Chapter 135: A Ball Beneath the Moonlight (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 135: A Ball Beneath the Moonlight (2)
“Hic, hic.”
I couldn't exactly go around making a scene by hiccuping in the middle of the ballroom as the Imperial Princess, so I did my best to hold it in. Even so, I couldn't suppress the sound entirely.
“It seems Her Highness is feeling unwell.”
“Ah.”
At that moment, Nathaniel stepped in to shield me, speaking in a calm, steady voice. He naturally guided me out of the ballroom.
“Hic.”
“Are you okay? Should I get you some water?”
“Mm, I’ll be fine in a bit.”
We headed to the garden outside the ballroom. It was a secluded spot where people rarely ventured.
Come to think of it, this is the kind of place where the leads in other novels always have their secret trysts. While trying to calm my hiccups, I took a subtle look around.
“Phew, the fresh air helps a little.”
“I’m glad.”
The garden was shrouded in total darkness, but the gentle moonlight illuminated our surroundings. Since it was a full moon tonight, it looked exceptionally large and bright.
I glanced up at the sky. Because the world wasn't heavily urbanized, the sky was clear and the stars were twinkling. It was a rather romantic atmosphere.
So this is why the protagonists get lured into having secret meetings in places like this. Even if it wasn't a secret tryst, romantic episodes often unfolded when the leads met in such settings.
“Dia?”
“Oh, yes.”
I had been staring blankly at the sky, but I lowered my gaze. Nathaniel was still watching me with worried eyes.
“If it’s too much, do you want to go back now?”
“How can I go back when Mother and Father are still there? Besides, I’m the star of the show tonight.”
My hiccups had stopped before I knew it. I was just relieved they were gone. I let out a sigh of relief.
“Let’s just rest here for a bit before heading back.”
“All right.”
Nathaniel nodded and scanned the area. After spotting something, he led me forward again.
“Where are we going?”
“Sit here.”
Nathaniel approached a fountain in a corner of the garden. Perhaps because it was night, the fountain wasn't running. It felt a bit eerie in the dark.
However, thanks to that, even the other people who had snuck out to the garden didn't come near this spot. Nathaniel pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and spread it over a place where I could sit near the fountain.
I didn't know he was the type to carry a handkerchief. I hope some other lady didn't give it to him.
“Go ahead, sit.”
“……Okay.”
I sat down slowly, pushing aside my silly thoughts. My dress was so voluminous that I probably didn't even need the handkerchief, but the gesture didn't feel bad.
No, actually, the source of the handkerchief was bothering me. And the fact that Nathaniel was such a skilled dancer was also grating on my nerves. Before I knew it, I was looking up at him with sharp eyes.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
I felt strange. Even though the night air was quite chilly, my body felt hot. My head felt heavy, filled with odd thoughts.
It was the first time I’d ever felt this way. I bit my lip hard, fearing I might act on impulse.
“You really don't look well. Do you have a fever?”
“…….”
Perhaps because my complexion looked pale, Nathaniel continued to worry. I stared blankly at his large hand as it reached for my forehead, then turned my head away to avoid it.
“Dia?”
“Why are you such a good dancer?”
“What?”
“Have you danced a lot?”
In the end, I couldn't resist the impulse. I blurted out a question I never would have asked under normal circumstances. Nathaniel’s eyes widened.
“You were really good. I guess you danced with plenty of other people while I was asleep.”
My voice sounded petty even to my own ears. But I couldn't stop myself.
My head was dizzy and throbbing. It seemed this weak body suffered extreme side effects from even a single sip of alcohol.
I didn't want to snap at Nathaniel like this. A wave of self-loathing washed over me. Once I realized what I was doing, I felt even more embarrassed. Unable to face him, I hung my head low.
“I’ve never done that.”
“What?”
“I’ve never danced with anyone but you.”
“……!”
At Nathaniel’s calm words, my head snapped up. Contrary to his composed tone, Nathaniel’s face was strangely flushed, even under the pale moonlight.
“Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“Liar.”
“I’m good at anything involving physical movement.”
“…….”
I was momentarily speechless at his shameless yet perfectly objective self-assessment. As I stared at him blankly, Nathaniel’s lips curled into a rare smirk.
“I practiced a lot so I could dance well with you.”
“Oh.”
“Was I really that good?”
Nathaniel reached out and stroked my cheek. My face was slightly flushed from the mild intoxication. In contrast, his palm felt cool.
“Yes, you were very good.”
“Good enough to make you jealous?”
“I-I’m not jealous.”
I knew I had already lost this battle, but I stubbornly protested anyway. Nathaniel burst into laughter.
It was frustrating. I felt like our roles were reversed compared to when we were children. Back then, wasn't I the one who looked after and took care of him, being young in body but mature in mind?
This was all because Nathaniel had suddenly grown up while I was asleep. I glared at him, feeling a groundless sense of resentment.
“Fine, let’s say it wasn't jealousy.”
“Oh, honestly.”
Nathaniel chuckled as if teasing me. His laughing face was truly beautiful.
I stood up abruptly and said, “Dance with me again.”
“What?”
“Let’s dance again, right now.”
Nathaniel was momentarily taken aback by my sudden request. Then, his eyes crinkled as he smiled.
“All right.”
Nodding readily, Nathaniel took me by the waist. I placed my hands on his shoulders.
Even without music, we moved our bodies in perfect sync. Though we had only danced for the first time at the ball just now, it felt as natural as if we had practiced together countless times.
The surroundings were silent, save for the occasional chirping of crickets. we drew our bodies close enough to hear each other’s breathing.
The white moonlight spilled around us. I moved away from Nathaniel during a turn, only to be pulled back into his arms immediately.
“Are you satisfied now?”
“…….”
Nathaniel whispered in my ear. Even though it was an impulsive act, I definitely had a reason for asking him to dance again.
It was because I wanted to confirm that I was his first partner. But as we danced, I realized that wasn't the only reason.
“Don't dance with anyone else in the future.”
“…….”
“Got it?”
Before I knew it, the dance had ended, and we were facing each other. At my question, Nathaniel nodded slowly.
“The same goes for you, Dia.”
Nathaniel’s face, flushed with joy, was beautiful. The soft moonlight illuminated his features.
“Imperial Princess!”
“……!”
I flinched at the loud voice. I quickly pulled away from Nathaniel and turned around.
“Ah, Mari—I mean, Saintess.”
“Have you been here this whole time?”
“Yes.”
It seemed Marianne had come looking for me because I hadn't returned to the ballroom. Approaching us, Marianne scanned me before looking at Nathaniel beside me.
“His Majesty is looking for you.”
“Ah, I suppose I’ve been out here too long.”
“The night air is cold, so let’s head back inside.”
“Okay.”
Marianne wrapped her arm around my shoulders and led me toward the ballroom. I stole a glance at Nathaniel, who followed calmly behind us.
If Marianne hadn't come to find me…
As that thought crossed my mind, a suggestive idea flickered through my head. I quickly shook it off.
“Princess?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
As we left the garden and people came into view, I straightened my back. Marianne also removed her arm from my shoulder and whispered softly.
“Dia, are you really okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine now.”
We shared a secret whisper and then smiled brightly. As we entered the ballroom, people I hadn't seen yet approached me.
“Imperial Princess.”
“Grandfather!”
The Former Duke of Winston, my grandfather, approached me with a smile. I had already seen him a few times at the Imperial Palace, but today, people seemed to look at me with particularly fond eyes.
“You’ve grown up so much. It feels like only yesterday you were a little child.”
“I did grow up quite fast, didn't I?”
“Haha.”
Despite the fact that my body had grown rapidly through sorcery and I had been asleep for ten years, the people around me didn't treat me with any awkwardness at all.
Thanks to that, I was able to adapt quickly. Besides my grandfather, other people from House Winston surrounded me. I looked at them and gave a bright smile.