How Do You Do, Sire?

"No!" I yanked my hands free from his grasp, stepping behind him as frustration bubbled inside me.

We were now walking back to the party, him leading the way while holding my hand—firm, insistent—like a parent dragging along a stubborn child throwing a tantrum. I didn't want to go back. Not like this. Not with him.

He suddenly stopped and turned to face me, his eyes softening, his lips forming a slight pout as if he were some abandoned puppy.

Ugh. Not that look. I groaned internally, resisting the urge to melt.

I'm weak against this kind of pitying gaze.

"I cannot possibly enter looking like this!" I pointed accusingly at the hickey he had left on me—an infuriatingly bold red mark, standing out against my skin like a wicked little taunt.

He raised a brow, unfazed. "No one would say anything. I'm with you, after all," he said nonchalantly, a proud smirk playing on his lips as if the matter was trivial.

"That's the point!" I nearly stomped my foot. Did he not realize how scandalous this was? The people of the empire would see me like this—with him, the prince.

In one swift motion, he pulled me closer, his warm hands cupping my face. My breath hitched as he tilted my head, forcing me to meet his gaze. Those piercing eyes bore into me, unwavering and intense.

I scowled, pouting defiantly.

His expression flickered—then, to my utter annoyance, his eyes twinkled with amusement. He smiled.

Oh, so we're playing like this now?

Did I even have the right to act this way with him? I mean, we had met just today—today! And yet everything between us had unfolded so smoothly, too quickly. It was absurd. Unreal.

And yet, somehow, I had already accepted it.

But because I allowed myself to act like this—because he had managed to reach me so easily—did he think I was... easy?

No. I wasn't like this with just anyone.

Only with him.

Only with him did I lose all sense of restraint and self-consciousness.

Then, without warning, he stepped back and shrugged off his coat.

"What are you doing?!" I gasped, instinctively retreating a step, stunned. Was he seriously undressing here? In the hallway?

"There's no need to fret," he chuckled softly, draping his coat over my shoulders. "Here, wear this."

Before I could react, he moved closer and—

"Hup!" A startled hiccup escaped me as he draped the coat over my shoulders, his hands brushing against my arms. He stood right in front of me, so close that I could feel his breath against my cheek.

Instinctively, my eyes fluttered shut.

He didn't move.

For a moment, the world stilled, my heartbeat loud in my ears. I thought he would do something—say something—but he didn't.

I hesitantly opened my eyes.

And there he was, staring at me with a look of pure awe.

Then, without a word, he leaned in and planted a feather-light kiss on my lips.

Oh, so you waited until I opened my eyes to do it.

This man—he really loved catching me off guard.

"Come on." He tilted his head, nodding toward the ballroom. A silent invitation. Then, effortlessly, he took my hand again.

"Can we just... not go back?" I mumbled, reluctantly following his lead. Sure, the hickey was covered now, but at what cost? I was wearing his coat.

And to make things worse, he had a partner waiting for him inside. A lady he had left behind to chase after me. Now he was about to return, not with her, but with me. This would undoubtedly stir the nobles into a frenzy. They would whisper, speculate—yet another villainess stealing the prince away from his intended.

"Sure, we can leave." His voice was teasing. "But have you presented yourself to Their Majesties yet?"

My steps faltered.

Oh.

"...Not yet."

My fleeting hope of escaping the party died a swift death.

Right.

As the duke's daughter, as a close friend of the imperial family, and as a celebrant of tonight's coming-of-age ceremony, I was obligated to greet the emperor. More importantly, I had to pay respects to the empress—the mother of the empire, the most powerful woman in the land.

I let out a sigh of resignation.

There was no escaping now.

As soon as the grand doors of the ballroom came into view, I took a deep breath—a deep, steadying breath. I inhaled as much air as I could, trying to brace myself.

Alright. Just stay composed. Act like this is nothing.

But the moment we stepped inside, I knew I had been right.

A wave of silence swept across the ballroom as heads instinctively turned in our direction. At first, they only saw him—Prince Rolland, returning from wherever he had gone. But then, as they noticed me trailing behind him, their reactions shifted.

And when they realized he was holding my hand… and I was wearing his coat…

Gasps.

Whispers.

Wide eyes.

"Why is she with the prince?" Nobles exchanged glances, their expressions filled with curiosity.

It was subtle, but I could see it—the flicker of intrigue, the silent speculation.

Before we could even make our way to Their Majesties, he stopped.

Standing in our path was her.

Ah. Lady Juliana.

She regarded the prince first, then turned to me, her gaze soft and unreadable. There was no hostility, no sharpness—only gentle surprise.

For a fleeting moment, I thought she might ask something—perhaps even demand an explanation—but instead, she smiled. A soft, pleasant, perfectly poised smile.

"Oh, there you are, Prince Rolland," she greeted, her tone light, carrying the elegance of a noble lady. "Many of the guests have been looking for you. I reassured them that you must have been attending to something important. And look, I was right."

There was a quiet amusement in her words, as if she truly believed in his good intentions.

Behind her, a few noble ladies stepped forward, greeting the prince with warm enthusiasm.

"Your Highness, it's a relief to see you back."

"The ball wouldn't feel complete without you."

"Lady Juliana has been waiting for your dance, Your Highness. Will you grant her the honor now?"

I glanced at Prince Rolland, wondering how he would respond.

Then, in his usual smooth manner, he simply smiled and said, "I'm afraid I must decline. Lady Aerin has yet to present herself to Their Majesties, and I must accompany her first."

His tone was polite, respectful—yet firm.

A brief silence followed.

Then, Lady Juliana let out a soft, airy laugh.

"Ah, of course," she said, her voice gentle and understanding. "Lady Aerin is the most important person of the ball, after all. It's only right that she is escorted properly."

Her words were kind, her expression warm. There was no sign of disappointment, no bitterness—only sincerity.

For a second, I almost believed it.

But something about the way she said it made me hesitate.

I wasn't sure why.

Maybe it was because she smiled too sweetly. Maybe it was because she didn't sound mocking at all. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but something about it felt… off.

But that was ridiculous, wasn't it?

I shook off the thought and gave her a small, polite smile in return. "Yes, it appears so."

Lady Juliana simply chuckled, tilting her head slightly in a manner that made her look even more graceful.

"Then I won't keep you," she said kindly. "Their Majesties must be waiting."

With a delicate motion, she stepped aside, her presence as effortless and gracious as ever.

Prince Rolland gave her a brief nod before gently tugging at my hand again.

As we walked past her, I could hear the quiet murmur of the ballroom resuming behind us.

And yet, for some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to Lady Juliana's innocent and kind words…

For a brief moment, I glanced back at her, but she remained as poised and graceful as ever, her sweet smile never faltering.

Shaking off the thought, I turned forward once more. Prince Rolland now walked beside me, his grip on my hand still firm, as if silently reassuring me.

In the blink of an eye, we found ourselves standing before Their Majesties. I instinctively straightened my posture, willing myself to remain composed under the weight of their regal presence.

The emperor, with his imposing yet kind expression, regarded me first. "Lady Aerin, it has been some time."

The empress, ever graceful, gave me a warm smile. "You've grown into a fine young lady."

I curtsied deeply. "Your Majesties, it is my honor to stand before you today. I humbly present myself on this joyous occasion and extend my gratitude for allowing me to attend."

The empress's sharp eyes roamed over me, and after a brief moment, she spoke with a hint of amusement. "Your gown is quite unlike anything I've seen before. It is… refreshing."

A murmur of agreement followed from the surrounding nobles.

The emperor nodded. "Indeed. It is a fine design. Who created it?"

Before I could respond, a familiar voice rang out from the crowd.

"That would be me, Your Majesty!"

I turned in surprise as Chris, the designer and a boutique owner, stepped forward, bowing with a dramatic flourish.

"Chris?" I blinked at him, startled by his sudden entrance.

He just winked at me.

The empress's lips twitched as she observed his enthusiasm. "Ah, so you are the creator of this unique gown?"

Chris straightened, beaming. "I am but a humble tailor, Your Majesty. However, I merely followed the vision of my muse." He gestured toward me with exaggerated reverence. "Lady Aerin had a vision, and I simply brought it to life."

The emperor let out a thoughtful chuckle, then, "Hmm…" He rested a hand on his chin, nodding in quiet agreement.

Chris nodded, completely serious. "If not for her, I would have never dared such a design. But seeing the result, and most importantly, Your Majesty's approval—" he placed a hand over his chest dramatically "—I can now rest easy, knowing my creation has served its purpose."

Laughter rippled through the noble ladies nearby. And then—

"Sir Chris, will you be creating more of these?"

A noblewoman stepped forward, eyes gleaming with interest.

"Yes! I've never seen a silhouette like this before. It's elegant yet bold!" another lady added.

"Do you take commissions?"

Suddenly, Chris was surrounded. Noble ladies and madams eagerly questioned him, voices overlapping as they inquired about fabrics, designs, and exclusivity.

Chris, looking absolutely delighted but ever the professional, raised a hand. "Ladies, ladies, one at a time! Let us discuss this properly, shall we?"

Then, as if suddenly remembering whose presence he was in, he turned back toward the emperor and empress, bowing hastily. "Ah, but of course, we mustn't burden Their Majesties with such talk. I beg your leave, Your Majesties."

The emperor waved a hand, amused. "Go on, before they pull you apart."

Chris grinned, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction. "With your blessing, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave." He bowed deeply before turning to me, his gaze filled with gratitude. I returned his look with a small, knowing smile.

Then, with effortless charm, he turned to the noble ladies. "Shall we, ladies?" he said smoothly, inviting them into his world of couture with a confident sweep of his hand.

With that, he was quickly swept away by the excited murmurs of eager noblewomen, each vying for his attention as a potential client. I watched as he disappeared into the growing crowd, leaving me standing once more before the emperor and empress—with the prince still at my side.

The empress turned back to me, her expression softer now. "And how have you been, Lady Aerin? It is good to see you again."

I smiled, feeling a genuine warmth from her words. "I have been well, Your Majesty. It is an honor to be here tonight."

The emperor sighed, shaking his head. "Your father, the duke, is absent again, I presume?"

I hesitated before responding. "He escorted me during the entrance, Your Majesty. However, he had urgent matters to attend to." I dipped my head slightly, choosing my words carefully.

The empress exhaled lightly, though not unkindly. "As always. But worry not, you will be escorted properly by the knights."

Before I could respond, Prince Rolland suddenly spoke up.

"That won't be necessary. I will escort Lady Aerin myself."

Silence.

Then, the empress slowly turned to him, her gaze sharp. "But, Prince, you already have a companion for tonight. What of Lady Juliana?"

Prince Rolland, unfazed, gave a small smile. "I have already spoken to her. An imperial knight will accompany her for the evening."

The empress's stare hardened. She did not speak, but the sheer intensity of her gaze felt like a silent scolding.

I stood there, awkward and nervous, forcing a hesitant smile.

Yes, Your Majesty, your son is quite impudent. Abandoning his companion for the evening and casually choosing another to escort? If this had happened to me—if I were Lady Juliana—I would never forgive such humiliation. I would make sure he bore the title of a cheater and a shameless scoundrel for all to see.

The prince, however, remained completely composed.

After a long moment, the empress exhaled and shook her head. "Very well. But, Prince, you will visit me first thing in the morning. Yes?"

Prince Rolland chuckled softly, inclining his head. "Of course, Your Majesty. First thing in the morning." He understood all too well—her reprimand would come at dawn, not now.

We conversed a little longer, but I could feel the empress's eyes still on us, scrutinizing every interaction. Just as I was starting to feel overwhelmed, Prince Rolland turned to me and held out his hand.

"Lady Aerin," he said smoothly. "May I have this dance?"

I glanced at Their Majesties, but before I could think of a response, I realized what he was doing.

He was cutting the conversation short—right in front of them.

The emperor raised an eyebrow, while the empress gave a long, measured stare. Then, exchanging a glance that seemed almost telepathic, they sighed in unison.

With a resigned wave of her hand, the empress motioned for us to go.

Prince Rolland grinned.

"Much appreciated."

Then, without waiting another second, he took my hand and led me toward the dance floor.

As we walked away, I could hear the emperor chuckling under his breath.

And as for the empress?

I didn't dare look back.

As we moved in sync with the music, I finally broke the silence between us.

"Pray, do you comprehend the burden you have placed upon me in but a single evening?" My voice remained steady, yet the gravity of my words was unmistakable.

Prince Rolland's grip on my waist remained steady as he guided me effortlessly across the dance floor. The fabric of my gown swayed with each step, the grand chandelier above casting a soft glow over us. The air was thick with the murmurs of onlookers, the nobles watching our every move like hawks circling their prey.

His blue eyes softened. "I never intended to cause you discomfort. If I did, I apologize."

With a graceful turn, he lifted my hand, spinning me gently before pulling me back into position. His other hand never wavered from my waist, holding me close yet never too tight. His touch was firm, his movements precise—commanding yet considerate.

As I moved with him, my gaze wandered, scanning the crowd. And then I saw her.

Lady Juliana.

She still wore that ever-so-sweet smile, her expression as composed as ever, not a single crack in her demeanor. But behind her stood a group of noble ladies, their glares piercing through me like daggers, their silent judgment loud enough to drown out the music.

Yikes!

I hadn't meant for any of this to happen, yet somehow, I found myself at the center of it. And despite the weight of their stares, I was still here, dancing with the prince as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

In the distance, I spotted Marian and Cassandra standing together once more. Their gazes were fixed on me, filled with curiosity, confusion, and undeniable intrigue. Yet, despite their questioning looks, they were both smiling.

Haah… I could already see it coming. The moment they found the right opportunity, I would be bombarded with endless questions.

I had barely managed to dodge their inquiries earlier, brushing them off with vague answers. But now? After seeing me like this—with him?

There was no escaping them this time.

The music swelled, the final notes lingering in the air. As I glanced across the room once more, my breath caught in relief—I finally spotted my father, deep in conversation with another nobleman.

A smile escaped my lips.

As the final note played, we came to a perfect stop. I stepped back, curtsying as he bowed.

"I beg your pardon, Your Highness, but I believe it is time I take my leave for the evening," I said abruptly, my tone firm yet courteous.

He straightened, tilting his head slightly. "Sure, let us—"

I cut him off smoothly. "No need, Your Highness. Your presence is still needed here."

I let my voice carry just enough for those nearby to hear. "There are still many ladies hoping to dance with you on this special night. Surely, you wouldn't want to break their hearts, would you?"

I turned my gaze toward the noble ladies who had been glaring at me moments ago. Their eyes widened, their expressions quickly shifting to ones of pleading hopefulness as they looked toward the prince.

Let's see how he handles this.

His lips parted slightly, and for a fleeting moment, I saw hesitation flash in his eyes.

I pressed on, my tone unwavering. "Your Highness, I am most grateful for your time, yet I fear this is where we must part ways. After all, my father is now present within this very hall."

I didn't miss the way his jaw tensed slightly at my emphasis. He understood perfectly. My father would be escorting me, and that meant he had no reason to follow.

His expression faltered, his deep sapphire blue eyes betraying a flicker of something unreadable—disappointment, perhaps? But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. He composed himself, offering a smile.

A smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Very well." His voice was calm, but I knew better.

I curtsied one last time. "Thank you, Your Highness."

And with that, I turned away, leaving him standing there in the middle of the dance floor as I walked toward my father.

But just as I reached father, I felt it—a lingering gaze, burning into my back.

I didn't need to turn around to know who it belonged to.

Prince Rolland was still watching me.

And somehow, a dull ache settled in my chest as I chose to end the night like this.

Was this regret?

Regret for cutting things short? For turning away from an opportunity I hadn't fully grasped? I wasn't sure. But what I did know was that something within me felt… missing.

As if a part of me had been left behind with him—pulled toward him, tethered in a way I couldn't explain.

And now, without it, I felt strangely incomplete.