Chapter 19: Look into my eyes.
“Would you like a lover?”
It was a calm voice.
So gentle, as if offering an apple.
But the weight of the words was anything but light.
‘Lover.’
The short word carried a deep, symbolic meaning.
Someone who is loved outside of a spouse.
In other words, an official paramour.
Leonard was asking me if I needed someone like that.
No, the more shocking part was not the question itself but the fact that the one saying it was Leonard, the recent darling of the social circle.
“A lover?”
“Could it be… Sir Leonard just said he wanted to be Her Majesty’s lover?”
“Sir Leonard, of all people?”
Murmurs rippled through the surrounding crowd.
People were glancing back and forth between Leonard and me, too focused to miss a single detail.
But their reactions were the least of my worries.
I had no idea how to respond to this situation.
‘Leonard wants to be my lover?’
Why was he saying such a thing?
I couldn’t take it seriously.
The Leonard I knew wasn’t someone who’d ever suggest becoming anyone’s lover.
And so, I had no idea how to respond to his expectant gaze.
The unexpected intervention came from somewhere else.
“A lover?”
With a cold laugh, Jerome appeared.
He stopped right between Leonard and me.
Fixing Leonard with an icy gaze, he asked,
“What did you just say?”
“……”
Leonard chose silence instead of an answer.
But his steady eyes met Jerome’s without a hint of hesitation.
Even though he was facing the Emperor.
He showed no fear.
Jerome’s brow furrowed in clear irritation.
“A lover. If I didn’t mishear, that’s what you said?”
“That’s exactly what I said.”
“Hah.”
Jerome clicked his tongue, visibly annoyed.
“So much for trusting rumors. They said Sir Leonard was quiet and uninterested in women, but…”
Looking around the room, he added lightly,
“Turns out he’s capable of saying something so utterly ridiculous. A joke this absurd.”
At his remark, the tension in the room eased.
The previously shocked faces of the crowd softened.
“Hahaha, to think Sir Leonard would make such a surprising joke at his rare appearance in the social scene.”
“Oh dear, I actually thought he was serious!”
“Perhaps Sir Leonard wanted to lighten the mood after the Imperial Consort’s mishap.”
Laughter spread throughout the hall.
I, too, nodded reflexively.
So it was a joke. Of course, no one would make such an absurd suggestion seriously.
Maybe I should lend him a book titled 101 Socially Acceptable Jokes for next time.
The sheer absurdity of his words even shocked Fay, who stared wide-eyed like a startled rabbit.
Just as the laughter began to die down, Leonard stood.
“It wasn’t a joke.”
Jerome’s brow furrowed deeper.
“It wasn’t?”
“Yes.”
Leonard nodded firmly.
A clear, resolute answer.
‘What in the world is happening?’
I wasn’t the only one confused.
The crowd, their laughter gone, began whispering in hushed tones.
Furtive glances and subtle gestures made it easy to guess the direction of their gossip.
If this continued, I couldn’t imagine what rumors would spread.
I had to step in.
“Sir Leonard. And Your Majesty.”
I spoke in a calm voice to regain control of the situation.
“Today is Your Majesty’s birthday celebration. But unfortunately, due to my clumsiness, my dress has been ruined. May I take a moment to change?”
Jerome’s eyes widened slightly at my composed intervention.
It was a subtle change only noticeable to me, standing close.
His gaze carried something unreadable.
With Jerome’s permission, I turned to Leonard.
“Thank you, Sir Leonard. Your jest gave us all a brief moment of levity. I’ll have your coat cleaned and returned via the maids.”
Leonard smiled charmingly and replied,
“It is a great honor to have been of service to Your Majesty.”
***
“Ha.”
The ball had been nothing short of a whirlwind.
And I had been the eye of the storm.
An unexpected proposition for a lover.
From Leonard, no less.
“Ha… what could he possibly be thinking?”
I knew he wasn’t a normal person—he was the shadowy force in the original story.
But for him to cause such a spectacle was beyond anything I imagined.
“A dark schemer declaring himself as a lover…”
If it were a coup declaration, I might have understood.
This wasn’t in the original story at all.
At this point in the plot, Leonard and Helena weren’t supposed to have any significant interaction.
Leonard’s actions left my mind in turmoil.
The only relief was returning to the ballroom after changing my dress and finding the main characters absent.
“Her Majesty, the Imperial Consort seemed greatly distressed by her mistake with Your Majesty. She’s been crying non-stop, so His Majesty escorted her back to the Imperial Consort’s Palace.”
“And Sir Leonard?”
“Hmm, he was here until just a moment ago…”
Countess Chloe tilted her head in uncertainty.
Internally, I cheered.
Perfect. Excellent.
The central figures had vanished.
Which meant I didn’t have to deal with anyone for now.
Just moments ago, I had been racking my brain over how to handle this mess. Now, I felt at ease.
Although I was still under the scrutiny of many curious gazes.
With all the greetings done, I figured I could claim fatigue and retreat to the comfort of the Empress’ Palace.
Just as I sighed in relief.
♩♬♩
The music changed suddenly, becoming lively and upbeat.
It was just a change in melody, but it transformed the entire atmosphere of the ballroom.
Those quietly chatting stood and began sending expectant looks my way.
Something felt off.
Why were they all staring at me?
I looked to Countess Chloe for answers.
“Your Majesty,” she whispered.
“It’s time for you to open the ball.”
Open the ball?
“Ah.”
Of course.
This was the opening dance.
At balls like this, it was customary for the highest-ranking individual to lead the first dance.
And the highest-ranking person at this party right now was…
“…Me?”
Everyone was waiting for me to start the dance?
It was despair-inducing.
Come to think of it, there was a scene in the original story where the Emperor and the Imperial Consort danced.
The ruined dress of the Imperial Consort, stained with wine.
The Emperor, guiding the tearful Imperial Consort with a gentle smile, beginning the dance.
A beautiful and romantic scene.
But now?
The Emperor had left the banquet hall with the crying Imperial Consort.
Leaving me standing alone, bearing the weight of everyone’s gazes.
Conductor!
Please be a bit more observant.
Did you not see the Emperor leave just now?
I can’t start this alone!
Besides, I don’t even know how to dance in social settings.
Despite my desperate glances, the oblivious conductor was already lost in the music.
His baton moved with confident precision.
He was clearly busy.
His mind was already in the world of music, far beyond my reach.
I clenched my fists tightly.
If it’s come to this, there’s no choice.
Collapse!
Yes. I’ll feign illness and claim I must return to the Empress’ Palace.
After all, Helena was already known to skip events due to poor health.
People will believe me!
Alright, let’s start with a subtle dizziness act.
I gently raised my hand to my forehead.
That’s when it happened.
“Your Majesty.”
A voice called out to me, and I instinctively looked up to see someone extending their hand toward me.
“…Sir Leonard?”
Weren’t you gone?
“May I have the honor of the first dance with Your Majesty?”
I squinted my eyes at him, silently conveying my thoughts.
‘What kind of ploy is this now?’
The earlier proposal of becoming my lover was already baffling.
And now he suddenly appears to ask me for a dance?
I thought he was a serious person, but was he this mischievous?
He raised the corners of his lips in a gentle smile.
‘Because you are the Empress, of course.’
I glanced at his extended hand.
‘Kindly put that hand away.’
He shook his head lightly.
‘I refuse.’
His subtle rejection made me involuntarily blurt out.
“Why…?”
Realizing the stares around me, I quickly cleared my throat.
“Sir Leonard, I appreciate the invitation, but now isn’t the right time. I’m simply not in the mood to dance.”
Not that I know how to dance, but even if I could, I wouldn’t want to dance with you.
Especially after your earlier comments about being a ‘lover.’
That’s already drawing enough strange glances. Dancing with you would make things even more complicated.
I’d rather claim illness and quietly leave.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’ll take your sentiment to heart.”
“What a shame.”
What’s with this person?
Why is he suddenly acting like a forlorn puppy?
Then, he murmured just loud enough for me to hear.
“It’s such a shame… I might just blurt out a secret somewhere…”
A secret?
A wave of dread washed over me.
“For example, about the book I borrowed from Her Majesty…”
“…On second thought, I believe I would very much like to dance with you, Sir Leonard.”
He smiled brightly.
“I’m delighted to hear that.”
This… this blackmailer!
***
The lively music filled the banquet hall.
The crowd stepped back in a circle, leaving two figures in the center.
At this moment, the original story should have transitioned into a beautiful dance scene featuring the main characters.
But why was I standing in the middle of the hall?
Why was I the one basking in the attention and excitement meant for the original heroine?
All of this was because of the man holding my hand.
“You’ll pay dearly for this, Sir Leonard.”
“If it is from Your Majesty, I’ll gladly bear it.”
“You’ll regret it.”
“It will be my honor.”
Was it the brilliance of the chandelier?
The raven black of his hair gleamed like jewels.
His striking appearance seemed even more pronounced.
I couldn’t help but admire his beauty for a moment before letting out a deep sigh.
“I have a confession to make.”
Leonard tilted his head slightly, intrigued.
“A confession, Your Majesty?”
I slouched my shoulders slightly.
“I’m not very good at dancing.”
Actually, I wasn’t just bad—I was a complete novice.
It was my first time attending such a banquet, let alone dancing.
Honestly, who could have predicted that the main characters would abruptly leave like that?
“So, before I make a fool of myself—”
“Don’t worry.”
A soft voice whispered in my ear.
Startled, I looked up to find him gently pulling my hand.
He leaned in closer and murmured in a low voice.
“Look into my eyes.”
His deep gaze, reminiscent of the endless ocean, captured mine.
“All Your Majesty needs to do,”
He pulled me closer, his hand on my waist.
“Is keep your eyes on me.”
“…!”
Wait a second.
Isn’t this a little too close?!
Internally, I screamed.
In contrast, he seemed completely composed.
In this nerve-wracking moment, the dance began.
The fortunate thing was—
‘This… works?’
Thanks to Helena’s body retaining muscle memory or perhaps Leonard’s skilled guidance, the dance was surprisingly natural.
At first, I was stiff and awkward, but under his lead, I managed to move gracefully.
Still, I couldn’t shake the awkwardness.
Step by step, I followed his movements, trying not to falter.
It was then that Leonard leaned in closer and whispered.
“So, have you given it some thought?”
Focused on the dance, I tilted my head in confusion.
“Thought about what?”
“I’d like to hear your answer to my earlier proposal.”
He smiled mischievously.
Was he talking about the question of whether I needed a lover?
“That joke is no longer funny.”
“It wasn’t a joke.”
“Then are you saying you’re serious? Why would you say something like that all of a sudden?”
Why would you bring up such a thing as ‘a lover’?
“…”
Leonard didn’t respond.
He simply waited for my answer in silence.
His subtle expression left me even more perplexed.
Looking into those eyes, I couldn’t help but feel like he might actually mean it.
It only made things more uncomfortable.
I decided to shift the topic.
“By the way, I’m curious—what brought you here? Don’t you dislike these kinds of banquets?”
“A banquet, you mean?”
“Yes. I’ve heard you rarely attend events like this.”
“It’s not that I dislike them. If anything, I just don’t care for them.”
“Then what about today?”
“Today…”
“Was there something special to capture your interest?”
I asked with a lighthearted smile, as if making a joke.
“Yes, there was.”
A languid smile spread across his lips.
“Here today…”
Still staring at me with unwavering focus,
He finished his sentence.
“There’s someone whose heart I’d like to win.”
—
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