Chapter 134: Ball Under the Moonlight (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 134: Ball Under the Moonlight (1)
“Did you just say you’re going to kidnap the Princess?”
When I asked in a mischievous tone, Nathaniel let out a soft chuckle. We looked at each other, laughter lingering between us for a moment.
“It’s alright. I can’t just avoid things because they’re uncomfortable or difficult. This is how I’ll have to live from now on anyway.”
“Right. But you still have to tell me if it gets too hard.”
“I will.”
The carriage soon reached its destination, pulling to a stop in front of the ballroom.
They say the protagonist is supposed to arrive late, so I had delayed our departure as much as possible. The sun was already beginning to set. Glancing at the twilight landscape, I took Nathaniel’s hand and stepped down.
‘Huh?’
I felt eyes on me. As I looked up from the carriage, the first thing I saw was a knight staring blankly at Nathaniel and me.
“Ah—m-my apologies, Your Highness.”
“No, it’s quite alright.”
My appearance wasn't well-known to the public. Although I had been allowed to leave the Empress’s Palace after my recovery was confirmed, I hadn't gone out much.
There was simply too much to learn. It had taken a full month just to master the etiquette required for a ball.
“Keep up the good work.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
The knight guarding the entrance bowed his head, his face flushing red. Nathaniel glared at him with cold eyes.
The Imperial knight seemed flustered because he wasn't used to seeing me. Nathaniel appeared displeased by it, but I didn't mind. I simply walked past the knight with a bright smile.
“Her Imperial Highness, the Star of the Empire, Claudia Elly Sylvester, and Count Nathaniel Valentino are entering!”
As we approached the doors, the doorman announced us in a booming voice.
I heard that Nathaniel had been granted the title of Count by Dantalion as a reward for resolving the Southern Plague.
It was essentially an honorary title, but seeing Nathaniel standing beside me as both the Pope’s successor and a dashing Count felt strangely new.
“Oh my, the Princess really is…”
“She looks exactly like Her Majesty the Empress.”
“She looks so well-matched with Lord Nathaniel.”
As we entered the ballroom, countless people began whispering while watching us. The speed at which they whispered while cleverly hiding their mouths behind fans was impressive.
Of course, I could hear everything. Most were reacting with surprise at seeing me awake, and I heard many comments about how much I resembled my mother.
And, as expected, seeing me escorted by Nathaniel led many to speculate about our relationship. I walked toward the high seats, feeling a surge of tension.
“I greet the Sun and Moon of the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”
I greeted Dantalion and my mother, who were seated at the head of the room. I could hear gasps of admiration at my perfect curtsy.
Dantalion and my mother looked down at Nathaniel and me with pleased expressions. For a split second, Dantalion’s gaze toward Nathaniel seemed chilly, but I figured I was just imagining things.
“It is truly wonderful to see the Princess returned to us in such good health.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
My mother and Dantalion echoed each other’s sentiments with satisfied smiles. My mother, in particular, couldn't hide her joy as she looked at me. If there weren't so many people around, it felt like she would have jumped down from her seat to pull me into a tight hug.
“Now that the protagonist has arrived, let the ball officially begin.”
Dantalion spoke in a cheerful voice and clapped his hands. At his signal, ballroom music began to resonate through the grand hall.
I took Nathaniel’s hand and stood in the center of the ballroom. The rule was that the first dance must be shared with one’s escort.
The shoes I wore to match my dress were different from my usual ones, making my feet feel uncomfortable. Still, I didn't think dancing would be a problem.
‘I wonder if Nathaniel is a good dancer?’
After taking our positions in the center of the hall, I placed my hand on Nathaniel’s shoulder and looked up at him. Nathaniel was also quietly looking down at me.
‘Ah.’
Nathaniel took the lead and began to move. Leading the dance was naturally the man’s role, but I was a bit taken aback by how fluidly he moved.
Dancing was a basic skill every noble had to master. And even if his title was honorary, Nathaniel was still a noble.
Besides, he wasn't exactly young anymore. He must have attended quite a few balls on behalf of the Pope, so it wasn't surprising that he was accustomed to dancing.
‘…But why does this make me feel grumpy?’
Surprisingly, my mood dipped. I had felt a brief flutter of excitement at discovering this unexpected side of him, but the thought that someone else must have danced with Nathaniel while I was asleep made me feel annoyed.
The soft music was sweet, and Nathaniel’s gentle lead was considerate of his partner. Thanks to him, it was easy to dance even in uncomfortable shoes.
Under the glittering lights, Nathaniel in his fine suit looked like a masterpiece. I didn't even blink as I took in his face.
“Dia, are you uncomfortable?”
“Huh?”
“Are you tired?”
“Oh, no, I’m not.”
Nathaniel asked in a low voice, perhaps misinterpreting my stiff expression.
His breath against my ear tickled. I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head.
I couldn't honestly tell him that I was just jealous because he seemed so used to dancing. I simply lowered my head.
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
Applause broke out as the dance ended. I had only performed the first dance as the guest of honor, but the applause was so loud it was embarrassing.
I gave the nobles an awkward smile. Nathaniel naturally led me toward a corner.
“Shall we rest if you’re tired?”
“I told you I’m fine. I’m just a little nervous.”
Nathaniel, still misunderstanding, asked persistently. As I shook my head at him, a crowd of people suddenly swarmed toward us.
“Your Highness.”
“Ah, Sis—no, Saintess.”
I beamed at Marianne, who was the first to approach. She was wearing a snow-white formal uniform today. It seemed she didn't intend to wear dresses in ballrooms anymore.
“I was hoping to see the Saintess in a dress after so long. What a shame.”
“Fufu, please wear plenty of beautiful dresses in my stead, Princess.”
We couldn't speak as freely as usual because of the eyes on us. Nevertheless, it was very enjoyable.
Marianne had been busy with Temple affairs, and I had been preoccupied with cramming etiquette lessons. Unlike Nathaniel, who had come to see me at every opportunity while completely ignoring his duties at the Temple.
“What is it?”
“……It’s nothing.”
Isn't Nathaniel being a bit too slack with his work? He even said he’d follow me to the Magic Tower.
He’s supposed to become the High Priest soon; won't it be a problem if the priests only follow Marianne?
I was worrying about that in spite of myself when more people approached.
“Your Highness.”
“Young Count Gideon.”
“You look truly beautiful today.”
Abel praised me with smooth words. I couldn't help but feel good and gave him a bright smile.
“You look dashing today as well, Young Count.”
“Thank you.”
For some reason, Abel scanned my dress with a bittersweet gaze.
Abel was wearing a dark suit again today. Perhaps because it was a ball, the color was slightly lighter than usual and he wore more accessories.
If I had come to the ball with Abel, I would have coordinated my outfit with his. Was it just my imagination that Abel seemed bitter while looking at my dress, which was coordinated with Nathaniel’s?
Ever since Nathaniel’s confession not long ago, I found myself overanalyzing every little action of the people around me. I turned my head with an awkward laugh.
“Aren't you all thirsty? Let’s have a drink together…”
“Princess, then have this…”
“Here.”
“Take this one…”
“……”
Marianne, Abel, and Nathaniel—all three of them quickly brought different drinks and held them out to me. I was momentarily speechless at their lightning-fast movements.
I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. I looked down awkwardly at the three glasses thrust in front of me.
“The Princess dislikes sweet drinks.”
“She doesn't really drink carbonated ones either.”
“Please step back and let the Princess choose for herself.”
The war of nerves between the three of them was palpable. If this continued, strange rumors were bound to start.
I grabbed a drink from a passing servant’s tray instead. I didn't know if it was to my taste, but I had no choice.
“Dia, that’s—!”
“—!”
Nathaniel tried to stop me in a hurry, but I had already taken a gulp of the drink I’d grabbed.
‘Ah, this is alcohol.’
I had grabbed just anything and ended up in a mess. Since it was served at a ball, the alcohol content wasn't high, but my body, which hadn't touched alcohol in a long time, reacted hypersensitively.
“Dia, are you okay?”
“Yes.”
Nathaniel asked worriedly. Marianne and Abel wore similar expressions.
No matter how much I had been ill, I was the child of a Sword Master. Surely I could handle a single sip of low-alcohol wine.
“I said I’m fine, hic.”
“……!”
The moment I thought that, a hiccup escaped me. Startled, I quickly covered my mouth with my hand.