<CHAPTER 31>
This Is Not Normal
Maintaining dignity while in motion is far more difficult than simply standing still.
Amid the gazes waiting for the downfall of the woman who had suddenly appeared and monopolized the favor of the Crown Prince, he extended his hand.
“Please.”
Their overlapping hands marked the beginning of movement.
As the Crown Prince led the master of the Winter Palace to the center of the ballroom, light and simple music played.
Perhaps it was merely a warm-up, as the performance was brief.
The moment the two stood at the center, the music stopped.
In the silence, the Crown Prince moved first.
Releasing her hand, he stepped one leg back and bowed, asking for a dance once more.
The woman watching stepped back gracefully, holding her skirt wide as she bowed.
It was a perfect angle, neither too deep nor too shallow.
The two straightened at the same time and moved close.
Her hand rested upon his, while her other hand lightly settled on the arm supporting her back.
The music began again.
No signal was given, yet the first note and first step aligned perfectly.
“Ha…”
One might believe she had no legs beneath her dress.
Like a flower petal floating on water, the woman moved exactly as the Crown Prince guided her.
Her turns and gaze were flawless.
Not once did her skirt tangle awkwardly, nor did it rise excessively to reveal her ankles.
Every movement seemed calculated to perfection.
When the dance ended and the two came to a stop, the music ceased as well.
The nobles even forgot to applaud the first dance that signaled the start of the banquet.
Under their speechless gazes, the Crown Prince and the master of the palace concluded with a second formal bow before stepping aside.
The orchestra began playing the next piece.
They would continue until the banquet ended for the nobles who wished to dance.
But no one stepped forward.
Thus, the festivities of that day came to an end.
“Gail, hey. Just leave it.”
Silayan stopped Gail, who was chasing after Shu as it crawled around every corner of the Winter Palace, sniffing everything.
The large, slender dog had barely moved on the first day, but now that it realized no one was controlling it, it had begun exploring.
“But the carpet will get damaged.”
Gail worried about the handcrafted carpet woven in a unique manner.
Each time he saw the threads snagged by the dog’s claws, his heart visibly sank.
Silayan laughed and pulled Gail back.
“Even Her Highness said it’s fine, so why are you like this?”
Gail, who had been assigned to the Winter Palace as Shu’s caretaker, had mistakenly referred to the palace’s master as “Your Highness” several times.
Silayan eventually began using the same title.
It was also a title filled with admiration and fondness that Lady Rerol held for Raven.
However, there was someone who absolutely hated that title.
“Are you insane?”
A rough hand grabbed a lock of softly curled hair.
Ivy was still in a foul mood after being mocked among the ladies at the recent winter banquet for wearing a dress made of gray fabric that shimmered like fish scales.
After crying her eyes out, she had declared she would never return to the Winter Palace.
Yet Count Ibiton had forced her back.
‘Just show your face a few more times. The Crown Prince’s feelings for the Crown Princess, which seemed eternal, faded eventually. Who knows how long his feelings for that woman will last.’
Count Ibiton believed his daughter should become the Crown Prince’s third woman.
For that, she had to endure temporary humiliation.
‘If only you resembled Camilla Berzac even a tenth!’
Camilla, who had demonstrated remarkable intelligence assisting her lady at the banquet, had gained considerable praise.
Some even said that although a commoner could never become Crown Princess, if Lady Camilla took that position instead, they would overlook the Crown Prince keeping a commoner lover.
That was exactly what angered Count Ibiton.
That praise should have belonged to Ivy.
Why was his clever and adorable daughter acting so inadequately?
Even if she had to bow to a lowly commoner, once she reached that glorious position, everything would be rewarded.
If she could just climb that far, he would handle the rest.
To him, it was frustrating.
Having returned from such unjust treatment at home, there was no way Ivy would find Gail and Silayan—who adored Raven—pleasant.
“Where did you learn to stick that title everywhere?”
“Ah, it hurts! I said it hurts!”
“If you want your precious master to be arrested for insulting the imperial family, then go ahead and shout it louder. I’ll personally report it to the Imperial Household.”
Then a voice asked.
“Report what?”
“Well, that—”
The color drained from Ivy’s face as she was about to boldly explain her plan.
She recognized the voice.
‘Raven!’
A hateful woman who stood above her despite being a mere commoner.
Yet now, she was someone Ivy could neither touch nor dare to offend.
“…You’ve arrived.”
Her suppressed voice barely managed a greeting.
Evelyn did not respond.
Ivy remained bent awkwardly, neither fully bowed nor upright.
As the strain grew unbearable, Evelyn finally signaled that she could rise.
Ivy’s face flushed with humiliation.
“Should I give you a vacation?”
Evelyn asked.
Ivy barely managed to shake her head.
“Do you need time to rest?”
She almost nodded before quickly shaking her head again.
Evelyn spoke gently.
“Do you want to quit?”
The temptation to agree was overwhelming.
Her eyes reddened with tears, but Ivy did not nod.
Watching her remain still, Evelyn gave another command.
“It seems you have nothing urgent to do, so you can spare me some time.”
“Follow me.”
Clenching her teeth and ignoring her tears, Ivy followed Evelyn proudly.
‘A mere commoner… a mere commoner…’
She repeated it in her mind.
“What should I do for you?”
Ivy braced herself, recalling her father’s words, prepared to endure any humiliation.
But Evelyn’s words were unexpected.
When Ivy did not respond, Evelyn repeated calmly.
“What would you like me to do for you?”
Still confused, Ivy remained silent.
Evelyn spoke as if comforting her.
“I am not unaware of your situation.”
“I know you are not here by choice. And that you cannot return is not your will either.”
Realizing her circumstances had been seen through, Ivy’s face turned red.
Not from shame, but anger.
“So I am offering consideration. I will have you work elsewhere. You will only need to assist during official events. I believe this is beneficial for you as well.”
Evelyn spoke as if certain Ivy would not refuse.
However, Ivy had no intention of backing down.
“Please let me stay.”
Though it sounded like a request, it carried her pride.
She could never bow to a commoner.
“Lady Ibiton.”
“Or… will you send me to the Crown Prince’s palace?”
It was a clever provocation.
Whether accepted or refused, Ivy would lose nothing.
She believed it would only embarrass the master of the Winter Palace.
‘That would be difficult.’
However, Evelyn rejected the proposal for a different reason.
‘I will not endure it anymore. Only until you officially return to my side. Only that. I will not tolerate anything else.’
Rexfail was obsessed with her.
If Lady Ibiton bothered him, he might kill her.
“Haha.”
I’m not normal either.
Thinking that, Evelyn sent Ivy away.
Not long after, an unexpected proposal came to the stubborn woman.
