NOVEL NEXT Chapter 63
Translator: Elisia
Editor/Proofreader: TempWane
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“In my eyes, I only see two young ladies here. Who exactly is escorting whom?”
“Well, naturally, I was escorting Lady Elsie.”
“Huh?”
“The Grand Duke’s daughter is escorting the baron’s daughter? Are you saying someone of higher status is escorting someone of lower status?”
“At a ball, escorts aren’t determined by status but by familiarity. The one more accustomed to such events typically escorts the one less familiar. That’s the essence of an escort, isn’t it? Lady Elsie, as you know, is a baroness and has spent most of her time in nature. She’s not accustomed to complex social gatherings like this.”
“Huh?”
“I was under the impression that the two of you have been inseparable as guard and guarded for over a decade now. In that case, Lady Delkis must have accompanied the Grand Duke’s daughter to many such events. Are you telling me she’s never been to one like this?”
“The ones who usually escorted me were my relatives—either my father or other times my uncle. But, as you are well aware, Delkis is currently engaged in battles, and all the men capable of fighting are either preparing for or participating in those battles. Unfortunately, Elsie never had the opportunity to attend such events. Most of the time, she’s simply been my guard.”
The Crown Prince turned his gaze toward me. His expression seemed to ask, ‘Is that true?’ Hastily, I nodded.
The truth was, about seventy percent of that was exaggerated nonsense. I had always found these events unbearably uncomfortable, and Amelia had taken it upon herself to concoct an excuse for me.
As a branch family of the Grand Ducal House, Delkis could easily arrange for an escort if requested. However, among those who could escort me was Amelia’s father. If I wasn’t careful, I might end up as the “noble lady escorted by the Grand Duke himself.”
The Grand Duke understood well that neither of us wanted me in such a position, so he tacitly gave his blessing to Amelia’s far-fetched explanation.
I’m surround by such considerate people.
…Though now wasn’t the time for gratitude.
“In that case, wouldn’t I be the most appropriate choice?”
What nonsense was this man spouting?
Ignoring my expression of utter disbelief—or perhaps enjoying it—Crown Prince Evan struck his chest with his fist and said,
“If this is Lady Delkis’ debut in society, wouldn’t it be fitting for me to properly introduced her to society, yes? I can make her debut even more grand and dazzling.”
A faint gasp of breath from those around us startled me.
When I regained my senses, I realized we were surrounded by people watching the scene unfold.
Well, it made sense. After all, the crown prince was speaking to us, and not just anyone—Amelia, the Grand Duke’s daughter. To passer-by, it looked as though the crown prince and the duke’s daughter were fighting over a baroness’ daughter.
Even explaining it in words felt absurd. How must it seem to those witnessing it firsthand?
Especially considering they were nobles with deeply ingrained, conservative, medieval views on gender and class.
“I-I apologize.”
Desperate to resolve the situation, I hurriedly opened my mouth.
“But my dancing skills are utterly dreadful, and I’d only embarrass Your Highness.”
There was an audible intake of breath from the crowd.
After all, I had just openly rejected the Crown Prince’s offer to dance.
Of course, if I had accepted and danced poorly, they would have mocked me behind my back anyway.
The more glamorous and grand a debut, the harsher the criticism from society if one failed to meet expectations. Given my late debut, I already had a mark against me.
Not that I intended to debut in the first place.
“I could teach you well.”
But the Crown Prince was persistent.
The more he spoke, the more he seemed to enjoy the situation. As I thought about it, I realized he probably relished having the upper hand in this scenario.
Back in Delkis, my home ground, the circumstances had been different. But now, in his homeland—or at least, his territory—he had the advantage.
Could he see this all as some sort of “round two” for him?
“Your Highness.”
But Amelia cut him off firmly.
“I’m sorry, but Elsie’s first dance partner is already decided.”
“Oh? And who might that be?”
As if he had anticipated the answer, or perhaps was merely curious, the Crown Prince exaggerated his surprise.
Who could it be? Amelia hadn’t discussed this with me.
Could she have arranged for one of my distant relatives to attend? Knowing her, that wouldn’t be out of the question.
“When one attends such events, the first person they dance and learn with is usually the one escorting them. That’s the most comfortable choice.”
“…”
I couldn’t even make a sound of disbelief.
The moment Amelia declared that, the murmurs around us ceased entirely.
Wait, what?
“Interesting.”
Why was the Crown Prince wearing a look that said, ‘I thought as much’?
With a slight chuckle, he stroked his chin and looked at me before turning his gaze back to Amelia.
“So, that’s how it is?”
“That’s exactly how it is.”
Their gazes clashed midair like swords.
It was the Crown Prince who withdrew first.
“Well, in that case, I suppose there’s no helping it. Would it be possible for me to borrow her for a dance after yours?”
“Are you truly planning to overexert a lady dancing at her first ball?”
Even the Crown Prince seemed taken aback by Amelia’s rebuttal.
…Not that I’d actually be exhausted from merely dancing, but I still avoided his gaze as if my life depended on it.
“If you’re going to reject me so firmly, I suppose I have no choice.”
The Crown Prince shrugged.
“Lady Delkis.”
“Yes!?”
“I apologize for my rudeness. Will you forgive me?”
“Ah, y-yes….”
Flustered by his sudden polite bow, I managed a clumsy response.
“Then I shall take my leave, Lady Grattanmount, Lady Delkis.”
“Please enjoy the rest of your evening.”
The Crown Prince bowed respectfully to Amelia as well before departing. Still, his lingering glance toward me left me uneasy.
“L-Lady Grattanmount?”
Noticing the crowd around us, I addressed Amelia cautiously. She turned to me with a soft smile.
Extending her right hand, palm up, she said,
“Lady Elsie, may I have this dance?”
For a moment, I stood frozen in place, my mouth agape.
*
Soft music echoed in my ears.
Though this was a medieval world, the music sounded no different from the classical pieces I had heard in my previous life. Some instruments required advanced craftsmanship, raising questions about the technological timeline of this world. Whether it was the result of meticulous world-building on the creator’s part or simply a disregard for such technicalities, I couldn’t say.
Either way, there was always some justification.
“…Amelia.”
As the music continued, I called out to Amelia.
All the other pairs dancing around us were male and female. Some were lovers; others were not. There were even pairs as mismatched as grandfathers and granddaughters.
Yet among all those diverse couples, we were the only two women dancing together.
“Yes?”
“Why did you say that? You know he’s the Crown Prince, right?”
Amelia looked up at me with a smile.
“Because you’re here because of me.”
“…What?”
“You dislike these kinds of events, don’t you?”
It was more accurate to say they made me uncomfortable. But if forced to choose, I’d admit I disliked them.
“Even so, I could’ve just danced with the Crown Prince, and that would’ve been the end of it.”
I had been prepared to reluctantly dance with him, knowing the expectations of my status as a noble.
“But you didn’t want to, right?”
This time, I could unequivocally agree.
I didn’t want to dance with a man like that.
“You promised, didn’t you? As long as you don’t betray me, I won’t betray you.”
Amelia smiled warmly.
“And if I had ignored you in that moment, that would’ve been a betrayal of the trust you’ve placed in me.”
“…Did you anticipate this from the start?”
“Who knows?”
Amelia’s hand on my waist tightened slightly.
Through the thin fabric of my dress, I could feel the delicate yet voluptuous lines of Amelia’s body.
Realizing she must feel the same, I grew a bit embarrassed.
“Let’s just enjoy ourselves for now. We’re already here. And… we might soon get caught up in something anyway.”
“…Alright.”
I didn’t particularly like balls or dancing—
But if I was being honest, being here with Amelia like this…
It made me happy.