The first event of National Foundation Day is the Imperial Ball. Prior to the full-fledged speech on National Foundation Day and the festival that follows, it is the place for nobles to deepen their friendship and make new connections.
Therefore…Right now, I was surrounded by the maids of the imperial family.
"Wouldn't it be better to do your hair like this?"
"No. I think you can leave the hair as it is."
"Now that the face is done, the next step is your clothes."
Why the hell are they dressing up me so much? From head to toe, they held me tight and wouldn't let go.
"It is over, Prince Ortaire."
"Thank you."
I answered in a drained voice.
The maids and lady-in-waiting of the imperial family are usually daughters of high-ranking aristocratic families. Since they were obviously nobles, I had to be polite enough to them.
Anyway, after finishing all the decorations on myself like that, the ladies-in-waiting looked at me in admiration. There was even a lady-in-waiting who looked at me and blushed.
Hmm... Looking at the mirror, I hadn't thought about it before, but after knowing my previous life, I could at least recognize and say that this face is a face that many innocent women could fall for.
Come to think of it, I always notice that countless letters came to my family every time my older brother went to an event.
In any case, there was nothing bad about being good-looking.
I finished my preparations and waited for Adilun to dress up. As a woman, she will take much longer than me.
My expectations were right. I've been waiting for her in the waiting room for hours.
Why the hell do women take so long to dress up?
By the time I was meditating with such thoughts, I heard the sound of the waiting room door opening, and a maid informed me that Adilun was finished dressing up.
Then, Adilun entered the waiting room. She was wearing a bluish-white dress, like the suit I was wearing, with no skin visible.
Just by looking at the dress, I could guess it was not an ordinary luxurious dress; the beautifully crafted jewels also highlighted that point.
Adilun looked at me and opened her eyes wide, but her face soon began to show bitterness.
And even that bitterness quickly disappeared, and what remained after the bitterness was a deep sense of emptiness.
Her face was expressionless and empty.
I didn't know why she was suddenly making that face, but at least I felt that she wasn't in a good mood, so I asked her carefully.
"Are you done?"
"Yeah. It's over. Let's go now."
Saying that Adilun held out her hand to me.
However, her hand was shaking slightly, so I could tell how much pressure she was under at this ball.
She must be thinking of the countless other princesses who would keep her in check, and the people who would whisper to themselves while looking at herself covered in bluish-white scales and with horns on her head.
The biggest problem is that I can't give her any psychological comfort.
Even though I saw her trembling, I couldn't even say anything to ease Adilun's feelings because of the sins I had committed because I was also one of the people who took her confidence away.
The insult I had brought to her face the other day on her appearance, although I apologized, must still have left a scar on her heart.
Saying something for her now would only make her angry and embarrassed.
All I can do is hold her hand so that she doesn't tremble.
"What's wrong?"
She asked me if she could feel the strength in the hand she was holding.
"it's nothing."
I couldn't say anything. I couldn't even make light jokes like before. Because if I did, she would be genuinely angry.
"Don't forget what you promised, because today is the most important day."
"I already know. Do not worry too much."
"Let's go."
There was no conversation between us after that.
In silence, I could only hope that, she doesn't get hurt today.
I know that it is a hopeless wish, a wish that could not come true, but I hoped so.
* * *
[Adilun's POV]
Seeing the bewildered expressions of the ladies-in-waiting who were dressing me in the dressing room, I just said indifferently.
Please don't make too much effort.
But they didn't give up. Even though I couldn't wear makeup because of the bluish-white scales, they chose the dress that best suited my appearance.
Their dressing ideas and dresses ended for a long time. Since my appearance is literally far out of the category of an ordinary woman, they probably don't even know how to dress me up. However, their efforts were not in vain. I was able to leave the dressing room after wearing a pretty plausible outfit. In the waiting room, I saw Physis dressed in the same color as me.
In an instant, my eyes widened. Could it be that I had been defining him as 'I don't like that person' in my mind, so I didn't recognize the gem? Even any aristocratic woman he encounters will catch him in her eye with his beautiful appearance.
At the same time, my face was filled with bitterness.
Isn't this a person who is in complete contrast to me with my hideous appearance?
What will the aristocrats think when they see the two of us in contrast? Probably, there will be all sorts of speculations and strange rumors about me.
I tried to erase the bitterness and forcibly created a blank expression. And feigning composure, I held out my hand to Physis and told him to let's go.
But I couldn't help the shaking of my outstretched hand. I was afraid. I hated myself for being such a weak person.
Why am I afraid of other people's eyes and evaluations? It was pitiful, but instinctively I was overcome with fear.
Due to the nature of being Princess of Rodenov, I would always have to be exposed to others' eyes, so I couldn't be like this forever. Still, I couldn't hide my fear.
At that moment, Physis squeezed my hand tightly. And the shaking stopped...
In the tightly held hands, my heart unwittingly loosened up a little.
I was dumbfounded by him.
A person I hate so much, why am I so relieved to hold his hands? Did my heart forget the insult he spat and the self-confidence I lost as a result?
In the first place, he is the reason why I am afraid of people's eyes. But why is he showing such a friendly attitude now?
No, let's not believe it. A friendly attitude is just a performance according to my suggestion. He is the one who only thinks of himself so this must also be part of his mask.
But… Even so, the warmth from his hand was disturbing my heart.
* * *
[Physis's POV]
We stood at the door of the ballroom. After the attendant checked us, no, more precisely, seeing Adilun, they immediately realized that Princess Rodenov had arrived, and opened the door to announce are entering.
The air in the ballroom was heavy. A whirlpool of emotions swirled inside. It was just an uncomfortable space to be in.
And the gazes of those who gave off those unpleasant emotions turned to me and Adilun.
Those gazes went through me and reached Adilun. However, Adilun straightly countered those gazes with her characteristic expressionless face.
At first glance, she seemed resolute, but her hands still held a slight tremble.
It was already expected. All I can do is squeeze Adilun's hand tightly so that it doesn't tremble. And I know that she will overcome all the virtuous and be resolute in her way in the future too.
We went forward and found my father and His Excellency Duke Johannes, Adilun's father.
"Father."
"You're here. Were there any inconveniences?"
"There was nothing like that."
"All Right. For now, I have only one thing to say to you. Be mindful of your every move."
"I will keep that in mind."
"...And Princess Adilun."
"Yes, Count. Please speak."
"I know that there are too many harms my poor son has done to the princess, but I want you to endure him for today. It seems that the atmosphere is not very good. There is nothing good about giving those wolves an excuse."
"All right."
Adilun also nodded.
"Still, you both look better than before, Adilun. I know it's really hard, but just endure it for a little while and then go out and rest. This doesn't sound like a good place for you to be."
His Excellency, Duke Johannes, said while looking at Adilun.
"It's okay. It's something I have to go through countless times anyway, now is the time to get used to it."
"Yes. But never overdo it. And Prince Physis."
"Yes? Your Excellency the Duke."
"Take care of my daughter."
"You don't have to tell me that. I will never make the same mistakes as before."
At my serious attitude, His Excellency the Duke nodded. Of course, there was still doubt in his eyes, but it was expected because of the history of what I had done.
"Then, slowly, let's move. There is still quite a bit of time before the members of the imperial family arrived. You should make some level of friendship with those wolves so that you won't have any trouble later."
Under the leadership of the Duke, we permeated the ballroom in earnest.