“That’s a necklace passed down through the Jenin family for generations. It’s only given to the heir, the firstborn… So, for him to give it to you, that’s really something.”
Elsen muttered in awe, looking truly surprised. But the one who was more shocked was Ruth. He had never imagined that the necklace had such significance. He had just thought it was a necklace the Empress had cherished.
“This is… just… something I borrowed for a moment.”
“Still, if you’ve received something like this, you should stay by His Highness’s side. Go back inside.”
Elsen looked at Ruth with a pitying expression, full of sympathy. Ruth felt he could tell exactly what Elsen was thinking in that moment.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m really fine.”
“Go back to the hall and dance. This might be your first and last chance.”
“…” “Even if you don’t leave, His Highness will soon marry Erita, and then you’ll never be able to enter the ballroom with him again. So make this memory. It wouldn’t hurt to dream a sweet dream, even if just for once.”
For a moment, Ruth’s chest tightened. Elsen’s words were true. He would soon leave, but even if he didn’t, he could never stand proudly by Ail’s side. This was, as Elsen said, the first and last ball. There would be no more memories.
“But I can’t dance.”
“I’ll teach you. Learn quickly, then go and try it out.”
“I’m not confident.”
“Why? You’re good with your coordination. It’s just like drill training. Instead of marching commands, you move to the music.”
Seeing Elsen extend his left hand, Ruth was suddenly reminded of the sight of Ail and Salina from just moments ago. Ail’s strong arm wrapped around Salina’s waist as he led her, her long dress fluttering lightly as they danced. Their graceful, soft dance captured everyone’s attention.
“I’m not confident…”
Muttering this, Ruth extended his hand and took Elsen’s. He placed his right arm around his waist, and Ruth placed his left hand in his right. As Elsen applied pressure with his right arm, their waists naturally touched.
After getting into position, Elsen whispered,
“Start by moving your right foot.”

To the soft sounds of the music, Ail continued to chat with Salina as they danced. Salina was quite an interesting conversation partner. With her graceful and elegant demeanor, she charmed Ail, making sure to please him. Watching them, Ruth couldn’t help but wonder why he couldn’t do the same. No matter how much he was ignored, Ail’s title as Crown Prince meant that everyone else would bow their heads first and cater to him. Even without the title, people were always willing to do anything to gain Ail favor, thanks to his captivating social skills.
But why was it that Ruth couldn’t do the same?

While thinking this, Ail gently spun around and searched for Ruth. But he wasn’t in the hall. It seemed he hadn’t come back inside yet.
“Are you looking for the commander?”
Salina, sensing Ail’s gaze, asked. Ail responded playfully,
“I was just looking around for other beautiful flowers.”
“You’re more interested in butterflies, aren’t you? And no flower could be more charming than the butterfly with little moonlit wings, could it?”
Salina’s smile was alluring, and Ail chuckled at her response. “Moonlit butterfly” was clearly a reference to Ruth.
“Moonlit butterfly? That’s an interesting expression.”
“That’s how people in the social world refer to him, the commander. Pale, quiet, and elegant. If you’re the sun, then he’s the moon. A little butterfly with delicate, translucent wings like moonlight. That’s what they call him.”
“An apt description.”
“Are you going to marry Erita?”
Salina’s direct question made Ail respond as if he had been waiting for it,
“If that’s what my father wants, then I’ll follow. After all, I’m only the Crown Prince in name.”
“I know you’re different from what the rumors say. You’re a person of strong ambition and greed. You never let go of what’s in front of you. Right now, you’re just waiting for the right time.”
Salina had a sharp understanding of Ail, and Ail was impressed by her accurate analysis, though he didn’t show it.
“Why do you think that?”
“Because I just do.”
“Is that so… So, are you aiming for the Empress’s position?”

“Yes. If it were me, I could serve Your Highness perfectly. Politically, and privately as well.”
“Didn’t you approach me on behalf of Eilen Kaizel?”
“I didn’t receive his request; I used him. I deceived him cleverly. I approached Your Highness, saying I’d make Erita Jenin break off her engagement, and promised to help the Kaizel family once I became your consort.”
“Hmm, so you’re not going to help the Kaizel family?”
“I’ll help them if it’s worth it, but if it’s not, I’ll abandon them.”
Just as she said, Salina was very much like Ail—ambitious, with a clear goal and unshakable determination. As Ail looked at her, he suddenly thought marrying her might not be such a bad idea. A person with strong ambition is focused and never wavers. This was exactly the kind of person Ail needed.
“If I marry you, what do I gain?”
“You gain the power of the Astro family. Although the Empress is from the Jenin family, the Jenin family is going to fall soon. The Astro family is more attractive, don’t you think?”
“Still, I must show some loyalty to my maternal family.”
“I don’t think you’re the type to be bound by such loyalty.”
Salina said this with conviction. Just as her words ended, the music stopped. Ail released his arm from around her and stepped back, bowing politely. She too, holding her skirt, bowed in return. After standing straight, Ail took her hand again and, while leaving the stage, whispered to her.
“I’ll Think about it.”
“I hope you make a wise decision.”
Salina didn’t back down with her last words. She was quite bold and had a strong heart. Ail found that he liked her. Since royal marriages were politically motivated anyway, he was drawn to someone like her—open and ambitious. She was the perfect match politically.
As they left the stage and he slowly released her hand, Ail walked toward the railing where Ruth had gone earlier. He wondered why Ruth hadn’t returned to the hall yet and opened the door. When he stepped outside, he found the railing empty and tilted his head in confusion. Ruth had been watching this way, but he hadn’t come back inside.
Curious, Ail glanced toward the garden. As he did, he heard laughter from one side and looked in that direction, leaning against the railing. Under the soft moonlight, he saw two figures dancing together in the garden. His mind went blank as he watched.
“Just what do you believe in to dance this badly?”
Elsen scolded, holding Ruth’s waist, as Ruth grumbled,
“It’s just not my thing.”
“True. You barely passed the basic subjects in school, didn’t you?”
Ruth laughed at that remark. It was a clear, pure laugh. Ail suddenly wondered if Ruth, Kaizel’s child, could laugh like that.
“Really, try to do better. Why are you so bad at dancing?”
“Ah, stop it. I’m done. I’m not dancing!”
After more of Elsen’s teasing, Ruth pulled away from his hand and stepped back, complaining. Seeing this childish reaction, Elsen pressed a finger to Ruth’s forehead.
“They say your only strength is your patience, right? Try a little harder.”
“No matter how hard I try, some things just don’t work.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“There are things like that. Anyway, I give up. I really can’t dance.”
“How come you’re so good at drills but can’t do this?”
“Drills are drills, and this is different. I just don’t get the rhythm.”
“You’re such a strange one… Hey, what’s with your hand? It’s bleeding.”
At Elsen’s words, Ruth stopped, looked at his right hand, and raised his left hand to scratch his head.
“Right. Looks like the wound opened up.”
“Hey, you idiot. Why didn’t you say it hurts?”
“I didn’t even notice. I was too busy getting scolded by you…”
“You’re so dull. Is there a first-aid kit in your room?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll disinfect and rebandage it. You said it was just a scratch, so why is the wound taking so long to heal? You’re usually good at healing quickly.”
“Maybe it’s because it’s hot.”
Ruth mumbled, brushing it off, then turned and started walking toward the building’s entrance. Elsen followed him without hesitation. Watching them, Ail turned around, crossed the hall, and passed the railing.
Ruth, who had adamantly refused to dance, was now dancing with Elsen in the garden, not even in the hall… Thinking about it again, Ail’s blood seemed to boil. He felt frustrated and angry to the point of madness.
Ruth’s light and cheerful tone with Elsen, the natural expression and playful affection, everything was different from when he was with Ail. Ruth had always been reserved and serious with him. When they spent time together, he seemed bored, unsure of what to do, and if Ail initiated a conversation, Ruth responded aggressively. Most of all, Ail had never seen Ruth smile. He had always worn a sulky face, so he had thought Ruth just didn’t smile. In fact, Ail had believed that Ruth Kaizel simply didn’t know how to smile.
But that was a misconception. Ruth smiled too much around others, far more than Ail could have imagined. He spoke gently, smiled with his eyes, and answered anything kindly, never showing displeasure, always willing to give whatever the other person wanted.
Ail realized that he didn’t really know Ruth at all. But Elsen seemed to know everything about him.
And that was what bothered him the most.