The End of First Love - Chapter 19

“—Fiancée? What do you mean by that!?”

“It means exactly what it sounds like. Elizabeth is my fiancée. I would appreciate it if you refrained from laying your hands on someone else’s betrothed.”

A wave of murmurs spread throughout the hall. Whispered conversations could be heard from every direction.

“Lord Heinz and Lady Elizabeth are engaged?”

“No way, they’re both from ducal houses. That’s impossible.”

“I haven’t heard of such a thing. There hasn’t been any official announcement.”

“But look at Lord Heinz’s brooch. It matches Lady Elizabeth’s eye color.”

“And their outfits—aren’t they coordinated?”

Amidst the growing buzz, Elizabeth hastily lifted her face from Heinz’s chest, where she had been resting it. Noticing this, his arm tightened slightly around her shoulders, as if to reassure her.

Just like the murmuring nobles around them, Elizabeth’s mind was filled with questions.

There had been no official notice regarding her engagement to Heinz. Moreover, it was well known that marriages between ducal houses were forbidden.

And yet, here Heinz was, openly declaring their engagement—before a crowd, no less, and right in front of her former fiancé. The repercussions of such a statement would be immeasurable.

(Is it really okay to announce an engagement like this without any official notice?)

“Hah! Fiancée? That’s impossible. His Majesty has told me nothing of the sort.”

“Perhaps His Majesty decided that there was no need to inform you. After all, you selfishly annulled our engagement and, ignoring the royal family’s wishes, chose to get engaged to the baron’s daughter standing beside you.”

“What!? My engagement to Maria was sanctioned by the royal family! His Majesty allowed me to pursue my true love.”

“True love, you say… How ridiculous. Well, do as you like. Stay lost in your so-called true love. This conversation is over. Let’s go, Elizabeth.”

With a casual motion, Heinz slipped his arm around Elizabeth’s waist and guided her away. William shouted furiously behind them, but Elizabeth found that she no longer cared.

(Just having Lord Heinz by my side makes me feel so at ease… How strange…)

“Elizabeth, I’m sorry. I couldn’t find you in the crowd. I must have scared you.”

“No, I’m fine. But… was it really alright to talk about our engagement in front of everyone?”

“Is there a problem? Word of our engagement will spread through noble society soon enough. This just saves us the trouble of sending out official notices. Or… are you planning to go back on your promise? The vow you made that night?”

His whispered words sent a shiver through her body.

Memories of their intimate night flashed through her mind, making her whole body tingle from deep within.

“Elizabeth, your face is bright red.”

Hearing his teasing voice, Elizabeth realized she was being toyed with.

“Wha—! That’s enough! I’m going home!”

She tried to pull away from his arm, but before she could, he swiftly wrapped his arm around her waist, keeping her in place.

“Lord Heinz! Let me go!”

“I can’t do that. I finally found you—I’m not letting you slip away again. Do you have any idea how many years I spent watching you hold another man’s hand?”

“Wh— Watching me?”

That sounded as if he had always wanted to hold her hand himself.

Elizabeth’s heartbeat quickened at his words.

“Isn’t it obvious? You never once looked at me. Even when I was treated coldly, you kept calling out for William, over and over again. Do you have any idea how much I wanted to do something about that?”

“That’s only natural, isn’t it? William was my fiancé…”

Even as she tried to justify herself, her words grew weaker.

“Indeed, you were the perfect noble lady, never paying attention to anyone but your fiancé. That’s why… I had to resort to childish tactics. They say that hate is just love in disguise. Rather than being lumped together with the men who pursued you, I wanted to be someone you couldn’t forget—even if it meant making you despise me.”

His words struck something deep in Elizabeth’s heart.

He had spoken harshly to her in the past, even belittled her. But now, understanding the kindness hidden beneath those words, she could no longer bring herself to resent him.

“Even so, I haven’t forgotten what you said before. You once mocked my dress, didn’t you?”

“Because I didn’t want to see you wearing William’s colors.”

“What?”

“I didn’t want you wearing yellow or sky blue.”

He turned his gaze away, muttering under his breath.

Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile.

When she had been engaged to William, she often wore dresses in yellow—his hair color—or sky blue to match his eyes.

Hearing Heinz’s jealous admission, her heart felt light.

“Heinz, your ears are bright red.”

“Elizabeth… Was that payback?”

“Who knows? I just think it’s rather cute.”

“You’ve got some nerve. Well then, I won’t hold back either.”

“Huh? Lord Heinz?”

He suddenly let go of her waist and stepped back.

Then, with an elegant bow, he extended his hand.

As she stood there, mesmerized by his graceful movements, a gentle waltz began to play.

“Elizabeth, will you dance with me?”

Before she could decide whether to accept, Heinz took her hand and led her to the center of the hall.

“Lord Heinz, you’re being forceful. I haven’t agreed yet.”

“Really? You look like you can’t wait to dance.”

“What do you mean by that? I never said such a thing!”

“True. But haven’t you always longed to dance? Especially someone as talented as you.”

“I am not talented. I’ve never danced in public before…”

It was true—she had never danced in front of an audience.

“I remember how you used to watch William dance with other ladies. You always looked so lonely. Normally, a man with a fiancée shouldn’t dance with other women. But because he was royalty, William did whatever he pleased.”

She had always been left on the sidelines, watching him dance with others.

Once, William had told her, ‘Elizabeth, your dancing is so terrible that it’s embarrassing to be seen with you.’

That was why she had never asked to dance.

“I was simply lacking in skill. That’s all there is to it.”

“Is that really the case? Look around you. Everyone is mesmerized by your dancing.”

Between turns, Elizabeth glanced around and saw countless eyes fixed on her.

She could even hear a few breathless sighs.

“Heh, they’re mesmerized by you, Lord Heinz. You truly are a wonderful dancer.”

She had noticed it from the start—his precise footwork, his perfect leading. Dancing with him was effortless.

“Elizabeth, I appreciate the compliment, but this isn’t about me. I can tell just by dancing with you—you’ve practiced endlessly. Your body moves naturally, effortlessly. That kind of grace only comes from years of dedication.”

She had spent years practicing, hoping to one day dance with William.

But that day had never come.

For so long, she had been nothing more than a wallflower.

But now, her years of effort had finally been acknowledged.

And the person who saw her efforts—who truly saw her—was not William, but Heinz.

“Lord Heinz, thank you. Finally, my efforts have been rewarded.”

“It drives me mad with jealousy to hear that all your effort was for William. But that’s why I wanted to be the first person you danced with. I want to be your first in everything. Is that too selfish?”

His firm grip sent warmth through her fingertips, spreading through her whole body.

As they twirled to the music, she found herself drawn deeper into the depths of his dark, captivating eyes—wanting to know everything that lay hidden within them.