Chapter 31

"――Yes. As you wish."

In response to Clifford, the gaze that had been focused on me was significantly diverted and directed towards him.

Clifford, who held the black fan, started walking.

In the unusually silent grand hall, the sound of his hard shoes echoed.

As the distance between us closed, the diverted gazes eventually returned.

Clifford stopped in front of my outstretched right hand and knelt on one knee.

...Huh? What?

In that posture, he carefully offered me the black fan, which he held in both hands.

...I'm not wrong. I'm not wrong at all!

This is the formal method for a vassal to present something to their lord in public!

However, it's quite grand.

Most of the time, it's simplified, and that would have been fine.

But, Clifford is the type who values such traditions...

Sure enough, a gasp was heard from somewhere in the hall.

...Right! I was imagining it would be a bit more casual!

"…Clifford"

I whispered in protest.

Clifford immediately responded in a similar volume.

"In such a setting, I cannot handle the 'Black Fan' carelessly, especially when returning it to you, Your Highness."

Because Clifford is tall, it's a fresh experience to look down at him. Conversely, Clifford, looking up at me, continued speaking.

For a moment, his lips twisted.

"――Let it be known that I serve Your Highness."

Let it be known? That I will serve as your guard knight for a long time...?

Maybe it's better if it's known?

―That said.

I repeated a part of what Clifford said.

"Me, specifically?"

"Yes."

Me, specifically...

Probably because of the 'master' and 'servant' relationship! Even knowing that, it's a phrase that tickles a girl's heart!

Because, it means...

It's the gift of being attended by a knight.

"...It's as if you belong to me."

Before I knew it, I said something embarrassingly self-conscious, forgetting where I was.

Immediately, I came to my senses.

Distance-wise, Derek might have heard, but since it was a whisper, fewer people would have clearly understood what we were talking about... right? Otherwise, my heart would die of embarrassment!

"―Yes. As you say, Your Highness."

Moreover, since he affirmed it while looking up at me, the embarrassment was unbearable!

But, I clearly saw that Clifford smiled with amusement for a moment after hearing my 'belong to me' comment! It seemed to be tinged with teasing...

To hide my blushing face, I quickly took the fan!

I took the fan that was offered to me as if it were a gift.

I could feel all eyes in the hall focusing on that one point.

I opened it with one hand.

I brought the opened fan in front of my face.

Phew. The softness of the feathers helped me calm down. Thank you, Rev birds.

Even if it's called the 'Black Fan,' which sounds like a middle school fantasy name, it's an important item that hides my flushed face and cuts off all gazes!

With the fan in hand, let's start over!

"Thank you. You may rise, Clifford."

I gave permission to the kneeling Clifford. Then, I called out to him again.

"Stay by my side until I finish speaking."

I intended to clear up the misconceptions about my dancing and the 'Black Fan' here. It would be faster to talk about the 'Black Fan' with Clifford around.

Then, I turned to face the guests I had been speaking to initially.

"I apologize for the wait, everyone. ...I'm sorry, but I can't settle down without my 'Black Fan.'"

I lightly fanned myself with the fan.

The intensity of the gazes didn't change, but I managed to smile.

Yes, that's right. I should speak brightly.

"―Let's be clear. The gentlemen who danced with me will not face ruin because of it. Of course, not even Derek."

I turned my face towards Derek.

"Do you think you will face ruin, Derek?"

"For now, I have no such plans."

Derek smiled pleasantly.

In response to his answer,

"―See?"

I covered my mouth with the fan and appealed to the guests with a princess smile.

Mostly, I don't remember who I've danced with! Except for the first ball or when the partner was Alec, I don't remember most people clearly!

―This is probably a disqualification for a princess.

But I want to make an excuse. Because, during the dance, there's no self-introduction or anything!

I always wish for name tags!

Just the name or just the face is not enough. It's a difficult task to match both.

I memorize the important ones, but those people don't ask me to dance! ...Yet, people who just come to greet me keep coming...

I don't forget people I know from the beginning, but I've never been asked to dance by men of my age who I already know...

Moreover, I think I remember people I've danced with multiple times.

However, everyone is just once! It's not entirely my fault that I remember fewer people...

Anyway, it's strange for everyone to either prosper or perish, right? It could be an illusion or a misconception!

Furthermore, life continues as long as you don't die. It's natural to have ups and downs!

Some people rise from the bottom, and some fall from the top.

Therefore, there's no absolute!

"Please don't worry needlessly. ...Why would someone face ruin just because they danced with me? ...Or why would they prosper?"

I was about to say 'either way' but reconsidered. According to Derek, Hugh seems to have prospered after dancing with me...

"I, at least, have never been involved in anyone's ruin."

This is an undeniable truth!

The guests, who were grouped by factions and status, started looking at each other.

I could feel that they didn't believe me...

Just denying it isn't enough to dispel the rumors?

Damn. But I, the party involved, am denying it...

Rumors are strong...

Then, how about this!

I added more words.

"If you don't find me credible, you can dance with me. ...Please invite me. You can experience the result yourself."

To show that there's nothing to worry about!

"―However,"

I mustn't forget to say this!

"As the first princess of Esphere, I can't dance with just anyone. ...You wouldn't want to be stepped on, would you?"

It's NG for a princess to make a fool of herself! I hope for a good dancer!

Please keep that in mind!

Actually, I wish I could say it directly, but using euphemisms is a painful part of noble society.

I showed my best princess smile.

In the space opened in the center of the hall, where Derek and I had been dancing, the people gathered at the front smiled in response.

I felt the effect.

Yes. This is enough for now regarding the rumors about dancing.

Next,

"...And, I must also explain about this 'Black Fan.'"

I closed the fan in one motion.

"This fan is called the 'Black Fan.' I am called the 'Princess of the Black Fan.' ...Because it's made of Rev bird feathers. I'm sure some of you were surprised to see it for the first time, right?"

I tilted the closed fan in front of my chest.

When it's not open, I feel very vulnerable to gazes...

"The Rev bird is a symbol of death. An ominous bird. But, I am safe with the 'Black Fan.' In fact, it protects me."

Right now, too!

I opened the fan. The piercing gazes were clearly softened by the fan barrier.

"You will understand this if you continue to watch me in the future. I will prove it by living."

I don't plan to die unless I get sick or have an accident... I think, and the longer I live in good health, the more the superstitions about Rev birds might be dispelled.

And, the final push!

"―If you are still unsure, you can judge by whether my guard knight is bound by death or not."

I pointed to Clifford with the fan.

I had him stay without returning for this purpose.

"He is the one to whom I entrusted this 'Black Fan' just now. If death comes through the Rev bird, it should affect him too. Especially as my guard knight, he should be more susceptible after me."

Two is better than one. More samples are better for judgment. And, the person himself doesn't believe in the superstition about Rev birds! This is important! I'll apologize later, Clifford!

"Please forgive me for interrupting, Your Highness,"

Lady Rozza's voice asked a question.

"...But, Your Highness? While you carry the 'Black Fan,' Lord Alderton only touched it briefly. Compared to you, the possible effects on him should be limited, right?"

It was a point that weakened the argument for including Clifford as a sample...

But.

I slowly fanned myself with the fan.

The soft feathers have uses beyond fanning!

"―No. Soon, I plan to give Clifford a sword tassel made of Rev bird feathers. He will carry the feathers, just like me."

"That's so," Lady Rozza smiled softly and nodded.

I nodded back. Time to wrap it up.

"I hope the fear of Rev birds among the people of Esphere will fade."

I bowed using all the etiquette I learned as a princess.

I signaled the orchestra to resume the flow I had interrupted.

Without delay, the court dance music began.

This time, the guests took each other's hands and started dancing in the hall.

―And, now.

Amid the close and joyful dancing of men and women, I was busy responding to the continuous greetings from the guests in the royal seats.

But, it's not usually this crowded.

Probably because there are many new nobles and powerful non-nobles among the guests. The super famous ones are mostly the old duke and Derek. And, irregularly, Sir Sil.

It's not just because I don't remember! ...There are many people I don't know.

And, the lower-status people greet the higher-status ones first, according to the unspoken rule.

Is this a reasonable approach?

Indeed, the host, Lady Rozza, the old duke, and his son Derek are surrounded by people. Sir Sil, while not a noble by status, is treated as a high noble due to his position as my brother's lover.

As the ball progresses, even high-status people will greet each other across factions.

Basically, but some people don't care!

―By the way, there is still no sign of a nobleman named Rust Barne among those who come to greet me.

...And no one has asked me to dance!

I invited them to ask, but the flood of dance requests... was just a fleeting dream... Was it a bad move to add that I might step on them?

Suppressing my disappointment, I used the fan as a shield, pasted a smile on my face, and dealt with the onslaught of greetings for a while.

Finally, the flow of people stopped, and I decided to stop waiting.

Being passive won't work. I have to take the initiative!

To find Rust—Rust or anyone who could be a fake lover!

Just as I was determined, a familiar voice reached my ears.

"Via-sama!"

"Oh... Cissy?"

A girl of my age in a pale cream dress. She has a cold beauty, lustrous black hair, and deep blue eyes darker than Alec's.

I admit it grudgingly, but thanks to the rumors about my dancing, I became friends with Cissy Leuray.

There she was.

Yay, it's Cissy!

―If Cissy is here...

"Cissy. It's impolite to speak to the princess so suddenly, even if you are friends."

Cissy's fiancé, Hugh Winfield, was also there, as expected.