As Etienne entered the venue alone, it subtly revealed that she didn’t have a deep relationship with anyone. However, with Fernand confessing to her, strong rumors about Etienne would likely circulate, making Rudby’s proposal less troublesome. In other words, even if Etienne rejected Rudby’s proposal, it wouldn’t cause a significant uproar. Perhaps that was Fernand’s aim.

“I wonder how Rudby will react.”

Jisong passed through the silent corridors of the Imperial Palace and arrived in front of a certain room. The knight who recognized him nodded silently. Sensing the uncomfortable mood of the noble inside the room, Jisong lowered his head.

As the knight opened the door, a dark room devoid of any light contrasted with the bright corridor. Jisong brushed off the shiver running down his arm and cautiously entered. Since there was no candle lit, he walked carefully, afraid of bumping into something. Physical bruises were of little concern; he was more fearful of disturbing the uneasy feelings of the noble in the room.

Even the noble who had shown an unexpectedly generous attitude from the time he finished the wasteful ceremony until now might not be in a good mood today. He had to spend the coming-of-age ceremony alone in a place where no one congratulated him.

Coming to a place where there seemed to be nobility, Jisong stopped and bowed deeply.

“Your Highness, are you not going to the debutante ball?”

“You expect me to go and congratulate someone else’s coming-of-age ceremony?”

The voice coming from the darkness was very low. Jisong bowed even deeper. Saying the wrong thing here would mean the end for him. Jisong cautiously spoke.

“The Debutante Ball is one of the grand events held annually, attended by both the Emperor and the Empress Mother. This year, Empress Mother attended alone, and Her Highness Henna expressed her hope that Prince Rudby would also come.”
“Even my mother, who pitied me more than anyone, couldn’t help it.”

Rudby’s voice grew even colder in response to Hwa-bi’s statement, seeming indifferent to my feelings. I wanted to retreat from here, but there were still words left to apologize to Jisong.

He tightly held both of my hands. Please, let the prince not be angry…

“There’s another reason why Her Highness Henna Mother suggested you go. It’s because Prince Fernando publicly confessed to Lady Ettienne.”

“Huh.”

At the sound of the explosive reaction, Jisong took a step back. Now, if he just heard the prince’s response and withdrew, but he was anxious about how the prince would react.

“Fernando said that?”

“Yes, uh.”

Before Jisong could finish speaking, a sound of breaking echoed, and something unseen in the space was felt.

Thinking about what had happened, Jisong took a step back.

Once again, there was a sound of something breaking along with the sound of something slicing through the air. At the same time, Jisong’s retreat quickened.

“So, even now, if you attend the ball… huh.”

Something flew over my head. Although nothing was visible, Jisong, sensing something cutting through his hair, couldn’t continue speaking and turned to run. He fumbled for the door of the barely visible room and found the handle.
And as Jisong turned the handle and opened the door, he was astonished as if he were about to faint when he saw someone blocking his way.

The reason for Prince Rudby’s anger just now was Prince Fernando. Jisong looked as if he had seen a ghost, widened his eyes, and quickly stepped outside.

With the determination to escape from here, Jisong, who was moving away from the prince’s room, looked at Fernando, who was watching him, and looked inside.

Although nothing was visible, rough breathing could be heard. With that, Fernando gauged where Prince Rudby might be.

“I am Fernando Supraher. May I come in?”

Fernando looked inside, peering beyond the boundary of the door.

“Oh, you walk in with your own feet.”

Then, he considered Rudby’s teasing as permission and went inside, closing the door.

“How did I know he would come out and boldly walk in like that?”

“I have something to tell Your Highness.”

Fernando felt the wall. Although he briefly saw the inside when the door opened earlier, it was for a very short time.

Whether deliberately ordered to block the light or not, the inside of the room was completely shrouded in darkness. Having found what he wanted from the wall, Fernando pulled it without any hesitation.

With a rustling sound, the curtain was pulled aside, and moonlight poured into the room. It didn’t have to be bright; it was enough to confirm the expression of the person in the room.

“Quite impolite.”

“I apologize. I had something to show you.”
Fernando turned his body and looked at Prince Rudby, who was half-lying on a chair. Observing his expression, which was expressionless yet chilling, Fernando casually spoke as he placed a jewelry box in front of him.

Confirming that Rudby’s gaze descended to the jewelry box, Fernando nonchalantly uttered his words.