Chapter 66: 66

Michael’s wrist made a creepy sound, it was as if his bone was twisted.

Cold sweat formed on Michael’s forehead. It looked terribly painful. But instead of screaming, he pretended to be calm and raised one corner of his mouth.

“Are you going to have a fight at Bauner’s ball? What a monster bastard.”

It was the smile I saw when I poisoned Michael.

He never showed weakness even as the sound from his wrists grew louder, and he built up his pride.

“You’re so ungrateful to my father who had collected something like you.”

This was serious.

The scattered people gradually gathered here.

I hurriedly grabbed Benny’s collar.

“Benny, calm down.”

“…….” 

At those words, Benny’s hand returned to human form. But he still did not release his hand and looked at Michael.

The anger contained in the purple eyes resembled ice that burned the flesh because it was too cold, rather than the blazing fire.

‘Again, those eyes…’

I had chills down my spine.

Benny’s eyes were inhumane, as if the people around him were mere stones scattered on the side of the road.

The only time he was human was when he looked at me.

“What’s this fuss about?”

At that moment, the organizers of the masked ball appeared, splitting the crowd.

Alan looked down at Benny and Michael with stern eyes.

Suddenly, a memory flashed through my mind – the one where Alan brutally slapped Benny.

I whispered to Benny desperately.

“…Benny, let go of that hand.”

“……”

“It’s an order.” 

I spoke harshly on purpose, and Benny slowly released Michael’s wrist.

Michael pressed his crumpled sleeves and hid his hands behind his back.

It was him who was hurt the most, but he clenched his teeth as if he had made a big mistake.

“I’m sorry, Fath……”

Michael looked around the crowd and fixed his words.

“…Duke.”

Was he not allowed to even call him ‘Father’ in front of other nobles?

Alan only looked at me, as if he didn’t care what Michael called him.

“Lily, are you okay?”

“…Yes.”

I grabbed Michael’s sleeve as he was about to sneak away and asked,

“Rather, please treat Brother Michael.”

Michael’s wrist was swollen. It didn’t look like it was broken as he could still wiggle his fingers, but it looked like he was in urgent need of treatment.

“Hey… No, Lily. Let it be.”

“No.”

I coldly refused Michael’s request.

It was clear that anxiety would spread again in the ballroom if Michael showed everything Benny had done to him.

I’d have to send him somewhere for quick treatment.

“I get it.”

Alan accepted it warmly and gestured to the inside of the terrace.

“Nike.”

“Yes!”

As soon as Alan called, Nike came with a ‘Pop!’ sound, as if he had jumped out of a magician’s hat. 

Where the heck was he hiding, that he showed up right away as soon as his name was called? 

“Take Michael.”

There was not even a hint of concern mixed in Alan’s tone as he said that.

It seemed like if I hadn’t asked for it, he’d have left him alone.

As Michael left with Nike, he glanced at me.

“…Why do you cherish that monster so much?”

The voice went away and I couldn’t hear any more.

Alan looked down at Benny, then with a few blinks, he gestured to the nobles who had gathered around him, signaling them to disperse.

His eyes were terrifying.

“Whenever I take my eyes off, you only do things that would threaten Lily.”

Benny made eye contact with Alan and spoke.

“I wanted to protect the Princess.” 

He didn’t even make an excuse.

It was like going back in time and doing the same thing.

Alan responded coldly.

“It doesn’t matter what your intentions are. What matters is whether or not it will harm Lily in the end.”

“That’s…” 

“It seems that he lives only as a monster and doesn’t even know the law. Did you say you wanted to be Lily’s escort knight?”

Alan took me in his arms and left the terrace with a warning.

“To do that, first fix that arrogant look.”

Benny didn’t follow us and just stood there blankly.

It was as if he was mulling over Alan’s words over and over again.

***

“Is that seat uncomfortable?” 

Instead of going back to the top seat, Alan took me to a cozy break room.

Even though the space was only divided by a beaded curtain, the commotion in the ballroom became even lighter. 

“What?”

“Somehow, it seems that you are not enjoying it properly.”

Alan raised his eyebrows while talking.

“…Is it because of the Emperor?”

No, it had been a long time since the emperor left.

“If you say something, I’ll protest right away.”

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Alan got down on one knee and made eye contact with me.

Even in the dim light, his green eyes were bright.

‘How are you going to deal with the aftermath of insulting the Emperor?’

I shook my head in agitation. 

Then Alan seemed to have no idea what to do any more. 

“Is it because you don’t want to dance?”

I pondered for a moment and then nodded.

“…Yes.”

The scenery of the ball shimmered in a haze over the curtain.

People were dancing to colorful music. I didn’t have the confidence to mix in there. 

When Alan ran out of solutions, I hurriedly shook my hand. 

“It’s not that I don’t like the ball! It’s just… I’m worried that I might make a mistake while dancing.”

Alan raised one eyebrow as if he didn’t understand what I was saying.

“No one can laugh at you if you make a mistake. You are my daughter.”

“…That’s why.”

“Well?”

“I am Dad’s daughter.”

I fiddled my hands and carefully spit out the real reason I didn’t want to dance.

“I don’t want to tarnish Dad’s name.”

There were other reasons besides not wanting to draw any attention for me to hide myself in a ghost cloth.

‘It’s better not to try than to make a mistake.’

All the guests gathered here were nobles. 

The moment I hung out with them, the tone, gestures, and actions were fixed, and if I went a little off, everyone would laugh from behind.

‘In addition, even though Alan talks like that, if I really make a mistake, I bet his expression will change.’

Adults hate children’s mistakes.

Rather than being clumsy and hurting Alan’s feelings, it was better to just stay still as if I was dead and get through the ball.

He licked the corner of his mouth, somewhat startled by my words.

“…I didn’t ask you to dance because I was afraid that you were in a bad condition… but that was the real reason.” 

Alan was silent for a moment, then suddenly grabbed my left hand.

“Then how about doing this?”

The smile on his lips was so kind that I was a little embarrassed.

“My dear daughter. Will you dance with…”

“Ah, I found you! Liiilyyyyy!”

At that time, a huge man walked in and lifted me up.

His ceremonial armor flashed in the light of the chandelier that flowed in an instant.

He had copper-colored skin and black hair that shook like waves, and a face that could not be recognized.

“Bro, Brother Pedro?”

“Did you have a good time?”

Pedro picked me up and turned me around.

Candlesticks and decorations placed nearby collided with his huge size, then fell down with a sound.

Of course he didn’t care at all.

“Did you dance a lot? I think the next song will start soon. Let’s dance with me. It’s not a waltz, it’s a polka dance!”

“…Pedro, you are noisy.”

Alan scolded him harshly.

He seemed somehow annoyed by something other than the noise.

“Oh my, is that so? I’m sorry. Anyway, Lily, let’s dance!”

“Pedro, forcing Lily to dance is…”

“Ah, the song is beginning! Father, see you later!”

Pedro threw off his breastplate and ran off to the ballroom without giving any of us a chance to stop him.

Also, since we’re the center of the hall, people’s eyes naturally flocked to us.

“Brother, I can’t dance…!”

I lowered my voice, but Pedro, with his sharp ears, understood and smiled broadly.

“When we went to the South, you had a lot of fun, didn’t you?”

“Well, it was… it was because it was on the street.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. It is no different here.”

After tuning, the orchestra began to play a light song like never before.

Pedro put me down and grabbed my hands. And I started to move my feet excitedly.

When it came to the dances of the nobles, I only imagined them gracefully moving with their waists hugged, but they also dance like this?

“Here! 1, 2! Good job!”

I accidentally followed Pedro’s steps.

I didn’t even know what the hell I was doing, but when I panicked and got my feet twisted, Pedro grabbed me and turned me around. As if it wasn’t a mistake but a nice move.

Whenever that happened, the nobles who were watching us cheered.

‘I didn’t expect this kind of reaction.’

I was very stunned.

Pedro looked at me and smiled broadly like the sun.

“Isn’t it fun?” 

Beads of sweat were forming on his forehead.

It was not because of the dance, but more like sweat shed while running.

How far did he run to meet me?

I closed my eyes and smiled softly.

“…Yes, it’s fun.”

Even though my back, covered in a cloth, was damp with sweat, strangely, my heart became more and more refreshed.

It felt like my anxious heart was melting along with the sweat.

The bouncing music reached its climax and slowly faded away.

Knowing that the dance was over, I loosened my hand that was holding Pedro’s, and he spun me to the side.

“Oh, we’re changing partners. Lily, see you later!”

“…What?!”

“It’s a masquerade. It’s fun to meet various people!”

Pedro smiled and let go of my hand. 

As I stumbled in place, someone came and pulled me into his arms.

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