The Princess's First Dance
“Of course, skill gives you a huge boost. Take my grandmother, for instance—she was a commoner.”
The moment Derek said that, only one thought crossed my mind.
‘This family’s just fucking insane about genes.’
Inheriting the family line based on talent rather than money or honor? In a way, it was brilliantly smart.
“Your grandmother must have been incredible.”
“You bet. They say she never lost to Grandpa once before she got pregnant. Becoming the top knight in the order? That was a given.”
‘Fair enough.’
At that level, even the Rahila family couldn’t resist wanting those genes.
“Son, what’s so fascinating about family talk that you’re having it here?”
I was listening intently to Derek’s story when a massive shadow loomed over me from behind.
“Father, my brother asked why no young ladies approach me, so I was just answering.”
‘Dude, you don’t have to say it so bluntly.’
It wasn’t a big deal, but still, it felt awkward.
“I see. It’s been a while, young lord, but you look far more impressive than before.”
Count Rahila, whom I hadn’t seen since the graduation ceremony—just like with the emperor—scanned me with his eyes.
“It’s been too long, sir. I hope you’ve been well.”
“In wartime, keeping your head attached is about as ‘well’ as it gets. But you... impressive. How did you think to seize an enemy warship?”
Sure enough, another question about my wartime merits.
“The situation was dire, so my mind raced, and it just came to me.”
“I’ll have to learn ingenuity and quick thinking from you, young lord.”
The count was practically singing my praises.
It was more overwhelming than I’d imagined.
“No, sir. This operation made me realize my own shortcomings.”
“Shortcomings... Hm, you mean your martial prowess, I take it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Watching Colonel Schultz and Major Garen in action had drilled into me how badly I needed to build my strength.
“You’re busy this time, but next leave, come to the estate. I’ll take a look at your sword.”
Count Rahila offered something I hadn’t expected.
“I’d be honored, sir. I’ll visit the moment I get leave.”
Training from the former head of the Imperial Knights?
I’d scream “pick me!” even if it killed me.
‘Gotta choose your friends wisely.’
There’s a reason they say you go to Gangnam with good friends.
“Getting close with my son...”
“Major Palan Oclo.”
The count was about to say more when a voice—thrilling yet chilling—called my name.
“Your Highness.”
I turned, and all I could do was gape at the stunning beauty before me.
Her eyes burned intensely into mine.
“Enjoying the ball?”
“Yes, Your Highness. From the food to every little detail, it’s breathtakingly beautiful. Thank you for hosting this.”
An imperial ball meant nothing but praise and flattery.
“Glad to hear it. The orchestra’s about to start. Dance with me.”
“Pardon...?”
What the hell was this out of nowhere?
‘Why me? Where’d you sell your brother?’
With no fiancés for either royal sibling, their friendly dance was a scheduled highlight.
‘Lady, dancing is a hard no.’
First dance with the princess?
The fallout would be a first-class medal-level shitstorm.
“Is there a problem?”
She asked as if wondering why I hadn’t answered instantly.
Refusal rose in my throat, but I couldn’t spit it out.
‘Any more attention like this, and I’d rather die.’
The spotlight in the army was already crushing; outside eyes piling on?
Dad would love it to death, and I’d suffocate.
“Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince must be waiting. How could I take your first dance? Perhaps the second song...”
“Are you refusing the hand I’ve offered? Do you have a promised partner?”
‘Lorentibak—no, Lorentina, where are you?’
I’d hoped to grab any girl as a prior engagement excuse, but the crowd around me had vanished.
‘Say Derek’s my first dance? No, that’s the worst.’
I’d draw the wrong kind of massive attention.
“No prior engagement, but...”
“Then I’d like you to take it. My hand’s getting cold.”
Not even a veiled threat—just a straight-up one from the princess.
For some reason, she looked seriously pissed.
‘What the fuck? She was fine last time.’
Women’s hearts are mysteries, but this was overkill.
“Thank you for this great honor, Your Highness.”
No excuse to refuse, so I took her hand and headed to the center of the hall.
“Oh, look over there. Her Highness has brought out a man who isn’t the Crown Prince for her dance. Never seen him before.”
“Madam, isn’t that Lord Palan Oclo, the one who got the medal? This is getting interesting.”
“The princess’s first dance...”
Intrigued adults, jealous peers.
A rainbow of gazes and murmurs filled my ears.
‘Why am I still being dragged center stage even as I try to escape?’
My fate’s chariot was one bumpy ride.
“How does it feel to be at the ball’s heart?”
“Overwhelming.”
“Truth is, I wanted to dance first with someone else tonight.”
“Pardon...?”
What now?
Hard to process.
“But he said he’d rather die than come to the ball.”
“I see... That must have been disappointing.”
Who’d refuse the princess’s invitation to a ball?
‘No one like that...’
The one candidate was the crown prince, right nearby—tending to the empress, who looked utterly uninterested in dancing after being ditched by her daughter.
“Yes, so disappointing. And infuriating.”
Squeeze.
Her grip on my hand tightened.
‘Okay, anger makes sense, but why me?’
Tell the prince or emperor about it. This was pure gold trouble.
“Does this have something to do with me?”
“Does it need to?”
Glare.
She shot me a piercing upward look.
“Uh? Well... no, I suppose not.”
Ding-ding-ding! Ding! Ding-ding-ding!
As I stammered, the orchestra struck up.
‘But... I’ve never danced.’
Even Palan’s memories had fewer than three dances.
“Um, Your Highness? I’m truly sorry, but I’m no good at dancing.”
“Just follow me.”
“Y-yes, ma’am...!”
Nonexistent skill, but I dredged up what I could and mirrored her steps.
‘She’s insanely gorgeous, but that personality.’
Face too good for her attitude? Perfect fit.
“Captain... no, Major, did you hate anyone during your service?”
I focused on not stepping on her feet when she asked.
“Hate?”
“Yes, someone you hate seeing, who annoys you.”
Hate-to-see person.
Didn’t take a second to think of one.
“One. A devil who dragged me to hell.”
“A devil?”
“Yeah, vicious personality. But ridiculously talented, always fooling me, pranks and lies daily, chain-smoker. The worst.”
“Sounds tough.”
She looked at me with faint pity.
‘Is this it...?’
Chance to defuse, so I pushed further.
“Sometimes okay, but after a recent joint op stuck together too long, felt like years shaved off my life.”
I trashed him once more and glanced at her. Something off.
“Recent joint op?”
“Yes.”
“By any chance... Eden?”
Her naming him outright made my dancing hand tremble.
‘Shit, what?’
How did Captain Eden’s name come from the princess’s mouth? Beyond a mere soldier’s grasp.
‘Play dumb, play dumb.’
Slim chance they just knew each other.
“Haha, no. Do you know Captain Eden?”
“Pardon...? Oh, uh... from Rimir Castle, when he ditched me too?”
She seemed flustered by my question, oddly enough.
“Ah, right. Sorry about that. Urgent mission, couldn’t greet you.”
“I see. What’s your relationship with Captain Eden?”
“Pardon?”
Another weird question.
Her tone sounded genuinely curious.
‘What’s with her today? Driving me nuts.’
Couldn’t read her mind at all.
“Great guy. Deeply considerate, loves pranks.”
Possible acquaintances, so I invented virtues.
But her face soured badly.
“To you, apparently.”
Her voice drowned, almost.
‘She’s not about to cry, is she?’
If she burst into tears here...
‘Shit, straight to the dungeons.’
Emperor watching us; knights wouldn’t let me off.
‘Funny story, funny story.’
Laughter stops tears.
“Once, Eden and I took a boat for a sea op.”
“A boat...? Just you two?”
“Yeah, small fishing vessel.”
Couldn’t spill op details to a princess; had to fudge.
“Just two on a small boat...”
“Anyway, mid-op, he asks if I can sashimi fish.”
“Sashimi...?”
“Yeah. I said no, obviously. I cook a bit, but sashimi’s another level.”
Her expression softened nostalgically; tears receding.
‘Got it.’
Survival path found; I spun the tale with the music.
“He grabs a fish, slices sashimi, feeds me.”
“He cooked for you...?”
“Yeah, ate his cooking plenty. Wonder how he got so good—versatile guy.”
Tremble tremble.
Now her hand shook harder than ever.
“Why you... not me.”
She muttered something faint, too quiet to catch fully.
“Pardon? What was that...?”
Leaning closer to hear, I saw it.
Tears pooling in her eyes.
‘Ah...’