Watashi wa, Mobu Kyara 02 Social Debut

[Note: the villainess Berlia has become 'Verlia' as that is a legit name (apparently). I changed it so it'd make more sense 030?]

Becoming of age with my social debut approaching, I began receiving invitations to tea parties from a family ours is in good terms with. Talks about Maria and Verlia was often heard there.

Maria is around the same as in the game. Receiving her lady-in-training education in Marquis Bezel’s house, she is preparing for her debut next month like me.

Even in the Mariquis household, it is said that the pretty and graceful Maria is doted on like one’s own daughter. Her relationship with Heinrich appears to be good too.

“They say Miss Maria clinging all over Heinrich-sama that that brother complex is becoming one of Marchioness’s worries.” A certain madam shared the talk with a bitter smile.

Nn? Wasn’t Heinrich the one who stuck to Maria worryingly enough to be called a siscon?

“Speaking of which, I happened to see Duke Mardland’s daughter at the church previously, her beauty really opens one’s eyes”

“My, it seems like the rumour of her rarely showing herself in social parties but frequents churches and establishments was true”

The eyes of the ladies here seem to sparkle whenever Verlia becomes the topic. It appears that although Verlia had her social debut last year, she’s barely attended since and most people only know from rumours.

Not only that, a lot of the nobles noted of philanthropy have a representative go while Verlia is said to attend in person. Her beauty and chaste gave birth to soaring popularity, seemingly becoming the admiration of many ladies.

When it comes to Verlia, the game has her showiness and haughtiness spread amongst high society in the perfect making for a typical villain… but here, the impression is quite different.

This out-of-place scenario expanded my doubt as time went by.

It is custom here that girls who are relatives or in families above the status Barons have their social debut once they turn 18. The debut is set every month in the palace ball and in the month of their birthdays, starting with the king and royal family members as audience, they have their first dance with the crown prince. (If no prince is there then the king will dance with you).

So there will be several ladies like me who have their social debut. Maria is one of them.

The order is decided by rank of course, and Maria is the last one. But this ‘last’ one is the peculiarity with Richard falling for Maria, not letting her go after one song but dancing eternally till Heinrich put a stop to it. It’s is an event that occurs no matter which route was taken so I’m quite looking forward to seeing it lay out in front of my own eyes.

“Lady Liliana Castral, I request for a dance?”

Richard’s voice travelled to my ear as I was recalling the event scene.

Ah, so it was my turn.

“… best regards”

Putting my hand on his, Richard elegantly invited me to the centre of the dance hall.

It was noted in the game but Richard really is good at dancing. I thoroughly learnt how to dance as a lady-to-be but with Richard leading, I can even be in thought while dancing. It is thanks to that that I can take my time observing Richard as I danced.

… A pretty face as though graphics were made into human form. His straight golden hair ends around the shoulders and his light blue eyes are as refreshing as if it were the reflection of the clear blue sky. His fine features and white skin matches well with the princely uniform that seemed to have come out of a fairy tale. His voice is the exact same as the game’s voice actors too.

But most of all, he returns you a kind smile even when being impolitely gazed at… a real prince.

While I was thinking of such, the song ended with us bowing our thanks.

I separated from Richard and left the centre of the hall. Richard went to off greet the next lady.

I looked towards the hall once again after moving to a corner and found Heinrich dancing. His partner is a blonde hair blue eyed beauty ––– Verlia!

I knew from one look. The beauty of the graphics remained as is and, without any showiness, they gathered the attention of the hall in an instance.

However, rather than the formidable impression she gave in the game, the Verlia in front of me doesn’t smile much and appears docile. She’s dancing with Heinrich but Heinrich seems to be the one who’s happy. Verlia looks bewildered in comparison.

As I was staring at the two, the chest of someone fully dressed in military uniform appeared before me.

“Lady Liliana, may I have a dance?”

After the first dance, guys in the hall can invite the debutante they fancy for a dance. The person who will invite me has come – Or so I thought but this voice…

Looking up, I found second prince Albrecht presenting me his hand.

I wonder what’s the meaning of this?

Peaking over to the debutantes who have yet to have their first dance… It appears that there is still some time to wait for Maria’s turn.

If I remember right, after Maria’s first dance, Albrecht and Heinrich will invite her for a second dance. And then events will occur in their respective route but… Aah, I see. It’s to kill time until Maria’s first dance is over.

That was what I thought but with no leakage of the thought, I returned him a smile.

“Please treat me well”

The invitation of a highly recommended character, I don’t think there’ll be any idiot who’d refuse. I observed Albrecht while dancing.

Although not as good as Richard, Albrecht’s lead is enough for me to observe with composure.

On his tanned skin showed similar well-ordered features to that of Richard’s. Being stared at by his slit black eyes gave my heart a startle. As the commanding officer of crown prince’s associate guards, his gallantness in full military uniform makes him a million times cooler than in game. His short black hair unexpectedly appears soft too…

If we talk about character popularity amongst the players, Albrecht ranks third but… I’ve fallen for his voice and liked him the most.

It’s like a dream for a mob character like me to have a dance with him. But ‘it is a chance to get closer!’ is not a thought I would have.

This side’s just the daughter of a count household. Although a noble, our position is not high enough to be a bride candidate for the royal family. My father too, stops at being an aide in government affairs. Even if it’s the bride candidate for the second prince, a lady of a higher status (Marquis family and above) or with relatives of cabinet minister class is suitable. And such ladies are scattering around everywhere. I’m not foolish enough to desire more than what’s already happening and am well aware of my own position. (I’m just a mob after all!)

“Is there something on my face?”

“!!”

Albrecht suddenly closed the distance between us and whispered into me ear… My waist gave in that very moment.

“Ootto, you alright?”

Holding my waist in his arms, he caught me from collapsing to my feet. The me who couldn’t put any power into my legs could only cling onto him who was supporting me.

I wonder if those who have fallen for voice actors can understand this feeling of mine?

I liked Albrecht the most amongst the characters in [Royal Palace’s Love Story ~Search for true love] and, am charmed by his voice.

Although I say being charmed by his voice, it’s a bit different from directly liking the voice actor. If it’s the voice then Albrecht’s voice is the hit. I’ve fallen for that type of voice. So even if the same voice actor acts out other characters, the love doesn’t flow on to those ones.

To have the voice you’ve fallen for whisper softly to your ears… that destructive power is not to be underestimated. It’s as if a sense of electric shock extracts enough strength from you to not be able to stand; an unbelievable experience even for myself.

“Did you get a sprain? Should we rest? Can you walk?” Albrecht held onto me as he asked, concerned.

Nonchalantly moving to a corner without others noticing, he exited to the balcony and had me sit on a vacant sofa.

Sitting on the sofa while receiving cool breezes of the night wind, I managed to calm down somewhat… my legs were still stiff in trembles though.

“Where did you sprain? Does it hurt?”

On the balcony deserted from people, Albrecht kneeled down to check my feet. The sense of a smooth, gentle brush on my feet brought shivers down my spine.

“I-I am fine… I didn’t sprain myself so…”

I tried freeing my foot, no longer able to keep quiet but… since Albrecht was gently griping onto it, I couldn’t flatly free it either.

“You didn’t? Then, why did you fall over that time?”

My eyes locked with his pair of worried-looking ones.

“Ah… that…”

My cheeks started to get hot at the thought of being gazed at by my favourite character. Not being able to put it into words properly bet my heart even further.

“Was I bad at leading?”

“There is no such thing!”

Shaking my head back and forth I used my whole body to deny the idea but, Albrecht only had a troubled expression in return.

“…… voice is…”

I hesitantly spoke in a small voice.

“Voice?”

“… Albrecht-sama’s voice… is um… I… really like so…”

Regardless of what happened in my old life, I am an 18 years old young girl in this life. Although a voice, to say that I ‘like’ it is not simple. I became as red as an octopus and hung my head in shame.

Albrecht stood up. I could tell from his presence.

I guess it’s something amongst the lines of being amazed or finding it disgusting…

My heart froze rapidly with prickling pain upon the thought that he’d directly go back to hall after this. But Albrecht held the back of the sofa with two hands instead, trapping me into his arms…

Eh?

Raising my head, I found Albrecht smiling at me somewhat alluringly and… gradually closing the gap, he drew his lips close to my ear.

“You like my voice?”

“–!!”

During the dance I had no resistance whatsoever but right now, it’s the second time. I’m sitting on the sofa too so there’s no collapsing and so on but… shivers went down my spine.

“It’s true, you really react to my voice. How cute…”

Validating the me who has her face fully red, Albrecht drew close to my cheek and ear once again, close enough for me to feel his breathing…

“The one you like is, only my voice?”

Saying so with a soft voice, he playfully bit onto my ear. The inner part of my body throbbed and something seemed to oozed out.

I’ll start feeling it so please stop! Who is this person? Was Albrecht such a character? I’m not Maria! Don’t confuse us!

I shouted in my heart but no voice came out.

In my last life, I said I had experience with people but, that is, in the end, an experience concerning general associations. My experience with association in the men and women area is close to zero. My first was with my husband and, I haven’t gotten close to men other than relatives before entering the work force; basically a complete, sheltered daughter.

I became fearful of the situation and began trembling. Albrecht who seems to have noticed wore a bitter smile in response.

“Sorry… Did I scare you?”

Albrecht distanced himself from me but, I remain trapped in his arms. I gazed as him while trembling.

There seemed of be a sense of passion in Albrecht’s pair of eyes that stared into me. Must be my imagination.

“Your highness Albrecht, his majesty the king called you over. Will you return to the hall?”

Although sudden, the page’s voice that travelled had a degree of care to not surprise the other party… I wonder when he came here?

I don’t know from where he watched but I was once again admitted to the fact that something like “to flirt without getting exposed by anyone” is impossible.

“Che, even though I wanted to be alone with Liliana. How boorish of Father…” said Albrecht as though uninterested.

“Liliana, I’m happy to have met you today. Enjoy your stay”

He swept a kiss on my check as he stood up and headed inside with the guidance of the page. I remained in my seat, frozen stiff.

I wasn’t able to move for a while. My heart was thumping so loud it became noisy.

Why am I getting kissed? I’m a mob… No no no, cannot misunderstand! With me it’s play, his real feelings should be towards the heroine… but if a mob character is already on this level of sweetness, how sweet would it become with Maria? If I was Maria I’d definitely die…

I shut a certain doubt in the depths of my heart as I interpreted.