Chapter 91: A Ballad of Enigmatic Gifts
by xennovelLara shook her head emphatically, denying it. In response, Karlahee rambled on, falsely claiming that, despite nearly fainting, she wasn’t hurt at all. As their playful argument escalated, the two exchanged knowing smiles.
“Oh, it’s a birthday gift. Happy birthday, Rahi.”
“What’s with all this stuff… You really shouldn’t have, but thanks anyway.”
“Go ahead and open it.”
Karlahee carefully accepted the small gift box and immediately began untying the ribbon. The moment he peered inside, his eyes widened in pure astonishment.
“This is… the Magical Girl Lilica Animal Collaboration Miniature Figure Series Number 312 that I’d given up on after 53 attempts! Can you really gift me something so rare? Truly… I’m overcome with emotion. Sigh… My dear friend, I love you so much.”
“Oh, come on, you got it on the first spin last time.”
“I’ll give you Lord Robes later when I try my luck with gacha. Thanks a million… Lara.”
“Eh? Really? I’d be forever grateful. Wow, you’re the best, my dear friend.”
Lara and Karlahee quickly shifted their chat to the Magical Girl Lilica Animal Collaboration Miniature Figure Series, discussing how wildly popular the Number 175 Fox and Number 46 Rabbit versions were, and speculating that the next collab might feature a fruit series—typical banter that most ordinary folk would dismiss.
“Of all the figures, nothing beats the craftsmanship of…”
“His Highness, is someone inside?”
A knock resonated. As Lara quietly stepped aside, the door opened to reveal a tall, blond man. It was the towering Male Lead, Creon.
“Who might this be? Perhaps the closest confidant? Learning to knock already—impressive.”
“You flatter me.”
“Try knocking again.”
At Karlahee’s urging, accompanied by a round of applause, Creon stepped out and knocked once more. The clear, crisp tap made Karlahee beam with relief, thinking of all the costly door repairs he’d endured. Meanwhile, Karlahee pulled out a piece of jerky from his bosom.
“Bravo, well done. This is an award in itself.”
“Thank you.”
Lara shot a sideways glance at Creon, who, while chewing resolutely on his jerky, looked on with a peculiar expression.
“But what’s all this about?”
“His Highness, your betrothed Lady Elina I has just arrived at the reception hall. In keeping with the Imperial Ball tradition, you must dance a partner dance.”
“I know… I just hope I’ve brought everything I need.”
Karlahee’s brow furrowed with a trace of regret at having to leave, and as his pleading eyes sought Lara’s understanding, she smiled and urged him on. Meanwhile, Creon reappeared carrying the shoe box Karlahee had been instructed to prepare.
“Here you go.”
“Well done.”
After opening the box from Creon, Karlahee placed two pairs of men’s shoes on the floor. Watching him change his footwear just before the ball, Lara couldn’t hide her puzzled expression.
“What are these… Are those some sort of torture devices?”
They were scarcely shoes at all. The steel-clad exterior was studded with densely lined needles nearly 15cm long—clearly designed for inflicting harm or torment.
Noticing Lara’s skeptical look, Karlahee tightened his shoelace knot and spoke softly.
“Ah, these were custom ordered.”
“What? Custom ordered…? Why on earth would you order something so menacing…?”
“It’s because my betrothed can be a bit clumsy. I was worried she might step on my foot during the dance and end up humiliated in front of everyone.”
“…No, it seems you should be more worried about her feet.”
“Lara, don’t worry. Even if she ends up hurt…”
“Rahi?! What happened?!”
Lara sensed something was off about him. His normally warm, friendly face seemed distant, with unfocused eyes. Had something transpired with his betrothed without his awareness? Before she could dwell on it, a booming voice pierced her thoughts.
Lara pressed her hand to her forehead in disbelief at the sudden divine pronouncement. She had nearly abandoned her fantasy of romance, yet the Supreme Deity still clung to hope for this world.
‘Corpse… Collector?’
Startled by the unexpected words, Lara inadvertently tracked Karlahee’s gaze as he left the balcony with Creon. Realizing he’d been noticed, he turned back, revealing his tender blue eyes as they met hers.
Karlahee clutched the Lilica figure tightly, capturing Lara’s full attention.
Upon returning to the reception hall, Karlahee found his betrothed surrounded by Youngae. One of them stuttered, “His Highness?” as if they’d caught sight of something amiss. Not only her, but the other Youngae also lowered their heads and quickly retreated.
“Is something wrong with my betrothed?”
“On such a splendid day, your betrothed’s plain attire really stands out. I was just offering a bit of advice.”
A sly-looking Youngae, resembling the right hand of a cunning noble, stepped forward. At last, Karlahee could properly take in the sight of his betrothed encircled by the Youngae.
He saw a silver-haired woman clad in a dress pieced together from stray fabrics—apparently self-made, though the workmanship was disheveled. Karlahee was rendered speechless, utterly mortified.
Wishing he could retract his earlier comment about ‘my betrothed’ and pretend she was a stranger, Karlahee’s embarrassment was palpable. Sensing his discomfort, Elina II (Kim Bing-ui) blushed and declared confidently.
“I made this dress myself. Hehe, what do you think? It’s not perfect yet, but I’m improving. Hehe.”
“…Didn’t you call for a designer to the palace to tailor the dress?”
“Ah, he did come. But who’d spend 5 million won on a dress? It’s only meant to be worn once. I wasn’t about to waste the Forbidden Imperial Palace’s budget—better use that money for 500 slices of cake, right?”
‘Now I see why you splurge 5 million won on a dress. Damn it.’
Karlahee suddenly realized that having a designer wasn’t just for show. Considering the time, materials, skill, design, and dedication required for a perfect dress, the cost was hardly excessive.
Instead of donning shabby, trashy fabric, he’d rather invest in a beautifully crafted masterpiece. Their values were worlds apart—and Karlahee simply couldn’t understand her.
‘Hmm~ I must admit, you nobles are impressively thrifty. Quite unlike other aristocratic Youngae, I suppose?’
Meanwhile, Kim Bing-ui reveled in the notion that she was a type of woman rarely seen in this world.
She truly was unconventional—so unique, in fact, that he secretly hoped she’d remain one of a kind.
“Shall we have a dance?”
“In front of all these people? I’m so nervous—this is my first time! It’s like living a fact-checked, jaw-droppingly real moment!”
The more they danced, the more relief they felt—the sooner they danced, the quicker the respite. Hypnotizing himself with his own mantra, Karlahee led his betrothed to the center of the dance floor, then looked down at her.
In his gaze, there was no hint of resentment, shame, or anger—only a vast, empty void reminiscent of the cosmos.
As soft music began to play, the two slowly swayed in rhythm. When Karlahee stepped forward, Elina II stepped back; when he moved back, she advanced.
Elina II carefully judged the perfect moment to press down on his foot—even if she accidentally stepped on the Male Lead’s foot several times, after all, that’s how romance fantasies are born.
Crackle, sizzle—suddenly, an odd sound emanated from the hem of her dress. Glancing down, she saw the lower edge tearing into multiple rips, punctured by needles.
‘…What the heck, these shoes?’
The Male Lead’s shoes were in a bizarre state. Sharp, needle-like protrusions jutted out menacingly from them—it was as if one wrong step on the Emperor’s foot could spell the end of walking.
“Ahahaha… His Highness, those shoes really do have style, don’t they?”
“Thank you. I knew you’d appreciate them.”
Cold sweat trickled down Elina II’s temple as she struggled to read the inscrutable expression on the man’s face—it was utterly blank.
“Will they keep coming?”
“No, they’re fine. In fact, those shoes are really something.”
Despite the subtle barbs couched in aristocratic wit, he remained unfazed—simply releasing his betrothed and returning to his seat at the head of the hall.