Chapter 37

‘Is that so obvious…?’

 

The crowd had clearly split into two sides: the Empress and Bastien, the Emperor and Fedeshar. At some point, Bastien had begun dancing with the young ladies. Around us, nobles paired with their partners and stepped onto the floor.

 

“Lepina. Why don’t you dance with the other young lords as well?”

 

There was no escaping my mother’s determined gaze.

 

“Mother, why would Lepina dance with other young lords? I’m right here—”

 

But Mother cut Piote off in one sharp stroke.

 

“What an amusing joke, my son. You are far more urgent than your sister. Go dance with another young lady. Quickly.”

 

Piote flinched at her firm tone. The young ladies who had been peeking this way turned to stare openly. Muscles forged through swordsmanship tended to stir appetites.

 

One young lady blushed and asked him for a dance, and Piote rolled his eyes before accepting without complaint. At last, all that drill-like etiquette we’d hammered into him was showing its worth. I felt proud.

 

“Mother, I’ll just—”

 

“Lep, did you not hear me? You need to dance with another young lord too.”

 

“There’s no one who would even ask me to—”

 

“No one can know that for sure.”

 

Mother sliced my words in half again.

 

“Dear, perhaps you’re putting too much pressure on her—”

 

“You be quiet!”

 

My father, the supposed ally, was no help. I had no choice but to accept my fate and trudged forward—until someone saved me.

 

“My daughter-in-law has no reason to be dancing with other young lords.”

 

‘T-that voice?’

 

Mother immediately bowed to the Duchess.

 

“It has been a while, Duchess Weiss.”

 

“Since the last ball, yes. But… are you forcing my daughter-in-law to dance with other young men?”

 

“Experience is important, isn’t it? At a venue like this, it’s only proper she mingle with various nobles.”

 

I stood in the middle, watching the sparks fly.

 

“My dear, I’d rather you not dance with other young men. Evan will be sad.”

 

He mustn’t be sad!

 

“Of course!”

 

The duchess smiled warmly at my quick agreement, then lifted her eyes toward my mother. Mother snapped open her fan, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly.

 

‘Ah… I shouldn’t have said that.’

 

While I snuck glances at Mother’s expression, the duchess drew her blade first.

 

“Let the children enjoy the party on their own. Lady, why don’t we continue our conversation from last time?”

 

“But of course.”

 

Mother agreed instantly, smiling like a challenger stepping into the ring. I blinked as the duchess winked at me. What did that mean?

 

“Lep, go on your own now. I hope you dance with at least one person—anyone. I’ll be back after speaking with the duchess. Don’t worry, I’ll win.”

 

“And what exactly are you winning—!”

 

She strode off before she could hear me. Father scratched his head and muttered,

 

“You don’t have to become close with anyone if you don’t want to. Do what you like.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Of course, Mother immediately yelled for him.

 

He scurried off, leaving me alone in the eye of the storm. I sighed and looked around.

 

“I know I’ve been keeping to myself too much…”

 

But standing here made it painfully clear. I couldn’t wedge myself into the clusters of young ladies chatting in groups. I hardly knew any young lords, and I knew even fewer young ladies.

 

Someone called me from behind. If they hadn’t, I would’ve been left awkwardly rooted in place, so I greeted them gratefully. A young lord stood there.

 

“Lady Clies, I am Raymond Bilheld. If it isn’t too presumptuous, would you grant me a dance?”

 

“You’re asking… me?”

 

“Is there another lady here besides you?”

 

I was genuinely shocked. Someone—some young lord—was asking me, of all people?

 

I looked around quickly. Then I realized my thinking had been old-fashioned. Around us, people danced freely regardless of engagements.

 

I glanced up at him.

 

‘Hmm… what do I do?’

 

He was a man who looked good with a fresh, bright smile. After a moment’s thought, I took his hand. Mother’s words weighed on me, and standing here doing nothing felt pointless. Besides, a dance could be counted as a simple greeting.

 

“It’s a pleasure.”

 

Raymond danced well. He guided me gently, kept an easy smile, and exchanged light pleasantries. But he clearly studied my expression.

 

“I understand you are engaged to Lord Weiss… but what do you think of me?”

 

“…What do you mean by that?”

 

The air turned uncomfortable. I knew this ball was for seeking marriage partners, but asking me directly like this made no sense.

 

“I was asking how I fare as a marriage prospect.”

 

I almost stumbled.

 

He must’ve taken my shocked silence as politeness, because he started speaking—what were essentially insults—without hesitation.

 

“Isn’t it exhausting to wait endlessly for Lord Weiss? Shouldn’t you each find your own path?”

 

“…Why do you think that?”

 

I truly wanted to know. After all the devotion I’ve poured into Evan, people even think I covet the duchess’s position because of it.

 

“Is there even a reason needed? I simply felt sorry for you. It must be hard waiting for someone whose recovery is uncertain. Especially under the eyes of so many.”

 

Raymond lowered his gaze sorrowfully.

 

“You know of the peculiar tradition of the Weiss ducal house.”

 

“Yes. Very well.”

 

The Weiss family consisted of only one recognized family unit. Anyone who did not bear the Weiss name was expected to leave with a different surname. It prevented conflict and preserved absolute hierarchy.

 

And this Raymond-whatever clearly believed I longed for the duchess’s seat. He skimmed only the surface and dismissed my feelings for Evan entirely. My anger flared.

 

“When you marry, you must consider heirs, must you not? I have no such concerns. I can support myself and my house is respected. More importantly, I would never leave you lonely. Isn’t attending such a grand ball alone… quite desolate?”

 

So that’s why he’d approached me. Whether desire or greed, he was advertising himself as an ideal husband.

 

“Your Clies family has built its wealth, and you run a flourishing trading company. Would we not make good partners?”

 

‘Hah? Look at this bastard.’

 

His already plummeting impression crashed straight through the planet’s core.

 

‘So the trading company is your goal?’

 

My family’s history isn’t long. Father gained the title of count through business. But I have never once been ashamed of my house or its origins. What exactly does lineage feed you? Give you shelter? Money was far more practical.

 

“Lord Bilheld, I’m afraid I must pretend I heard none of that.”

 

“…What a shame. I thought our interests aligned quite well.”

 

Yes, that was your delusion.

 

He backed off more easily than expected. He did add that I could contact him if I changed my mind—but at least he left.

 

“……In a way, I am a desirable bride candidate, huh?”

 

A thought I never expected to have.

 

My trading company was under my own name, and it was thriving. The young lords around me glanced over with the same calculating interest. I slipped away quickly. One never knew.

 

“This should be far enough. No one will try to ask me for a dance now.”

 

“Lady.”

 

“At least I danced with one person, so Mother won’t scold me.”

 

“Lady Clies?”

 

“…?”

 

I’d moved all this way, and someone still followed? Annoyed, I spun around—only to freeze.

 

“Y-Your Highness?”

 

Bastien stood behind me, apparently having approached without notice.

 

“I was surprised you disappeared so quickly.”

 

I opened and closed my mouth, unable to reply. Then he dropped a bolt of lightning on my head.

 

“Lady Clies, may I have the honor of a dance?”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

A commotion erupted around us. Naturally—he was the Crown Prince, and he had approached me first.

 

I stared at his outstretched hand, then pointed at myself. He nodded.

 

I wanted to refuse. I truly did. But… the consequences would be catastrophic.

 

A lady rejecting the Crown Prince? And when he was the one to ask?

 

Bastien’s gentle smile somehow felt threatening.

 

If what he said was true, then he had been looking for me earlier as well. Meaning he was among the men who’d been circling around?

 

“You seemed close with Her Majesty the Empress earlier, didn’t you?”

 

If he thought that situation felt friendly, his eyes must be quite mistaken.

 

When I didn’t take his hand immediately, he looked apologetic.