Chapter 96: 98

Asha danced barefoot to the music, her expression freer than ever before.

In fact, when she received etiquette education before, the class she liked the most was ‘dancing’.

When she danced, she felt a little relief from the stifling palace life, and most of all, the fact that she was talented at something made her feel alive.

With a light gesture like a butterfly, Asha made a turn.

As soon as her foot touched the ground, she moved to the side like flowing water, and it seemed as if she barely touched the ground.

As the music grew more passionate, she boldly performed turns and jumps, causing Karaf to flinch.

The see-through fabric inside her skirt swayed like butterfly wings every time she lifted her legs and leaned back to balance.

Her slightly sweaty face and neck, and the way her muscles moved on her slender arms were all vivid and beautiful, like a painting.

But then, something extraordinary happened.

Karaf’s eyes widened, as did those of the nobles around him.

Asha began to harness the power of the wind.

A golden wind, like gold dust, flowed from her hands, enveloping her dress in a dazzling glow.

It was like watching a firefly that illuminates the night sky.

The nobles and priests watched the spectacle in ecstasy.

Just as the music reached its climax, Asha’s red dress split in half, and she emerged from within it.

The dress floated in the air, giving the impression that she had emerged from a cocoon.

Asha had used the power of the wind to hold the dress aloft, leaving the spectators wide-eyed with wonder.

Once the dress fell away, Asha revealed a new golden dress.

At the Flower Banquet, she had worn a dress that changed from green to red, like a blooming flower. But this time, it looked as if a butterfly had hatched from a flower.

The dress was covered in glitter that reflected the sunset light and created layers of luminosity-like watercolors spreading out.

The lights on the dress shifted with every movement as if the sunset had been transferred directly onto the fabric.

What kind of secret was hidden in the dress?

Duchess René was shocked, dropping her fan as her eyes and mouth opened wide.

The assembled nobles appeared to have undergone a spiritual awakening, gazing at the “Butterfly Dance” with astonishment.

Butterflies were regarded as sacred beings that descended from the heavens.

The priests bowed their heads in reverent prayer as if they were witnessing an angel dancing.

Dart, in particular, was so overwhelmed that he watched Asha’s performance with trembling eyes

The mysterious scent of flowers emanated from him once again.

His face was filled with intense emotion as he held his hands together, finishing the prayer ceremony.

Ella, behind the pillar, covered her mouth with a handkerchief and shed tears.

Despite receiving requests from numerous noble ladies, Ella vowed to make dresses only for Vanessa as her lady-in-waiting.

The dance, which had started naturally, ended just as smoothly.

As the sun set and only the remnants of the sunset remained, Asha’s dress faintly shone. Karaf stood frozen, as if in a dream.

Asha felt a bit embarrassed as she looked around and noticed that Karaf was frozen, not clapping as he was supposed to.

When she lifted her head to greet him, she was surprised by his ecstatic and thrilled expression.

It seemed a bit excessive for an emperor, who should be dignified, to make such an expression. It was as if it was against the law for someone with such a beautiful face to show such enthusiasm.

Despite this, Karaf’s face was lit up like someone who had just enjoyed a work of art, and his eyes were shining red as if he were intoxicated.

Karaf threw a rose onto the stage as a sign of respect, and the audience erupted into applause, cheers, and whistles.

The noble ladies were so overcome by Asha’s overwhelming appearance that they couldn’t even feel jealous or envious. Instead, they threw the flowers they were holding onto the stage.

Sonya was holding a flower basket, throwing flowers along with other servants toward the stage.

Thanks to the flowers thrown onto the stage, Asha looked even more like a butterfly standing in a flower garden. 

* * * * *

Once the ceremony ended, they returned to the palace and enjoyed the ball.

Asha attended the ball in the same outfit in which she danced.

The ballroom was filled with nobles this time, rather than commoners.

As Asha scanned the room, she suddenly saw Baron Violet talking to other nobles next to a column.

He turned his head and caught sight of Asha, and hurried over with widened eyes.

“Lady Vanessa.”

He politely bowed.

“Thank you for giving me the honor of offering flowers to you every day.”

Asha was taken aback and couldn’t answer at first.

But soon, Asha realized something.

Was it because of an incident in his past life that bothered him?

It seemed that Karaf had ordered him to do so.

While Asha was away, Karaf summoned Baron Violet to the palace.

At the emperor’s call, the baron arrived nervously at the audience room where Karaf greeted him calmly.

‘I heard that the Violet family produces beautiful violets every year.’

‘Yes, we do. I was actually planning to send some flowers as a gift to Lady Vanessa soon.’

Karaf smiled bitterly.

‘That’s a very kind gesture. The reason why I called you here is also for the same reason.’

Baron Violet looked a little surprised and looked up at Karaf.

‘From now on, I request that you send the freshest violets grown in your manor to the Empress’ Palace every day. Lady Vanessa loves purple flowers very much. I will reward you accordingly, worthy of such a kind gesture.’

The baron was greatly moved and exclaimed.

‘Thank you very much, Your Majesty! For the honor of my family, I will dedicate the freshest violets!’

‘Yes, I look forward to your kind cooperation.’

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The baron looked nervous when he first arrived, but he left excited. Seeing the baron’s foolishly innocent-looking back, Karaf sighed with guilt.

     ‘Could this slightly redeem my past mistakes?’

If this gesture could ease Asha’s mood even a little, he couldn’t ask for more.

Asha, who had only just learned the truth, spoke with a gentle expression.

“Thanks to you, I enjoy seeing fresh flowers every morning.”

Upon hearing these words, the baron was truly moved.

As the two spoke, the surrounding nobles watched them, pretending to engage in their own conversations, but secretly paying close attention to every word and action Asha made.

Since the Month of Blossoms event was organized by Vanessa, everyone reacted sensitively to her words and actions.

The noble ladies who had made unpleasant remarks to Asha at the tea party felt too guilty to approach her, but the spectators were eagerly seeking opportunities to befriend her.

Asha gracefully thanked every noble lady who gifted her thick history books, but inwardly she suppressed a laugh.

Nia seemed to be doing her job well.

There were so many people giving her books as gifts, those thick books piled up like a mountain next to her chair.

They smiled in front of Asha but looked at each other warily.

After insulting Vanessa like that, their glances suddenly shifted to suspicious ones, questioning why they suddenly changed their attitude.

It was a strategy that achieved three goals at once: who’s buying favor, choosing which nobles to keep by her side, and making them vigilant among themselves.

While carrying out Asha’s orders, Nia was amazed and impressed by these cunning people.

Indeed, Asha was able to manipulate the nobles in a way that even Nia, who had been in the social world for a long time, could not have imagined.

Asha had been tirelessly greeting the guests, but now found it difficult to smile due to facial paralysis.

She worried that Karaf would become tired, but she was actually several times more exhausted from socializing than usual.

Especially since she had never received such favor or attention before, it was even more difficult for her.

But then, Karaf came to her side to protect her.

“…I want to ask the most beautiful woman in this ballroom to dance.”

Karaf said with a smile as he kissed the back of Asha’s hand.

At his cheeky words, the noble women around him began to chatter and make a fuss among themselves.

Asha smiled and replied.

“All right, Your Majesty.”

Baron Violet bowed politely to Karaf and left.

As Asha and Karaf took their place in the center of the ballroom, the nobles around them stepped back to face their partners.

Then the music started, and the two began to dance slowly.

Although Karaf looked expressionless, Asha realized that he was very nervous and focused. So she teasingly asked him.

“Your Majesty, are you nervous?”

“No.”

“You’re dancing too stiff right now.”

“……”

Karaf’s ears turned red, but he kept moving as if he was leading, and Asha followed his steps.

Not forgetting to praise him, as he enjoyed compliments, Asha said.

“You seem to be an excellent dancer, Your Majesty.”

“Well, there’s nothing I cannot do in this world.”

Asha burst out laughing.

After one round of dancing, the partners politely bid each other a polite farewell. 

Asha, who had worked up a bit of a sweat, went to the balcony with a glass of champagne to cool off in the breeze.

As she gazed up at the night sky, someone opened the balcony door and approached her.

“Lady Vanessa.”

Looking at the pink hair under the beautiful night sky, Asha replied.

“Duke of Blossom.”

It was the man that Nia had warned her to stay away from.

Sihan placed a hand on his chest and slightly bowed his head.

“I dared to follow you because I wanted to speak with you alone, Lady Vanessa. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“Is there something you want to tell me?”

Asha asked with grace, but she was genuinely curious.

He seemed very interested in her from the first time they met.

He had shown obvious favor to her, but Asha did not trust the nobles.

Sihan noticed her caution and responded with a friendly smile.

“Since you’re being cautious, it appears that you’re watching out for His Majesty.”

Asha felt self-conscious, but Sihan continued to speak in a relaxed manner.

“I came to ask Vanessa for a favor because I want to assist His Majesty. I believe it will be of great help to have me by his side.”

Asha was a little surprised that he was openly stating his intentions, unlike the other nobles.

“Why are you so sure?”

“Because I’m on the same boat as His Majesty and Lady Vanessa.”

“I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”

Sihan looked around carefully to make sure no nobles were listening beyond the door or any spies were hiding under the terrace. Then he turned back to Asha, his expression suddenly serious.

“I, like His Majesty, know that Lady Vanessa has returned from the past.”

Asha’s eyes widened in surprise.

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