Chapter 7 – Part 7

“Eliana.”

Maria approached her, noticing that neither Bonita nor Janice were anywhere to be seen.

“Maria, did you enjoy the party?” Eliana asked with a smile.

“Yeah, but…” Maria’s face showed signs of discomfort.

“What’s wrong?”

“…”

“Now that I think about it, I don’t see the others around.”

Maria’s expression grew a bit troubled.

“Actually, I wanted to apologize for earlier. I’m sorry for making you feel uncomfortable. It seems like every time we meet, something like this happens… but it won’t happen again.”

“….”

“I told them firmly not to bother you anymore, that picking on you only makes them look bad.”

Maria was apologizing on behalf of others, something that wasn’t truly her responsibility.

“So Bonita and Janice said they’d stop?”

“I don’t think they’ll do it again. Especially Bonita…”

Maria trailed off, recalling how Bonita had turned pale after receiving a scornful glance from Duke Calix. She had been too shaken to even take a sip of water. From Maria’s perspective, it was clear Bonita had earned the Duke’s ire, and there was no undoing what had happened. There was nothing Bonita could do now.

“Maria, I don’t hold you responsible for what Bonita and Janice did. You don’t have to apologize on their behalf,” Eliana said gently.

“But I hang around them, so I can’t say I’m blameless,” Maria replied, looking a bit conflicted.

“You’re very considerate, Maria.”

“No, not at all. I haven’t done anything right.”

“So much has happened at this party today,” Eliana said, thinking back to everything—from dancing with Calix to her confrontation with Cedric, and Bonita ruining the event for herself. Maria nodded in agreement, a knowing look in her eyes.

“Honestly, I was so shocked earlier. My heart was racing the entire time. I could never have done what you did,” Maria admitted.

“It’s nothing,” Eliana shrugged, downplaying the situation.

“At least no one will be bored for the next few days. There’s always gossip after a party.”

Maria was struck by how much Eliana had changed. She was navigating everything in ways that no one had expected. It wasn’t just Eliana—Maria had also noticed something new about Rachel.

‘Was Rachel always like this?’

Maria had known how close Eliana and Rachel were. It had been surprising enough to learn that Rachel was one of the reasons Cedric had broken off his engagement with Eliana, but what shocked her more was the way Rachel looked at Eliana—with such fierce hostility.

‘She’s really not in any position to be giving Eliana that look,’ Maria thought.

As a pacifist, Maria couldn’t understand Rachel’s actions. Even as an observer, it seemed unbearably shameless. To make matters worse, after the performance, Rachel had carried herself as if she were already Crown Princess, her nose held high in the air. The sight of her so determined and full of pride made Maria inwardly shake her head.

As Maria and Eliana continued their conversation, a few other noble ladies gathered around them, exchanging pleasantries. That’s when Elesio, the Second Prince, appeared nearby.

“There’s Prince Elesio,” Maria noted.

As if hearing his name, Prince Elesio approached them.

“Oh, Your Highness,” one of the noble ladies greeted him.

Prince Elesio acknowledged each of the ladies with a warm, charming gaze, drawing admiring looks from them. He was undoubtedly handsome, and it seemed he knew it, carrying himself with a confident air.

“Lady Leiberte,” Elesio said, addressing Eliana among the group.

“Your Highness, did you enjoy the party?” Eliana asked politely.

“It was quite interesting. Your performance on stage was particularly memorable. When did you become such an accomplished dancer? Everyone was captivated by you,” Elesio said with a smile.

“They weren’t watching because I danced well. They were probably just curious why I was dancing at all,” Eliana responded candidly.

Elesio chuckled at her bluntness. She was almost too honest.

“Haha.”

“So, Your Highness felt the same way, I suppose?”

“Of course not. You were graceful and beautiful,” he replied smoothly.

“Was I…?”

“Yes, more so than anyone else here. I wanted to ask you for a dance myself, but before I knew it, you had disappeared. Where did you go?”

“I stepped outside for a while, into the garden,” Eliana answered.

“With Duke Calix?” Elesio asked, his tone slightly pointed.

“Yes,” she confirmed.

“Are you in a special relationship with him?”

“Special…?”

It couldn’t exactly be called an ordinary relationship. Since she didn’t know what Elesio meant by “special,” she hesitated briefly before answering.

“The curtain has already fallen on the performance, so why don’t we go out for a cup of tea? There are things I’d like to discuss with you, and I didn’t get the chance to say a single word earlier.”

“What is it you want to talk about?”

“I’ll tell you when it’s just the two of us.”

Elesio was asking Eliana to go somewhere alone with him.

No matter how well-connected or socially adept the second prince was, this wasn’t something he would say unless he had personally chosen the other person.

“Eliana and the second prince?”

“What am I hearing right now?”

Maria and the other young ladies exchanged glances without realizing it.

“What is happening tonight?”

A brief tremor ran through their pupils.

Has the final act of the party not yet concluded? Cedric, the crown prince, flaunted a new woman on his arm just days after breaking off his engagement, and not only did Duke Calix confront him to dance with Eliana, but now Elesio too…?

In fact, it was the other young ladies who had hoped for such a private proposition from Elesio. They all wanted to build a connection with the man who was breathtaking just to look at.

But Elesio, instead of anyone else, had invited Eliana to go with him. He leaned against a pillar with one arm, flashing a seductive smile. This was not something you said to a woman who had just been discarded by his older brother.

“Thank you for the offer, but I plan to go straight home. I danced a lot tonight, and my legs are a bit sore.”

“Then how about I escort you to make sure your legs don’t hurt? As you know from last time, my carriage is incredibly comfortable. It’ll feel like sitting on a cloud.”

Eliana wondered what Elesio’s true intentions were for acting like this toward her. He had undoubtedly seen how she and Calix stood against Cedric earlier.

‘Is he trying to exploit my deep hatred for Cedric and use it to draw me to his side?’

The only thing Elesio and she had in common was their mutual loathing of Cedric.

In her past life, Cedric became emperor and plotted to eliminate Elesio for good. Even before Cedric’s coronation, Elesio constantly felt threatened. He needed more than just popularity in social circles—he needed a stronger support base.

‘Does he actually think I could provide that?’

“No, Prince Elesio. There’s no need for you to escort me.”

“Do you have prior plans?”

“Yes.”

“Is it with Duke Calix? Or perhaps another noble?”

Elesio’s eyebrows arched in curiosity.

“I was hoping we could talk.”

Elesio’s disappointment was evident. His sagging brows and dejected expression looked rather pitiful, but Eliana had no intention of accepting his offer.

“Perhaps you’ll give me a chance next time?”

Before she could answer, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed. Calix was walking toward them.

This time, the gazes of the noble young ladies all shifted to Duke Calix. He wasn’t alone. Behind him was Bonita, trailing closely.

“Duke, wait a moment. Just a moment. Please, let’s talk.”

Bonita pleaded as she followed, but when her eyes met Eliana’s, she stopped in her tracks. It was clear to anyone that she was desperately trying to explain herself, while Calix was clearly dismissing her attempts.

“I just want to clear up the misunderstanding, Duke. Please listen to me.”

Calix glanced at Bonita, who was clinging to him. After everything had been revealed, he had no interest in entertaining her excuses.

“Step aside. I have nothing to say to a woman like you.”

Even though he had flatly rejected her, Bonita felt like she wouldn’t be able to sleep if she went home like this, so she continued to pursue him relentlessly.

‘Of all places, he’s heading straight for Eliana… treating me like I don’t even exist…’

Bonita bit her lip hard—so hard that she could almost taste blood.

Calix noticed Elesio and greeted him, and Elesio straightened up in response.

“So this is the prior engagement you mentioned?” Elesio asked, looking at Eliana.

“Yes.”

“Well, I seem to be late several times tonight.”

He had tried to thwart Cedric by asking her to dance, but Calix had beaten him to that. Even offering to escort her home, Calix was first again.

“I guess I’ll have to try again on a day when the Duke isn’t around.”

Elesio said this while keeping his gaze fixed on Calix.

“Next time, please give me a chance, Lady Leiberte.”

He whispered close to Eliana’s ear. Though he spoke softly, his words were loud enough for Calix to hear. After all, Calix’s attention was solely focused on Eliana.

‘Why is the second prince saying such things to Eliana?’

While Cedric’s personality and desires were clear, Elesio always remained an enigma. Even when he smiled, you could never truly read his intentions.

As far as Calix knew, Eliana had never responded to Elesio beyond polite greetings, always mindful of Cedric’s feelings. But now that there was no reason to worry about Cedric anymore, Elesio was acting more familiar with her, as if something between them had shifted.

Calix didn’t fully understand what was happening between them, but he didn’t like how Elesio seemed more eager to reach out to Eliana than before.

“I can’t give a definite answer, Prince.”

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