Episode 46

I looked into the Crown Prince’s eyes and gave a fake smile.

Meanwhile, an awkward scene unfolded because I ended up walking out with Aria, side by side, after fixing the brooch.

“You do look like sisters when standing together.”

“Did you coordinate your dresses? Is that the latest trend in Orlande?”

…A scene of me, who always kept my distance, seemingly fitting into this household.

‘And quite splendidly at that.’

The fact that my dress had been matched with Aria’s in a patchwork style to increase the credibility of her appearance contributed to us looking like sisters.

“But that fabric piece…”

People began murmuring even more when they recognized the crest of the Elzerian family on the front of my dress.

Once I thought I’d left a strong enough impression, I took Chris’s hand and descended, leaving Aria behind.

“Ah…”

I saw Aria reaching out longingly toward Chris.

Afraid that Chris might instinctively respond to her, I tightened my grip on his hand and quickened our pace.

“Young Lady?”

Chris flinched slightly at the touch of my hand. I whispered, feeling a bit awkward.

“There’s someone else who should escort a debutante.”

Even as I said it, it felt like an excuse. Chris, without a word, simply held my hand in return. The mild warmth seeped through our gloves once again.

‘Though the person who was supposed to escort her seems quite upset.’

The Crown Prince looked thoroughly displeased.

For some reason, the dissatisfaction on his conceited face wasn’t just because his gift ended up with another lady.

But that didn’t last long.

Thanks to the band starting to play a song dedicated to Aria. The piece itself had been composed by a renowned musician, exclusively for her.

“Presenting Lady Aria Reinhardt, the star of the evening.”

Vermont, the young butler, hurried to smooth things over.

Duke Reinhardt looked nervously at the Crown Prince, who sighed before ascending the stairs to escort Aria.

“Oh my, what a lovely couple.”

“For His Highness the Crown Prince to act as her partner, what an honor indeed…”

Even as people said those words, I could sense their hesitation. It was natural.

‘Their attitudes are both problematic.’

The Crown Prince made no effort to hide his annoyance as he casually extended his hand to Aria.

‘He’s acting like he didn’t want to be her partner in the first place.’

As his gaze lazily scanned the group of blushing young ladies, it eventually landed on me. I blatantly avoided his eyes.

Aria, on the other hand, didn’t seem too eager to take the Crown Prince’s hand either, her dazed eyes lingering on Chris instead.

And Chris…

“Do you think those two will work out?”

He whispered to me, just loud enough that only I could hear.

“At the very least, the Duke wishes for it.”

“If the Duke manages to form an alliance with the imperial family… it wouldn’t be favorable for us.”

“There’s nothing we can do to stop their relationship.”

“Why not?”

Because that’s the flow of the original story.

Instead of saying that, I whispered softly.

“Right now, there’s no legitimate reason to oppose their union. Especially since both the Duke and the Empress Dowager are in favor of it.”

“Well, that’s true…”

“There are far more obstacles in the way of a marriage between you and me, Your Grace.”

At that, Chris let out a small sigh. I quickly added,

“Don’t worry. I have no real intention of marrying Your Grace.”

As soon as I said that, Chris quietly looked down at me. His gaze was intense, bordering on obsessive.

I whispered again, trying to reassure him.

“I mean it. I promised to leave.”

“……”

Chris seemed like he wanted to say something.

“…Are you really going to leave?”

“Yes. I’ve even selected a few possible places to go.”

I said it to ease his worries, but Chris suddenly fell silent, lost in thought.

I turned my gaze toward the Crown Prince and Aria.

The Crown Prince, with a sigh, spoke to Aria.

“You’re wearing the brooch ‘I’ gave you, Lady.”

‘He really couldn’t sound any more disinterested.’

Aria, sensing his displeasure, replied awkwardly.

“…Yes. I am grateful for such a precious gift.”

“You’re welcome.”

‘At least tell her it suits her, you fool.’

It was an utterly dull conversation, but it seemed to work on the uncertain crowd.

“Oh, so that brooch really was from the Crown Prince…”

“Is it true they’re going to be together?”

“What a well-matched pair.”

They certainly looked the part. After all, weren’t they crafted as the perfect male and female protagonists for this world?

The air was filled with excitement. Chris sighed quietly again.

“Even so, if the Duke and the imperial family form an alliance, things will get difficult. We might need a strategy to deal with their union.”

“…For now, we can only try to draw as much attention as they are. It’d be great if they’d stumble over something.”

Just as I finished speaking, a soft melody filled the hall. The time for the ball had come.

Instinctively, I tried to slip to the side. It had become a habit for me to become a wallflower at balls.

But then, a gentle hand caught me.

“Your Grace?”

“Shall we dance, just for one song?”

Chris wrapped his arm around my waist and led me onto the dance floor. I stiffened involuntarily with tension.

“You don’t have to go this far…”

“You were the one who said we needed to draw as much attention as them.”

He had a point.

I almost lowered my head, but quickly straightened it again in surprise. His broad chest was right in front of me, and my ears reddened without me realizing it.

“…I don’t know how to dance.”

“Fortunately, I do.”

“That’s unexpected.”

 

* * *

“Because I was stuck in the capital for so long.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need for apologies.”

I swallowed a bitter smile and cautiously placed my hand on Chris’s shoulder.

‘Don’t tremble.’

As I shifted my gaze, I caught sight of someone fidgeting beyond Chris’s shoulder.

‘…Why is that person here?’

It was Viscount Yuta standing in the corner. He seemed to be speaking with someone nearby.

Who was that again?

‘Was it Marquess Allensha?’

I think that was the name.

Just as I continued my thoughts, my body was spun around to the rhythm of the music. Chris met my gaze.

“It was you, Lady, who promised to focus solely on me.”

“……”

“And to pretend to be in love with me, like you wanted to be my lover.”

…Chris’s whisper sent a tickle through my ear.

“I’m sorry. I’ll do my part.”

I looked up at Chris with a repentant expression. He was as beautiful as ever. As we spun together, I felt his hand, and Chris spoke again.

“I’m glad that time stuck in the capital has proven useful, at least in this way.”

“……”

“At the time, I couldn’t understand why I had to be there. It was unbearable.”

I recalled Chris’s time in the prison, where he had shuddered in self-reproach, thinking he should never have come.

‘Every moment here was unbearable.’

As I remembered his voice confessing that, Chris’s whisper, as warm as a breeze, reached me.

“It doesn’t feel so unbearable now.”

I pushed down the emotions rising within me.

“…Because you’re in the process of overthrowing the Duke’s household.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m glad you’ve come to think of it that way.”

Before I could finish whispering, the song ended. Once you’ve danced with a partner once, you cannot dance with them again in succession.

I removed my hand from Chris’s, even though it was reluctant to leave.

Chris turned his steps toward the terrace, glancing back at me. It was a subtle declaration that he wouldn’t dance any further.

“Your Grace…”

Aria, who had been approaching, hesitated and stopped. I saw Marquess Allensha, who had been next to Viscount Yuta, asking Aria for a dance.

Chris looked at me once more, as if inviting me to join him on the terrace.

I was about to nod and agree when—

“Now it’s my turn.”

The Crown Prince approached with an arrogant smile.

Before I could express my refusal, he snatched my hand.

“…!”

Both Chris and I stiffened at the same time. A lively waltz began to play.

“Your Highness.”

I twisted my lips into a smile, making sure to keep my face lowered so the Crown Prince wouldn’t see my irritation. Despite the annoyance bubbling up inside, my voice flowed sweetly.

“I thought you were someone who at least asked for permission from your partner.”

“The young lady wouldn’t let me approach. Strange, isn’t it?”

“There’s someone else Your Highness should be concerned with.”

“I came here thinking you were my partner from the start. The Duke asked me to be Lady Reinhardt’s partner, so I assumed it was you.”

Half true, half false. The Crown Prince knew about Aria’s existence.

“Did that lady take your brooch as well?”

This was a complete misstep.

“Aria didn’t take it—”

“It’s a precious item. You’re too modest.”

Just as I was about to respond—

Screech!

A discordant noise interrupted the music, and we both froze.

‘What’s going on?’

Quickly pulling away from the Crown Prince, I shifted my gaze to find the source of the disturbance.

In the center of the ballroom, Aria stood pale, surrounded by other young ladies.

And opposite her was…

‘Marquess Allensha?’

Viscount Yuta, standing nearby, was equally pale. Marquess Allensha’s face was also drained of color, but there was a look of determination on his lips.

I heard Aria’s faint, trembling voice.

“I am not a thief!”