“……”

“Don’t be too upset. I’m not just saying this to you, Miss Are. What difference is there between you and the others here?”

Her indifferent eyes fell on the group behind her.

It was a group of people around her age.

They too were once “friends” Veronica often associated with. And all of them turned their backs on her when she desperately needed help. Trust was the first emotion to crumble.

“You’ve heard about my engagement, haven’t you? Or maybe you attended the engagement ceremony. I need to know my place now too. It’s right for similar people to stick together, isn’t it?”

“……”

“Would you pass on the message to the others? Spreading my stories is your specialty, after all, Miss Are.”

Veronica crumpled the letter once more and gave a sweet smile. Then she glanced back at the group again.

Those secretly watching the situation flinched and avoided her gaze.

Even though they sensed the ominous atmosphere, they still prioritized their own interests.

There was a time when she thought her relationships with them might change if she changed herself.

If she learned her shortcomings, showed proper manners, and approached them more sincerely, maybe she could form at least somewhat proper relationships. Maybe they would help her.

But the more polite she was, the more she catered to them, the more she showed her true feelings, the more easily they looked down on her and used her.

Even when she felt her efforts were futile, Veronica was still desperate for help, but nothing changed.

Now there was no resentment, no disappointment, nothing left.

Veronica turned her back on these rotten connections. Whispers erupted behind her, but she ignored them.

When she returned to her original spot, Harry was waiting for her. He smiled and asked.

“Did you have a good talk?”

“Yes, it went very well. Fortunately, they all listened well.”

Harry, unaware of the situation, was pleased and said it was good.

The procession of nobles seeking an audience with the emperor continued at the ball.

But they couldn’t just wait until the audience was over, so when enough people had gathered, the music in the ballroom changed.

First, the crown prince and crown princess stood in the center of the ballroom. Facing each other, they exchanged greetings, then took their positions and began to dance to the music.

After their dance ended, it was time for the princes. Since many royal family members were in attendance, several groups gathered at once to showcase their dances.

After the princes’ dances concluded, it was supposed to be the nobles’ turn. That’s how it should have been.

But no one dared to step into the center of the ballroom. It was so quiet that even the music felt muted.

That was because the most important protagonists had not yet stepped forward.

Countless furtive glances were cast. There were signs of bewilderment from the side.

Small murmurs quickly spread into chaos, and critical and judgmental gazes poured in from all directions.

Among the countless onlookers, Veronica was alone.

She had often fled, unable to bear the suffocating pressure, too scared and frightened.

But now, she was not afraid of anything.

Veronica slowly stepped towards the companion who would share her despair.

As the sound of her heels clicking matched her steps, the man unconsciously looked up and their eyes met.

“Prince Cassian.”

Cassian immediately frowned. He seemed very displeased at her calling his name. Veronica smiled sweetly.

“Surely you wouldn’t snub your fiancée even here?”

Veronica extended her gloved hand. Cassian looked down at that hand fiercely.

“There are many eyes watching, Your Highness. You should maintain decorum.”

“…Can you even dance properly?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“……”

“Come now, take my hand. His Majesty is watching too.”

At those words, he clenched his fist once before extending his hand.

He barely grasped just the tips of her fingers, as if she had some contagious disease.

Veronica watched his rudeness with a wry laugh. Yet Cassian still wore a disgusted expression.

The two stood in the center of the ballroom. Facing each other, they exchanged formal greetings and closed the distance between them.

Cassian took Veronica’s hand again. Still only grasping the tips of her fingers.

“Surely you don’t intend for me to fall in front of everyone?”

How can we dance like this? Hold properly. When she demanded with calm eyes, Cassian sighed.

The hand that had been barely holding her fingertips opened and dug into each joint of her hand.

Palm met palm carefully and their fingers intertwined.

The hand that had been weakly holding her waist pulled her closer, and their bodies collided. A slightly warm and ticklish body heat was felt.

Veronica looked up at the stiff face above her.

They say you should try dancing with someone you like. Of course, the expression on the man’s face before her was not one of looking at a loved one.

Whispers could be heard from around them. She even heard people betting on how she would fall this time.

Veronica lowered her eyes.

The music changed. Veronica extended her foot.

One step to the right, one step to the left, then putting weight on the right foot while extending the opposite arm, before grasping her partner again.

There were no mistakes or excess movements in the series of actions connected like a single line. Rather, there was a strange sense of composure.

Originally, Veronica was terrible at dancing. Wasn’t her social debut story famous?

As graceful and beautiful as possible.

Even if you make mistakes, don’t lose your smile! The dance instructor who had emphasized those words first became frustrated when she didn’t understand, then begged her to just memorize it, and finally declared defeat, telling her to just not fall.

She originally had no talent, and since she hated taking lessons, her skills didn’t improve at all.

The dance instructor seriously wondered if there was any meaning to these lessons.

He even changed the goal to just properly dancing one song.

Now that Veronica could perfectly dance three songs in a row overnight, he was desperate to teach her more.

Veronica was now showing off those skills to her heart’s content.

She demonstrated the graceful, beautiful dance without losing her smile that the instructor had talked about until his mouth went dry.

After carefully watching the movement of her feet, she looked up to find Cassian watching her.

He wore an expression of surprise. He must have expected her to trip and fall.

“Did you know it’s been half a year since we last met?”

“Is that so?”

“I sent you a letter but received no reply. I waited.”

“Did you now.”

What an unpleasant bastard. Veronica smiled brightly.

“I missed you.”

“……”

Cassian ignored her words just as he had ignored her letter. His face turned to the side. It seemed he would rather focus on the dance.

After that, Veronica also focused on the dance without speaking.

Though they were the only two dancing, the movements flowed quite smoothly without much tension.

While being careful not to make mistakes in a dance she hadn’t done in a long time, Veronica occasionally checked Cassian’s face. She noticed his concentrated expression.

Even she, who didn’t know much about dancing, could tell that Cassian danced quite well.

He gently led her where she needed to go, and smoothly followed where she went.

It was quite a textbook dance. There was a diligence that seemed to show exactly what he had learned.

When she had danced with Asher, it felt like she was learning from him, but with the man before her, it felt more like they were matching each other.

Their clasped hands pulled her closer with some force. It wasn’t a strong force. The proper grip rather gave a sense of comfort.

They say the most important thing in dance is breathing with your partner.

Veronica hadn’t understood that saying well before, but now she felt she might understand a little.

When he glanced her way, Veronica immediately smiled.

Cassian quickly turned his head away. His stiffly frozen face was worth seeing. It would be nice if he smiled, but Veronica could only beam brightly on her own.

The music ended with the final performance.

The two exchanged greetings again. After a brief silence, applause poured out.

Formally, it was encouraging applause for the two who had finished dancing without mistakes despite the pressure, but in reality, it was overflowing with intentions to hide the whispers.

In any case, now that the two had finished dancing, it was time for the nobles.

Veronica, who had no intention of dancing again, approached Cassian and reached out her hand. Or rather, she tried to.

Cassian pretended not to see Veronica’s hand and passed by.

Seeing the man trying to distance himself, Veronica smiled brightly. Then she moved her body swiftly.

Approaching Cassian’s side, Veronica pretended her feet were tangled and staggered, grabbing his arm. Displeasure immediately clouded Cassian’s face.

“Oh my, excuse me.”

But far from detaching herself, Veronica comfortably leaned on his arm.

“I suddenly feel a bit dizzy. Would you support me?”

“…If I must.”

A gritted response was heard.

Cassian looked like he really wanted to shake her off, but with so many eyes watching, he couldn’t quite put it into action.

His efforts to maintain outward decorum were visible. At that, Veronica smirked.

Harry approached the two.

“Veronica, are you feeling unwell?”

“I suddenly felt a bit dizzy. I must have been nervous.”

“Are you alright? Should we step outside with Father for a moment?”

“I’m fine, Father. Prince Cassian will accompany me. Right, Your Highness?”

Veronica turned to Cassian with a smile.

Cassian wore an expression that said ‘Why should I?’, but after glancing at Harry, he reluctantly nodded.