The Vain Princess and Her Dragon Knight

Chapter 4

Elstar felt her gaze linger on him. Thinking she had some command, he stepped forward, leaning slightly from behind so his helmeted profile fell beside her face.

"Your Highness?" he asked quietly.

The knight's broad shoulders were like a great beast's, nearly eclipsing the princess's slender shadow entirely. The young nobles who had been vying for Gloria's attention all faltered. They hadn't really noticed Elstar before—he'd been hidden in the shadows, his armor blurred into the dark. But now, standing under the lights beside the petite, noble princess, he was impossible to ignore. Like a silent greatsword, unshaken yet radiating a dangerous, restrained power.

They glanced down, silently comparing themselves to him. The general's son, who had been flexing moments ago, stared at Elstar's lean, solid waist with raw envy. *That waistline isn't humanly possible.* No wonder the most beloved Princess of Sessel had the best of everything—even her knight was the finest among all nobles.

Gloria froze. "Er…" She'd been caught staring at her knight's physique.

Desperate to regain composure, she kept her face perfectly straight. After all, yesterday, when she'd needed him most, she'd kicked him twice and he hadn't moved an inch. "Nothing. I was just thinking about the first dance."

She still wouldn't use her knight as a stand-in. A prideful princess couldn't risk her partner having an ordinary face and being outshone by others. She'd simply not dance at all. Let Lucia have her moment. Having sorted her feelings, Gloria returned to her comfortable state of happy self-entertainment.

The princess's moods were like the unpredictable wind—flaring up on impulse, then abandoned halfway. Usually, after a grand, passionate start, she'd think of all the subsequent hassles and let things fizzle out. If she couldn't find the handsomest partner, she wouldn't dance. There was no real need to compete with Lucia. Squabbling over some worthless man was the least interesting thing two girls could do.

But when she thought about it, all this trouble stemmed from Gareth. Every year he'd danced the opening with her—and this year, without a word, he'd changed partners. The fault lay with her brother, not Lucia. Gloria decided she wouldn't speak to him for a month.

---

She exchanged a few more pleasantries with the surrounding nobles. As another waltz started, signaling the banquet's imminent beginning, she folded her fan and said politely, "I won't keep you from your partners. I'm sure they're eagerly awaiting your invitations."

Disappointment flickered across the young men's faces. So the princess wasn't choosing a new partner after all? Or did she already have one?

"Your Highness, might I have the honor of a later dance?" Sir Hel called from the crowd—the same bold young man who had been first to praise her. The other nobles, envious, pushed him aside and clamored to offer themselves.

Then a wave of hushed exclamations rippled from the ballroom entrance, drawing everyone's attention—including Gloria's.

"Look… pointed ears! Is he an elf?"

"An elf! A real elf!"

"He's stunning, like he stepped out of a painting. His skin practically glows."

The noble girls, gathered in clusters, fluttered their fans with barely contained excitement, trying to maintain elegance while stealing glances at the newcomer. He was exquisitely featured, tall and straight, with long, light-brown hair cascading past his waist—a shade that embodied the gentle embrace of nature itself. His eyes were the green of new leaves, vibrant and full of life. His distinctive pointed ears were mostly hidden beneath that thick hair, though the night breeze lifted one strand to reveal a single emerald earring, its color matching his eyes.

He wore a soft smile, gentle as early spring's first breeze. Just looking at him, one could almost feel the world stirring back to life.

The young ladies grew even more animated, straightening their backs and fanning fragrant air toward themselves, hoping to draw this elf's attention. Whoever danced the first dance with him would surely be the evening's brightest star. But the elf, though he gracefully declined numerous eager invitations, crossed the wide ballroom floor and stopped before the golden-haired girl at the crowd's center.

He raised his right hand and placed it over his brow—an elven greeting, offering nature's blessing to a human princess.

"Princess Gloria, well met. I am Cui, an elf from the Central Forest of Pudasino."

Gloria lifted her skirts and dipped her swanlike neck. "Welcome to Sessel, traveler from afar."

---

Pointed ears. They were really pointed! She'd glimpsed them clearly when Cui lifted his hand, half-hidden in his hair. And as he breathed, those ears even gave a tiny, subtle twitch. The emerald stud in one earlobe only added to his gentle, refined aura.

Outwardly, Gloria maintained perfect princess decorum. Inwardly, she was a flailing, squealing mess. This was her first time seeing an elf in sixteen years—and so close! She forced herself not to stare at his ears, engaging him with her most graceful smile.

Cui, though she'd just met him, was astonishingly knowledgeable. No matter what topic she raised, he could easily carry the conversation forward. They quickly exchanged names.

"My name is Cui."

"Then don't call me 'Your Highness'—it feels so distant. Call me Rori. That's what my father and brother call me."

"Very well, Rori."

His voice was warm as spring. Gloria felt her cheeks flush slightly. Her first impression of him was set: gentle, accepting, learned. Elves must be the gentlest creatures under heaven.

---

Just as they were talking, the background music shifted dramatically—from a soft, lilting melody to a grand, stirring cello solo. The first dance was about to begin. The ballroom lights dimmed, leaving only a single spotlight at the center of the floor. Soon, Crown Prince Gareth would appear with his partner.

That spot had always been Gloria's.

But tonight, she stood among the crowd, so absorbed in Cui's tales of the wider world that she'd entirely forgotten about dancing. Others began pairing off and moving to the floor. Cui paused his storytelling and, after a brief hesitation, extended his hand. "Rori, would you care to dance?"

Gloria blinked in surprise. "Huh…?" She'd never imagined this elf, whom she'd just met, would invite her for the first dance!

Several noble girls in the shadows were biting their handkerchiefs with envy, silently accusing Gloria of taking advantage—tricking an elf who didn't understand human customs into the most significant dance of the night. Gloria hesitated. She wasn't swept away by vanity. Tilting her head thoughtfully, she said, "Cui, you may not be familiar with Sessel's customs. Not everyone dances the first dance." She gestured subtly toward the many young men and women who, like them, weren't entering the floor—those without engagements, those who hadn't yet found love.

Though she spoke indirectly, Cui understood immediately. He withdrew his hand and stepped back beside her, showing not a trace of embarrassment at being declined. His jade eyes held their gentle smile. "Forgive me, Rori. That was presumptuous of me."

Gloria shook her head vigorously. "No, not at all." Then she gave a playful smile. "And here I thought Cui knew everything."

He curved his eyes. "Not at all, Rori. There are things even I am not good at."

---

The first dance began. From the spiral staircase, Miss Lucia Greenland descended into the spotlight. Crown Prince Gareth stood at the top of the stairs, his hand extended in invitation.

Gloria had worn white tonight to match her brother. So had Lucia—abandoning her usual opulent hues and excessive jewelry. The only ornament was a simple lace sash at her waist.

Countless knowing glances, hidden behind fluttering fans, slid toward Gloria at the edge of the floor. She met each stare with a serene smile, unflinching. *What are you looking at? Never seen a gorgeous girl before?* Every prying gaze hastily retreated.

Gloria was very good at adjusting her mindset. The Greenland family must have paid an enormous price to make the Crown Prince—usually so firm before his ministers—bend to this dance. So, as his most beloved little sister, by natural law, whatever was his was hers as well. She was already calculating happily: after the New Year, she'd tear out the little fountain behind her palace and replace it with a temperature-controlled hot spring. And who would pay for it? Her brother, of course.

As the first dance ended, the lights dimmed again during the final bow, the single spotlight illuminating the girl at the center—the annual honor of being the Crown Prince's partner. For years, that golden figure in white had been Gloria. This year…

Eyes drifted toward her once more. Then, to everyone's complete surprise—

*Clap. Clap. Clap.*

Gloria had taken the lead and started applauding. The crowd, caught off guard, fumbled for half a beat before hastily joining in.