If you don’t love me, I will die.

The ballroom was filled with numerous couples dancing together.
The buzz in the space began to gather as gazes started converging in one direction.

Ania Brontë.

The moment she descended the staircase, it seemed as if the center of the ballroom had shifted towards her.
It felt almost like the music had stopped, creating an illusion of stillness.

However, as if familiar with such attention, Ania turned her body and extended her hand toward me.

“My Lord, shall we?”

Following Ania, who gracefully moved forward, I took her hand, and we slowly walked toward the center of the ballroom.

‘… Does she always live under these kinds of gazes?’

Though not overt, the glances directed at us were unmistakable.
Sensing these discreet yet palpable stares, I walked with Ania, hand in hand.

At that moment, the music transitioned from a classical rhythm to a slow jazz tune.

Entering the heart of the ballroom, I whispered to Ania.

“How’s your ankle?”
“It’s fine.”

She claimed so, even after she limped forward.

Perhaps it would be better to avoid dancing altogether.
No matter how well the body seemed, pushing it could quickly reveal symptoms.

Just as I was about to suggest it to Ania, she lightly pulled my hand, bringing me closer.

“Would you like to dance, kind sir?”

I burst into laughter at Ania’s audacious suggestion.
Despite the gathering stares around us, I simply couldn’t care.

Smiling, I responded, “Certainly, my lady.”

Even if she pushed herself, it didn’t matter.
It felt as if my own stabs and wounds had disappeared into thin air.

Amidst the crowd, it seemed as if the ballroom had been created solely for the two of us.

“Just move slowly following my steps.”

Since the day we clumsily danced in the dining room, I have received dance lessons from Ania several times.
It might be amusing to call it lessons, as I merely mimicked Ania’s movements.

Nevertheless, Edward’s excellent motor skills shone through.

Just by watching and imitating, I turned into a refined nobleman.

Hence, I couldn’t tell how it appeared to the onlookers, but we held hands at the center of the ballroom and danced gracefully and smoothly.

Even if I was a suitable man for Ania or not… I didn’t really know.
Regardless, it didn’t matter. Ania was shining like a star, and being by her side, I felt content, like a dimmed moon illuminated by her.

The slow jazz rhythm eventually faded, and the brass band immediately began playing a dance tune.

As the music slowed down, both of us gradually stopped dancing.
She then looked up at me with a smile and asked, “How was it?”

At Ania’s playful question, I couldn’t help but feel a smile forming on my face as well.

“I wonder how it looked for people around us, seeing everyone’s attention solely on My Lady.”
“Hehe…”

I lightly held Ania’s hand; she was swaying slightly.

“I don’t really know either.”

Ania leaned against me, resting her head on my shoulder, and looked up at me as if leaning on me.

“I was so focused on looking at your face that I can’t even remember how we danced.”

With such unexpected words, I just laughed.

***

A ball is, as the name suggests, a gathering for dancing.
Nobles gather in splendid ballrooms, dancing to the music, a social event where they showcase their dancing skills.

However, dancing is not the sole purpose.
Beneath the surface, unpredictable political schemes await.

So, nobles form factions, aiming to collaborate within their groups.

The Bronte Duchy and a few other dukes and duchesses form the Imperial faction.
The Anti-Imperial faction centered around the Casey Duchy in the east, and so on.

Of course, besides factions, personal grudges and business connections are intertwined, leading to once-friendly houses turning into enemies overnight.

The noble world may seem beautiful from afar, but looking closely, it’s not as glamorous as it appears.

“Hmm…”

In my memories, Earl Roland is undoubtedly part of the Imperial faction.
Moreover, there is no enmity or business conflict with the Bronte family.

So, if Countess Roland is indeed the culprit, as Ania claims, what could be the motive?

Could it be jealousy over Ania’s beauty, as she suggests? Is that the only reason?

Leaning against the terrace railing, gazing at the sky, Ania slowly approached and asked.

“Why are you contemplating so much?”
“It’s nothing.”

Ania held a wine glass in one hand.
Although her ankle hurt, she still drank wine, but I didn’t comment on it.

“Would you like to have a drink together?”
“Sure.”

I accepted the glass she offered and raised it for a light toast.
The sound of the glasses clinking spread through the crisp autumn air.

After sipping the refreshing grape-scented wine, I noticed Ania’s cheeks turning slightly red on the other side of the glass.

She had her arm wrapped around my shoulder.

“The weather is getting colder.”
“Yes, soon winter will come.”

As I draped my coat over Ania’s shoulders, she smiled gently.

Even her blushing cheeks and hazy gaze were beautiful.

Now, I could see the threat the Countess saw.

“So about the Countess…”

As I slowly spoke, Ania’s lips curved downward.

“Yes.”
“If she really is the culprit, there may still be another party with who orchestrated…”
“It’s not an ‘if.’ What that woman did is true.”
“But there is no proof yet.”
“I know it might sound forced…”

Ania’s expression darkened a bit, and she gently held my hand.

“Would you come with me for a moment?” she asked.

I simply took Ania’s hand and entered the mansion.

Ania raised her index finger to her lips, signaling me to be quiet, and led the way inside with gentle steps.

“Where are we going?”
“Just follow me for now.”

The path she led me down was a secluded area of the mansion.
Soon, we spotted some people wearing masks.

Judging by their silhouettes and attire, they seemed to be the wives of some nobles.

We leaned against the wall and positioned ourselves in a hidden corner to observe them.

Then, we overheard their conversation.

“Poor man.”
“Indeed. To marry such a witch. He seemed like such a good child as well.”
“He might as well die, just like all her other men did.”
“He seemed so clueless… To fall for a woman like that just to end up dead.”
“It’s all because of that woman. Even my cousin’s son died because of that witch.”
“She’s like a vicious fox… Forcing herself onto that man.”

Although they didn’t specify, it was clear whose story they were telling.

“…”

Ania lightly bit her lower lip, lowered her head, and then took my hand, guiding us back to the ballroom.

“Did you hear it?”
“Yes.”

Ania managed to force a smile. I spoke to her, worried.

“… Are you okay? I’m sure your mind is racing after hearing such things.”
“I’m indifferent to it.”
“How can you be indifferent to that…”
“I got used to hearing it.”

Ania strolled toward the window.
The darkness had settled over the sky imperceptibly.

Following her, I hesitated to speak.
The words I wanted to ask lingered on my tongue.

What did it mean to get used to it, to be indifferent?
Did it signify regret for the wrongdoing or perhaps an absence of guilt regarding those actions?
Or…

“Shall we go back?”

But I couldn’t ask.
In Ania’s eyes, I saw deep loneliness.

“Yeah.”

We left the mansion.
Though a few nobles greeted us, Count Roland was the only one to see us off.

He suggested we stay longer and enjoy the party, but Ania declined.

Something in the Earl’s eyes changed as he heard her refusal.
It wasn’t a gaze encouraging us to enjoy the party more, but rather, it seemed like he had set his sights on Ania.

“We’ve enjoyed enough, let’s go back.”

In his eyes, I caught a fleeting hint of disappointment, not because the party was ending but instead because he seemed disappointed in not having a chance with Ania.

“Are you tired?”
“I’ll close my eyes for a bit. Wake me up when we’re back.”

I looked at Ania lying in my arms.

The infamous villainess of the Empire that I knew. Descriptions from the novel flashed through my mind.

‘This woman… is a villain.’

Ania, who used Edward’s love, eventually married another man.
A woman who captivated the hearts of many men and ultimately led them to their deaths.

‘Don’t be deceived.’

I made a resolution and looked out the window.
Under the sparkling sky, the sound of murmuring voices, the rhythmic rolling of carriage wheels.

Slowly lowering my head, I gazed at Ania’s face.
Beneath her beautiful appearance, I saw a different face.
A face like a wounded little animal…

I no longer knew what was true.

I simply gently brushed through Ania’s hair as she slept.