Chapter 16

I moved to the fitting room.

Inside, there was one full-length mirror. The room was spacious enough to fit about ten people comfortably.

The other maids came in, and the dressing began.

In front of the large full-length mirror, I followed the maids' instructions, raising and lowering my arms, and pulling in my stomach.

Fortunately, the dress required almost no adjustments.

The maids stepped back.

It was a signal for me to move on my own and check the final result.

I looked at the mirror and turned around on the spot. The fabric draped over my shoulders flowed gracefully. The skirt's flared part was not exaggerated and looked excellent. It didn't feel restrictive at all. When I tried it on, I didn't feel overly exposed. Yes! It's good, isn't it? I praised myself!

"Here you go."

Sasha handed me a fan.

"Thank you."

I held the grandly named 'Black Fan' in my hand, opened it swiftly, and placed it in front of my chest.

I think my face, Octavia's, is cute. The overall image, from my hair and eye color, is light. Light... almost insubstantial? To put it nicely, it looks gentle. To put it negatively, it lacks the dignity required of a princess. Even when I try to look stern, the sweetness doesn't go away.

But, is this the combined effect of the fan and the dress?

I tried to smile like a princess in front of the mirror.

I looked more regal than usual!

"I feel like I've discovered a new side of Your Highness. How about having a few more dresses made in this style, Your Highness? The dresses you usually wear could also be made in this direction."

I have enough dresses for everyday use. But it was a good suggestion. Maybe I'll try it when the opportunity arises.

"It might be a good idea, Sasha."

In the corner of the mirror, Matilda's figure appeared as she entered the fitting room. She had left her seat during the dressing.

"That dress suits you very well, Your Highness."

"Thank you, Matilda."

"I have brought what you requested."

Matilda held a tray with jewelry. A maid who entered the room later placed a pair of shoes near me.

On the tray was a pendant with a large sapphire. The shoes were silver, with delicate embroidery and a low heel.

While getting dressed, I watched my appearance improve in the mirror and thought about what accessories and shoes to wear. Since I had been most concerned about the dress, I could decide the rest myself.

Moreover, the accessories are often family heirlooms or items with eye-popping gemstones, so they are strictly managed, and it's impossible to choose them casually with everyone agreeing. Only Matilda, the head maid, can access the storage area outside the royal family. Shoes, on the other hand, are chosen based on comfort, not just design! No one else can choose them for me. Wearing brand new shoes for a ball would be too painful! Mainly for my feet!

I carefully considered my appearance in the mirror and asked Matilda to bring the items I decided on.

These were the two items:

Accessory — I didn't want to wear too many jingling items, but wearing nothing at all would be too plain, so I chose one pendant. A large sapphire, cut into an oval, was set in the base, and the stone had a slight purple tint. It was a traditional and prestigious piece that princesses have worn for generations.

Shoes — Made for public appearances but worn occasionally to break them in. The shoes worn by royal and noble women generally have high heels, making them look taller and giving the illusion of longer legs.

...However, they are not suitable for long distances. The castle is vast, and the main mode of transportation is walking. If you walk around in high heels every day, your feet will bear a heavy burden! Foot massages at night would be inevitable! The maids must endure such hardships...?

High-ranking women's shoes prioritize appearance, while working women's shoes prioritize practicality.

I decided to adopt the latter. These are the silver shoes.

I put on these two items, made slight adjustments to my light makeup, and had my hair partially tied and let down. That completed the look.

Finally, I walked around the fitting room in the new shoes. There was no sign of blisters, so I wouldn't have to worry on the day of the event!

High heels require skill in dancing. With these shoes, I could step and move around in the dance without feeling pain or fatigue afterward...

...Dancing?

My eyebrows furrowed.

"Your Highness, since we have the opportunity, why don't you show this look to Lord Alderton?"

"I think it would be a good idea."

Sasha suggested, and Matilda nodded.

"Yes..."

I answered, but my mind was elsewhere.

D-A-N-C-E!

I had forgotten! This is a staple of balls!

Of course, I had learned it properly. I was trained intensively from a young age. Back then, my brother was my practice partner because of the height difference, which made it difficult for me to dance with adults. My brother was a skilled leader. Even when I stepped on his feet, he gracefully avoided it and skillfully guided my steps.

I danced smoothly and got carried away, thinking, "Am I good at dancing?" I was breathing heavily. It seemed difficult, but when I tried it, it was easy!

I even skipped some dance lessons, thinking I had mastered them. How terrifying...! My past self...

Naturally, the consequences came.

The tragedy happened when I was ten. Until then, I had only made brief appearances, but as a princess, I made my official debut at a royal event.

On the day of my first ball, I danced with my brother first. It went well. My brother covered my poor dancing skills with a cool demeanor.

The next dance partner was where I messed up.

"May I have this dance?" It was a merchant's son, who was very popular at the time.

My father's companion, Edgar, was a former merchant, and many merchants had infiltrated the court during that period.

I happily agreed. After all, even if a boy of the same age was told by his parents to dance with me, it was still a boy asking me to dance.

I used to watch enviously as boys danced together.

There was no reason to refuse.

I thought we would dance in perfect harmony...

But it didn't go well.

The dance ended in a disaster. I was a terrible dancer, and my partner was probably average. I stepped on his feet repeatedly, and it was questionable whether it could even be called dancing.

I was supposed to dance more, but I was so disheartened that I quickly retreated to the back.

Feeling regretful, I later wrote an apology letter to the merchant's son. ...I never received a reply. It turned out that the merchant, around the time I sent the letter, had opened a shady business and was selling dangerous goods, leading to his arrest.

As a result, the number of merchants attending the next ball significantly decreased...

This was the outcome of my first ball...

From the next day, I started intense dance practice. I worked hard. I really did. I improved from being terrible to average...! But, a deep-seated fear of dancing remained.

If invited, I could dance and manage not to look too awkward.

However, there was a gap. I had missed many noble-sponsored balls.

I only attended the balls.

—But even at those balls, I only danced with family members!

The last time I danced was at last year's ball, and only with Alec. Alec, like my brother, had the rare talent of making my average dancing look excellent!

So, even if I danced well with Alec, it was thanks to Alec!

"Come, Your Highness."

"Yes..."

Led by Sasha, I moved from the fitting room to the costume room.

While walking, my head was filled with thoughts about dancing, even as I looked down.

Calm down... me! My body should remember, and with practice, it will surely be fine.

I should practice dancing before the Lord Rendington's ball...

"Lord Alderton, what are your thoughts on this look of Her Highness?"

Matilda asked Clive.

Clive?

I looked up. Our eyes met, his deep blue. Clive had been waiting in the costume room, and Matilda might have said something.

That's fine, but... Before Clive could say anything, I spoke.

"Clive, can you dance?"

I must have looked very serious.

"...To a certain extent."

Pass!

"I really need to practice dancing. Please accompany me."

This is a royal command! Refusal is not an option!

I was wearing the outfit for the event, so the simulation was perfect. I don't think Clive has the same level of dance skills as my brother or Alec.

He probably learned dancing as part of his upbringing as a foster son of the Alderton family.

If I can dance without major mistakes with Clive, it means my dancing skills haven't deteriorated!

With Matilda and Sasha as the audience, Clive and I stood face-to-face in the center of the practice room. The grand hall used for balls was not available, so we used this room, which was soundproofed.

This was the place where I initially took dance practice lightly but later practiced with all my might, leaving bitter memories...!

During dances, live musicians are usually required, but the castle has a secret weapon: an automatic instrument! It has a wide repertoire of dance music!

"I am your guard, but..."

"I will also entrust the 'Black Fan' to someone else during the dance. Weapons are not needed for dancing."

Clive's main concern was giving up his sword. As a guard, his job is to protect me. Giving up his weapon is out of the question. However, it would be impractical to keep it while dancing.

In the practice room, there were only Clive, me, Matilda, and Sasha. To ensure safety, the number of people was minimized. With this setup, the risk of me being in danger, unless Matilda and Sasha were spies, was low.

"Rather, aren't you more dangerous here with a sword?"

Clive finally agreed after I made this point.

"...As you say, Your Highness. I will entrust it."

After looking at me, he smiled and handed his sword to Matilda.

Clive, who had temporarily given up his sword, seemed more uneasy than usual. It was a new experience. His expression rarely changed, so the difference was noticeable.

"Are you uncomfortable without a weapon?"

"I spend more time without it."

"I didn't say you had to give up all your weapons except your longsword?"

Those who make a living from combat often carry backup weapons. At least one, sometimes multiple. My former guard, Gray, explained this to me.

This led to a phase where I was obsessed with 'Weapon Guessing'—guessing where knights and soldiers hid their weapons. It was a nostalgic time. I wanted to impress Gray. After a breakup, I stopped...

'Weapon Guessing'...

I observed Clive from head to toe, focusing on his attire.

The deep blue uniform, exclusive to guards, with the royal emblem. It's a prestigious position, and the uniform is designed to look good. Those who don't fit it look hopelessly out of place. A cruel uniform...!

Regardless, I couldn't tell where he hid his weapons. There was no sign of anything unusual. No gaps at all!

"—By the way, I heard you were good at 'Weapon Guessing.'"

"Clive, you know about that? It was a childhood story."

"Yes, I heard it from the head maid."

"Matilda...!"

I hope there are no other embarrassing stories that have spread...

"Apparently, you pointed out an intruder in the castle using 'Weapon Guessing.'"

"Intruder..."

Yes, that happened. It was related to my first love story and caused a commotion in the castle.

"It was obvious."

"Obvious?"

In my infatuation, I practiced 'Weapon Guessing' to get compliments from Gray! The more I did, the more patterns emerged, and it became clear who deviated from the norm. For example, soldiers often learn the standard hiding places for backup weapons from their superiors, so they are almost uniform. It's like a safe position.

"The hiding place was probably different. Plus, he didn't like being 'Weapon Guessed' by me."

I was a princess and a child, so everyone in the castle was happy to play along with 'Weapon Guessing.' Those who didn't were very suspicious. Moreover, he approached me first.

I was scared and sought help from Gray. It turned out to be the right decision. Gray, facing the intruder, looked incredibly cool, and I fell in love with him again. Soon after, Gray left after his love affair blossomed...

By the way, the intruder's target was Alec. He approached me as part of his plan.

He was hired to kidnap Alec, and the employer was a fifty-year-old man who was infatuated with the ten-year-old Alec... It's just... Alec is an angel, I guess...? I can understand the feeling—no, I can't! Knowing I helped protect Alec, my childhood obsession wasn't in vain. Yes.

"I see. Since we have the opportunity, would you like to try 'Weapon Guessing' on me?"

When Clive said this, I shook my head.

"I already tried. I give up. My 'Weapon Guessing' basics don't seem to work on you."

"—I am different, too?"

Clive's lips twisted.

Indeed, Clive is different from my previous guards in terms of background and the fact that he hasn't fallen in love with a man yet! However, if I agree, it might seem like I suspect Clive of being an intruder.

Hmm...

"You don't seem to dislike 'Weapon Guessing.' If you are different from others, the important thing is what happens next. The intruder refused—how about showing me where you hide your weapons?"

An intruder would never reveal such a secret! Plus, I'm curious.

"I don't mind."

That's the right attitude.

"—But I might disappoint Your Highness."

I thought he wouldn't tell me, but I was wrong.

"I have short swords hidden in my cuffs and shoes. I believe these are quite common places."

"...Oh, I see."

"For Your Highness, is this a boring result?"

Boring... or rather, the hiding places are common. This was unexpected. But looking at the relevant areas, I couldn't see any short swords. I tilted my head.

Moreover, Clive, who has two backup weapons, still feels uneasy without his longsword... It's a tough situation. A professional habit?

—The music started.

It seemed the preparations were complete. The instrument played a dance tune. The title is "Court Dance," composed by Wiesener, who lived during King Us's reign and left many dance pieces.

"Court Dance" is a classic with high intimacy.

It's a popular tune, so it will definitely be played on the day of the event.

"Princess Octavia, may I have this dance?"

Following the formalities, I received a polite invitation from Clive.

"Of course."

I nodded slightly.

"Please take my hand."

I placed my right hand on the palm he offered, and he gently pulled me closer. His other hand circled my waist.