The audacity of it was just astounding. He was surely just waiting for a chance to start his antics when no one was looking.

The light-hearted and casual person he used to be seemed to have vanished.

‘So this is what it means to be a crown prince, huh.’

I couldn’t help but let out a derisive laugh. The way he put on airs in front of others seemed almost comical.

Irmin extended his hand to me. By taking his hand, I accepted his escort.

Holding my hand, Irmin looked at me intently and then chuckled softly.

I couldn’t tell why he was laughing, but it was clear that he seemed pleased.

“The dress is very beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

I accepted Irmin’s compliment rather bluntly. Just holding hands with him was enough to darken my mood.

* * *

“Presenting His Highness, Crown Prince Irmin Ginger Jekylhyde, and Lady Anais Erpeso!”

The knight at the door announced. As expected, all eyes in the ballroom turned toward us.

“……?”

Every face wore a look of surprise. Whether it was because of seeing Irmin, or me, or the fact that we entered together, I couldn’t tell.

Whispers from those nearby reached my ears.

“Is that really the notorious lady?”

“She’s nothing like the rumors I heard…”

“Where is that dress from? I’ve never seen such a design.”

They might have thought they were whispering, but my sharp ears picked up every murmur.

“Not a great reputation, Anais.”

Apparently, Irmin heard them too, as he whispered to me with a smile.

Shouldn’t a partner be more aware when their companion is being talked about like that? His mere smiling presence was infuriating.

Yet, people’s murmurs continued.

“If she’s entering with the crown prince then…”

The implications were clear.

“Surely, she’s going to be his consort.”

It felt like a label had been stamped on me. This was as good as calling off my engagement with Kabir.

Indeed, it was effective. Though it would likely involve me in troublesome rumors for a while.

“Now that we’ve made an entrance, can we leave?”

“Haha, not a chance.”

I let my shoulders slump in disappointment. I didn’t really want to be in such a crowded place.

As people around us began to notice and looked ready to approach, someone else made an entrance.

“Presenting His Grace, Duke Kabir Heyward!”

“……?”

Me and several others were taken aback and turned to look.

“That monster duke…?”

Murmurs spread among the crowd.

I was surprised too. I thought he wouldn’t attend, thinking only Selena, Finley, and I would be present. Why would he suddenly show up?

Kabir was known to avoid attending balls even when rumors about him being a monster were rampant.

As Kabir entered, the room fell silent. Everyone was probably stunned to see the notorious ‘monster duke’ in person. I would have been too.

Kabir’s gaze turned towards me.

“……?”

And then, without any hesitation, he started walking directly towards me.

What’s he doing coming over here?

Ignoring everyone else as if they didn’t exist, Kabir’s gaze was fixed solely on me.

‘His eyes are kind of intimidating. But it should be fine, right?’

…That’s what I tried to convince myself, but soon enough, Kabir’s gaze shifted to Irmin.

Irmin, seemingly anticipating this, just kept smiling gently.

Kabir stopped right in front of us.

Then, as if he had never worn a harsh expression, he flashed a sly smile.

“It’s an honor to be invited to the banquet, Your Highness. Please excuse my late appearance due to business matters.”

“It’s been a while, Duke Heyward. I’m pleased to meet you, even in such circumstances.”

The two conversed as if they were old acquaintances, despite the formal setting.

Though it was just a polite exchange, why did it feel charged with tension? Caught between them, I was the only one shifting my gaze uneasily.

Afterward, the ball proceeded smoothly. As expected, people flocked around the Duke upon his first appearance, and both Irmin and I were surrounded by guests.

‘It’s exhausting…’

Being jostled by the crowd was indeed strenuous for me.

After all, a ball was just a ball. The best I could do was to respond to people and smile politely.

But doing that for hours on end was practically torture.

The only silver lining was that the rumors about me being a wild lady might subside after seeing my demeanor. But that didn’t make it any less exhausting.

With fatigue setting in, I half-closed my eyes. Noticing my state, Irmin nudged me.

“……?”

Looking at Irmin, he flashed a subtle smile and gestured towards one side with his eyes.

The terrace.

‘Does he mean to take a break?’

Understanding his intent, I nodded and quietly moved, making sure not to attract attention.

Luckily, being shielded by Irmin meant no one stopped me.

“Ah……”

The terrace was peaceful. I exhaled deeply after stepping out.

‘Busy places are always so draining.’

Earlier, they would avoid me for being a notorious lady, but now that I’m with the crown prince, they’ve become even more bothersome.

I wanted to lean on the balustrade, but having had a bad experience once, I stayed clear of it.

While I was just standing and enjoying the breeze, the terrace curtain opened.

“……”

It was Kabir who entered.

“What now?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his seemingly expectant entrance. He seemed to have something in mind for me since his arrival.

As soon as Kabir entered, he closed the curtain behind him. I asked him,

“Do you have something to say?”

“……”

Though I asked, Kabir just silently closed his mouth, his gaze lingering on my hand.

It was the hand where I used to wear the engagement ring from Kabir. Naturally, it was now empty.

“What brings you to the ball? It’s your first time, isn’t it?”

“…Pretty much.”

As I took the lead in the conversation, Kabir finally started to speak.

“Because of me?”

I asked playfully, wearing a teasing smile.

In that moment, Kabir met my gaze directly.

“Because we never had a proper conversation before. I came to ask now.”

He seemed to still be dwelling on that dinner incident. So petty.

I shrugged.

“I only accepted because His Highness the Crown Prince suggested it. I can’t refuse when I’m not even your official fiancée yet.”

I made a convenient excuse. It was pretty much blaming it on Irmin.

“Did you even consider whether to accept or reject his proposal?”

“Uh—”

I whistled nonchalantly, bypassing the question. Kabir gave me a sharp look.

“Anais.”

The wind blew. A gentle breeze, not strong enough to disturb much but just enough to ruffle the hair.

“Do you dislike being engaged to me?”

Kabir’s expression looked somewhat anxious.

It’s not about disliking the engagement; I just don’t like the restrictions that come with it. I had a duty to remain free, especially for the broadcasts.

“Well.”

For now, a vague answer was all I could give.

“I do feel sorry that our engagement might be broken.”

“It’s not broken yet.”

“Considering what happened today, our engagement is as good as over, isn’t it?”

Continuing this engagement would unnecessarily entangle Kabir with the royal family and cause him considerable trouble.

“You’ve made your appearance. There will be plenty of other families who’d want to be involved with you, so there’s no need to keep up an engagement with me.”

Despite the Grand Duke’s estate being in danger, many would be interested in Kabir for his looks.

But Kabir was firm.

“I won’t get engaged to anyone else.”

He seemed insistent on keeping the engagement with me.

But why? I couldn’t understand Kabir’s stubbornness.

Kabir bit his lip slightly. Unlike his usual blunt and confident demeanor, he seemed hesitant.

The wind kept blowing. Kabir’s voice reached me through the breeze.

“If I said I’d like you to be engaged to me, what would you say?”

I opened my eyes wide in surprise and stared at Kabir.

What did he just say?

Seeing my reaction, Kabir turned his head, one hand on his forehead.

“Damn, I don’t even know what I’m saying.”

It seemed he spoke impulsively.

I blinked and asked.

“Kabir, do you really like me?”

“…….”

Kabir hesitated.

Then he smirked dismissively.

“Don’t make me laugh. Why would I like someone as strange as you?”

“Then why are you so fixated on the engagement?”

“…….”

“Do you just want to be engaged to me because of family issues?”

“…….”

I probed, but Kabir remained silent, exercising his right to silence.

Then he turned around.

“The conversation has gone on too long. I should leave.”

“Don’t go wandering off.”

I grabbed Kabir’s hand.

Kabir frantically shook off my hand.

Ouch, why is he hitting and making such a fuss?

Kabir’s cheeks briefly reddened.

“Who said you could grab me like that!”

“Because you were about to go.”

Wow, what a simpleton. If he reacts this much just from touching hands, it must be serious.

I waved my hand and saw Kabir off.

“If you ever like me, feel free to tell me―I’ll think about it!”

“Keep it down!”

Kabir left in a huff.

‘He’s kind of cute.’

Indeed, cuteness is the best trait in a man.

* * *

After the ball, I fell asleep as if I had passed out. Going to a crowded place after a while was extremely tiring.

Then suddenly, I woke up.

‘…What’s this?’

It was the first time I woke up so abruptly.

I tried to go back to sleep, but sleep wouldn’t come.

Maybe some night air will help me sleep. I wasn’t sure if it was okay to wander around, but I got up from the bed anyway.

I casually threw on a cardigan and went outside.

“……?”

At the same time, I ran into Eric, who was standing in front of the room next door.

Eric looked surprised to see me suddenly come out at this early hour.

I was a bit startled too, but I casually called out to Eric.

“Eric.”

“…Lady.”

Eric greeted me with a smile.

It was the first time we were alone together since that day. The day Eric was setting the mood to confess.

Back then, it wasn’t broadcasting time, so I had cut it off deliberately, and even now, it wasn’t a time when broadcasting was possible.

But somehow, I just wanted to listen to him. I thought it was because I was groggy from waking up.

“Eric, if you have something you want to say, feel free to speak.”

“Hm?”

“You said you had something to say, but I cut you off.”

At that, Eric’s expression changed slightly.

Then, he gave a bitter smile.

“No, it’s okay.”