The right to the first dance belonged to the host of the ball. In the imperial palace, where balls were held monthly, I had never once relinquished that right since becoming the crown princess.
It was the only way I could feel superior to her.
To be more elegant! To appear more beautiful!
Obsessed with outshining her, I practiced relentlessly, enduring blisters and bleeding feet.
Thankfully, coming from a family renowned for producing exceptional knights, my athleticism and stamina were above average. I mastered every dance, from the simplest to the most intricate.
“Don’t embarrass me, Sys—keep up.”
Balls typically started with an easy rhythm for the first dance, followed by a more challenging piece for the second. Though not a strict rule, most followed this pattern. The first dance was a courtesy to the host; the second was a chance to showcase skill.
The tempo surged, far faster than the first. Sys, briefly startled by my words, narrowed his eyes with a grin.
“Stealing my line?”
He pushed and pulled me with force. My body spun away, twirling, then fell back into his arms.
Our steps intertwined rhythmically to the lively music, each breath perfectly synchronized, as if honed over years.
He gripped my waist with both hands, lifting me briefly before setting me down. My skirts flared like blooming petals as my feet touched the ground.
“Not bad,” he teased, picking up the pace with a mischievous smirk.
“Too early to be impressed.”
I smiled back, matching his energy. The music neared its climax. My elegant steps turned lively, bouncing lightly. The dance, once graceful, became vibrant.
Sys adapted seamlessly, his steady hold giving me confidence to pour everything into the performance.
“Haha, this is a first!”
He laughed loudly, his neatly swept hair falling slightly askew. The loose strands framed his relaxed, smiling face.
The music slowed and stopped. Breathless from the exertion, I caught my breath as Sys murmured, almost sighing, “You’re driving me insane.”
He pulled me close, pressing his lips firmly to my forehead. Envious gasps echoed around us.
“Hahaha! What a splendid dance!”
The emperor’s hearty laughter rang out as he clapped for us.
“Truly magnificent!”
“So beautiful!”
“The perfect pair!”
“I’m so jealous!”
Thunderous applause filled Erharak Hall. The emperor beckoned us forward.
Sys led me to him.
“For entertaining me today, I’ll reward you both,” the emperor declared. “Chamberlain.”
The chamberlain hurried forward and bowed.
“You called, Your Majesty?”
“Give the crown prince and Lady Eliant the Radiance Rings from the palace treasury.”
“…!”
Gasps rippled through the crowd. The emperor’s decree was unprecedented.
The Radiance Rings, also called the Sun and Moon Rings, were among the imperial treasures, symbolizing the emperor and empress, used in coronations for generations.
“Your Maj—”
“I’m a bit tired,” the emperor cut in, preempting any objections. His jovial demeanor shifted to fatigue as he turned to the empress.
“I’m weary. Let’s retire.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
The emperor took the empress’s hand and stood, waving to the bowing nobles.
“Enjoy yourselves.”
“Your grace is boundless!”
As soon as they left, the hall erupted in chatter. The emperor’s bombshell announcement had set the room ablaze.
“His Majesty really threw us a curveball,” Sys said.
“You look pleased.”
“Of course.”
His delight was evident.
Granting us the Radiance Rings was tantamount to solidifying Sys’s succession and signaling our imminent marriage—a declaration from the emperor himself.
“And isn’t this what you were aiming for?”
He raised and lowered his thick eyebrows playfully.
He was right. I had orchestrated the situation with Lady Daysha, knowing her dancing was unpolished.
Visually, Sys and she were an undeniably striking pair—so perfect that her clumsy steps could be passed off as endearing. Indeed, onlookers had praised their charm. So I aimed to perform a flawless dance, highlighting her inexperience.
Everything had gone according to plan.
And dancing with him was more thrilling than ever.
But the emperor’s sudden proclamation was an unexpected twist.
“Think what you like,” I said.
“Hmm.”
He hummed, giving me a knowing look. I turned away, and he chuckled softly.
“I need to mingle for a bit. I’ll be back soon.”
With a reluctant expression, he kissed the back of my hand and headed toward the waiting nobles.
“Haa.”
Exhaustion hit me. Seeking a quiet spot to rest, I spotted a familiar face.
“As Countess Rustyn said, the first dance with Lady Daysha must’ve been a courtesy to the duke.”
“Indeed, His Highness’s demeanor was worlds apart with her.”
“I told you so.”
Among the women, Countess Rustyn stood, fan in hand, covering her mouth. Her eyes crinkled as they met mine.
“Everyone saw where His Majesty’s favor lies. There’s nothing more to say.”
“I never imagined he’d grant the Radiance Rings.”
“The crown prince and Lady Eliant’s marriage is just a matter of time.”
“Of course—Lady Eliant is his fiancée.”
I gave Countess Rustyn a slight nod, and she subtly returned the gesture, unnoticed by others. The social currents were already shifting.
“Oh!”
While searching for an uncurtained balcony to rest, someone hurriedly parted the drapes and emerged.
“…Levina?”
“Bee, Beeonne!”
Spotting me, Levina trembled, her face ashen.
“What’s wrong?”
“I… I…”
She stammered, glancing at the curtained balcony, shaking like a rabbit hunted by a predator.
Could it be…
“I-I’ll go ahead, Beeonne. Sorry!”
Sensing movement behind the curtain, terror flashed across her face. Without waiting for my reply, she vanished into the crowd.
Marquis Retan!
The curtain parted, revealing a tall man. He scanned left and right, searching for Levina.
His sharp eyes scoured the crowd, but she was already hidden among them. His brow furrowed slightly.
“She’s gone,” I said, deliberately provoking him.
As intended, Marquis Retan’s stride halted abruptly.
He turned slowly toward me. I lifted one side of my skirt and curtsied.
“Beeonne Lotta Eliant, Marquis Retan.”
“…”
He stared down at me wordlessly. His nickname “war maniac” wasn’t unearned.
Even knowing his gaze was as cold as if sizing up an object, the raw menace in his eyes sent shivers through me.
No wonder Levina fled in fear.
