Chapter 29

※Due to the length, today's post is divided into two parts.

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

---

Dancing to the "Noble Waltz," I thought my movements were a bit stiff at first, but Derek skillfully led me.

Truly the son of a gentleman! The next Duke. His dancing skills, a part of social etiquette, are above average!

---

However, despite dancing with such an excellent and handsome partner, the atmosphere between us is filled with tension!

"---Lord Derek. What did you mean by 'ruin' earlier?"

After some thought... if it wasn't just my imagination, I started to fear that perhaps he thinks that dancing with me leads to ruin!

Derek blinked in surprise.

"To go out of your way to ask---"

He opened his mouth as if to speak, then seemed to reconsider and closed it. After a moment, he spoke again.

"---Ruin or glory."

Those who dance with Lady Octavia will likely experience one of these.

Derek said this with a refreshing smile.

"The first time was on the day Lady Octavia attended her first ball. At that time, there was a wealthy merchant who was doing various underhanded things behind the scenes, but there was no evidence, so he could only be left alone. His son was thoroughly outdone by Lady Octavia on the grand stage of dancing. It was allowed because it was the act of an innocent child. However, the nobles interpreted it as a clear statement of intent by the royal family. So, what happened to the merchant...? Lady Octavia, you must know, right?"

The shocking truth revealed now...!

"That was..."

I couldn't continue. Just being a bad dancer, and it was received in such a miraculous way...! Isn't it similar to the 'Black Fan' incident?

"This was the first ruin brought about by Lady Octavia. Of course, as you know, most people forgot over time. This was because Lady Octavia didn't dance with anyone in public for a while."

Yes! Because I was desperately practicing to reach an average level in dancing!

However, Derek continued, his smile completely gone.

"The next person Lady Octavia danced with also fell from grace. This time, she didn't outdo them, and they danced without any issues... It continued like this, and occasionally, someone would achieve an unusual success. Those who danced with you would either face ruin or glory. This became the common belief."

I don't need such a common belief!

"---But there are more cases of ruin. Strangely, no one remains in a stable position. So far, the exceptions are Sir Serius and Prince Alexis."

Long-standing doubts have been resolved...!

I always thought that, as a princess, I was rarely invited to dance at balls...! I was glad not to be invited because I was still not good at dancing! Dancing with Alex would have been fun.

But I thought it was because of my poor dancing at my first ball. Maybe it was because of that impact...!

In a way, it was true... But I was being avoided for a completely different reason...!

"The reason few gentlemen invite me to dance is---"

Because they believe dancing with me leads to ruin... The fact that I've danced with very few people itself might be part of a vicious cycle that only makes things worse...! If I had danced with thirty people at each ball...!

I noticed the people in the hall watching us through Derek. The handsome men and beautiful boys were sending worried and anxious looks at Derek, all because of this.

Yes, the common belief is still ongoing...

The reactions of Sir Sil and Derek in the VIP room were exactly the same... Hmm? Of course, Lady Rosa knew about this. And since she requested the opening dance as part of the deal... Did she believe it? Which one?

Derek smiled brightly.

"Because no one wants to be ruined."

"Please stop talking as if I'm the one causing the ruin."

I had to correct this! While stepping through the waltz, I said in one breath.

"---Lord Derek. Dancing with me does not mean the other person will be ruined. Nor the opposite. It's not because of dancing with me, but because the person had a reason to follow one of those paths."

Oh no! I managed to say it properly, but I got distracted and my steps became disordered! I almost stepped on Derek's foot!

"Well, that's true."

Derek deftly avoided my foot. I'm grateful to Derek for this!

"There have been cases where desperate people asked Lady Octavia to dance, hoping to grasp at straws. She always responded with a smile. That person disappeared from society. However, in the same situation, some have achieved glory. ---How do you explain the case of Viscount Winfield?"

"---It's true that I helped him a bit after accepting his dance request."

Actually, I couldn't help but help him.

The Viscount Winfield Derek mentioned is a young man named Hugh Winfield.

He is a good-looking and kind young man with a lovely fiancée named Cissy Leuray. Cissy is a girl! This is important!

Hugh and Cissy. This couple is a rare example of a love match in the noble society of Esphera. But before they got engaged, they faced many obstacles.

Their feelings for each other were never in question. Cissy had always had a crush on Hugh, and Hugh, who had no other male lovers, was smitten with Cissy's dedication and loved her deeply. It was enviable...

But there was interference from the sidelines.

Another person had a crush on Hugh.

The second son of a marquis. To him, Cissy was a hated rival. He thought Hugh would be his if Cissy were out of the picture, and he tried to pressure the viscount's family in various ways. I still don't understand why he thought this would work... But the second son believed it and acted on it.

Even though a lower-ranking noble can have power, Hugh and Cissy were different.

If things continued, Hugh would have to engage with the marquis's second son!

Desperate, Hugh asked me to dance at the ball.

Now I understand... At that time, Hugh's request was filled with a deep sense of despair.

I thought it was because of inviting a princess, but it was different.

Hugh was at the edge of a cliff, so he decided to take a chance. If he lost Cissy, he would be unhappy anyway. So, he decided to dance with me to gain a connection to the princess. Even if it led to ruin, it couldn't get worse for him...

But, because of that dance, I learned about Hugh's situation and decided to help Hugh and Cissy. Full use of princess power! ...Maybe a bit too much.

However, they got engaged safely, and thanks to that, I also gained a valuable friendship with Cissy! We exchange cheerful letters! We don't see each other often because I can't leave the castle much, and Cissy can't visit easily!

"Lord Derek must have heard about Viscount Winfield and my friend Cissy. Their story was a hot topic among the nobles for a while. Separating those who love each other because of ugly jealousy is a foolish act."

This applies to both heterosexual and same-sex couples!

"---Viscount Winfield's family was unfortunately in decline, partly due to the unreasonable displeasure of the previous king. They have been distant from the royal family for years. However, as a viscount, he owns vast estates and is well-respected by the old nobility. He has risen to prominence, thanks to Lady Octavia's contributions. ---He is the perfect person to receive glory. In fact, if the royal family had to choose someone, he would side with Lady Octavia. Even those who are hard to move as nobles would follow his decision."

My eyebrows furrowed.

Does he think I helped Hugh out of calculation?

Unfortunately, I'm not that smart!

"---Lord Derek, you are a friend of my brother, right?"

"---Yes."

"I consider Cissy, Viscount Winfield's fiancée, a friend. Isn't it natural to want to help a friend in trouble? Do you help my brother because he is the first prince and the next king, or just because he is your friend?"

"---Because he is my friend."

In my case, I had a desire to help one of the few happy couples, not out of calculation!

We continued the difficult steps. During this time, my mind calmed down, and I understood what Derek was hinting at.

"You say you're not involved in the ruin, but you are fully involved in the glory!" It's a bit too casual, but that's the gist of it!

I had to focus on the steps, so after passing the first difficult part of the "Noble Waltz," I spoke.

"---Nevertheless, I will correct you, Lord Derek. I admit that I was involved in Viscount Winfield's glory. If you call his overcoming obstacles and getting engaged to Cissy a glory. But for the others, it's a coincidence."

"If everything is a coincidence, what will happen to me, who is dancing with you now?"

"---Your ruin or glory is not something I decide. I haven't done anything."

I sighed.

Rather, it's my brother!

Since you are his friend, I think his actions are more important than just one dance with me! It probably has a big impact on you too!

"---If that's the case, perhaps most people have been ruined because Lady Octavia 'does nothing.'"

"..."

Because of doing nothing...? I frowned.

"---Whether I face ruin or glory in the future, I will consider it a coincidence. Lady Octavia."

Derek answered, but I couldn't tell if he really believed my claim that "ruin and dance are unrelated." His expression was completely social!

Hmm. But, wait a minute?

I looked up at Derek while dancing.

"---Lord Derek, I have a question. Will you answer it?"

"Of course."

"If you thought dancing with me might lead to ruin, why did you agree to dance? I couldn't refuse the deal with Rosa, but you could have declined this dance, right?"

"Because there's a chance of glory?"

I gave Derek a cold look. It was obvious he was lying!

The most likely reason is---

"Because of Sir Sil?"

This time, Derek answered properly.

"That's partly true... But the biggest reason is that there was an advantage for me."

"---An advantage?"

"Yes. Lady Octavia, I had something I wanted to discuss with you privately. ---But given our positions, it was quite difficult. So, when I think about it, being your opening dance partner wasn't bad."

---To have a private conversation in public, without anyone interfering.

"I should be grateful for this opportunity given by the Sky God."

"Lord Derek, a private conversation with me? I can't imagine what it could be."

We hardly interacted, especially since childhood.

"---That's true."

Derek took my hand and pulled me closer.

Not a refreshing smile, not a social expression, but a more genuine Derek spoke.

"Does Lady Octavia have any strange memories?"

Memories...? Could he be talking about my past life?

Even though I thought it was impossible, I still felt wary. Derek chuckled.

"I was being vague. For example---do you remember your childhood clearly, before your relationship with Serius became like this?"

---Those days with Serius.