Chapter 175: The Joyful Prince’s Dance

The band struck up a lively dance tune, signaling the banquet’s transition from a formal dinner to a grand ball.

The Snow Princess found a seat, joining the other noblewomen and young ladies who were patiently waiting for male guests to invite them to dance.

Amidst the array of female guests, she shone with such brilliance that every gentleman searching for a dance partner found their gaze drawn to her, unable to resist a second look.

Even the other ladies in her immediate vicinity felt a palpable pressure, almost as if their own presence was reduced to mere background, existing only to enhance the Snow Princess’s splendor.

‘She didn’t come…’

The Snow Princess subtly scanned the surrounding seats, but Alice Liddell was nowhere to be found.

‘If the beautiful Duchess Liddell were to make an appearance, at least I wouldn’t be the only one commanding all the attention here.’

One by one, female guests accepted invitations, rising from their seats to join gentlemen on the dance floor.

Yet, the Snow Princess remained seated, no one approaching to ask for her hand in a dance.

Despite this, she held her head high with an air of dignified composure, betraying not a hint of dejection. Instead, it seemed as though she was meticulously evaluating potential partners, and the absence of any approach was due to the gentlemen’s own feelings of inadequacy.

However, to everyone’s surprise, it wasn’t long before someone broke the unspoken rule and took the initiative.

A young noble passed through the crowd, heading directly towards the Snow Princess. He bowed gracefully before her.

“My beautiful Princess, may I have the honor of this dance?”

Everyone couldn’t help but steal glances, immediately taken aback. It wasn’t merely the audacious courage of the man, but his identity itself—Prince Kleiman, the Empire’s Second Imperial Prince.

Prince Kleiman’s presence at such an event was hardly unusual, as he enjoyed a rather good reputation within aristocratic circles. Although many secretly regarded him as a good-for-nothing, even calling him the “Joyful Prince,” he was, after all, the Emperor’s son, and no one dared to openly disrespect him.

However, disdain did not equate to dislike. Precisely because he presented himself as a wastrel, he never obstructed anyone’s path, and few harbored genuine animosity towards him.

In fact, his handsome appearance and gentle, refined nature made him quite likable. Coupled with his extensive knowledge of all things related to leisure and pleasure, on which he could converse eloquently, the upper echelons of nobility often viewed the Prince as a sort of mascot.

‘Where did this fellow even come from? No one saw him before. He just inexplicably appeared as the ball began and went straight for the Snow Princess.’

Witnessing this scene, everyone couldn’t help but feel a certain ‘admiration’ for Prince Kleiman’s shamelessness. It was widely known that the Snow Princess had rejected his proposal, a fact that most people would find embarrassing and strive to avoid.

Yet, he seemed perfectly content to actively stand with the Snow Princess, almost as if to refresh the onlookers’ memories, perhaps even fearing someone might forget his past humiliation.

The Snow Princess looked at him, her expression unchanged, but she followed proper etiquette, placing her hand in his, thereby accepting the invitation.

The two entered the dance floor, their arms resting on each other’s shoulders, swaying gracefully to the music.

“I didn’t see you earlier,” the Snow Princess inquired with a detached tone.

“Hahaha, I’m ashamed to admit it. I was utterly ravenous when I arrived and simply didn’t want to waste time talking to anyone, so I discreetly made my way to the kitchen for a bite,” the Prince chuckled without a hint of embarrassment.

“The chefs must have had quite a headache,” the Snow Princess remarked.

“I told them not to mind me, and they didn’t voice any objections!” Kleiman laughed.

“I imagine that’s because they dared not object,” the Snow Princess calmly corrected.

“How do you find teaching at the academy?” Kleiman asked, attempting to steer the conversation.

“It’s fine, though the students seem rather subdued,” the Snow Princess replied placidly.

“Forgive my bluntness, but when the teacher is so frosty, it’s hard for the students to be lively, isn’t it?” Kleiman chuckled without a care.

“And what about you, Your Highness?” The Snow Princess narrowed her eyes slightly. ‘The previous incident must have had a considerable impact on you all.’

During the Jeanne Decker incident, the Inquisitors’ initial team, led by the Grand Inquisitor, suffered a resounding defeat. Subsequently, the Saintess, whom Prince Kleiman was supposed to execute, was also spirited away. Either of these events, if exposed, would be a major humiliation for the Inquisitor, and it was likely that the Curia or even the Saints would take punitive measures.

According to the intelligence the Snow Princess had gathered, Prince Kleiman, who had always hidden his true identity, was most likely connected to the Inquisitor. This time, she intended to bring the matter into the open.

“What are you talking about?” Prince Kleiman gave a foolish grin.

“I’ve asked this much, Your Highness. Are you still going to evade the question?” The Snow Princess’s gaze sharpened slightly.

“Could it be that you’ve already seen through…” Prince Kleiman widened his eyes, feigning surprise.

Just as the Snow Princess was about to respond with a definitive ‘yes,’ Kleiman continued, “…my disguise to visit a club and watch a strip show?”

“…” The Snow Princess’s face instantly darkened.

“Oh, please, I beg you, don’t tell anyone!” Prince Kleiman pleaded. “I’ll do anything you ask!”

After a long silence, the Snow Princess let out a soft sigh. “Your Highness Kleiman is truly a master of playing the fool.”

“Oh, people often ask if I’m foolish, but you’re the first to think I’m pretending,” Prince Kleiman chuckled.

Seeing that this topic offered no further avenues for discussion, the Snow Princess casually changed the subject.

“How is my uncle’s health?”

The current Empress of the Empire was none other than the second prince of the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom, who had previously married an imperial princess—and was also the Snow Princess’s uncle. By blood, she was a cousin to the Empire’s two Imperial Princes.

“What could possibly be wrong with him? He’s as robust as ever! Unless someone tries to assassinate him,” Prince Kleiman grinned. “Though, I doubt many could actually succeed.”

“More than one vacancy will appear among the Saints, I presume. I imagine he’ll receive an invitation?” the Snow Princess asked.

“Do you really think asking me would yield an answer? I doubt even my mother knows,” Prince Kleiman raised an eyebrow. “After all, the Saints are the true rulers of this country; only they know who the next Saint will be.”

Though he said this, Kleiman himself understood that the cumbersome and complex nature of the country’s ruling class meant that even the Saints could no longer easily dictate matters.

“Then, as the Second Imperial Prince, how do you view this country under their rule today?” The Snow Princess continued to fire questions, her face devoid of emotion.

“Isn’t Her Highness Snow Princess a bit too sharp with her questions today? Isn’t the most important thing at a banquet to be happy?” Kleiman deflected the topic.

He knew it was ill-advised to confide in someone who would inevitably be at the center of political machinations.

“Very well,” the Snow Princess said no more.

As the dance concluded, they exchanged bows and parted ways.

No sooner had the Snow Princess returned from the dance floor than Count Gina approached her, his face wreathed in smiles, ready to engage in conversation. “Your Highness Snow Princess, I am Count Gina, from the Cauchon family. Having just danced, would you care to rest? Might I have the honor of inviting you for a drink over there?”