Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(55)

“That’s Sir Durant, who serves as Augustin’s imperial physician,” Edward says.

“The doctor that Henry idolizes? The duchess doesn’t seem to like it.”

Edward shrugs. “As I told you, she is disapproving when it comes to Henry’s interest in medical studies. Instead of dancing with a potential bride-to-be, he chose to socialize with a physician. It’s of little importance to her that said physician is a celebrity in his field.”

Personally, I’m glad that Durant is here. Elle was invited to this ball at my insistence, but she couldn’t attend due to a sudden letter from the earl’s estate. Something about a conflict between the tenant farmers, and as the heiress of the earl’s lands, it is her duty to return and resolve the problem. Such a pity. I know that she would have loved to dance with Henry at this ball.

Footsteps approach. The Moryn emperor, looking quite distinguished in his long, dark waistcoat, makes me a low bow.

“Would you favor me with the next dance, my dear Princess Katriona?”

Edward gives me a concerned look, but he doesn’t say anything. Unless I’m on the verge of fainting, it’s imperative that I accept the emperor’s request.

Luckily, the assault of memories in my head has faded into a dull ache. “I would be delighted, Your Majesty.” I do my best to look gratified, as if dancing with him is the highest honor a lady could expect.

Augustin takes my hand, and off we go. To tell the truth, I’m really nervous about dancing with the emperor, but all I can do is pray that the orchestra won’t play some really fast song that I can’t keep up with. I’m also thankful that Edward chose to teach me how to dance in his garden. I don’t think I could have survived this ball if I forgot the steps.

I’m in luck again. The song is a slow waltz, which means I can actually talk to him while keeping step to the music.

“Simone told me that Jér?me has been casting sheep-eyes in your direction,” Augustin says with an apologetic look. “My deepest apologies if my brother has caused you any discomfort, Princess Katriona. I’ve already issued him a stern warning to strictly adhere to your customs. What he felt was harmless interaction could be regarded as wanton flirting in Athelia.”

To be honest, Jér?me hasn’t done anything truly offensive. The most he did was stare at me curiously—which, combined with his reputation and Edward’s sensitive nature, made my husband concerned.

“Jér?me didn’t behave inappropriately,” I assure Augustin. “There were a few times he did stare at me, but he told me it was because I reminded him of another girl in Moryn.”

Augustin frowns. “Let’s hope that he is being truthful. I admit that I would not be surprised that Jér?me would meet a woman that resembles you, since his female acquaintances are too numerous to keep track of.”

“I think it’s likely as well.” I smile. “Your brother is unlikely to desire the wrath of my husband.”

Augustin laughs and twirls me around. He is not classically handsome like Edward, but there is a smooth, suave charm in him that might have attracted Simone, apart from his being emperor.

“Last time I visited Athelia was two years ago,” Augustin says easily. “Edward was not yet twenty, but already, people were expecting that he take a bride. His parents even asked me if there was any suitable candidate in Moryn that I might recommend. However, when I talked to him, it seemed he was in no rush to marry. In fact, he seemed to be weary of women. ‘They’re all the same,’ he had told me. But apparently, you convinced him to change his mind.”

I blush, unable to think of a reply. I can’t very well tell him that I’m not ‘the same’ because I’m from another world.

As the song draws to an end, Augustin gives me another magnificent bow and kisses my hand. “It has been a pleasure dancing with you, Princess Katriona. I hope that you and your husband will grace us with your presence next year, when Simone and I are to be married.”

When Augustin walks away and offers his arm to Lady Constance, the wife of Edward’s eldest cousin, I reflect that the Moryn emperor has been nothing but a model of perfect behavior. However, the way he treats us must be very different from the way he treats his people; otherwise there wouldn’t be the uprising, or the several people holding ‘Down with the Dictator’ signs when Augustin arrived.

I dance with a Moryn noble for the next song, which happens to be the same tune that was playing at Edward’s ball. I can feel the deluge of memories hammering on the barrier in my brain, threatening to break it down. The barrier already feels like a bullet-ridden wall, swaying, and it will fall any time.

“Are you all right, Your Highness? You look very pale.”

I dig my fingernails into my palm. “I’m fine,” I say, smiling at my partner. “It must be the stuffiness in this room.”

Amelie was right to advise me to go to the bathroom before dressing. I wonder how the other women can stand whirling over the dance floor with a tight corset and an empty stomach.

After I dance with a few other noblemen, I start coughing. It feels like the oxygen in the room has evaporated, and I cannot breathe normally.

“May I have the next dance with you, Princess Katriona?” someone—is it Lord Winston, or is it Fretwell?—is asking me.

“I’m sorry,” I say thickly, trying to appear normal. “I . . . I’m a little tired after all the dancing. Please allow me to rest for a while.”