Chapter 38 (1/2)

Chapter 38: Chapter 38

When he and I showed due manners to the emperor, he ordered the nobles still bowing to him to raise their bodies. When everyone fixed their eyes on the emperor, he said with a solemn expression.

“Today is the day when the crown prince grows up and comes of age. How can’t I be so happy?”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty. Congratulations, Crown Prince. ”

Everyone bowed toward the platform at once. After letting go of his hand, I also stepped back a few steps, spreading the skirt with one hand, and greeted them politely.

“In accordance with the imperial tradition, I give the crown and sword to the crown prince Rublis Kamaludin Shana Castina, who has come of age,” the emperor said, taking out the shining crown from the box that the servant brought.

It was slightly lesser in size andr splendor than the emperor’s crown, but it was exquisitely elegant thanks to the delicately crafted jewels. The crown brilliantly reflected the light of the chandelier on his blue hair as the emperor placed it on his head, then gave him a ceremonial sword with a brilliant decoration.

After looking back at those who bowed deeply and paying respect to him, the emperor said, “Raise your heads. I am so happy that so many people here celebrate his coming of age. I would like to thank you all. ”

“We’re honored, Your Majesty.”

After handing the crown and sword to the servant, he approached me and reached out with a light smile on his face.

“To you.”

“… ”

“Can I ask you for a dance to celebrate my coming of age?”

Suddenly, a scene from my past came to mind. Back then I was having fantasy about the crown prince while struggling to take courses about the empress at a time when I didn’t know the harshness of reality yet. As someone who was told that I had to live as a woman for him, the crown prince was like a man who had the ideal qualities of a man I always dreamed of. I even took his cold attitude toward me for granted because he had to lead the empire.

The reason I offered my heart to him the first time was because he asked me to dance at the coming-of-age banquet like this. He was the only one who, if perfunctorily, smiled at me among the people as I looked silly inthe banquet hall that I had visited for the first time. As he reached out to me who was always lonely, I gave him my whole heart on that day.

But now …

“It is an honor, Crown Prince.”

I shook off my idle thoughts and held his hand. His coming-of-age ceremony was the same as in the past as was his asking me to dance, and his cold hand. I wondered if my fate was again destined to be the same as the past. Maybe the name of ‘the pioneer of fate’ was of no use to me.

When I arrived at the dancing floor, I felt his strong grip around my waist. The chamber orchestra members picked up their instruments. I moved slowly, holding hands with him, in line with the slow dance that started grandly.

Only the man who came of age and his partner could dance the first dance. Because of this, he and I alone were dancing under the attention of numerous guests. Even though I practiced all night long, I was so tense that I was taunted when I got my feet twisted, but now I didn’t make the same mistake. Even if I didn’t even practice for a single time, even if I wore high-heeled shoes, I could do dance steps well because I had already been here.

When I followed his lead, he suddenly said with a cold voice, “Oh, It’s surprising.”

“What are you talking about?” I barely replied, struggling to pull myself together.

“I’m talking about you. Isn’t it the first time in your life that you are dancing today?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“But why are you so used to it?”

He asked coldly, pulling me toward him when I was stepping a bit away from him.

“I can see you’re focused on something else, but you’re still dancing so well. Does it mean that you have danced with another guy so many times? ”

“What do you mean? How could I do…?”

“Really?”

After snorting with laughter, he pulled me tight. He grinned strangely at me.

“That guy over there. Is he Duke Verita’s younger son, right? I hear he often visits your house.”

He put his lips close to my ear and whispered. When I turned my head along his gaze, a boy with light green hair came into my view. With his fresh hair and deep emerald eyes in my view, I felt my heart was broken when he was looking at me.