“Ah... okay.”
The young man once again took Anliya’s soft hand and placed his other hand on her shoulder.
Then he focused all his attention on the girl’s beautiful, almost painting-like face.
His gaze gradually became empty.
His awareness of everything around him slowly faded as well.
It was as if the only thing left reflected in his dark eyes was Anliya’s face.
“Y-Your Highness... why are you staring at me like...”
Being watched so closely by the person she admired, Anliya shyly lowered her head.
The blush on her cheeks quickly spread all the way to her ears.
But after waiting for a long time without receiving any response, she raised her head in confusion.
At that moment, the young man in front of her suddenly pulled her into motion.
His dance steps changed completely in an instant.
They became smooth and graceful.
His strong arm naturally wrapped around her waist, while every step, every movement, and every turn was perfectly timed.
Anliya was confused at first.
But she quickly became lost in Xia Mingyu’s beautiful black eyes, which seemed as deep as the night sky.
Ah!
His Highness is looking at me.
His Highness is only looking at me.
I’m the only one in His Highness’s eyes!
The girl seemed to sink into a happiness sweeter than honey.
Her skirt fluttered with every dance step, while her golden hair shone beneath the firelight.
Her smile seemed even brighter than the brightest star in the night sky.
Pure moonlight fell upon the beautiful pair as they danced together.
For that brief moment, it felt as though the entire world had stopped for them.
The villagers around the bonfire stopped dancing as well.
They moved aside, leaving a wide open space for the two of them.
Xia Mingyu and Anliya’s dance was simply too beautiful.
Before long, everyone began cheering uncontrollably.
“Anliya... really is beautiful! Gods above, if only she were my wife. I’d gladly spend the rest of my life making flower crowns for her.”
The young villager who had failed to find a dance partner earlier stared blankly at the blue figure beside the bonfire and unconsciously spoke his thoughts aloud.
But almost immediately, he felt an arm clamp tightly around his neck.
“Fell, I have something to discuss with you. Come with me for a moment.”
Berg dragged Fell away by force and pulled him into a nearby bush.
A moment later, the sounds of punches and miserable screams came from inside.
As a retainer, Berg had a duty to make sure no one looked at his lord’s woman with improper thoughts.
Even saying such things aloud was unacceptable.
Besides...
He had disliked this brat for a long time anyway.
The guy never farmed, never picked fruit, and never hunted.
All he did every day was shamelessly chase after the girls in the village.
He was practically no different from the big yellow dog that spent all day doing nothing at the village entrance!
“Good! This is all wonderful!”
Robert watched his adopted daughter dancing beautifully with His Highness.
Then he looked toward Berg, who had dragged Fell into the bushes.
A satisfied and relieved smile appeared on his weathered face.
He felt that today might be the happiest day of his entire life.
Just a few days ago, he had been so worried about the taxes that the pain from an old injury in his head had returned.
He had spent entire nights tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
But now...
He was so happy that he almost wondered whether all of this was simply a long and beautiful dream.
Robert looked at the black-haired figure beside the bonfire and pressed his hands together.
For the first time in his life, he prayed to his god with absolute sincerity.
“O God of the Sun and Justice, please protect this kind-hearted Highness.”
“I am willing to offer You my humble and faithful soul.”
“Perhaps it is worthless to You... but it is everything I have.”
...
When the dance finally ended, Xia Mingyu gradually returned to his senses.
Only then did he realize that Anliya was still standing very close to him.
Her beautiful blue eyes remained fixed on Xia Mingyu.
The emotions flowing through them made her look even more captivating.
Then...
Anliya slowly closed her eyes.
When a girl closed her eyes like this, it was obvious what she wanted.
Xia Mingyu naturally understood.
