"Did he say he's coming today?"
Empress Lillie asked Barlos.
Lillie had asked the question, but it was Selvarena who was waiting for his answer more desperately.
Princess Selvarena, sitting in front of her, picked a hangnail from under her fingernail beneath the table.
“Yes, mother.”
Barlos answered.
"I see. He can't keep acting all high and mighty forever. It looks like he's made up his mind."
Lillie smiled, but Barlos's face hardened.
Barlos was skeptical of Lillie's words.
Euclid is appearing today because Barlos kept being stubborn, not because he decided to side with Barlos.
If he were a man that could be easily obtained, there is no way he wouldn't have had him until now.
That's why he had to have more.
So, he spent a long time persuading Lillie, who absolutely detested Gredelus.
Euclid is someone who must be.
Lillie changed her mind after Barlos's long persuasion. Lillie firmly decided to embrace Euclid for Barlos's sake.
"Selvarena, do your best."
Lillie lightly moistened her throat with champagne and looked at Selvarena.
Selvarena was the one and only Princess of the Imperial Family. That fact elevated Selvarena's value. At least to Lillie, Selvarena was a child worth using and keeping by her side.
She lowered her gaze.
Selvarena, who closely resembled Lillie, was a beauty with fine silver hair and cow-like eyes.
Unlike Lillie, who originally had a gentle impression but became fierce over time, Selvarena, who had not yet experienced harsh storms, had a gentle impression like Lillie in her youth.
However, that was merely the surface.
Although Selvarena appeared on the outside to be swayed by Lillie's manipulation, her inner self was different.
She was swayed because she needed the image of a weak and naive Princess.
Selvarena was a person even more ambitious than Lillie.
For now, she was merely holding her breath, waiting for an opportunity.
"Your Highness Barlos, you will surely make an introduction today, won't you?"
After Barlos became an adult, Selvarena stopped calling him brother when he addressed her affectionately.
She called Barlos 'Your Highness' anytime and anywhere
Barlos immediately recognized who Selvarena was talking about.
He didn't know when it started, but Selvarena began to pay attention to Euclid's story.
Selvarena, who usually just sits there like a borrowed sack of potatoes when Lillie and Barlos are together, only actively participates in the conversation when Euclid is brought up.
Barlos was convinced that Selvarena had her heart set on Euclid.
It was a welcome thing for Barlos.
So, if Selvarena can just win Euclid's heart, he will have no choice but to become Barlos's man.
"Of course, Selvarena."
All three of them wanted Euclid.
However, Euclid is merely a means to an end for the three people.
They shared the same champagne, but their true intentions were all different.
"Sir Euclid Gredelus and Lady Erencia Novellita are entering."
The person they were targeting entered through the door.
The three people's eyes narrowed.
An uninvited guest was accompanying Euclid.
And she is...
"Good heavens, such a daring dress!"
"It's so pretty in red. I didn't know red was a color that made the skin stand out so much."
"How? You aren't wearing a petticoat, are you? That must be so comfortable."
She instantly drew everyone's attention.
And in a way she didn't want at all.
***
Selvarena couldn't take her eyes off Erencia as she entered through the door.
'There was a woman like that in the Empire?'
Erencia's attire was the very definition of unconventionality.
No! While everyone else was wearing pastel-toned bell-shaped dresses, she appeared in a primary-colored, form-fitting dress.
The woman entering the banquet hall in an outfit never before seen at the Empire's banquet stood confidently against the stares of the people.
Selvarena became interested in her bold and peculiar appearance, which was enough to make even the people whispering about her feel intimidated.
Selvarena wanted to meet her right away.
"I hear she's having her debutante ball today. She's Novellita's daughter."
"Ah..."
Selvarena nodded belatedly at Barlos's explanation.
So this is the youngest daughter whom Duke Novellita cherishes very much.
Erencia was a celebrity.
She has a pretty face but a terrible personality, and as the daughter of Duke Novellita, she could easily dominate high society, yet she doesn't enjoy social activities much, and above all.
'They say that cunning Duke Novellita cherishes her quite a bit.'
So, even Selvarena had only heard rumors, but it was the first time she had seen her in person.
They might have crossed paths once or twice when they were young, but she was so unfamiliar that Selvarena couldn't recognize her at first sight.
In other words, it means that this is the first time she has become an adult.
"The outfit is really..."
Lillie let out a deep sigh and furrowed her brow.
It is Prince Barlos's birthday celebration. But to think she showed up wearing such an inappropriate and baseless dress.
This wouldn't be possible unless they were ignoring her and Barlos.
"I guess I'll have to call them over and give them a good scolding."
"Leave it alone. Isn't she Euclid's partner today?"
Barlos stopped Lillie from waving her hand to call the maid.
Lillie said in a slightly agitated voice.
"So shouldn't we humiliate her even more?"
Lillie was just about to take notice of Euclid as a partner for Selvarena.
If Selvarena had been even a little smarter, she would have dragged him into bed long ago, but Selvarena lacked the confidence to do so.
Lillie was displeased with Selvarena, who did not resemble her at all except for her appearance.
'What a stupid thing.'
Tsk. Lillie clicked her tongue and finally gave up.
"Is there something you wish to order, Your Majesty the Empress?"
"Bring Sir Gredelus and Lady Novellita."
Her loyal attendant bowed and vanished like the wind.
***
"People keep looking at me. I guess I am a bit unconventional."
Erencia felt pleased watching the people glancing at her and whispering.
On the other hand, Euclid's mood sank to rock bottom.
"Do you like attracting attention?"
He spread his palm wide and lightly placed it on Erencia's back. Erencia flinched.
"Ah, my posture isn't very good, is it?"
Erencia puffed out her chest and straightened her back even more.
Euclid simply walked without replying.
Her posture was impeccable.
Euclid was simply uncomfortable with the men's gazes glancing at her exposed skin.
She was not unaware of the vulgar intentions hidden in those men's eyes. After all, he was a man.
If they had looked at another woman like that, Euclid would have just laughed it off, thinking, 'That's just how men are.'
However, Erencia was his partner today.
As long as she was his partner, Euclid had a duty to escort her perfectly. Blocking out unwanted gazes was one of those duties.
However, he did not go out of his way to tell Erencia that fact.
"Usually, when you come to a banquet, don't people just come right up to you to greet you?"
Erencia desperately hoped that people would approach her and talk to her. That was the only way she could pick a fight.
She was determined to pick a fight properly, so she even obtained a list of the people attending today's banquet and thoroughly investigated their families.
Even though she studied hard, for some reason, no one approached Erencia.
Erencia didn't know, but everyone had their own reasons.
After seeing Erencia's unconventional outfit, the women thought their own attire was tacky.
They felt embarrassed at the thought of standing next to Erencia wearing a bell-shaped dress.
On the other hand, all the men were wary of Euclid.
Euclid, who always wore a good-natured smile, looked somehow displeased.
He was a really good person, but everyone knew that it would be no good to fall out of his favor, so they were afraid of upsetting him.
The people in the banquet hall waited for someone to speak to Erencia and Euclid first. It was a game of guessing.
However, no one stepped forward first.
Erencia and Euclid took their seats on one side along the banquet hall that had naturally split.
Thanks to the fact that there was no one around, the two of them were able to occupy a cozy table.
Erencia, who had been drinking champagne alongside Euclid, put down her glass. Her expression was quite serious.
"I'll be right back."
“Where do you mean?”
“Here, there?”
Euclid placed the champagne glass he was holding on the table and extended his arm to Erencia.
As a partner, he could not leave her alone in a place swarming with wolves.
'This is a partner's duty.'
"What are you doing, not catching them?"
Erencia looked down at Euclid's hand, conflicted. Should she take this man's hand or not?
If she traveled with Euclid, her actions would inevitably be restricted.
On the other hand, she could also create enemies.
Erencia glanced around as if looking for someone she knew.
It was not difficult to find the famous girls shooting intense gazes at Euclid.
It's those women!
Those are the ones who will become my enemies!
Erencia smiled sweetly and linked arms with him.
Euclid was greatly flustered because Erencia linked arms with him instead of taking his outstretched hand.
"Let's go."
However, before he could say a word, she pulled him along.
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