“There’s nothing substantial. Is there a tea party you’d like to attend?”
“I’m not going.”
“Understood.”
Betty shoved all the letters into the fireplace.
She’s a bit strange.
However, there was one that didn’t burn.
Betty picked it up.
“This one, you should attend.”
“What is it?”
“The court ball.”
The voice from the door answered Betty’s response before I could.
I turned my head, and there stood Minuet, smiling brightly.
When did she arrive?
“Do I really have to go there?”
“The Emperor wants to see the Duke’s fiancée, Miss Siora. Oh, and do you know that the Emperor is the Duke's maternal uncle?”
“Ugh.”
“Well, it worked out. The party’s already ruined, so let’s make this your real debutante ball.”
Minuet approached and gently brushed my hair.
Her affectionate touch sent a shiver down my spine.
“Siora, I really like the way you’ve been handling things lately.”
Though it sounded like she was mocking , Minuet probably ant it sincerely.
Cruello is on friendly terms, and Bonetti hasn’t been attacked, so this is the best situation for her.
“You’ll be a splendid debutante.”
Minuet smiled brightly.
Why does her smile always make feel so uneasy?
But since it was fine during the training, nothing should go wrong… right?
***
The days passed quickly.
A subtle feeling of unease kept building up.
Ever since that day at the harvest festival, there had been no contact from Cruello.
What is he up to? What did he do that day?
If he had wanted to ask , he could have done so by now. What is he thinking?
I even refused his invitation to attend the court ball as my cavalier—my debutante partner.
He said he was too busy to make ti.
As I grew more suspicious of Cruello’s intentions, the day of the court ball finally arrived.
I stepped out of the carriage, fully dressed and ready to go.
Before , the dazzling imperial palace stood in all its glory.
So, my thoughts?
“It’s heavy.”
The unease I felt as I looked at Minuet’s smile was real.
How much fabric and jewelry did they use on this dress?
Even if I were covered in large swords, it wouldn’t compare to this.
“Doesn’t it feel like you’re a walking jewelry store?”
I turned to look at my cavalier, asking irritably.
“Be quiet, it’s heavy for too.”
Gavotte’s gloomy reply was sohow satisfying.
Instead of a dress, he wore a cloak, but it looked just as heavy.
He seed unable to straighten his shoulders.
“Get so exercise, Gavotte.”
“You and I are the sa.”
“No, I’m not. I’ve been holed up in my bedroom, so my stamina is like this—”
“Shut up!”
Gavotte quickly covered my mouth, causing to stop.
Alright, alright, I’ll be more careful with my words.
Minuet had drilled it into my ears so much.
“Don’t ntion Siora Velvet’s past.”
“What if I’m asked?”
“Just smile. Gavotte will help you.”
“What? Minuet, you’re—!”
“I’ll be a bit late. Betty, you’re free, and you’re Siora’s cavalier, so you’ll go with her.”
“…Damn.”
Would Gavotte really help?
I couldn’t shake off the feeling of doubt as I entered the ballroom.
***
“It’s truly a blessing for the Empire that soone of that age has already reached such a level.”
“Soon, we’ll see a great sage arise in this country, ho ho.”
“You’re too kind.”
Julian Minerva.
The young Minerva viscount smiled as he accepted the noblen’s praises.
But inside, his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
‘Just trying to pick up so crumbs while flattering...’
This is why I hate coming to balls.
If my friend hadn’t insisted, I would’ve stayed at ho, using research as an excuse.
“By the way, I heard Lord Crimson—”
“Oh, Sir Ollie. I heard you recently opened up the road to Norbian.”
“Yes? Ah, yes, that’s right. This ti, I—”
Julian skillfully diverted the attention back to his friend, Daedire Crimson.
Daedire, his friend, had a naive side, and Julian couldn’t let him beco easy prey.
And then...
“I think that lady is the one adopted by the Bonetti family.”
Amidst the murmurs, a few words reached Julian’s ears.
He turned his gaze.
A young man and woman were entering the ballroom.
One was a familiar face, soone he had seen countless tis during his ti at the academy.
The other... was a face he had only seen in portraits.
A beautiful woman with radiant blonde hair, pale skin, and eyes of an unusual color.
‘Siora Bonetti.’
Julian’s lips twisted into a grimace.
How absurd it was to hear there had been no incident at the party.
Thanks to that, the Elder Council had given him an earful.
Cruello White Desert must have been involved.
He’d even sent the antidote for the monster’s venom, and seeing them at the harvest festival—it was all too clear.
The rumors circulating were even more outrageous.
‘The Duke of White Desert has fallen for a woman.’
Of course, Julian didn’t believe a word of it.
He figured they were just putting on a show to upset the Elder Council.
They still believed the Duke was under so sort of brainwashing, but that was a foolish illusion.
What about that woman, though?
If she’s under the illusion that she’s special to the Duke...
“…Should I try to touch her?”
“If you coax them out, maybe you’ll stir up sothing interesting.”
“Gavotte?”
It seed that Daedire had spotted Gavotte. She looked up with a bright expression.
“Is that the new sister they’re talking about?”
“Probably. Are you going to approach her?”
“…Well, I don’t think Gavotte would be happy to see .”
There had been no response, even after letters were sent. It was probably going to stay that way.
Daedire added this, and Julian furrowed his brows.
“Don’t worry, Daedi. That guy is always a bit grumpy.”
“Maybe I did sothing wrong…”
“No way.”
“I’m fine with it, but you should at least go say hi.”
It would be easier without Daedire, but Julian seed a bit awkward seeing her deflated mood.
At that mont, soone raised their voice, trying to catch Julian’s attention.
“Actually, I’ve brought a gift for the young lord.”
It was so baron whose na Julian didn’t even rember. He handed him a rough black bottle.
The nobles around them snickered quietly.
“It’s a drink made by so gypsy tribe. You probably haven’t seen anything like this before.”
“Thank you.”
Julian interrupted him, not wanting to listen to any more explanations, and turned back to Daedire.
“I’ll be back soon, Daedi.”
He said it kindly and walked away.
***
The ballroom was packed with people.
And around , too.
“Your hair is just gorgeous.”
“Your dress suits you so well. Which tailor did you go to?”
“I heard you passed the training in one go. Truly impressive.”
The words were pouring in, and it was hard to keep track of all of them.
It seed like everyone who had sent an invitation was here.
Since the Emperor was curious about , I hoped for an escape from all this commotion, but it was a futile wish.
He rely glanced at before turning back with the Empress.
The only one left with no interest in at all was the Crown Prince.
So...
“Let go of my arm.”
“No, Gavotte.”
I had to keep him with .
Just like last ti when Gavotte tried to run off, I tightly grabbed his arm.
“No, Siora. I’m thirsty. I’ll just grab a glass of wine….”
Gavotte tried to use his usual trick with a pitiful look.
He seed weaker than usual, but I wasn’t falling for it.
“No, wine is….”
I scanned the room, looking for a servant with a tray.
Then, suddenly, a glass appeared right in front of .
“Is this what you’re looking for?”
The voice was pleasant to the ears, and Gavotte stiffened.
When I turned my head, I saw the one who handed the glass.
With friendly eyes and a cheerful smile, the young man with light pink hair had an easy charm about him.
He was a face I’d morized from the details I had on hand.
And at the sa ti…
“It was arranged by Julian Minerva.”
The one who had tried to ruin my party.
“Hello, Lord Minerva.”
“I didn’t expect you to know my na. Did Gavotte tell you about ?”
Julian Minerva widened his eyes in surprise before flashing a friendly smile.
“It’s a pleasure to et you. It’s been a while, Gavotte.”
His attitude was clearly kind, but knowing what I did, I wasn’t so sure.
Gavotte was stiff, and I just smiled.
I never thought I’d see one of the Elder Council’s pawns—presud—from the middle of a ballroom.
“…Julian. How have you been?”
“Sa as always. Ah, Daedire ca too. She was upset you didn’t reply to her letters.”
Gavotte couldn’t answer and just stayed silent.
I just laughed, though. Gavotte already lost!
I kind of want to ask Minuet about this.
The people around us cheered at the appearance of a new target.
“Wait, is that Lord Minerva?”
“Co to think of it, you were Gavotte’s classmate, weren’t you? It’s an honor to et you. I’m—.”
“Yes, it’s a pleasure. But…”
Julian looked around at the people gathering and spoke up.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen a friend. Would you mind if I took a mont with him?”
Though his face smiled, his tone was firm.
Despite a few people trying to resist, they quickly backed off as one or two disappeared.
The space around us cleared up.
Hmm.
This guy might actually be a good person.
“Is it tough? Even though it’s kindness, the attention of people isn’t always light.”
He really seed like a good person.
“Ah, did I do sothing wrong?”
“Not at all. It was a bit overwhelming, Lord Minerva.”
“Just call Julian. Since you’re part of Gavotte’s family, there’s no need for all the formalities.”
“Alright, Julian.”
Gavotte didn’t seem to agree, but a na is there to be used, right?
“Actually, I was surprised in a lot of ways. Gavotte has a new sister.”
“That…”
“That sister is rumored to be engaged to the Duke of White Desert.”
Well, that didn’t take long to ruin my opinion.
“I was a bit worried. The Duke has such a clear personality.”
“Ah, the Duke you’ve seen…”
“Still, I’m glad the rumors are good. Though it may seem nosy to you, Siora.”
“Julian sure knows all the rumors.”
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