Chapter 2.1

Silence fell.

The entire ballroom went still.

All eyes turned to them, wide with shock.

Public proposals weren’t uncommon, but the reaction they’d garnered tonight was anything but ordinary.

And it wasn’t simply because a woman had proposed to a man.

Edward knew the exact reason.

It was because the flower of high society had just proposed to the most undesirable bachelor in the empire.

Ever since the current emperor had taken the throne, any noble lady in her right mind had avoided even the idea of associating with Edward.

Of course, there had been a few women drawn to his rather handsome looks, confessing their love like moths to a flame.

But their parents were always sane enough to intervene, and no matter how passionate the young ladies were, none had ever defied their families.

Edward stepped forward.

Cecilia’s cheeks were tinged a soft pink.

If she’d been born a commoner, she could’ve been a famous actress admired across the empire.

Then again, the role she was playing here tonight wasn’t all that different from acting.

Edward stared down at her.

In this entire ballroom, only he and Cecilia knew what schemes were brewing inside that pretty little head of hers.

“Cecilia.”

“…Edward.”

She said his name like he was the only man left in the world.

Edward spoke—quietly, but loud enough for every onlooker around to hear.

“My love, how could I ever refuse you?”

Cecilia’s face lit up with joy.

She gently lifted Edward’s left hand and slipped the ring onto his finger.

Even though she must have been nervous, her hands didn’t tremble in the slightest.

And with that, the ballroom burst into murmurs and gasps.

Sensing their act needed a little more spark, Edward wrapped his arms around Cecilia in a soft embrace.

He considered a kiss, but given she was only nineteen, it felt far too soon for that.

‘…’

Edward momentarily lost his words. Cecilia felt so soft, so delicate in his arms.

As if one wrong move from him would cause her to shatter.

Then, something else unsettled him. Her scent.

‘That fragrance again.’

Sweet… harmless…

A scent he could breathe in forever and never grow tired of.

“…E-Edward,” Cecilia murmured, squirming slightly to pull away.

It was only then that Edward realized just how long he’d been holding her, completely unaware of the passing time. He hastily let her go.

“My apologies,” he whispered low, just enough for her ears only.

After all, passionate lovers wouldn’t usually apologize for hugging too long, so it was better if no one else heard.

Cecilia’s turquoise eyes glittered at the apology.

She looked up at Edward briefly, then brightened as if struck by an idea.

“Shall we dance, then? The marquis did spare no expense in hiring the empire’s finest orchestra.”

“My night is entirely yours. I am at your service.”

Edward’s subtle innuendo made someone audibly gasp.

Cecilia’s cheeks turned red, but she didn’t seem offended.

If anything, it was quite the opposite.

She giggled behind her hand and took Edward’s arm, gently pulling him toward the dance floor.

The orchestra began to play a waltz, and the two of them danced with passionate grace, indifferent to the crowd’s uproar. It had grown so loud it drowned out the orchestra’s masterful performance.