Regret With All Your Might

Chapter 12

"How is it, Olivia? How does it feel to have received your first oath?"

Leopold's mouth twisted even as he called my name tenderly. It was a sign that something was displeasing him whenever something was on his mind.

Every time that happened, Olivia did her best to appease Leopold, always looking at his face as if I had done something wrong.

Olivia, who was about to go to Leopold's side out of habit, hesitated. The duke's face, which had been stiffening, relaxed as she lightly shook the hand he held out, reassuring him.

One of Leopold's eyebrows quirked up.

He hadn't liked Olivia from earlier on. Even when she pulled her hand away from his, even when she was now avoiding his gaze.

This couldn't happen.

Olivia should naturally come to my side. This was amidst the nobles. Olivia did not take any action as if daring to reject me in the midst of all this.

It felt as if everything was turning upside down. Leopold's eyes grew sharper with anger, like a fire being stoked.

"Your Majesty."

The duke, who had hidden Olivia as if to protect her, spoke gently. It was the complete opposite of Leopold, who had stood threateningly with a sharp presence.

"If you have no business, please step aside. I was about to dance the first dance with the lady to whom I swore my oath."

"I want to have the first dance with my fiancée after she has received her first oath. Duke."

Leopold looked at me with soft eyes, contrary to his stiff voice.

"Go ahead, Liv."

A tender voice called my nickname. At that moment, Olivia's heart thumped. It was the first time since her mother that her nickname had been called.

Her heart pounded heavily. Leopold smiled brightly. Just like when he was her brilliant salvation at the age of eleven.

And so, Olivia almost moved without realizing it.

"You always wanted to dance the first dance with me."

Had it not been for those words, she really would have.

The word 'first dance' reminded her of her debutante ball. Naturally standing by Leopold's side and Leopold, who had ignored her and taken the hand of the young Lady Nordian.

Even so.

Leopold was confident now.

Leopold's appearance, extending his hand without asking, calling her nickname without permission; Olivia bit her inner lip silently.

...Does Leopold see me as that easy?

Saying he's engaged to me while coming with Maria Etel, pretending not to know about cards and flowers he never sent, even though he must have heard about it from his steward.

Making me out to be nothing like this.

Her mood sank deeply. Olivia struggled to clear her mind.

Without a chance to think further, Olivia slowly parted her lips.

"...This is a victory banquet celebrating war heroes. Your Majesty."

"...Liv?"

Leopold called Olivia again, as if disbelieving.

Olivia held her head higher than ever. She didn't care whether the turmoil in Leopold's blue eyes was anger at the situation or anger at her.

She was too exhausted today.