As soon as we stepped onto the dance floor, I was struck by a new worry.

‘Ah, I’m not confident in noble dances.’

I’m skillful with my hands and not bad at physical activities, but there was a problem.

I knew nothing about the dances that nobles perform.

Seeing the large figure of the Fifth Prince, a sigh almost escaped me.

“Why is that?”

The Prince furrowed his brow, looking impatient as I hesitated.

I’d be thrown out before we could even converse properly.

“I’m not sure which dance to perform.”

“Dance what you know.”

“…”

“Nothing at all?”

“Well, I do know some, but they wouldn’t be appropriate here.”

I shrugged one shoulder.

“I come from a maid’s background.”

Giovanni raised an eyebrow.

I swallowed hard.

“If you’re disappointed…”

“Disappointed?”

He tilted his head.

“Why would I be disappointed when what I expect from you is not dance skills?”

“What?”

His expression remained unemotional.

My mouth closed shut, feeling a bit awkward, but relieved inside.

It seems the Prince doesn’t care about one’s background.

‘I kind of like that.’

“Come closer.”

“What?”

Confused, he stepped towards me.

His dry scent wafted over, reminiscent of the sun, unlike the perfumes of the Kingdom’s people, a scent somewhat nostalgic…

His deep voice whispered in my ear.

“I’m going to move. Just follow me.”

“…”

“It’s not too difficult.”

I missed the timing to respond, distracted by the man’s arm around my waist and the orchestra raising their bows as the music began.

He danced quite well. As he said, I just moved my feet in response to his movements, and it felt like I was dancing well too.

Despite his large size, his movements leading me were incredibly smooth, and we strolled effortlessly across the dance hall.

I was so immersed in dancing with him that I couldn’t even properly sense Aris’s gaze.

The music brushing past my ears was pleasant, and the warmth enveloping me felt comforting.

Just as I was about to close my eyes in this serene sensation…

‘Wait, this isn’t the time!’

I quickly came to my senses and opened my half-closed eyes.

The Prince’s chest was in view. He was very large, thick, and broad.

Despite not being particularly small myself, his chest seemed twice as wide as mine.

I was suddenly conscious of the parts of me touching him.

Feeling awkward, the man said,

“How’s the wound?”

“The medicine you sent worked well, it’s almost healed.”

“That’s good to hear.”

After exchanging a few words, the awkward atmosphere eased a bit.

I looked at his stiff shoulder line and muttered.

“Does sending the letter mean you accept my proposal?”

The Prince was silent. After a pause, his voice mingled with the melody and flowed into my ears.

“Do you still desire the same thing?”

The citizenship of the Empire.

The extraterritoriality guaranteed by the Empire.

To me, they meant the same.

“Yes.”

“Then you’ll be half an Imperial.”

His gaze pierced me.

“Do you understand what that means? Becoming a member of a group you all call barbarians.”

“But then, no one can disregard me.”

“Are you saying you prioritize benefits?”

“Honor doesn’t bring in money.”

He laughed, seemingly amused.

I felt embarrassed. It wasn’t mockery, but why did I feel this way?

He leaned forward slightly. The Imperials don’t cut their hair, do they? His long hair flowed past his ears.

His voice was lethargic.

“An Imperial has a duty to dedicate themselves to the Empire.”

“…”

“Can you betray the Kingdom for the Empire?”

His unexpected question silenced me.

But it was a simple matter, in a way.

The water Kingdom of Liorsa.

The land where I was born and raised.

Compared to the unknown Empire I’ve never visited, of course, it’s the Kingdom.

But…
‘If the Kingdom tries to kill me, that changes things.’

In my past life, it was Aris and Hubert who had trapped me.

But the Kingdom itself didn’t grant me a life either.

Ignored, ostracized, oppressed.

An invisible hand forced my head down to the ground, compelling me to conform.

No one else helped me, not even my mother or ‘family.’

The humans of Amtain, shunned by society, were more like friends and family to me.

“I won’t dedicate myself to either the Empire or the Kingdom.”

“Then?”

“I’ll be loyal to whoever allows me to live.”

In this life, I refuse to cling to illusions like familial love.

If they can ensure my survival, allow me to live comfortably, that’s all that matters.

“You’re not meant to be a warrior.”

Was he disappointed in my response?

Such a cunning answer couldn’t have been his ideal.

“But I like it.”

I looked up sharply.

“I know your situation. Following me won’t guarantee ‘life.'”

I recalled the tumultuous atmosphere surrounding the Imperial succession.

“But I can at least ensure you live your life.”

“…”

“This is because you’re not the crafty schemer I thought you were.”

I held my breath until he spoke again.

“Will you follow me, at least while I’m here?”

My mind raced.

He couldn’t promise life.

But he was offering to let me be the master of my life. The notion was dizzying.

‘My life’s master.’