Ch. 68 Blinded By Beauty (2)
Tubug, tubug.
Carlisle strode steadily inside, dressed handsomely in a tailcoat uniform. He took his place next to his father, Emperor Sullivan.
Everyone stopped breathing. So did Elena. She knew Carlisle was attractive from the moment they met, but today he seemed to overwhelm the room. His cold blue eyes showed no signs of apprehension despite the attention of the nobles on him, and his expressionless face and proud arrogance only further served to stir the hearts of women. Soon the numerous nobles spoke in unison.
“Hail the Crown Prince.”
Emperor Sullivan looked proudly at his son then turned to address the room again.
“Everyone, please enjoy the ball!”
The music and conversation resumed, and Elena caught sight of Emperor Sullivan introducing Carlisle to the highest ranked nobles. The prince seemed a little different when viewed at this distance. Elena soon caught snatches of gossip from other parts of the room.
“I didn’t know the Crown Prince would be so handsome.”
“I know, I could swoon.”
“Don’t you know the prophecy about the Crown Prince? The first woman to marry him will be miserable for the rest of her life. “
“That’s why I’ll be his second wife, pig.”
All the young woman clamored together to babble over Carlisle, and Elena could not help but feel a little strange about his popularity. It wasn’t just the other women. Mirabelle had a dazed expression on her face as well.
“Wow, I expected the Crown Prince to be like a prince in the fairy tale, but…he really is very handsome.”
Elena nodded stiffly at Mirabelle’s admiring words. Carlisle was more popular than she expected. But aside from that, Elena was quite relieved.
‘…Thank God.’
In her last life, Carlisle was assassinated before the ball. The grieved Sullivan welcomed the nobles in a very different way than he did now, and informed them he would not join in the revelry. She remembered Mirabelle’s disappointment. Now, however, Carlisle was here and had the attention of the everyone. She felt a little hopeful at experiencing a future she changed herself.
Marissa, who was nearby, approached Elena again.
“There are many gentlemen today who would like to be introduced to you tonight. Shall we head to the dance floor? I assure you the men come from good families.”
Building personal connections were a must in aristocratic society. Elena knew that Marissa’s intentions were well, but she felt uncomfortable leaving Mirabelle by herself. Marissa spoke again with a smile, perhaps noticing her hesitance.
“The dance will begin soon, and we should find our partners.”
Many times ballroom partners often turned into lovers later. And the more times a lady was asked to dance, the more people paid attention to her. Elena recollected that she was asked to dance by one or two men in her previous life, but again she refused as she didn’t want to leave her sister alone.
Mirabelle seemed to know what Elena was thinking and pushed her forward.
“Go on, sister! I’ll be watching from here.”
“But–”
She was about to speak when, suddenly, Marissa’s and Mirabelle’s eyes widened in surprise. They were not the only ones. Everyone in the vicinity turned to her with a stunned expression.
“…?”
Elena was about to ask what was happening, when all of a sudden everyone bowed in unison.
“It’s the Crown Prince!”
She whirled around and saw Carlisle standing tall behind her.
“Ah…”
Elena was frozen as a statue.
Carlisle looked at the beautiful young woman before him, then offered out his hand towards her.
“Would you like to dance?”
“…Huh?”
Elena was surprised at his unexpected request. Even more surprised were Mirabelle and Marissa, their eyes looking as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. Elena quickly pulled herself together and took Carlisle’s proffered hand.
“Yes, Your Highness. It would be an honor.”
And so they made their way to the center of the ballroom. It was still a little early to dance, but the music changed as soon as Carlisle and Elena exchanged bows.
The dance between Carlisle and Elena began in full view of the room. Elena was taught the court dances when she was young, but Carlisle had quite the aptitude for a man who spent his life on the battlefield. Carlisle drew Elena’s waist closer to him and he whispered in her ear.
“I thought you would’ve been taken from me if I was too late.”
“Of course not…”
Even if she danced with another man, it would be an exaggeration to say that she was taken. Ballroom dances were fully enjoyed even by married people.
“I’ll tell you in advance. If another man dances with you, he will not have a good life in the future.”
“…Why?”
Carlisle replied with a sly smile.
“Just keep it in mind.”
The two figures swayed beneath the great chandelier as if in a painting. The other nobles soon stepped in with their partners and began dance as well. Soon, the center of the ballroom was filled with waltzing men and women, however…
Among the constellation of splendored nobles, the most breathtaking were Elena and Carlisle. Everyone was blinded by the beauty of the couple.