CH 39

As the orchestra played, the nobles moved to the end of the hall and the emperor and his wife came down to the center.

After the Emperor and Empress gracefully danced their first dance, it was Renato and Mariabelle's turn to dance.

"Are you nervous?"

Renato asked when he felt the trembling of her hands.

But Mariabelle kept smiling and replied, "I'm fine."

I am indeed nervous.

The people around me are all strangers, and the stares they are giving me are not friendly.

However, if Mariabelle is to become the Crown Princess of the Empire, she cannot afford to flinch at this.

Dance in a way that captivates all who see you.

Behave in a way that will make people marvel at you.

That is all I can do.

When Edward told her that he was breaking off their engagement, Mariabelle went along with it.

But I don't want anyone to take away my future with Renato.

So this is a battle.

It is a quiet battle for Mariabelle to gain a firm position in this empire.

"This is my first dance with Renato-sama. I hope we can enjoy it together." Mariabelle said.

"I'm sure you're right. Let's have fun."

Renato's bow signaled the start of their dance.

The nobles followed Mariabelle's movements with their eyes.

Soon, their eyes were clearly filled with admiration.

Her softly heeled steps were light, as if feathers had sprouted on her back, and even the tips of her outstretched fingernails were beautiful.

Mariabelle's dancing was as perfect as a model dancer.

"Wow..."

The sighs of admiration from the nobles who saw her, could be heard between the music.

Mariabelle just stared at Renato, all smiles and steps.

Renato also helped Mariabelle look her best.

The height of her outstretched hand, the speed of her turns, everything was matched to Mariabelle's movements.

Renato, dressed in black, and Mariabelle, in a white blue silk dress from the Fidelos', moved so perfectly together that it was hard to believe that this was the first time they had danced with each other, and it was as beautiful as a painting.

And when the two dancers bowed after their final turn, applause erupted from everyone.

Mariabelle had certainly charmed the audience with just one dance.

After Renato and Mariabelle finished dancing, the greetings to the emperor by the nobles began instead of the dances of the younger princes.

Mariabelle also stood beside Renato and greeted the nobles.

The first to greet the Emperor was, of course, Grand Duke Marini.

He said, "Your Majesty, as I said before, I would like to congratulate you again."

The Emperor nodded his head in a very dignified manner to the Grand Duke Marini, who bowed deeply to him.

Then the Grand Duke Marini bowed to Renato as well.

"I am truly sorry for the trouble I have caused Your Highness for a long time because of the selfishness of my daughter when she was a child."

"Grand Duke, that's enough. Today is a great day, let's leave it at that. Let me introduce you. This is Mariabelle Berkeley. Mariabelle, this is my late fiancée's father, the Grand Duke Marini."

When Grand Duke Marini saw Mariabelle, who was introduced to him, he had an inexpressible expression of relief and regret for a moment.

But he quickly erased it and smiled like an aristocrat.

"I am very happy that Miss Berkeley has become your highness' fiancée. Being from the Kingdom, I am sure there will be some inconvenience for you in the Empire. I hope that you will be able to count on me to help you in your time of need."

The Grand Duke Marini's words caused a stir among the nobles.

It meant that Mariabelle, who had no ties to the Empire other than Count Fidelo, now had the backing of Grand Duke Marini.

The nobles who had been against Mariabelle changed the color of their gazes toward her when they heard this statement.