Debutante Ball (6)
Dante strolled around the venue with the young lady of House Volein. The event hall was vast. The main ballroom for dancing was enormous, of course, but the spaces for those not dancing were equally expansive. There were areas to rest, spots to laugh and chat while watching entertaining performances, and even perfectly prepared secluded nooks for two people to spend quiet time alone. That was the Debutante Ball.
As he wandered, Dante memorized the layout and terrain in his head.
Probably around evening... that's when the attack will come.
It was information Princess Esilia had tipped him off about in advance. The Carmilton Liberation Army—a rebel group against the Empire, centered around northern barbarians. The princess planned to play the bait herself, luring the attackers out into the open.
The entry points are probably around there.
Dante meticulously checked potential infiltration routes, confirming every detail of the terrain. He also sent out mana waves.
Those who hear my voice, come to me.
Ssssh...
In response to Dante's call, swarms of insects appeared. Centipedes, mole crickets, spiders, beetles... a wide variety from diverse habitats.
Using his symbiotic bugs, Dante granted the insects temporary intelligence.
'Report any suspicious individuals to me.'
[As ordered...]
Dante scattered the insects throughout the venue. The magic would last only about half a day at most, but until it wore off, they would serve as his eyes and ears.
He glanced at his partner. The Volein young lady seemed utterly captivated by the extravagantly decorated hall.
A clown burst forth a magical flame. Boom!
Rainbow-colored fireworks erupted spectacularly.
"Woooow!"
"So pretty!"
The noble men and women stared in awe.
"Lord Dante! Lord Dante! Did you see that?!"
"Yes, I saw it."
"It's so beautiful!"
The Volein young lady shouted, then flushed red. A proper young lady never yelled like a child.
"It's... quite a beautiful sight."
Dante smiled faintly.
"You don't need to hold back. A smile suits you much better, my lady."
"Y-Yes?! What do you mean?!"
"That feels more natural."
She waved her hands frantically, her face beet red.
"A-Are you saying it comes off as unsophisticated?!"
"Not at all."
"But...! The young ladies of the capital are all so refined and poised...!"
"Not everyone has to be the same. Everyone has their own charm."
"Charm...?"
"Just as some young ladies' haughty demeanor is their charm, others shine with a natural smile."
Dante extended his hand.
"Like you, Lady Volein."
"...!"
She bowed her head deeply and took his hand lightly.
"There's a theater performance at the outdoor stage. Shall we go watch?"
"Y-Yes..."
Dante led Lady Volein toward the performance area.
Look at me, a full-fledged noble now.
Dante felt a twinge of pride. Escorting a young lady without a hitch! The other nobles would nod approvingly, thinking, The Aisions must do a fine job with their family education.
Ah, noble behavior for the day: check. Won't need to dance tonight anyway. No time for it.
Dante savored this brief respite, wandering the venue with Lady Volein.
#
"My lady, are you comfortable?"
"Not uncomfortable at all!"
"Did you enjoy the performance?"
"It was super fun...! Ahem. Extremely splendid!"
Dante could see her practically bouncing with excitement. The Volein young lady, freshly arrived in the capital from the countryside, was experiencing her first Debutante Ball. Spending time happily with a man made every moment thrilling and joyful. She couldn't calm her pounding heart.
Is this... going too well?
Her date with Dante Aision felt not just good, but perfect. Soulmates? Every instant was pure satisfaction. What if... Dante felt the same?
[Let's get married.]
[Wha...?!]
Solemn bells tolled majestically. In blooming May, she wore a pure white wedding dress...!
Am I... getting married now?!
Lady Volein lost herself in fantasies and delusions.
That was when it happened.
Clack, clack...
"On a date~? Dante Aision."
A pure white parasol and dress. A silk fan embroidered beautifully, half-covering her face.
Who is she...?
Lady Volein didn't recognize her. But as the crowd parted dramatically to either side, she sensed this was no ordinary young lady...!
"We greet Your Highness."
"We greet Your Highness."
The young lords gave light bows. But the young ladies...
"We greet Your Highness-!"
"We greet Your Highness-!!!"
They bent nearly ninety degrees, hair nearly brushing the ground. And as if by agreement, no one dared meet the princess's eyes—as if lifting their heads meant death...
Huh...?
This was Lady Volein's first time in the capital, her first glimpse of royalty in person.
Wow, just like in the papers...
Lost in trivial thoughts, she missed the moment to bow. Suddenly, her eyes met Princess Esilia's.
"..."
The princess smiled faintly, staring at Lady Volein. An eerie silence descended.
"..."
The other young ladies kept their heads down. The princess's chillingly beautiful gaze fixed on Lady Volein.
"Ah... Ack!"
She finally realized her blunder!
"We greet Your Highness!"
Only then did relieved sighs escape from the young ladies around her.
Princess Esilia spoke.
"First time meeting, right? Lady Rike Volein of Count Volein?"
"Y-You know me...?"
"Of course~ I love the truffles from your house~"
"Thank you...! Your Highness!"
Lady Volein's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the princess. Far more stunning than her photos. Sacred platinum blonde hair, dazzling tiara, fan over her mouth, and bright eyes shining beyond. No wonder they called her the Empire's Morning Star.
Those radiant eyes locked straight on Lady Volein's face.
...
For some reason, those beautiful eyes felt a bit scary.
Probably because she's royalty...?
Princess Esilia continued.
"Securing a partner right at the start of the Debutante Ball. Impressive skills, Lady Volein~?"
"Ah, th-this gentleman is..."
"No need to introduce. We're already close~"
Lady Volein widened her eyes in shock. First she'd heard of Dante being friends with the princess.
Dante interjected.
"Friends of a friend."
"Yep~ My friend Sara's big brother~"
"Ah...!"
"So, enjoying your date nicely~?"
"...Pardon?"
Lady Volein looked at the princess. Mouth hidden by the fan, expression unreadable—voice always bright and lively. She couldn't grasp the intent. Just asking if she was enjoying the event...? Or something else?
"Y-Yes, it's fun, Your Highness. Everything you've prepared is so wonderful and beautiful...!"
"Glad to hear~"
Right answer? As Lady Volein smiled in relief—
The princess continued.
"Then, mind if I borrow Dante now~?"
"...Pardon?! You're taking my partner?!"
Her raised voice drew glares from the princess's maid retinue.
"..."
Not just them—the distant young ladies watching also eyed her like she had something to say.
Lady Volein sensed something was wrong. The vibe was off...!
She looked at the princess, but the fan still hid her expression.
"Some young lady wanted to meet Dante~ He's new to the Debutante Ball too, so he should see various partners, right~?"
"But...!"
Lady Volein was flustered and bewildered, at a loss for words. To choose a good match, one must meet many people—that was undeniable. But snatching a man mid-date?
Panicked, she turned to her partner. Dante Aision. Since he said nothing, she secretly hoped he'd protect her knight-like, straight out of a story.
"Dante~ There's a noble young lady waiting for you. Gonna stay there forever~?"
"..."
"If you like Lady Volein so much you want to keep dating, I won't interfere~"
Dante exchanged glances with the princess for a moment. Then, he slowly turned to Lady Volein and bowed politely.
"My apologies, my lady. Her Highness calls, so I must go."
"Ah... I-Is that so...?"
"I was truly delighted you chose me as your partner today. But I have business to attend to."
"..."
"Farewell."
At that, the princess turned and headed toward the ballroom as if done.
...She seemed to be smiling, but the fan obscured her face.
"Lord Dante-!"
Lady Volein called after his retreating back.
"I had a great time today! Let's meet again-!"
Dante nodded in acknowledgment. She waved as he left.
Once the princess's group departed, sighs rose from the young ladies nearby.
"Scary~"
"She's always terrifying, that princess..."
One of the princess's maids approached Lady Volein from afar.
As she looked up—
"You handled that well just now."
"...Pardon?"
"Not pressing the issue."
The maid was... praising her? Before she could ask why, the maid continued, leaving her silent.
"You just arrived in the capital, so you might not know..."
"Never. Ever oppose Her Highness."
"This is advice, not a warning."
The maid bowed curtly and hurried after the princess.
Lady Volein sighed. Thought she'd have a fun date with a handsome guy, but the princess whisked him away. Debutante Balls weren't easy.
#
The princess entered a private room. Off-limits even to her maids—but Dante followed naturally inside.
She tossed her fan on the table, grinning at him. The room held only her.
Amused, Dante asked.
"Who exactly is this noble young lady who wanted to see me?"
"Who else~?"
She smirked.
"Me~"
"..."
"You should've come straight to me upon arriving. Frolicking with my little brother. Seducing some innocent country girl. Can't take my eyes off you~ Dante~"
"Don't you trust me to handle things?"
"Someone who handles things... why were you with Lady Volein then~?"
"..."
Because it's the Debutante Ball, Your Highness. Turning down a young lady's partner request is bad manners.
He could've said it, but she'd ignore him. Dante was starting to understand her. They'd been close for over five years, after all.
"Next time you plan to date a young lady, report to me first."
"Why on earth..."
As he spoke, her eyes gleamed with that signature eeriness.
"Dante. Didn't you promise to be mine?"
"..."
"I'm just looking after what's mine. Got a problem?"
Dante thought he got her personality now. She was... a tiring type.