Chapter 7
A silence hung in the air. In an inexplicably awkward moment, the atmosphere grew tense.
Both Knoxus and Assad seemed to grapple momentarily to fully grasp the implications behind Adriana's closing statement. Then, with a furrowed brow, Knoxus mumbled.
"What... I wasn't referring to that woman."
Naturally, I discerned that Knoxus wasn't addressing me. However, if he wished to regard me in such a manner, he certainly had the prerogative to do so. Hmmm, oh my.
There's no necessity to remind me of my role in such a way. It's as though you're deliberately intensifying things for Knoxus.
Assad cleared his throat before speaking. His tone bore a hint of awkwardness similar to his brother's.
"Well, if I were in his position, I wouldn't act foolishly like that."
Knoxus raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Assad's response.
"Just who... Well, I'm not concerned about my social standing when it comes to a beautiful woman. What do you think, Sasha? I apologize if my words offended you."
"It's not quite like that, Your Highness. Rather, I'm concerned about appearing presumptuous."
My response was accompanied by a smile that caused his purple eyes to twitch—both of them.
Speaking of the Duke of Flame and Fury, he seemed to be contemplating assaulting the Prince, but Alfonsina's firm grip on his hand prevented any outburst. Thankfully, he exercised patience.
"Could I perhaps request a dance as a gesture of apology, Ducal Prince?"
I hesitated, stealing a glance back at Benya. Benya, who had been silently observing the situation, spoke up with a calm and dry voice.
"You certainly have a distinctive way of apologizing, as always."
"No need to mention it. I genuinely mean it. I apologize for my previous words. I lack a partner, but it seemed you both were enjoying each other's company, and I unintentionally dampened the mood."
He was still smirking, but his tone had an unexpected humility. Given that the prince had gone to such lengths, it felt difficult to refuse.
Benya subtly strengthened the hand resting on my shoulder before gradually releasing his arm.
"If you're insistent."
Several couples were already swaying on the dance floor in harmonious motion. Knoxus guided me seamlessly into the dance. Oops, I had someone else in mind for my first dance at the court banquet.
"Did I cause you trouble again?"
Suppressing my laughter at his cautiously whispered words as he drew me closer, I responded…
"Not at all. By the way, why doesn't Your Highness have a dance partner?"
"It's rather pointless, but more importantly, my earlier remark..."
"Don't worry, Your Highness. I understand that your comments weren't directed at me."
"In that case, I'm relieved... Your dancing skills are truly exceptional."
Abruptly, Knoxus shifted his focus and locked his eager, searching gaze on my face. Deliberately, I managed a faint smile.
"Thank you. I've put considerable effort into learning."
"Really? Did you learn it while being whipped?"
"What… Well, it’s similar to that.”
Though it was still better than some of my experiences, during those times in the tower, I had only managed to grasp the basics. My school's dance instructor had quite a fearsome reputation. Sigh.
"Unfortunately, that's the way of the world nowadays."
"Your Highness, of course, you might not grasp this well, but..."
"Do you see me as a narrow-minded individual confined to reading books within the palace? What kind of dance is that? Tell me, was it akin to your experience of learning to ride a horse? Or any of your other respectable education?"
"Your Highness..."
Has he completely forgotten that I went to school at Vibrato?
Despite not being the type to isolate himself and read books all day, it appeared he had no insight into the experiences of attending a foreign boarding school with students from diverse backgrounds.
Either that or his confirmation bias was intensifying.
His deep purple eyes shimmered dimly as his grip on my waist tightened.
"Is it the same today?"
Following his gaze, I peered in the direction he was looking. Seated at a distant table was Benya, engrossed in conversation with someone in priestly attire while puffing on a cigarette.
Sensing Knoxus' intense gaze, Benya's attention shifted, and he frowned slightly.
"... Avoid doing that."
I murmured softly, causing Knoxus to flinch once more, his gaze turning downward to meet mine.
Just as the song came to an end, the partners exchanged, and I was on the verge of leaving. However, the next person in line was such a charmer that I couldn't resist dancing once more.
“Did my brother say something unnecessary?”
“What do you mean by something unnecessary?”
"Like reprimanding you or humiliating you."
I chuckled softly. Assad also smiled and took my hand gently. Perhaps due to my mood, his deep and warm purple eyes held a special significance as they gazed into mine today.
“You look exquisitely beautiful today, as always. Though I'm sure you've grown weary of hearing it."
"Thank you. I have no match against Your Highness."
"Are you being influenced by your superiors? I detect a distinct lack of sincerity in your words."
"I mean that sincerely."
After a lively dance with Assad, in stark contrast to Knoxus, the next person to lead me in a dance was our bear-like Duke.
“Sasha, just hang in there. Sooner or later, I'll find an opportunity and assassinate that foolish prince.”
“… If you do that, your family's reputation will be ruined, Oppa. Did you dance with Alsie?”
"Of course! Oh, but it's truly enjoyable. Since we're all here together.”
A meaningful gaze passed between us as he grinned sardonically. We both shared the same sentiment.
If only Estelle could have been here.
"Should I have brought Mr. Wendy?"
"What? Hey, hahaha! Wouldn't those sold-out dolls become trendy again? Those “cycling” seems to be gaining popularity these days."
"Indeed, Oppa should give it a try. It's quite entertaining."
"I-I just prefer horseback riding."
Even as the Duke of Flame and Fury, he seemed equally hesitant when it came to bicycles. Well, he'll eventually get the hang of it.
After dancing with Lethias, I finally left the dance floor. My intention was to head straight back to Benya, but I thought it best to make a quick stop at the restroom first.
About to ask a passing attendant with a tray of drinks for directions, while I was just about to head in that direction.
“… Excuse me!"
Stepping out of the ballroom into a corridor on the right, I was followed by someone who called out in a low, somewhat high-pitched voice—distinctly Flor's.
Without turning around, I recognized her voice.
I've heard she hasn't been much on the social scene lately. So she wouldn't miss an event like this.
“Oh, Lady Vivora. It's been a while."
Unlike me, who was genuinely glad to see her again, Flor appeared far from pleased.
She approached me directly, her turquoise eyes ablaze, arms crossed tightly. I couldn't help but admire her straightforward demeanor.
“What are you going to do?”
"What? What do you mean?"
“… The thing you sent to our house. It's been frustrating for me! You sent it under your name. What could possibly have agitated my ailing father so much?”
I was puzzled. All I had sent was a brief note wishing him a speedy recovery and an old fountain pen.
A memento from Flor's father's late older brother.
The same fountain pen that Lethias had received as a birthday gift from him ages ago.
“I only wanted to convey my sincerity, a heartfelt wish for his swift recovery.”
“Interesting… Ahem, I've heard it was a keepsake from my deceased uncle. The question is, why did you send it? My cousins certainly wouldn't have asked you to do such a thing. So, what sort of trick are you trying to pull?"
“Why do you always assume I have ulterior motives? If you're suspicious, you're welcome to inquire about me with your parents.”
“My parents are…!”
Flor attempted to raise her voice but caught herself, glancing around and quickly lowering her tone. No matter how impulsive she might be, she appeared to have picked up a bit of discretion along the way.
“… I apologize for almost drowning you the last time.”
I tilted my head and smiled. The fact that Flor was apologizing to me herself seemed to wound her pride, but she continued speaking in a hushed voice.
“But what does it have to do with my parents… No, honestly, both you and my parents seem to be hiding something, and it's driving me crazy not knowing what it is.”
“…”
“Well, all the adults just say that my older cousins were entranced by you and took the wrong path, and sometimes it looks like that's the case, but other times it doesn't. What the hell... I've known who you are since I was little, but even knowing that, just what the hell are you up to? What kind of secret do you all have that makes everyone shut up whenever I bring it up with my parents?”
“Then hear it directly from your parents.”
“Because my parents, my relatives, everyone won't talk! Oh, it's so frustrating. And after all these years, why did you suddenly involve the youngest uncle? Is it just a coincidence that my father's condition worsened? Are you...”
Flor, who had been openly sharing the suspicions she'd been harboring, suddenly lowered her voice even further and squinted her eyes. Naturally, I feigned a slight head tilt. Are you?
“So, we're somehow related by blood, right?”
“… Hahaha!”
I couldn't help but burst into laughter at the unexpected question. Flor, who was looking up at me with a puzzled expression, blushed a moment later.
“Oh, don't laugh! I-I know it sounds a bit ridiculous, but...”
“Pft, hahaha! Ah, young lady... Ahahaha!”
"Don't laugh!"
“Madame Sasha?”
As Flor stomped her foot and grew more irritated, another one of their cousins approached us hastily. It was the banking apprentice.
Flor's eyebrows shot up immediately.
“What's with the ‘Ma~dame Sasha’? Pierro, are you finally not in your right mind?”
“I must be more in my right mind than you. Were you bullying her again?"
"Ha!"
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