Chapter 26

"Wh-who are you? Why do you have mimosa...?"

"It’s not just any mimosa. Besides, shouldn’t you apologize first?"

I stared blankly at the young lady of Lord Roten, who was standing there.

Her hair, face, and dress were all drenched in champagne, but her resolute expression and words were truly beautiful.

While I was fumbling to offer my handkerchief, Casablanca apologized to the young lady of Lord Roten with a regretful look. She had finally noticed that everyone around was watching them in silence, waiting to see how things would unfold.

"I am very sorry, young lady of Lord Roten..."

"That’s fine. I’ll say it was an accident because I was protecting Lady Mimosa. ...However, young lady of Lord Norton, before you spread rumors in society, you should learn more about the social world."

"What...?"

Learn more about the social world? I stood there, bewildered, with the handkerchief I had finally managed to retrieve. Casablanca, who was about to retort, was stopped by the young lady of Lord Roten’s resolute voice.

"Alex Cheryl... Her books are among the Empress’s favorites. And, ‘I suppose you wouldn’t know because you were often ill,’ but if Lady Mimosa is hurt, Alex Cheryl will put down her pen, which is the hottest topic right now."

"Huh...?"

Casablanca didn’t seem to know who Alex Cheryl was, raising an eyebrow and standing frozen. She probably only caught that Alex Cheryl’s books were the Empress’s favorites and the hottest topic right now.

"Young lady of Lord Roten, here..."

"Mimosa! Young lady of Lord Roten!"

As I offered the handkerchief, she seemed to notice the embroidery I had done on it. Despite this, she accepted it and used it to wipe her face. At that moment, Lord Percival appeared, followed by my father, mother, and Lord Chalde, who was in armor, along with a beautifully dressed lady.

"Lord Percival..."

"Are you alright? Young lady of Lord Roten, what happened?"

I could only call out his name, unable to keep up with the rapid developments, while he worriedly asked the young lady of Lord Roten, who was clearly drenched in champagne.

"I... merely prevented Alex Cheryl from putting down her pen. I don’t know the details, but the young lady of Lord Norton tried to pour champagne on Lady Mimosa."

The young lady of Lord Roten answered in a slightly stiff voice. It seemed she was happy to be worried about by someone she liked, and she was explaining her actions without showing any emotion.

I found the young lady of Lord Roten so wonderful that I couldn’t help but approach and hug her.

"What are you doing, Lady Mimosa!"

"Thank you, young lady of Lord Roten...!"

Even if it wasn’t for me. As a fan of Alex Cheryl, I was so happy that she had risked herself to protect Lady Mimosa.

"... Let’s go to the lounge for a moment. Young lady of Lord Roten, if you don’t mind, would you allow my wife to escort you? It seems you also protected my wife."

"Young lady of Lord Roten, I will escort you from here as a proud lady to your home. Please accept my gratitude later, and let’s go home before you catch a cold."

The young lady of Lord Roten nodded at Lord Chalde and the lady, and was led away by the lady.

Before leaving, she said to me,

"Next time... would it be alright if I return the handkerchief?"

"Yes... yes, please do, young lady of Lord Roten."

"Thank you. I look forward to it."

As Lord Chalde’s family escorted the young lady of Lord Roten out of the venue, the people who had been watching the scene quietly returned to their conversations. Today’s main event was the ambassador, and Lord Chalde went to apologize to the Emperor for the minor disturbance. My father, mother, Casablanca, who still didn’t understand what had happened, and Lord Percival and I entered one of the lounge rooms to discuss the matter.

The main characters are not all here yet. We should just confirm the facts and leave the venue.

I was a little concerned about the hateful look Casablanca was giving Lord Percival, who was protectively standing by me.