Eugène looked at her with a smile and turned her around in time. When she turned her back and walked three steps, she came back with a strange expression on her face. Eugène felt puzzled when he noticed the sudden change in the complexion of the woman who had been laughing with him before.
Before he, who was confused, could ask a question, Countess Sertois spoke first.
“Baron Amieux.”
“Say it, Countess.”
“His Majesty is looking this way.”
“Yes? What do you mean?”
“To be precise, His Majesty seems to be glaring at this side.”
“… Pardon?”
Eugène, having heard something quite unexpected, was stunned as if he had been struck in the back of the head with a hammer. However, Countess Sertois whispered anxiously with a gravely sunken look on her face.
“What should we do? His Majesty must have misunderstood us.”
What a ridiculous thing to assume. To think His Majesty seems to have misunderstood their relationship…
Eugène thought it would never happen, but he couldn’t tell her the truth, so he kept his mouth shut.
His Majesty is looking this way? Why?
Eugène wrapped his arm around the Countess’ waist in line with the dance moves and turned his gaze to the other side. Indeed, as the Countess said, the Emperor with a gaze that could only be expressed as ‘glaring’ was watching them.
So he is actually watching us?
Eugène, faced with that, was genuinely perplexed.
No, why on earth…?
Then, for a moment, he felt like a fool. Damn it. He forgot. Wasn’t he told during the daytime to devise a plan so that people don’t have suspicions about this scandal?
But that very night, he danced proudly with another lady at the ball that he personally attended, so he might be wondering what in the world that guy was doing.
Eugène cleared his befuddled head and moved his feet. As his countenance darkened, Countess Sertois looked up at him with a worried expression on her face.
“Is His Majesty still looking?”
“Yes. The gaze has not left us.”
“… I think I have made a mistake.”
“I guess so. I think you made a grave mistake. His Majesty is coming this way himself?”
“What?”
“Right behind your back now.”
Unfortunately, the dance music ended just then. Unlike other aristocrats who greeted their partners and left the hall, Eugène was unable to take a step and had to turn stiffly.
Countess Sertois paid greetings to the Emperor while observing the two of them.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Your Majesty the Emperor.”
“Countess Sertois. We saw your beautiful dance skills.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty.”
“Though We feel sorry, would you yield the next turn to Us? We have a special message to convey to your partner.”
“Of course. In any case, my turn is over. Thanks to Baron Amieux, I was happy to be able to dance after a long time. Now I have to go back and take care of the princess’ bedtime. If it is all right, can I bid my farewell here?”
“Then do so. We always appreciate your efforts with Anne Meredith. We hope you continue to do your best.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. And Baron Amieux, I shall be taking my leave now.”
Countess Sertois, realizing that it would be of little help to Eugène if she continued to stay there, naturally gave up and left the place.
Eugène was grateful for her consideration but also felt deeply sorry. He didn’t ask to dance for it to go down like this.
After giving a respectful nod to the departing woman, he turned to the Emperor. A threatening yellow flash appeared in his golden eyes, which gleamed more beautifully than the crystal chandelier that was dazzling above his head. The Emperor’s eyes, resembling a lion hunched in the bushes and glaring at his prey, were so overwhelmingly ferocious that they made even a battle veteran like Eugène shudder.
“The next dance music will start soon, so how about we move places?”
No matter how angry he was, he was not someone who would scold him in the middle of the ballroom, so Eugène gave a light suggestion since he was concerned about the eyes that were watching. The Emperor snorted flatly upon hearing Eugène, grabbed his hand, and walked to the front of the hall.
“Did you not hear Us? Your next partner will be Us.”
“Your Majesty?”
Even when the next piece of music started, no one came forth alone. They excitedly watched the Emperor and Eugène standing hand in hand with curious eyes as they circled the edge of the ballroom.
“Play the dance music.”
The musicians, who were bowing, all stood up straight in unison at the Emperor’s command. Perhaps because of the pressure to make the music suitable for the Emperor’s dance, the latest trendy fast-tempo dance music was played in a desperate attempt to liven the atmosphere up.
Eugène had suddenly come face to face with the Emperor and they mutually bowed to each other. As soon as the music started, the Emperor, who was as disciplined in his movements as Eugène, grabbed Eugène’s hand and moved forward.
“Is this the ‘special method’ that you came up with?”
The Emperor asked sarcastically in a low voice that could not be heard from outside as it was buried in the lively sound of music. Eugène silently turned his gaze to the sharp sarcasm that only he could understand.
He had nothing to say. Eugène, following the dance sequence, looked far ahead and muttered an apology.
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“We had not known, but you have a great talent for making men fret. Of course. After all, this must be a part of that method of yours. Since We could not watch it, you made Us move on Our own, so in a way, it may have been the best method you could have found.”
The tight grip of the Emperor’s hand coiled his hand painfully. Eugène looked back at the Emperor, maintaining his expression on his face so as not to show his pain.
“But it is surprising. When I saw your old lover, I thought you were attracted to beautiful faces because you were a man, but your preference for women is quite modest. Your former wife and Countess Sertois are like sparrows in front of a peacock compared to ‘that person’.”
The Emperor uttered harsh words once more as if he didn’t seem to be able to relieve his anger even with a single scratch.
Eugène was stunned by the cynical remarks about the deceased Louise and Prince Cyrill, as well as the innocent Countess Sertois. Even so, he wondered what happened to the person who never really nudged details about his personal life. He had always been sarcastic about his personal matters if he were poking at it, but he had never sincerely crossed the line.
He could not hide his embarrassment, but unconsciously followed the beat of the dance music. As he admitted, he was as accustomed to the female position as the male position due to unintentional circumstances and turned to face the Emperor with one hand held by him. Through the thin hem of his clothes, the body temperature of the other person approached clearly as if it were sticking to his skin.
“Your Majesty, you are going too far. It was my fault, so why insult those who have done nothing?”
Even though they were looking in the same direction, their expressions were certainly different. The two, with their backs facing each other and their heads clinging together as if they were touching each other, looked in opposite directions, stepped back, and faced each other again.
“It has been a long time since you gave a wrong answer. How do you think We will act if you came to their defense in this situation?”
“Your Majesty.”
“We are now a green-eyed monster. When has a jealous man ever acted in good faith?”
The Emperor said in an intentional mocking tone. The reason he was acting the way he is now is to maintain the rumors surrounding them. Still, seeing him calmly call himself a jealous man, Eugène felt like he was going to be exhausted because it was all so absurd.
He moved his lips slightly as if to say something, then gave up and shut his mouth bitterly. The Emperor, who was watching him sharply, clicked his tongue in disapproval and muttered.
“You are truly a nonchalant person.”
He then spoke quietly in his mouth, as if talking to himself.
“And incredibly dense.”
He wasn’t meant to hear it anyway, but Eugène truly didn’t seem to hear it and so, didn’t respond. This stony man didn’t seem to realize anything, even though he had come forward and made it this obvious.
The Emperor felt a violent impulse for an instant. He wanted to hold Eugène’s chin and direct his disregarded gaze to himself. He wanted to stare him in the face and ask him what he thought about his desire for him which was evident in his eyes.
The irrational desire that dragged him down from the podium and made him stand here heated his head again.
You truly do not know? Even though We have done this, you truly do not know?
The Emperor felt a deep displeasure as he recalled the numerous hints he had thrown toward him. The court was a place where most of the seduction process was solved just by passing a glance or a subtle gesture of flipping a fan. According to the customs of high society, a hint like this was almost like hollering loudly.
Nevertheless, Eugène failed to notice anything. As he said himself, he seemed to have decided that it was impossible, so no matter how blatant the Emperor was, he would have no clue.
How is it that I was drawn to such a person…
The Emperor ground his teeth inwardly.
Of course, nothing would change if Eugène noticed his desire for him. He was not a mad tyrant of the Old Kingdom, nor was he a ruthless monarch to the point of bedding him forcibly.
What’s more, wasn’t Eugène a vassal whom he intended to entrust the first squad to? A liege who held military power over a monarch was subject to the strongest scrutiny of all. Entangle himself in a sexual relationship with such a person? Regardless of whether the other person wanted it or not, it was absolutely not desirable by itself.
However, while he thought so rationally, his emotions moved differently. The reason he hinted his desire to him without having the intention of sleeping with him was, above all, because his pride was hurt.
He could not comprehend the fact that the events of that day that had left such a deep impression on him meant nothing to him.
Every time he looked at Eugène’s lips, the Emperor recalled the kiss they shared that day. Whenever he realized that Eugène was not conscious of him, his stomach felt all twisted and uncomfortable. Probably because the Emperor himself was intensely conscious of him.
“It is because you do not realize that you keep making the same mistakes over and over again.”
The Emperor grabbed Eugène’s waist with a slanted smile that revealed his twisted inner feelings. He embraced Eugène’s waist tightly, completely ignoring the customary distance allowed, and met his face from an uncomfortably close distance.
“To deceive others, you must first have faith in yourself. Use your imagination to the fullest, Baron Amieux.”
He said in a meaningful way.
Meanwhile, the music was playing. Fortunately, the next step was to look at each other while keeping a distance from each other and turn around. Whatever the situation, the dancing continued, and Eugène, unable to escape and leave the Emperor alone in the middle of the hall, bit the bullet and matched his rhythm.
Regardless of the situation, the dance continued, and Eugene, who couldn’t run away leaving the emperor in the middle of the hall, wept and matched his rhythm with mustard.
When the Emperor loosened the grip on his waist, Eugène naturally pulled himself out and stepped back. But the Emperor did not let him go. He calmly reached out and placed his hand on Eugène’s shoulder. His hand clasped his shoulder lightly as if he were clutching it, then moved up his neck and gently cupped his cheek.
Eugène, startled by the unexpected touch, flinched, but the Emperor remained calm and rubbed his lips with his thumb.
“It would be a good idea to start with the assumption that We are secretly desiring you.”
The thumb that had been slowly rubbing the lower lip went inside the lip and gently pressed the soft mucous membrane.
Eugène could not hide his bewildered gaze and looked at the Emperor. The Emperor looked him straight in the eye and asked mischievously.
“How is it? Is it still difficult to understand?”
Before he could react, the Emperor’s thumb slipped out of his lips. It was only for a moment, but there was no way anyone with eyes could have missed the scene.
Sure enough.
Behind him, he heard gasps being let out in unison. The same was true of Eugène, whose breath had been blocked. He was openly ridiculed at a gathering of prominent aristocrats, and he did not respond for a long time and then let out a heavy sigh.
“… As I have felt before, Your Majesty can sometimes be so extreme that you go too far.”
Instead of the expected reaction, when an unusual criticism was heard, the Emperor’s delicate brows twisted slightly. He stared at Eugène with a dumbfounded gaze and raised one eyebrow.
“Is that all you have to say in this situation?”
“Well, what more answers should I give? I am quite satisfied with my present situation. No matter how I think about it, the position of Eromenos would be too much for me.”
Only those paramours not officially recognized by the Emperor could protect themselves in the name of Balustre. The Emperor felt dispirited when Eugène responded with a hint of sarcasm.
Even if he didn’t catch on, the focus was way too off. What the Emperor wanted to hear from him was not such callous political advice. What the hell was wrong with this man that he didn’t notice anything even after doing all this? A dull-headed person would understand what the matter was, but this man didn’t.
“It seems like We are lucky. We have a good-natured lover who is easily satisfied with such small things.”
He didn’t even have the energy to continue anymore at this point. The only person in this mansion who didn’t realize that the Emperor had a personal interest in him was probably the man involved.
The Emperor haughtily made a sarcastic remark to hide his wounded pride. Aside from his supreme status as the Emperor of the Empire, he was born beautiful and charming and had never been treated like this by anyone before.
Finally, the music ended and so, the dance ended too. Those who did not know what the two were talking about watched their actions, paying keen attention in case they missed a single thing.
In the suffocating silence, the two faced each other. This time too, it was the Emperor who moved first. After bidding the ceremonial farewell as if nothing had happened, he turned and returned to the podium where the Marquise Merlin was waiting. Eugène looked at his back for a moment and then turned his steps as well.
When the incident that had caught everyone’s attention was over, the surroundings became noisy. He moved to avoid the nobles coming to the center of the hall for the next dance music.
Those who were only looking for an opportunity to catch him hurriedly approached the area, but Eugène asked for their understanding one by one, passed between them, and went out to the front door. The quieter the surroundings, the faster his footsteps. There was nothing to look at when he left the crowded hall and stepped out into the hallway.
He strode forward as if he wanted to get out of the place as soon as possible. Even though the banquet was still in full swing inside, he did not care and accepted the overcoat he had left in the servant’s care.
Eugène’s limit to be equanimous was only until the end of the dance. No matter how daring Eugène was, he could no longer pretend to be calm.
Oh my goodness. How did this happen…
As he waited for the carriage he had asked the servant for, Eugène stroked his face with his dry palm. He couldn’t even guess what kind of expression he was making now. He was so embarrassed that blood rushed to his face. Noticing that even his earlobes and the nape of his neck were hot, the heat seemed to have risen to that point.
The Emperor’s conjecture was completely off the mark. Now in the mansion, no one was unaware that he was interested in Eugène.
t/n: aaahh what a way to end the arc >.< appreciate you all, i love reading all the comments left by you guys hehe <3 have a good dayy and take caree !
omggg hehee
Thanks for the chapters!! <33
reread it again and OMGG 🙈🙈
Me to gonna read A Special section again 😏
OMG NEW ARC IS COMING?! +!
THIS NOVEL IS SO BEAUTIFUL LIKE THE TENSION IS SO GOOD UGH INSERTING A FINGER INSIDE THEIR MOUTH IS ONE OF MY GREATEST TURN ON DAYUMMM
I read this chapter 3 times 😂🤩 thank you very much for the update 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
I’m looking forward to it QAQ
(ﾉ≧∇≦)ﾉ ﾐ ┻━┻ This Chapter !!!
For the First tym Emperor is Showing blatant intrest in Eugene.
His jealous episode was damn good.
Loved how this Beauty’s PRIDE was hurt lol and it looks like it’s gonna hurt more hehehe.
And I was right about Emperor-Baron Twirl Twirl 〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜
Thank God you uploaded 2 chapters otherwise I would have died coz of curiosity 😅. This will atleast satiate me for a while ✨
Ouh my gowshhhh. Ahhhhh. Ahhhhh.
Thank you for the chapter~
OMGGGG!!!! I’m gigling and kicking my feet while reading this chapter😍😍😍
thank you for this update🫶
The muscles in my cheeks hurt… I can’t stop the smirk… This tension and the rumours the gossips… All just killed me… Ooffff….
ITS HAPPENING PEOPLE ITS HAPPENING
Wow…such a good arc 😍 man of bulster indeed.thanks for translating♥️
Ahh, our dense Eugène finally noticed the tension in the air with that last scene🤣🤣
Awooga
How often do u post ; once per week or twice?? ..
Thank you for translating ♥️ mimari…
Also how do I offer support ? Like Patreon or sth …I really love this novel
updates are sporadic but it’s supposed to be once per week ! could be two as well ofc and if something comes up, it could take two weeks max for a chapter to be published, but again, in that case, i aim to publish two chapters as an apology for the wait :3
as for support, i don’t have a patreon but there’s a link to my kofi page at the end of each chapter (reading the novel alone is a sweet way to offer support) ;]
lastly, thank you for reading fa hua ^_^ i appreciate you 🫶
Got it, Thanks😁
What an incredibly cute way of ending this arc!!