Ariadne did not let her guard down. She questioned without taking Cesare's outstretched hand.
“Count Cesare, where is your partner and why are you standing here like this?”
Ariadne had not heard that Cesare had found another partner, but she did not think he had come alone. Just like in her previous life, he would have brought any woman he wanted, married or not. But Cesare had a perfect alibi. He smiled and pointed with his chin toward the VIP section.
“I was a bit filial today. My partner, sit over there.”
In the VIP seat visible in the distance, Countess Rubina was splendidly dressed and proudly pouring a glass of wine.
“My mother had the luxury of entering San Carlo today with the most handsome man.”
It was true that he had entered with a married woman, but she was not the kind of married woman Ariadne had imagined. Ariadne burst into a short laugh in disbelief. Cesare added a word.
“Not only is he handsome, but he’s also much younger than her.”
Ariadne burst out laughing at the absurd words. Something felt wrong. Cesare laughed along and reached out his hand, taking Ariadne’s hand, whose guard had dropped significantly, and led her toward the floor.
“Come on, don’t be shy.”
Ariadne did not shake off Cesare’s hand. Wasn’t Alfonso also on that floor with Princess Lariesa?
“Count Cesare, where is your partner and why are you standing here like this?”
Ariadne had not heard that Cesare had found another partner, but she did not think he had come alone. Just like in her previous life, he would have brought any woman he wanted, married or not. But Cesare had a perfect alibi. He smiled and pointed with his chin toward the VIP section.
“I was a bit filial today. My partner, sit over there.”
In the VIP seat visible in the distance, Countess Rubina was splendidly dressed and proudly pouring a glass of wine.
“My mother had the luxury of entering San Carlo today with the most handsome man.”
It was true that he had entered with a married woman, but she was not the kind of married woman Ariadne had imagined. Ariadne burst into a short laugh in disbelief. Cesare added a word.
“Not only is he handsome, but he’s also much younger than her.”
Ariadne burst out laughing at the absurd words. Something felt wrong. Cesare laughed along and reached out his hand, taking Ariadne’s hand, whose guard had dropped significantly, and led her toward the floor.
“Come on, don’t be shy.”
Ariadne did not shake off Cesare’s hand. Wasn’t Alfonso also on that floor with Princess Lariesa?
Cesare naturally took Ariadne’s left hand in his right and danced smoothly toward the center of the floor. Ariadne felt uncomfortable approaching Alfonso and Princess Lariesa, so her steps slowed down slightly. Cesare noticed this and leaned his upper body toward Ariadne and asked her softly.
“Why, do you hate the center?”
Ariadne asked in surprise.
"Yes, yes?"
“You keep putting strength into your body. If you’re scared, I won’t go.”
He stepped gracefully, giving Ariadne room to turn. There was enough room to move away from the center. But Ariadne was so angry that she declined Cesare's offer.
“No. What is there to be afraid of?”
She added after a light turn.
“Go, to the center.”
Cesare led Ariadne to the center of the dance floor with a slow smile on his lips. This was where Count Cesare was jumping around like a fish in water. As he took Ariadne’s hand and went up to the floor, the nobles’ eyes were drawn to him. The nobles who were dancing whispered to their partners’ ears, and the nobles who were sitting and watching the dance floor sat down and began whispering to the group.
“Count Cesare, his application to be a partner was rejected, but he still brought her here.”
“I heard Count Cesare likes that girl, and this time he really is serious. He doesn’t care about water or fire.”
“Where could there be sincerity in a man like that? He just keeps putting in the effort until she falls.”
Cesare led Ariadne gracefully, not daunted by the gaze of others. In fact, he quite enjoyed the gaze of others. He enjoyed the gaze of people and threw it at his dance partner.
“Is Baldessar, the guy who made you abandon me, any good?”
Ariadne answered with a smile.
“Is he useful?”
“If you were to choose someone over me, they would have to be better looking than me, or funnier than me or more fun to have around than me.”
He gestured with his chin to the silver-haired Raphael dancing with Julia in the distance.
“What does that guy have over me among those three? Do you really think that kind of pretty style is your style?”
Cesare was secretly mindful of Ottavio's remark. Ariadne burst out laughing.
“Count Cesare, are you currently restraining the Marquis Baldessar?”
He took her word for it shamelessly.
“No way. Baldessar is no match for me. But what if the young lady’s eyes are crooked?”
“You’ve got the wrong address, Count Cesare. The Marquis Baldessar and I are not on the same level.”
“Oh, oh, young lady. How naive. All men are wolves.”
He gently squeezed the hand holding Ariadne's and whispered in her ear.
“Even more so if you are a sinister man wearing the white sheep’s clothing like Rafael de Baldesar.”
Ariadne was about to tell him that the young Marquis Baldessar was going to become a priest and join the Order and that he would not be interested in women, but she stopped herself. She had promised Raphael to keep it a secret. But she could not help adding a word, thinking that Raphael was being ridiculously misunderstood.
“Aren’t you only looking at the world through your own eyes? Marquis Baldessar doesn’t seem like that kind of person.”
Cesare laughed loudly, shook his arm, and spun Ariadne around.
“An honest person like me just doesn’t lie. I just look bad by being outspoken about what I want.”
“You know it looks bad.”
He didn't answer but just shrugged.
“The most dangerous ones are those who pretend to be sincere, kind, and noble. Their desires are so base that they cannot even speak out, so they hide them tightly.”
“Is this hypocrisy?”
“You’re really getting it! As expected from my young lady. That’s right. It’s all hypocrisy.”
Ariadne took Cesare's hand and made a sharp turn. She returned the gesture with a deep smile on her lips.
“But I would choose hypocrisy over wickedness any day. Hypocrisy is good in the end.”
A fiery argument was taking place to the tune of an elegant waltz. However, the atmosphere was light, and Cesare was enjoying the situation in his own way. It was a rare feast to be able to feast at a ball where he could dance and exchange words with a girl in a blue dress with long limbs like a deer, receiving everyone's attention. And the person he enjoyed the most was dancing in the center of the floor.
'...!'
Alfonso saw Cesare dancing the waltz just ten steps away, holding Ariadne in his arms, and he thought his stomach would flip out of his mouth. Alfonso unconsciously stared at the couple Ariadne and Cesare. At one point, Ariadne seemed to have made eye contact with Alfonso, but soon turned her head away and gave herself over to the melody of the waltz. When Grand Duchess Lariesa realized that he was not paying attention to her, she whined like a ghost.
“Prince Alfonso... !”
“...Princess Lariesa.”
Alfonso sighed and turned his gaze to Lariesa. He finally realized that he couldn't take the next step unless he dealt with this matter now.
“I don't love you.”
Lariesa looked up at Alfonso with a shocked expression. Her feet twisted as she stepped, perhaps because her stamina was fading or because she was discouraged by these words. Alfonso led her without being noticed by others, taking care not to let Princess Lariesa fall, and continued speaking.
“I don’t think I’ll ever fall in love.”
Alfonso wanted to honestly tell Lariesa that he had another woman he loved. However, considering her personality, it was obvious that Princess Lariesa would try to harm Ariadne. Alfonso held back and chose his words carefully to convey his feelings without any misunderstandings.
“If you come to me, you will be deeply unhappy.”
A woman who couldn't win her husband's heart and was just holding on to his outer shell like a chaff. Alfonso knew that the woman, his mother, was not happy. However, Princess Lariesa did not give in easily.
“Your Highness, the love between a couple grows over time! I can do well until then!”
“Can you be truly satisfied?”
At Alfonso's question, Larissa was left speechless.
“Can one live a happy life with only respect for the Queen and affection between husband and wife, without burning passion and deep affection?”
It was because, in Lariesa's opinion, she wanted to have Alfonso's body, mind, and even a fleeting glance. Alfonso firmly drove the wedge in.
“I plan to formally inform my father soon. Ask him to pretend that the state wedding never happened.”
Tears welled up in Lariesa's eyes at the Prince's definitive declaration, and her breathing became a little ragged. Perhaps her breathing was due to dancing two waltzes in a row in poor physical condition.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t repay your kindness.”
With Prince Alfonso’s proclamation, the second song ended.
“Why, do you hate the center?”
Ariadne asked in surprise.
"Yes, yes?"
“You keep putting strength into your body. If you’re scared, I won’t go.”
He stepped gracefully, giving Ariadne room to turn. There was enough room to move away from the center. But Ariadne was so angry that she declined Cesare's offer.
“No. What is there to be afraid of?”
She added after a light turn.
“Go, to the center.”
Cesare led Ariadne to the center of the dance floor with a slow smile on his lips. This was where Count Cesare was jumping around like a fish in water. As he took Ariadne’s hand and went up to the floor, the nobles’ eyes were drawn to him. The nobles who were dancing whispered to their partners’ ears, and the nobles who were sitting and watching the dance floor sat down and began whispering to the group.
“Count Cesare, his application to be a partner was rejected, but he still brought her here.”
“I heard Count Cesare likes that girl, and this time he really is serious. He doesn’t care about water or fire.”
“Where could there be sincerity in a man like that? He just keeps putting in the effort until she falls.”
Cesare led Ariadne gracefully, not daunted by the gaze of others. In fact, he quite enjoyed the gaze of others. He enjoyed the gaze of people and threw it at his dance partner.
“Is Baldessar, the guy who made you abandon me, any good?”
Ariadne answered with a smile.
“Is he useful?”
“If you were to choose someone over me, they would have to be better looking than me, or funnier than me or more fun to have around than me.”
He gestured with his chin to the silver-haired Raphael dancing with Julia in the distance.
“What does that guy have over me among those three? Do you really think that kind of pretty style is your style?”
Cesare was secretly mindful of Ottavio's remark. Ariadne burst out laughing.
“Count Cesare, are you currently restraining the Marquis Baldessar?”
He took her word for it shamelessly.
“No way. Baldessar is no match for me. But what if the young lady’s eyes are crooked?”
“You’ve got the wrong address, Count Cesare. The Marquis Baldessar and I are not on the same level.”
“Oh, oh, young lady. How naive. All men are wolves.”
He gently squeezed the hand holding Ariadne's and whispered in her ear.
“Even more so if you are a sinister man wearing the white sheep’s clothing like Rafael de Baldesar.”
Ariadne was about to tell him that the young Marquis Baldessar was going to become a priest and join the Order and that he would not be interested in women, but she stopped herself. She had promised Raphael to keep it a secret. But she could not help adding a word, thinking that Raphael was being ridiculously misunderstood.
“Aren’t you only looking at the world through your own eyes? Marquis Baldessar doesn’t seem like that kind of person.”
Cesare laughed loudly, shook his arm, and spun Ariadne around.
“An honest person like me just doesn’t lie. I just look bad by being outspoken about what I want.”
“You know it looks bad.”
He didn't answer but just shrugged.
“The most dangerous ones are those who pretend to be sincere, kind, and noble. Their desires are so base that they cannot even speak out, so they hide them tightly.”
“Is this hypocrisy?”
“You’re really getting it! As expected from my young lady. That’s right. It’s all hypocrisy.”
Ariadne took Cesare's hand and made a sharp turn. She returned the gesture with a deep smile on her lips.
“But I would choose hypocrisy over wickedness any day. Hypocrisy is good in the end.”
A fiery argument was taking place to the tune of an elegant waltz. However, the atmosphere was light, and Cesare was enjoying the situation in his own way. It was a rare feast to be able to feast at a ball where he could dance and exchange words with a girl in a blue dress with long limbs like a deer, receiving everyone's attention. And the person he enjoyed the most was dancing in the center of the floor.
'...!'
Alfonso saw Cesare dancing the waltz just ten steps away, holding Ariadne in his arms, and he thought his stomach would flip out of his mouth. Alfonso unconsciously stared at the couple Ariadne and Cesare. At one point, Ariadne seemed to have made eye contact with Alfonso, but soon turned her head away and gave herself over to the melody of the waltz. When Grand Duchess Lariesa realized that he was not paying attention to her, she whined like a ghost.
“Prince Alfonso... !”
“...Princess Lariesa.”
Alfonso sighed and turned his gaze to Lariesa. He finally realized that he couldn't take the next step unless he dealt with this matter now.
“I don't love you.”
Lariesa looked up at Alfonso with a shocked expression. Her feet twisted as she stepped, perhaps because her stamina was fading or because she was discouraged by these words. Alfonso led her without being noticed by others, taking care not to let Princess Lariesa fall, and continued speaking.
“I don’t think I’ll ever fall in love.”
Alfonso wanted to honestly tell Lariesa that he had another woman he loved. However, considering her personality, it was obvious that Princess Lariesa would try to harm Ariadne. Alfonso held back and chose his words carefully to convey his feelings without any misunderstandings.
“If you come to me, you will be deeply unhappy.”
A woman who couldn't win her husband's heart and was just holding on to his outer shell like a chaff. Alfonso knew that the woman, his mother, was not happy. However, Princess Lariesa did not give in easily.
“Your Highness, the love between a couple grows over time! I can do well until then!”
“Can you be truly satisfied?”
At Alfonso's question, Larissa was left speechless.
“Can one live a happy life with only respect for the Queen and affection between husband and wife, without burning passion and deep affection?”
It was because, in Lariesa's opinion, she wanted to have Alfonso's body, mind, and even a fleeting glance. Alfonso firmly drove the wedge in.
“I plan to formally inform my father soon. Ask him to pretend that the state wedding never happened.”
Tears welled up in Lariesa's eyes at the Prince's definitive declaration, and her breathing became a little ragged. Perhaps her breathing was due to dancing two waltzes in a row in poor physical condition.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t repay your kindness.”
With Prince Alfonso’s proclamation, the second song ended.
***
Ariadne, who had returned to her seat after her waltz with Cesare, was leaning against the makeshift table, waiting for Raphael and Julia to return. A royal valet, carrying a tray of sparkling wine and small finger foods, was going around, offering drinks and food to the guests.
“Lady, would you like a drink?”
A servant came and offered her a sparkling wine. But something was strange. The servants at the ball usually just walked around with tray-like shadows, and they never spoke to her first or offered her anything. Ariadne felt a little uncomfortable and declined the servant’s offer.
“It’s okay. Thank you.”
While Ariadne was refusing, the servant took a small note out of his pocket and put it in Ariadne's hand.
“Well then, have a good evening.”
As she watched the royal attendant walk away, Ariadne took out the note she had received and unfolded it. The note was written in sloppy handwriting in blue ink.
“Lady, would you like a drink?”
A servant came and offered her a sparkling wine. But something was strange. The servants at the ball usually just walked around with tray-like shadows, and they never spoke to her first or offered her anything. Ariadne felt a little uncomfortable and declined the servant’s offer.
“It’s okay. Thank you.”
While Ariadne was refusing, the servant took a small note out of his pocket and put it in Ariadne's hand.
“Well then, have a good evening.”
As she watched the royal attendant walk away, Ariadne took out the note she had received and unfolded it. The note was written in sloppy handwriting in blue ink.
"Now in the daffodil garden. I'll be waiting for you at the central arch. -A."
The sloppy handwriting was definitely Prince Alfonso's. Ariadne couldn't hide her pouting lips and the corners of her mouth that were rising separately, and she grumbled in embarrassment.
“Oh, right.”
The daffodil garden was a beautiful outdoor garden connected to the balcony of today's ballroom, the 'Lily Room'. In spring, the daffodils of various colors were in full bloom, creating a magnificent view. It was already dark outside after the sun had set, so it was a little scary, but Alfonso was just a little further on. Ariadne asked for the understanding of Julia's partner, Baron Caseri, who was at the makeshift table with her.
“I’ll go to the powder room for a moment.”
“Would you like me to escort you?”
“No, it’s right in front. Please tell Marquis Baldessar when he returns.”
“Don’t worry, Lady de Mare.”
She ran lightly out of the ballroom and down the little steps that led to the daffodil garden.
“Oh, right.”
The daffodil garden was a beautiful outdoor garden connected to the balcony of today's ballroom, the 'Lily Room'. In spring, the daffodils of various colors were in full bloom, creating a magnificent view. It was already dark outside after the sun had set, so it was a little scary, but Alfonso was just a little further on. Ariadne asked for the understanding of Julia's partner, Baron Caseri, who was at the makeshift table with her.
“I’ll go to the powder room for a moment.”
“Would you like me to escort you?”
“No, it’s right in front. Please tell Marquis Baldessar when he returns.”
“Don’t worry, Lady de Mare.”
She ran lightly out of the ballroom and down the little steps that led to the daffodil garden.
She would soon meet Alfonso!
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