CHAPTER 032
Princess Lilibet, having become the Emperor’s first dance partner, inwardly rejoiced at her good fortune.
The first name on the list was Arabelle. The Emperor must have chosen her. However, due to Rosa’s betrayal, Arabelle’s dance shoe heel broke, and with her injured ankle, she had to give up the dance.
The Emperor’s first dance partner was now determined by the order of noble houses, and it was her. She would captivate his heart and surely be chosen as his last dance partner.
She fluttered her fan-like silver eyelashes alluringly and bit her lower lip slightly to show her white teeth, aiming to look shy.
As if captivated by her beautiful face, the Emperor’s red lips curved into a smile directed at Princess Lilibet, his first dance partner.
As the Emperor approached closer, the princess grasped her dress with both hands and curtsied. Her stunning beauty, like a blooming rose, stood out among the candidates.
The Empress Dowager and her confidants exchanged satisfied glances, convinced that even a stoic Emperor would not be able to resist the woman before him.
Arabelle, standing behind the ladies, watched the Emperor descending the stairs over their shoulders. Seeing him smile at Princess Lilibet, a sharp pain pierced her heart, making her forget about her aching ankle.
Unable to bear looking any longer, Arabelle lowered her head and shrank back behind the other candidates.
The Emperor’s leisurely sweeping gaze passed over the small crown of hair hidden among the ladies and then moved back to Lilibet.
Just as the Emperor’s shoe touched the last step, he suddenly tripped,
Screech.
Unbelievably, his feet slipped,
Thud!
The Emperor’s body pitched forward onto the marble floor.
Though he quickly regained his balance and avoided a complete fall, the fact that the Emperor stumbled was enough to make everyone’s breath catch.
The hall, which had been in shocked silence, suddenly erupted in commotion.
“Your Majesty!”
“Are you alright, Your Majesty?”
“Summon the royal physician immediately!”
“Lean on my shoulder.”
As the Emperor, who had never shown a moment of weakness, stumbled, his guards quickly surrounded him protectively.
“I’m fine.”
The Emperor’s firm voice came from within the protective circle of guards.
“The stairs were slippery, and I lost my footing.”
“That’s a relief.”
Commander Jacob exhaled in relief, to which the Emperor patted his shoulder and took a step forward.
“Ugh…!”
As the Emperor put weight on his foot, he let out a painful groan. Jacob quickly supported him and asked,
“Are you hurt?”
“It seems I’ve twisted my ankle a bit.”
“We must call the physician immediately. Let’s get you to a seat first.”
The Emperor, limping slightly, was helped by Jacob to the throne.
The royal physician, who rushed in, examined the Emperor and reported,
“The injury isn’t severe, but it looks like your ankle is strained. It would be best to avoid dancing tonight, Your Majesty.”
At the physician’s words, the Emperor frowned and looked at Princess Lilibet and the other ladies waiting behind her. With a regretful expression, he said,
“It seems I must postpone the dance with you ladies until another time. But do not worry; enjoy the banquet to your heart’s content.”
With the Emperor’s sudden departure for treatment, the guests began to murmur among themselves.
“What on earth happened?”
“Does this mean there will be no private time with the Emperor until the contest?”
“He hasn’t visited the annex even once.”
“I had a sapphire necklace delivered at dawn just for tonight’s dance.”
“My daughter endured a week on a single piece of bread just to fit into her dress.”
“Well, at least it’s comforting that His Majesty didn’t dance with anyone.”
“That’s true.”
The royal banquet master signaled to the conductor, who snapped out of his daze and raised his baton. Bright and cheerful woodwind melodies filled the hall, bringing it back to life.
Princess Lilibet, who had just missed her chance to dance with the Emperor, bit the inside of her cheek to suppress her anger.
Grace, who had been confident in her extensive knowledge to win the Emperor’s heart, showed a momentary look of disappointment.
The families of the ladies were busy comforting their daughters while also keeping an eye on the other candidates.
Arabelle, standing in a corner of the hall with her aching ankle, soon realized the whispers were directed at her. Refined lips behind feathered fans spat out endless vile words.
They intentionally gathered around her and spoke loudly enough for her to hear. Having already obtained information about her fallen family, the nobles spoke about her without restraint.
“She isn’t particularly pretty, nor does she have a great figure. How did she catch the Emperor’s eye?”
“Do you not know that capturing a man’s heart isn’t just about looks?”
“She doesn’t even look like that. Doesn’t she look rather dull?”
“That’s what’s frightening. Those who pretend to be innocent with such a pure face are often the most devious. Don’t mistake her for being like our daughters.”
“Even so, it’s insulting that His Majesty brought someone of her level. It’s a blow to our pride.”
“What are you worried about? She’ll be the first to be eliminated in the contest. Do you think His Majesty brought her here intending to make her the Empress?”
“Then why did he bring her here?”
“Oh, you naive woman. Why else? To make her his mistress. Don’t you know that previous Emperors had countless mistresses? Some were even brought in as candidates for the contest.”
“Well, that makes sense. How dare she be compared to our daughters…”
“It’s still upsetting. It feels like our daughters have been downgraded.”
“That’s why His Majesty didn’t even glance at her in the hall. She might be amusing in private, but she’s too embarrassing to show off in public.”
Arabelle knew she should leave, but her feet wouldn’t move. She stood there, trembling, as she absorbed their venomous words.
Finding their target unresponsive, they soon lost interest and began to disperse.
Despite their disappointment at not dancing with the Emperor, the ladies eagerly found partners to showcase their beauty and dancing skills on the floor.
Finally alone, Arabelle hobbled out of the hall, where Millie was waiting.
“Let’s go back to the annex.”
Millie, who had watched the entire scene with the other maids, nodded and helped Arabelle down the stairs.
Arabelle had just boarded the waiting carriage and was awaiting its departure when she heard a knock. The door opened.
“His Majesty the Emperor has summoned you. Please come with me.”
Kyle, the aide, politely requested Arabelle, who was still pale with shock.
***
The Emperor’s bedroom.
“I’m surprised you called for me so quickly,” the royal physician cautiously remarked to the Emperor, who was working even at this hour.
“It turned out that way. I’m surprised at how well you performed your act. Good job.”
“Haha, thank you.”
The original plan was for the Emperor to dance with Arabelle first and then sprain his ankle when it was time to dance with the next lady. The physician was supposed to rush in, diagnose the Emperor’s ankle, and report that further dancing would be impossible.
The physician was practicing his lines in front of the mirror when Deputy Commander Peter rushed in.
“The plan has changed. Come quickly.”
When the physician arrived, the Emperor was already pretending to be injured, even without having danced the first dance.
“Shall I leave now?” the physician asked the Emperor, who was focused on his documents.
The Emperor shook his head. “Wait a moment. There’s someone you need to see.”
Just as he finished speaking, there was a knock, and Kyle, the aide, entered with Arabelle, who was supposed to have danced the first dance with the Emperor.
“The young lady seems to have an issue with her left ankle. Please treat her. It doesn’t seem like a sprain but rather a strain on the heel, judging by the position of her limping.”
At the Emperor’s words, the physician, as well as Sir Jacob and Kyle, widened their eyes in astonishment.
The Emperor had only been informed that Arabelle’s ankle was injured due to her broken dance shoe heel, yet he knew exactly which ankle and the precise location of the injury. These were details one would not notice without careful observation. Kyle, who thought the Emperor had not even glanced at her during the banquet, was astonished.
As Arabelle, still standing by the door in confusion, watched, the Emperor rose from his desk and approached her.
Arabelle’s wide eyes grew even wider, having been more concerned about the limping Emperor than the gossiping people. His walk was as perfect as ever like measured with a ruler.
“Were you surprised? Sir George is not only the best physician in the Empire but on the continent. One touch from him, and I’m completely healed.”
Hearing that the Emperor was healed, a look of relief quickly washed over Arabelle’s face.
“Now it’s your turn. The royal physician has a patient to treat.”
Suddenly, as her feet left the ground, Arabelle gasped in surprise. The Emperor had swiftly scooped her up into his arms, cradling her like a princess.
“You shouldn’t strain yourself by walking,” the Emperor said, his red eyes gently caressing the clear, injured eyes from the banquet.
“You need to heal so we can have our final dance before the banquet ends. Although, even if you aren’t completely healed, it doesn’t matter. We can always dance with your feet on mine.”
As he spoke, he lifted one corner of his mouth into a smile, looking into her tear-filled eyes in disbelief.
“That night in the treehouse, when we fought over a baby bear for your lap, I promised, didn’t I? I said I wouldn’t let anyone else climb over you. Surely you haven’t forgotten in the meantime?”
The Emperor softly whispered as he wiped away the tears collected between her eyelashes with his long fingers.
“I need to show those who spoke out of turn about you exactly who you are. The true worth of the lady personally chosen by the Emperor.”
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