It Doesn’t Matter If You’re Broken - Chapter 24

Elise tried to keep her mind clear. However, the rose pattern took shape before her eyes for a while and then faded again.

 

‘I’m dizzy.’

 

Elise raised her hand and pressed it to her temple. But her blurry eyes couldn’t focus well.

 

“What happened?”

 

Raymond asked curiously.

 

“Ah… Looks like motion sickness.”

 

“Perhaps the road on this side isn’t as smooth as other places. The carriage seems to be shaking a lot. If it’s difficult to endure, would you like to rest for a moment?”

 

“No, thank you.”

 

Elise shook her head because she couldn’t be late for the ball. Fortunately, they arrived at the Imperial Palace not long after.

 

This time, Raymond got out of the carriage first. It was the moment Elise tried to raise her body after him.

 

Suddenly, her legs gave out, and her body staggered. Eventually, she lost her balance, stumbled, and plopped back onto the seat.

 

Her vision flickered between black and white. She struggled to control her breathing. But she couldn’t even breathe because of the tight corset.

 

“Lady Elise?”

 

Just then, Raymond, who got off the carriage, looked back at her and made a surprised face.

 

“It seems like you’re experiencing severe motion sickness from the carriage. Perhaps it would be better to rest for a while after all…”

 

Elise saw Gerhard and Fritz getting off another carriage through the open door.

 

Elise hurriedly shook her head.

 

“Oh, no.”

 

She had put in all the effort she could for this ball.

 

She couldn’t let it go to waste.

 

Elise got out of her carriage, straining her trembling legs. Raymond looked at Elise with a worried face.

 

“I’m sorry. Were you very startled?”

 

“No, not at all. But if you ever feel uncomfortable, please let me know anytime.”

 

“Yes, Little Marquis.”

 

Elise nodded obediently. However, Raymond still hadn’t moved his steps and was staring at her intently.

 

“Little Marquis?”

 

“Actually, Lady, I have one request for you. Would you please listen?”

 

She hesitated for a moment before answering.

 

“If it’s something I can help with.”

 

“Of course, it’s something you can do.”

 

He gave her a gentle smile.

 

“In the future, I would appreciate it if you could address me by my name.”

 

Elise was startled.

 

“I can’t do that. How could I…”

 

“I know it is my desire. But could you please allow me?”

 

In fact, if Raymond wished, Elise had no right to refuse.

 

However, she couldn’t get the words out. He was undoubtedly a good person, but they had only recently become acquainted.

 

Raymond noticed Elise’s hesitation.

 

“I may have been too hasty. I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward position, my lady.”

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

“No, it’s not your fault. I should apologise for making you uncomfortable, my lady.”

 

Raymond made a slightly regretful face, but soon, as if accepting, he gently smiled.

 

“Then shall we go inside?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Elise accepted Raymond’s escort and entered the ballroom together.

 

The eyes of those who saw them widened. While Raymond’s appearance as a newly appointed marquis was enough to attract attention, it was Elise by his side who captured even more attention.

 

Long and abundant hair reminiscent of a shattered Milky Way, skin as white as snow, deep blue eyes as clear as a lake, thin shoulders, and a waist that didn’t look like a handful. She was like a figure reminiscent of a heroine in a myth.

 

“That woman from the last victory banquet…”

 

“Oh my goodness! Last time, she danced with the Duke of Vassenberg, and now she’s with Little Marquis Hartmann?”

 

Those who remembered Elise’s face were all exclaiming in astonishment.

 

“I thought about it even then, but even the greatest gentleman can’t help but fall for that beauty.”

 

Eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and admiration were fixed on Elise.

 

Elise, who was afraid of others’ gazes, involuntarily shrank.

 

* * *

 

Cardale attended the Spring Ball alone.

 

The Emperor’s shallow tricks didn’t work this time. After receiving the Emperor’s letter, Cardale replied that he would attend the spring ball, adding the following note at the end.

 

[Since we have to take care of the safety of His Majesty and all the distinguished guests present, it would be difficult to escort only one person.]

 

Thanks to this, the Emperor’s attempt to keep the Princess and the Duke close together for three days at the ball ended in a spectacular collapse.

 

But that didn’t mean Theresia had given up on Cardale.

 

“Oh, Duke Cardale. You are here.”

 

Cardale’s eyebrows twitched reflexively at the deliberately raised tone of her pretentious voice.

 

When he turned around, she saw a tired face.

 

“Yes, Her Highness the Princess.”

 

His greeting was as polished as always. However, his gaze was dry. No, it was hard to tell if he was even properly looking at her.

 

“It’s been a while since the ball, hasn’t it?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Just as Cardale briefly answered and turned his gaze, a woman who was almost as transparent as could be, delicate and small, caught his eye.

 

Before long, the expression disappeared from his face as he even checked the face of the man standing next to the woman.

 

Cardale’s polished shoe tip shifted direction unconsciously. Just as he was about to take a step forward.

 

Theresia stood in front of Cardale.

 

“It seems you didn’t come with anyone. It’s a good coincidence. I’m alone too.”

 

However, he didn’t pay any attention to the Princess’ words. To be precise, he didn’t even give her a glance.

 

“Where are you looking…”

 

Following Cardale’s gaze, Theresia turned her head, then quickly hardened her expression.

 

‘That woman!’

 

Theresia urgently turned her head and looked up at Cardale.

 

The blank face, devoid of any emotion, was still there. It was as if she were looking at furniture or still life in a house.

 

‘Okay. It’s just a coincidence. That woman is just in the direction Cardale was looking at.’

 

But why did this ‘coincidence’ only happen with Elise Schuvan? No matter how hard she tried, there was no way to suppress the growing anxiety within.

 

The vague sense of discomfort she had felt was now taking form, gradually revealing itself before Theresia’s eyes.

 

Just in time, the song changed.

 

As the gentle melody spread through the ballroom, people began to pair up one by one and head out onto the dance floor.

 

“Duke Cardale.”

 

Theresia put her hand on Cardale’s arm, trying hard to suppress her anxiety. No, she attempted to, but it was unsuccessful.

 

“Wait, Cardale…!”

 

Ignoring her urgent plea as if he didn’t even recognise it, the man walked past nonchalantly.

 

In frustration, Theresia gritted her teeth.

 

It was unbearable for Cardale Vassenberg to turn away from her.

 

He was a man who could even discard his own blood and flesh coldly, and strangely enough, Theresia found his demeanour of not easily giving affection appealing.

 

She sometimes imagined the sense of accomplishment and victory she would feel when finally capturing such a man, and she felt a thrill.

 

But she couldn’t stand the fact that Elise Schuvan was in the direction Cardale was walking.

 

Theresia’s face contorted mercilessly.

 

‘It must not be. Maybe he has something to discuss with someone else over there.’

 

She no longer wanted to watch, even as she tried to convince herself that it was nothing significant.

 

The Princess turned and left the ballroom.

 

* * *

 

Elise bit the inside of her lip. As the metallic scent spread in her mouth along with the tingling pain, her clouded mind returned a little.

 

‘What should I do? I feel so sick.’

 

Her head was ringing loudly, and she felt dizzy. Even though she hadn’t eaten anything, nausea overwhelmed her as if her stomach was full and she was about to throw up.

 

Now heavier than before, her body struggled even to take a step. She squeezed her strength into her trembling legs. She felt that if she didn’t, she would collapse at any moment.

 

‘I have to hold on. Otherwise…’

 

Elise’s face was now pale, almost like a blank sheet of paper. However, due to her naturally fair skin, no one noticed her condition.

 

‘When can I go back?’

 

She caught Gerhard’s eye. The Count nodded as if acknowledging that she was doing well.

 

At that moment, the song changed, and people began to leave for the dance floor.

 

Seeing that sight, Raymond turned to her.

 

“Lady Elise, will you dance with me?”

 

Facing his kindly smiling face, Elise swallowed a dry gulp.

 

She was in no condition to dance at all. It was a struggle just to stand and support her body…

 

“I, I…”

 

But facing his expectant expression, she didn’t know how to utter the words of refusal.

 

‘If I refuse, he might be offended.’

 

Moreover, if her relationship with Raymond ended fruitlessly due to a misstep, Gerhard would never forgive her.

 

Furthermore, hadn’t she already turned down his request once before?

 

Of course, Raymond, who noticed her awkwardness, withdrew his request first, but Elise did not know he was disappointed.

 

It was when Elise pressed her lower lip tightly with frustration and unease.

 

“Elise Schuvan.”

 

Like a piercing note, the voice made Elise doubt her own ears.

 

Did she mishear?

 

But even so, the voice, so low and cavernous, was uncommon. At least, it was unique to Elise.

 

“Your Excellency the Duke.”

 

At that time, Raymond, standing opposite her, opened his mouth, and Elise flinched and shuddered.

 

‘It really is the Duke.’

 

The scent crossed the tip of her nose. It was a scent that was still unfamiliar to her.

 

“Can’t you hear me? Or are you pretending not to know?”

 

“Your Excellency, she-”

 

“Little Marquis Hartmann. I didn’t ask you.”

 

The Duke stopped Raymond from trying to defend Elise. Realising that she could neither avoid nor ignore the Duke, Elise slowly turned her around.

 

“I greet Your Grace.”

 

As she bent her legs, almost losing her strength and nearly collapsing, Elise managed to regain her balance and looked up at Cardale.

 

“…”

 

However, he just stared at her in silence. The piercing gaze seemed to see right through her, making Elise even more nervous.

 

Then Cardale held out his hand.

 

“…Your Grace?”

 

Not understanding the meaning, Elise looked at him with a bewildered expression.