I Woke Up from Hibernation and Found a Husband - Chapter 70

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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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Chapter 70
Dozens of ornate carriages streamed endlessly toward the Imperial Palace, a luxurious procession of light that continued into the gradually darkening evening. Claire and Theodore were among them.
“We’ve arrived.”
The Coachman spoke respectfully, and Theodore rose first.
“There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
Theodore said this with a smile, but Claire noticed the tension in his eyes—different from his usual composure—and realized he was nervous too.
‘I suppose I’m not the only one experiencing such a grand event for the first time.’
Theodore’s entry into High Society had been delayed due to his illness, making this Hunting Festival essentially his first official engagement.
Claire observed him quietly, watching as he worked hard to appear composed for the sake of escorting his fiancée without discomfort.
He stepped out of the carriage and extended his hand. There was no tremor in that large hand, with its faintly visible tendons.
“Let’s go.”
At his words, Claire rose and placed her hand in his.
As she was drawn out of the carriage by his strength, she spoke.
“Yes, Theodore.”
Theodore’s eyes widened noticeably. Since arriving at the Convent, Claire had not called him Young Master, but she hadn’t settled on a form of address either.
‘After all, I’m only a temporary fiancée for one year.’
She had feared that calling him by his name would draw her closer to him than necessary.
But watching Theodore’s consistent efforts, she found herself inspired in turn.
The firm hand clasped in hers was unusually warm, and Theodore shed his tension, breaking into a brighter smile than anyone else could manage.
“I’m counting on you.”
It was the beginning of a Royal Ball that would be unforgettable in every way.
* * *
After paying respects to the Emperor and waiting for the first dance to begin, Claire took a deep breath.
“It’s fine. You can step on my feet if you need to.”
Theodore whispered softly, pretending to adjust her hair affectionately, but Claire shook her head.
“No. I can do this.”
Her expression was so resolute she looked like someone about to undertake a great mission. Theodore barely managed to suppress his laughter as he remained at her side.
‘How can she look like such a beautiful painting?’
Melissa, accompanying Claire, was moved by the sight of them, ignoring the content of their conversation.
When they first met, she had despaired at Claire’s stiff, soldier-like demeanor. The Claire before her now was her masterpiece.
“That’s the one from House Voltier…”
“I’m telling you it’s real love! They were so passionate at the Hunting Grounds back then.”
“But isn’t that just temporary emotion? The difference in status…”
Several people chattered as they watched the two. The expressions of certain young ladies, elaborately adorned and secretly coveting the position of mistress of House Voltier, along with their parents, had grown rigid.
The intimate manner of the two seemed to leave no room for anyone to intrude.
‘He’s like a completely different person.’
Count Jeremy recalled the look in Theodore’s eyes when he had gone to pay his respects with his daughter earlier. He had been very courteous and proper, maintaining decorum with a gentle smile, yet his piercing blue eyes held something cold.
The heir bearing the great burden of House Voltier was already beginning to assume his authority.
‘The person whose eyes could soften was already determined.’
His heart already had an owner.
“I hope you all have a wonderful time.”
The Emperor and Empress stepped forward for the first dance, and soon the orchestra began to play. I found myself hoping their performance would never end, but fate had other plans—our turn arrived far too quickly.
“It’s fine if you step on my feet.”
A slow yet cheerful melody began. As Theodore drew me close, I felt his hand settle around my waist and carefully moved my feet in time with the music.
“See? You’re doing wonderfully.”
My body mercifully remembered the steps I had practiced dozens of times.
As the dance, which I had begun in rigid tension, started to feel manageable, my expression gradually softened.
“I feel quite good about this tonight.”
With newfound confidence came exhilaration. If things continued this way, I might actually succeed in protecting Theodore’s feet from my clumsy steps.
“Claire.”
“Yes?”
“Will you call my name?”
His blue eyes curved warmly. The elation of our first dance was not mine alone. I felt a subtle warmth rising from our clasped hands.
“Theodore.”
Unwilling to break this moment, I gladly spoke his name, and his expression brightened instantly.
“Yes, Claire.”
Theodore smiled with boyish delight, his lips curving upward in an unguarded way that made it clear to anyone watching that he was utterly in love.
Feeling awkward, I glanced away from his gaze and continued dancing. My heart fluttered strangely, and the sensation was utterly disconcerting.
As the final note faded and the music ended, Theodore drew my hand closer and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
At the soft touch, I gasped in surprise, and Theodore laughed playfully, his eyes crinkling with mischief.
‘I’m burning up.’
We faced each other, both of us with flushed ears. I had successfully protected Theodore’s feet throughout our dance.
It was our perfect first dance.
* * *
‘Now that the biggest challenge is over, I need to escape quickly.’
The nobles eager to forge ties with House Voltier would not leave Theodore alone. As he departed with those who had sought him out, I swiftly moved toward the Terrace.
‘I just need a moment to catch my breath.’
But before I could take three steps, someone caught my arm.
“Miss Claire.”
‘That voice…’
I turned my stiff body around with difficulty to face him. The Crown Prince, Aaron, stood before me with a polite hand extended and his eyes meeting mine.
“Would you grant me the honor of dancing with you?”
I barely managed to keep my eyes from squeezing shut.
‘I don’t want to.’
That was what I wanted to say, but having accepted the Hunting Festival’s ribbon, I could not be so coldly dismissive.
‘Would refusing be an insult to the Imperial Family?’
Resigned, I placed my hand in his.
Aaron, who had never considered refusal as a possibility, naturally led me to the center of the Hall.
“There’s no need to be so tense.”
All of this was merely Aaron’s whim. His dance partner for tonight had already been decided long ago—by his mother’s hand.
Each time Aaron danced with another partner mechanically, as if checking off a task, his mood traced a downward curve.
‘Thanks to the Empress’s grace….’
The partners changed, but their words remained identical, parroted like a trained bird.
Just as he was calculating how many more he would have to endure, Claire entered his field of vision.
‘I didn’t know she could make that expression.’
Claire’s radiant expression from dancing with Theodore—the confidence she had felt—was refreshing. He had always thought her face was expressionless, but those gleaming eyes transformed the entire atmosphere.
‘Why not, just once.’
The invitation to dance was impulsive. How would that expression change before him? Driven by pure curiosity, he took Claire’s hand.
From a distance, he felt Bianca’s gaze burning like fire, but soothing his mother was a problem for the future.
“Do you enjoy dancing?”
Aaron led the dance skillfully to the upbeat melody and asked, but no answer came from Claire.
‘Hmm?’
As he looked down at Claire in confusion, alarm bells were blaring loudly in her mind.
‘Different people mean different steps!’
She had practiced with Melissa and Theodore. In actual performance, only with Theodore. As a side effect of her crash course, Claire’s dancing skills, adapted to only a handful of partners, could only cry out in distress when facing Aaron.
Using her reflexes, she barely managed to avoid stepping on the Imperial Family member’s foot, but the latter half of the song grew faster and more intricate.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes.”
She answered carelessly, her mind elsewhere, and Aaron’s lips twitched. Noticing where her attention had wandered, he suppressed his laughter and whispered softly.
“Move freely. My foot is not so fragile.”
Aaron, who had trained in martial arts for years, thought nothing of being stepped on by a dancing woman.
‘It’s not as if I’m wearing military boots—it won’t hurt much anyway.’
Her shoes appeared to have relatively low heels. Reassured by his confident demeanor, Claire’s tension eased, and she nodded slightly.
‘He certainly looks strong. In that case….’
Once she released the burden of performing well, her body moved with ease.
“You dance well.”
When Aaron smiled, Claire awkwardly returned the smile, embarrassed. The music was now drawing to its finale.
‘Good, I’ll finish it like this.’
Just as she thought that, her steps tangled without warning.
Crack.
At the sound of destruction like splintering wood, Claire’s eyes widened in alarm as cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
“Don’t, don’t worry about it.”
Veins bulged on Aaron’s forehead as he endured the pain.

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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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