The Tyrant’s Beloved Doll - Chapter 36

To them, the sight of the disgraced Princess Setz attending the debutante ball might have been entertaining enough, but what caught their interest even more was that she was escorted by that Raytan. Setz felt a pang of guilt. It seemed like Raytan had become a spectacle because of her.

She had planned to spend the evening quietly, as if she were barely there… but something felt off. The event had already started, yet there was no music playing, and no one was dancing. Everyone stood back, and the center of the hall was completely empty. All eyes were on her and Raytan. Just as Setz was about to retreat to a corner, feeling overwhelmed—

“…The first dance of the debutante,” Raytan said, breaking the silence with his calm expression.

“—belongs to the royal family.”

“What? What?”

“And you’re the only member of the royal family at this debutante,” Raytan continued.

“Brother…?” Setz said, looking at him in confusion.

“Come here, Setz.”

Without warning, Raytan grabbed Setz and pulled her toward him.

As they moved to the center of the room, the music finally began to play. Setz could feel the eyes of everyone in the hall fixed on her. She never expected to be the center of attention like this. She felt like she might throw up at any moment. But Raytan, unfazed as always, calmly led Setz into the dance, guiding her with ease.

“I know that Mrs. Pauline gave up on teaching you how to dance,” Raytan whispered teasingly in her ear. “But with a partner like me, there’s nothing to worry about, right?”

“I didn’t expect you to be this bad, though,” he added with a smirk.

“I-It’s not that… I was just so shocked…”

It wasn’t just the shock; she was so nervous she could barely breathe. She couldn’t afford to humiliate herself in front of everyone, so Setz did her best to keep her steps as graceful as possible. Even if she accidentally stepped on Raytan’s foot a few times, that was the least of her worries.

“Is this really something to be so surprised about?” Raytan asked.

Setz frantically nodded her head.

“Mother said at the time that she’d handle everything,” he continued.

Of course, the reality was different. All of this pomp and spectacle wasn’t really for Setz—it was for Raytan. There was no easier way to win people over and draw the attention of Caroline Regent than to put on a grand show like this.

But still…

Raytan looked at Setz silently. Though she was still visibly tense, the slight blush on her cheeks stood out to him. The timid girl who once mumbled in a tiny voice that she didn’t belong at the debutante looked completely different now. That’s good enough, Raytan thought to himself. He suddenly pulled Setz closer into his arms.

“Just think of this moment as a time meant for you,” he said.

“…”

“Look. Everyone’s watching you with surprised expressions.”

Setz wanted to say, Well, those ‘surprised expressions’ aren’t exactly positive… but she was too focused on keeping herself from tripping over her own feet. So, she simply nodded.

During the dance, Setz stepped on Raytan’s foot a few more times and stumbled three times, but she managed to avoid disaster, thanks to Raytan’s quick thinking. Even when she crushed his foot with her pointed heels, he didn’t change his expression, and every time she wobbled, he smoothly pulled her back, making it look like part of the dance.

As the dance ended and the music stopped, a round of applause filled the hall. Raytan courteously escorted the dazed Setz off the dance floor, and soon other young nobles began to dance with their partners.

Setz stood by the window, catching her breath. She glanced at her reflection in the glass. Her hair was slightly out of place, and she was sweating a little, but overall, she still looked presentable. Dressed in her finery, she didn’t seem to fall short when compared to the other noble ladies around her.

She had never imagined she’d ever come to a debutante ball.

Let alone be the center of attention while sharing the first dance.

Her heart was still pounding. She felt a bit guilty for dragging Raytan into this ordeal and had even told him he didn’t have to attend such events. If someone were to ask her if she really meant that, Setz wasn’t sure she could honestly say yes. Though she couldn’t show it openly… she had wanted to come. Like any other young lady from a noble family, Setz had harbored dreams of attending a debutante since she was a child.

For once, I actually feel like a normal princess.

One who isn’t scorned or looked down upon… like Sister Lilien…

As Setz quietly murmured those thoughts to herself, she flinched at the sudden touch of a large hand.

“…Your hair.”

Raytan seemed just as startled as Setz was when she recoiled.

“Your hair… it’s a bit messy,” he said awkwardly, then withdrew his hand.

Feeling embarrassed, Setz gave a small, awkward laugh and smoothed her hair down. Raytan watched her silently, then took his place by her side.

Setz glanced at Raytan, then turned her eyes toward the group of nobles huddled together, whispering. She pricked up her ears and caught fragments of their conversation.

“Isn’t that the one…?”

“Quiet! What if they hear us?”

“His eyes are really red. Just like in the legend.”

…So what? Setz’s lips unconsciously pouted in irritation.

She sometimes still felt a twinge of fear toward Raytan. For example, when he wore that cold expression as if he could easily slit her throat, or when he glared at Bern or Lilien as if he wanted to kill them. His intense gaze was already sharp, and as he grew older, the chilling aura around him had only intensified. It didn’t help that in her previous life, she had died at his hands. Given all this, her fear was understandable.

Still, she hated hearing people say such things about him. At least she never disliked Raytan just because of his black hair and red eyes.

“But he doesn’t seem as terrifying as I expected,” someone else remarked.

The unexpected comment made Setz listen more closely.

“Actually… he seems rather impressive. If it weren’t for that legend, I’m sure there’d be a line of marriage proposals for him. Don’t you think?”

“I suppose you’re right…”

The pout that had been on her lips moments ago disappeared. Even though they weren’t complimenting her, she couldn’t help but feel a bit pleased. They were right. In Setz’s eyes, if she had to pick the most striking person in the room, it would definitely be Raytan. And besides, hadn’t he been uncharacteristically kind to her today, saying things he’d never usually say? Setz gently tapped Raytan’s hand to get his attention.

“Brother.”

“What is it?”

“Did you know? You look really amazing today.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Raytan scoffed with a small smile.

“No, I’m serious. I’m sure that all the young ladies at the debutante today are interested in you.”

“……”

“I’d even bet on it! They might not show it, but… just watch. Once the dance is over, they’ll all be lining up to talk to you.”

Raytan didn’t respond immediately. He just bit his lip, his expression darkening slightly.

“It’s true… though…” Setz mumbled.

“…Well, that’s good then,” Raytan said.

“Huh?”

“That’s exactly why I set things up this way.”

Setz looked puzzled, not quite understanding what he meant. She tilted her head slightly, then gathered a bit more courage to speak.

“And… while I’m glad I came to the debutante, what makes me happiest is that I came with you, Brother.”

She meant it. She was genuinely grateful. The fact that someone who once said he’d rather hang himself than attend such events had made this sacrifice for her, offered her kind words, and held her hand…

Of course, she didn’t know what the future held, and in the worst-case scenario, he might lead a coup just as he had before, which could end with her execution again.

But for now, in this moment, she wanted to express her feelings clearly.

“I’ll remember today for the rest of my life.”

“……”

“Thank you so much.”

“Alright,” Raytan replied quietly.

Raytan answered in a cracking voice as he reached out again. He gently fixed a strand of hair that had come loose from Setz’s head and said, “If that’s how you feel… then that’s enough.”

He gave a faint smile, but something felt off. Why did that smile seem so… sad?

“Soon the dance will end. Then some people will probably come over to greet you. Just engage in some light conversation,” he advised.

“Where are you going?” Setz asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

“Just for a moment. If I’m standing next to you, it’ll be harder for them to approach you…”

The brief smile on Raytan’s face vanished almost instantly, replaced by his usual expression. He left Setz and walked away alone, his demeanor cool and distant. Setz watched his retreating figure with a puzzled expression, unsure if she was reading the situation correctly.

Raytan’s eyes, as they scanned the ballroom, were icy cold. He stood there, looking at the nobles who had finished their dance and were now gathering together in groups.

[Pretending to be a good brother won’t last much longer.]

Lize’s words were right. There would be no more moments wasted on Setz. There was no reason to do so anymore, now that Lize had found someone more valuable to her purposes. Besides, she had even hinted that this new person had an interest in her. Fortune was on her side.

Setz had said, While I’m glad I came to the debutante, what makes me happiest is that I came with you, Brother.

From Raytan’s perspective, it was like giving her the greatest gift he could offer. Even though Lize had coaxed him into attending the debutante, he knew he would have come anyway, regardless of her words. Years ago, when he watched Setz envy Lilien, he had once thought to himself that while he had no desire to mingle with such fools, he could endure it once, for her sake.

Yes, this is enough, Raytan thought to himself. The moment that was meant for Setz had come to an end. Now it was time to do what he needed to do.

As Raytan bit his lip and turned his head to leave, someone called out to him.

“Good evening, Prince Raytan.”

“…”

“It’s an honor to meet you,” the woman said, her cheeks flushed as she looked up at him.

“My name is Caroline Regent,” she introduced herself with a polite curtsy.

Raytan stood there in silence, observing her.

Caroline’s long brown hair shimmered as if polished with oil, reaching down to her waist, and her elegant pink dress looked undeniably expensive. The jewelry she wore was also of the highest quality, adorned with exquisite gemstones. In every way, she was the opposite of Setz, who always wore messy hair, cheap dresses, and had never worn proper jewelry in her life.

Caroline exuded the distinct air of a noble.

She looked at Raytan with bright, eager eyes.

“…I’m pleased to meet you as well,” Raytan finally replied.

“I didn’t expect to see you at the debutante, Your Highness. I asked around just in case, but no one said you would be attending.”

“I’ve heard that you’ve been asking the maids about me,” Raytan said, his voice calm but pointed.

“Did that offend you?” Caroline asked, not looking the least bit apologetic. In fact, she was smiling.

“Well, not really. But in the future, if you’re curious, feel free to ask me directly. I can spare you that much time,” he said.

Caroline seemed taken aback for a brief moment but quickly recovered.

“Then, could you spare some of that time for me today?” she asked, her smile never wavering.

Raytan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“To be honest, I have so many questions for you, Your Highness. You might not know this, but the only reason I attended Princess Lilien’s tea parties so often was to try to see you,” Caroline said, her gaze unwavering.

“….”

“As I visited the palace more often, I thought that perhaps, one day, I might get the chance to have a conversation with you, Your Highness.”

Raytan silently considered her words. Caroline seemed more bold than he had initially thought. He realized that her confidence, even when speaking so frankly to him upon their first meeting, likely stemmed from a lifetime of taking her status for granted. Being the cherished only daughter of the Regent family, it was perhaps natural for her to act this way.

She was so different from Setz, who was always timid and overly conscious of others. For some reason, that realization left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“Your Highness?” Caroline prompted, noticing Raytan’s brief moment of distraction.

Raytan regained his composure and gave her a practiced smile. “I see. I didn’t realize that was your intention.”

“Well, in any case, I’m glad to know that my curiosity didn’t offend you,” Caroline said with a polite smile.

“Then, why don’t we take the time to address your questions? We can talk while enjoying a bit of fresh air, if that suits you,” Raytan suggested.