Chapter 25.

You Look Even Prettier Today

Herald, who had been standing by the Emperor and Empress’s side all this time and then descended below the dais, was heading straight towards the young lady he had in mind, and that young lady was Retina.

“What is this…?”

Retina’s gaze was momentarily stolen by Herald, who reached his hand towards her. It seemed like a halo was shining around the crown prince, perhaps because he was standing near the chandelier. Did I see it wrong? Retina blinked her eyes and looked at him again.

“Why… with me?”

“Yes, with you. I couldn’t forget our dance at the last ball. I want to share the honor of debuting with you at the Debutante Ball. Would that be acceptable?”

Herald boldly made his request, making it difficult for Retina to refuse. His confident smile caused sighs from the ladies in the room. Everyone was watching his expressions and actions closely.

“Um…”

With all eyes on her, Retina couldn’t answer immediately. She looked around, and her gaze met Norden’s gaze behind the blonde hair. His lips were tightly sealed as he watched Herald, who had already made a move.

‘Why does he look different today? Did he change his style?’

Retina’s mind raced as she tried to decide. She couldn’t refuse a direct request like this from the crown prince, especially at her debutante ball. If she refused, it would create quite a stir. However, if she danced with the crown prince, it might complicate things with Norden.

Retina glanced at Norden, who had already danced with her before and had promised to wait for her. If she refused the crown prince now, it might lead to misunderstandings. She was torn between the two choices.

“From the first dance, it’s a waltz. The selection is excellent.”

While Retina was contemplating her decision, Herald took her dance card and noted his name next to the first dance. With a satisfied smile, he handed the card back to Retina.

“You’ve improved your position significantly.”

“It’s not like that… I mean, this is…”

“I understand. It wasn’t your choice, but the crown prince’s.”

As he took Retina’s dance card from her wrist, Herald looked at the list of dance songs with a pleased expression. He had boldly requested the first dance, making it difficult for Retina to refuse.

Translators: Stardust. Read on moonlight novels only

Herald, who had taken Retina’s dance card from her wrist without her realizing it, looked at the list of dance songs with satisfaction. With a small pencil attached to the card, he casually wrote his name next to the first dance and then returned the dance card to Retina’s wrist.

While he was taking Retina’s dance card, the Duchess, who had been quietly observing, tapped her fan.

“It seems that the Empress is eager to fill the position of the crown prince’s fiancée during this social season. Acting before my mother and becoming the woman the Empress wants to control would be wise, don’t you think?”

The Duchess’s words contained a warning. While there were potential benefits to getting close to the crown prince, there were also significant risks. Retina, who already carried a considerable risk, knew that getting too involved with the crown prince could be detrimental to her.

“Remember not to get too close to the crown prince. I’m sure you haven’t forgotten the risks involved,” the Duchess added, emphasizing the dangers of being too close to the crown prince, who was about to ascend to the throne.

‘What should I do? It feels like it’s already ruined.’

Retina couldn’t bring herself to respond to the Duchess and hung her head, her hands trembling on her dress.

Where did it all go wrong? How did my life, which I just wanted to be peaceful, end up like this? As she lifted her head with tears in her eyes, she saw her brothers waving enthusiastically from afar.

It’s because of those people.

Retina quickly realized the cause of the disruption in her plan to quietly debut at the dance and return to the estate.

‘I’m too approachable!’

Of course, that was it. Her brothers and the crown prince were on the best of terms, despite the rivalry between their noble families. Being the younger sibling of their friend made her easily accessible, and they kept coming to her for various reasons. She couldn’t remember what happened that day, but that was the only reason.

‘Whatever happens, it seems like our relationships are getting more tangled.’

‘Sigh.’

Whether it was because of the tightly laced corset or the situation she found herself in, Retina’s chest felt tight, and she took a deep breath. Life might not always go as planned, but this was getting out of hand.

“Why are you sighing on such a joyful day?”

As soon as Herald left, Norden, who had written his name on Retina’s dance card despite her broken promise, approached her. Even though she hadn’t kept her promise, Norden volunteered to be Retina’s second dance partner.

“I’m sorry for not keeping my promise. I know it was difficult for you to decline since you had already reserved the spot.”

Norden, who was considerate, respected Retina’s choice. He passed the first dance to someone else, but he made sure that no one else could claim Retina before Herald.

“Congratulations on your debut in society, my lady.”

With a gentle smile, he handed Retina her dance card. His smile seemed to pierce through the heaviness in her chest.

Truly, he was a person she couldn’t dislike. Regardless of gender, he was a genuinely kind person, shattering her long-held stereotypes about Northern people being savage and brutal.

* * *

After Norden had written his name on her dance card, Sat and Haint were the only ones left to find Retina. They cursed under their breath upon seeing the names occupying the first and second slots and then promptly added their names to their preferred songs.

Retina still had one spot left on her dance card by the time the waltz music began playing. There was no need to be anxious as the ball was far from over, but she couldn’t help but feel uneasy knowing that some debutantes had already filled their entire dance cards.

“Cecilia.”

Before the dance music started, Retina once again met eyes with Herald, who had come to escort her. She reached out and took his hand, rising from her seat. As she did, she removed the shawl she had been wearing.

“You look beautiful,” Herald murmured softly, gazing down at Retina as she adjusted her dress.

“What? I didn’t hear you. Could you please repeat that?” Retina inquired.

“It doesn’t matter if you didn’t hear.”

He turned his face away, avoiding eye contact with Retina, as if signaling her not to inquire further.

“Isn’t it something trivial? Can’t you just tell me?”

“I don’t want to.”

Translators: Stardust. Read on moonlight novels only

Even when Retina pressed the matter, Herald’s response remained firm. Retina pursed her lips and shot a disdainful look at Herald. His refusal to answer seemed like teasing.

“What’s with the teasing?”

When had he acted so nonchalant, writing his name on the first line of the dance card? The prince had no reason to be bashful, so it must have been something that displeased him.

“Why mention it if you won’t tell me? Strictly speaking, I’m your first partner too.”

Since he seemed so reluctant to tell her, Retina, escorted by the prince, decided to be persistent and asked again as they went out alone.

“If you’re so curious, I’ll tell you.”

As they stood still on the mosaic tiles, Herald released Retina’s hand and pulled her waist closer.

“You look even more beautiful today than usual,” he said.

With one arm wrapped around Retina’s slender waist, he raised his chin as if about to kiss her, their faces so close that he could see his reflection in her eyes.

“What’s your name?”

“In the morning, I’ll officially come to find you.”

“You’re more beautiful than any woman I’ve ever seen.”

Of all the things to remember in this place, why did that night come to mind? Retina’s face still flushed with embarrassment as she thought about the prince’s comments. Her cheeks, and even her neck, were red, and there was no way to hide it.

“You’ve turned red.”

“Well, you’re holding your face so close to mine.”

Herald gently touched Retina’s earlobe, which was devoid of any of the distinctive Deneuve features. For the first time, her ordinary brown hair, which should have been her birthright, felt out of place, as if she should have had a different hair color from birth.

With careful observation, he brushed the strands of hair that had strayed out of place behind Retina’s ear and withdrew his lingering hand. As the men placed their hands on the women’s waists and the women rested their hands on the men’s shoulders, they moved as one entity, dancing together. Retina had practiced for days, and this time, she didn’t step on Herald’s feet haphazardly, unlike the last time.

However, there was one thing that made her uncomfortable. Retina didn’t raise her head throughout the dance. The gaze that had been directed at her since she asked the question was too piercing, and she couldn’t bring herself to meet the prince’s eyes. She regretted asking for no reason.

“Have we met somewhere before?” he asked.

“No? I mean, no.”

Thinking she was doing well, Retina accidentally stepped on Herald’s foot. He didn’t react at all, except for a slight twitch of his hand.

“Really? Have we never met?”

“I’ve only recently come to the capital, and my first time meeting Your Highness was when I was introduced by my brothers.”

Avoiding his persistent questioning, Retina leaned back on his arm for support. She had nearly blurted out an answer out of confusion, and her heart had raced for a moment.

Why is he suddenly asking me this? He seemed to have gone quiet lately, and I thought he had given up. But instead, he seemed even more interested in me than before.

Could he have noticed? Retina couldn’t openly look at the prince and only stole glances at him. She worried about what would happen if he asked more questions, but fortunately, the song ended before that.

Just like at the beginning of the dance, people who had greeted each other while facing each other scattered to find their next partners.

“You. By any chance…”

Herald’s gaze, which had been about to hold onto Retina without getting up, suddenly fixed on one spot. His face, which had been smiling the whole time, hardened instantly.

“Retina, I’ve been waiting for you until the end of the song.”