Chapter 9
“Brother!”
“And just as Lady Apellemeon claimed—it was you who kissed Damon Gideon.”
Karsiel’s voice was cold as he continued.
“Whether or not you two are actually lovers is none of my concern. But to hit someone after kissing them… that’s hardly what I’d call manly.”
“She—she must have pushed me!”
“She must have?”
For the first time, a faint smirk tugged at Karsiel’s lips.
“So you didn’t even see it properly, did you?”
“T-that’s…”
“In the two years I was away on the northern front… you’ve made no progress at all? How many more years will Her Majesty the Empress’s plan to have you command reinforcements be delayed?”
“…!”
Balthazar went silent for a moment, then roughly shook off the hand Karsiel had grasped.
“Stay out of this, brother.”
He growled lowly.
“This is my banquet. You’re just a guest. No one gets to lecture me but the Emperor and Empress.”
His voice, despite his efforts to sound firm, trembled slightly. He was afraid of Karsiel.
And understandably so. Unlike Balthazar, who only held the nominal title of Second Imperial Knight Commander under the Empress’s protection, Karsiel—just one year older—had commanded battles since the age of fifteen.
The difference in their auras was stark. Even someone like me, unfamiliar with martial prowess, could clearly feel it.
“I forbid it.”
“And who are you to forbid me anything?!”
“The Emperor ordered you to attend tomorrow’s training in the sparring grounds, did he not?”
At Karsiel’s words, Balthazar clamped his mouth shut.
“If you want me to go easy on you there, stop this disgraceful behavior right now.”
“Nonsense…!”
Balthazar tried to protest, but in the next moment, Karsiel twisted his wrist lightly. Balthazar’s face turned pale.
“Stop! I’ll stop! I won’t punish the lady!”
“And the apology?”
“Huh?”
“I told you to apologize for the commotion you caused.”
Balthazar resisted stubbornly, but Karsiel tightened his grip once more.
“Sorry! I apologize! Is that enough now, Lady?”
But Karsiel did not release him until he had apologized not only to me, but to Damon and everyone present.
Only after delivering his apology to all did Balthazar flee toward his palace, so fast even Damon and Bartol couldn’t stop him.
‘…?’
As I watched Balthazar’s retreating figure, I turned my head at a tingling sensation on one side of my face.
A pair of bluish-purple eyes were staring at me.
Neither smiling nor frowning—just deeply, intently observing me.
“I greet the Empire’s second sun. I am Iris of House Apellemeon.”
Realizing belatedly that I was alone with the First Prince, I dropped into a curtsy. Karsiel studied me for a moment before asking,
“Have you… ever seen a battlefield?”
“Pardon?”
“No, of course not. That was a strange question.”
My eyes widened at the unexpected inquiry. Karsiel shook his head as if apologetic.
“You don’t fluster easily. It reminded me of seasoned warriors who’ve been through countless battles. Normally, noble ladies find me quite intimidating.”
“I wasn’t unafraid,”
I answered honestly.
“I’ve just learned that showing fear usually doesn’t help.”
Something I’d learned in my past life.
“…”
Hearing my reply, Karsiel locked eyes with me again. Though his gaze resembled Balthazar’s in shape, the way he looked at me was entirely different.
Where Balthazar had burned with the desire to overpower me, Karsiel seemed to be trying to see through my very soul.
After a long pause, he extended his arm to me.
“Take it. Have you never been escorted before?”
When I placed my hand on his wrist, he led me down the stairs into the center of the ballroom.
“Would you dance with me?”
As the musicians resumed playing, he offered his other hand.
I stared at him in surprise. His eyes never left mine, his expression unreadable.
“Your Highness doesn’t seem like someone who enjoys dancing.”
“Sharp for someone new to high society.”
He shrugged.
“Then why…?”
“The Emperor ordered me to remain here for more than five minutes. I must show the court that I’m participating in society, reassuring them about the war in the north. And to give the impression that I get along well with my brother.”
He glanced toward the door Balthazar had stormed out of, smiling wryly.
“Of course, that plan’s gone a bit off track… But still, I can’t disobey Father’s command. To leave an impression, I’ll need to dance at least one song.”
I looked away toward the rear garden.
“…I heard the Empress renovated the garden when she had the ballroom restored.”
“What are you getting at?”
“The garden is technically part of the ballroom. If Your Highness must remain here for more than five minutes, please accompany me to the garden.”
Karsiel’s eyes widened slightly.
Naturally. Asking a man I barely knew to take me into the garden… That sort of boldness would typically imply romantic feelings.
“Lady Iris, do you not understand what it means to say such things in a ballroom? Others might think—”
“They’ll say I’m infatuated with you.”
I mimicked his earlier shrug and gently tugged his hand toward the garden.
Karsiel, seemingly flustered, lowered his voice.
“Lady Iris, I don’t mind, but your reputation—”
Normally, no noblewoman would dare this approach.
“But I was infatuated, Your Highness.”
Because I knew another opportunity like this might never come again.
Smiling gently, I spoke clearly—loud enough for everyone nearby to hear:
“I came here tonight only to meet you, Your Highness.”
This time, it was the truth.
“…”
Karsiel’s pupils shook wildly, and I slowly pressed a kiss to the back of his hand.
From across the ballroom, a glass shattered loudly.
Just as I expected—Bartol stood there, face pale, trembling.
“Have you lost your mind?”
In the garden, led by my hand, Karsiel frowned as he spoke.
“You said you were in love with someone you’ve never even met? Do you expect me to believe that?”
“Your Highness.”
“If it’s power you want, why not go for Balthazar? If you beg, you might still seduce him. He likes girls like you.”
He jerked his chin toward the ballroom.
“If I wanted him, I would’ve done so already.”
“Then you’re saying you do love me?”
“Of course not.”
“What?”
His pupils shook again.
“I only said that to give us a chance to speak alone. And to help Your Highness make a strong impression at the banquet.”
“…”
“I apologize if I assumed too much. But if you were ordered here by the Emperor despite the war… it must mean you don’t want society to forget about you.”
This wasn’t just a guess. It was something I was certain of.
Karsiel needed influence, and the first step to gaining it was reminding people of his existence.
No matter how talented a prince might be—if he disappears for a few years, the minds of neutral nobles will forget him.
“Wouldn’t a scandal be more effective than a simple dance?”
And if it helped shake off Bartol, all the better.
Karsiel stared at me blankly, speechless.
“May I let go of your hand now?”
“I wasn’t holding it on purpose.”
Karsiel looked as though struck by lightning as he abruptly released my hand.
I led him to a stone bench near the fountain and pulled a handkerchief from my pocket, dipping it into the fountain’s water.
“What are you doing?”
“You can barely stand.”
I answered as I gently pressed the cold, wet handkerchief to his forehead.
“…What?”
“You’re clearly unwell. Your complexion’s off, and though you’ve tried to hide it, your breathing is slightly irregular. When you escorted me, I felt your pulse—it confirmed everything.”
Karsiel’s expression hardened.
“Lady Iris.”
“If you’d danced with me in the center of the ballroom…”
I smiled softly and finished,
“You wouldn’t have lasted five minutes before collapsing.”
