Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 40

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 40

 

‘I feel like someone’s watching me…’

 

Heidi turned her head just slightly to find the source of the gaze.

 

‘Am I imagining it?’

 

She looked around for quite a while, but no one seemed to be focusing on her. Everyone appeared to be waiting only for the princess’s entrance.

 

‘I must be too sensitive.’

 

Heidi tried to shake off the uncomfortable feeling and turned her head away.

 

Just then, a loud trumpet sound rang out.

 

“Her Highness the Princess enters!”

 

The curtains slowly opened, and all eyes in the hall turned in one direction.

 

With everyone’s attention focused, Anastasia stood at the top of the stairs.

 

“Wow…”

 

Heidi unconsciously opened her mouth.

 

Though she didn’t want to admit it, at this moment Anastasia was breathtakingly beautiful.

 

A silver dress densely studded with thousands of small gems sparkled brilliantly under the lights. A necklace set with gems the size of a baby’s fist added to the splendor.

 

The crystal fragments of the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling all seemed to bow their heads toward her.

 

Anastasia descended the stairs slowly, in an extremely graceful posture.

 

With each movement, the hem of her dress rippled, and each motion seemed like part of a ceremony.

 

As the court orchestra’s melody faded, the crowd’s cheers exploded.

 

‘…She really has an overwhelming presence.’

 

Heidi muttered to herself. She had put in considerable effort too, but in front of today’s Anastasia, she felt she couldn’t even present her business card.

 

Just then, she sensed movement behind her.

 

“It’s been a while.”

 

Heidi looked up.

 

It was Lawrence.

 

In his neat uniform, he stood out immediately even among the crowd of people.

 

Heidi smiled slightly with delight.

 

“Hello, Count.”

 

“It’s been a long time, Heidi.”

 

“Hmm, really? Has it been that long since we met?”

 

Lawrence smiled gently and raised his glass.

 

“I was so happy to see you that I thought it had been about 10 years since we last met. I must have been mistaken.”

 

Heidi chuckled softly at Lawrence’s joke. The two exchanged light pleasantries and a few more words.

 

But then.

 

A sharp sensation.

 

“…!”

 

Once again, Heidi felt as if a needle was being stuck in her back.

 

This time it wasn’t her imagination.

 

The stinging gaze climbing up her spine was all too clear. Heidi rolled her eyes to survey her surroundings.

 

‘Why… are they all looking at us?’

 

She could see aristocratic ladies whispering with their fans half-raised. Their eyes swept over Heidi appraisingly.

 

Being the object of people’s attention was familiar, but today felt different somehow.

 

How to put it. If before it felt like they were looking at a monkey in a zoo, today it was more…

 

‘I can feel hostility? What did I do wrong?’

 

No matter how much Heidi thought about it, she couldn’t figure out the reason.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

Perhaps noticing Heidi’s strange expression, Lawrence bent down to whisper in her ear.

 

“Well…”

 

But before Heidi could answer, whispering voices from behind reached her clearly.

 

“See? What did I tell you? I said it was strange, didn’t I?”

 

“Not at any other occasion, but flirting so openly at the princess’s coming-of-age ceremony? That’s just not right. How improper.”

 

“We should tell the princess, shouldn’t we?”

 

“Of course!”

 

Heidi’s fingertips holding the wine glass stiffened. The wine in the glass trembled slightly.

 

‘What is that supposed to…’

 

Just as Heidi was trying to understand the situation.

 

The glass tilted, and red liquid spilled through the air.

 

“Ah!”

 

In an instant, the front of Heidi’s dress was soaked. Blood-red wine stains spread across the pale peach-colored fabric.

 

When Heidi looked up with a stunned expression, the person who had bumped into her was standing there.

 

“Oh my.”

 

It was a tall woman with a round face.

 

“I’m so sorry. My hand slipped. I was too careless. What should I do?”

 

Despite her apology, a subtle smile played at the corners of her mouth. Her eyes staring directly at Heidi showed not the slightest tremor.

 

Just as Heidi was about to speak.

 

A gentle voice came from right behind her.

 

“What’s going on, everyone? Why is it so noisy?”

 

Everyone turned their heads in unison.

 

Anastasia was walking toward them. The silver hem of her dress rustled as it brushed the floor.

 

Her steps stopped precisely in front of Heidi.

 

“Oh my.”

 

She looked Heidi up and down, then covered her mouth as if pitying her. She drooped her eyebrows and spoke in a theatrical tone.

 

“Your pretty dress is ruined. What should we do? The glass must have slipped.”

 

Heidi forced a smile and spoke.

 

“It’s fine. It was just a small accident.”

 

“No, it’s not. You’re not fine right now.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

Anastasia’s eyes curved into crescents.

 

“You came to celebrate my birthday, and I can’t send a guest home looking so disheveled. That would ruin the birthday.”

 

She grasped Heidi’s hand tightly as she spoke.

 

“Will you stay until the banquet ends? I really want to take responsibility. You’ll do that, won’t you?”

 

“…”

 

“Yes?”

 

The hand gripping Heidi’s was cold as a corpse. Anastasia squeezed Heidi’s hand with all her might, painfully tight.

 

“…I understand, Your Highness.”

 

* * *

 

‘Ah, when is this going to end?’

 

Even after the moon had risen overhead, the banquet hadn’t ended. Anastasia was staying in the ballroom much longer than usual, chatting with people.

 

‘I’m really freezing to death.’

 

Heidi rubbed the goosebumps that had risen on her arms with her palm.

 

Unable to remain in the ballroom in her ruined dress, she had come out to the terrace hours ago. Every time the cold wind blew, the wet fabric clung to her skin.

 

“Are you alright?”

 

At the worried voice, Heidi turned her head.

 

“Why are you alone without Count Haizen?”

 

Lawrence was standing in the doorway. Heidi nodded with a tired smile.

 

“Deshion went to pay his respects to His Majesty for a moment.”

 

“You don’t look well though. You look cold.”

 

Lawrence frowned. After thinking for a moment, he took off his coat and offered it to Heidi.

 

“At times like this, body temperature is more important than pride.”

 

“…”

 

“Take it. My arm hurts.”

 

Heidi hesitated for a moment before accepting the coat.

 

“Thank you.”

 

As she expressed her gratitude, Lawrence smiled. He didn’t take his eyes off her until she had draped the coat over her shoulders.

 

“It suits you well.”

 

“How should I return the coat to you?”

 

“Won’t we have many opportunities to meet in the future?”

 

Just then, a low voice suddenly interjected between them.

 

“We’ll return the coat now.”

 

When did he come back.

 

Heidi’s eyes widened in surprise at Deshion’s sudden appearance without any warning.

 

Deshion’s gaze fell on the brown coat draped over Heidi’s shoulders. His eyes narrowed.

 

“There’s no need to trouble you unnecessarily, Sir.”

 

Deshion’s hand firmly removed the coat from Heidi’s shoulders.

 

“Please take it.”

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