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I was surprised by Archduke Richard's answer, and my legs trembled.
Of course, I wasn't surprised that I was his first dance partner.
But the look of the Archduke, as he stared at me, seemed strange, and my thoughts stopped. في The End، انحنيتُ للأمام ودفنتُ رأسي في صدره.
"Yes …!"
His embrace exuded a refreshing minty scent.
His scent rushed into my lungs, instantly engulfing my body, making my scalp stand up.
This dizzy feeling, which I was not familiar with, immediately sent a throbbing sensation down my neck.
I felt as if his scent had covered my ears, shoulders, and spine.
My heart beat hard.
This wasn't the first time I'd been this close to the Archduke, but today, I felt extremely embarrassed.
“By the way, you're constantly falling.
Aren't your legs really thin?”
It was Archduke Richard who caught me stumbling.
His voice was dry as usual.
I barely raised my eyes and looked at his face closely, to find him frowning, thinking deeply about something.
Maybe he was upset that I tripped twice and had to catch me.
“Even a newborn deer will be stronger than you.”
Benedict muttered frustrated.
But his complaining was not noticed, as the temperature was rising wherever he held me.
“I...I'm fine now...”
I managed to calm myself and raise my head, but I froze.
Archduke Richard's face, reflected in my eyes, looked very handsome.
Of course, I knew he was already handsome, but this moment seemed different.
“Hmm.
I think I should ask Lady Perona to prepare some black bear bile from the bear I caught.”
The Archduke frowned slightly and muttered quietly to himself.
But all I heard was a ringing sound in my ears.
His face, as he muttered something, seemed strangely bright and attractive...
“Oh, no!”
Slap!
Before my thoughts could turn to stranger things, I let out a single scream and slapped my cheeks with both hands.
To think these offensive thoughts towards a customer?
It was unbelievable.
The Archduke's shoulders trembled for a moment at my sudden action.
Then he nodded.
"Yes.
Bear bile can be a little scary.
But it actually tastes delicious.
If you don't like bitterness, why don't you try eating paws..."
“I'm going to get some fresh air.”
I lowered my head and quickly pushed him away with both hands.
If I faced him like this, something truly terrifying would happen.
Like a penalty for breach of contract...
“No, but, it is good for your health...”
I heard the Archduke mutter something frowningly behind me, but I turned and continued walking without thinking.
My heart was still beating fast, helpless.
The fever that was rising did not subside until I left the hall and breathed fresh air.
“Huh...”
I exhaled deeply and leaned against the white stone wall.
The door I came out of seemed to lead into the backyard of the palace.
In contrast to the magnificent facade of the palace, illuminated by bright lanterns everywhere, it was deserted and dark.
“It's not my fault, it's that man's fault.
Why did he suddenly open his eyes like that...”
I thought of the Archduke's crimson eyes staring at me.
Until now, whenever I saw those piercing red eyes, I always thought of them as a fierce crimson, a color befitting his nickname, ‘The Killer’.
But those eyes previously looked like a warm sunset...
“Stop!”
I held my head in my hands, trying to stop the thoughts that kept coming to me, words that did not suit Archduke Richard.
“That girl should never have been allowed to be here!”
At that moment, a sharp sound echoed in the darkness, stopping me in my tracks.
Another angry voice followed.
“No matter what you say, mother, Vivian is my wife.”
Oh, my God…!
I quickly covered my mouth to stifle the exclamation that escaped me.
The two arguing in the darkness were the Empress and Crown Prince Lawrence.
'I wondered where they disappeared to!'
I clenched my fists when I heard this sudden statement.
No matter how confused I was, I couldn't forget the true purpose of today's party.
Find evidence of the real culprit who killed Vivienne's father, Baron Hayden.
I held my breath as I overheard their conversation.
“Ha!
Yes, a wife you brought yourself.
You dared to do that knowing what kind of man her father is!”
“It has nothing to do with Vivian.”
“How do you think I would feel if I married that man’s daughter?”
“What makes you so arrogant, mom?”
“What did you just say?”
"Ha.
I didn't know you'd be like this.
Could it be him-"
Lawrence spoke as if he knew something about the relationship between the Empress and Baron Haydn.
'Could you be the Empress?'
A gasp escaped my closed mouth.
I listened intently, awaiting the empress's decisive testimony.
It was a moment worth the effort of attending a summer party.
Swish -
At that crucial moment, a suspicious sound rose from the dense bushes of the garden.
The Empress and Lawrence must have sensed it, for their usual conversation suddenly stopped.
'Why at this crucial moment...!'
I sighed inwardly and bit my lip.
The Empress and Lawrence, with their mouths closed, looked towards the source of the sound.
They were both tense and had a sharp expression.
Then, there was a sound like the sound of a sword being drawn from Lawrence's belt.
For a moment, my heart sank.
'Is it possible that they are trying to assassinate the witness?'
This wasn't a joke.
I don't know for sure, but perhaps one of the Empress and Lawrence killed someone at least once.
Maybe I too would be stabbed with that sword if I was caught eavesdropping on their conversation.
I trembled in fear, cowered, and felt helpless.
“Ah, what would you do if someone saw us?”
“I told you no one comes here!”
“Hey, I can never stop you.”
The sound coming from behind the rustling bushes was a mixture of coquetry and heat.
It looked as if a couple, a little drunk from the party, had gone out to enjoy a secret rendezvous in a secluded place.
“Haa.”
Lawrence also realized the identity of the uninvited guest.
He paused in his steps toward the bushes, a light laugh slipping through his teeth as the tension seemed to subside.
Finally, Lawrence slowly turned back towards the Empress.
Finally, he leaned close to the Empress and whispered in a low voice.
“If you're going to hide it, you better hide it well.
There are no eternal secrets.”
It was a profound statement.
I held my breath and pressed myself against the wall, trying to avoid being seen by Lawrence and the Empress.
Then, suddenly, a large shadow loomed over me.
“What are you doing here?”
“...!”
I was startled by the faint voice, so I quickly raised my head, and then I saw Archduke Richard.
He stared at me as I pressed against the dark wall.
“I've been looking for you for a long time.”
His voice was somewhat confused.
It seemed as if he had searched for me in the Grand Palace for a long time.
I felt embarrassed, and I waved my hand in fear, signaling him to be silent.
But he simply frowned and tilted his head, seemingly oblivious to my suffering in the dark.
"What are you doing?
Have you been drinking without me knowing?"
Then, I heard a voice coming from the direction where Lawrence and the Empress were.
My heart sank for a moment.
I felt as if the night breeze carried the echo of the sound of a sharp metal blade echoing again.
Strange footsteps approached, undoubtedly Lawrence's.
At this moment, I didn't have time to think about anything else.
“The party's almost over, so maybe we should go back—ah!”
I took the Archduke by the collar as gently as I could, then pulled him towards me forcefully.
In an instant, his lips touched mine.