Chapter 30
Heinrich leaned against the backrest of the sofa, lost in thought.
It seemed he judged that Nadia’s words had some degree of truth.
Nadia, for her part, thought this was an opportunity.
Even if she managed to discover the true culprit who had killed Revenia, she hadn’t found a proper way to deliver that information to Heinrich—yet now, a channel had opened.
“Your Excellency, even if you try to stop me, I will continue with this work. But even if I uncover the truth, there will be very little I can actually do. If you are willing, may I at least pass on the information I find to you?”
Heinrich was silent for a long time.
Was it because he didn’t trust her?
Nadia wondered if she would have to find another way.
“I will reward you if you bring me the correct information.”
“The reward is unnecessary. I only wish to do this because it weighs on my heart.”
“If you do not accept a reward, then I will not accept your information either.”
It was a thorough act of drawing a line. A declaration that he would not owe her anything.
Nadia decided to be satisfied with that much. After all, she had no desire to entangle herself back into his life.
Judging their conversation finished, Nadia rose to her feet and gave a deep bow.
As she grasped the doorknob of the reception room, she blurted out words she had been holding back all along.
“Your Excellency, sometimes what is most important can change. Would it not be worthwhile to look around you? Please forgive my presumptuousness.”
For Revenia, the most important thing in life had been regaining her own life through fulfilling her responsibilities and duties.
But for Nadia now, the most important thing was Heinrich’s well-being.
She desperately wished that Heinrich could break free of Revenia’s shadow and the guilt it brought, and instead carry something better in his heart.
Of course, Heinrich did not answer, and Nadia left Baldwin’s townhouse with a bitter expression.
Heinrich stood by the reception room window, watching Nadia climb into her carriage.
Not only her gait, but even the smallest of habits resembled Revenia.
Even the cautious glance she gave the carriage step before boarding—exactly the same.
Whenever Heinrich faced Nadia, he felt as though Revenia were standing right before him.
Perhaps because of that, he found himself unable to think rationally in her presence; he grew impatient and acted in ways he normally never would.
And yet, in the end, she was a different woman from Revenia.
“Your Excellency, sometimes what is most important can change. Would it not be worthwhile to look around you?”
Nadia’s words had been entirely different from Revenia’s way of thinking.
“As expected.”
Of course.
There was no way Nadia could truly resemble Revenia.
There could never be another woman in this world like Revenia.
Yet even so, Heinrich kept his gaze fixed on the swiftly departing carriage for a very long time.
The grand gates of the imperial palace opened wide.
Under the pretext of strengthening peace among the nobility, the Empire held a state-sponsored debutante ball.
But the true purpose was, of course, for the Imperial Family to keep even the humblest noble houses under its watch—and to monitor the rise of new powers.
Still, once one entered the dazzling ballroom, such thoughts vanished, and it felt as though one had stepped into a fairytale.
Nadia, too, possessed a sense of aesthetics, and so she could at least acknowledge that the Imperial ballroom was beautiful.
But since she had been steadily invited here even during her time as Revenia, it was impossible for her to be as excited as a young lady attending for the first time.
What’s more, unlike the other ladies, she had no partner.
The last time, Arcis had escorted her—but tonight, she had heard, he was to be Yuria’s partner.
If luck was on her side, perhaps she might manage to speak with Yuria, even if only briefly.
Nadia wore a green dress embroidered with silver thread and stood near the wall.
She didn’t mind becoming what they called a “wallflower.” After all, the debutante ball was merely a means to an end, not the goal itself.
Yet curiously enough, now and then gentlemen came up to her with offers to be her partner.
“I believe I saw you last time at the Duke of Flang’s residence. Do you remember me?”
“Of course, Count Otein’s son.”
“If you happen to be without a partner, would you honor me with a dance?”
It was not mocking, but a truly courteous request.
The Otein family was not particularly famous, but neither were they insignificant.
Nadia concealed her puzzlement and declined politely.
She repeated this several times, refusing the offers of young men ranging from barons’ sons to counts’ sons, until she found herself in a bit of a predicament.
“Should I accept one of them soon? If I seem too arrogant, it could reflect poorly on the family.”
At that moment, the people around her all began looking in one direction, retreating step by step.
From her vantage point at the center of this ripple, the movement looked like waves.
Lifting her gaze, Nadia saw the man who had cut through the crowd to stand before her.
“Lady, would you grant me the honor of the first dance?”
It was the one man Nadia could never refuse—Heinrich Baldwin.
When she first realized it was Heinrich, the feeling that welled up in her was, of course, bewilderment.
Heinrich did not like her.
When he met her as Nadia, not Revenia, his demeanor was always cold—so cold it bordered on cruel.
They had recently negotiated an arrangement regarding information, yes, but she had thought their relationship extended no further than that.
And yet, the first dance?
Nadia found herself blurting out foolishly:
“Are you speaking to me?”
Though she had received several offers of partnership tonight, not once had she ever responded in such a foolish way.
Heinrich, too, seemed surprised by her reaction, one eyebrow rising.
But instead of rebuking her, he gave a heavy, short reply:
“Yes.”
Nadia instinctively glanced beyond Heinrich’s shoulder at the faces of the others.
Though they pretended otherwise, they were all sneaking glances in their direction.
They were curious—why had Heinrich asked Nadia for the first dance, and how would she respond?
But Heinrich remained upright and steadfast, hand extended toward her, utterly unconcerned about the stares.
Nadia gazed up at him quietly, then slowly placed her hand in his.
“With pleasure.”
Her words were cheerful, yet her face still held traces of doubt.
The spectators, satisfied with her acceptance, nodded as though it were natural, and their attention drifted away.
Just then, the Emperor and Empress were beginning their opening dance before the assembly.
Nadia looked up at Heinrich, who stood by her side like a towering figure.
“He’s so tall. He was already taller than me at sixteen, but now…”
Although she had seen Heinrich frequently of late, the situations had always been urgent, and she had never really studied his features one by one.
“His nose is so straight. And his thick eyebrows are really beautiful.”
“He must be twenty-six now… His skin looks like that of a baby. He used to get embarrassed if I touched his cheeks. Now he would probably hate it even more.”
“There are faint shadows under his eyes. He must be tired. The ducal household must keep him busy.”
She could look at his face endlessly without growing bored. She felt she could admire it for hours.
Meanwhile, Heinrich seemed irritated by Nadia’s silent gaze.
With a sigh, he lowered his eyes toward her.
“Are you not going to ask why I invited you to dance?”
“Oh, isn’t it because of what I told you before? That while it doesn’t matter who you spend time with, if you escort only one lady, it will naturally draw everyone’s attention?”
Contrary to her absent-minded demeanor, her answer was quick and accurate.
Heinrich let out a short, incredulous laugh.
“You always act as though you know everything.”
“I’m sorry if it came across as conceited.”
“It isn’t conceit. It seems you really do know. Especially about me.”
As the Emperor and Empress’s dance ended, the first dances of the debutantes began.
Gentlemen and ladies joined hands and stepped into the center, and Heinrich also extended his hand to Nadia.
It could have been a romantic moment, but Heinrich’s words were anything but romantic.
“That is why I find it unpleasant. And so, I intend to keep you under watch.”
“Ah, so that’s why…”
Nadia showed a look of realization, then calmly placed her hand in his—almost as though granting him permission.
The music began, and the two of them faced each other to dance.
Heinrich’s hand supported Nadia’s waist, and her hand rested on his shoulder.
Their steps flowed one after another in time with the music.
Their bodies drew close as they traced a graceful circle.
It was as though they had rehearsed this society dance hundreds, thousands of times—so perfect was their harmony.
But the conversation passing between them was far from smooth.
“Why do you not offer any excuses?”
“What excuse should I give? You, Your Excellency, are a man who has much to protect. Many ladies strive desperately to marry you. So isn’t it natural that you should suspect me?”
“So because suspicion is natural, you accept being watched as natural as well?”
“Yes. But Your Excellency is wise. Soon you will realize. I do not seek to gain anything from you. I only… share the same purpose. Once that purpose is achieved, there will be no reason for us to ever meet again.”
At those words, Heinrich’s cheek twitched slightly.
“You sound very confident.”