Chapter 22

We left the room perplexed by how things turned out.

Even in this unexpected situation... I find this quite an entertaining outcome.

I mean... the direction things took, is just...absurd.

'... The hell just happened??... The Emperor is chill~~' — I care freely said in my head as we left.

An old nobleman approached us on our way out. He turned out to be a Count that came to speak with the Duke. While still in a dazed state, the Duke managed to introduce us to the man and followed him with a blank face. Leaving us behind.

'Sir... I get you... but you should snap out of it if you don't want to look like a fool...' — I tried to tell him, sending this message to the Duke telepathically while he left, staring intensely at the back of his head.

Theressa, seeing this as an opportunity, bumped her arm against me, strong enough to make me lose a little balance. She looked at me with disgust and left acting all offended.

In a way, it was understandable, so I'll just let it go this time. Next time though, I'll rip that arm off.

Given my condition, it's no good being alone. To top it off, I look hot as f*** dressed up like this.

So, as to not let people notice me and approach me, I decided to walk around the place. That way I can buy time.

It would be good if I had one of my family members with me... no, cross that. It would be good if I had the Duke by my side, but the rest of the family... is not trustworthy.

Roaming around, I found a secluded corner to stay in. About an hour passed like this when finally all the Royal family members were once again gathered in the Ball Room.

"Now that the protocol has been completed... the time to celebrate has come! Let us dance!" — The Emperor said, cheerfully but still displaying an authoritarian poise.

The music began to play and the people searched for dance partners. Girls blushing at young boys' invitations, smiles, laughs, flirting, refusal, all of this could be seen. As people began to gather in the centre of the Ball Room, dancing to the songs, I went closer to take a look at the people's performance. This is something I could only see in the movies before. Now, such a fascinating scene was happening in front of me, therefore I won't miss this opportunity.

I watched the scene excited with my expressionless face.

'Can't read my, Can't read my~ No, he can't read my poker face~~~.... po-po-po-poker face~ fu-fu-fu*k—'

Heh! That part of the lyrics was made for this moment, really~

Joking like this in my head, I didn't notice a man was coming my way. He was a young man and good-looking... Making a quick calculation... I would say he's around twenty.

"My Lady, I am Kyle Vermont. Your beauty has captivated me... May I ask the Lady for her name?" — The man said as he also asked for my hand to greet me.

'... What to do... even if I want to... I can't.'

Hmm... Let's just... be an as*. Because, just like the song says... No, he can't read my poker face~~~

My attack began. Blinking from time to time, I stared blankly at him. And, as time passed, the man began feeling awkward, seeing no response from me.

"...M–My Lady?..."

The bad thing is that people began to notice us, making his temper take the wrong turn.

"What is it, My Lady? Am I making you uncomfortable? The least you could do is introduce yourself... Does the lady not know of basic manners?" — With a loud mocking tone, he tried to make people turn their attention to me because of my "lack of manners".

'Oh... such a loser...'

Seeing I just kept staring at him, unfazed, the man got red with embarrassment, and his rage emerged.

"This woman! Who do you think–!" — He shouted and raised his hand with the clear intention to hit me.

'HA! This guy!... go ahead! I can see your head rolling on the ground already!'

I closed my eyes, waiting for the hit since my current condition doesn't allow self-defence. But the hand never reached me. Someone stopped his hand by the wrist before it could even fall. And soon, a cracking sound was heard.

"Gaaaaah!! Aack!!" — The man screamed in pain.

His howl entered my ears as a harmonious sound. Unfortunately, it wasn't like that for the other witnesses... Such a shame...

"To think a nobleman would raise their hand publicly to hit a woman... The Empire... our glory must be on the floor now..." 

A low husky voice made its way into my ears. It was so pleasant that only then did I notice who was the person that had stopped the nobleman.

Sharp violet eyes with a hint of red... The Empire's most dangerous man... had his eyes fixed on me making a wicked expression.

'I'm starting to get confused... do I have good or bad luck...?'

"...Lady Sylfinnier... are you alright?" — The Crown Prince asked, tilting his head, showing part of his thick white neck, giving off his sexy vibes as he let go of the now pitiful nobleman.

'Uff...Male Lead buffs are...Gulp...'

I made a faint nod, holding back my stupid horny thoughts. The people around were holding their breath in fear. This reaction could be because of three reasons.

1. Crown Prince.

2. Daughter of Duke Sylfinnier.

3. A nobleman was injured.

4. All above.

Sigh... Poor people...

The nobleman who just had his hand broken tried to apologize even while in pain. He knew this could cost him his life, so doing this was his best option to survive. However, the Crown Prince did not allow his attempt to succeed.

"Take him away."

Guards appeared as if they had risen from the ground, grabbed the man and took him away.

'...I wonder if he'll survive... No... Will I survive...?'

I watched him disappear with a poker face as I thought of my fate.

"Lady Sylfinnier."

Thanks to my body, I turned slowly to his call. I must look fearless right now, Fufufu~

But, suddenly, it hit me. The fact that he is Royalty.

'I should bow to him! Now!'

I quickly made a reverence to convey my respect and gratitude. Even though I was a little restless inside, I looked as calm as a glass of water on the outside.

'Anne, you're doing great today! Let's drink blueberry tea with apple pie! We deserve this much da*n it!'

I could feel his eyes staring at me from above. Then, his hand appeared in front of me, like asking me to hold it. I lifted my head to look at him in wonder. I was tall, but, my neck could break just to try to look up at him.

'So uselessly tall... I understand my friends from my past life now... they always asked me to sit down to talk to me...'

Gasp! Focus!!!

A few seconds had passed but he still had his hand reaching out to me.

So, I took it!

I lowered my gaze to his hand and placed my precious hand on his, delicately, not letting the weight fall on his. All of this with the purpose to show how FRAGILE I am.

'I'm as light as a feather, even holding my hand could tear it apart! It could literally explode! Did I make myself clear?! You psychopath!!'

I'm aware I don't actually know the guy. In the novels I read, characters that were described like this sometimes were the total opposite. Nevertheless, I can't take the risk. I'm carefree, not stupid.

He leaned his head, getting it closer to my hand as if he was going to kiss it. However, the only thing I felt was his soft breath grazing it. A hot breath. His eyes met mine and blinked slowly with a seductive gaze.

"Let me have this dance, My Lady" — The man said, with a playful smile.

'This man...' — On the inside, I bit my lip in frustration. It was frustrating in more than one way to be experiencing this.

'Uck.... Marianne... do we know how to dance?'

I don't think I have an option. This is "do" or "die". So I choose "do" to say that I at least tried.

'Let's do this. If it looks like it's going to result in death... let's take advantage of our last moments and step on his feet as much as we can... maybe grope his arms a little too...'

One must live to the fullest even at the doors of death.