Chapter 11

Eileen cautiously extended her hand to Kallian, who introduced himself. Kallian kissed the back of her hand and smiled.

“I’m in a good mood. The banquet hall is larger than I expected.”

“I’m glad you’re pleased.”

“Most of all, you are even more pleasing than I imagined.”

“……”

Eileen tried to soften her stiff tone, but couldn’t adapt to Kallian’s blunt words, and she glanced away.

Kallian was strikingly handsome. His shoulder-length silver hair was as soft as silk, and his elegant facial lines gave him a mysterious charm rather than pure masculinity.

Yet his broad shoulders, height rivaling Leios’s, and the hard muscles in his palm as he held Eileen’s hand showed he was no mere pretty face.

“It seems a new waltz is about to begin.”

Kallian, still smiling, whispered to Eileen. Their first dance was already planned, so Eileen simply allowed him to escort her forward, gripping his wrist.

As the two stepped onto the dance floor, the hall fell silent.

“Life in the spotlight is the same everywhere.”

“You seem used to it, Your Highness.”

“A little.”

With that, the orchestra began the music.

Three-four time.

As the music started, Kallian placed his hand on Eileen’s back, and she rested her hand on his shoulder. When they joined hands, Eileen shivered as a chill ran up her neck.

“I heard you couldn’t come out because you were unwell.”

Kallian’s hand was ice cold. Eileen was always warmer than others, but his touch felt as if he’d been holding ice.

“It was a lady’s circumstance. Did that trouble you, Your Highness?”

“Rather than troubled…”

Suddenly, Kallian held her firmly and spun her in a dazzling turn. The wild lead startled Eileen, who stumbled, but Kallian quickly pulled her close.

“I was curious how dignified the Princess could be.”

“……Ah.”

Their bodies briefly pressed together, and Eileen’s full chest, pushed up by her tight dress, brushed against his suit.

As the dress’s deep neckline revealed more of her cleavage, Kallian glanced at it and smiled.

“You seem quite dignified.”

“Th-that’s…”

She almost stepped on his foot, but avoided it. The unfamiliar sensation of his firm chest, the scent of grass and cigars—so different from Leios’s comforting knightly aura—made Eileen’s heart race.

“You don’t seem very skilled at dancing.”

“It’s been a while…”

It was the first banquet since the late King and Queen passed away, and Eileen hadn’t attended any before due to her mother Edna’s long illness.

She hadn’t had the courage to dance and smile for others while her mother was bedridden. That gap led to today’s awkwardness.

“You’re so beautiful, I’ll let it slide.”

In contrast, Kallian’s every movement was elegant. Even his extended hand traced graceful curves.

Eileen, mesmerized by Kallian’s poise, didn’t notice Leios watching them from the edge of the floor.

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“I don’t flatter. I’m sure you’ve heard plenty of rumors about me.”

As they whispered, other couples began to join the dance floor.

The palace’s grand ballroom was even larger and more beautiful, but this place, Rozalian Palace, was Queen Edna’s favorite. Adrian had chosen it for the banquet in memory of his mother. Every decoration and design had her touch. Rozalian Palace was also where princesses traditionally lived after marriage, so Eileen had spent many childhood days here with Edna.

The building was shaped like a “ㄷ”, with a vast garden inside. The rose vines and maze-like layout made the garden a favorite spot for lovers during banquets. The only flaw was that the dance floor was smaller than the main palace’s.

“I’ve heard you live freely.”

“If by freely, you mean this?”

“……Ah!”

To avoid the crowd, Kallian pulled Eileen closer, smiling with a mischievous curl of his lips. His eyes were sharp, but his smile made him look every bit the twenty-three-year-old youth.

The problem was, his face and body were now far too close.

“A-a bit too close. I might step on your foot.”

“You’d probably step on it even from a distance.”

His teasing words, delivered in a cheerful, low voice, made Eileen’s neck flush red. Kallian’s gaze swept over her, lingering on her chest pressed against him.

“I’ll be careful.”

“No need. I’d offer my foot as many times as you like.”

“……Your Highness!”

As a couple spun dangerously close to them, Kallian pressed even closer to Eileen and waltzed them into an open space.

Now nearly in his arms, Eileen couldn’t hide her blushing, flustered expression.

“I like that look.”

“You could let go a little…”

“I’d rather not.”

Kallian stuck out his tongue and continued to lead her. The waltz had never felt so long. If Leios’s heavy, knightly scent comforted Eileen, Kallian’s was raw and wild.

“This is perfect for me.”

“……It’s too close.”

“For a betrothed couple, this is nothing. Princess you are  rather innocent, aren’t you?”

As Eileen raised her confused gaze, she met Kallian’s clear, icy blue eyes.

Thump, thump, thump. Their bodies moved together in time, her full chest shaking above her transparent skin, blue veins visible.

Kallian briefly imagined biting her pale neck, his hands kneading her br*asts, curious what kind of m*ans her pure face would make.

He licked his lips, and Eileen, sensing something strange, deliberately looked away.

“Look at me, Princess.”

“Th-that…”

“It would be a shame if you seemed to dislike me.”

Eileen couldn’t help but sense his openly predatory gaze. He was said to be experienced, and neither she nor her maids were thrilled about marrying a man with a reputation for affairs.

Still—

‘……My body feels strange.’

Kallian’s hand, which had been supporting her back, slid down to her slender waist. Each turn, his subtle touch through the thin fabric made Eileen’s breathing quicken.

“Perhaps you aren’t so different from me, Princess.”

“……What do you mean?”

Kallian slipped his fingers into her palm, swirling them to tickle her. Feeling her soft skin twitch under his touch, he laughed.

“You’re not resisting.”

“……”

“If your brother saw how naughty you look right now, he’d faint.”

He whispered in her ear, his breath hot despite his touch being cold.

“……That’s rude.”

“If you felt that way, I apologize.”

There was little sincerity in his words. But as he said it, Eileen felt the thin fabric below her growing damp and turned her face away in embarrassment.

Just as the waltz, which had felt so long, was coming to an end, Eileen spun around like a doll, holding Kallian’s hand, and returned to him. His face, tinged with a gentle smile, came into view.

“Shall we end here for today?”

“……”

“Next time, it would be nice to spend time together at the palace. I’m not about to drag you to the garden in the back right now.”

Eileen understood this was Kallian’s way of issuing a warning. As the music fully ended, the two faced each other, bowing gracefully with a curtsy.

Someone applauded for the pair, and from afar, Adrian watched with a rather satisfied expression.

Yet even in this moment, Eileen’s eyes darted around, searching.

Leios was nowhere to be seen.