Chapter 4
Celine's grip on her wine glass tightened. Vivienne's polite smile faltered for a fraction of a second before it was back in place. Katia, bless her, just looked utterly confused.
I nearly keeled over right then and there.
What? My heart pounded.
Why me? It was supposed to be Celine!
I glanced over at the girl, who's emotions I could not read.
Immediately, my mind flipped through the night's events.
Was it the dress? Or the introduction?
Should I have acted more like the real Rosaria?
But I don't want him to hate me! Panic coursed through me as I realized things were going differently from the novel.
Then I realized everyone was watching me in palpable silence, and I took his hand with a smooth smile.
"It would be my honor, Your Highness," I said, keeping my voice steady.
Calm down. It's fine, I sighed, pushing the anxiety down.
Things will still go according to the novel.
If anything, it was better this way.
It showed the prince didn't hate me, hopefully at least.
As the music began, Roland placed one hand on my waist and took my other hand in his. His grip was steady, firm, but not forceful. He danced like he fought—strong, controlled, and precise.
"I must admit, I was surprised you chose to dance with me first," I said, tilting my head slightly as we flowed easily on the dance floor.
"Why?" he asked.
"I thought you would dance with Lady Celine... you two are known to be close, after all."
He was silent for a moment, and then he spoke.
"You are not like the rumors at all," He said briefly.
We circled on the dance floor. Evidently Rosaria had been an excellent dancer, because my body followed his every movement like it was muscle memory.
I was thankful for that, as I debated how I should handle this.
No doubt he noticed my change in usual dress code and shift in my demeanor.
This was the problem. The Rosaria from the rumors was proud, haughty, and utterly convinced she was untouchable.
She would have made some arrogant remark by now, something coy, something designed to keep him intrigued while still holding power over the conversation. But I wasn't her.
"Oh?" I said. "Well you know, you can't believe everything people say." He twirled me around the dance floor, and my silken dress flowed.
"The Rosaria I was told about wore diamond-gilded gowns and a face full of powder and red lipstick, and never associated herself with those she deemed lesser," His comment was straight and to the point, but it was honest, laced with sincerity.
He was genuinely curious why I was different from the rumors.
I swallowed. I needed to be careful. If I changed too much, he would become suspicious.
If I changed too little, I would be swallowed whole by the role of villainess.
"I had a little change in... outlook this past few months, you could say.
Perhaps I've realized that how one shines is not through their status, but their character. "
This answer seemed to perplex Roland, who didn't speak for the next few moments as he mulled over my answer.
"I... would like to keep those kinds of people close to me," I continued, searching for words. "Honesty is hard to find in a cutthroat world such as ours."
Roland's expression flickered to something I could not read. "I understand," he said, after a few moments. "I would also like to keep those kinds of people close."
I let my gaze drift, as if idly searching the room, before I sighed lightly. "Though, I must say, I'm a little disappointed."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
I smiled wistfully, as if indulging in a harmless fantasy. "I had been hoping to watch you dance with her. Lady Katia, I mean. She's quite charming, don't you think?"
His brow furrowed slightly. "Katia?" He recalled her introduction, and glanced over his shoulder. He knew exactly where she was. Don't think I didn't notice you stealing glances at her throughout the whole night.
I nodded. "I spoke with her earlier. She's bright, kind, and has such a refreshing honesty about her.
She doesn't seem the type to be caught up in court games.
It's rather admirable." But you were always a good boy, doing what's expected of you.
He knew his fate was already sealed, with me, his future fiance.
His father would be furious and the court would be shocked if he danced with Katia first.
Roland's grip on my waist had relaxed, his expression no longer tense but thoughtful. "Yes, yes I suppose, I found her quite nice..." His steps never faltered, but I knew he was thinking.
"Her father, Baron Wethersprite, is it? He's quite wealthy for a Baron.
But if she were the daughter of a Duke, such as I, I've no doubt she would have been the beauty of the Kingdom," I said, tentatively.
Then, after a long pause I added, "Perhaps, in another life, you would have had the chance to choose someone like that for yourself. "
We both knew what I meant. This event was held to make the nobility happy, but in reality the undertones reeked of political scheming.
If it were up to me, things would be different.
However, when Roland inhaled sharply, I knew I had gone too far.
"You're quite sharp, Lady Rosaria," he said, putting his guard back up again.
In a room full of nobles, I was able to put together the underlying purpose of the event.
"But cunning alone won't save even the smartest fox when the hounds are at its heels. "
We were two foxes dancing in a room full of vicious hounds—drooling, ready to tear our throats out at the first opportunity.
Waiting for a moment of fear, a lapse in judgement; watching for us to turn and run so they could give chase, baying and snapping their teeth.
The Shadow Walkers are not the only ones I have to watch out for, I thought for the second time this evening.
"You are a very interesting person, Lady Rosaria," Roland said curiously as he twirled me around, and we bowed to end the waltz. "Thank you for the dance, Lady Rosaria."
I curtsied smoothly. "The pleasure was mine, Your Highness."
The prince's words served as a welcome reminder, and I was silent for the rest of the dance as the music began to slow.
As I looked up at the kind and sincere prince who had put his guard up as the stoic and regal prince, I began to realize that there was much more to this man than what Julia had written about in the book.
He will be King one day, and I will help him.
I let out a slow breath, ignoring the dozens of eyes still glued to me.
I had drawn far too much attention to myself.
The old me felt sick under their gaze, and my skin began to crawl as my breath heightened.
No, not here... I pleaded with myself, trying to control my breathing, channeling my inner Rosaria.
Keep your posture, don't let them see you falter.
I felt a warm hand on my forearm, pulling me back into the crowd. "Lady Rosaria, you were amazing!" When I turned to look who it was, Lady Katia's warm green eyes stared back at me. "I didn't know you were such a great dancer."
I couldn't help but smile. "It is Prince Roland who is the good dancer, I just followed his lead." That was mostly true–the Prince was a good dancer, and I was lucky to have Rosaria's muscle memory.
As we exchanged a few more words, Katia's glowing presence helped to ease my mood and distract me from the anxiety.
"Rosaria," It was Celine, stepping in front of me with a delicate smile that didn't reach her eyes. "That was quite the sight. I had no idea you and His Highness were so close."
I forced a polite chuckle, folding my hands instinctively. "We aren't."
"Then why did he choose you first?" Vivienne interjected with a carefully neutral expression. She always liked to hang around the drama and the action.Her pointed remark could be simply translated, What did you do to make him pick you?
I could feel the weight of their judgment pressing down on me, their suspicions sharpening. This was dangerous. If I didn't handle this correctly, I would be isolated—and worse, I would be a target. There is no time to be anxious now. I must be strong, I must be the villainess.
I smiled, tilting my head playfully. "Perhaps His Highness just wanted to get me out of the way early. You all know how he feels about me."
Celine laughed, a little too sharply. "Ah, yes. The rumors have not been kind, petulant serpent."
The girls tittered around us, and Vivienne pursed her lips, grinning.
I took a slow breath. I had to direct their focus elsewhere. It's the real Rosaria they hate. I must change their perceptions of me.
"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter," I said airily, glancing across the ballroom. "It's not as if he'll choose me in the end. We all know how this works."
Celine lifted an eyebrow. "You sound... resigned."
I gave a nonchalant shrug. "I'm just being realistic. I wouldn't waste your time worrying about me."
Another small chuckle rippled through the group, but it wasn't as sharp as before. That was good. Let them believe I wasn't taking this seriously. Let them lower their guard. Only I knew how this ball would really turn out.
As the conversation shifted, I took the opportunity to glance at Katia. "Thank you," I said. "For rescuing me back there."
She looked oblivious. "Oh? Y-you're welcome," She smiled warmly.
She was standing near the refreshment table, her red hair glistening under the chandelier light, her delicate lilac dress complimenting her gentle features.
She looked every bit the perfect crown princess candidate—if only she wasn't a Baron's daughter.
She had been alone for most of the evening.
No one paid her much attention. Yet still, she didn't seem to mind—gazing out the window at the garden, making small talk with the servants.
She appreciated the simple things in life, and did not seem to mind if others viewed her as incapable or a fool.
She cares for the people, and she will make a great Queen one day.