Chapter 10

****

The freesia-colored dress was specially ordered three years ago  with few embellishments, tightened tubes on the sleeves, and adjusted length so it wouldn’t get in the way of walking and Rosaline would be able to work comfortably.

“Ah!”

Rosaline let out a sob of realization. Her outfit was unbefitting for the banquet. Although, all the time, she ran around the banquet hall dressed like this, leading the charge. Everyone knew that she was Cahir’s secretary so there was no need for a fancy dress.

“You have to dance with His Majesty today.”

“Huh? No, no, no, Hui, it must be a mistake. What did you say?”

Rosaline listened to Hui though she was in a lower position than her. Although now Rosaline was addled at Hui’s words and thought she had misspoken while Hui remained  as calm as a lake.

Rosaline glared at Cahir, Derek and Hui with a slight frown and a look that demanded an explanation.

“Everyone is supposed to dance with a partner at the nativity banquet in the imperial Palace.”

‘…….’

If everyone danced with a partner, it meant that Cahir needed a partner too, and if he was busy picking out the clothes for Rosaline now—

‘Don’t tell me…’

Rosaline smiled awkwardly.

“Huh, but I didn’t dance at His Majesty’s birthday party last year…”

“That’s because His Majesty was the main character last year. Besides, today is the empress’s birthday, so there’s no particular reason for His Majesty not to dance.”

Dereck clarified. Rosaline was more befuddled by the weird explanation.

“Therefore, His Majesty’s partner today will be Secretary Rosaline.”

‘That’s outrageous! His Majesty might see Ella today, but you want me to stand by his side as his partner? How jealous will Ella be? Once I’ve taken care of one death flag, but you want me to make another one? At this rate, I will be hated by the heroine and get killed again.’

“Rosaline, I’m well aware that dancing with me is soul-suckingly good, but you need to pull yourself together now. I don’t want my partner stepping on my feet.”

Cahir approached Rosaline, who hardened in absurdity. He took the purple dress and placed it on her hand.

“Try it on, you won’t look so different from me. Clothes are wings, right?”

‘I’m not as beautiful as His Majesty, but I’m beautiful too. No, no, I don’t want to dance with him!’

Rosaline outstared at him in frustration. Cahir glanced at her and smiled lightly.

‘That look! That one, that one, that one! That chilling expression! I’m sure he enjoys it when I’m in trouble.’

However, Rosaline took the dress without complaint, because Cahir  was gone to get ready.

****

The banquet commenced.

The banquet hall was located between the Main Palace and the second annex Palace.

“Oh, look at the chandeliers glittering!”

“What delicious cakes will be served today?

“Well,you shouldn’t eat it. Haha…Look at that tight corset, even a sip of whiskey will make it explode…”

The sound of laughter from the aristocratic ladies invaded the entrance of the Imperial Palace banquet hall. Lively footsteps, scent of perfume mixed with the scent of various flowers, the nervous expressions of the men standing in line to escort the ladies, and the countless carriages entering the banquet hall…

Rosaline was feeling smug. The party was a great success. Not only that, the reaction was also satisfactory. There was a burst of admiration.

The lighting and even the angle of the glass windows were adjusted flawlessly. The light didn’t glare at people, but brightened up the banquet hall. There was a variety of rare foods flown in from other countries, and gorgeous glassware was imported specially from countries famous for their glasswork.

Rosaline put her heart and soul into making the encounter between Cahir and the heroine dramatically.

The white four-wheeled carriage with an imperial symbol arrived carrying the main character. The horses slowed to a stop. Even the movement of the horses was graceful. The neatly uniformed Kingsguard mounted the carriage and opened the gate. Everyone held their breath.

A pair of shiny black handmade shoes without a speck of dust stepped out of the carriage. Then the black pants that wrapped his muscular thighs. The jacket that encircled his broad shoulders was all black. Although the aura around him was not dark at all. His skin was shiny and radiant, which made his golden hair stand out even more. Comparatively, the golden shoulder patches and gold threads he wore had lost their glow.

“Wow, he’s much more handsome than I thought he’d be. Can we say hello today?”

“Arthur, Arthur. You know who’s by your side, don’t you?”

All the women were love sick again. Rosaline stood in the distance, her eyes narrowed with sadness as she listened to their conversation.

Then she realized something. Someone was watching her. It was a woman with the same blond hair and yellow-green eyes as Cahir. She stood there like a painting, unfazed by Cahir’s appearance. Derek stood beside Cahir as Rosaline had to oversee the banquet.

“Please come in, Your Majesty.”

He walked slowly into the banquet hall like a beast hunting a prey. Every time Cahir took a step with his long legs, there were sighs of admiration  from every corner. He was cognizant of his striking appearance and great achievements. It was rather surprising  that there were no women falling over. Last year, there were a couple of young ladies who had gotten dizzy and collapsed when they saw him.

Cahir, who had a gentle smile on his face, suddenly halted his steps.

“What can I do for you, Your Majesty?”

Derek, who was behind him, quickly approached him.

Cahir scanned the banquet hall.

“Where is my partner?”

***

Rosaline followed Cahir as he entered the banquet hall. However, a woman who looked like a lily caught her attention. She had blond hair, a high nose, a thin waist, green eyes that resembled the blue of spring, and skin so pale it reminded her of a deer.

‘Lord! Lady Ella!’

Rosaline immediately recognized Ella. She was Cahir’s destined lover.

She was as alluring as the description in the novel. She looked like she had “I am the heroine” written on her forehead. Rosaline knew that they were meant to be together. She thought that as she prepared for the banquet.

It had been a year since the time they had to meet. Nonetheless, seeing that Ella appeared like this, it seemed that Cahir’s fate was in line with Ella’s. No matter how many changes were made to the original story, would the major plot remain the same? Rosaline had no idea. It was then that she felt an insistent stare. She turned her head and thought, “Who is it?”

Then, after a moment, her eyes met with Ella’s. Rosaline’s body stiffened like a statue. She was delighted. She had met the heroine from the novel! And on top of that, she had a lot of affection for Ella.

However, the way Ella looked at Rosaline was strange. It wasn’t the indifferent look one normally saw when looking at a stranger. Ella had dropped her gaze coldly.

‘Have I misjudged you?’

Rosaline rubbed her eyes, while tilting her head. Meanwhile, Ella had disappeared into the banquet hall. Rosaline looked at the empty space Ella had left for a long time.

‘Is it okay for me to go in there now?’

Rosaline, who had never dreamed that Cahir was searching for her, was wrapped in conflict as she hesitated to open the door to the banquet hall.

***

“Where is Rosaline?”

It was the fourth time the question was asked already. Derek had circled the large banquet hall several times. Cahir was sitting on the emperor’s throne with his chin propped up with an indifferent expression on his face.

It was hard to be comfortable in the banquet when everyone had eyes on him. Normally, Cahir would greet the guests and then leave the banquet hall ahead of time. If he did not enjoy the banquet, others couldn’t either.

However, today Cahir didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving early. The gazes of the nobles who had been observing Cahir hit Derek painfully on the back of the head. It was a silent pressure by Cahir to do something about finding Rosaline. He needed Rosaline more than anything at this very moment.

“Your Majesty, isn’t this a seat for me today?”

As Derek was pondering what to do, Azela approached. She spoke hatefully. Cahir glanced at her.

Cahir lowered his chin. He didn’t want to converse with Azela, but there were many eyes watching, so he had to be polite. Otherwise, Rosaline would give him a hard time.

“Congratulations on your arrival, Queen mother. Please enjoy your banquet.”

“Your Majesty is sitting so idly, how can your mother be relax? Look again, everyone is too busy trying to please you. Why don’t you dance, Your Majesty.”

“My partner isn’t here yet, so the dance is…”

Azela fanned herself angrily at Cahir’s mention of a partner.

“Where the hell is Rosaline?”

Cahir started to get irritated.

“You don’t have to dance with only one partner. I have an acquaintance I would like to introduce to you today, Your Majesty.”

Azela smiled at him. Cahir didn’t allow it, but Azela quickly turned around. A woman in a pink dress walked dazzlingly among the people. People opened their mouths in awe after seeing her. Her beautiful appearance and gentle way of walking strongly asserted that she was the best noblewoman on the continent. Cahir’s eyebrows arched subtly.

“My name is Ella Paulos. I am honored to meet the Sun of the Empire.”

In the end, Ella and Cahir finally met. The white deer and the golden lion came face to face. Their union was so strange yet beautiful that it drew the gaze of all the people. It seemed that they were the only ones alive in this space and time.