Translator and Editor: Effe and Nabi

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Chapter 20 – Blooming (3)

At the end of her gaze was Jad.

Jad hastily put down the wine glass and crossed the crowd to reach Eleanor. Its appearance was like a dog welcoming its owner.

“Eleanor.”

When Jad called her in a friendly way, she shook her head and changed her title.

“Miss Watson.”

“Yes, yes. Miss Watson. You are more beautiful today.”

“Thank you, Sir Valencia. It’s a dress I’ve chosen with great care.”

Jad naturally escorted Eleanor to the empty table.

Seeing this, Pierre could not stand still. He got up from his seat and headed towards the two of them.

It was not Moses’ miracle, but people paved the way wherever he passed.

“Miss Watson, I really enjoyed the last time. Would you like to go horseback riding together again?”

“Anytime such a promise is welcome.”

“I will send someone to the Duchy’s residence as soon as possible.”

“Sir Valencia, please cut me some slack this time…”

Pierre sneaked in between Jad and Eleanor, who were having a pleasant conversation.

“Miss Watson.”

“Your Majesty… It’s been a long time.”

Jad was bothered by that. Nonetheless, because the opponent was the Crown Prince, he bowed his head along with Eleanor.

Already, people’s attention was focused on the table of three people. The musicians, the dancers, and even Aden were secretly paying attention to the three.

Jad Valencia, the only son of the Marquis of Valencia, and Crown Prince Pierre.

They were the hottest men in the capital right now. And, the public interest in Eleanor was no less than the two.

“That young lady is the one from the Watson family…”

“That’s right. She went to the Duke’s house on her own feet and got paternity confirmation.”

“Oh, how bold.”

“The Duchess must have been very upset.”

The wives who had brought their children began to chatter. Though it was common for nobles to have illegitimate children, it was rare to receive a surname and to be fully recognized as a member of the family.

Especially if it’s a girl.

Even though the interest around them was hot like this, the three of them were now immersed in their own world.

A nerve war broke out between the two men over Eleanor.

The leader was Jad.

“Miss Watson, would you like to dance a song with me?”

“I remember I applied for the first dance.”

Pierre had previously told her he wanted to do the first dance with her as a gift. Eleanor put on a troubled expression on the two hands that were out in front of her.

She pondered for a moment, then glanced at Pierre.

At that moment, when Pierre’s face turned red, Eleanor took Jad’s hand while keeping her eyes on him.

“Your Majesty’s request is a foul, so today, Sir Valencia will dance first.”

“Eleanor!”

“Then.”

Eleanor did not look back.

After receiving her choice, Jad’s expression changed to triumphant.

“Sir Valencia, shall we go?”

“It is an honour.”

As the two went out to the center of the stage, their eyes focused on Sienna.

“I heard that Lord Valencia is engaged to the princess.”

“Oh, poor thing.”

“Poor princess.”

“She’s left alone like that.”

“I think the rumors are true.”

“Rumors?”

“Rumors are circulating that the two are going to break up soon.”

“Really? How could such a thing…”

The fiance who asked another woman to dance for the first time at the debutante, the fiancée who was abandoned.

It was a wonderful piece of gossip to chew, bite, taste and enjoy.

They sympathized with Sienna and, at the same time, began to scoff at her, who was left behind.

In the atmosphere that was swept away like a reed, Jad was also conscious of Sienna. He was a little caught up in his mind, so he couldn’t look straight into her eyes. But, his crude guilt was blown away at the start of the minute.

Sienna sat down at a suitable table and gulped down the apricot juice.

The love triangle was interesting, though there was no need to watch the obvious unfolding that everyone already knew.

Above all, she couldn’t afford to worry about whether it was Jad or Pierre.

…Because all the nerves from before have been directed to Dan.

‘Right. I can’t leave it alone, that beauty…’

He stood out even though he was stuck in a corner.

All the young girls around him were staring at him.

‘Really, it’s because you’re afraid to show it outside.’

However, whether he was ignorant of the attention pouring on him or whether he was pretending not to know, Dandelion just drank wine without saying a word.

He didn’t ask anyone to dance.

Sienna was nervous.

But, the strange thing was that everyone just looked at him, but he didn’t come close to him.

First of all, no one seemed to know who he was or what family he was from, and the biggest reason was the cold atmosphere. He didn’t frown at all, but a cold wind blew.

It was still winter around him.

Is it that his emotions are hurt, or is he usually with that kind of face…?

On his expressionless face, she felt a sense of intimidation as if he were wearing solid armor. Sienna withdrew a little in an atmosphere that was somehow different from the Dandelion she knew.

‘Is he angry?”

Even though she was rejected, she had to go now.

Sienna put down the empty glass as if determined and walked over to him.

“Did you sleep well?”

He paused for a moment at her words, but soon established the manners she had become accustomed to.

“Greetings, Princess.”

He bowed her head politely towards Sienna.

‘Princess…’

She hears it dozens of times a day, but somehow it feels strange. Sienna was frustrated by the sudden increase in distance.

“I’m sorry I didn’t see you. Please forgive my rudeness.”

As he said that, his gaze stayed in her eyes. He was looking at the purple violet earrings, to be exact.

Needless to say, the proof that she is the Princess of Stern.

She quarreled with that dry tone.

Of course, in a very innocent voice.

“Are you serious?”

“….”

“I’m not like that at all.”

“….”

Finally, a thin wrinkle was formed on his icy forehead.

It was a relationship that started without asking each other’s identity from the beginning. So, knowing that she is the princess now shouldn’t change anything.

“Why are you talking like you’re in denial? We were friends, so that’s not rude.”

“….”

“Did your time with me mean nothing to you?”

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Then, call me Sienna again.”

“That’s…”

Dandelion had a face that seemed to be worried about something.

He also looked confused.

“Can you stay here?”

“Is there any reason not to?”

“Shouldn’t you go to Jad, no, Sir Valencia?”

“What?”

“Well, you two are engaged.”

He was clumsy in speaking.

At that, Sienna turned her head to look at the two people on the stage and spoke. “As you can see, they’re having a good time.”

“Oh…”

The music was rushing towards the climax. The floor heated up with the splendid dance of the two.

Dandelion realized his mistake and rubbed his forehead.

“I’m sorry.”

“Not at all. It’s nothing.”

“The princess is so calm. But, why—”

The corners of Siena’s lips rose softly. “It used to be complicated, but there’s nothing complicated about it now.”

The moment she met him, the tangled thread unraveled. She learned to find an additional place in her heart.

Slowly, Sienna took a step closer to him.

She didn’t like waiting very much.

“Sir Mont, I’ll make a formal application.”

She shyly held out her hand. “Would you like to dance with me?”

“….”

The hall was running smoothly.

The nerves of the dancers were focused on the person in front of them, and the rest of them were busy talking. Only their surroundings were a little noisy.

Dandelion wondered if Sienna’s hand would be embarrassed.

However, she didn’t even want to step away from him.

He asked instead, as if she was okay. “Are you okay with me?”

She looked up at him as if he was asking such an obvious question.

“You are good enough.”

“You are really…”

She always left him speechless.

Power entered his hand.

Dandelion looked over her shoulder. Just when the music ended, the dancing men and women were greeting each other.

Of course, among them were Jad and Eleanor.

Jad took Eleanor to the table.

He didn’t like it very much, but now it was Pierre’s turn.

There was no way to continuously dance with a partner who had already danced once. Because the purpose of this event was to have the opportunity to get close to as many different people as possible.

Jad left the place without any regrets, as if he had expected it, and looked around.

Of course, he’s looking for…

Dandelion asked in a voice that could be heard around.

“I’m sorry, but will the princess give me a chance to ask you to dance?”

At his words, Sienna didn’t know what he was thinking, though she nodded her head once.

“I’m happy to.”

When her permission was granted, he formally greeted her and asked her to dance.

“Princess, would you like to dance with me?”

“Of course, Sir Mont.”

The stage was empty, and the musicians were tuning their instruments for the next performance.

“Shall we go?”

When she led, he followed meekly.

A handsome man with a strong physique who was dragged by the princess with a small stature.

One by one, their eyes were drawn to the fresh sight.

The two soon came into Jad’s eyes.

He was just looking for Sienna. He was in a hurry to ask her to dance because he felt bad that he had abandoned her.

‘Why are you two…’

Seeing Siena smiling shyly and the face of his friend, Jad was enveloped in a subtle feeling.

His expression looking at the two of them changed every moment. His eyes widened in surprise. Then he narrowed his eyes again to see what was going on, before wrinkling one of his eyebrows again.

The moment she was messing around with her neatly curled hair, Sienna ran into the two people who looked very close.

“Jad…”

It was Dandelion who called him, but he looked at Siena and asked. “Why does the princess want to dance with my friend?”

“Is there any reason why I can’t, Sir Valencia?”

Sienna took it lightly.

This was a place where anyone could dance.

Even if it’s the first time you’ve been born.

Nevertheless, Jad had a rather unpleasant face.

The corners of his mouth were raised, but that was clearly an unpleasant expression.

She had twelve years of unrequited love, it had reached the point that he could distinguish this kind of pretense.

‘What. You don’t want me to be close with your own friend, do you?’

Sienna wondered if Jad thought he had lost his friend.

He was a guy with a childish corner. However, contrary to her thoughts, the situation developed out of control.

Jad thought about something for a moment, then the corners of his lips rose arrogantly.

“Don’t tell me, are you doing this to get my attention?”

…What is he talking about now?

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