10 Lift your gown

Dahlia drank a glass full of water as she glanced at Sullivan, who looked so relaxed. "The Queen wants to see me. Aren't you worried for me? What if she gives me a much harsher punishment? The King was gentle in the punishment," Dahlia said as she blinked rapidly in worry.

Sullivan, completely ignoring her worries, remarked, "Dahlia, the way you speak now makes me wonder if you grew up in a noble household."

Dahlia curled her fingers and her eyes ceased to blink as if she was caught doing something wrong. She noticed Sullivan striding toward her. Dahlia remained rooted to her place. "With my husband I can speak casually, can't I?" She laughed at her own statement, trying to light the air.

Sullivan halted in front of her. "Young lady Dahlia was known for her graceful attitude and calm composure." His years of observation couldn't go wrong. He again thought if Dahlia had her head hit somewhere, which caused such a kind of shift in her nature.

"Your Highness, I will talk formally with you. Forgive me for thinking that we are close," Dahlia said as she lowered her gaze and bowed to him. After a few seconds, she raised her head and turned to leave when Sullivan stopped her.

"...I will accompany you," Sullivan said after a brief pause.

"Why?" Dahlia curiously gazed at him.

"I cannot entrust you since you have changed after hitting your head somewhere," Sullivan asserted. "What if you create trouble for me? I don't like to be punished," he stated, tapping his finger once between her brows.

As he walked past her, Dahlia followed him and thanked him for accompanying her. "I have not hurt my head anywhere, Prince Sullivan. I am absolutely fine."

"I don't believe you, Dahlia. You hated even the sight of me," Sullivan remarked.

The smile from Dahlia's lips disappeared and her pace slowed down.

'What kind of person this original soul was? How could she hate my Sullivan?' Dahlia thought in her mind, feeling a bit low.

In the heavy dress, it was difficult for Dahlia to closely follow Sullivan when he was walking at a much faster pace. "Can you please slow down? I'm unable to walk," Dahlia requested him and he briefly paused.

As he turned slightly to look at her, he said, "Come faster or you'll be scolded more by the Queen."

Terrified by Sullivan's warning, Dahlia lifted her gown slightly and attempted to hasten her pace. However, in her haste, her right heel unexpectedly came loose, causing her to stumble. A sharp scream escaped her lips as she feared crashing to the ground.

Just as she was about to hit the floor, Sullivan swiftly reached out and caught her, preventing her from falling.

Dahlia found herself suddenly ducked down, supported by Sullivan's firm hand, with her hands tightly clasped at the collar of his waistcoat. In that moment, her breath caught in her throat as her gaze locked with Sullivan's intense eyes. Her heart raced with a mixture of fear and something else she couldn't quite identify.

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined such a scenario unfolding. It seemed like something out of a drama or a novel, but here she was, experiencing it firsthand. Unable to tear her gaze away, she stopped blinking, captivated by the intensity of the moment.

Sullivan made her stand straight gradually and her bare right foot touch the floor. His eyes spotted the heel, which was a meter away from them. He let go of her back and went to grab the heel.

Dahlia turned to look at her and found him approaching her as he got on his knees, with the heel in his hand.

"Lift your gown," Sullivan said as he lifted his head.

'A cindrella style?' Dahlia thought.

When Sullivan didn't get any response, he himself slightly lifted her gown and got hold of her right foot. Inserting it inside the heel, he stood tall.

"You have grown clumsy, Dahlia. This isn't the way a lady walks," Sullivan said and passed a tiny smile to her.

Dahlia's heart skipped a beat and she quickly brought her hands to her chest.

"No, it cannot happen," she murmured.