Leah’s plan to draw the attention of the distinguished guests at the banquet to herself was a success.

However, the incessant dance requests from men turned into a bit of a problem, as she couldn’t possibly dance with all of them.

“Grace, just look at me.”

Throughout the dance, Terrun never left Grace’s side. Whenever men approached her for a dance, he would swiftly intercept, even if he was engaged in conversation with others.

“This seems against etiquette.”

Normally at a ball, it was customary to switch partners and dance with different people.

However, Terrun abhorred the thought of other men’s hands on Grace’s soft back.

“Etiquette be damned, it’s not strange for me to dance with my fiancée.”

“Well, yes, but…”

Leah, on one hand, didn’t mind his excessive attention.

But Terrun’s operation to guard Grace started to falter as he had to greet and converse with many guests, including the Emperor and foreign dignitaries.

During these times, Leah found herself dancing with numerous men.

‘I need to make some adjustments to the back of the dress.’

The touch of men’s hands on her back wasn’t particularly pleasant. Adding a line of jewels or matching lace to the skin-colored fabric might improve it.

Leah’s mind was filled with people’s reactions, discomforts, and possible improvements to the dress. She suddenly felt sharp glances directed at her.

‘I’ve succeeded in capturing attention.’

Groups of women, hiding their faces behind fans, glared at Leah. They were likely gossiping about her, especially as she seemed to have captured all the men’s attention.

Even though she expected such reactions, she couldn’t help but feel her face flush.

Just then, as the music changed, a charming gentleman approached her.

“May I have the honor of dancing with a beautiful lady like you?”

He was a handsome red-haired man, appearing youthful yet undeniably adult in his movements and speech.

“It would be my honor.”

Leah took his hand and headed to the dance floor.

His medium height and androgynous voice contrasted with Terrun’s rugged masculinity, offering a different kind of charm.

“My name is Salame Roberto.”

“I am Grace Bizac.”

Roberto bore the surname of Galdensia’s royal family. Was this charming man before her one of Galdensia’s princes? She had heard that Empress Teresa had many sons and daughters, but she couldn’t identify which one he was.

“I’ve been waiting to dance with you since I arrived at the banquet.”

Leah responded with a smile to Salame’s compliment.

But there was something uniquely captivating about him. After pondering, she realized what it was.

‘He’s prettier than most women.’

“You’re the fiancée of Duke Courtois, I hear?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Seems all the beauties are already taken by other men.”

“Other ladies might think the opposite.”

“What do you mean?”

“That they’d be jealous because a handsome gentleman like Lord Roberto is taken.”

Salame burst into laughter, loud enough to draw glances from others dancing nearby.

“I wish the woman who had me was you.”

“That’s quite a joke.”

He flirted smoothly, not seeming sleazy even when talking to an engaged woman. His impeccably clean appearance and demeanor likely contributed to that.

“You are my ideal type, Lady Bizac.”

‘Quite bold.’

He was straightforward and seemed unbothered by her being with someone else. Was that a slight lapse in morals?

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“I don’t flatter just any lady.”

His boldness was refreshing. Was he implying he didn’t care about her engagement? If so, that might be a bit questionable in terms of morality.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“I don’t waste my time with just anyone.”
Just as Leah was feeling uncomfortable, the dance music came to an end.

There was a brief pause in the ball, during which guests mingled and conversed while sipping champagne. Leah politely excused herself from Salame and headed to the ladies’ lounge.

She anticipated the lounge would be crowded with women touching up their makeup or relieving their feet from high heels. But Leah didn’t even enter the lounge because she overheard conversations about herself behind the long curtains.

“Lady Bizac is desperate for attention, isn’t she?”

“Exactly, she’s been bewitching all the men.”

“And what about her scandalous dress?”

“I was embarrassed just looking at it. Absolutely no class.”

“I wonder how the Duke Courtois felt about it, tsk tsk tsk.”

Leah couldn’t bring herself to face them. Perhaps her daring dress was a bit too much.

Critiques and gossip about her dress continued inside the lounge.

“That’s the kind of dress a prostitute would wear to the imperial ball.”

“She’s just seeking attention. Can’t think straight.”

“She probably thinks the men are drawn to her because of the dress.”

Leah turned away and left, feeling that her plan had utterly failed. In her opinion, her dress was the most outstanding among the women’s attire at the ball, and she found it hard to agree with the comments labeling it vulgar.

‘It’s a masterpiece. They’re just blind.’