Chapter 27

Five men

 

After dancing with the Crown Prince and the Prince, Retina collapsed into a chair as if she had been defeated. Dancing in the hall had drained her energy.

“Retina, what’s going on? Did something happen between you and that scoundrel Herald without our knowing? No! Absolutely not! Despite appearances, he’s a lunatic. Our Retina just needs to use him and then discard him!”

“Until now, I only advised you to get close to Herald to establish your position in society, nothing more. After the debutante ball, just ignore him as if he’s a stranger. If anyone bothers you or harasses you, let me know immediately. Do you understand, Retina? There’s nothing for your older brothers to worry about, right?”

During the dance with Norden, they seemed to have a conversation that continued throughout their dance. The screams they heard a while ago were probably not just their imagination.

Even though they were far apart, the twins acted like one. She was worried that they might have found out about what happened that day, but luckily, it didn’t seem like the issue they were discussing. Retina put her worries aside and relaxed in her seat.

“How was it? Was it bearable?”

The Duchess, who had been sitting beside her and was now massaging her aching foot, asked Retina.

“It was very tiring. Everyone ate as much as they did at the banquet, but how can they endure this exhausting ball after eating just that much?”

“It’s because of the tightly cinched corset. It squeezes you to the limit, leaving no room for hunger. So, did you fill in the gaps a bit?”

Instead of a hundred excuses, showing the Duchess was probably better. Retina handed her dance card to the Duchess in response to her question.

“I’ve attended debutante balls for nearly 40 years, and this is the first time I’ve seen such an empty dance card.”

The Duchess, who had seen Retina’s dance card, couldn’t help but exclaim. It was hard to tell whether it was an admiring exclamation or a critical one.

“In a different sense, it’s difficult to ask anyone to dance.”

Although it was Chaperon’s job to review the guest list and arrange dance partners for those who didn’t have one, Retina’s dance card had no room for any changes.

Translators: Stardust. Read on moonlight novels only

Because of the five men who had written their names earlier, there were concerns that they might be rejected before they even got a chance to ask Retina to dance. As a result, they hadn’t approached Retina, leaving her with less than five partners.

“Since they’ve been watching you closely from the beginning, it’s not surprising that the young gentlemen haven’t approached you.”

“I didn’t ask for this…!”

“Someone might find this story of a love rivalry between the Crown Prince and a foreign prince interesting. It’s a story any lady might imagine.”

“It’s only good when it’s a story, not something that actually happens!”

Retina sighed and adjusted her disheveled hair. She took a sip of champagne, hoping it would help her cope with the chaotic situation. With her brothers making things so complicated, she had no idea how to find one more dance partner.

“Just one more person, no more, no less…”

No one wanted to compete with the Crown Prince of Rudenheim and the Prince of Raglaras for Retina. They assumed that they wouldn’t stand a chance, especially since Retina seemed to regard everyone else as dried-up squids in the sunlight. In the competitive marriage market, no one was willing to take such a risky gamble.

“What happens if we can’t find the minimum number of partners here?”

“If you can’t find partners with such a promising background, you might have to hold another debutante ball.”

“No, absolutely not!”

Retina shouted as she stood up. Why was the Duchess so composed? Was it okay for her to have to go through another debutante ball?

“If even with such a great group of suitors, you fail, then that’s your destiny.”

The Duchess raised her tea cup leisurely as she watched Retina, who was tearing her hair out next to her. It meant that she had done her part, and if Retina couldn’t keep up, it was her problem. If Retina really couldn’t find enough partners, she would do whatever it took to make up the numbers, but that was a last resort.

“It would have been so much easier if it weren’t for the Crown Prince.”

The Duchess smiled, savoring the faint scent of the rising tea. The two Deneuve brothers had done some matchmaking behind the scenes. However, instead of helping Retina build her reputation, they seemed to have designated Retina as their match, making it difficult for the young gentlemen to approach her.

“I’ll have to watch this for a long time. The guy who used to act as if he had no emotions when he was young and changed his date every time he went out now seems to be in love.”

The Duchess found Herald’s reaction interesting, regardless of Retina’s situation. When he was young, he behaved as if he lacked emotions, changing his date every time he went out, which disgusted the Empress. But today, he seemed to have a face of someone truly in love.

‘He looks as if he’s seeing Cecilia herself.’

The Duchess looked at Retina, who was nervously tapping her legs, as she thought about the possibility of having to hold another debutante ball. Retina had always been unpredictable, from suddenly declaring that she would marry the Deneuve’s to today’s situation. The Duchess gently swept her tea cup with her thumb.

“If this continues, you really won’t be able to find five partners.”

“W-what should I do? Do I really have to hold another debutante ball?”

“Do it all over again? You can’t be serious!”

Retina held the Duchess, as if unable to believe what she was hearing. Her sparkling eyes were filled with a plea for help.

“You can’t keep avoiding things that don’t fit with you forever; remember I told you that? Do you understand now?”

The Duchess didn’t easily provide a solution as Retina clung to her desperately. Unlike the frantic Retina, she maintained her composure and waited patiently.

“To gather those five on your dance card is a skill in itself,” I thought.

While Retina was preoccupied with how to fill the last slot, she noticed man, who was approaching with a clear purpose. He first greeted the Duchess.

“Hello, Your Grace. It’s been a while since we last met. You seem even healthier since then.”

“Yes, indeed. I’ve been paying more attention to my health with all the tasks I have these days. Illiyan, you were said to be busy learning from Marquis Zenferno.”

“It’s my only sister’s debutante ball, so no matter what happens, I had to come. Besides, the Crown Prince was also looking for you, so I came up here before anyone else.”

Illiyan, even though he was in front of the Duchess, didn’t lose his confidence. After exchanging a few words in their usual conversation, he naturally turned his attention to Retina, his original purpose.

“Could I have the pleasure of introducing myself to the young lady who is under the care of the Duchess?”

Retina’s image was reflected in his round glasses. Anticipating the conversation that would follow, the Duchess nodded in agreement.

“Retina, this is Illiyan Zenferno, the Marquis Zenferno’s son. He knows your brothers.”

“It’s nice to meet you for the first time, Lady Cecilia. I’m Illiyan Zenferno.”

Translators: Stardust. Read on moonlight novels only

“Retina is the one I entrusted to handle Chaperon.”

“Hello. I’m Retina Cecilia of the Duke of Deneuve’s family.”

Zenferno? Where have I heard that name before? As Retina exchanged greetings with Illiyan through the Duchess, she tried to recall where she had heard that name. It seemed unfamiliar for someone who claimed to be on friendly terms with her brothers. She couldn’t quite remember why it sounded familiar.

“Ah, you’re the sister of the Deneuve brothers. I’ve heard about Lady from both of them.”

In the meantime, Illiyan smiled, pretending to know Retina. Why did everyone seem to talk about the same thing regarding her brothers?

“It would be impolite not to ask the lady I’ve exchanged greetings with for a dance. Lady Cecilia, would you honor me with the privilege of dancing together at your debutante ball?”

He asked for a dance as if he knew that Retina was struggling to fill the dance card. The grand ball had already reached its 13th song out of the total 15.

Although not accustomed to refusing people, Retina firmly shook Illiyan’s outstretched hand. She then placed the dance card in his hand, making sure he couldn’t easily let go.

“Please write your name quickly.”