"How is it, Olivia? How does it feel to receive your first vow?"
Even as Leopold called my name affectionately, the corners of his mouth twitched.
Whenever there's something he doesn't like, that's the sign I see.
Whenever that happened, I'd always tried my best to make Leopold feel better—as if I'd done something wrong.
I started to move toward Leopold out of habit, then stopped.
As I lightly squeezed the Grand Duke's hand, the stiff expression on his face softened.
One of Leopold's eyebrows rose crookedly as he watched that scene.
"Your Highness."
The Grand Duke—who positioned himself protectively in front of me—spoke so kindly that the nickname "Slaughter Demon" seemed absurd.
He was the exact opposite of Leopold, who stood with a sharp, ferocious stance.
"If you don't have anything else to do, please step aside. I was about to have my first dance with the lady to whom I gave my vow."
"Just as my fiancée received her first vow, I'd like to claim the first dance, Grand Duke."
Contrary to his hardened voice, Leopold looked at me with gently widened eyes.
"...Liv."
A friendly voice called my nickname.
At that moment, my heart pounded.
It's the first time I've been called by that nickname since Mother died.
My heart beat violently. Leopold smiled brilliantly—just like when I was eleven years old, when he'd been my shining salvation so long ago.
I almost moved without realizing it.
"You always wanted to have your first dance with me."
It really would have been like that—if not for those words that felt like red warning lines.
The phrase "first dance" reminded me of my debutante.
Of course, I'd stood next to Leopold that day. And Leopold had taken the hand of the Marquis of Nordic's daughter, leaving me alone.
Nevertheless, now Leopold was confident.
The sight of Leopold naturally extending his hand without even a single request. Calling my nickname without asking for permission.
Am I that easy to Leopold?
Even though he'd come with Maria Ethel, he declared I was his fiancée. He pretended not to know about the cards and flowers—which the chamberlain must have told him he never sent.
In this way, he makes me into nothing.
I felt infinitely depressed. I tried to gather my thoughts.
Without time to think about what would happen next, I slowly parted my lips:
"This is a victory banquet celebrating war heroes, Your Highness."
"...Liv?"
As if he couldn't believe it, Leopold called out to me again.
I held my head higher than ever before.
I don't know if the anger in Leopold's bright blue eyes is directed at the situation or at me—but I don't want to care anymore. I'm so tired today.
"I will dance my first dance with His Highness the Grand Duke first."
As if the timing were perfect, the Grand Duke gently escorted me forward.
One step. Two steps.
Oh—I briefly turned toward Leopold as if I'd just remembered something.
Then I spoke politely to Leopold, who was looking at me with arrogant disbelief:
"Your Highness, please enjoy your first dance with Lady Ethel behind you."
Leopold's face distorted.
I headed toward the center of the banquet hall, holding the Grand Duke's hand.
My heart was pounding like it would explode.
I pushed Leopold away for the first time.
An unknown emotion filled my heart.
"Isn't it heavy?"
"Pardon?"
"That sword."
The Grand Duke winked with a smile on his face.
Only then did I realize I was still holding the sword in one hand. I'd thought it would be heavy since it was full of jewels, but it was lighter than expected.
I shrugged my shoulders.
"You're right. I thought it would be heavy."
"If you don't feel the weight, you've discovered an incredible talent! How about it? Would you like to join our knights?"
I narrowed my eyes. The Grand Duke pretended not to notice and looked the other way innocently.
"Would you like me to hold it for you while we dance?"
I nodded, and the Grand Duke took the sword. One of his knights came forward and accepted it.
I could have sworn I heard a soft, pained groan at first glance.
Meanwhile, the Grand Duke bowed to the Emperor.
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. May I begin my first dance with the lady to whom I've given my vow?"
"...Of course. This is an occasion to celebrate. Let's continue the banquet."
The Emperor barely nodded, his mouth set in a firm line.
The band started playing again. Elegant melodies filled the banquet hall once more.
Meanwhile, the Emperor forced a smile.
Nursing his throbbing headache would come later.
---
In the middle of the banquet hall, I exhaled lightly.
My nervousness flashed across my otherwise composed face.
"Why are you trembling like this? Are you more nervous than when you accepted my oath earlier?"
"Is there anything more exciting than a first dance debut?"
"First dance?"
The Grand Duke seemed a little surprised and repeated my words.
I smiled faintly.
I'm a bit embarrassed—he's only the second person after Ethella not to know this fact.
The Grand Duke looked away for no apparent reason and blurted out:
"...Today is my first dance too."
"That's a problem, then."
I added seriously, not noticing the tips of his ears—covered by black hair—turning red:
"But don't worry too much. I've practiced a lot, so I won't step on your feet."
"Well, I don't think it would matter if my feet were stepped on by the heels of those shoes."
"...Pardon?"
I was speechless for a moment.
The Grand Duke spoke without the slightest change in his expression, even sighing softly as if truly regretful.
So shameless!
I unconsciously relaxed and smiled faintly.
Is this man really Grand Duke Vikander—rumored to be a murderer? He's so sly. So... cute.
"Ah—"
I suddenly floated in the air and made a small noise of surprise.
The Grand Duke lifted me and spun me around.
My eyes widened like a rabbit's as I landed lightly.
Just when I thought the Grand Duke's red eyes—looking at me—were getting darker, he drew close and whispered in my ear:
"What are you thinking about so seriously?"
He leaned in, then pulled away again with a natural smile.
I tried to erase the feeling of my ear tips growing hot and laughed leisurely:
"I feel like I've received a very precious gift."
"You recognize my worth! It's rewarding from the perspective of someone giving a gift."
The Grand Duke lifted his chin proudly, emotion revealed without hesitation on his face.
He had such a teasing expression that I pretended not to notice and changed my words:
"I was talking about the treasured sword 'Airaruten.'"
"You lift people up and then drop them?"
"Am I in a position to be lifted up?"
With perfect timing, the Grand Duke grabbed my waist and lifted me again.
I never knew floating felt this good. I never imagined dancing a waltz breathlessly would feel so refreshing.
I gently closed my eyes, my hair blowing lazily.
The Grand Duke, who had been watching my every expression, laughed along with me.
"You're good at telling jokes."
"Me?"
My eyes widened as he brought our hands together.
"This is my first time hearing that."
Among the many words used to describe me, there's never been one saying I'm good at jokes. 'Stiff' and 'uninteresting' would be more accurate.
"What do you mean 'witty'? Not even once."
"Hmm. Everyone around you must have sprained eyes, then."
I burst out laughing at the Grand Duke's serious face.
It's really strange. Is it because this is my first time laughing at a banquet? Or is it because of this man who makes me laugh no matter what he says?
Behind the smiling Grand Duke, I could see the faces of nobles watching us.
One side of my chest felt cool.
It was only then that I realized how significant the oath he'd given truly was.
Now my honor will be directly tied to the Grand Duke's honor. The Grand Duke's name will always be mentioned alongside mine—which is already being dragged through gossip everywhere.
To avoid harming someone, I'd distanced myself from Ethella.
When I think of harming someone who's been so sweet to me... I get scared.
The Grand Duke looked at me as my smile faded, then murmured:
"What is it?"
"...It's okay to take it back."
"Hmm? Princess, about that oath... taking it back..."
I hesitated while speaking.
My best option would be to have another discussion about my attire so the Grand Duke could retract his oath.
But I felt strangely reluctant.
If we take it back like that, eventually there will be no more of this friendly coincidence. It's obvious this short relationship would end just like that.
My lips wouldn't separate easily.
The smile disappeared from the Grand Duke's face—which had bloomed brightly like a rose in spring.
When his gorgeous face became expressionless, it created the illusion that the temperature around him was dropping.
Baron Howard Interfield, the knight who followed the Grand Duke, presented the treasured sword back to him.
The sword gave off a cold energy that seemed to freeze everything.
"Your Highness, here."
However, the Grand Duke—who was now one of only two people who could calm this sword—looked toward the middle of the banquet hall and muttered without paying attention to the blade:
"Why on earth is the waltz song set to such a short time?"
Winster Calter, a brown-haired man who came running with an urgent look, spoke softly enough for only the Grand Duke to hear:
"Because partners have to change, Your Highness."
"I heard you'd bend down one last time for the sake of the mine, but—"
"Why should I change partners?"
"Pardon? What about the mine? Your Highness!"
The Grand Duke seemed not to hear what the flustered Winster was saying.
Instead, he looked toward the center of the banquet hall.
The Crown Prince walked toward me with confident steps.
He noticed Leopold's uniform—the same color as mine—showing off that he was my partner.
The Grand Duke's eyes darkened at the sight.
He's too young to die by the sword.
Winster, startled, took several steps away. But the Grand Duke's gaze remained focused solely on one person.
"No way..."
Winster muttered, and Howard nodded slightly.
The easiest strategy—to approach the Princess who owns the White Crystal Mine—has ended in vain.
However, the Grand Duke must have planned a different strategy. To snatch victory under any circumstances. Because that's what the Grand Duke has always done.
---
The music changed again.
Standing in the middle of the banquet hall, I straightened my back.
It's always been a banquet where I stayed near the wall—but not like today.
"It looks like you had fun."
Leopold held out his hand to me as if it were natural.
"...Yes, Your Highness."
I placed my hand on his.
Then I asked while looking directly at Leopold:
"Your Highness—did you enjoy yourself?"