Chapter 5: The Competition (Part 1)

As soon as the dance with Noah ended, the Crown Prince approached with a bright smile and extended his hand, so Seirin had no choice but to dance the next dance with him. She saw this as her chance.

‘This time, I’ll really open his eyes.’

As if the heavens were helping her, the next song was the one Seirin was least confident about. Even her doting brother Sein had never danced this song with her, not even once. This dance was difficult for Seirin.

Even her brother, who loved her obsessively, refused to dance this song with her for fear of getting his feet stepped on. Seirin thought this was a stroke of luck and decided to step on the Crown Prince’s feet just as she had with her brother. Just in case, she gave a warning in advance.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“What is it?”

He was looking at her warmly now, speaking gently, but Seirin wondered what kind of expression he would show after his feet were repeatedly stepped on. She put on her best acting face, looking sincerely apologetic as she began.

“There’s something I should tell you in advance…”

“What is it?”

“I’m not confident with such a fast-tempo dance. My brother stopped dancing this song with me after I stepped on his feet so many times. I’ve never practiced this dance, so I’m not confident.”

“Haha, is that all? Step on me as much as you want. Don’t worry, just trust yourself to me, Lady Seirin.”

“Your Highness, I’m afraid I might hurt you…”

“Don’t worry. Just trust yourself to me.”

“Then, I’ll count on you, Your Highness.”

Seirin looked at the Crown Prince, who smiled gently at her, and smiled sweetly back.

‘Let’s see how you handle this.’

Seirin had made up her mind to finally shake off this clingy Crown Prince today.

So, keeping up with the fast tempo, she boldly stretched out her foot, and her sharp heels dug into the Crown Prince’s instep several times. Each time, Seirin acted apologetic and flustered.

“Haha, it’s fine. Lady Damarania, you’re as light as a feather. It doesn’t hurt at all.”

“Your Highness…”

She smiled shyly, but inside, she was annoyed at how tough he was. She wondered if he could really endure it, and kept stepping on his feet with enthusiasm, alternating feet. After 15 minutes, when the music finally ended, Seirin bowed before the Crown Prince, who was still somehow standing.

“I-I am deeply sorry, Your Highness. Because of me…”

“Haha, Lady Seirin, it’s fine.”

When Seirin looked up, she saw the Crown Prince smiling and saying he was fine, but sweating and barely able to stand. She felt a sense of triumph, thinking her plan had worked. But when she glanced down, her expression froze.

‘B-blood! I’m doomed. I should have held back!’

She had gotten carried away and stepped on the Crown Prince’s feet so enthusiastically that his shoes were stained red with blood. Seirin regretted not holding back and decided she had to heal him before the Imperial couple or anyone else saw.

“Y-your Highness, let me heal you. Please, let’s step outside for a moment.”

“Thank you, Lady Seirin.”

Kasel had not had a single moment during the song when his feet weren’t being stepped on, and he felt enormous pain from the very first time. But he endured it, because he finally got to dance with Seirin after twelve years. Now, watching her lead him out by the hand, he could forget the pain for a moment. Seirin led him into a side lounge, sat him on the sofa, and used ‘Heal’ on him.

‘Oh my. The flesh is really torn up! Did I use too much strength without realizing? No, if I’d really used my strength, the Crown Prince’s leg would… No matter how much the Imperial couple favors me, what parent—especially when the other party is the Crown Prince—would…’

Sweat ran down her back. Seirin had never felt her heart sink like this before. For her own sake, but even more for her parents and the ducal family, she decided she must sincerely apologize to the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness, I’m truly sorry. Sniff. Because of me…”

“Oh, oh. Don’t cry, Lady Seirin. I’m really fine. It hurts my heart more to see you cry because of me.”

‘No matter how much he’s deluded… Enough. For now, I just need to survive and protect my family, the Damarania Duchy!’

Seirin swore to herself never to let this happen again and put even more effort into her acting.

“Your Highness, you must have been in so much pain. I’m truly sorry.”

“……”

Kasel, who had always been pushed away by Seirin, now saw her holding his feet in her small hands and tearing up. Despite the pain, seeing her gaze and feeling her touch, he almost forgot the pain. In fact, he liked it. For this moment, Seirin was focused solely on him.

“Your Highness.”

“Lady Damarania.”

“Yes, please say anything. I will follow your wishes, Your Highness.”

“Really?”

Seirin almost answered ‘Yes’ but stopped herself, realizing she had dug her own grave. She cursed herself, but it was too late.

“In that case, I want you to stay by my side until this party ends.”

“Y-your Highness?”

“You just said you’d follow my wishes.”

‘D*mn my mouth. What a mess—!’

For the first time in her life, Seirin cursed herself. Just moments ago, she had genuinely felt sorry for the Crown Prince, but now she bowed her head and spoke words she didn’t mean.

“Of course. I will be your hands and feet, Your Highness.”

“That’s not what I meant, Seirin.”

“Y-your Highness?”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“W-well…”

She had never been called by her name by the Crown Prince in twelve years, so Seirin was shocked.

‘She’s so cute, my Seirin. I want to make her my consort right now, but I should put in a bit more effort.’

Kasel hid his true feelings for now and smiled sweetly, then said what he’d always wanted to say.

“When we’re alone like this, I’d like to call you by your name. Would that bother you?”

‘He’s asking the obvious.’

“Seirin?”

“S-sorry, Your Highness. I was just surprised. Please call me as you wish.”

“Thank you, Seirin.”

Caught off guard by the Crown Prince’s smile, Seirin clenched her fists and steeled herself.

‘Never fall for this Crown Prince! No matter how devastatingly handsome he is, if I get involved with him, my life is…!’

The main reason Seirin kept pushing away the Crown Prince was because of one person.

Mariana, Princess Tipetoria. Tipetoria Empire’s First Princess, famous throughout the Empire for her feelings for the Crown Prince. The only one who didn’t know was the Crown Prince himself. They were from allied nations, and the current Emperors were close friends, so they grew up as  close childhood friends.

Anyway, the Princess’s affection for the Crown Prince was almost obsessive. Other princesses, imperial princesses, and noble children from other countries were too scared to approach the Crown Prince because of her.

Seirin, too, had been the target of Tipetoria’s obsessive affection for twelve years, and it annoyed her that it didn’t help at all.

‘That Princess will definitely show up again. Last time, just because I was with him, she…’

A few months ago, when Princess Tipetoria visited the Empire, she threatened Seirin.

‘If you don’t know your place and aim for what’s mine, you’ll find ten lives aren’t enough.’

Seirin wanted to ask why she was targeting her instead of the clingy Crown Prince, but she was in a lower position and could only feel frustrated.

‘I need to get out of here before that Princess arrives…’

“Seirin.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“There will be a dinner after the party. I hope you’ll attend.”

“Of course.”

She answered with a smile, but inside, she was begging to go home. Kasel, watching her, looked completely happy.

***

‘Why isn’t she coming back?’

Noah, usually so calm, now looked visibly impatient. Seirin had taken the Crown Prince outside, but even after a long time, she hadn’t returned to the banquet hall. He began to worry something had happened, and his expression turned cold enough to give anyone chills.

‘If the Crown Prince lays a hand on Seirin, I won’t forgive him, no matter who he is.’

Noah unconsciously released hostile pheromones. Isabel approached and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Isabel?”

“You’re not acting like yourself, Noah.”

“Ah. Haha.”

Noah understood Isabel’s concern, but one must not forget that the opponent was the Crown Prince. Noah’s family and his still-young younger sister…

Isabel realized her mistake in that moment. For Noah, his younger sister Ariel was an absolute taboo topic.

“Sorry, Noah.”

“Haha. No need to be sorry. I appreciate the advice.”

“Mm…”

“If Seirin comes looking for me, could you tell her I stepped out for a bit of fresh air?”

She only nodded in reply, and as Noah expressed his thanks and left, Isabel let out a long sigh, folding her hands together as he disappeared from view, muttering to herself.

“Noah and Marquis Cherbel… They’re too harsh on a child who’s only ten. Even though the Marchioness begged them so earnestly right before she died…”

Isabel shook her head, then faced Violet and Catherine as they approached.

“Noah didn’t go home already, did he?”

“No, he just stepped out for a bit of fresh air.”

“Ah~ By the way, Seirin’s not around, is she?”

“Huh? Now that you mention it.”

Violet and Catherine, who had no interest in dancing, had been wandering the spacious banquet hall, sampling delicious food and desserts, so they had no idea who Seirin had left with. As Isabel told her two friends that Seirin had gone out with the Crown Prince, a memory flashed through her mind, making her feel dizzy.

“Isabel!”

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Catherine, get a chair.”

“Got it.”

Sitting in the chair Catherine brought, Isabel thanked her, and also thanked Violet, who brought her a cool glass of water, sipping it slowly.

“Did you see something?”

“Ah, well…”

“Isabel?”

“No, it’s nothing. I just felt a little dizzy. Don’t mind me and enjoy yourselves.”

“You really! Wait here, we’ll bring you something delicious. Let’s go, Catherine!”

“Alright! Let’s get something for Seirin too!”

Watching her two friends, who were always at odds but got along so well at times like this, Isabel smiled. But she was worried by the brief vision she had seen of Seirin, looking utterly exhausted, surrounded by the Crown Prince of the Empire, Princess Pesopotemia, the twin princes of the Euclis Empire, and Noah.

‘Will she be okay…’

Isabel, already anxious by nature, was even more worried about her friend Seirin, who was nowhere to be seen, and let out a long sigh.