Rose concluded to herself that she must have been mistaken after all.
It was then that the orchestra's piece changed to a waltz.
“The dance appears to be starting. Will you be able to do well today?”
“Of course. I will show you the results of my practice.”
When Rose nodded as if to tell him to just trust her, Dane smiled faintly.
“Until now, it had been customary for the King and Queen to open the ball.”
The overture played by the orchestra struck the high ceiling of the banquet hall majestically.
With that signal, the massive doors opened, and the royal couple emerged wearing splendid formal attire embroidered with gold thread.
“It begins.”
Dane's low voice, standing right beside her, tickled her ear. Instead of answering, Rose tightened her grip on the hem of her dress.
The King's hand touched the Queen's waist, and at last, their dance began.
The Queen's voluminous skirt swept across the marble floor, drawing an elegant circle.
Flawless steps that allowed not even a fraction of error, and unwavering smiles gazing only at each other.
To Rose's eyes, the royal couple's dance seemed like a solemn ritual confirming the authority of the royal family.
‘To move solely for each other while everyone is watching like this.’
Rose suddenly felt the back of her throat run dry.
She would soon have to dance with Dane herself. That moment was approaching by the second.
Eventually, the tempo of the music quickened and crescendoed, bringing the grand finale to a close as the King raised the Queen's hand high.
Jakjakjakjak!
After a momentary silence, a cascade of applause erupted. The royal couple finished their elegant bow.
“Haha.”
The King chuckled leisurely and looked around. It seemed he was looking to select the next couple to take the floor.
Dugeun, dugeun.
Rose's heart began to beat even faster. But the next moment, her body was suddenly pulled away.
Jeobeok.
It was because Dane was leading her out toward the center of the dance floor.
Rose hastily adjusted her skirt and matched her stride to his.
Heok...!
“Oh my.”
Whether they were those waiting to be chosen by the King or those watching with anticipation to see who would be next—
everyone stared at Dane and Rose in surprise, and a hush instantly fell over the banquet hall.
“...Hahaha!”
It was the King's hearty laugh that broke the silence.
“As expected of the Duke. Very well, then, keep this excitement going.”
The King raised his hand, prompting the crowd to clap. When a few quick-witted nobles started applauding, a full round of applause soon poured in.
Seuk.
Dane took Rose's hand in his and wrapped his other arm around her waist.
“...Phew.”
Rose let out a shallow sigh and placed her hand on Dane's shoulder.
Her surprise at suddenly being chosen for the next dance was fleeting. The warmth of Dane's arm wrapped around her lower back told her exactly what to focus on.
“…….”
Just as the cold gaze of Consort Ravenna brushed past her, the lively melody of the waltz began.
Rose, fully tense, began to move her body to the music.
‘One, two, three...’
The memories of stepping on Dane's instep countless times back at the castle came flooding back vividly.
She absolutely couldn't do that today. She stepped forward with that single thought in mind.
She couldn't think straight about the music or anything else. She solely focused on not making a mistake.
“...Rose.”
Then suddenly, Dane's voice echoed in her ear.
“Yes?”
Rose answered half-heartedly, afraid she might forget the steps she was desperately counting.
“You need to look at me.”
“I can't. I might step on Your Grace's feet.”
“Rose.”
At Dane's urging, she reluctantly raised her head.
“…….”
He was smiling.
A face that looked like it was sculpted by a god was smiling with human emotion.
Lips curving up in a soft smile, and eyes crinkling slightly as he smiled.
All of it harmonized with the chandelier's light, piercing Rose's heart like fragmented shards.
“Relax.”
Dane whispered softly.
“What does it matter if you make a mistake? If anyone laughs at you, I'll make sure their family disappears tomorrow.”
“Ah...”
His tone was affectionate, but the content was anything but.
But she could tell he was trying to soothe her. So Rose couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Look only at me. Don't mind anything else.”
“...Yes.”
It wasn't easy, and her head whispered anxiously that she might mess up her steps if she did—but as if bewitched by Dane's smile, Rose kept her gaze fixed on him and continued her steps.
“...!”
The world began to spin. Dane's lead was firm yet gentle.
Every time she stepped as he guided her, the hem of her gorgeous dress fluttered in the air like flower petals.
The waltz melody breaking at her ear faded away, and the figures of the people blurred into afterimages.
“Haa.”
Feeling her breath quicken, Rose focused solely on Dane.
His face, backlit by the chandelier's glow, was cast in shadow, but his eyes, which held only her reflection, shone brighter than ever.
Dugeun, dugeun, dugeun.
Before she knew it, the music was rushing toward its climax. Her heart pounded fiercely, matching the increasingly fast steps.
Hwak.
Dane wrapped his arm firmly around Rose's waist and dipped her backward.
The moment her body tilted back as if defying gravity.
The brilliant chandelier lights and the afterimages of the people brushed past the edges of her vision, and...
“...!”
When she returned to Dane's embrace, she could only see his face.
Their lips brushing dangerously close; his eyes, dark and intense as if to swallow her whole.
It was a moment so intimate that she could almost hear their hearts touching.
Dugeun, dugeun.
A strange ache transmitted from her chest, pressed against Dane's solid ribcage. The layers of her dress were crushed against his trousers.
With every breath she inhaled, the cool scent and the hot body heat radiating from his skin intertwined.
Kkuyuk.
Dane's large palm pressed firmly against Rose's back.
It felt as if he intended to push her right into himself, merging them into one.
“Y-Your Grace.”
Almost suffocating, she called out to him softly. Instead of an answer, only the force of his arms tightening even deeper returned.
Rose gasped softly and responded to Dane's movements. The music, having reached its climax, drove the two of them even harder.
‘Ah...’
Every time they spun, a tingling heat spread from where their thighs and pelvises met. Etiquette and the gazes of the people were no longer in her mind.
When the strike of the final key shattered the silence of the banquet hall and ceased.
“Haa, haa.”
Rose remained clinging to him, unable to pull away. Dane gazed at Rose as he steadied his slightly ragged breathing.
A brief silence flowed, and...
Jakjakjakjak!
Thunderous applause erupted.
“Haa...”
Rose let out a sigh of relief.
She had always stepped on his feet when they practiced at the castle, but today she hadn't made a single mistake.
It was so surprising and wondrous.
Or rather, in truth, she hadn't had the leisure to care about steps or anything else.
‘My body is hot...’
Only the moment of harmoniously becoming one with him was occupying Rose's mind entirely.
She felt a bit disappointed for some reason.
The heat inside her body cried out that something was lacking to end it like this.
She wanted to stay embraced in his arms like this. No, she wanted to press against him even more passionately.
“...!”
Startled by her own thoughts, she flinched.
Seuk.
Dane straightened Rose up and released the hand he was holding. Then, he bowed at the waist.
His demeanor was incredibly soft and polished, as if he hadn't just been roughly and intimately pressing her against himself.
“Haha.”
As the applauding King chuckled and gave a signal, the orchestra started playing a popular tune.
The nobles who had been waiting poured out onto the dance floor in droves to dance.
“Shall we rest a bit?”
Dane lightly stroked his hand down Rose's lower back.
A shiver ran through her; the heat boiling deep within her body reacted even more intensely to his touch.
“Yes.”
Rose answered him with what sounded like a sigh.
Following Dane's escort, she slipped out toward the outer edges of the banquet hall.
“Um... did I do well?”
Rose whispered cautiously as she leaned against him.
“You shone the most beautifully in the banquet hall.”
Her heart was finally put at ease by the answer that flowed out without a hint of hesitation.
Dalgeureok.
Dane called over a passing servant and received a glass of cold water. Then, he tried to bring it directly to Rose's lips.
“I'll drink it myself.”
Rose hurriedly raised her hand to grasp the glass. But Dane held onto it and wouldn't easily hand it over.
“It seems like you'll spill it ‘again’.”
“I won't.”
Rose strongly denied it, recalling the time she had spilled honey water on the front of his trousers.
“You spilled it often.”
“When did I ever?”
Dane looked at Rose as if he didn't quite believe her, and...
“If you don't know, never mind.”
He eventually handed over the glass of water obediently.
“Huu...”
Feeling the cool water slide down her throat, Rose tried her best to soothe the heat inside her body.
It was then.
Arikx and Beatrice, wearing splendid formal attire, were seen walking toward them. The crowds parted like a receding tide to make way.
Ttogak.
Beatrice's steps stopped right in front of Dane and Rose.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Dane stepped in front of Rose like a lurking beast and bowed politely.
“That was a splendid dance. You didn't dance even once at the Academy... Were you hiding this kind of skill?”
Beatrice grinned and made a teasing remark. Dane replied with a face completely devoid of a smile.
“My partner danced well.”
At Dane's sudden praise, Rose blushed slightly.
Seuk.
Beatrice boldly held out her hand toward Dane.
“I'll be your partner for the next dance. Surely you wouldn't refuse?”
Rose momentarily felt Dane's body, pressed against her, stiffen.
“…….”
It was impossible for Dane to refuse Princess Beatrice's dance here.
It would amount to the greatest humiliation a woman could experience at a ball. Furthermore, it could be perceived as an insult to the royal family.
“...I really don't want to go.”
Eventually, Dane whispered in Rose's ear. His voice was suppressed, as if gritting his teeth.
“Endure just one song. I'll deal with it as quickly as possible and come back.”
“Deal with it, Your Grace? Princess Beatrice isn't a monster.”
Rose smiled faintly and shook her head.
“I'm fine. I wanted to rest a bit anyway. Helena is nearby, so don't worry too much and go.”
Dane swallowed a small sigh and stepped away from Rose.
Seuk.
He took Beatrice's hand and briefly kissed the back of it.
It was courtly manners so perfect that one couldn't find it rude, despite it being blatantly obvious he was doing it reluctantly.
At the same time,
“Wouldn't the Duchess be lonely standing by herself?”
Prince Arikx approached Rose.
His attitude was exceedingly polite, but the golden eyes directed at Rose were twinkling mischievously.
“I was thinking, perhaps I could be your partner for the next dance.”