EEBT Chapter 15: The Name of the Last Dance

On the afternoon of the ball, Adeline gazed out the carriage window and sighed. The streets were packed with carriages, moving slower than walking pace despite the busy guards in capital uniforms directing traffic.  

 

“So many carriages.”  

 

“It’s the first ball in a while, after all.”  

 

“True. Though… I didn’t expect Father to attend.”  

 

When she had returned to the estate, most of the old maids had been replaced. New faces filled their roles, and several portraits and decorations had vanished from the rooms.  

 

In the end, the only surviving head maid had been too busy training the new staff and restocking supplies to accompany Adeline. So the one who ended up going with her was—  

 

“It must be exhausting for you to follow me around. Just bear with me for today.”  

 

Since bringing an unfamiliar maid to the ball would’ve been awkward, Naya—who had spent the past week tending to Adeline alone—had to accompany her for one more day.  

 

“Not at all. It’s my duty.”  

 

Naya smiled, showing no sign of fatigue. As Adeline’s attendant for the evening, she wore a modest dress and light makeup. She was pretty enough on her own, but she paled next to Adeline.  

 

“You look even more radiant with your hair and makeup done, my lady.”  

 

“Oh, stop. It’s all thanks to everyone’s hard work.”  

 

Adeline *was* beautiful—even as a villainess, her looks were noteworthy. Her hair shimmered, her skin had smoothed out after the baths, and the evening’s makeup elevated her beauty further.  

 

“By the way, how’s Sergeant Lake—no, Andrei—adjusting? This must be all new to him.”  

 

“I was worried, but he seems to be handling it well.”  

 

“That’s a relief.”  

 

Adeline pictured Andrei riding ahead in the carriage with Duke Lopitz.  

 

*The cavalry is the legendary sword, the artillery is the holy blade… and the non-commissioned officer at my side is a pocket knife.*  

 

At the time, it had made sense. Now, it felt vague again. No matter how she thought about it, a legendary or holy sword sounded far more impressive.  

 

Her absent gaze drifted from the window back to Naya.  

 

“How much have you read?”  

 

Naya still held the same memoir from yesterday. She closed it and answered.  

 

“About halfway.”  

 

“That’s a lot, huh?”  

 

“It’s not an autobiography, so it’s quite dense. I’m reading carefully. And…”  

 

She lifted the book slightly.  

 

“It doesn’t feel like someone else’s story anymore.”  

 

“I suppose not.”  

 

Adeline looked out again at the palace drawing closer in the distance.  

 

“Where did they say the ball was being held again?”  

 

“The May Palace, as I was told.”  

 

*May Palace.* Her expression flickered with vague recognition.  

 

“What kind of place is the May Palace?”  

 

And, as expected, Naya didn’t disappoint. She closed her eyes briefly, organizing her thoughts before speaking.  

 

“The May Palace is, as the name suggests, an event venue primarily used from early summer onward. It borrows architectural techniques from the central desert regions, allowing natural cooling.”  

 

“Natural cooling?”  

 

“Yes. So I’m… a little excited to see it. Thank you, my lady.”  

 

When Naya bowed her head, Adeline waved her off.  

 

“Oh, come on. Keep going.”  

 

“Of course. To continue—to preserve the cool air, the first floor has few windows. Facilities like the kitchen are concentrated in annexes. It’s purely an event space.”  

 

“What about the second floor?”  

 

“Hot air rises, so it has more windows. The second floor houses lounges, dining areas, smoking rooms, and terraces rather than the main ballroom.”  

 

“I see.”  

 

Adeline nodded, then closed her eyes, trying to recall descriptions from the novel.

But no matter how hard she tried, nothing useful came to mind. If only she could remember where the Empress had been during the ball…

 

Then, a single line from the novel surfaced in her memory.

 

“Imelda’s Spring. I don’t like this piece.”

 

In the story, during the New Year’s ball—their second meeting—the Crown Prince had abruptly led the heroine away from the dance floor when the orchestra began playing that song.

 

The reason? Because that song had played during the fire… the tragedy. And after tonight, it would be etched into the Crown Prince’s mind as a trauma.

 

“Imelda’s Spring.”

 

“Do you know what that song is? I remember the name, but not how it sounds.”

 

“Imelda’s Spring?”

 

Naya closed her eyes, thinking deeply, but eventually shook her head.

 

“I’m sorry. I don’t…”

 

Even Naya, who seemed to know everything, didn’t have an answer this time. Adeline nodded.

 

Fair enough. Even our brilliant Naya can’t know everything.

 

“Well, maybe I’ll hear it if there’s a chance.”

 

She turned back to the window, feigning nonchalance. By now, the carriage had reached the palace gates.

 

While other carriages were stopped for inspections, the ducal carriage passed through the main gate without delay. Rows of royal guards in ornate uniforms stood at attention along the path.

 

“The royal guard uniforms are quite extravagant.”

 

“They are.”

 

Adeline humored Naya’s observation while studying the soldiers. Their postures were rigid, their movements unnaturally precise, their boots striking the ground with exaggerated force.

 

“Won’t their bodies suffer, stomping like that all the time?”

 

“Apparently, many guards complain of back pain. Their service terms are relatively short, too.”

 

“I see.”

 

Their disciplined movements were clearly the result of relentless training, but Adeline couldn’t help blurting out an irreverent thought.

 

“They look like… toy soldiers.”

 

Naya’s lips twitched, and she quickly covered her mouth before murmuring,

 

“It’s best to keep such comments inside the carriage, my lady. The Crown Prince is… quite fond of his guards.”

 

Adeline nodded solemnly, though Naya’s suppressed smile betrayed her amusement.

 

Soon, both ducal carriages came to a halt. Footmen lowered the steps, and two pairs of figures descended.

 

“Thank you, Andrei. I’ll rely on you further.”

 

“Not at all. The honor is mine.”

 

Duke Lopitz clapped Andrei’s shoulder before striding toward Adeline and Naya.

 

“Ready?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Let’s go.”

 

With a brief nod, Adeline followed him into the ballroom, Naya and Andrei trailing behind.

 

Inside, a sizable crowd had already gathered—exactly as the novel had described. The Duke scanned the room before muttering to Adeline,

 

“This is your first social reappearance since the incident. Don’t draw unnecessary attention.”

 

“Understood.”

 

His tone hovered between advice and an order. He walked away, Andrei in tow, leaving Adeline to survey the surroundings.

 

Then—

 

“Hah, you should show up more often. I’m tired of being scolded as the unruly youngest.”

 

A familiar voice. She turned and froze.

 

“Swordford…?”

 

She hadn’t even spoken loudly, yet his head snapped toward her, his expression hardening for a split second before melting back into casual charm as he resumed conversing with others.

 

Impeccable tailcoat, champagne flute in hand, movements polished to perfection.

 

This was nothing like the man she’d seen during the Asterios operation. Here, he blended in seamlessly—more than she ever could.

 

“Naya.”

 

“Yes?”

Adeline raised her hand, pointing to where Swordford had been—but he was already gone.

 

“Who were you…?”

 

At Naya’s cautious question, Adeline lowered her hand and shook her head.

 

“No one. Must’ve been my imagination. He wouldn’t be here. Probably…”

 

She trailed off, drifting toward the refreshments. First, a drink. Then, thinking.

 

She gestured to a glass pitcher filled with strawberry-infused punch. A nearby attendant ladled the beverage into a wine-like glass and handed it to her.

 

The first sip was a burst of sweet and tangy flavor.

 

“It’s good.”

 

When she held out her other hand, the attendant filled a second glass, smiling.

 

“Thank you. Enjoy the ball, my lady.”

 

Adeline passed the second glass to Naya.

 

“Here. You must be thirsty.”

 

Naya hesitated but eventually accepted it with both hands.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Glasses in hand, Adeline led Naya to a corner of the ballroom. She wasn’t seeking attention—she had work to do.

 

Yet, against her intentions, someone approached.

 

“Enjoying the ball, Lady Adeline?”

 

She turned. The Crown Prince stood there, champagne flute in hand.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“Meeting again so soon after Bath. Where’s the Duke?”

 

“He’s here. Currently mingling elsewhere.”

 

“Good. That’s good.”

 

He took a sip, stepping closer. His gaze flicked to Naya.

 

“I don’t recognize this lady.”

 

Naya stiffened, hastily lowering her glass, but Adeline subtly raised a hand to stop her.

 

“My maid. Drinking alone felt a bit lonely.”

 

“I see. Still, etiquette dictates—”

 

Adeline cut him off, staring directly into his amused eyes.

 

“She’s mine, Your Highness.”

 

A pause.

 

“Her actions are my responsibility.”

 

The Crown Prince exhaled a laugh, conceding with a nod.

 

“Fair. I overstepped. Then, I hope both of you enjoy the evening.”

 

He walked away, unbothered. Adeline turned to Naya.

 

“You okay—?”

 

She nearly slipped into polite speech but caught herself. Naya’s face was pale.

 

“Y-Yes, I’m… fine.”

 

She wasn’t. Adeline grabbed her hand.

 

“Let’s go up.”

 

“Up?”

 

“The terrace. You said it’s cooler there.”

 

Without waiting for a reply, Adeline headed for the nearest staircase. As Naya had described, the second floor held lounges, smoking rooms, and terraces.

 

Just as Adeline spotted a suitable terrace, Naya suddenly yanked her sleeve, bowing her head. Confused, Adeline followed her gaze—

 

And froze.

 

“We greet Her Majesty, the Empress.”

 

The face she had only seen in newspapers now stood before her.

 

As Adeline bowed to Empress Celia, who had just emerged from a room at the end of the hall, the Empress smiled warmly.

 

“No need for such formality, Lady Adeline. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

 

Adeline straightened, offering the customary pleasantries.

 

“Yes, it has. I hope you’ve been well?”

 

“Thanks to your concern, I have. Now then—”

 

After the brief exchange, the Empress glided past with her attendants toward the central staircase. Only then did Adeline realize she’d been holding her breath.

 

As she watched the Empress’s retreating figure, her gaze lingered on the door Celia had exited.

 

“The most crucial piece just fell into place… and it was this easy?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Ah, nothing. Let’s get some air before heading back.”

 

Adeline pushed aside the curtains of a nearby terrace, stepping into the cool night. Naya, still dazed, could only follow.