Unbeknownst to Me, I am Secretly Dating the Emperor - Chapter 180

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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 180
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My attendance at the Charity Ball was the result of coincidence piled upon coincidence.
When the invitation first arrived, I had declined it because of another engagement that I’d committed to earlier.
But that other engagement was cancelled, and when I learned that the organization hosting the Charity Ball was the same one that sponsored Coni, I sent word that I would attend after all.
Of course, Ed was my partner for the evening.
Since there hadn’t been a ball among the social events we’d attended together recently, Ed seemed delighted.
The dress I wore to this ball was a pale purple, and the moment Ed heard about it in advance, he ordered his cufflinks down to the embroidery on his evening coat in matching purple.
It seemed the styling from the Crown Princess’s royal marriage alliance afterparty ball had left him thoroughly unsatisfied.
The moment we entered wearing outfits that screamed “couple” to anyone with eyes, fans unfurled around the room and whispers began.
Seeing Ed—whose hearing was far sharper than mine—smiling subtly, it seemed the comments were favorable.
When I glanced sideways at Ed, he lowered his head as though about to whisper something to me.
Curious what the nobles were saying, I leaned in close—though that wasn’t quite my real intention.
Soft lips brushed lightly against my cheek, then withdrew.
The whispers that had been subdued were now loud enough for even me to hear clearly.
My ears burning scarlet, I shot Ed a glare.
He laughed outright at my reaction.
“You’ll smudge my makeup.”
When I groused without real bite, Ed’s smile deepened.
“You didn’t.”
We were bickering over something rather pointless when the Host, who was organizing tonight’s event, approached us carefully.
True to his reputation for having an affable temperament, he greeted me warmly despite it being our first meeting.
“Thank you so much for coming. Your Highness, and Miss of House Lenkels.”
The Host was, strictly speaking, a noble of the Moderate Faction, but his broad network meant he got along well with both the Nobility Faction and the Emperor Faction.
Since he had connections to Coni, I returned his greeting kindly.
We were making small talk when murmuring began to spread from near the entrance.
The atmosphere wasn’t the favorable one tinged with interest and curiosity we’d felt when we arrived.
It was closer to the shock of witnessing something one shouldn’t have seen.
Turning my head toward the source of the commotion, I saw a small girl with a dreamy expression entering alongside a red-haired noblewoman.
The Host’s expression shifted to visible alarm.
The nobles’ murmurs—which should have remembered to lower their voices—reached my ears clearly.
‘Is that really the fake saint?’
I’d heard she was a child.
‘Early teens, I think they said.’
Seeing her in person, she looked even younger.
But what truly captured my attention wasn’t the fake saint’s youth.
‘That expression on her face.’
The fake saint had the appearance of a porcelain doll that young noble girls played with.
Her skin was pale, her silver-blue eyes unfocused. Her expression showed almost no change.
Platinum hair, silver-blue eyes, a washed-out impression with almost no color—I’d thought it dreamy, but when our eyes met, the feeling was something else entirely.
‘Less dreamy than… vacant, somehow.’
As I studied the fake saint intently, the Host strode toward the red-haired noblewoman.
“I—Diana, what is this…?”
Unable to finish his sentence, the Host looked at her with obvious bewilderment, and the red-haired noblewoman laughed awkwardly.
“This is my companion, the Saint Astella.”
It was broadly permitted to bring a companion to a charity party.
But it was basic courtesy not to bring those who would create awkward situations if they encountered the formally invited guests.
‘Nobles don’t memorize the relational charts of the nobility register without reason.’
The noblewoman who had brought the fake saint didn’t seem to have anticipated such a cold reception from the Host and other nobles.
She bit her lower lip, then startled and quickly said she had someone else to greet with the fake saint, then hurried away.
It looked like a tactical retreat.
The Host, in an attempt to smooth over the situation, skillfully asked Ed and me for the first dance.
With nothing to gain from prolonging this awkward atmosphere, Ed and I readily agreed.
The Host released a sigh of relief and signaled the orchestra to begin.
A lively, upbeat waltz began to play—perfect for lifting the mood.
I placed my hand over Ed’s.
“I learned this just a few days ago.”
Speaking with confidence.
Ed’s mouth curved into a bright smile.
“Should I expect great things?”
“No.”
I immediately backtracked.
Watching my sudden change of attitude, Ed let out a quiet, stifled laugh.
I pouted and protested.
“Not enough to live up to your expectations.”
I wasn’t completely hopeless when it came to dancing.
But compared to Ed, who had an exceptional gift for physical expression, I fell far short.
At least I had enough self-awareness to know it.
“Then I won’t expect anything.”
Ed answered playfully, taking my hand and gently guiding me onto the Dance Floor.
To the rhythm of a waltz meant for lovers, we stood close together, separated by barely a fist’s width.
“This time, I really won’t step on your feet.”
I braced myself with quiet determination and began the steps.
Ed was equally serious this time.
His sincere approach combined with his excellent leading made it a fairly difficult piece, but it flowed without a single mistake.
Partway through, I relaxed enough to meet Ed’s eyes.
Ed held my gaze and smiled.
I thought I heard a soft intake of breath from somewhere nearby.
But after weeks of public courting, I’d grown accustomed to the attention—it barely registered.
As we danced, I spotted Diana and the fake saint standing hidden behind a pillar.
“Hm?”
The fake saint, standing without the slightest movement, struck me as so wrong that I couldn’t help but notice her.
I nearly stumbled as we approached the end of the piece, but Ed caught me.
Wrapping a strong arm around my swaying waist, Ed asked quietly.
“What? Is something over there?”
“The fake saint.”
I kept my voice low.
Ed’s brow furrowed for a moment.
Catching that expression, I asked him.
“Did you sense something strange about her too?”
Ed paused to consider, then slowly nodded.
A master’s intuition sometimes sees what an ordinary person cannot.
“Looking at her frame, she doesn’t seem to have any martial arts training, but her presence is barely perceptible. It’s strange.”
He mentioned that occasionally people were simply born that way, but it was clear he didn’t think that was the case here.
Just then, the music ended.
As Ed and I left the Dance Floor, my mind began to race.
‘She resembles how Ibeta was described when she was under the High Priest’s control.’
The unfocused gaze and the minimum movements to obey orders.
‘This is about the time the High Priest would be using mind control on the junior priests.’
The High Priest was profoundly distrustful of people.
For someone holding such an important position as a fake saint, he would certainly keep a firm leash.
‘Most likely, she’s also….’
I knew that junior priests existed who had been mind controlled and were being exploited, yet I had postponed acting because only the High Priest’s death would free them.
Facing the results of that decision now left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Ed watched as my expression suddenly darkened, concern evident in his eyes.
“What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”
“No. I just felt a little dizzy for a moment.”
He didn’t look convinced, but it was the best answer I could manage right now.
‘If I blunder into this carelessly, there’s no telling what the High Priest might do.’
Saving the junior priests would have to wait until the High Priest was completely cornered.
‘They’ll have to pay the price of his sins.’
I looked up at Ed and smiled with quiet resolve.
“Let’s end this war quickly.”

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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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