I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 129

“Oh, that person…….”

“Does Arden know her too?”

“Yes, I understand that she is a lady that His Majesty has recently shown interest in.”

Arden’s attitude of purely stating the truth made my stomach sick.

At a gathering hosted by the Hyacinth family, some people clicked their tongues when they saw me come alone without a partner, but most were friendly.

It was clear that our family had quite a bit of influence in the capital. Even if it is impossible to tell whether it is the power of the family alone or we have the Emperor on our back.

Aside from this, it was clear that there were rumors that the Emperor was interested in women.

What are you thinking, Tess?

No, everything pointed to only one thing.

He doesn’t love me anymore.

If I act as if we never had a relationship, I might be able to protect my pride without tarnishing my family’s honor.

I shook my head despite my head already realizing it, but my heart said no. I couldn’t admit it.

On the day I went to see Tess, he came up to me to welcome me. Then he suddenly changed his attitude and turned away.

There must be some reason that I don’t know about. I should ask. After hearing the answer, I will decide on what to do. There could be a good reason for that, right?

Even though I knew it was a rationalization because I did not want to let go of Tess, I ignored it.

I couldn’t help it because I loved him so much that I couldn’t let him go without any effort.

Above all, there is no way Tess will change his mind.

Because it’s Tess.

* * *

“Sister, look at this.”

The very excited Gael came into my room without knocking and suddenly handed me an envelope. I withdrew my hand from organizing the bookshelf and took it.

“An invitation?”

It was an invitation to the imperial ball announcing the opening of the second half of the social season.

Gael spun around, her light dress fluttering.

“Now I can go to the ball too.”

“Have you debuted yet?”

“I was waiting to do it when Sister came. I will do it this time.”

Gael, who has now grown up and matured, is still a lovely younger sister.

“Yes, you can go to the party with Sister from now on.”

“That’s great!”

Gael, who seemed to be quite a society lady, jumped up and hugged me.

“Have you decided on a partner?”

“Father said he would do it. No one can take away his daughter’s first dance, he said.”

“My my, Father is greedy too. Does he plan to have pretty Gael all to himself?”

Gael whispered as I stroked her platinum blonde hair.

“Actually, I got a request to be my dance partner.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, at the academy. I declined because I was going with Father.”

“I guess you didn’t like that guy?”

“Uumm…….”

I can’t believe a story about a man came out of my younger sister’s mouth. I feel sad for some reason, so I wonder if Father feels this way too.

From now on, I will have to treat Father more kindly.

“He’s a good-natured and handsome boy.”

“Who is it?”

“Hitty’s Villo.”

“Hitty? Marquisate Hitty”

“Yes.”

Hitty’s daughter is mad at me and the son is dumped by Gael. It feels weird.

“Then why did you refuse?”

“He’s not my taste.”

The determined Gael reminded me of my past and I burst out laughing.

“Then what kind of person is Gael’s ideal type?”

“A person like the fairy.”

Fairy? Has Gael ever seen a fairy?

“After Sister went on a trip, I rarely went to the imperial palace, so I didn’t see the fairy for a while…….”

Gael muttered so softly that it was barely heard and suddenly smiled brightly.

“I hope I can see it this time!”

“Yes.”

I don’t know what she was talking about, but I hope Gael’s wishes come true.

* * *

For me, it felt like the end-of-year season began as soon as the early-year social season ended.

But looking at the colorful dresses that filled the hall, I realized that I did well to follow Aurin’s words. She was so motivated that she took time out of her busy schedule to look at my clothes and accessories.

She said I shouldn’t lose to Louise Hitty and the damned Emperor–Aurin really said this–.

“Wow.”

Gael was surprised by the size and decoration of the splendid and enormous hall. It looks like there have been a lot of changes in the past three years, but I did not look around.

After greeting people with my parents, I set out to find my friends.

The flaming scarlet hair caught my eye immediately. Aurin was being escorted by a man I didn’t know very well, who whispered something to her and left the place.

“Aurin.”

“Oh, Euel.”

“I never met your partner before.”

“You mean why not Ethyl Bonart?”

Aurin smiled slightly.

“You’ve been lazy because someone chased after you for over 10 years, so you should try it yourself.”

“Haha. That’s cool, Aurin. You’re very busy these days, right?”

“Yes. I’m hectic about the decision to expand exchanges with Principality Flora. That’s why I couldn’t go to the party the other day. I’m sorry for not contacting you earlier.”

“You shouldn’t even apologize for that.”

Aurin seemed to be playing tug-of-war with Ethyl, but what about Ethyl? I was about to look around for another friend when my eyes met Ethy’s.

I saw him approaching immediately, so I guess he was watching this way.

“It’s been a while, Euel.”

“Yes.”

“Wow, is that all you want to say after three years? And then you showed your face at the party without any contact?”

I averted my gaze because what he said was right.

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