Chapter 19

When we entered, the nobles were already all gathered.

The ball began with the king's greeting, and as expected, the music was splendid.

The feeling of nostalgia lasted only a moment, and I felt exhausted by the unfamiliar atmosphere within five minutes of the start.

Fortunately, I could sit down after the toast, as I was in the back, behind the king and the crown prince who were in the spotlight.

While idly watching the line of people greeting the king, I matched the faces I knew with my memory. There were quite a few familiar faces.

"Would you like me to get you something to drink?"

"No, thank you. Let's go together after I rest a bit."

Rias was considerate, but I felt that as soon as we descended into the venue, we would be surrounded and he wouldn't be able to come back. Many eyes were watching us.

"I wonder..."

Did we emphasize that our relationship was good enough? After all, we were dressed in matching outfits, and Rias never left my side.

However, the gazes of the women in the venue were painful.

"Beautiful."

Rias's response was not an answer to my question.

Besides, I had heard that many times since we left the house.

"There is no one in this world who can match your beauty. Your platinum hair and golden eyes, your beauty is blinding. Can you feel the gazes gathered on you? I want to gouge out the eyes of the men in this venue..."

"Shut up."

He was in high spirits.

Extremely high spirits. This person. And unsettling.

If I kept listening to Rias's lines, I would feel exhausted. Was he indifferent to the gazes directed at me?

"——Let's go. We'll greet people and then go eat something delicious."

"Okay."

Rias smiled elegantly and offered his arm.

Thanks to the practice, it was a natural escort.

In fact, this ball was also described in the novel.

When Eidan was about to turn three, Cynthia attended the king's birthday party.

She left Eidan locked in a small room and attended the party, where she ignored her husband Rias and her father, the king, drank alcohol, and enjoyed herself like she did in her single days, surrounded by young men.

She returned home drunk and, upon seeing Eidan quietly waiting in the room, picked him up in a good mood.

Eidan's memory noted that the first hug from his mother smelled of alcohol and strange herbs.

And immediately after, Cynthia threw Eidan away and never picked him up again...

Since the story is written from Eidan's perspective, there isn't much description of Cynthia.

Perhaps the reason I don't remember much from the novel is that my condition worsened in my previous life, and I couldn't read books anymore.

Moreover, after I was six months old, my relationship with the novel changed completely. I don't think it would be helpful as a reference.

"——Are you thinking about something?"

I was pulled closer and whispered to in my ear.

After dancing once, he stuck to me so closely that no one came to invite me to dance. That was good, though.

I was tired from the unfamiliar dance, so I was sipping from my glass and spacing out a bit.

"No, I'm fine."

As we smiled and made eye contact, someone else approached.

"Your Grace, Duchess, it has been a while."

How many greetings have we received now?

Since Rias was talking to them, I just had to smile and nod.

"Cynthia."

I turned around at the voice from behind and saw a familiar face.

It was definitely Ran Seif. A contemporary and a social acquaintance.

We weren't particularly close, but we would chat normally when we met. ——Well, most people are like that.

"It's been a while, Miss Ran."

Ran smiled and spoke in a low voice from a distance. I moved a few steps closer to hear better, and she covered her mouth with a fan and spoke in a low voice.

"Would you like to go to the lounge?"

——Huh?

"Is there something to talk about?"

"I'm sure you'll be delighted."

It was a mysterious statement.

And she smelled strongly of alcohol.

Who would follow such a suspicious person?

"I'm sorry, I can't leave my husband's side."

"Well, the Duke is strict, isn't he? ...How about saying you're going to pick some flowers?"

"What's there?"

We weren't that close to follow her with such obvious suspicion.

"Just a bit of fun with the young people. Loosen up a bit."

Ah... I see.

Eh, at the palace party?

I don't know how much they are loosening up, but this way of speaking gives me a slightly suspicious feeling.

"Besides,"

Rias interpreted my silence as hesitation and became a bit more enthusiastic.

"There's something good today."

"Something good?"

"Yes. A drug that makes you feel good."

Oh dear, that's not good.

I remember the novel mentioning the smell of alcohol and herbs from Cynthia.

Titi...

She worked hard to prepare, but apparently there was a gap in the security or the arrangements.

She's only 15, so it can't be helped.

I don't want her to be discouraged, but she probably will be.

"Cynthia. Out of old friendship, I came to recommend it to you."

She took another step closer.

"It's the first party you've been able to attend in a long time. Watching the dance just now, it reminded me of the old days. Many people want to get closer to the beautiful Cynthia who hasn't changed. Most of all, I want you to be happy like before. I think I can help with that."

It's none of your business.

I am happy.

By participating in the party as a couple, are we seen as being in a bad relationship and me as being unhappy?

That's disappointing.

What is lacking?

"Let's do something more fun?"

"——What are you talking about?"

Rias finished his conversation and came over.

I put my hand back on Rias's arm.

"Rias, this is my old friend, Miss Ran Seif."

Ran, who had taken a step back, received the customary bow from Rias.

"Miss Ran says she wants to talk in the lounge. Is it okay to go?"

"Of course."

Ran closed her fan happily.

"I'm so glad! Please, this way."

She headed towards the exit leading to the lounge with enthusiasm.

Rias and I followed at a slight distance.

Ran's steps were unsteady. She was quite drunk.

When will she realize that Rias is with me?

And why does she think it's natural for Rias to follow her without looking back?

"Rias"

While we still can.

I whispered in Rias's ear.

"There are some young people who are loosening up and a drug that makes you feel good."

Rias's eyes widened slightly and he glanced at me.

That's what she said.

Seeing me nod, Rias looked into the distance.

With just a raise of his hand, the guards' attention was drawn to him. He made a signal with his fingers, and the guards nodded.

"Here, this way—oh, the Duke is coming too?"

Ran finally turned around at the exit and noticed Rias.

It's too late to panic now.

I feigned innocence and tilted my head.

"Yes, we are a couple. We go everywhere together. ——Right, Rias?"

"Yes."

He nodded naturally, though I could sense a bit of stiffness.

"Um, but, maybe the lounge is for women only."

"Oh, I thought there were men there too."

"Well, that's—"

"It's fine, let's go. It will be fun, won't it? ——I'm happy anywhere as long as I'm with Rias."

I leaned my head on Rias's arm.

"You two seem to have a good relationship...?"

"Yes. Hee, it's embarrassing. Rias is a very kind and wonderful husband."

"Cynthia"

Rias's voice was emotional.

"You are a wife I don't deserve."

His arm tensed. ——Don't worry, it's just acting.

"Let's go, will you show us the way?"

"No, that—"

Ran's eyes darted around.

Rias looked down at her.

"What's wrong?"

Where are you taking my precious wife, and why can't you say it?

His gaze seemed to ask.

Rias signaled a servant to open the door.

There were only two lounges beyond this point.

When the door opened, laughter echoed in the hallway.

It was drowned out by the music from the ballroom, but it was a bit out of place for the formal palace ball.

There were no guards or servants in sight where they were supposed to be.

"Check it out."

As Rias said this in a low voice, several guards silently passed by.

Ran's face turned pale, and she fidgeted nervously.

"Cynthia"

Rias put his arm around my shoulder and turned back towards the ballroom.

"Rias, don't you need to go?"

"I'm your partner for tonight."

The chair we had been sitting in was right there. With the king present, there were many guards, so it would be fine to be a little apart.

I thought this, but since he didn't seem to want to leave, we headed back to where the king and others were.

Despite the slight commotion, the other guests seemed not to notice much amidst the noise of the party.

"Your Highness"

While seating me, Rias was talking to Titi.

Titi looked serious and then held his head.

"——What's wrong with the nobles these days?"

He excused himself and went to deal with the situation.

Rias, glancing around, brought me some food.

We ate it together for a while.

Since I was wearing a dress without a corset, I could eat comfortably.

After enjoying some light refreshments, the king sat down next to us.

"Well, a bit of trouble was expected. It was a good experience for him."

He seemed to know the situation.

"It was my first social event in years, but if this is common, it's quite scary."

"——Indeed, the nobles' recklessness has been a bit excessive lately. The problem is that they haven't crossed the line into illegality."

"Rest assured, Cynthia. I will protect you."

The party ended with a somewhat uneasy feeling.