When the emperor returned to his throne after the second dance, people started to approach him slowly again. They looked like hyenas going for a leftover carcass after the lion finished his meal.
The hyenas were led by the Genoa siblings. Coronel was one persistent and determined man.
“Haha, what an amazing dancer you are, your highness!”
“Is that so?”
Lucretius answered in an uninterested voice. He obviously didn’t want to talk to Coronel, but the prince didn’t give up. This large dark man was determined to get his sister Ludia into Lucretius’ arms.
I thought about helping the prince. My plan was also to get Lucretius a woman. Whether it was Yulia or Princess Ludia didn’t matter to me.
A princess from Genoa definitely was worthy of becoming the Cransian empress. The former emperor’s third wife was from Genoa as well. It was that woman who was glaring at me during the dance. I didn’t see her anywhere anymore.
That Genoan woman married the former emperor later in his life, but she easily climbed to become the third wife from starting out as a concubine. It was probably because she was from Genoa.
When I was about to help the prince, he said things that changed my mind.
“I just danced with my sister. Ludia is famous for her dancing skills in Genoa.”
“I see.”
Despite Lucretius’s disinterest, Prince Coronel continued.
“I can guarantee you, your highness, that my sister has a more beautiful face, body, and dancing ability that your current wife.”
“…”
Hmm…
I had to admit that Princess Ludia did have one sexy body. Very curvy indeed.
As I started to feel irritated, Prince Coronel continued, “And Ludia also has royal blood with clear lineage. She is the daughter of the Genoan king and his second wife.”
I flinched. The prince wasn’t just bringing up my appearance; he was outright attacking me about my background.
Lucretius announced I was a noble lady from a faraway land, but most people didn’t believe it. They all thought I was a random nobody the Duke of Aeal brought with the possibility of being his bastard.
Even if I was a proper daughter of Duke Aeal, I still couldn’t compare to the princess of Genoa. It was clear Prince Coronel was disrespecting my unknown lineage.
The prince looked at me from top to toe.
He obviously saw me as a lowly born woman.
He looked confident. He seemed sure he could accomplish his plan with Genoa’s power, his sister’s beauty, and his own political skills.
I would have let a lot of things pass, but not this.
I smirked at him and reached out to Lucretius. I took his arm and whispered, “Should we go for another dance?”
The third song was about to end. Lucretius’ green eyes sparkled.
He chuckled and led me to the dance floor as he said to the Genoan siblings, “I am well aware of Genoa’s love for dance, but it appears your kingdom doesn’t teach good manners. At least not to you or your sister.”
“… Your highness!”
Ignoring Coronel’s protest, we walked down the stairs. I hung onto Lucretius and turned around to grin at the prince and the princess.
***
The fourth song was a common ball music.
What was the name?
Oh, yes. Feldita. It was very similar to waltz on earth.
It was a smooth yet rhythmic dance.
I was impressed again with Lucretius. This man was a master dancer.
He made it so easy for me to follow him.
I asked with a smile, “But Genoa is a powerful country. Is it okay for you to disrespect them like this?”
“It’s fine. He can’t get mad at something so small like this. If he does, oh well.”
“…”
It sounded like Lucretius wanted Coronel to make a big deal out of this. He seemed a bit upset. He looked annoyed.
“…”
I could guess why. It was probably because I still haven’t answered his question.
“… If it’s possible… Do you still plan on returning to your home?”
It wasn’t that I couldn’t answer him. I just didn’t.
Of course, I wanted to return home. I wanted to see my family again. This wasn’t my world. This was a mistake.
I always thought I couldn’t live here forever.
However, if I knew for certain it was impossible to go back, I didn’t know how I would feel. I supposed it wouldn’t matter. I would most likely change my attitude and accept my fate.
However, at this point, nothing was certain. In fact, I was about to meet with someone who might be able to help me.
The priestess.
I would do everything I could to return.
Lucretius couldn’t blame me for trying. If he was the one who ended up in a strange world like modern Korea, what would he do?
He would do the same. He would do everything possible to return to his own world.
Just like me.
“…”
“…”
An uncomfortable silence fell between us, but we both knew what each other was thinking.
Despite the uneasiness between us, we danced amazingly well together. We didn’t have to say anything. We just knew.
When the music finished, we did our last step and let each other’s hand go.
As we walked away from the dance floor, we were approached by familiar figures.
“Long time no see, your highnesses.”
Deep smooth voice.
The white-haired elderly gentleman came to us. He was followed by Countess Ilan and a man who appeared to be her husband.
Lucretius smiled lightly and replied, “Hello, Cornelius.”
Count Ilan and his wife greeted us as well.
“Greetings to his and her highnesses.”
After Lucretius replied to them, I smiled as well and greeted them.
“Hello. I think this is the first time we meet, Count Ilan.”
The kind looking man laughed and replied to me, “It is an honor to meet you, your highness. I heard you gave a generous gift to my wife recently.”
Everyone turned to look at the countess’ necklace. It was beautifully made with precious black diamonds. I was very careful to choose this elegant piece.
The countess smiled shyly while making sure she folded her fan to show off her neck. She thanked me.
“Your highness has an impressive taste.”
I smiled and replied, “I am flattered, but now that I see it on your neck, it looks dull compared to your beauty, Countess Ilan. I should have picked something better.” I was becoming well versed at the royal etiquette.
We conversed pleasantly for a while longer. I was still nervous, but not as much as when I was with the Genoan siblings.
The members of the Ilan family were very pleasant especially considering how powerful they were. After talking with Lisbeth in the past, I had come to appreciate intelligent conversations. Of course… I no longer had to ever talk to that girl again.
Just then, Countess Ilan brought up the subject of Yulia.
“How is Yulia doing? I didn’t have enough time to teach her much, so I have been worrying about her.”
“You have nothing to worry about. Yulia is doing very well. My principal maid in waiting, Samantha, and Count Loventis’ daughters all are very happy to have such a smart young lady around us.”
I raised my voice a little. I had briefly forgotten about my purpose for Yulia.
I glanced around to find my maids. Luckily, they weren’t far. I was sure they could hear me. On top of that, the Genoan siblings were also nearby.
This was perfect.
Countess Ilan replied, “Thank you for your kind words, your highness.”
I was about to carry out my plan, but my chest felt tight. Something bothered me, but I had no time to waste. This was necessary for me to return home safely.
Objectively speaking, Yulia was a solid candidate to become the emperor’s wife. She was beautiful, smart, and came from a good family.
Lucretius obviously didn’t like Princess Ludia and I could guess why. She was from a powerful kingdom and having a wife with such a powerful background was probably not a welcoming thought.
Yulia, on the other hand, was a different story. Her father was from a weak noble family. Her aunt would become influential, but she wasn’t her birth mother. A powerful relative was different than powerful parents.
Yulia was perfect for Lucretius.
However, the more I thought about it, the tighter my heart felt.
Was it indigestion perhaps?
I ignored it. I smiled brighter and called for Yulia, who came to us in confusion.
I wanted to go back home. This place was too much for me. Living in fear all the time was not a life.
I couldn’t trust Lucretius either. Even if he felt genuine affections for me now, how long would those feelings last? Soon, he would tire of me and I would be abandoned like all his other fiancés and his previous wife.
This possibility terrified me.
I couldn’t take it. I had to avoid this situation at all cost.
I had no choice.
I forced my voice to sound cheerful.
“His highness just told me he wants to dance next with my maid Yulia.”
