Chapter 133: Nathaniel’s Confession
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 133: Nathaniel’s Confession
“Honestly, I don’t… dislike it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Nathaniel was one of the few people in this world I could truly trust.
Naturally, the person I trusted most was my mother, and Nathaniel came right after her.
Besides, he knew a secret that even my mother didn't. The fact that I was a transmigrator was a secret no one else knew.
Perhaps because I had saved him from the Temple when we were young, he had always been particularly devoted to me. It was possible he was simply holding onto the gratitude he’d felt since then.
‘But is that really it?’
Could someone feel nothing but a sense of obligation to repay a debt for ten long years? No matter how uninterested I was in romance or how dense I was due to my lack of dating experience, even I could tell something was different.
“Niel, why do you want to escort me so badly?”
“……”
“Why is it that I… can’t go to the ball with Abel?”
Nathaniel remained silent for a moment at my question. I tried to wait calmly for his answer, but it wasn't easy.
My heart kept thumping, and my face grew hot. It was even worse because I felt like I already knew what his answer would be.
And while I felt flustered and a bit embarrassed, I didn't hate the thought. That realization made me even more bewildered.
‘Come to think of it, ever since I first saw him…’
Even when we were children, that beautiful face of his always caught my eye. Unknowingly, I found myself captivated by Nathaniel’s pale gray eyes.
Those eyes, which I had once thought were simply as pretty as jewels, were now staring straight at me. Now that I thought about it, Nathaniel had always looked at me with such clear, unwavering eyes.
Suddenly feeling nervous, I swallowed hard. Then, Nathaniel’s pink lips slowly parted.
“I love you, Dia.”
“...!”
“I don’t want you going to the ball with another man.”
While I was dazed and lost in thought, Nathaniel had delivered a sincere confession. For a moment, it felt like my breath had stopped.
Just as I expected, Nathaniel said he loved me, but I couldn't react properly. I just stared at him, my lips parted foolishly.
“Uh…”
Nathaniel’s pale face was flushed red. His face, which was usually set in a stiff expression, now looked anxious.
He seemed terrified that my answer might be a rejection. Nathaniel probably wouldn't have confessed like this if I hadn't mentioned being escorted by Abel.
I slowly reached out and gently stroked Nathaniel’s reddened cheek. The warmth against my palm felt nice. Nathaniel, who had been watching me with dark, intense eyes, leaned his cheek into my palm and closed his eyes.
“You don’t mean you like me as a friend, right?”
“Of course not.”
Perhaps because my question sounded a bit playful, Nathaniel knit his brows. I let out a soft chuckle and lowered my hand.
“I like you too.”
“Is that true?”
“Yeah. But honestly, I’m still not quite sure. It hasn't been that long since I woke up, after all.”
“Ah.”
I couldn't tell if I truly liked Nathaniel as a man or if I was just confused by seeing how much he had suddenly grown.
That was why I couldn't give a definitive answer to his confession just yet.
“Instead, I’ll give you an answer about the escort.”
“Okay.”
“I want to go to the ball with you too, Niel.”
“...!”
Maybe it was because I showed a bit of shyness. Nathaniel’s face brightened instantly.
“I understand. Thank you, Dia.”
“Ahem, cough.”
I couldn't look directly at Nathaniel, who was beaming with joy. I averted my gaze slightly, but even so, Nathaniel didn't stop smiling.
I just kept coughing awkwardly, feeling embarrassed.
*
Time flew by, and the day of the ball arrived.
I woke up early in the morning and busied myself with preparations. Even so, I couldn't afford to be leisurely, considering I was the guest of honor at this ball.
“Imperial Princess, you look truly beautiful!”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
After receiving the maids' devoted styling, I stared blankly at my reflection in the mirror.
I still hadn't fully adjusted to my grown body. The baby fat was gone from my face, and my limbs were long and slender.
Though I had been lying down for ten years, my body—kept vibrant by Nathaniel’s divine power—was appropriately slim yet developed in all the right places.
Both my face and my figure took after my mother. Although my growth was on the slower side, even I could see that my future appearance was something to look forward to.
“This elegant silver dress suits you perfectly.”
“You think so?”
“Yes! I’m also looking forward to seeing what Sir Nathaniel’s suit looks like.”
“Ahem.”
The dress I was wearing today was coordinated with Nathaniel’s outfit.
As soon as I agreed to let him escort me, Nathaniel had not only secured permission from the Temple and Dantalion but had also been very proactive about getting our outfits made.
I hadn't expected him, usually so quiet and indifferent, to proceed with such enthusiasm.
[Hmph, that Niel fellow. At least he has an eye for style.]
[I agree. I didn't think he’d know much about fashion.]
Even the demons, Desmond and Bibi, marveled at the dress I was wearing. Specifically, they were impressed by Nathaniel’s taste. It seemed they found it unexpected as well.
The dress was primarily silver with black accents. Small jewels were sewn into the voluminous skirt, giving it a shimmering, luxurious, and beautiful feel.
I had only ever worn cute dresses as a child, so this was my first time wearing something like this, and I was quite satisfied. I suppose blood doesn't lie.
“Imperial Princess, Sir Nathaniel has arrived.”
“Oh, okay.”
At the maid’s words, I pulled my eyes away from the mirror. I slowly stepped out of the room and headed downstairs.
Nathaniel was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. Dressed in an outfit similar to mine, he turned slightly and looked up at me.
“……”
“……”
We stared at each other for a long time. The silver and black suit suited Nathaniel incredibly well. It harmonized perfectly with his white hair.
But my feet wouldn't move. I needed to hurry if we were to make it to the ball, but I couldn't move under his dazed gaze.
“Imperial Princess?”
“Ah.”
When the maid waiting beside me called out in confusion, I snapped out of it and moved my feet. I descended the stairs nervously.
“Niel, you’re here?”
“Dia.”
Nathaniel, who had been staring at me blankly, seemed to come to his senses and blinked as I approached. Then, his eyes crinkled into a soft smile.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Ahem, thanks. You look pre—no, it suits you well.”
“Yeah.”
Nathaniel nodded with a smile. Seeing him smile with that face was not good for my heart.
“Shall we go, then?”
“Sure.”
I spoke quickly, thinking it would only get more awkward if we kept standing there. Nathaniel then held out his hand.
“Shall we, my lady?”
“...!”
That’s right, I had to be escorted.
I was startled, having forgotten that obvious fact. I looked at Nathaniel’s hand in its white glove before reaching out my arm.
I was wearing gloves anyway. Among nobles, gloves were a form of etiquette. I figured it would be fine since we weren't touching skin-to-skin.
“Ugh.”
But I let out a small gasp at the warmth I felt even through the fabric.
Was Nathaniel always this warm? I murmured to myself as I took his arm and let him lead me.
I hadn't been this nervous when he used to stroke my hair. Was it because he had confessed to me?
Perhaps because I was now conscious of him, my heart pounded so hard at the slightest contact that it was becoming a problem. I tried my best to keep a neutral expression as I walked.
The distance from the Princess’s Palace to the ballroom was quite far. Even within the Imperial Palace, one had to take a carriage to move between the different palaces. So, Nathaniel and I boarded the prepared carriage.
“Be careful, Dia.”
“O-oh, okay.”
Nathaniel escorted me even as I boarded the carriage. Since I was struggling with the stiff heels I rarely wore, I grabbed his hand firmly to climb up.
Neither the trailing dress nor the stiff shoes suited me at all. Once inside the carriage, I let out a deep sigh without realizing it.
“Whew, I think I’m already tired.”
“Then shall we not go?”
“How can I do that? I’m the guest of honor.”
I replied with a bitter smile at Nathaniel’s suggestion. I had no choice but to endure the discomfort. I was now the only Imperial Princess of this vast empire.
Nathaniel then continued with a serious expression.
“Since you’re the guest of honor, you can do whatever you want.”
“What?”
“Just say the word, Dia. I’ll take you anywhere.”
“……”
It felt as if Nathaniel would turn the carriage around in an instant if I said I didn't want to go. A natural smile formed on my lips.