Chapter 27

There are many noblewomen in Esferia, but few are granted a title themselves. And those few women who do hold a title—well, they are all seasoned veterans.

After all, the noble society is a male-dominated world. The fact that it is also a BL world further reinforces this. Being a woman alone brings its own set of challenges. To survive and thrive while holding a title, they must all be remarkable women. Even the Earl of Readington, if one lets their guard down, has a shrewdness that could make one feel like they might be devoured. Still, because they are women, they are much more approachable than the average male noble... or so it seems!

That is, if there weren't any ominous feelings!

The VIP room is prepared so that the nobles can relax during the intermission of the pre-ball. I was led there by the Earl of Readington, but I declined the offered chair and stood facing her, indicating that I wanted to finish this conversation quickly.

The three escorts also entered the room when asked, but they were positioned in different places. Clifford stood near the door, his usual position as my guard knight. Sir Sil stood a few steps inside the room, also his usual position. It's a bit troublesome, but in the VIP room, the range of movement is determined by one's status. The place where Sir Sil is standing is where he should be as the third son of a baron. Seeing Sir Sil, the Earl of Readington's unreadable smile was a bit scary...

The remaining one, Derek, was leaning against the west wall. As the next Duke, he is free to be anywhere in the VIP room as long as he doesn't offend the host, the Earl of Readington.

Well—

I snapped my fan shut.

"Earl of Readington"

I called out to the Earl facing me, deciding to be straightforward after the indirect and roundabout conversation with Derek.

"What do you want to talk about with me?"

Without waiting for her to speak, I took the initiative.

"During this pre-ball, I would like you to call me Rosa, Your Highness. I am very pleased that you accepted the invitation."

"I cannot call you by your name without a title, Rosa-sama."

"You are very skilled, Your Highness."

The Earl of Readington—Rosa-sama—laughed out loud.

"Still..."

She glanced at the three of them in turn.

"I was surprised by you, Your Highness. Three fine gentlemen. Derek Knightley, the next Duke, Sir Sil Burks, who is favored by Prince Serius, and Clifford Alderton, a commoner who was adopted into a baron's family for his martial skills and became the guard knight of Princess Octavia. The group you brought is very interesting."

Derek and Sir Sil are one thing, but to know so much about Clifford... Rosa-sama, you can't be underestimated! Or maybe Clifford is more famous than I realized...

—And her tone dropped.

"But, Sir Burks, it might be better for you to return."

Ultimately, her gaze settled on Sir Sil.

"A very noble person is looking for you, and they seem very angry."

A very noble, angry person, huh.

I couldn't help but turn around and look at Sir Sil. I'm sure our thoughts were in sync.

—My brother!

Sir Sil's absence has been noticed... I didn't want it to be noticed... But in terms of crisis management, it's a bit of a double-edged sword, isn't it?

Anyway, from my brother's perspective, Sir Sil is missing... Even if he knew it was Sir Sil's own decision—of course he would search. It would be strange if he didn't.

As a result of the search, the news reached Rosa-sama?

The ominous feeling was right on the mark.

"Oh, are you also an accomplice, Your Highness?"

Rosa-sama's eyes sparkled. This time, she spoke while looking at Derek.

"Is the next Duke of Knightley also involved? You received a message from a noble person, didn't you? And when you heard that Your Highness and Sir Burks had arrived, you hurried to greet them, didn't you? ...And yet, you are both here."

There seems to be no doubt that Derek is involved in helping Sir Sil. Otherwise, he would have sent Sir Sil back to my brother as soon as he found him. Sir Sil being with me was probably unexpected.

"Do you intend not to report to the noble person who is very angry?—At least not immediately?"

"...The Earl of Readington is quite cunning."

Derek sighed and frowned.

"Compared to your father, I am just a novice."

"Please, don't be modest."

"Because I am a novice, I set up this meeting. I want Sir Burks to return peacefully."

Rosa-sama's focus, which had been on Derek, returned to Sir Sil, speaking in a persuasive tone.

"If it were to be known that you, the very person being sought after, are attending my pre-ball while a noble person is desperately looking for you—. It would be best to avoid unnecessary trouble. The fact that you have come here is already known to other guests. But if you leave now, it can still be salvaged."

"If I—return, then?"

Sir Sil spoke quietly.

"Yes. To where you should be. You shouldn't worry the noble person too much. If you want to attend my pre-ball, you can do so next time, with the noble person. I will welcome you then."

But that would be meaningless. Not today, not at this pre-ball.

A stepping stone for the future!

Make use of the changes!

I looked directly at Rosa-sama, who had been watching me.

"Rosa-sama, what is your small request to me?"

A tense moment.

—Inside, I was bracing myself for her response.

"I would like to ask Your Highness to perform the opening dance."

Rosa-sama smiled. I could see Derek's eyes widen in surprise in the corner of my vision. But I understood his reaction.

"..."

Because I was also taken aback.

...What? Dance? Just dance?

Is that it? What a surprise!

I was quite deflated. I mean, when someone says "small" in a situation like this, it's usually not small at all! It's usually a difficult task!

Moreover, this is actually a dilemma for Rosa-sama: whether I will side with her or my brother.

Normally, one would clearly side with the first prince, my brother, and thus the request—along with the expected return—would be quite reasonable. Something like exercising power or providing favors, which only a princess can do!

But it was really small...!

"After the host's greeting at the pre-ball, a pair of men and women dance, don't they? If Your Highness would perform the opening dance, I would be overjoyed. It would guarantee the success of my pre-ball. The joy would make me forget about the noble person who is very angry and the slight trouble that might come to me."

What do you think?

"—I accept."

I answered immediately, returning a full smile to Rosa-sama. If a single dance can make Sir Sil's attendance possible, it's a bargain! I still have some reservations about dancing, but I've regained my sense of rhythm. I don't think I'll make a fool of myself!

I'm glad I practiced with Clifford. Really glad.

"Of course, Your Highness."

Rosa-sama also seemed satisfied.

"—With whom?"

In the midst of a good atmosphere, Derek suddenly asked.

"Who will Octavia dance with? The Earl of Readington?"

The partner...! Right! This is also important...!

If the partner is someone who is bad at dancing, like my former self, I might not be able to cover for them.

The nightmare of my first ball came back to my mind. I can't let that nightmare be repeated at this pre-ball, especially the opening dance!

"Of course, with someone befitting Your Highness. Among the three gentlemen here, including the next Duke of Knightley, any of them would be suitable. Dancing with any of them would create a wonderful scene. —And its effect. It would be very beautiful."

Clifford, Sir Sil, or Derek? I've practiced with Clifford once. Sir Sil is actually famous for being a great dancer. I've seen Derek dance gracefully at a ball before. ...With a man.

Alright! No matter who it is, they can't be worse at dancing than my former self.

The nightmare of my first ball can be avoided!

I made a mental fist pump and looked at the three of them in turn, but...

Clifford's poker face is good.

Why does Sir Sil look so serious? Hmm... Ah, it's because of my brother, right? A lot to think about... Indeed, if he escorts me and then dances with me... I can imagine it. If he only escorted me, it might have been manageable, but it could get complicated...

And Derek. Derek had a "troubled" look on his face. When he noticed my gaze, he naturally changed it to a noble expression.

...Hmm? Is there some kind of subtle atmosphere?

But, who to dance with is important!

I made a run for it.

"—Among the three here, Rosa-sama, I would like to dance with Clifford."

Clifford is clearly the safest choice among the three! This is the only option!

I practiced with him yesterday, he is my guard knight and a "follower," and most importantly, Clifford is not part of the subtle atmosphere! Yes, he's just maintaining a poker face!

Besides, there's no particular problem with dancing with a guard knight! It's even natural?

At balls and pre-balls, it's common for a guard knight who serves as an escort to dance with the princess as a formality.

"Clifford? Is it alright with you?"

I turned to the door and asked Clifford, who was standing there like a shadow, with no presence.

I didn't really want to give an order about this. It's something I decided, so it's fine for me, but the opening dance is important, and it can be a burden for the partner. It's a public event, after all.

Besides, I believe that if Clifford doesn't want to, he will say so clearly! If that happens, I will also accept it!

His deep blue eyes looked back at me strongly, as if trying to gauge my thoughts.

"Of course, as Your Highness wishes."

Clifford, who had been standing at attention, bowed his head. It didn't seem like he was doing it reluctantly... I think. Good!

I closed my fan, thinking the matter was settled— but an unexpected objection came from an unexpected source.

"Please wait, Your Highness."

From Rosa-sama.

"Would that not be unfair to the other two?"

Eh? To Sir Sil and Derek?

Their reasons are probably different, but both of them might not really want to dance with me...

On my part, I would like to dance with Sir Sil once! He's a great dancer, after all. The descriptions in novels were wonderful, and I saw him dance with my brother at last year's ball... It was amazing! It was like they had wings. I watched them with envy, and my brother gave me a puzzled look during the dance.

"Would it be a problem if I danced with Sir Sil or Derek, Rosa-sama?"

I can't let you off the hook for that subtle atmosphere!

"Is it a problem or not? Let's ask the person in question. —Sir Burks, will you refuse the honor of dancing with Your Highness?"

"Of course not."

Sir Sil immediately shook his head, quite vigorously.

"But, I, who have not yet been recognized by Princess Octavia, do not have the qualifications to dance..."

That's it? That's why you looked so serious, Sir Sil?

"Qualifications... Considering the previous dance partners of Princess Octavia, perhaps? —You lack confidence, Sir Burks. You were quite confident just a moment ago."

My previous dance partners? Mostly Alec at balls. Sure, there are others if you count from the day of my first ball's failure.

"..."

Sir Sil fell silent.

"—Earl of Readington"

Derek, who had been leaning against the wall, stood up and called out to Rosa-sama, as if reprimanding her.

"I understand that Sir Burks is prepared to dance with Your Highness. What about the next Duke of Knightley?"

Rosa-sama's lips curved into a smile.

"Are you intimidated?"

Hey, Rosa-sama. Is dancing with me for the opening dance that difficult...? I'm getting worried... You know I'm not very good at dancing, and yet, are you planning to play a very difficult piece? That would be a trap for me...

"Why do you think that?"

A smile exchange broke out between Derek and Rosa-sama.

"Dancing with Princess Octavia would be a great honor for me."

"If that's the case..."

Derek, Sir Sil, —and Clifford, her gaze moved to each of them in turn, and finally to me.

"Opportunities should be given equally. Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highness. —Earlier, you chose Alderton to be your dance partner."

"...Yes."

"—There must be a reason for that."

A reason... or rather, I chose Clifford to avoid the subtle atmosphere...

"When making a choice, as long as human will is involved, there will always be some resentment. —I think anyone would be fine to dance with Your Highness. This is true. However, if I must choose one person, it would be... Sir Burks. This is my reason."

She raised a finger and smiled.

"Then, what if I dance with Sir Sil?"

Thinking that Rosa-sama was offering a trade, I was surprised when she shook her head.

"—Why don't we ask 'the Sky'?"

"...The Sky?"

In other words, if I were in my previous life, I wouldn't have understood, but being born in Esferia, when someone says "ask the Sky," it means one thing.

Rosa-sama nodded.

"Not me or Your Highness, but the Sky God will decide."

The VIP room is equipped with paintings and flowers to please the eye, as well as long benches and tables for resting, and also game props.

Rosa-sama took one of the game props from a shelf and held it up.

Between her thumb and index finger was a three-sided die.

A pentagonal prism... shaped like a triangular pencil cut short, but the parts not used for the three sides are slightly rounded to function as a die and roll smoothly. Each side is marked with a number from one to three.

Why only up to three? This number three. In Esferia, three is a sacred number. The Sky God is said to be the third-born god, while the first and second gods are very obscure. Therefore, in Esferia, three is the highest number and the number of the Sky God.

This three-sided die is used not only in games but also for other purposes.

When there are three choices. Because the problem is related to the number three, one seeks the favor of the Sky God by rolling this die.

This is what it means to "ask the Sky."

A bit unusual, but the fate of the die is that—when it stops rolling, the two visible sides are the answer. The number on the bottom is the answer given by "the Sky"—meaning the answer from the Sky God to the people on earth. This knowledge is included in the education of a princess.

The number on the bottom is interpreted as the best answer given by the Sky God.

—In short, it's a matter of which number from one to three comes up, a test of luck!

"It is the best method in the sense that no human will is involved. Especially in such a situation. We will not think, only the result will be shown. —Both Your Highness and I will follow it."

"...I have no intention of objecting."

Because I chose Clifford as my guard knight. I can't criticize Rosa-sama.

"One is the next Duke of Knight