Cecilia's Dance Partner
The wind felt chilly, perhaps because it was night.
‘I should head inside soon.’
Marquis Marlboro had returned to the banquet hall a little while ago. He probably wouldn’t contact me again tonight.
Thinking that, I turned to leave—when someone appeared right in front of me.
“Hek!”
“It’s Ileina, my secretary.”
Seeing her standing beneath the lamppost steadied the frantic beat of my heart.
“You’ve been watching the whole time.”
“Yes. I judged it best to stay alert in case something happened.”
I had blustered at Marlboro because I assumed Ileina was still watching, and it turned out to be the right call.
At the same time, I’d definitely learned how despicable that man was—still, no loss.
“Luckily, nothing to worry about.”
I spread both arms wide to prove I was unharmed.
“……”
Ileina said nothing and simply watched me. The awkwardness made me fold my arms back down at once.
“Secretary.”
“Hm? What is it?”
Ileina had never spoken to me first before. I asked, hiding my rising curiosity.
“I was ordered by Her Majesty to guard you. So I will protect you no matter what. Still…….”
Ileina fell silent, then fixed me with a piercing stare.
What was she about to say?
I waited in silence.
“Please refrain from placing yourself in danger.”
Her blue eyes were so clear beneath the lamppost. No emotion showed in them at all.
Only a gaze fixed on her duty.
“Alright. I’ll be careful from now on.”
“Yes. I shall withdraw.”
Ileina vanished into the darkness in an instant.
That woman was truly unbelievable.
“Phew.”
So many things had piled up that my head was throbbing.
“Time to top up my energy.”
Flora and Mulya were probably waiting for me.
I made my way back toward the banquet hall.
Where were Flora and Mulya now?
The moment I entered the hall I scanned for the maids. Fortunately I soon spotted a pink-haired woman.
Beside her with her deep-navy bob was no doubt Mulya. Their striking hair colors made my search easy.
I went to them to check what they were doing. They were chatting near the beverage station.
I hurried over, weaving through the crowd, and it took a while to reach the corner.
“Luke!”
Flora spotted me and waved her right hand high. Mulya beside her simply watched me.
Why was she staring like that?
“I’m back.”
I let the questions settle and greeted them cheerfully.
Flora welcomed me with a bright smile. Mulya gave a tiny nod, exactly as I’d expected.
Her gaze felt a little different though.
“Count Fordward’s daughter. Did you have something to say?”
“No.”
A blunt refusal. Hard to read people sometimes.
“Luke. But why did Marquis Marlboro come looking for you?”
Flora beat me to the question before I could open my mouth. Mulya’s eyebrows twitched once.
She must have misunderstood something…… I’d clear it up later.
Right now I needed to ease Flora’s sparkling curiosity.
“Oh, it was nothing. Something about working together for the future of the Eckhart Empire.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He also praised my abilities.”
“Why would the Marquis do that? I thought he wasn’t the type.”
Flora looked genuinely surprised.
My made-up story must have sounded awkward.
But I couldn’t show panic. Calm was safer.
I gave a shrug.
“Well, you never know what surprises the future holds.”
“Yes, as Luke said, surprises happen. I’m glad it wasn’t anything serious.”
Relief showed on Flora’s face.
“You weren’t worried about me after all?”
“Of course not!”
Flora’s loud reply drew every eye in the hall. She paid them no mind and kept talking.
“From what I know, that man isn’t kind at all. He has some shady sides.”
She lowered her voice a bit, probably aware of the stares.
“The Marquis called him ‘that person,’ so people soon lost interest and turned away.”
“Could you have told Her Majesty that?”
“Hmm. Probably.”
I spoke quietly just in case someone was still listening.
“Hehe. That’s a secret.”
Flora answered cheerfully and winked playfully. The cuteness multiplied.
……Not that I’d fallen for her.
“……”
I turned at the sensation of a gaze beside me and met Mulya’s eyes.
Suspicion flickered in her deep-purple ones.
But the conversation with Marlboro wasn’t something to blurt out.
Even if Cecilia learned later, removing him would be impossible. He was Duke Montersen’s right hand.
A full-scale noble backlash would follow.
A nightmare situation.
‘I’ll keep my mouth shut for a while.’
When the conflict between Cecilia and the nobles broke out, low-ranking nobles like me would just be swept away.
Like shrimp in a whale fight.
“So that’s what happened.”
Mulya finally spoke.
“Yes. As your secretary, I’ve learned all sorts of things. Nothing I imagined from my fief.”
“I see.”
Our chat ended there. Good for me. Long talks with her would tire me out.
“Fortunately you’re back on time.”
“What time?”
“Come on, pretend you don’t know.”
I wasn’t actually sure……
I glanced at the grandfather clock. Flora had been referring to the moment I realized.
8:55 p.m.
The ball would start in five minutes.
“Oh, a ball’s about to begin.”
“Yes. It’s been ages since I danced. I’m all excited.”
Flora’s emerald eyes sparkled with passion. She’d probably get dozens of dance offers.
What about Mulya then……
“I’m just here to watch.”
A different reaction, as expected.
Honestly, Mulya didn’t strike me as the dancing type. She seemed more suited to sewing or paperwork.
“Secretary. You’re not thinking anything improper, are you?”
“Count Fordward’s daughter. I’m not like that. I swear on my thumb.”
I raised my thumb. Mulya let out a small sigh and shook her head.
“I don’t trust that at all.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. Uncomfortable, I turned away.
“By the way, Luke. Just wondering……”
“I know how to dance. I actually learned.”
“Oh! Good news!”
Flora’s eyes lit up even more.
“I’m just saying I’m not actually good at it.”
“Real skill comes in real battle.”
Flora gave me a strange smile.
What was she expecting from me?
The grandfather clock chimed nine as the alarm sounded. People naturally gathered along the sides of the hall.
The center soon emptied completely. Soon the Empress would dance there.
That was the usual custom—host or main character opens the ball.
“Who will Her Majesty dance with?”
“Probably the same person as always.”
“Same person? Dance?”
I asked in surprise, eyes wide. Flora explained that Cecilia had hosted three balls since her coronation and had never danced with anyone.
“I see.”
‘So the first dance is for someone else?’
Curious, I looked toward the stage. She was still seated on the throne, surrounded by noble daughters my age. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief.
“Ugh. It’s starting again.”
Flora, who had witnessed the same sight, made a face of exasperation. Mulya beside her showed the same reaction.
“Everyone’s trying to be Her Majesty’s dance partner.”
“That’s right. It’s beneficial in many ways if you catch even a little of her eye. Of course, as I said earlier, Her Majesty won’t actually dance.”
Flora shook her head.
Cecilia suddenly stood from her throne!
“I feel like dancing tonight as well.”
Her voice carried across the entire hall. The crowd murmured in shock.
“Huh? What’s gotten into her?”
“……Who knows.”
Flora and Mulya looked equally stunned.
Cecilia descended the stage with slow steps, ignoring everyone’s reaction.
That was the signal. The noble daughters around the stage began inching toward her one by one.
“Your Majesty, the honored position of partner……”
“I have admired Your Majesty for so long……”
“Even the honor of holding Your Majesty’s hand……”
“Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty!”
They all fought to be her partner, buzzing like bees around a beautiful flower.
But Cecilia walked away without a single glance at them.
……Wait a second.
She seemed to be coming this way……
A moment later Cecilia stopped directly in front of me.
“Your Majesty?”
My voice came out stunned.
I had no choice. How could I stay sane facing this sudden situation?
Cecilia looked at me briefly, then brushed her golden hair lightly. The glossy strands swayed in the breeze.
I simply stared in a daze, unable to react.
The scene felt unreal.
But she didn’t stop there.
“Luke. If you request to be my partner, I’ll accept.”
The tyrant who would become empress was ordering me to dance.
With no regard for my embarrassment.
And there was no one fool enough to refuse.
“Your Majesty. This humble subject requests the honor of being Your Majesty’s dance partner. Please grant it.”
“Granted.”
Cecilia spoke in a dignified voice and placed her hand gently on mine.
Why is this tyrant giving me such a trial?