Chapter 142
A lavish ball hosted by the Izakhel Duke Family was in full swing. It was an event so grand that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say every family in the empire was in attendance. Well, except for the notorious “that family,” of course.
The prestige of the Duke’s family was sky-high. The number of nobles visiting on a regular day was already considerable, but during the ball, it was even more overwhelming. Just greeting each one of them individually was enough to leave Bella utterly exhausted. And it wasn’t just because of her status as the Duke’s daughter.
Being pretty is a crime, huh…?
It’s an annoying thing to say, but Bella had been beautiful since birth. To put it simply, she was the embodiment of “natural beauty.” Her silver hair always shimmered effortlessly, and her features had been striking even as a child. Who wouldn’t call her pretty?
By the time she turned ten, Bella had received countless marriage proposals from various families. Rumors of her being the most beautiful in the empire were widespread, so whenever a ball was held, numerous young men would flock to ask her for a dance.
Dancing? Of course, she loved it. She’d dance whenever she got the chance. After all, Bella had learned to dance before she could even walk properly.
But… she didn’t want to dance with strangers. No, everyone was too busy flirting with her to focus on the dance itself. Enduring that was fine for a day or two, but eventually, Bella decided not to dance with anyone at the balls. No matter who asked, she would refuse, but the more she did, the more persistent the men became. Still, Bella hardened her heart. If she was going to start rejecting people, she might as well reject every man in the world.
Then, one day when she was twelve, Bella ended up dancing with a strange boy for the first time in a long while. She regretted it almost immediately.
“Ouch!?”
The boy’s shoe had firmly stepped on her foot. How many times was this now!? Trying to suppress her bubbling frustration, Bella spoke up.
“You… didn’t you say you were good at dancing?”
“I never said that.”
“Huh?”
He never said that? What kind of nonsense is this? Bella quietly replayed the boy’s words in her mind. But indeed, the boy had only asked her to dance. Wait, is this guy for real?
“Are you seriously a beginner?! Are you messing with me right now?”
“No. I just wanted to dance with you.”
“Ugh… seriously…! Ouch?! You stepped on me again?! Unbelievable!”
The boy answered nonchalantly.
“You should’ve dodged.”
“…Would you like to dodge my fist later?”
Bella clenched her teeth, forcing herself to keep smiling. To others, the two probably looked like a perfect pair. The cold-faced noble boy and the beautiful girl, dancing like a fairy of the night, captivated everyone’s attention.
Among the many people dancing in the ballroom, the two of them definitely stood out. Of course, that was only from a distance…
Trying not to show her irritation, Bella spoke.
“If you step on my foot, at least apologize, you liar.”
After having her foot stepped on multiple times, she felt like crying. No, she was already tearing up a little. If she showed her tears, even this emotionless boy might soften up a bit. But that was Bella’s miscalculation.
“I don’t say sorry to anyone.”
“…What did you say?!”
Is this guy for real? How far is he planning to push her buttons? Just as Bella was about to snap back, the boy gestured with his eyes.
“Calm down and look over there.”
Where he pointed, Bella’s father, Duke Fred Izakhel, was dancing with a new partner. Fred led his partner gracefully, matching their steps.
Taking a step back carefully. Soon, the initially clumsy partner began to follow his lead skillfully. It was always a marvel to watch his dancing.
“Someone who’s truly good at dancing adjusts to their partner.”
“So…?”
“Meaning, you’re the one who can’t dance.”
“Ah… I see. Got it. Hahaha…”
Now, she didn’t even have the energy to get angry. Of all the weirdos, she had to run into this one. Why did she agree to dance with this boy? She regretted it deeply, but it was too late now.
Bella looked at the boy in front of her. He seemed around her age. If he dressed as a girl, he’d probably pass as one, maybe even prettier than most girls. He was like a doll-like, beautiful boy.
But what Bella found strangely captivating was his eyes. A cold gaze unlike any other boy his age, with black pupils that paradoxically held a transparent, icy clarity.
Every time Bella looked into those eyes, she felt like she was peering into a deep abyss beyond the ice.
But that was just his appearance. After exchanging a few words, she realized it. This guy was on another level of crazy. A good-looking lunatic.
‘Sigh…’
No. Losing her temper would mean losing. For the sake of the Izakhel Duke Family’s dignity, she had to maintain her composure. Absolutely.
The song playing in the ballroom transitioned to the next one. The dancers, who had been moving clockwise, now began to dance counterclockwise. Bella sighed and spoke.
“Haa… Since we agreed to dance together, let’s at least try to match our steps. But only until this song ends.”
“Alright.”
“But did you really want to dance with me that badly? Even lying about it?”
“I didn’t lie.”
“Oh, sure, sure. That’s what all liars say. Right?”
As she grumbled, something caught her eye.
“Oh? That’s a pretty bracelet.”
“Bracelet…?”
The boy tilted his head, looking at the unfamiliar bracelet on his left wrist. It was woven with red thread. Maybe it was just Bella’s mood, but the red bracelet seemed to be gradually turning black at the edges.
“Time isn’t exactly on our side…”
“Hmm… Feeling disappointed? That our dance is ending so soon?”
The boy shrugged.
“No. Luckily, time flows slower ‘here.’”
“Huh? But you know, you’re really strange.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why aren’t you using honorifics with me?”
She had been curious about it for a while. Why didn’t this boy use honorifics like everyone else? Bella had let it slide because of a lingering possibility.
“Have we met before?”
“No. We just met today.”
“Then, do you not know who I am?”
“Everyone here knows who you are.”
“Then what’s your deal? How dare you not use honorifics with me?”
At Bella’s pointed question, the boy thought for a moment before answering.
“…I just felt like it.”
“Huh?”
“I felt like I’ve known you for a long time.”
Normally, she would’ve laughed at such a cheesy line, but Bella couldn’t. The moment she heard his words, she was overwhelmed by an indescribable emotion.
‘This is weird…’
Why does my heart feel so restless? Why does it ache so much?
As if shaking off that mysterious emotion, Bella cleared her throat.
“Ahem… It’s a bit chilly. I almost slipped.”
“Slipped…?”
“Never mind. By the way, have you been paying attention while dancing with me?”
As Bella said, Tristan had been glancing at the people dancing around them.
“Why are you looking at the people around us?”
“Just… feeling ‘jealous.’”
“Jealous?”
“Yeah. If I danced better than everyone here, I might’ve been able to match your steps.”
This side of him is kinda cute. Maybe I’ll be a little generous since he seems pitiful.
“If that’s the case, should I teach you a little? Even though there’s not much time left before the song ends, I’ll make an exception—”
“No need. I’ve already learned.”
“Huh? What did you learn? Wait…”
Bella realized she hadn’t been stepped on. Not only that, but she was also dancing naturally in sync with the boy.
“What’s going on…?”
Bella’s dancing hadn’t changed. It was the boy’s movements that had shifted. Like the opposite piece of a puzzle, he skillfully avoided her steps while exchanging movements with her.
As Bella stood bewildered, the boy spoke.
“I learn quickly. ‘Jealousy’ is my power.”
“No, that’s not how jealousy works…”
Just as they were almost perfectly in sync, the music stopped. Right before the next song began, the musicians took a break. People around them were either switching partners or stepping out to rest. In the midst of it all, the boy extended his hand to Bella.
“…Do you want to dance a little more?”
“Pfft…”
She couldn’t help but laugh. His shameless request was endearing. More than that, realizing that his boldness was just a way to hide his reluctance to part, she felt like she could understand him a little.
Bella took his hand.
“……Just one more song.”
Soon, the next song began to play. For the two of them, it was the start of their final dance.
Bella took the first step. There was a chance he might not follow, but…
“It’s fine. Just dance as you usually do.”
“Hmm…”
Well, if that’s the case…
Bella put strength into her ankles and spun. His hand supported her waist as if he had been waiting for her movement. His gaze remained fixed on Bella’s eyes.
Compared to the beginning, his movements were now unbelievably smooth. He responded instantly to Bella’s unpredictable dance.
“…You really are a liar.”
“What do you mean?”
“This isn’t your first time dancing, is it?”
She shot him a cold glare, but the boy remained unfazed.
“It really is my first time.”
“Hmph… I knew you wouldn’t admit it. But I’ll let it slide this time.”
Bella smiled softly.
“Because you wanted to dance with me.”
Their movements were now almost perfectly in sync. Of course, the boy’s skills were nowhere near her father, Duke Fred Izakhel’s, but they were at least on par with Bella’s.
The boy understood Bella’s movements and was always ready to follow her lead.
When their eyes met, Bella gave a faint smile.
“Hehe… I think I know what you’re thinking right now.”
“…?”
“You were thinking I’m pretty, right? Admit it.”
“…If you hadn’t said that, maybe I would’ve.”
“Oh, come on…”
She couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe it was because she hadn’t danced in a while.
She felt happy. It was like her gray daily life was being painted with vibrant colors. Bella found herself wanting to stay in this happiness for a long, long time.
But that moment was fleeting. As Bella held his hand and spun, the music stopped. The applause that followed was immediate.
Clap clap clap—!
“Huh? What?”
She had been so focused on dancing that she hadn’t noticed the crowd watching them. They were applauding the two.
“As expected of the Princess!”
“Truly a magnificent dance!”
She felt a bit embarrassed. Suddenly, the boy beside her was walking away without looking back.
“Wait a second.”
Bella grabbed his shoulder and asked.
“What’s your name?”
Come to think of it, she didn’t even know his name yet.
“Don’t you remember? I said I’d tell you after we danced.”
“Hmm. That’s right…”
The boy approached Bella and whispered softly in her ear.
“I’m Tristan Ruelberta.”
His voice was calm.
“The man who came to wake you from this dream.”
“Dream…?”
The moment she realized it, the scenery froze. The applause, the people clapping—everything stopped.
But that wasn’t the only change.
“…Who are you?”
By the time Bella noticed, the boy in front of her had disappeared, replaced by a man standing there. A black-haired noble who looked just like the boy. His name was…
“Tristan… no, Count?”
Bella remembered.
“Why, why are you here…? No, why am I here…?”
“Don’t worry. You’re just dreaming.”
“Ah…”
As her body weakened and she was about to collapse, Tristan caught her.
Right. This was definitely my dream…
Her vision blurred as she sank into a haze. It felt like her memories were slipping away somewhere.
“Wait for me in the dream.”
In her fading consciousness, Tristan spoke.
“No matter which dream you’re in…”
And Bella heard his final words clearly.
“I’ll definitely come to wake you.”
