Clayton was obviously glaring at my cheek with enough intensity to bore a hole through it. That’s when it happened.

Leon began to change. Since I’d been watching his expression closely, I could notice even the slightest shift.

“So I… this is difficult. What should I say? I feel like I should refuse, but somehow my heart is moved.”

His face, previously full of reluctance, now showed favor. He abandoned his attempts at polite refusal and spoke with genuine sincerity.

It worked! Witnessing the ability actually activate, I was swept up in excitement.

Meanwhile, Evelyn and the people around us made strange expressions at how naturally he changed his tune. Clayton especially radiated such gloomy energy that he seemed capable of freezing the very air around him.

“Lady Charlotte, will you grant me the honor of the first dance?”

Leon extended his hand with proper etiquette.

“Of course.”

I happily took his hand. Then I walked onto the floor while receiving Clayton’s scorching stare.

Throughout the dance, I had to remain conscious of the persistent gaze drilling into the back of my head. Unable to bear it any longer, I glanced sideways at Clayton.

Just then, I saw Evelyn timidly approaching him. She was looking up at Clayton with desperate eyes.

‘This is really strange. Did I like Clayton enough to show it so obviously? Even so, I would have hidden my feelings.’

Leon smoothly led me in time with the music. I glanced at Leon while circling the floor as he guided me.

Then he spoke with a gentle smile.

“What are you thinking about?”

“That Your Highness dances well?”

“Thank you. Evelyn really gave me a hard time… Ahem, anyway, you’re the most beautiful lady attending tonight’s ball.”

I knew what he’d almost said. When I was young, I became Leon’s conversation partner along with other noble children.

Leon and I got along better than anyone. He seemed to find me comfortable since I was honest about everything.

One day when he worried about an upcoming ball, I asked why—he answered that he couldn’t dance. I immediately volunteered as his dance partner. I gave him all sorts of harsh criticism until he could dance perfectly.

Recalling that memory, I smiled faintly. Leon momentarily lost the beat.

“Ah, sorry.”

“Am I really the prettiest?”

When I asked teasingly, he averted his gaze and muttered.

“…Yes.”

“I thought Lady Evelyn was Serhart’s greatest beauty?”

“That may be true, but to my eyes, Lady Charlotte is the most beautiful.”

His eyes, which had been wandering through the air, returned to me. His blue eyes shone calmly.

Things got somewhat awkward. I actually knew he liked me. I just never saw him romantically.

Being with him was simply comfortable, fun, and he was cute like a younger brother. I never told him these thoughts.

Of course, he never directly confessed to me either. Only I knew his feelings. People around us just thought he was particularly fond of me.

But now, seeing him become so serious, I felt strange.

“By the way, I didn’t know Lady Charlotte was such a proactive person.”

Perhaps sensing the awkward atmosphere, he changed the subject.

“To dance with Your Highness, I had no choice but to be proactive. But I’m also worried. A woman who’s too forward might not be attractive.”

“Not at all. Whatever you do, Lady Charlotte, you’ll captivate men’s attention. Actually, among the women I know, the only one as refreshing and spirited as you is Evelyn… Ah, I’m sorry.”

He apologized once more. He seemed sorry for unintentionally mentioning Evelyn again.

“It’s fine.”

“Lady Charlotte is very generous.”

“I want to build a good relationship with Your Highness going forward.”

“With me?”

He was noticeably flustered.

“I like you, Your Highness.”

I lowered my head shyly. Then I deliberately fluttered my eyelashes while pretending to gauge his reaction.

He stopped moving. We stood still in the middle of the floor, gazing at each other.

Couples passing by glanced at us with curious faces. I waited for his answer with a subtle smile.

His Adam’s apple moved silently, seemingly nervous. Finally, he smiled broadly and whispered.

“Actually, I was interested too. Tonight I feel like my eyes have been opened to Lady Charlotte’s charm.”

“…”

I should have been happy that he’d completely fallen for me. But I felt somewhat strange at that moment.

Because he liked Evelyn. No one knew that fact as well as I did.

Yet I hadn’t expected him to fall so easily just because another woman said she liked him.

“Are you sincere?”

You didn’t like me? You like me.

But how can a one-sided crush change…

I felt conflicted, like a close friend had been stolen by another woman.

‘No, that’s not right. Strictly speaking, nothing was stolen. What’s inside here is “Evelyn,” whom he used to like.’

I decided to think positively.

“Of course I’m sincere.”

He smiled brightly and spun around the floor again. Until the dance ended, he didn’t look back at Evelyn once.

“Lady Charlotte, will you dance one more song with me?”

“Of course…”

I was about to happily accept his proposal. Not knowing a dark shadow was silently approaching.

“Excuse me, Your Highness.”

When I turned at the suddenly interrupting voice, Clayton stood there. He moved beside me and stared at me intently.

“What is it, Duke Medvez?”

“She promised to dance this song with me.”

“Who did?”

Leon asked with a bewildered face.

“Lady Charlotte.”

When did I? I was dumbfounded.

Despite mentioning a promise that never happened, he remained composed even after seeing my expression.

“Ah, is that so? How unfortunate.”

“No, Your Highness! There’s some misunderstanding…”

I reached out to catch Leon as he stepped back. At that moment, Clayton naturally snatched my hand, wrapped his arm around my waist, and led me away.

A romantic song began playing just then. By the time I came to my senses, I was in his arms, circling the floor.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Just acting proactively like you.”

“What?”

“If I don’t do this, you’ll avoid me all night.”

He pressed his lips to my ear and muttered lowly. Since he’d hit the mark, I was speechless.

I kept my mouth firmly shut and danced with him. I’d resolved that in this life, I wouldn’t get involved with him no matter what.

I’d steeled myself to do anything if it meant avoiding him. He’d instantly seen through those thoughts.

I was already annoyed at constantly getting entangled with him, and now I was extremely displeased thinking he might even figure out my plans. Most irritating of all was the pain occurring again in my left hand.

I was gritting my teeth and enduring the pain when he firmly grasped my left hand and spoke.

“Are you interested in the Crown Prince?”

“Why do you ask?”

An irritable retort came out automatically. I glared up at him with raised eyes.

He’d been watching my reaction with lowered eyelashes, then immediately met my gaze.

“If you’re thinking of marrying him, forget it.”

“W-what?”

I was so startled I nearly stepped on his foot.

“I’m telling you in advance—I was first.”

“…”

“Don’t forget I said I want to date Lady Charlotte. And whatever answer you give, my decision won’t change.”

“You’re saying you’ll date me even if I refuse?”

“…”

Silence meant affirmation.

“Ha, that’s ridiculous. You’ll force me to date you? If you’ll ignore my opinion and decide arbitrarily… Fine. I’ll tell you now.”

“I think you should consider it more.”

“No. I’ve thought enough.”

I’d tell him firmly and clearly. I have no further business with you.

“From now on, I’ll spend a great deal of time with Lady Charlotte.”

I momentarily froze at the words that came out of nowhere. Spending much time with me?

He paused the dance briefly for my confused sake.

“Because soon…”

Then a cautious voice interrupted.

“Duke Medvez.”

Where I turned, an elderly chamberlain stood.

“What is it?”

“His Majesty the King requests your presence.”

“Understood.”

Even after saying that, Clayton didn’t move. The chamberlain looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Clayton reluctantly released me and stepped back. Even then, he only silently looked down at the floor. His face, faintly showing unpleasant emotions, looked conflicted about whether to go or not.

Wasn’t he the type to drop everything and rush when the King summoned him? Yet this conflict didn’t suit him at all.

“Duke Medvez?”

Only after the chamberlain called again did Clayton leave. Once he disappeared, a sigh escaped automatically. Just being with him frayed my nerves and made my head throb.

I left the floor intending to get some fresh air. Fortunately, the terrace was quiet compared to the crowded ballroom.

I entered through one of several doors leading to the terrace. Then I sat on a sofa pressed against the wall and looked up at the clear night sky.

Whisper whisper. Then I heard voices near my ear.

“Did people enter the next section?”

When I pressed the back of my head against the wall, I could hear the conversation quite clearly.

“What could the Duke be thinking? Was his taste pale faces with unusual silver hair?”

“If I dye my hair silver, will the Duke notice me?”

At one lady’s words, giggling laughter came over.

“But since when has Lady Evelyn had feelings for the Duke?”

This was Kate’s voice.

“Is that not allowed?”

Evelyn retorted sharply. At her sharp tone, my brow furrowed automatically. I never spoke to Kate that way.

“It’s not that it’s not allowed, but it’s not like you, Evelyn.”

“What’s ‘like me’? Do you know me so well, Kate?”

“Well, Evelyn isn’t the type to cling to men. You don’t give even a glance to men who approach you unless they meet your standards.”

“Now that you mention it, you were particularly clinging to the Duke today, weren’t you? Quite different from your usual dignified appearance.”

Another lady chimed in with a laugh.

“Dignified—I don’t know where to put myself. I’m no different from all of you. Actually, I’ve just been pretending to be special all this time.”

The other side of the wall went quiet, perhaps shocked by her self-deprecating words. I tilted my head, mulling over Evelyn’s words.

That’s when shocking words flowed out.

“Actually, I like the Duke.”

“Goodness!”

“What!”

I was so startled I pulled my head away from the wall. Then I whipped around and glared at the wall. More precisely, at Evelyn beyond the wall.

“Who likes who? …What nonsense!”