Emilia just blinked, unsure of how to react. She was a bit flustered, not knowing how to respond, but she also couldn’t shake the feeling that his subtly amused expression strangely bothered her.
“You could sell it, but I’d prefer you keep it. It’s a bit of a keepsake.”
“A keepsake? Oh, did you receive it as a keepsake? In that case, you should definitely take it!”
“It’s not that. Let’s just say it’s a keepsake for finding a new watch.”
What does that mean? A new watch? Emilia thought about it for a moment and then slightly parted her lips.
‘Ah, is he saying he bought another watch?’
Now that she thought about it, although she didn’t see it often, she remembered that every time she saw his watch, it had a different design.
‘But then again, why not just say he bought a new one?’
She didn’t understand why he sometimes spoke so indirectly. Was it the noble way the upper class spoke, or was it just his own peculiar way of speaking? At times like this, she wished he would just say things plainly.
“…I appreciate the gesture, but what would I do with Your Grace’s watch? I’ll make sure to bring it next time.”
Fortunately, it didn’t seem like he planned to harp on the subject, as he merely shrugged and gave a gesture indicating she could do as she pleased.
Seeing that he seemed oddly pleased, Emilia decided to share something she had been hesitant about.
“There’s something else I’d like to ask of you. Should I give it to Fabio instead?”
“What is it?”
“I found three letters that seem to discuss something. I’d like to know where these three people live and what they do.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Enrico responded nonchalantly and extended his hand. For a moment, she stared at him with a puzzled expression, wondering what his hand was for. Then, when he made a gesture indicating he wanted her to hand over the letters, she widened her eyes.
“Your Grace is going to take care of it?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“Not really, but… Since Fabio will be handling the actual investigation, I thought I could give them directly to him.”
“Emilia.”
He didn’t say anything more, just called her name softly. It was almost more unsettling than when he was sarcastic because she didn’t know how to respond when he spoke her name so gently.
In the end, Emilia placed the three letters in his hand.
“Good decision.”
“…Thank you.”
“Have you found everything you were looking for?”
“Yes, most of what I found were similar receipts like before. I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with what I’ve found so far.”
Enrico nodded and extended one hand as if inviting her to leave. It seemed a bit unnecessary to be escorted out of a room inside the mansion, but Emilia hesitated for a moment before placing her small hand on top of his.
“The opera ball is coming up soon, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Should I pretend not to know you then?”
“…Yes? Yes.”
What’s going on? He even asked a considerate question like that. Emilia smiled slightly as she nodded her head.
“Alright. But what if the Crown Prince acknowledges you?”
“That’s true. What should I do?”
It was something she hadn’t considered. The Crown Prince wasn’t someone she could avoid just because she wanted to, and she had already turned him down several times during the performances by using the emergency stairs, so rejecting him further would be difficult.
“I’ll take care of it. He’ll probably be too distracted to greet you right away, so you can slip away during that time.”
Enrico’s interference was perfectly suited to the situation. Who would have thought his possessiveness could be helpful? Emilia nodded.
“Thank you. But can I ask what you mean by ‘distracted’?”
“I thought about bringing the Second Prince along.”
“Oh… That would definitely be effective.”
The Second Prince, who had left for another country after seemingly giving up the fight for the throne, suddenly returning in the middle of it all? That would certainly be a big issue.
Pondering whether the opera ball would be a bit easier, Emilia completely left the room with a contented heart.
* * *
And that concern turned out to be utterly pointless.
Emilia was dumbfounded as she stared at Alessandro, who was intently watching her from the center of the ballroom.
‘To think he would ask me to dance here.’
His gaze, which ignored the Second Prince completely and focused solely on her, drew the attention of everyone around. It was surprising that someone with a fiancée was throwing such unwanted attention her way.
When the ballet troupe first appeared and started dancing, Alessandro had looked somewhat irritated due to the sudden appearance of the Second Prince, Riccardo Treano.
She had noticed this while watching the two of them talking side by side, but he soon focused back on the dance, finishing the performance with the final waltz that all the dancers participated in.
While the invited patrons clapped and awaited the next act, Emilia went back to change into her party dress. When she returned to the ballroom, she noticed that Enrico had joined the two of them, and the atmosphere seemed tense.
‘I absolutely do not want to go near them.’
She was sure that was what everyone else was thinking, too. Enrico wore a sly smile, the Second Prince Riccardo remained calm, while Alessandro had wiped the smile off his face and was now staring seriously.
“I received the gift you sent the other day. So I brought the sibling you wanted to see the most.”
Their voices were audible if one paid a little attention. Perhaps it was because the surroundings had grown unnervingly quiet, but every word seemed to echo clearly. Emilia held her breath and listened to their conversation.
“You said you wouldn’t come back, but you returned sooner than I expected.”
Enrico smirked mockingly at Alessandro’s arrogant tone.
“I’m not the type to stop at just one gift. So, as a return favor, I brought Riccardo.”
“Then what’s the second gift?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. It wouldn’t be any fun if I told you now, would it?”
“Ha… do you realize where we are? Are you trying to make us all a laughingstock?”
“Our nephew is quite ill-mannered. He needs to study etiquette again.”
Alessandro glared at Enrico. A dispute between royals in such a public setting—this was exactly the kind of situation journalists would love.
Emilia decided not to stick around any longer and turned to leave, planning to go home early. But at that moment, Alessandro called out to her.
“Emilia.”
“…Yes?”
TL/N:
For a moment, she thought she had misheard. She considered ignoring him, but there were too many eyes on her. After hesitating for a while, she slowly turned around to see Alessandro, who had been scowling just moments before, now smiling warmly.
“Would you grant me the honor of dancing with you?”
TL/N:
She wanted to refuse such a ridiculous proposal immediately. But if she did, it would likely make for an even worse headline. Something like “Woman Who Rejected Royalty.”
She could already hear the murmuring of the crowd around her. In the end, Emilia sighed inwardly and extended her hand to him. Fortunately, Enrico merely raised an eyebrow and did not intervene.
Avoiding Enrico’s disapproving gaze, she began to dance with Alessandro. The unfamiliar hand uncomfortably encircled her back and arm.
TL/N:
“Were you surprised?”
The Crown Prince quickly masked his emotions, acting as if nothing was wrong.
“Yes, somewhat…”
“I didn’t expect my uncle to prepare such a gift either. It’s rather troubling.”
“Is that so?”
“Oh, by the way, I enjoyed your dance today. As always, it was beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“So, I was wondering when you might be free to have that meal we missed out on last time.”
“Ah… with the ongoing performances, I think it’ll be difficult for the time being.”
Alessandro’s expression seemed to harden slightly. Though he was still smiling, the gleam in his eyes made her uncomfortable.
“Are you only busy when it comes to me?”
“Yes? No, it’s genuinely a busy period.”
“…I see. That’s unfortunate. I found a really nice place.”
He suddenly smiled, lowering his eyebrows slightly. Watching him with unease, she hesitated for a while, then, as the music was about to end, she spoke with resolve.
“If it’s a nice place, wouldn’t it be better to go with your fiancée?”
“Hm, even though you’re the one I want to go with? Besides, you know, even though I have a fiancée, as royalty, I can’t escape a marriage of convenience.”
A royal arranged marriage… Suddenly, Enrico came to her mind. And just as she thought of him, Alessandro mentioned him.
“Come to think of it, my uncle might be getting engaged soon as well.”
“Duke Michele, engaged?”
“Yes. A beautiful princess from Carrent arrived recently, and I heard she’s thinking positively about marrying my uncle. I’m quite looking forward to what a lovely couple they’ll make.”
Carrent—wasn’t that the princess she had seen from afar at the masked ball? So it wasn’t just about trade deals but also an engagement? Was that why Enrico had been absent from the mansion so often lately?
TL/N: A FCKING MISUNDERSTANDING!!!!! FCK U ALESSANDRO!!!!
As the music slowed and the dance ended, Emilia’s long eyelashes cast shadows over her downcast eyes, deep in thought.
“Then, it was an honor. I hope we can have another moment like this.”
“…The honor was mine.”
Emilia stepped back, lifting her skirt slightly, and returned his bow.
* * * *
If you want to support the Translator, Translator’s Ko-Fi:
ahhahha i live for the TL’s reactions