CHAPTER 45.4

A sky-lit dress with a visible neckline, made of a fabric that looks like star powder has been scattered upon. Delicate makeup with a pink hue overall. Gorgeous decorations that make me even more beautiful.

Among them, golden hair twisted with emerald colored jewel pin to pursue a natural look. As such, the skilled hands of the maids continued for a while. Never stop working until they all step back as one unit.

"It's all done, your Highness."

"Wow! You are beautiful."

"So beautiful, your Highness!"

After their hard work, the maids shouted as is they were united.

"Your Highness, you are so pretty."

"Thank you, Marina." I replied to Marina with a smile, while she gave me praise with such big eyes and wide smile. I stretch my body and finally felt free after sitting for so long.

'Wow, preparing for an imperial takes longer than usual, it took so long I thought I died out of boredom. But really how long does it take to just to get dress for such events?'

After the work of the maid, Jean, who was waiting outside her, came inside. His face completely changed upon seeing me, his mouth opened wide and the usual enthusiastic butler was now completely frozen. I'm worried now that my that my appearance is not up to standards. The maids might find me beautiful, but they would not want to anger me.

Then, as if he suddenly woke up, Jean poured praise. "Oh my God! Your Highness. You're so beautiful. It's as if the goddess of beauty came down upon you."

"Thank you, Jean. That's too much praise."

"It's nothing."

Jean, who was sharing small talk with me, turned towards the maids and ask them to leave us. It seemed Jean had something quite important to tell me if he didn't want the maids listening to us. Soon after Jean dismissed them, I saw the maids greeting me and hurried out.

I asked standing tall in front of Jean. "Jean, what's going on? Do you have separate business for me?"

"Well, your Highness…"

"Yes?"

'I don't think Jean's grim look is a good thing. What could possibly made him so uneasy to ask me something?'

Jean bowed his head. "I know I have no right to ask you, but I would appreciate if you could please keep the Archduke from getting his hands stained with blood at the banquet tonight."

While I didn't expect this kind of request, it seemed Jean wanted me to stop Kyle from committing murder on the night of the imperial ball.

Jean quickly added. "But, if it doesn't seem possible, please get out right away. There will be knights escorting you nearby, who will help you leave safely. I do not wish to see you hurt."

Overall, it was an enigmatic request coming from the butler.

I felt sorry for Jean, who probably thought over the situation countless of times in his head, but I didn't think Kyle would hurt me. It was only a quick thought. Kyle could hurt me, but it feels good to know Jean appreciated me and wished for my safety. I laughed lightly to reassure Jean.

"Don't worry. Jean, if anything happens, I'll try to stop Kyle as best as I can. If not, I will run away quickly."

"I am relieved to hear you say so."

Jean and I smiled gently as we faced each other. After a while, I felt shy standing there without saying anything.

When Jean started to speak, I felt relieved. "The master is waiting at front of the front door; I will escort you to him."

***

Following the corridor of the long Archduke's Castle and through the front door, I see Kyle waiting there. And, for a moment, I am utterly fascinated. No. It was more accurate to say that I was subjugated, under a spell. Kyle's appearance: neatly placed hair and luxurious indigo tailcoat. It is incredibly perfect. His broad shoulders, chest, and graceful beast-slim waistline made his tailcoat stand out even more. Even Kyle's white and soft skin looked smoother than usual, honey skin.

'I knew he was a handsome good-looking man, but this is crazy. But there was something weird. It's me, I've lost my mind at Kyle's beauty and can't move my feet, standing so far from him.'

Did I eat something wrong? Huh?

Now, as I was looking more closely at Kyle, he was strangely stiff. At first glance, it looked fine, barely noticeable. Looking thoroughly, Kyle's eyes weren't moving, and it was fixed to me.

'Why the hell are you doing that, why are looking like this?'

I stared at Kyle with a strange look, but he didn't respond with his usual annoyed look. Oh my! I was forced to call for him, hoping that an unending snowball fight would not take place.

"Archduke."

"…"

"Archduke?"

"…"

I keep calling to him, but he doesn't even answer me. Is my voice not carrying human words or is this all in my head?

"Archduke, her Highness is very beautiful." Jean who was next to me, at this time, said softly.

But why was Jean saying this now? Well, it was natural that Riddel, as the main character was pretty. She was normally beautiful, but today with all the work from the maid, her beauty was exceptional. A true exquisiteness. It gave me more strength as well. Moment later, Kyle looks down frowning to where Jean was standing.

"It looks fine."

Look at that bad boy.

"The only one worth seeing is the Archduke."

Kyle wriggled his eyebrows as I bluntly spoke. To be honest, I didn't have any thought of risking my life just to hear that I was pretty. As the situation was taking side on its own there was a calm spark between me and Kyle.

'But can it be different, maybe possible?'

"Master, at time like this, you have to tell the lady that she is pretty." said Jean, boldly, but couldn't figure out the present situation.

Then, Kyle gave off the energy like he was a child of darkness, enough to freeze you in your stance. It's ridiculous. Do you hate it so much, telling me I look pretty?

"Archduke. We don't have much time, let's go the carriage, shall we."

"…"

"Or do you have anything else to say?"

"…Pretty."

"Yes?"

"…I said you look pretty."

"Yes, yes?"

"Let's get going."

Well, what is it? Hallucination perhaps? It seems like he said I was pretty… Huh, I can't believe it.

"Wait a minute. Archduke, what did just say right now?"

I tried asking again, but Kyle turned away and quickly marched out pretending not to hear my question.

'Oh, that's it.'

As I reached out to stopped Kyle, I struck my face against his back.

"What are you doing?"

"Well don't you know? I was walking peacefully and the Archduke, stopped abruptly, since I didn't have any warning, I bumped into him." I complained to him while rubbing my now sore nose. Kyle messed with his white gloves as if he was checking them.

"What a nuisance… This is annoying too." then he reached out delicately to me.

However, it wasn't normal for us to hold hands. Dressed up and escorted by a picturesque man, we head to the carriage. Looking at the scene alone, anyone would have though 'it looks romantic', but they could not have been more wrong.

Kyle's familiar scent reach to my nose making my heart released from the feeling of being tickled. For some reason it brought out the unpleasant words contained in it.

"Archduke, could you make me a promise?"

"Tell me."

"Don't kill anyone…"

Kyle didn't answer, and I didn't push for the answer. We fell into step as the silence was filled by our footsteps.

***

It took quite some time to arrive at Imperial Palace after leaving the duchy. We sat in silence heading to the ball. At our arrival, even before I could raise from my seat, I could see a lot of carriages already gathered, waiting to advance towards the entrance. After waiting, I exited the carriage with the help of the coachman and I immediately felt the heavy gaze of everyone surrounding us. The miracle of Moses unfolded.

'I would rather put it all up and go home.'

As I looked at the others guest, I could disgustingly see fear and contempt, it was clearly visible on the guests faces. Some also showed roughly a sense of sympathy. Maybe for me or the situation I was currently in, but I am not sorry at all. I don't feel sorry for myself.

'Well, here we go. Let's not be bothered by this.'

I looked up at the imperial castle quietly. It was a castle no one could miss. I looked toward the entrance and saw a long red carpet lined along the road. The walls of the building were all filled with gold. Next to it were various sculptures and jewels. Everything was decorated to excess.

"Welcome, Archduke Romani."

As we approached the entrance of the castle, the gatekeepers greeted gracefully and with dignity. Like all nobles, calling a first name in the first place was rude, so the Romani name was used. The gatekeepers, who strongly build, as if they had been through the first wars and experience everything warfare as to offer, seemed to tense, nervous as Kyle approached. Eventually, I walked a little more, passed the door, then reached the entrance, and saw three well-dressed noble wives.

"Oh my gosh."

"Oh, the rumor is… Have you heard…? That"

It was only small whispers, but somehow, that one vivid voice that I heard was staggering, I stopped at once.

"Is he that monster Archduke?"

Monster they say. What are you talking about? You don't think I can hear you over here?

'I was trying to stay calm about it, trying to keep an open-minded.'

But before I could even think about it, my body moved on its own. I let go of Kyle's hand and walk towards the noble wives. I kept a haughty and proud attitude; they knew I was approaching them when their faces changed. I still ask politely in a noble tone to them.

"What did you just say?"

It became quiet as if the surroundings became cold all of the sudden. I felt a lot of gazes pointing all over to me. As this is the entrance to the hall, it was understandable. It happens to be the most crowded place. Nevertheless, they didn't know what to do at the moment, barely noticing each other in an effort to look harmless. They must have been quite surprised. The reputation of 'Riddel Spencer' as a socialite was about a timid woman who was always intimidated by others. This was all because of the abuse by the Spencer family.

'Even in my dream I never thought I would be the one to argue publicly and create a scene.'

While Riddel was aware of what everyone thought of her, Kyle was the opposite, the kind of person who didn't care, no matter how loud a dog barks, he keeps walking on like there's nothing. Still, I was like scared and unsure at my first confrontation with nobility, so I keep my eyes on Kyle.

'Well, it looks like these wives are very brave because of this. No, is it not being ignorant at this point?'

An any rate, my reputation will change after today. It will be about a cheeky woman who has become more energetic and turn her back to the topic of her self-consciousness. Well, it didn't matter.

'It's a reputation, it's a bummer, it's a shame.'

Isn't power used to press down those nobles lower than me in the first place? I glanced up and down the now quiet wives, as if they had put some wax on her mouth.