Chapter 7 Engagement (5)
Engagement (5)
The Social Circle.
It refers to the gathering of the upper echelons—imperial family members, nobles, and the like—for social interaction.
In the real world, the Social Circle carries a strong sense of being an exclusive community for the elite.
Though it varies slightly by country, for women, the Social Circle is akin to a marriage market.
Well, the Middle Ages were all like that.
The basic route to meeting and marrying a man of similar rank was to debut in the Social Circle.
However, the Social Circle in Romance Fantasy—commonly abbreviated as RoFan—differs greatly from reality.
Given the genre's strong female-oriented slant, it's only natural that RoFan's depiction of the Social Circle barely adheres to real-world accuracy.
Who would read a RoFan story where the Social Circle is portrayed merely as a marriage market when the protagonist is a woman?
As a result, the Social Circle in RoFan holds far greater significance than its real-world counterpart.
It's the most crucial stage of social interaction in the nation—where politics, governance, and policy discussions frequently unfold.
That is the Social Circle of RoFan.
Sip.
If you asked why I'm rambling about such a dull topic, I could answer that it's because I'm currently participating in that very Social Circle.
Adel was still getting ready, so she said she'd be a little late, didn't she?
Waiting any longer felt awkward, so I entered the banquet hall first.
'...Still as grating as ever.'
In truth, though it's called a stage for socializing, it's no different from a gathering of beasts wearing masks, tearing into each other or polishing one another's appearances.
The nauseating atmosphere unique to the upper class that permeates the banquet hall.
Even now, after over eight years of stepping into the Social Circle, it still feels unsettling.
Though, to be fair, the number of times I've attended Social Circle events could be counted on one hand.
Lost in thought, I leaned against the balcony railing and gazed at the night sky. The stars twinkled individually, weaving a beautiful scene.
"You're here again today?"
A voice came from behind, and I turned my head.
A woman in a pristine white dress. Blonde hair. Eyes gleaming like gold. Skin as flawless as white jade, with long, delicate eyelashes to match.
Anyone would call her a peerless beauty.
"...Greetings to the Empire's Little Star."
"Hmm... I've told you before—there's no need for you of all people to say such things."
"I merely offered the proper greeting as a subject of the Empire."
At my words, the woman responded with an amused tone.
"How fascinating. The person who despises the Imperial House more than anyone would say such a thing to me, a princess, of all people."
"...What brings you here?"
"Must we have business to meet?"
"Isn't that the case?"
At my question, the princess stifled a laugh and replied,
"I suppose you're right. I have no rebuttal."
Aria von Shpenheim.
The sole princess of the Arieh Empire and perhaps the only person in the Social Circle I could tolerate.
Above all, she is the only member of the Imperial Family aiding me in my goal to bring down the Imperial House.
"What were you thinking, getting engaged to her?"
"Are you referring to Miss Este?"
"Yes. You must have had a reason... Surely you didn't propose this engagement just for the Este Company?"
"Of course not."
She studied me for a moment before tilting her head curiously.
"I doubt you'd announce an engagement for something as trivial as love..."
"I needed her."
"...You needed Adel? Adel von Este, infamous as a villainess?"
Aria stared at me with a bewildered expression. Naturally, anyone who knew nothing about Adel would react that way.
To the public, she's known only as a notorious piece of trash.
But to me, at least, she holds a different meaning.
"Yes. She is the key—the linchpin of my plans."
Aria shook her head as if unable to comprehend and spoke.
"Every time I meet you, I'm reminded that I truly can't grasp the way you think."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
At my jesting tone, she sighed wearily and said,
"Let me ask you one thing."
"What is it?"
"Has everything gone exactly as you've planned so far?"
"At least for now, yes."
"...Good. Then let me tell you one thing. It'll be difficult for me to provide information on the Imperial House for a while."
"...Meaning?"
There's only one scenario where the princess would struggle to supply information—when the Imperial House begins moving to eliminate someone.
As if reading my thoughts, she nodded.
"Yes. The Imperial House has begun moving in earnest. To capture the Crows."
"...Thank you for the information."
"It's nothing. It's only natural for those with the same goal to cooperate."
"Is that so?"
"I'll take my leave now."
"Very well. Farewell."
Once the princess's figure had completely disappeared, I rested my chin on my hand and sank into thought. Today is the day Adel Este and I announce our engagement.
For the Imperial House to begin moving at this precise moment—it must be a warning directed at me.
I have no intention of recalling the Crows. After all, they were created from the start to serve as bait.
As I remained lost in thought, a carriage of a familiar design entered through the main gate.
'...I should head down.'
It seems Adel has arrived.
I adjusted the white gloves on my hands and left the banquet hall, leaving the wine glass on an unoccupied table.
Though I felt several gazes upon me, they soon dissipated.
They all knew how much I disliked these social gatherings, so none dared approach me first.
Which suited me just fine.
I walked toward the carriage that had arrived at the main gate.
Standing before it, I extended my right hand the moment the door opened.
"Shall we go, Adel?"
"Yes."
Adel seemed to have grown accustomed to my actions, naturally taking my offered hand.
As she stepped down from the carriage, still holding my hand, she took a deep breath, as if nervous.
And understandably so. In a way, this banquet might very well be her last chance.
Even with her ability of Infinite Regression, the randomness of her save points must leave her uneasy.
If a save point were to be created after a failure, there would truly be no turning back.
"Are you nervous?"
"...Yes."
Normally, she would have boasted that she never got nervous—but this time, she seemed genuinely tense.
Watching her tremble like this, it was hard to believe she was the same Adel who would become the ruthless psychopath from the original story. I stifled a chuckle.
"Give me your hand."
At my words, Adel stiffly extended her palm. I reached into my coat and placed a candy in it.
"What's this?"
"Peppermint candy."
A white candy with red stripes—a type of mint confection created through magical processing.
Adel unwrapped it and placed it in her mouth.
"How is it?"
"...It really does calm me down. How did you...?"
She looked at me with curiosity as she spoke. After all, in this world, this candy served a similar purpose to the Calm-Heart Pill.
Of course, given the magical processing involved, it was quite expensive—but not enough to trouble my finances.
"That's what it's made for."
"...Thank you."
"I'm glad it helped."
With that, I escorted Adel into the banquet hall. The lively chatter that had filled the room moments earlier died down abruptly, as if cold water had been poured over the guests.
How long did that silence last?
Not long after, the hall buzzed with murmurs. Judging by their expressions, the whispers weren't kind.
Most likely, they were disparaging Adel. As I considered this, a man approached us.
Blonde hair that seemed to glow, golden eyes—a face so handsome it left no room for criticism.
His deep golden brows were furrowed, as if dissatisfied with something.
"Young Lady of House Este."
Crown Prince Le-o von Shu-pen-haim strode toward Adel. Both Adel and I bowed slightly in greeting.
"We greet the Empire's little star."
"How did an uninvited lady like you end up here?"
His blatant disregard for formalities caused a faint crack in my poker face.
Even if he was the Crown Prince, such rudeness in front of a Duke was hardly acceptable.
Had the Emperor been present, he might have clicked his tongue in disapproval.
As I thought this, Adel responded in a composed tone.
"You seem to be mistaken. Today, I am attending solely as Abel's fiancée."
Yet the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her fear. She was still afraid, wasn't she?
Well, in the original story, the Crown Prince had been the cause of most of her early deaths.
It made sense.
"Is that true?"
When he turned to me for confirmation, I smiled faintly.
"It is."
Perhaps my smile displeased him. His face twisted into a scowl as he glared at Adel and spat out his next words.
"You seem to have forgotten your disgrace. After our engagement was broken, you latched onto a Duke instead?"
"Who knows?"
Clenching her teeth, Adel barely managed to reply. But he pressed on, as if determined to corner her.
"So? What's your reason for using Duke Hardenberg to worm your way back into high society? Surely you're not here to torment Estelle again?"
"...Pathetic."
Estelle von Lewis.
The female protagonist of the original story as Adel knew her—and the woman the Crown Prince had fallen for.
He claimed to be enchanted by her kindness and beauty, but frankly, that was none of my concern.
What mattered was that the Crown Prince had carelessly uttered Estelle's name in a public setting—and openly humiliated Adel, the fiancée of a Duke.
If he had even a shred of sense, he would know this wasn't the place for such words.
This was the problem with male leads in RoFan.
Did they think reckless speech was their exclusive trait?
As I pondered this, I raised a hand to stop him as he moved toward Adel.
"That's enough, Your Highness."
"What did you say?"
"People are watching. I suggest you refrain from rash behavior."
Only then did he seem to notice the surrounding gazes. With a strange, choked sound, he turned back to Adel.
"...Remember this. This isn't over."
With those final words, he vanished from our sight. Once Le-o was completely gone, I exhaled sharply and muttered under my breath.
"What an idiot."
"...What?"
"It's nothing."
I answered Adel's question as if nothing had happened. It didn't matter—she was the only one who heard me anyway.