Chapter 48

This party is something I was involved in preparing, so I know what it's all about. It's the debut of the first prince, who has been removed from the royal family, as the interim head of the house.

The historically neutral House of Bischoff is now making a statement of support for Lord Fred and the young emperor Clovis, who has become his vassal.

From the door of the hall, the music of the band welcoming the guests and their conversations could be heard.

"Are you okay?"

In response to the voice that was watching me, I nodded. The servants standing in front of the door opened the large door leading to the hall.

The hall's lighting sparkled, and I walked slowly with Fred's escort through the crowd. I descended the carpeted stairs step by step.

The gazes that sized us up like merchandise were intense. I kept smiling to keep from being intimidated. The hall was filled with women in dazzling dresses and men in formal attire. Some were in military uniforms, and others were clearly magicians. They were all important figures in this country that I had desperately memorized up until today.

The grand hall of the historic marquis's townhouse, filled with people in their finest attire, was an overwhelming sight.

Just as we reached the bottom of the stairs, the last guest of the party appeared at the top of the stairs. Someone of higher status than anyone else here... yes, Clovis, who has been decided to ascend the throne.

"Be at ease."

Everyone who had bowed their heads turned their gaze to Clovis as he descended the stairs. Clovis today exuded a dignity that was different from his usual self, making it seem like a lie that he usually chatted casually.

An elderly man standing next to us greeted Clovis respectfully. The Marquis of Bischoff introduced Fred, who had completed his convalescence and regained his health as the first prince, and announced that the House of Bischoff would support and guide this house until Fred's young grandson came of age.

Fred, who was introduced, introduced himself as "Frederick Yoon Bischoff" and gave a speech befitting a noble. In this serious and tense atmosphere, I, who had been on edge due to Fred's words until just a moment ago, finally calmed down.

As planned, I also greeted everyone as "Liana Hermes" as I had prepared. ...I was so nervous that I thought my voice would tremble. I'm glad I managed to hold it together...

"His Highness Frederick, congratulations on your recovery."

"Thank you, Marquis Maristeen."

"My sister was also delighted to hear of this celebration."

"Is that so? I've heard she's happy too. I'm glad."

Fred handled the nobles who came to greet him one after another. I listened to the conversations next to him, trying to match names, faces, and information in my head so that I could respond properly when spoken to.

His profile, different from usual, was adorned with a "noble gentleman's smile" that felt cold. With that beautiful smile, Fred looked like a stranger.

"Ah... Lord Hermes, could you tell us about the fabric used in your dress? The way the lower fabric beautifully shimmers and glows... Is this the 'fairy's robe' we've heard about?"

"Yes. It is an honor to have caught the eye of the renowned Lady Belladine. This fabric is a new material that my brand, 'Crystal Lily,' has started to handle."

The next couple to greet Fred included a lady who noticed the new polymestel fabric used in my dress. Unlike the existing polymestel fabric, this one was created by slightly altering the processing of slime waste, resulting in a fabric that shimmers with iridescent luster depending on the light.

This was the first debut of my dress at this ball, and I used it to promote the fabric by attracting the attention of a high-ranking noble lady. The effort to design a dress that would showcase this fabric paid off.

The lady showed interest in the Crystal Lily dresses, and I promised to visit her mansion later.

...Good, good. After building connections in the business world with artificial magic stones, it seems I can also gain allies among noble ladies.

"Your Highness. Then, is this beautiful young lady your new fiancée...?"

The conversation suddenly turned to me, and the content almost made me speak out. I looked up at Fred again, as if to confirm.

"No, she is not actually my fiancée."

"Then—"

"...Not yet. I am quite shy and have not been able to express my feelings. But I hope that in the near future, it will come to pass."

Fred's response was met with a palpable tension and pressure from the surrounding crowd, as if they were about to interrupt the conversation.

However, his words that immediately negated the previous statement were met with a sudden, piercing gaze from everyone.

I felt a silent scream. At the same time, the curiosity that had been there before was now mixed with a boiling jealousy.

I, a timid person, might have been unable to stand up straight and would have bowed my head if I had been in a normal situation. But I was not in that state now because of Fred's words.

...Did he just say he wants to be engaged to me? Me...? Is it a misunderstanding...? Is that what he said? If it's not a misunderstanding...

I managed to keep my smile from breaking, but I was almost about to scream.

While I was somehow responding to the conversation, a storm was raging in my head. When I looked up at Fred again to ask for his true intentions, he was smiling kindly as usual, but he also looked a bit apologetic.

...Could it be that Fred said it to avoid trouble for himself...?

That thought made sense. But thinking that way made me feel sad.

I was very confused when he said he wanted to be engaged to me. But at first, I was "happy." Now, thinking that it might be a ruse to ward off unwanted attention, I feel "sad."

...I had never been able to name this feeling. Why did my stomach feel heavy when I thought about Fred marrying someone else...? Oh, I see. I like Fred...

Realizing this in such an inescapable situation, I was as overwhelmed as I was when I entered the hall, if not more so.

And in this situation, I received a signal from the Marquis of Bischoff. Yes, this is a ball, so... I have to dance with Fred next, with these feelings.

"Miss Hermes, may I have your hand?"

"Yes."

Being called by Fred as "Liana" was still not something I was used to. My calm part of the brain was making such observations.

In the center of the hall, we faced each other.

(Wow...)

I was aware of Fred's hand on my back. We had practiced a few times for today. It was a bit embarrassing but manageable then, but now that I was aware, it was no longer possible.

"...Are you nervous?"

"Huh..."

"Your face is red."

The orchestra, which had been playing background music, naturally switched to a slow, gentle tune suitable for the first dance. Fred whispered in a volume that only I could hear, right next to my ear, which made me almost jump in surprise.

My mind was blank, but perhaps because of that, my feet followed the steps I had been taught without freezing.

"Sorry, I surprised you. I know it was sudden, and it must have been a shock."

"...Um..."

"After this, when we've calmed down a bit, would you like to join me in the garden? I want to talk about what I said just now and what I wanted to say in the dressing room."

Fred's hand on my back was warm. I could only nod, unable to respond verbally. Looking up at his pink eyes from close range, I felt a fresh, fluttering sensation despite having seen them many times before.

As I was thinking about what he would say, the first dance ended in a flash.

...Somehow, I managed to dance without stepping on Fred's feet or making any mistakes. As we moved from the center of the hall, several couples took our place, and the second dance began.

Even after the dance, the line of people waiting to greet Fred continued. By the time all the greetings were over, both Fred and I were thoroughly exhausted.

"Marquis of Bischoff, may we go out to the garden for a moment?"

"Yes, leave this to me."

The marquis, smiling with wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, sent us off with a smile.

In the midst of this, I was still tense, wondering what he would say. I was so confused that I didn't even have the presence of mind to realize that we had been holding hands throughout the social event.

We walked through the side of the hall where the skirts of the elegant dresses swayed, and I was led by Fred to the garden, now completely dark.

"Oh, Prince Frederick, it has been so long."

"Congratulations on your recovery."

"We were truly worried when you suddenly disappeared for convalescence."

"Yes, really."

"...Ah... It's been a long time. I'm glad to have recovered."

A row of glass doors lined one wall of the hall. One of them was open, leading to a brick-paved courtyard. As soon as we stepped out, we were greeted by three young ladies. ...No, from their hairstyles and dress designs, they were clearly married. So, they should be called three ladies.

I was, after all, a noble lady myself. From their positions and glances, I sensed a power dynamic and hostility and began to be on guard. Even if I was just a partner, it was a breach of etiquette for them to start a conversation with Fred without greeting me.

Fred seemed to know them, so I left the response to him.

"But, we were surprised. To return from convalescence with a potential fiancée already in tow..."

"She is a completely different type from the previous fiancée, Lady Isabella."

From their glances, I understood that the central beauty was Lady Isabella. Uncomfortable gazes were directed at me.

"Prince Frederick, even when you had a fiancée, you still captured the attention of the young ladies. You must work very hard, my dear."

The three of them exchanged glances and laughed. Behind their fans, their smiles seemed unpleasant.

...Wow. The blatant hostility actually made me calm down. ...Ah, that's right. In such a situation, shouldn't I step forward? Yes, Clovis also said, "Liana, I'm counting on you to keep strange women from getting close to my brother."

Alright.

"But, Prince Frederick... I have already fulfilled my duty by marrying and having a son and a daughter. If Your Highness wishes, as adults... not as a political marriage, but a true love..."

"That's enough. Lady Gadour, I will never fulfill your desires."

Fred firmly declared, pushing away one of them who had tried to lean closer to him.

...I didn't need to step forward after all.

Fred's face, which I glanced at, was as cold as when he had helped me at the Lindemen adventurer's guild. I couldn't help but stare at his profile, and he seemed to notice, turning to look at me. The moment our eyes met, he smiled in his usual soft way... and I couldn't help but smile back.

"This is an unpleasant conversation... I will lodge a protest."

"What...!"

"If that's all, I will take my leave."

He walked past the three, putting some distance between us and them, and we descended into the garden.

The brick-paved walkway was illuminated by the light of the magic lamps, and I walked slowly with Fred's escort.