Two-Faced Princess

Of course, they forgot her the next moment. They haven’t paid much attention to Apollonia ever since her arm was permanently burned a few years ago, and after rumors had spread that Caelion was fine after walking through the fire, except for her occasional engagements and breakups.

However, the aristocrats and their children were different.

After so long, she could feel their eyes wanting to talk to her but she had nothing to talk about with them.

Apollonia’s attention was focused on several aristocrats, including Marquis Edwin.

She also saw Caelion standing behind them a while ago, but he hadn’t been seen since then.

Apollonia headed to the corner of the banquet hall where she was most familiar since she could observe people there without interacting with them.

“I missed you.”

A soft voice was heard in her ear.

When she looked up, Caelion was smiling down at her.

“You’re here.”

“That’s right. When I came to my senses, I was already standing next to you.” He joked as usual.

“What about Marquis Edwin?”

“We decided to meet again at the lounge later along with Viscount Esteban and Marquis Trion.They talked mainly about business but they were happy to see me.”

“So, the information about Marquis Trion is true——-”

“Sister.”

Apollonia tried to continue but Caelion cut her off.

“My dear sister. You always seem busy. Can we chat for a moment?” He asked playfully but he sounded a bit desperate.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“First of all, you look like a goddess.”

Caelion kissed the back of Apollonia’s hand and the aristocrats around her murmured at the sight.

“It’s too dangerous if we look too close in a place like this.”

“Don’t worry. To make this look natural, I was friendly to all the women I met.” He grinned.

In fact, Caelion’s friendliness made him a darling of society and Apollonia was the one who taught him that.

“Besides, I’ve already sold my loyal vassal after the prisoner captured my soul. I thank my sister for that.” He grumbled.

Apollonia smiled a little.

“You look great, too. You look good in blue.”

Caelion looked dangerously handsome in his dark blue tailcoat with golden embroideries in it, making his dark hair stand out a little.

If Uriel’s appearance in a tailcoat was new to everyone, Caelion looked natural as if it had been made for him from the beginning.

“I heard that you like blue. Well, it doesn’t seem like it anymore, but———” He grumbled softly, his eyes turning to Apollonia’s necklace.

“That necklace looks good on you, too.” He spoke bitterly.

For a moment, Apollonia remembered Panath’s opal necklace, which Caelion had worn after the war.

From his pout alone, it was clear that he didn’t like that she hadn’t used the things he had given her.

Smiling, she told him soothingly as if he was a child, “It’s not as expensive as the opal necklace you have given me.”

However, Caelion’s eyes drooped downward, just as they did when he was a boy.

“I received it as a gift along with the ball gown. What you gave me was so precious that people might think it’s suspicious if I said that I bought it.”

She fiddled with the ruby pendant on her necklace.

Apollonia made it sound like an excuse but the thing in her hand was already precious without Caelion’s knowledge.

“I know, sister.”

Caelion erased the bitterness in his countenance before flashing him a bright smile.

His smile had a different charm from Uriel’s.

“You’re still beautiful no matter what you wear.”

The musicians finished playing their pieces.

Apollonia and Caelion weren’t listening, but they applauded appropriately.

“One day, I’ll dance with you in front of everyone while you wear that colorful opal necklace. We’ll make everyone jealous.” Caelion whispered in Apollonia’s ear.

“I don’t enjoy dancing very much,” Apollonia answered vaguely.

She could have told him that she’d be looking forward to it but somehow it felt like a lie.

When she didn’t accept it, as usual, Caelion’s golden eyes trembled.

For a moment, his mischievous mood disappeared in the blink of an eye.

He seemed angry as if she was being unfair.

He faced Apollonia and slightly lowered his head until their faces were only half a span apart.

At the sudden approach, Apollonia withdrew immediately but she was cornered against the wall.

“Cael——”

In a short moment, the two were so close to the point of kissing.

Caelion only stared at her with burning eyes, having no intention of moving out of her way.

A bittersweet scent tickled her senses.

“I don’t really enjoy dancing either, sister.”