Chapter 30

Having finished preparations, Clarence and I joined up and headed toward the castle a little early.

In the room we were shown, not only was Clarence there, but Noah was as well.

I was puzzled, as I had declined an escort, but it seemed that today, like Rane was with Reine, Noah was also accompanying Clarence.

I found it strange that a duke's son like him would come without a partner, but when I heard the story, it was Rane's fault.

Noah had thought he needed to escort Rane and ended up declining his assigned partner. As a result, his partner was absent at the last minute.

"I-I'm very sorry..."

I hurriedly apologized when I heard it was my fault, but Noah cut me off.

"No, it's my fault for jumping to conclusions. Besides, it might have been for the best that I was turned down."

"Huh?"

"If Alek found out that I was your escort, I wonder what he would think..."

"Alek?"

I looked to Reine for help, wondering why his name had come up, but she only smiled happily.

Clarence was the one who spoke up.

"Indeed. You might have been saved from a fate worse than death."

"Huh..."

It seemed that if Noah had escorted Rane, Alek would have been angry.

"About the dress. I appreciate your consideration."

Noah added, and Clarence followed.

"Indeed. If I had seen the dress meant for Alek first, I would have become an accomplice."

"Um...?"

Why did he know that I didn't want to show the new dress to Alek first and didn't wear it?

Confused, I was told it was time, and Reine took Clarence's hand, with Noah and I walking behind them.

Perhaps I should have let him escort me without being stubborn.

But I really wanted Alek. I didn't want anyone else.

I felt bewildered by my own thoughts.

I had never felt this way, even for my fiancé, Ada.

(As if I like Alek... Like?)

The words reminded me of the hug he gave me before he left.

I didn't think he had any ulterior motives.

Alek treated Rane the same way he treated his sister, Reine.

Yet, just thinking about that embrace and the warmth that seeped through my back made a bittersweet feeling rise within me.

(I've been waiting for five years for my childhood friend, only to have my engagement not only broken but erased and discarded. How could I...?)

I couldn't deny it.

The strong arms that protected me, the gentle smile, and the way he felt angry on my behalf when Ada broke the engagement—how could I not feel affection?

And as a hero, I deeply admired him for his strict self-discipline and his fight for the world.

(There's no point in falling in love. After all, it's Alek.)

Even though I had just been discarded by Ada, I couldn't help but fall in love with him.

Of course, I didn't expect it to come to anything, nor did I hope for it.

I only allowed myself to secretly harbor these feelings.

(Alek...)

He was fighting dragons in a neighboring country. I prayed for his safety and resolved to protect Reine, who had been entrusted to me.

The ball turned out to be larger than initially expected.

The grand hall was filled with many guests.

As Clarence had said, it was to show that the peace of this country was unshakable. However, the faces of the gathered people seemed somewhat somber, and the cheerful music sounded hollow amidst the sparkling lights.

Reine entered the hall escorted by Prince Clarence.

Rane and Reia followed behind.

Clarence glanced around the silent hall and extended his hand to Reine.

"Reine, would you dance with me?"

"Of course."

As Clarence and Reine began to dance, the atmosphere of the hall brightened a little. Many others also took their partners' hands and followed.

Rane noticed that the young ladies who had attended with their families were watching Noah and moved away to stand by the wall.

Noah's partner wasn't Rane. She thought it would be easier for the young ladies who wanted to dance with him to invite him.

"Ah."

Despite this, Noah called out softly to stop Rane. She tilted her head, wondering if he had something to say, and he averted his gaze, looking a bit puzzled.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just... Can you dance?"

Rane shook her head.

"No, I'm a commoner, so I can't dance. I'll just watch everyone else."

In truth, she had practiced with Reine, but only to dance with Alek.

She felt it was too heavy to dance with anyone else, even though they weren't lovers.

"Is that so?"

Noah looked a bit disappointed, perhaps thinking she was being considerate of him.

"Please don't worry about me. There are many young ladies who would like to dance with you, Noah-sama."

She glanced at the young ladies, who were shining with excitement, while Noah's face contorted.

"I'm thirsty, so I'll be right back."

Thinking that her presence might make it harder for them to invite him, Rane moved to get a drink. Glancing at the hall, she saw that Clarence still hadn't let go of Reine's hand. Reine seemed to be enjoying herself more than expected, and Rane thought they might have been a good match if Clarence weren't the prince.

While sipping a soft drink, Rane noticed some late arrivals. She opened her eyes wide when she saw someone who shouldn't have been there.

"Huh...? Why?"

There, she saw the Holy Maiden Aki and Ada, who she thought had gone with Alek to slay the dragon.