Queen of The Scalpel - Chapter 65
Fancily dressed ladies, abundant food, and delicious wine. There were many things that made a ball beautiful, but one of the most important things was dancing. An ensemble of men and women dancing together to the wonderful music. It wasn’t just movement, but a story, as well as an art.
And in this moment, in the middle of the Imperial Ballroom. Another art was unfolding.
“What, the Crown Prince?”
“The Crown Prince really?”
Everyone looked at the middle of the ball.
The Crown Prince, Linden de Romanoff was dancing to the music with a little girl!
“How long has it been since the Crown Prince danced?”
“I haven’t seen him dance recently. It’s interesting.”
“But who is that lady?”
“I think she’s Lady Clarence of the chancellor’s family.”
Everyone in the ball looked at the two of them.
“Anyhow…”
Someone murmured.
“It’s stunning.”
They sounded entranced.
“Was that dance always so beautiful?”
This was how everyone felt. Yes, it was beautiful. A soft, yet moderate music. And a strong man leading the lady wearing a light dress, following his steps. It was a composed, soft, and fancy, yet controlled dance.
“It’s really beautiful.”
“The Crown Prince is famous for being a good dancer, but that lady is amazing as well.”
“Yes. I don’t think she had her adult ceremony yet either.”
Every man and woman in the ballroom admired their dance.
“Anyhow, it’s hard to dance like that if you don’t fit well with your partner, but they really fit well together.”
“Right? It’s incredible.”
Dancing wasn’t something you did by yourself. You had to match your partner.
“They wouldn’t have practiced it before, right?”
“Nah, I don’t think so.”
Unless they were lovers or a couple, you wouldn’t repeatedly dance with just one partner.
“You don’t know. Since she’s a lady of the Clarence family, she might’ve met the Crown Prince.”
“Oh, now that you say it, I suppose so. Then do you think the fiancee that’s announced today is Lady Clarence?”
The noblewomen all chattered about what they thought. Actually, their guesses weren’t wrong. The Crown Prince might not know, but this wasn’t Elise’s first dance with him. Since in her past life, they were married.
Receiving the gazes of everyone, Lady Clarence, Elise, was lost in her thoughts. ‘It’s been a while. A dance with His Highness.’ Fiancee, Crown Princess, Empress. It was a one-sided love, but it had lasted 9 years.
He hated dancing, but he had to step up as the Crown Prince, and she had to dance with him during those times. ‘His lead. It’s the same as ever.’ His dancing reflected his personality. An indifferent and controlled dance, while also being powerful. It was a perfect dance, combed over with the manners of the Imperial Palace, but it was hard to follow.
‘I worked so hard to follow his lead.’ After being embarrassed during her first dance with him, she practiced until her feet bled. She hoped that he would see her efforts. ‘It’s all in the past.’ She started to feel bitter thinking about back then. ‘Well, today’s special. I won’t be dancing with him like this in the future.’
She didn’t know why he asked her to dance. He never danced until it was absolutely necessary. And they weren’t in any relationship now. ‘I don’t know. My head hurts. I just want to go home.’
Then, as the music became faster, his lead changed. It was rougher!
“…?!”
“What are you thinking about?”
It was a low voice mixed with displeasure.
“Just…nothing.”
And it was then.
His hand suddenly moved down her back to her waist!