Karen didnt quite fancy Ian.
Because a stone that rolled in from sowhere captivated Princess Asterias heart.
Such talented. Its to the point where I want to sohow make it him my own, but Im grateful just to stand side by side with him.
She couldnt understand it.
Why soone as esteed as Princess Asteria would desire soone of that caliber so much.
She never attached herself to anyone
Not even to Karen herself.
And he was her superior during the mission.
Annoying.
A corner of her heart felt stifled.
She knew it was off-topic, but she felt a slight dissatisfaction.
Of course, it was just a minor dissatisfaction.
Karen was a pro among pros.
She would follow Princess Asterias orders, but she couldnt help but notice his shortcomings.
His performance on the train was excellent, but he lacked composure.
For example, his sowhat rhythmless gait
It certainly wasnt the gait of soone who had danced.
Thinking about him having to perform the role of the princesss man splendidly at todays banquet was sowhat dreadful.
Ill have to teach him.
A little revenge, perhaps. She startled him slightly as the price of her teaching.
Then she took his hand.
One step, two steps.
?
Karen was taken aback.
.. She felt it.
His footsteps changed with each step he took.
As if absorbing her teachings as if rediscovering a long-lost mory.
A certain genius sculptor once said,
One does not carve the sculpture, one rely reveals the form buried within the marble.
Ian was clearly rembering, as if he had montarily forgotten the dance he was just learning.
Karen realized.
Thats talent.
And she let her guard down for a mont in that realization.
Ian pulled her closer.
They were close enough to hear each others breaths.
His black pupils were staring at her.
How does it feel now?
Even in this darkness, his eyes shone brightly.
Just like his talent.
Its enough.
Karen could vaguely feel what Princess Asteria saw in him.
Escorts are not allowed into the banquet hall.
However, it seems the escorts also dress up in simple ceremonial attire to blend in with the atmosphere.
Its nice not to have to fit into the nobles expectations, being an escort makes happy.
Karen headed towards the side road, saying that there would be a separate gathering for the escorts.
The representative attendee for the Third Princess, Ian Blackangers!
The banquet hall was luxurious and splendid.
Act as naturally as possible.
Of course, Ian, who was not accustod to such noble gatherings, was there. But.
Originally, the princesss man is lenient no matter what he does. Shall we say hes a kind of clown?
According to Karens advice, as long as he doesnt get scared, its fine.
It ans he just needs to act confidently and leisurely, so its not that difficult.
As he ate finger food and looked around, he noticed so notable figures.
Promising talents from the North, mid-level mbers of various guilds, a couple of people who seed like journalists including Schwab, and others.
However, even among those people, Ian felt that the interest in him was not small.
Oh my. You look even more elegant when dressed up. Whats your relationship with the Third Princess?
The first woman who approached him was a young lady from a viscounts family, who was elaborately dressed and seed interested in gossip.
And.
As you attended the Northern Grand Dukes banquet, I naturally expect you to participate in the tournant that will begin tomorrow. Ill be looking forward to it.
Prospective nad knights, who are mainly active in the northern region, also showed a strong desire to win.
If its Blackangers, isnt it the family that ruled Istan near the capital? Hehe.
Among the middle-aged nobles, there were so who approached him with a sowhat pitiful tone.
And so, he interacted with people for a while.
The dazzling jewels adorned by the nobles hurt his eyes, and the strong scent of perfu kept numbing his sense of sll.
Socializing is tough.
He felt the need for so fresh air.
Taking a brief respite shouldnt tarnish his image as the princesss man.
A small outdoor area connected by a small door caught his eye. Despite looking deserted due to most nobles having gone indoors, it seed suitable for a brief escape.
As he tried to make his way through the corridor.
Oh, are you already tired?
A greasy and slippery voice reached his ears.
Haha. A bit disappointing for soone dubbed the third princesss man, isnt it?
The mid-level boss, Herman Pierce.
At first, he thought he resembled a male version of Sharon, but that wasnt the case.
If Sharon Pierce was like an ice sculpture, this man was like lting, slippery ice.
Despite his sharp appearance, he felt sowhat rounded.
Even his light-hearted jokes carried weight.
Its a splendid banquet with plenty of entertainnt. Thank you for your hospitality.
Haha. I thought you might be tired since youre the third princesss man. Havent you experienced more glamorous banquets than this, even if you are relatively new?
Typical of him to be suspicious. While his words seed half-hearted on the surface, they carried clear sarcasm and doubt.
Dont you want to savor the excellent food slowly and enjoyably? To take it easy for a bit.
Hmm.
He let out a soft breath.
It might be interpreted as suspicion, questioning whether there was another motive behind that sigh, but it wasnt easy to guess what was on Hermans mind.
Herman muttered in his slippery voice.
The third princesss n have always been sociable. I look forward to the performance that will soon begin.
With that, Hermans figure disappeared into the distance.
Whats his deal?
The purpose behind his annoying behavior wasnt clear.
Was he hoping to boost the success of the banquet as the princesss man clown?
Or was he doubting whether the title of the princesss man itself was false and hiding so other purpose?
The forr, because this banquet was a significant event in his succession competition, and the latter, to build up achievents. It wasnt easy to guess what was going on in Hermans head.
But one thing was for sure, he was definitely looking down on Ian.
Ian let out a small sigh as he stepped outside.
Phew.
Even though it was outdoors, it was cool.
Upon closer inspection, there was a clear boundary between where snow had piled up and where it hadnt.
Perhaps it was the manifestation of so kind of magic.
Turning his head, he saw Lina Rosewell, laughing brightly like a fish in water, eting people beyond the windows.
Her dress, matching her hair color, seed to bloom like a flower.
Danya
He had worried about potential discrimination as a beastman, but it seed she was attracting the attention of young nobles. Well, with those fluffy tail and perky ears, its hard not to.
Theres no need to ruin the party.
Ian muttered.
Though he felt a mont of frustration because of that slippery ice guy, he needed to focus on the bigger picture now.
Herman Pierce was the mid-level boss he should stick to, so even if he decided to turn the tables on him now, it wouldnt be too bad, but it wouldnt be wise to attract the attention of the Grand Duke for no reason.
I dont necessarily have to ruin it.
Anyway, this banquet was already a ss.
Bububam!
Just then, from the inside, the sound of musical instrunts was heard.
The flower of the social scene, the ball.
The music announcing its beginning started to flow.
Bubam!
The attention of the banquet hall was drawn to a sudden, loud sound of musical instrunts, halting montarily in the spotlight.
The abrupt silence caused people to look around for a mont.
Tick-tock
The dazzling lights that illuminated the banquet hall dimd.
Then, the magic candles that had been softly glowing on the floor began to rise slowly towards the ceiling.
Oh, oh.
The gentle and moody rise of the candles, accompanied by the light murmurs of admiration from the attendees, added another layer to the atmosphere of the ball.
As the music resud, signaling the beginning of the ball, it also marked its conclusion.
Ah, that was quite a spectacle.
Lord Herman Pierce indeed possesses not only a sharp wit but also versatile talents.
Herman Pierce looked satisfied as he surveyed the banquet hall.
Surely, the effort put into the production was worthwhile.
Although the expected princesss man turned out to be a disappointnt and his true identity needed to be investigated, finishing the ball in this kind of atmosphere would be impeccably perfect.
Once rumors spread in the social circles, solidifying my succession will be much easier.
Herman Pierce nodded satisfactorily.
anwhile.
Hmm.
Ian was realizing his mistake.
I forgot to find a partner.
Its customary for n to find female partners at balls. While others were busy finding partners, he was outside enjoying the cool breeze Being the princesss man was no different from being incompetent from the start.
Ian let out a small sigh.
He had an inkling of where Hermans suspicion might have stemd from.
My dance instructor never taught the basics.
If Karen had heard, she would have given him an earful.
Of course, theres no rule that says he must dance from the first song. Its just that skeptical glances would be focused on him for passing on the first song as the princesss man.
It seems Ian Blackangers couldnt find a partner.
Wow, there wasnt a single lady here that caught his eye?
Is it because theyre not princesses that they dont interest him?
As he walked towards the outskirts, murmurs from the surroundings reached his ears.
At the other end, the conductor was about to wave his baton, and the strings of cellos and violins were trembling, about to start the first waltz for the ball
At that mont.
Creak!
The door of the banquet hall opened roughly.
A bright light suddenly flooded the softly lit banquet hall. The people standing in the ballroom squinted their eyes.
Amidst this, soone muttered.
Sh-Sharon, Lady Sharon?
All eyes turned towards the door.
With her blue hair tied up, the cold-faced girl, Sharon Pierce.
She bowed slightly, appearing sowhat embarrassed yet elegant in a way unseen before.
Sorry for being a little late to my brothers banquet.
Creak.
Herman Pierce gritted his teeth.
Why is that b*tch here.
Both the lighting and sound had been ticulously crafted to create a romantic and subtle atmosphere. And yet, that girl had completely ruined it just by opening the door. Was it intentional? No. It was definitely intentional.
A thin bead of sweat dripped from Hermans furrowed brow, but due to the attention gathered around him, he quickly regained his smile.
Wh-what can one say about a younger siblings visit. Especially when its her first step into society. Co on in. The ball was just about to begin.
Slick.
Sharon, who had been holding the hem of her dress and bowing her head, glanced around the ballroom.
The youngest lady of the Pierce family, making a shocking debut into high society at her brothers ball.
Where she would go was the subject of everyones attention.
Or rather.
In fact, her destination was already determined.
Because there was only one person without a partner on the ballroom floor.
Tick-tock.
In the silence, the sound of Sharons footsteps echoed.
And at the end, the third princesss man stood.
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