Chapter 21 (1/2)

Chapter 21

It wasn’t until a little while later that the Emperor slowly lowered his gaze.

“I’m afraid Leon can be pretty useful sometimes.”

She had heard the name before. She still remembered all the names she had to memorize for the last banquet, but the context of this conversation seemed to be referring to Leon, the Duke of Thiaheb and the Emperor’s close friend.

‘What did Sir Leon do?’

The Emperor was usually generous with compliments, but she felt good whenever she heard them from him. When she smiled and hurriedly copied another lady standing beside her, grabbing the hem of her skirt and slightly bending her knees, he gave a sly smirk, swiftly turning around on his heel.

Meanwhile, the envoys representing each country and the Empress arrived. She didn’t see him anywhere, but she knew Serek was there. The magic officers chosen by the Empress were coming tonight.

But, she tried not to pay too much attention to them.

In the middle of the event, the Duke of Thiaheb brought Vincenzo, Cian, Nero, and her up on the podium. She was so nervous that she couldn’t even walk properly. Introduced under the grand name of the Academy’s promising talents, they were able to come down from the podium only after receiving a great round of applause.

If she hadn’t been with Vincenzo and the other two from the Academy, she wouldn’t have been able to stand properly because her legs were shaking.

She descended down from the platform and only came to her senses after gulping down a whole glass of water that Vincenzo handed her. Vincenzo looked at her with a gentle smile.

“I almost didn’t recognize you. You look really, really pretty.”

“Thank you. You look fabulous, too.”

She wasn’t joking. Vincenzo, in a light blue suit, looked quite plausible. While they talked, the other two students – Cian and Nero – were taken away by another group trying to greet them, and that’s how they could sit on a chair and rest for a little, using them as scapegoats.

“It’s your first time attending a banquet, right?”

‘Not the first time, but it is my first time attending like this.’ When she nodded vaguely, Vincenzo stood up, extending his arm towards her.

“Do you hear the music? Let’s go there and dance.”

“Dance?”

“Yeah, unless you want to waste the enjoyment of coming all the way here.”

‘Waste, he says.’ But, she did not know how the aristocrats danced at all, and she didn’t want to attract more attention. Even now, when she was just sitting down, a lot of eyes shifted to stare at her after she was introduced as a talent.

“Come on, I’ll teach you.”

“Well, I…..”

As she was pondering on what to answer, a man dressed in a white suit suddenly stepped in the conversation. It was Leon, the Duke of Thiaheb.

“It’s not polite to force someone, Vincenzo.”

“Don’t get in here. I was asking her out.”

“The girl doesn’t like you.”

“She didn’t say no, right?”

The two were talking like they knew each other. Celestia was looking at the two alternatively before Leon’s gaze landed on her.

“Forgive me, but as the Emperor’s ancillary reward, the Academy’s honored talent has to share her first dance with the Emperor. What can we do? There’s only one girl, so I think Celestia should take care of it.”

Vincenzo sighed, while Leon winked at her.

“It must be burdensome, but give your best.”

‘All of a sudden…..?’

After placing his arm before her, Leon pointed his finger at the direction where the Emperor, who was talking with the envoys from other countries, was standing.

No, it wasn’t that burdensome.

She wanted to find a way to deny, but she knew this had to be done as long as it was what the Emperor said.

‘As a reward for an honored student to share their first dance with the Emperor……..wasn’t it decided suddenly? You should’ve given me a word in advance at least! How could you decide on something like that all of a sudden? You didn’t suggest it because you wanted to see me suffer, did you?’

She didn’t even know how to dance. As expected, she was embarrassed.

The music grew louder with the second and it was the dance song that began to play with earnest. However, the tune was soft.

‘Is this the type of songs played in balls?’

His ‘tough’ expression became clearer as he walked closer. She was glad to see him, but not now.

‘Wait, don’t come now……!’

Whether he knew her face was turning pale, the Emperor approached her with a face that said ‘he was going to do something bothersome’ and extended an arm to her. She jumped off her seat in an instant, but was completely clueless on what to do next, so she just looked up at him. She could hear the women around them sighing as if they were envious.

“What are you waiting for? Hold my arm.”

“I cannot dance.”

“What?”

“Dance! I don’t know how to do it.”

“…..Never thought it’d be possible. Hmm, it’ll be more fun than I thought.”

‘Then it will be you who’s going to have fun, not me.’

The first thing that came to her mind was that she’d be seen by Serek, but there was nothing she could do even though her voice was one that wouldn’t stand out today. If he was here, he would definitely see her.

However, for her, such a problem now was trivial or wouldn’t even be considered as one. More than anything else, Victoria and some of her aristocratic goons were watching, and Celestia hated making mistakes.

“What kind of reward is this?! It’s more like a punishment. Please stop if you’re not trying to embarrass me.”

“But it’s my time to stop the Duke from taking away the first dance every time, and besides, a long time has passed since I had a chance. I have no intention of making concessions if you hate dancing.”

“…….So you just want to set an example for tonight?”

“Hurry up and let’s get it done with.”

‘But I can’t!’

She realized that he, who was staring firmly at her, had no intention of giving up. Defeated, she sighed and clasped his palm.

“Is this how you hold it?”