5.3

As soon as Pavel stood before her, she could feel the attention of the crowd focusing on them. Reflexively, Larisa lowered her head and greeted him.  

“…Good evening, Your Grace.”  

“Did you come alone?”  

“Pardon?”  

“I asked if you came alone.”  

Hearing Pavel’s voice after so long, Larisa realized it was different from what she remembered. The cold, rigid tone carried not even a trace of the affection it once held.  

No, it almost sounded as though he was angry at her. That thought alone made her chin tremble with suppressed emotion. However, she skillfully hid it and offered him a gentle smile.  

“Of course, I came alone.”  

“Then there’s no issue.”  

“Pardon?”  

Before she could repeat herself, Pavel extended his hand toward her.  

Was he asking me to take his hand? 

Larisa grew increasingly confused, unable to understand why Pavel was acting this way. Then, in an even colder voice, Pavel spoke again.  

“You said you don’t have a partner. Then there’s no problem with talking to me for a moment, is there?”  

“Well, but…”  

As if urging her, Pavel slightly moved his hand. Larisa glanced around nervously before cautiously placing her hand on top of his. The moment she did, Pavel gripped her hand tightly—so tightly that it felt almost rough.  

“Ah…!”  

Though she let out a faint groan, Pavel seemed indifferent. Practically dragging her, he led her forward. The curious gazes of onlookers bore down on them. Before Larisa could even ask why he was acting this way, Pavel pushed her onto one of the balconies of the ballroom.  

As they stepped onto the balcony, Pavel gave a quick glance, and the attendant bowed silently before stepping away.  

Click. Clack.  

The sound of the door locking followed immediately. When the curtains were drawn from the inside, the two of them were completely isolated from the ballroom. The cold winter air bit into Larisa’s skin. Feeling the chill, she pulled her white fox-fur shawl tighter around her shoulders.  

Watching her silently, Pavel roughly unbuttoned his jacket and shrugged it off. Striding toward her, he draped it over her shoulders in one swift motion. The lingering warmth of his body on the jacket chased away the cold slightly.  

Larisa was left utterly confused by his actions, which starkly contrasted with his cold demeanor.  

“What is it you wanted to say that required speaking to me alone like this?”  

“I’m getting married.”  

Ah, so that’s what this was all about. 

Larisa closed her eyes tightly.  

Even if he mocked her, there was nothing she could do. She had rejected this remarkable man whom everyone desired, only to end up matched with such a despicable old man.  

Larisa let out a hollow laugh, lowering her head.  

“…Is that what you wanted to tell me in private?”  

“Are you truly going to marry the Earl of Membrane?”  

“It’s not what I wanted, but at this rate, it seems that’s how it will end.”  

A burning sensation rose within her chest. Her eyes quivered, and a wave of heat surged through her.  

Yes, she must look like the biggest fool in the world. Perhaps he was even feeling smug about it. That must be why he brought her here—to humiliate her openly. Larisa bit her lip hard, suppressing the sob that threatened to escape.  

Should I at least be grateful that he didn’t shame me in front of everyone? 

Even though she knew he wasn’t at fault, Larisa couldn’t help but feel anger bubbling up inside her.  

She suddenly lifted her head, tears spilling from her eyes and rolling down her cheeks.  

“So, do you feel satisfied now? Do you think it serves me right? That after rejecting your proposal, I’ll end up marrying someone like that—and you brought me here just to mock me?”  

Her sharp words hung in the air, but Pavel remained silent, simply staring at her with an unreadable expression. His silence only fueled her anger further.  

“Yes, my father is selling me off to that decrepit pervert in exchange for a gold mine! This is how I’ve always been treated. I knew this would happen eventually. What can I do about it? I have to follow the orders of the family head, don’t I?”  

“So, you plan to obediently marry the Earl as the Marquis of Lochrain commands?”  

“Then what else am I supposed to do?”  

Larisa’s voice erupted in a furious shout.  

“Look at me! Ha, the kind of men who would have lost their minds over me in the past now only whisper behind my back and don’t even bother approaching me. Yes, I’m finished. Why? Do you want to laugh at me? Go ahead! Laugh all you want!”  

But Pavel didn’t laugh. Instead, he simply gazed at her with an even deeper intensity.  

What is he trying to do with me? Did he bring me here, enduring all those curious stares in the crowded ballroom, just to confirm the truth?  

Larisa let out a bitter scoff. But even as she laughed, tears streamed down her face.  

“If that’s all you wanted to say, then let me go. Laugh at me for being a fool if you want—I don’t care anymore.”  

“I had no intention of mocking you.”  

“Then why did you bring me here?”  

Her voice, filled with resentment, erupted like a scream. She panted heavily, blurting out whatever words came to her mind.  

“You’re not going to marry me, are you? So why are you making me feel so miserable? Is it just to see how pathetic I’ve become, to…”  

“Will you marry me?”  

“…What did you just say?”  

Pavel stood with his arms crossed, looking down at Larisa. His expression was stern and composed, as if issuing a command. In that fearsome demeanor, he asked Larisa once more.  

“Will you marry me? Answer me.” 

“Don’t joke around.”  

“This is no joke. If you agree to marry me, I will take care of the Marquis of Lochrain myself.”  

Larisa blinked. Tears rolled down her cheeks and dripped from her chin.  

She couldn’t comprehend what she had just heard.  

“Why?”  

“Does the reason matter? Isn’t it enough that you can escape the Earl of Membrane immediately?”  

Though his voice sounded mocking, there was a hint of pain in it. But Larisa didn’t have the capacity to dwell on that. Pavel continued speaking.  

“I am giving you a chance. Will you take it?”  

“…There’s no such thing as a chance given for free, is there?”  

“……”  

At her words, Pavel closed his mouth tightly for a moment. Then, he nodded.  

“There is a condition.”  

A condition…  

Larisa suddenly felt that this situation resembled a conversation she and Pavel had shared in the past. With trembling lips, she asked him,  

“What is the condition?”  

“If you marry me…”  

And from his lips came a response she had somehow expected.  

“You will do whatever I ask.”  

“……”  

“That is my condition.”  

Larisa staggered. She had never imagined her own words would come back to her like this.  

Whatever he asks? How could I know what he might demand? The Pavel I knew—or thought I knew—was gentle, kind, and incapable of doing anything cruel. But could I be certain he was still the same now? Could I guarantee he bore no desire for revenge against me?  

What if, after marrying him, he made terrible demands when there was no turning back?  

Suddenly, Larisa thought perhaps Pavel had mustered great courage when he began courting her in the past. Hadn’t she, back then, also demanded that he do whatever she wanted? At that time, Pavel had agreed to her words without hesitation, not knowing what she might ask of him.  

Perhaps that was the measure of the feelings he had harbored for her.  

As she remained silent, Pavel stepped closer to her. Standing just a step away, he lifted her chin with his hand, forcing her to meet his gaze.  

“Answer me now. Will you accept my condition or not?”  

“…I will.”  

I will marry you.  

Larisa whispered her response, and Pavel didn’t miss her words. His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. The force of his grip made her stumble, but Pavel seemed unconcerned with her state.  

With his arm firmly around her waist, Pavel began to move. As they approached the balcony door, he knocked, and the curtain was drawn aside, the door opening smoothly.  

Bright light poured over them, and Larisa raised her hand to shield her eyes, frowning slightly.  

Through the shadow of her hand, she saw the faces of the people inside. On one side stood the Marquis of Lochrain and the Marchioness, their expressions filled with shock. On the other side, the Earl of Membrane’s face was twisted with anger. Amid the curious and astonished gazes, Princess Alicia looked strangely calm, while the King’s eyes were wide with surprise.  

In that moment, Larisa realized how disheveled she must look and instinctively tried to cover her face. But Pavel’s voice stopped her hand.  

“Don’t cover your face.”  

At that moment, Pavel tightened his hold on her and led her inside. As he quickened his pace, Larisa struggled to keep up with his long strides.  

Finally, they stood in the center of the ballroom. Pavel released Larisa and turned to face her. By then, even the music that had filled the ballroom had come to a halt.  

In the profound silence, Pavel spoke to her.  

“Larisa, kiss me now.”  

Ah, you…  

Larisa closed her eyes.