Chapter 30

“Is it about time to enter?”

Though the time had already passed, for the royal family, time was irrelevant.

“It seems so.”

“Well then, see you later.”

The royal family left the room first.
Solene wanted to interrogate me, but she couldn’t afford to make such a scene in front of the royal family, so she endured until they were gone.

“We should head to the hall too.”

“Onee-sama, what is going on?”

Even though we should have entered before the royal family, Solene clearly thought figuring out why Schulvestel had chosen me as his fiancée was far more important.

“While I was studying diligently as a Saintess candidate at the church, were you meeting with Schulvestel-sama?”

The way Solene phrased it was as if she were accusing me, “While I was earnestly studying to be a Saintess, you were cozying up to Schulvestel.”

“I only met with the First Prince to keep him company until you returned.”

“You used me to get close to Schulvestel-sama, didn’t you?”

“I did not!”

“That’s a lie. Otherwise, there’s no reason Schulvestel-sama would choose you!”

“Both of you, stop this arguing until we return home. You realize the party is about to begin?”

Mother scolded us.
As soon as we entered the hall, the royal family also made their entrance.
Even during the King’s greeting, Solene continued to glare at me.
I was so distracted by Solene that I couldn’t focus on the situation unfolding before me.
Before I realized it, the King’s greeting had ended, and the opening dance of the party was about to start.
The one who opens the dance would invite a partner.

“Carlotta-jou, would you dance with me?”

Before I knew it, Schulvestel was standing right before me, offering his hand.
With all the nobles watching, it would be difficult to refuse.
I couldn’t possibly disgrace the royal family.
My answer was…

“…W-with pleasure…”

As I took Schulvestel’s hand, I felt an intense, terrifying gaze coming from the side.
As he escorted me to the center of the hall, everyone began to misunderstand the situation.
I hadn’t even accepted his engagement proposal.
And yet now, I was being cornered into an atmosphere where refusal would be impossible…
The music began, and the dance started.

“You’re quite good at dancing, Carlotta-jou.”

It was the first time Schulvestel had ever praised my dancing.
The reason I had improved at dancing was, ironically, because of him.
Last time, I couldn’t keep up with his pace and was awkwardly swung around.
Because of that, alongside my activities as a Saintess, I had undergone queenly education.
Particularly in dancing — it had been drilled into me relentlessly.

“…Thank you very much.”

This time, while it was true that I had improved, Schulvestel himself was different as well.
Before, he had been much more forceful, making it difficult to dance with him.

“Dancing with Carlotta-jou is so enjoyable, time seems to fly. Since we’re so compatible, I hope you’ll think positively about the engagement.”

He whispered those unwelcome words just as we finished.
That small gesture was enough to deepen the surrounding misunderstandings.
Wanting to be alone, I quickly left the dance floor after our dance ended.
Immediately after, a crowd of young noblewomen gathered around Schulvestel.
Not wanting to be approached by anyone, I fled straight to the balcony.

“Why has it come to this… I don’t want to be engaged to the Prince again… Please, someone set me free from this country…”