Bastian

.
The man’s attitude towards the chaperone was impeccably polite.

 

Odette waited for the next turn with elegance.

 

As expected, the Countess of Trier handed over Odette, and Bastian approached without hesitation and held out his hand.

 

“Let’s go, Lady Odette.”

 

The man’s voice sounded as if exercising his natural right overwhelmed the commotion around him.
Odette, who raised her slightly lowered eyes, conveyed her permission by offering her hand.
The moment Bastian wrapped his hand around hers, the door to the great banquet hall opened wide.

 

It was the emperor’s position.

 

***

 

“Please calm down.”

 

Valerie sighed deeply and lowered her voice to a whisper.
Isabelle, who was tipping her glass in disappointment, slowly lifted her head to look at her sister.

 

“I don’t need your advice.”

 

“I’m sorry.
How long are you going to tarnish the honor of the imperial family because of a man who has no interest in you?”

 

“Do you think you are qualified to give such a sermon when it’s been you, who had been chasing after Duke Herhardt a while ago?”

 

“He is Herhardt.
You don’t believe that the grandson of a lowly antique dealer is the same as the greatest aristocrat in the empire, right?”

 

“Don’t speak carelessly about Bastian!”

 

Isabelle’s excited shout broke the tranquility of the terrace.
The guests, startled by the commotion, all turned their attention to the two princesses.

 

“Calm down.
Have you already forgotten mother’s request to show a sense of responsibility worthy of an imperial princess?”

 

Valerie looked around and her cheeks burned with shame.
But Isabelle was still struggling in her pathetic feelings of unrequited love.

 

“Those two are having a good time while sister hides here and sheds tears.”

 

Valerie sighed, raising her voice on purpose, and pointed proudly through the terrace window.
Isabelle’s face immediately contorted with unbearable pain.

 

Captain Klauswitz and Duke Dissen’s daughter, who had been walking around the banquet hall without leaving each other’s side for a moment, were now engaged in a private conversation.
The two, with their tall stature and gorgeous looks, stand out like disparate beings in the crowd.
It was hard to deny that they were a perfect pair, at least in terms of appearance.

 

“Bastian is just following the emperor’s orders.”

 

Emptying her cup in one gulp, Isabelle tried to deny the reality in front of her.
It was at that moment, of all moments, that the unbelievable happened.

 

When the daughter of the Duke of Dissen whispered something, Bastian tilted his head and lowered his gaze.
How friendly the eyes and smiles exchanged were.
It was as if they were lovers who had begun to fall in love.

 

“Just because sister believes that, it doesn’t change the reality.”

 

Valerie taunted Isabelle in a very nasty way.

 

“Captain Klauswitz fell in love with the lady of the Dissen.
No wonder.
What kind of man would refuse such a beauty?”

 

“You know nothing.
Bastian isn’t a vain man.”

 

Isabelle opened her tightly closed eyes and shook her head resolutely.

 

It had been 6 years.
Ever since the day she fell in love at first sight, she had only looked at Bastian.
How could she not have known the man she had loved with all her heart during those long years? 

 

It was never a vain delusion alone.

 

No matter what anyone said, Isabelle knew.
How honorable a man Bastian Klauswitz was and how loyal a soldier he was.

 

How deep and sad was the love that she couldn’t help but convey because of that?

 

“At least you seem to know better than your sister.”

 

Valerie laughed lightly and stood up from her seat.

 

When the uninvited guest who gave her cheeky advice left, Isabelle was finally able to be alone again.
The sound of her filling her empty glass penetrated the air of a sad spring night.

 

How could he have paid for his devotion to the empire with such a poor woman? It was unjust, but that foolishly loyal man seemed to have accepted even that.

 

Perhaps he had in mind the rumors spreading in the social world.
Using that woman as a shield to protect the princess’s honor.

 

Yes, he did.

 

Tears welled up in Isabelle’s eyes, who had finally found the answer.

 

A hero of low bloodline and an abandoned Princess’s daughter.

 

It was a scandal that was sure to attract public attention.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the main characters of this social season were already occupied by those two.
It was enough shade to cover Isabelle’s name.

 

But what was the meaning of the glory obtained at the cost of your sacrifice?

 

Tears kept falling, racing in a torrent of sorrow, wet Isabelle’s red cheeks.
A sweet waltz melody now began to be heard through the open window.
Among the guests who made their way to the center of the banquet hall in pairs was Bastian, who was holding the woman’s hand.

 

Isabelle poured another glass of wine, gritting her teeth.
Her eyes were blurred by her tears, and the overflowing alcohol soaked her hands, but she had no energy left to worry about such things.

 

It seemed that she knew for the first time the intentions of her mother, who had allowed her to attend the ball.
She must have hoped that Isabelle would be hurt in the most miserable way.
So that she could no longer hold on to this love.

 

Isabelle raised her unfocused eyes and looked at her cousin, who had taken Bastian’s side that should have been hers.
The woman who was said to be a puppet of the imperial family for money was abominably calm and confident, and she was most beautiful.

 

The waltz of the spring night began at the same time that the sense of shame that this fact gave her led to a sad weeping.