nobles on the stage followed the rhythm, but the atmosphere was tense. While the beautiful music played, the nobles in the audience exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves.

“Oh my, they really are all dancing together.”

The scene was less a dance and more like a battlefield. Cedric, being his usual stubborn and temperamental self, was not surprising. But what shocked the nobles was that Eliana Leiberte refused to step down from the stage, standing her ground against him.

“Has the rumor about Lady Leiberte going mad from the shock of her broken engagement been true? How else could she act this way? It’s disgraceful. Was she always like this?”

Viscountess Louis clicked her tongue as she spoke to her friend, Baroness Serzen, who watched the four in silence.

“Don’t you think so, Serzen? Who else could a madwoman behave like that, right next to her former fiancé? It hasn’t even been that long since the engagement was broken. It’s truly shameful.”

Viscountess Louis raised her voice again.

“I can’t help but pity her. She must’ve been deeply hurt to behave this way. After all, His Highness paraded around with a new partner so openly, showing no regard for Lady Leiberte’s feelings. She was on the stage first, and he had the nerve to tell her to step down…”

Baroness Larson, part of the same group, interjected with a rebuttal.

“But wasn’t Lady Leiberte’s fault that she was cast aside? Shouldn’t she be dealing with the consequences?”

Viscountess Louis pouted at the remark.

“Come now, it wasn’t all Lady Leiberte’s fault.”

“What do you mean?“

“Don’t you know? She was betrayed by a friend during her engagement. It was Rachel Slonian who betrayed her first. Everyone talks about it, though no one says it out loud. It’s an immoral act, no matter how you look at it. In fact, it’s Lady Leiberte who was wronged. But she’s the one who gets all the blame.”

Baroness Larson carefully whispered the details of the affair between Cedric and Rachel.

“True. The daughter of the Slonian barony didn’t act with any dignity. If you ask me, Lady Leiberte doesn’t seem mad at all. I heard she even did some good deeds recently.”

Baroness Serzen finally spoke, mentioning Eliana’s charitable actions.

“What did she do?“ Viscountess Louis asked.

“She made significant donations to hospitals and other places.“

“She’s probably just trying to salvage her reputation. Her name has been dragged through the mud lately.“

“It was an enormous sum.“

“How much?”

When Baroness Serzen mentioned the amount, the others were taken aback.

“Well, that’s quite something.“

“Indeed.”

Except for Viscountess Louis, the two women were surprised by Eliana’s generosity and praised her.

“Charity or not, what Lady Leiberte is doing right now is wrong. It’s unbecoming of a noblewoman.”

Each of the nobles had their own opinion.

But they all agreed that the tension between the four on stage had become an intriguing spectacle.

In truth, Cedric had allowed the music to start because he could see that Eliana had no intention of leaving the stage. Her eyes made that much clear.

‘Fine, Eliana. Watch closely. See who I’ve chosen. No matter how much you resist, you’re the one who will end up humiliated.’

Cedric was determined to make his relationship with Rachel crystal clear. He believed that as they danced together, Eliana would fade into the background, overshadowed by Rachel’s presence.

The forsaken and the chosen. Cedric planned to display both faces, flaunting his power. Yet, contrary to his intentions, the nobles’ gazes weren’t entirely fixated on Rachel.

Instead, all eyes were drawn to Eliana Leiberte’s sudden, uncharacteristic behavior, a boldness so unprecedented that “audacity“ seemed too mild a word. Her upright posture and unwavering face showed no sign of guilt. The constant gazes that clung to her had begun to feel almost natural from the moment she entered the ballroom.

As Eliana danced, she felt Calix’s firm arm around her waist again. Even though Eliana was usually brave, her heart had pounded when Calix stood up against Cedric earlier.

Eliana could remain unfazed even when Cedric threatened to kill her.

“Are you acting this way to throw your life away? Do you want your head to roll instead of stepping off the stage?”

But hearing Calix receive such threats was a different matter. Calix, however, led her as if such things didn’t matter in the slightest.

The two were closer than ever, as though their friction might ignite sparks—a flood of emotions.

‘Is it because we’re dancing after such a fierce argument?’

Her skin, where it touched Calix, felt hotter than ever before.

At the same time, Rachel clung tightly to Cedric.

“Your Highness, I am so happy. To dance with you in front of everyone like this…”

Their relationship had always been kept in the shadows, never revealed to the public. But now, everything has changed. Rachel’s green eyes filled with emotion, knowing they’d be delighted if Baron Slonian and Sarah saw them now. Cedric had given her absolute confidence, and she glowed with joy.

Though it bothered her that Eliana hadn’t been driven off the stage, everyone saw how Cedric treated the Marquis of Norte and his daughter. Neither Eliana nor Christina mattered to Cedric. Only Rachel had captured his heart, and that was enough.

‘I won’t let go. Not ever.’

Step by step, she felt the glittering crown of the Empress drawing closer to her head.

* * *

The music stopped. This time, the dance hadn’t felt short to Eliana. As she danced, it was as if she was revisiting her past life.

A second chance at life. But now, instead of darkness, there was Calix’s face wherever she looked.

As the music ended and Calix escorted her down, Cedric and Rachel stood at the foot of the stairs. Cedric clasped Rachel’s hand and held it high for everyone to see. It was a clear display meant for all.

Blocking the stairs, they halted everyone’s descent.

‘How grandiose.’

Eliana scoffed. Cedric glared at her with the same bitterness still simmering in his eyes. His unhealed grudge was evident in his posture, and the palace guards stationed around the room began subtly moving toward the stage, ready to intervene should Cedric and Calix clash again. Watching this unfold were Marquis Madrino and his wife.

The Marchioness, Vivian Madrino, couldn’t sit still.

“Your Highness, Prince Cedric,”

Vivian approached with a warm, ingratiating smile.

“Marchioness Vivian.”

“It was truly a splendid performance, Your Highness. Your dancing improves by the day.”

Her praises seemed to soften Cedric’s gaze. He had fond memories of the widely respected Marchioness.

“I have arranged a special spot for you and Lady Rachel. It’s even better than the VIP seats.”

Vivian spoke softly, trying to soothe Cedric’s anger. She smiled warmly at Rachel, who felt elated at the elevated treatment.

“……”

Cedric shot one last sharp look at Calix before following the Marchioness. Once they left, the nobles finally began to descend from the stage.

“Shall we step outside and get some fresh air?“ Calix asked as soon as they reached the ground. Eliana had no reason to refuse.

“Sounds good. I’ve been wanting that.”

She, too, wanted a breath of fresh air.

* * *

Outside, the air was indeed different. Cool and crisp, it brushed against their cheeks.

“Calix, look over there. Isn’t it beautiful?”

Eliana, walking ahead of Calix, pointed toward the garden. Bathed in moonlight, the Marquis Madrino’s garden was divided into three sections.

The entrance was open, which was ideal for observing the trees and flowers. The middle part, a labyrinth, provided secluded spaces for whispered conversations. The far end featured unique trees lined in rows. Having been to the Marquis’s estate before, Eliana knew the layout well.

“You really do love gardens, don’t you?“

“Yes. Seeing the trees and flowers calms me.”

She answered, turning back to face him. She had always been that way.

‘Gardens were the only place I could escape to, other than my besides here, at the Madrino estate, she had hidden in the labyrinth to avoid Paul and Sylvia several times. She had concealed herself so well that no one could find her.

“The scent is wonderful,“ Eliana said as she gestured to Calix.

“Hurry up,“ she called, and Calix nodded, following her with his eyes fixed on her. The tense atmosphere of the stage, where swords seemed ready to clash at any moment, was now behind them as they walked forward. The billowing blue hem of her dress swirled chaotically in Calix’s vision.

Eliana began to pick up speed as if she might disappear. She walked toward the maze, brushing the leaves with her hands, unaware of how her casual movements stirred up longing in the one following her.

She ran, feeling the wind on her skin. Her carefully styled golden hair tangled, and her dress wrinkled, but she didn’t care. She only felt the freedom of being released from invisible chains.

‘I know they all think I’ve gone mad.’

The murmur of voices grew louder, ringing in her ears.

‘They probably think so because I’m doing something no one thought I would.’

For some, such reckless behavior was a privilege of royalty, but for Eliana, a mere count’s daughter, even a frown was out of place.

‘It’s actually easier if they think I’m crazy until I leave Moira. I’ll do whatever I want.’

Eliana was so caught up in the joy of running in the breeze that she momentarily forgot about Calix. After walking, caressing the flowers and trees, she noticed the silence.

‘Ah, I came out here to enjoy this with him, but I got too carried away.’

She stood at the entrance to the maze. Tall, green trees loomed ahead of her. Eliana turned around, but Calix was nowhere to be seen.

“Calix!“ she called out, but there was no response.

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