A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 6

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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06.
The reception had finally begun.
On this long-awaited first day, a grand ball was held in Eve Palace, the largest and most magnificent hall in Sincester.
Yet even as Leonard Blake entered the ballroom, dancing was the last thing on his mind.
His nation, Blake—a realm governed by the law of the jungle—lacked the psychological and material abundance to indulge in such frivolities, and so neither did he.
Besides, there was the matter of his poor waltzing skills.
Convinced that the women would despise him anyway for his “cold gaze” and Blake’s “notorious reputation,” he pressed himself against the wall the moment he stepped inside.
It was then that William approached and spoke to him in hushed tones.
“Your Highness, Sincester’s intelligence network has investigated the route we took to arrive here.”
“You mean crossing the Lesher Desert?”
William nodded quietly, and Leonard’s eyes gleamed with cold calculation.
He lifted his gaze toward the dais, where King Erdan sat observing the hall.
Even as the king conversed with the Saint beside him, his eyes remained fixed on Leonard with the sharpness of a spear.
Leonard pretended not to notice that piercing stare and accepted the champagne William offered, bringing it to his lips.
“Have they discovered that we’ve found and secured it?”
“It doesn’t appear so, but they’ve clearly realized our purpose here extends beyond merely attending this reception.”
….
Leonard was about to take a sip of champagne when—
“Your Highness, why not propose to the Princess today?”
Cough!
At William’s words, Leonard couldn’t help but spit out his champagne.
The young noble ladies who had been eyeing Leonard for his “cold gaze” looked momentarily startled at the outburst.
Leonard offered them an awkward smile before turning to William with a menacing whisper.
“Have you lost your mind?”
“However, Your Highness, if you were to propose to Charlotte, many problems would be resolved.”
William continued calmly with his reasoning.
“Demian has already sent a proposal. Shouldn’t we counter with our own move to level the playing field?”
….
“And instead of using teleportation, we can convince them that crossing the Lesher Desert was meant to demonstrate your masculinity. There are plenty of such fools among men, after all.”
“You want me to become one of those fools?”
“If we’re to avoid suspicion.”
Leonard laughed once more.
Though his hawk-like gaze cast a chilling atmosphere, William knew this laughter carried no rejection.
“And through frequent meetings for the courtship, you might even have tea with her. Perhaps you could glean clues about the sacred relic. After all, Your Highness, your face is at least passable.”
“At least passable?”
Leonard set his champagne on the table and chuckled softly.
“Still, I dislike it. What if I propose and the Princess actually accepts? A proposal isn’t something to be done on impulse.”
If the Princess had any sense, she wouldn’t marry His Highness….
William muttered this under his breath, though fortunately his temperamental superior didn’t hear.
He cleared his throat a couple of times before retrieving a wrapped box he’d prepared beforehand from his pocket and offering it forward.
“Then perhaps we could have a conversation instead. I’ve heard the Princess cannot use holy power. It would make for a most welcome gift.”
* * *
The curtain rose on the first ball of the birthday celebration.
Erdan had always escorted me at receptions, but not this time.
With guests from foreign lands in attendance, Erdan had to remain at the head table, commanding respect as the continent’s sole Pope.
Therefore, my escort for the evening would be Cedric—the Kingdom’s only Duke, my brother’s right hand, and Commander of the Holy Knight Order.
As I descended from the Princess Palace into the Garden, I spotted Cedric waiting for me.
He was precisely as the author had painstakingly described the male lead—absolutely dazzling.
His hair swept back sleekly resembled the pitch-black night sky, while his glass-like blue eyes were sharp yet somehow serene.
His refined forehead, straight nose, and delicate jawline conveyed both the gentleness of a virtuous priest and the integrity of an unbending blade.
The white dress uniform buttoned to his neck, silver cloak, golden baton, and sword completed the picture perfectly.
“Your Highness, it is an honor.”
Yet he seemed robotic.
The saying that even the most handsome face cannot endear itself if the personality is as cold as ice—one need only experience Cedric to understand it.
I could no longer bear to look upon such a beautiful face, incurable in its aloofness, and I bit back a silent grimace.
“Yes, it’s a lovely morning.”
“Shall we depart?”
Cedric extended his hand to me, and I placed mine upon his as we walked toward the carriage.
Nine years had passed, and by now I had grown accustomed to his escort—dining together, sharing tea, even dancing with him in the Ballroom.
Yet there was one thing I could never grow accustomed to: being alone with him in an enclosed space.
So today as well, the moment I stepped into the carriage, I fixed my gaze out the window, my mind wandering.
That was when it happened.
“Your Highness.”
Cedric’s voice cut through the quiet stillness.
“Yes? Oh, yes.”
Unable to hide my flustered state, I stammered and turned from the window to face him.
He was watching me, having set down the weekly publication he had been reading.
“I hear you have many suitors. Have you made a decision?”
It was difficult to discern what emotion lay beneath his quiet question.
“No, not yet.”
“…Among them, there is not a single person truly worthy of Your Highness.”
“I think so too.”
At my refreshingly candid reply, Cedric’s eyes widened for a moment before he covered his mouth.
“That is certainly an answer befitting Your Highness.”
“But I’m serious. I don’t think I’m wasted on any of them.”
“Then who do you believe would be the most suitable match in this entire Kingdom?”
“Does that matter to the Duke?”
At my sudden question as the inquiry grew deeper, Cedric’s mouth snapped shut.
In the silence that followed, I furrowed my brow.
We had never spoken so much inside the carriage before, so this situation felt genuinely unfamiliar.
“Your Grace?”
The carriage slowed gradually, and a trumpet fanfare sounded from outside. The sound of footsteps approaching the carriage reached my ears.
“Duke Cedric, the illustrious Princess of Sincester. Many distinguished guests await you in the Reception Hall.”
“Your Grace, we’ve arrived at our destination.”
What had he been trying to say?
I gazed quietly at Cedric. He hesitated for a moment, then opened the door and extended his hand to me.
“Your Highness, shall we descend?”
“Yes… of course.”
We walked slowly toward the Ballroom. As we passed through the entrance and made our way down the red carpet to the center of the hall, Cedric spoke softly.
“Before this evening ends, might I have the honor of seeing you again? I wish to finish what I was unable to say earlier.”
“Very well.”
“Thank you.”
Before we parted, he brought my hand to his lips.
I heard gasps ripple through the onlookers, but I suppressed a quiet laugh within myself.
He feels nothing for me. This is merely courtesy.
Applause erupted loudly from all around.
The moment Erdan and Aurora caught sight of Cedric and me, they rose from their seats hand in hand and descended.
“Now then, our guests of honor have arrived. Shall we begin the ball?”
With those words, Erdan politely requested the first dance from Aurora. He had fired the opening salvo.
In an instant, gentlemen vied with one another to extend their hands to their partners and stepped into the center of the hall, while those who had come alone rushed toward me.
“Your Highness, might I have the honor of dancing with you…?”
“Are you aware that I arrived in this Kingdom first?”
“Your Highness, we are members of the Allied Nations bound by mutual defense treaties.”
So even wrapped in garbage, it made no difference?
My mind grew hazy, but I forced myself to smile.
“How delightful. But first, would you gentlemen mind forming a line? I must write your names in my dance card…”
At my words, as though I had issued a command, the gentlemen lined up in perfect order.
I cast a glance toward the distant Cedric.
True to his reputation as the “great catch of society,” Duke Cedric was surrounded by numerous noblewomen eager to secure a match for their daughters.
Why had he asked such a question earlier? He seemed utterly indifferent to my marriage prospects.
But my musings on Cedric were interrupted by Prince Louis, who extended his hand to me.
“Princess Charlotte of Sincester, would you honor me with a dance?”
“With pleasure.”
I donned my practiced smile and placed my hand in the Prince’s, walking out onto the floor.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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