– I think it's a fraudulent marriage

It was not known whether or not the story about the Crown Princess was really the work of the Crown Prince.

But it was clear that Blake would not let anyone approach her at today's ball.

As soon as Chelsea arrived at the ballroom, she walked over to her father, Count Brooke, and her relatives.

"They cannot at any costs ask Her Highness to dance. Tell them to be careful with their gaze too. They must be polite! Tell the other men in our family too!"

When Chelsea said so, Count Brooke did not question her and told his nephew and family to do as she said.

The ball had begun, but the tension in the room did not ease in the slightest.

"You remember what I said? Do not ask Her Highness to dance at any cost."

Chelsea warned repeatedly. The Crown Prince was, in fact, much scarier than Tenstheon.

Especially when it came to Ancia.

Then, her cousin Thomas said, "Isn't it going against the etiquette if I don't ask her to dance?"

Thomas grumbled, unable to take his eyes off Ancia.

He just wanted to dance with a pretty girl but used etiquette as an excuse!

Chelsea hit him on the back.

"Ah! That hurts!"

"When will you grow up, you rascal!?"

"So what!"

"If you goof off today, I'll kick you out of the family register!"

Chelsea gave Thomas a firm warning.

She warned them again one more time before the event began.

***

When I first attended the palace ball, I was very nervous.

I quickly chose an elegant dress and memorized the list of nobles.

After that, I was worried that I might make a mistake during the ball.

I was afraid because my mistake would stain Blake's reputation.

But now it was different. There was no need to worry about things like that.

Even if I made a mistake, no one would underestimate Blake, the honorable Crown Prince of the Asteric Empire.

However, I became nervous when the ball officially started.

I have to put my right foot out first. Don't forget that, Ancia. Right foot!

Don't get distracted by the steps, concentrate on maintaining balance. I have to maintain a consistent distance from my partner. Don't rush!

I can't do this. Let's review it again. Right foot, left foot, forward and backward, turn...

And, uh, what was it?

All of a sudden, I couldn't think of any of the steps that I had just memorized and my mind went blank.

What if I make a mistake? I hope I won't fall. If I step on his foot...

Of course, even if I made a mistake that didn't mean that Blake's reputation would turn to dust.

But I didn't want to be humiliated with so many people watching.

"Don't worry."

Blake said gently as if he had read my mind.

"But what if I fall down? So many people are watching..."

"Should I make them bow their heads the whole time?"

"...huh?"

"I'll eliminate everything you don't like."

"Don't do that. It will go down in history."

I didn't want to read any history books with an anecdote of a prince who made all of the ball attendees bow down the whole time, just because his wife didn't want to humiliate herself.

"And I don't mind if you step on my foot. You're like a fairy, as light as a feather."

He told me the same thing as when we were young.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Besides, everyone's so busy looking at you that they don't even care about your steps. I'm afraid everyone has a crush on you."

I would've hated it if someone else said that, but it sounded sweet coming from Blake.

Was it because of his innocent appearance, or because they were my husband's words that I felt good?

The melody of an elegant waltz filled the ballroom.

We held hands together, and after taking a deep breath, I took the first step with my right foot without making a mistake.

It was finally time for our first dance.

When the dance began, I was so happy to be dancing with Blake that I didn't care about my steps or movements at all.

Back then, we practiced while looking at the moon in the palace hall, dreaming of the day we would attend the ball together.

After I returned to my original body, I practiced every day, preparing for this dance.

Maybe that's why my body remembered the steps without having to think about them.

I relaxed and danced freely, following the flow of the music.

I wanted to share my first dance with Blake at the ball, but I thought it would be an impossible dream.

Since his curse had to be lifted if he wanted to escape the shabby palace and attend the ball, he needed Diana's power of light.

So I thought that there would be someone else next to Blake even if the day came.

Yet now, we were still together.

I pulled off the most difficult steps with ease, and soon, the dance came to an end.

Even though it had come to an end, my heart still hadn't stopped racing.

I was so happy to be the one standing next to Blake that I couldn't calm down.

"It's like a dream."

"I think so too."

"What if it's really a dream?"

What if I was still wandering in the darkness and this was all an illusion?

Fear gripped my heart when that thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

"It's not a dream."

Blake hugged me tightly. Feeling his warm body temperature, my rapidly beating heart calmed down a little.

"That's right. It's not a dream."

We stood in each other's embrace while the melody of the beautiful waltz gradually diminished and ended.

After the first song ended, it was time to switch partners for the next song.

"It's alright now."

I smiled brightly to reassure Blake, but he stood next to me unwaveringly.

It was not polite to dance more than one time with the same partner.

I was thinking about what to do, when I heard Tenstheon's voice.

"Blake, remember to follow the etiquette."

The Crown Prince of the Empire could not ignore the Emperor's words. Blake turned to look at Tenstheon.

"Your Majesty, are you going to dance too?"

Tenstheon quickly replied without a hint of hesitation.

"Yes. I've already waited many years after you had your first dance."

I was originally supposed to dance with Tenstheon at the first ball I attended.

But Tenstheon knew I wanted to dance with Blake for my first dance so he didn't force me.

That was already 10 years ago...

Tenstheon said so, but Blake stood still and refused to yield.

I released Blake's hand and looked at Tenstheon.

"Wife..."

Blake looked shocked when I chose His Majesty. I felt bad seeing his expression, but I couldn't help it this time.

"I promised my father a long time ago."

"Blake, get out of the way."

Tenstheon always gave Blake everything he wanted, but this time, he refused to give in.

"Ancia, will you dance with me?"

Tenstheon held his hand out and politely asked me for a dance. I smiled brightly as I took his hand.

"Of course."

I started my second dance with Tenstheon.

His steps were perfect.

I could see why Mrs. Shardin said that I always danced according to the texbook.

I had never danced with anyone other than Blake. I didn't even practice with anybody else.

So my dance moves were tailored to match Blake only. It was the same for Blake too.

Yet, Tenstheon led me perfectly.

Not only did he dance well, he was also able to improve his partner's ability.

Even if someone didn't know anything about dancing, they'd look like a good dancer when dancing with him.

"Ancia, what's wrong."

"I'm just surprised because you dance so well."

"What are you talking about?"

Tenstheon grinned and continued.

"I'm so glad you're back."

"I'm happy to be able to dance with you too."

"No, it's my honor."

Thanks to Tenstheon leading, I was able to finish the second dance without making any mistakes.

At the end of the second song, Tenstheon bowed slightly. It was a perfect finish.

After we finished dancing, I could feel the envious gazes of several women who wanted to be in my position on me. However, Tenstheon no longer danced and returned to his original position.

The next song also begun. Then, someone I had never expected came to me.

"Will you give me the honor of dancing with Your Highness?"

"Diana."

I was surprised. I never thought Diana would ask me for a dance.

Although she wore pants today, there had never been a precedent of two girls dancing together in an official ball.

People around me kept chattering, but Diana stood confidently.

"Sister, this is the first dance of my life. Don't refuse it."

If everyone heard about it and I refused her offer, people would talk about her.

I took Diana's hand and accepted the dance request, but I still felt uncomfortable.

"How can you dance with me for your first dance!?"

I whispered in her ear.

"What's wrong with it?"

"For your first dance, you should dance with someone you like."

There was Jayden and the other cool guys from the Knights Academy. There would certainly be someone who liked Diana among them.

Whoever it was, it would be better to dance with them than with me.

But Diana responded quickly.

"You are the person I like most."

"Diana..."

"The music had started. Are we going to stand like this?"

If we didn't start moving, we would bump into someone else.

I sighed and held her hands as we danced to the waltz.