TOOCM 42

Chapter   42

The northern nobles’ gazes turned to Reina in unison.

Her pale platinum hair sparkled like stars under the lights.

Her light blue eyes evoked a clear sky, and her fair, pale skin radiated ethereal beauty.

This was the rumored protagonist’s first official event.

Naturally, curious eyes followed her, but she showed no signs of shrinking or nervousness.

Perhaps due to her noble birth, her every step and expression exuded grace.

If not for the crutches, one wouldn’t have noticed her injured leg, so seamless were her movements.

Her injury was publicly called an accident, but some northerners knew the truth.

An attack by a disloyal family that didn’t accept the princess as the Duchess.

The upheaval at Crensia Castle was obvious to anyone working there.

The culprit was roughly guessed, but since it was announced as an “accident,” everyone hushed up.

Of course, Kaiden hadn’t let it slide.

Realizing the northern nobles’ hostility toward royalty through Lady Mary’s incident, he summoned them all to Reina’s birthday banquet.

The invitation was polite, but the message was clear:

[Those who accept Reina Crensia as a northerner shall attend.]

Regardless of circumstances, any northerner absent would be deemed an enemy of Crensia.

Most nobles, catching his intent, attended.

Those in the know were especially eager, eyeing Lady Mary’s vacant position.

Some nobles whispered behind their fans.

“The Mary family wasn’t invited, as expected.”

“That all but confirms it.”

Days before the banquet, it was public knowledge that Lady Mary had abruptly resigned as nanny.

A few speculated it was tied to Reina’s “accident.”

Today, the absence of the once-friendly Mary family solidified the truth.

* * *

Meanwhile, Kaiden led Reina to a sofa prepared for her injured leg.

Sitting, she smiled awkwardly.

“Sorry. Normally, dancing’s customary at these events, but my leg…”

“It’s fine. I don’t like dancing anyway.”

“True. I’ve never seen you dance at a banquet.”

Reina murmured, recalling her past life.

Back then, Kaiden was popular among young ladies.

His sturdy build, handsome face, strong military, and independent domain made him ideal.

If the North weren’t a beast-ridden land, ladies would’ve flocked to marry him.

Yet, despite being of marriageable age, he stayed single, sparking rumors of impotence.

“They all kept the first line of their dance cards open, hoping to dance with you.”

“Did you?”

“What?”

“Did you keep your dance card’s first line open for me?”

His blunt question made Reina blink.

It was irrelevant—she’d barely attended banquets.

Locked in a basement right after coming of age, she’d only heard of him through the Emperor.

If she hadn’t been confined…

The thought made answering easier.

She smiled faintly.

“Probably. You’re undeniably impressive.”

Kaiden gazed at her, her eyes seeming to look far away.

Her occasional quirky responses threw him off.

Her candid praise warmed his face.

Hesitating briefly, he stood.

“Fine, it’s not impossible.”

“What?”

Puzzled, Reina asked, and Kaiden bowed formally.

“Will you dance with me?”

“What?!”

Flustered, she waved her hands.

“No! No! I didn’t mean I wanted to dance…”

“If it’s your leg, don’t worry. It won’t hurt a bit.”

Kaiden pulled her up and wrapped her injured leg in aura.

His purple aura enveloped her, drawing cheers from the crowd.

It was as if a galaxy swirled around her.

Feeling light as a feather, Reina was stunned.

“You can do this?”

“A knight’s trick.”

Aura was a dragon’s legacy.

If Mernie had divine power, dragons had aura.

The first Mernie Emperor’s pact with Dragon Crensia was due to aura.

A superhuman ability, its limits unproven, it was natural for Mernie to wary of Crensia.

Feeling the aura, Reina was amazed.

Her pained leg felt renewed.

Her body felt as light as in peak condition.

“Amazing.”

“Yeah?”

“Does using aura strain you?”

“At close range, it’s easier than breathing.”

“Harder at a distance?”

“Accuracy drops. Not impossible, though.”

Kaiden shrugged, holding back.

Reina guessed he meant the “oath.”

History showed aura was freer with those bound by an oath.

She sank into thought.

‘If aura can move an injured leg, could it…?’

A fleeting hope—could it restore her sight?

But it was a momentary wish. She shook her head with a wry smile.

‘Ridiculous. Don’t get your hopes up.’

With the day approaching, her mind was restless.

Shaking off her thoughts, Reina moved to the hall’s center.

The crowd parted for the Crensia couple.

As the orchestra began the next waltz, Reina murmured.

“It’s been ages since I danced.”

“It’s fine. I’m terrible at it.”

“Liar.”

She laughed it off, but he said uncertainly.

“Never thought I’d volunteer to dance.”

“What’s that mean?”

“You’ll soon see why I don’t dance.”

With a cryptic remark, Kaiden began the preparatory steps.

His first move was flawless, making Reina think he was being modest.

But by the first verse’s end, her opinion shifted.

He was telling the truth.

He was awful at dancing.

Truly, spectacularly awful.

Reina stared at him, swaying.

‘Not… a single step right…’

His clumsy, hulking movements were comically disruptive.

His chaotic steps had long fallen out of sync with the music.

She’d thought he avoided dancing to dodge suitors.

Now she saw it was because he was terrible.

At least his poor dancing highlighted his partner’s skill.

Thanks to him, her awkward moves looked graceful.”