Chapter Title: A Forced Choice
Beneath his furrowed eyebrows, his golden eyes trembled from time to time. He danced in silence. Adele was dragged around like a doll. At first, she was able to endure, but gradually her body began to tremble. Cesare didn't even notice. He didn't stop dancing for a moment, like a madman, whether Adele stumbled or not.
_How laughable._ To make a person feel like nothing in just an hour.
Exhausted, Adele whispered.
"I..."
"......"
"You don't like me that much."
Cesare looked down at Adele with cold eyes. He tightened his grip on their clasped hands.
"Hmm."
"......"
Adele pursed her lips again and again, barely biting back words.
"...I turned down your offer."
Her foot, which had been staggering for some time, slipped out of one shoe. Cesare held her tighter. It wasn't even a waltz posture anymore.
"Hmm."
The man's answer made Adele laugh inwardly. She shut her mouth for a moment and looked around. There were anxious and surprised glances everywhere. _Cesare has a certain personality, but he doesn't seem to have done anything like this before._
Adele laughed again. _After all, it's me he doesn't like._ She knew that Cesare was particularly harsh with her. In his eyes, she was the lowest of the low. _Yet pretty enough that it was apparently irresistible._
It was only physically laughable. Eponi was right. Anything Cesare wanted would come true.
"Brother."
Adele said softly.
"I will accept your offer."
The dancing stopped. Cesare lowered his head to look at Adele. There was no expression. His arm was slowly descending, so Adele calmly released her hold.
"I'll accept the offer. How much will you pay?"
"......"
The man remained silent. Except for his slightly widened eyes, his face was frighteningly cold and hard. He was silent for a long time, then his eyes flashed.
"Because of Ezra?"
"......"
_No. It's because of you. You're right. The chastity of a shoeshine girl is worthless. It's best to sell it at a high price._ Of course, she might cry one night, but it would be forgotten in a lifetime.
_It's my choice, so it's alright._
Adele smiled faintly, repeating the opium-like resolution.
"Yes. He said that since he's the second son, he has nothing to inherit. I hope my dowry will help. He said he would be a good husband."
"......"
Cesare stared at Adele without answering. Even caught in the fierce gold of his face, she could glimpse something within. To be honest, Adele was afraid he might kill her right then and there. His eyes held that quality.
The music and dancing around them had stopped. Everyone was curious about this conversation and watched Cesare standing motionless.
At one point, Cesare's eyes dimmed.
"...Is that all?"
"......"
"Do you like Ezra?"
Adele's eyes widened at the unexpected question.
"Prince Cesare!"
Ezra burst into the ballroom. The knights chasing him could be seen behind. Ezra strode over and threw a punch at Cesare without hesitation. There were short screams here and there. Cesare staggered from the sudden attack.
"How much do you have to torment her before you're satisfied? You bastard!"
Ezra exclaimed. He looked ready to continue the fight at any moment, but he turned straight to Adele.
"Miss Adelaide. Are you alright? Can you walk?"
Adele froze in surprise and looked down at her feet. A pair of shoes missing somewhere. Blistered, burst, crushed feet. Fatigue swept over her all at once. Adele staggered, breathing heavily. Ezra took her in his arms.
Luca della Valle belatedly appeared and roared.
"Ezra! What have you done to Prince Cesare...!"
"......"
Meanwhile, Cesare straightened his posture and wiped his torn lip. Contrary to expectations that he would immediately retaliate, there was no response. While everyone stood at a loss, only Ezra spoke to Adele.
"Let's go, Miss Adelaide."
"Wait a moment."
Adele refused Ezra's arm and said to Cesare:
"...Let me know through Eponi. I'm always available."
"......"
Those sunken eyes stared at Adele. She watched him for a moment, then limped out of the ballroom.
---
Entering through the back door of the Della Valle villa, Palmina adjusted her cloak with dissatisfaction.
"It's the innermost room on the second floor, decorated with blue hydrangeas in front of the door."
The maid sent by Lucrezia said this and quickly left. Her hasty step was disrespectful. _She doesn't even arrange a proper meeting—I have to go to her room._ Adelaide was bad enough, but Lucrezia was also bothersome.
Palmina gritted her teeth as she entered the villa. It was empty with everyone gathered in the ballroom. She was about to muffle her footsteps and go up to the second floor.
"Who's there?"
At the sudden sound of a man's voice, Palmina jumped. She turned around to see Ezra supporting Adelaide. _Where is she hurt?_ Palmina, who had thought Adelaide would be in her room, panicked. Ezra's usually meek mauve eyes turned fierce at the sight.
"If you don't reveal your identity, I'll call for security."
"It's me, it's me!"
Palmina hastily removed her cloak.
"Madame Palmina?"
Ezra frowned but let down his guard. Adelaide stared in surprise.
"I was just supposed to meet Miss Adelaide! Don't misunderstand."
"With Miss Adelaide?"
Ezra looked down at her. Adelaide, her face weary, said with some surprise.
"I don't know about this..."
Palmina panicked.
"Think about it! Didn't Miss Lucrezia tell you!"
"I haven't heard of it."
Palmina's eyes blazed.
"Don't pretend you don't know! Do you think I'll be fooled by your act again!"
Ezra frowned, shielding Adelaide from Palmina.
"Madame Palmina. Miss Adelaide is unwell. We'll talk about this another time."
"Tell me to come here again! Ha! This is absurd! Or call Miss Lucrezia!"
"Lucrezia is resting after preparing for the ball. I couldn't disturb her."
"So I'm lying? Is that it? Did I sneak into Della Valle like a rat!"
Still, there was much pent up from the series of events. When Della Valle's unremarkable second son annoyed her, her voice rose. Ezra spoke very firmly, perhaps because Adelaide seemed unwell beside him.
"That's what it looks like, so please leave for today."
"...Ha! Ha ha! You can't treat me this way! I'm a Priori!"
"Congratulations. I won't see you out."
"You...!"
Ezra ignored Palmina and lifted Adelaide in his arms. Then he climbed the stairs, wary of the possibility that Palmina might harm her.
"Ugh...!"
Palmina, left behind, stood there in a daze, her face contorted.
_Lucrezia, you wretch...!_
---
Adele sat down on the bed in the guest room. Eponi had gone out to fetch water to wash her feet.
"I'd really like to stay with you..."
"No, Lord Ezra. That's fine. Eponi will be back soon, and I want to rest."
Ezra looked at her with pleading, deer-like eyes, but Adele needed time alone.
"Then if you need anything, please call for me."
Polite Ezra smiled wryly and turned away.
_Phew..._
Adele sighed and lay back on the bed. At last, she had told Cesare what she had finally resolved at the Della Valle villa. She muttered to herself. _That's alright. I'll have a very large mansion. I'm sure I'll be happy..._
"......"
Her fists clenched. She was swallowing something that had risen to her throat.
_Run away._
Adele's eyes widened at the now-familiar whisper. _Run away?_
Before she could understand it, the door opened again. Adele, thinking it was Ezra, hurried to sit up.
"Lord Ezra? Even though you said you'd leave..."
Adele stopped when she saw the figure in the room. It was the first time she had seen this man. His appearance was ordinary, and the fact that he was smiling was somewhat unusual. Adele watched blankly as the servant closed the door in a nonchalant manner.
_Why does a servant enter a guest room without knocking? Especially a lady's room?_
"......"
The moment chills and realization struck her head, the man turned to Adele with a smile.