43: – Under the Light... and Behind the Shadow

As the dance was about to begin, Irene noticed Lucas seemed distracted. He was looking at something... or rather, someone.

She followed his gaze and found him staring at Viola, who was quietly leaving the hall. A heavy feeling settled in her chest.

She looked at him and said:

"Lucas... We've been standing like this for a minute."

He didn't reply immediately, as if his voice was caught in his throat. Then he finally whispered without looking at her:

"What brought you to the party?"

She raised an eyebrow in surprise, and said coldly:

"What?... You don't seem happy to see me."

He looked at her and said: "Let's finish this quickly."

He took her hand and waist

The first official dance for the newlyweds began, and the attendees' gazes were fixed on them. Their movements appeared harmonious outwardly, despite the silent gap separating two seemingly close bodies

Irene moved fluidly despite her fatigue, her face calmly smiling as if nothing had happened.

When they approached each other again,

Lucas was dancing with indifference.

Irene felt provoked by his movements. She knew more than anyone that Elizabeth had forced him to dance.

He looked at her without interest, without uttering a word. Irene said in a low voice:

"Lord Lucas, please put a little effort into our first dance at least... Perhaps you don't realize it yet, but we are already married."

He continued to look at her, saying nothing.

She continued in a steady tone:

"You asked me why I came to the party... I'm doing this for you, but you—"

He interrupted her coldly:

"Oh, so you're doing this for me? Well, you can stop. I don't care about these things. How many times do I have to tell you that I don't care about this fake marriage?"

Irene felt a slight anger but composed herself and said:

"I also don't care about this marriage, but I can't neglect my social role as you do. Even if you don't like it."

He pursed his lips and said in a harsh tone:

"Then don't say you're doing this for me. You're doing this only for yourself. So... stop involving me in your ridiculous game."

Irene looked at him. At that moment, the dance steps prevented her from replying as they approached again.

The music paused for a few moments so the guests wouldn't tire, then the second part of the dance began.

Then suddenly he said sharply:

"The first dance is over. I hate dancing anyway, so let's stop here."

Irene said, feeling the danger rising in her voice:

"What are you saying? If you stop now, it will—"

He interrupted her impatiently:

"That's enough."

He stopped and walked away from her without any regard for the situation.

Irene had not expected such an insult. She glared at him in anger for the first time, a look she had never given him before.

She didn't even try to hide her true feelings as she had done previously.

He said sarcastically:

"What's with that pathetic look?"

She muttered with suppressed anger:

"What's your problem today? Is my presence bothering you that much, or have you found a perfect opportunity to get revenge on me for what happened between you and the Crown Prince? Are you venting your anger on me in front of everyone now? Everyone is looking at us, do you like this?"

He finally said:

"You can interpret it as you wish, and I have never cared what people say about me in my life. I will stop now."

He was about to leave, but Irene quickly said: "Stop! Then why did you come to the Council that day if you don't care about your reputation?"

He said coldly: "Oh, because I heard one of those rats was running their mouth. I wanted to see it for myself and teach him a lesson he'd never forget..."

The music started, the second part of the dance began, and everyone started moving except for them.

He looked at her and continued: "Everything you said about me at that time, I understand now why you confronted that fool. It wasn't because of me, but for your own sake, wasn't it? You felt let down that my bad reputation diminished the presence of a smart girl in the Council in front of everyone...."

Whispers among the attendees grew, and Elizabeth began to look worried.

At that moment, Irene felt suffocated and nauseous at the same time. She lowered her head and said angrily: "You, do you think I..."

He interrupted her and said: "I'll leave now..."

He turned and left without any respect for her situation.

Irene bowed gracefully, a faint smile masking everything as usual. She pretended as if nothing had happened, while a storm raged within her. Laughter and whispers began to rise among the attendees. He left, and she withdrew from the center of the circle with steady steps.

A sudden dizziness increased her discomfort. Fatigue, pressure, the suffocating atmosphere—everything accumulated in one moment. She felt she would fall, digging her nails into her hand, preventing herself from losing consciousness.

Elizabeth approached her and said anxiously:

"Irene? Are you alright? My dear, what happened? You didn't even finish half the dance."

Irene smiled gently, then turned towards Lucas, who was leaving the hall, and said in a loud voice for everyone to hear:

"Lucas felt a strong muscle cramp, and I was the one who asked him to stop."

She calmly picked up a glass of water and drank, sitting for a few moments to catch her breath.

After a few minutes, she couldn't stay in that hall; everyone was looking at her disparagingly. She stood up and told Elizabeth she wanted to go to the restroom. Elizabeth looked at her worriedly but didn't stop her. She left the hall... but found herself in a long corridor branching into several other halls leading to a back garden.

She tried to walk naturally past the servants, guards, and some attendees standing there.

She walked out.

A cold breeze hit her face, bringing her back to life a little.

She inhaled the cold air and slowly walked to regain her balance.

Until she was away from the bustle of the hall.

She muttered to herself:

"Calm down... Calm down... Only two hours left."

But what she saw next made time stand still.

In a distant corner of the garden, under a tall tree, she saw Viola... and Lucas.

They were dancing. No, it wasn't just dancing... It was an intimate, private moment, unlike the formal dance inside the hall.

Irene quickly hid and watched.

"What are these two doing?!"

When the dance ended, she saw him wipe Viola's tears with his finger, then plant a kiss on her.

Irene stifled a gasp, pressing her hand over her mouth.

Irene couldn't believe what she saw.

He was holding her face and speaking to her gently.

She couldn't hear what they were saying, but the sight was enough.

"Are they dating?" she whispered to herself.

She thought for a moment and said:

"So, was the fool that angry because he couldn't dance with her?"

"...Did he do all that in front of everyone for such a trivial reason?"

She turned her face, trying to comprehend.

Then she murmured bitterly:

"Why... why am I angry now? Isn't this what I wanted from the beginning?"

She laughed sarcastically and whispered:

"And why am I hiding then? Excellent, should I thank the Lord now or what..."

Then she added: "I believe in your existence, my god , but I don't belong to their sects. You know better than anyone that they use your name as a means to

impose their control over people. I believe in you, but in my own way..."

She looked at them again and said: "So thank you for this... This is for my benefit now. I will be free from trying to adapt to this idiot. Now I will move with my own freedom..."

She stood up, turned around, and said sarcastically:

"I wish you both a happy life."

Then she started walking back to the hall.

She smiled and said: "Now I can focus on my primary goal."

In that moment, Lucas caught a glimpse of her shadow as she left, but he didn't move. He said nothing.

He slowly looked at Viola and said: "Are you satisfied now?"

Viola laughed, still wiping her tears.

Then he added: "I don't want to see you cry again, agreed?"

Viola nodded and smiled at him.

He said slowly: "Now let's go back to the hall. It's too cold, you'll get sick."

Irene returned to the hall with quiet steps, as if nothing had happened. She sat beside Elizabeth, the smile adorning her face merely a soft mask covering a fresh heartbreak.

Elizabeth gently held her shoulder, whispering with genuine concern:

"Irene... Are you sure you're alright? We can leave now, no one will object if you want to rest."

Irene looked at her, and said with a faint smile:

"Don't worry... I'm really fine. It's just... I'm not used to this atmosphere, but I'll get used to it. It's okay."

Elizabeth nodded gently, but concern did not leave her face.

At that moment, Irene turned and stared towards the drinks table.

She was there.

Elinor de Rouvile... heading to the table to choose a drink.

Irene looked at her at length.

Irene wasn't entirely sure if it was her, but she didn't want to miss the opportunity despite her heavy body.

Then she said lightly:

"I think I'll go get something to drink."

Elizabeth immediately said:

"No need, I'll ask one of the servants to bring it to you."

Irene shook her head with a smile:

"Thanks, but it's okay, I'll handle it myself."

She got up quickly, as if afraid of missing the opportunity.

She approached the table with confident steps. Among all those eyes, no one saw what was truly happening.

She finally stood beside her.

Side by side.