“Fine, be that way.”
So, there was a separate entity behind the system.
‘He’ must have a human form, I guess?
“But you, with a personality yet not much intelligence. I’m not a Player. So please, go away.”
I expected it to whine about my harsh words, but it responded more firmly and confidently than I expected.
[No, you are right, Player.]‘…?’
Just as I was about to ask why it was so certain,
“Princess.”
Anselot, who had approached unnoticed, pointed towards where Mother was looking. Everyone in the ballroom was looking at me.
‘They didn’t find it odd that I was talking to the System Window, did they?’
Over the past few days, I realized that others didn’t find it strange when I spoke with the System Window.
Just like when Hezen tried to kill me, the effect of [Veil of Plausibility] made it seem normal to everyone.
And just as the deaths of the maids in the Third Princess’s palace were naturally dealt with.
Despite my worries, as I glanced around,
Anselot whispered an explanation in my ear.
“The Empress has passed the first dance to you.”
“To me…?”
Mother hadn’t danced for almost 20 years and was known for it. There were expectations that she might dance at this year’s grand birthday celebration.
Especially the two men in front, Duke Lawrence and Duke Hamilton, fathers of Gloria and Orent respectively, must have been looking forward to this dance with her.
It made sense. Both men, despite having children with the Empress, had never secured an official position as her husband. They must have eagerly anticipated this dance.
The variety of gazes on me felt suffocating.
As I hesitated, Mother gestured to me with her eyes.
Traditionally in balls, it’s customary for men to ask women to dance. However, the first dance, especially when the lead is a woman, is a bit different.
The lead has the privilege to choose their partner for the first dance. Since Mother passed the first dance to me, it was my turn to choose.
The young ladies, with whom I had a tea party by the lake a while ago, were looking at Anselot and me with twinkling eyes.
I turned to Anselot again.
‘To ask a killer to dance with me… what a situation.’
Rumors about Anselot and me were already spreading. I anticipated the rumors would grow once we entered as partners, but being the lead in the first dance was a different matter altogether.
However, contrary to my dismal thoughts, Anselot was merely smiling with his eyes curving playfully.
‘Is he actually enjoying this?’
But I couldn’t keep everyone waiting amidst their anticipation of my next move.
“Prince Anselot Luenhart, would you honor me by sharing this prestigious first dance with me today?”
As the corners of Anselot’s handsome mouth curled up, sighs of dismay echoed from the young ladies around.
“Of course.”
Anselot bowed towards me, extending his hand.
“If Her Highness bestows the honor of the first dance on me, I will gladly accept.”
With a reluctant expression, I placed my hand on his palm.
[Oh my, such romance!! ( ✪ワ✪)ノ]Ignoring the System Window, which sparkled like the young ladies, I moved to the rhythm of the musicians’ play.
Anselot’s hand around my shoulder brought us too close for comfort.
I sneaked a glance at his face, recalling our conversation before coming here.
‘I’m exceptionally good at waiting.’
I was about to retort cheekily to his remark when the look in his eyes made me close my mouth. Despite his calm words, his gaze seemed tinged with a loneliness as if he had experienced long waits…
‘Seeing a killer feeling lonely? What a mismatched sentiment.’
Our eyes met, his red irises vivid under the fine silver lashes. He looked softly surprised.
Feeling heat rise to my face, I averted my gaze.
A low chuckle sounded above my head.
His laughter somehow tickled my senses, and I shook my head to regain my composure.
Then, I sensed something odd.
“Anselot…”
I whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
“Yes, Princess?”
“You…”
I looked at him for a moment before asking.
“Why can’t you dance?”
Anselot was a terrible dancer.
Astoundingly terrible.
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
