Murderous Emperor’s Inconvenient Behavior

If she was identified, it would be Claire’s neck that would be in danger here, not King Grizeman’s.”

So how could she not feel nervous?

This position was too strange for her, confronting an emperor who would not hesitate to murder by strangling.

“Then I need to spend more time with you; the more you see me, the less frightening I’ll be.”

“It would be more helpful to distance myself from Your Majesty.”

“Tell me why you’re distancing yourself, and I’ll let you go.”

Eiden was astute. 

If she didn’t give him an explanation, he could be skeptical. 

Claire locked her gaze on Eiden, who was still firmly holding her hand, waiting for her response, his eagerness to dance clear.

“I can’t dance.”

That rationale should be enough.

It wasn’t quite a lie; she had mastered the fundamentals, but mastering them in a short amount of time was challenging.

“Have you never attended a ball?”

“Yes.”

“Why? You were of debutante age.”

“I was far too weak to do so.”

“I see; I’ll take the lead; just follow me.”

Wait, he said he’d let her go if she offered him a reason!

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…”

“Ah, you thought I couldn’t dance? Even a murderer knows how to dance.”

Eiden misinterpreted her expression.

Anyway,

Eiden did not hesitate to refer to himself as a ‘murderer.’

“Did you… know about the rumor?”

The ruler who revels in murder.

Given what she saw earlier in the garden, the rumor appears to be genuine.

Eiden didn’t see he was drenched in monster blood; it was a sight only those acquainted with blood could overlook.

“It’d be stupid not to know when it’s being talked about everywhere.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to step on Your Majesty’s foot.”

“Then start stepping on it from the beginning.”

“Ah!”

So he intends to take forceful action if it is unavoidable? What a simple concept.

Claire gradually elevated her foot.

“Put your foot right on top of mine.”

“…”

He chuckled as he appeared to guess the scenario beneath her clothes.

“Then you can move as I lead; you can’t dance, but you’re capable of following, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Put your hand on my shoulder.”

He put her left hand on his shoulder and drew her in close around the waist.

Claire’s eyes widened as she realized she was getting closer.

“Like this with your right hand.”

Claire gave him her right hand, guided by him.

“Now, finally.”

Her heart was pounding and she felt weird.

Claire avoided making eye contact, her gaze darting across the room.

“Step up onto my foot.”

Her spine tingled at his whisper.

Eiden pushed her, increasing the pressure on the hand that grasped her waist.

“Oh my.”

She was gently standing on his foot before she realized it.

When she tripped in surprise, he grabbed her tightly.

“Just surrender to the music.”

The music shifted and a wonderful song poured as soon as his delicate murmur finished.

They soon moved as one.

Claire’s pulse was pounding like a drum.

“Lift your head.”

Claire wanted to keep gazing at the ground, but she lifted her gaze in response to Eiden’s gentle urging.

His brilliant blue eyes were directly in front of her, and Claire, enthralled by his stare, submitted to his meticulous guidance.

He didn’t have the expertise of someone who has just led a woman once or twice.

“What do you think?”

“…”

She was unable to talk.

“Tired?”

She would never claim it was enjoyable.

“Your cheeks are flushed.”

Eiden stared at Claire, whose cheeks were flushed with delight.

“I, I’m just nervous.”

“Relax, and lean more on me.”

He would hear her pulse hammering if she leaned on him, and she couldn’t allow that to happen, so Claire obediently leaned on him.

His powerful, huge hand and wide chest were really relaxing.

Claire’s eyes closed involuntarily as she felt satisfied.

“You seemed to be very close with Duke Stanton.”

Claire’s eyes flew wide as his voice touched her ear.

She raised her head, which had been buried in his chest, to face him.

“Are you referring to my brother?”

Claire used her eyes to look for Richard.

“Duke Stanton is located between the columns in the back.”

She returned her gaze and saw Richard conversing with another nobility.

Just then, Richard lifted his head, and their gazes locked.

Richard did not avert his sight, but he did bend his head slightly.

“He can’t take his eyes off his little sister.”

“Well, we are siblings, after all.”

It’s no secret that Richard adores Alicia.

“Well, there’s more to it than that…”

But something seemed to irritate him, as his forehead wrinkled in annoyance.

“What exactly are you thinking?”

Could he have noticed that the two are more than simply brothers and sisters?

Claire hastily shifted the subject, feeling irritated.

“My brother is quite concerned about me. He’s constantly concerned that I’ll be injured.”

“Let’s just leave it there. It’s the first time I’ve seen siblings so close.”

Eiden looked at Richard for a time before abruptly changing course.

Richard then vanished from sight.

“Oh my.”

Claire grabbed his neck unconsciously.

She was protected from a clumsy fall because he gripped her tightly.

“What were you thinking turning around suddenly!?”

“Just take a look at me.”

His steady stare struck a chord with her.

His lips were so near to her face that his breath touched her brow.

If they danced twice, his face would be lethal to the heart.

Fortunately, the song finished at the appropriate time.

People began to form partners and swarm into the center of the hall as their dance finished.

Claire took a step back from his foot.

“Thank you very much, Your Majesty. It was a lot of fun… Excuse me, Your Majesty?”

Eiden refused to let go of her hand.

“Does it appear that the song is coming to an end?”

It happened when Claire looked up at him.

From the side, a courteous cough could be heard.

They both turned their heads at the same time.

A young noble stood there.

“How can I help you?”

His frigid voice screamed like a whip.

“Your Majesty, I’d like to request a dance from Lady Alicia.”

Despite the Emperor’s imposing demeanor, the young man spoke fearlessly, despite his pallor.

“Didn’t you happen to see me dancing with her?”

“Will you dance with me again?””

Claire inquired.

“That’s the strategy. Do you mind if I ask?”

“It’s not that I don’t mind…”

He seemed like he was about to flip the ballroom, so she wouldn’t dare to declare she wouldn’t dance with him.

Eiden turned to face the young man, satisfied with Claire’s response.

“Didn’t you hear her? The lady only wants to dance with me.”

He stressed the word ‘me’.

“Then you’re off.”

The young man ran in astonishment as a result of the stern demand.

Regardless, the young guy had demonstrated his bravery by defying the Emperor, who was regarded as a killer.

The music began to play.

Eiden raised her again, repositioning her on his foot.

He then began dancing as if nothing had occurred.

“…”

She just couldn’t get used to it.

She began to wonder whether this was the same man who had threatened to murder her.

Of fact, he probably treats her so kindly because he doesn’t understand the woman he knew three years ago and the one claiming to be a noble lady today are the same person, but she still saw a difference from him.

“Dancing with Lady Alicia…”

“I apologize. Lady Alicia would want to dance with me.”

“Your Majesty, may I borrow Lady Alicia…”

“How impolite. Lady Alicia is not a toy.”

“Your Majesty, when will Lady Alicia…”

“Lady Alicia doesn’t want to let go of me.”

At the end of each song, daring young nobles approached, only to be sent away.

And with such stupid phrases!

Every time she tried to resist, Eiden twisted her around.

As a result, she didn’t have time to collect her thoughts.

She proceeded to dance with Eiden in this manner.

Claire had perfected the dance at this point, even without needing to step onto his foot.

Finally, another song came to an end.

“Your Majesty.”

Someone approached the two of them and addressed them.

She turned her head, feeling sorry for whoever was going to be rejected again, and saw…

“Duke Stanton.”

Eiden acknowledged him with a nod.

She was rescued!

It was the first time she had been overjoyed to see Richard.

“Could you please grant me the next dance, Your Majesty?”

Claire wished she could nod excitedly, but instead she gazed at Eiden.

Eiden simply stared at her and whispered,

“I really don’t want to.”

“…”

‘Why are you doing this to me!’ she longed to seize the emperor by the collar and shake him.

She had no clue how many times she had circled the expansive ballroom; her knees were weak from sweeping around without a pause, and her brain was dizzy from sweeping around without a stop.

Claire, unable to stomach it any longer, feigned a grin and pointed elsewhere.

“Your Majesty, you should dance with other ladies as well. Isn’t there any over there…?”

“Where have they gone?”

“…”

She was disappointed to find no one where she indicated.

The couples dancing around them were only older noblewomen, while the young girls were busy hiding from the Emperor’s sight at a safe distance.

“It seems like the only lady who wants to dance with me is you.”

“Your Majesty, I would also like to dance with my younger sister. I want to make her first ball a memorable one.”

Richard spoke out once again.

“Was it a memorable night? Such a night, I believe, should be given to the ladies who want to dance with Duke Stanton.”

Richard stiffened when he heard a sarcastic tone in his voice.

There was a strange tension between Eiden and Richard, as if something was about to happen at any minute.

She had no option but to intercede; she didn’t want to, but she had no choice.

“Ah…”

Claire suddenly placed her palm on her brow.

“Alicia!”

Richard immediately helped Claire to her feet.

Thump.

However, Richard had to swiftly remove his hand after being astonished by Eiden, who had come forward first.

Eiden automatically took hold of her shoulders instead of Richard.

“Are you feeling ill?”

It’s because of you! It’s all because of you!

Claire grumbled privately, her voice depressed.

“I suddenly feel dizzy.”

“Why?”

“Your Majesty, after dancing for hours, anyone would get tired. Alicia has also always been feeble.”

Richard was nice.

“Hmm.”

But Eiden didn’t seem willing to let go of Claire.

“Wouldn’t it be possible, Your Majesty, to dance again another time? This will not be the last time.”

“Would it be?”

Eiden’s eyes twinkled as he inquired, like though a falcon snatched its prey.

“…Yes.”

There would most likely be no next time.

It seemed improbable that the Emperor of the Empire would desire to dance with her again at the ball.

“Alright. Let’s call it a day for now.”

“Thank you.”

“We’ll see each other again next time.”

Let’s meet in the Empire, please.

Eiden reluctantly passed her hand over to Richard, but he didn’t go right away, looking dissatisfied as she leaned on Richard.

Finally, a courtier approached and motioned him to go.

Richard eventually spoke up as he saw Eiden depart the ballroom.

“It appears that the Emperor has taken a liking to you.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“I’m wondering why.”

She wishes to learn more about herself.

“He appears to be more vulnerable to beauty than expected. Things may go better than expected.”