The Entrance Ball (2)
The atmosphere in the ballroom was ripening nicely.
The major players had all made their entrances, the doors were closed, the music had started up, and the perfunctory congratulations for academy enrollment were winding down.
Of course, no one was coming my way.
Meanwhile, a parade of nobles kept approaching Elia Adventus, who was seated beside me, to offer their greetings.
"Lady Elia, you seem to grow more beautiful by the day."
"Congratulations on the entrance ceremony."
"Thank you."
"...Sigh."
Anyone who came for Elia and so much as glanced my way bolted like they'd seen a ghost.
Elia, watching it all from the side, let out a snicker.
"From where I'm sitting, you're not that much of a wastrel."
"Thanks, even if it's empty flattery."
"So why the reputation? I hear you caused a scene at every social gathering."
"When did I?"
I'm seriously wronged. That was Kael Lotus's doing.
Of course, I am Kael Lotus now...
Anyway, that wasn't the point. I stood up from my seat.
"Let's check out the other side."
"Sure."
Elia followed without protest.
As we walked, I could hear the whispers and slander from all around, but I ignored it.
"How's Lady Elia holding up? A wastrel for a fiancé, of all people..."
"He looks fine enough on the outside, but the rumors are vicious."
"Is Lady Elia really okay? Does that wastrel have some dirt on her?"
Most of it was concern for Elia.
But Elia brushed off the stares just like I did—openly ignoring them.
We made it to the opposite side of the ballroom and took new seats. No big reason for the move.
Just to check if the original story was unfolding as it should. To make sure my butterfly effect hadn't derailed things already.
Right on cue, the scene was about to kick off.
"Greetings, my lady."
"Your Highness!"
Maria Frendis. And Lucas Deverlu.
The crown prince had approached Maria, who was quietly lurking in a corner, hoping to blend in unnoticed.
Of course, it started with light pleasantries. Standard protocol.
But the prince's gaze lingered a bit too long.
"Um... is there something you want from me?"
The innocent girl who knew nothing asked, and the ladies around covered their mouths.
"How vulgar... Speaking to His Highness first without permission."
"Doesn't she know court etiquette?"
"Up close, she's not even that pretty. Can't even dress properly."
Okay, that's straight-up slander.
Anyway, talking to the crown prince first apparently came off as rude to the other nobles. To me, it just looked embarrassing.
We're all students after entrance anyway—why fuss over titles here?
"Lady, would you care for a dance?"
Here we go. What did the protagonist say in the original?
Right...
"I'm sorry, Your Highness."
She refused.
No big reason. Maria Frendis didn't know how to dance. The male leads teach her later, but not yet.
And the prince's response?
"Hahaha, do I not appeal to you?"
"N-no, it's not that! I just don't know how to dance..."
He gets clingy.
Then Maria looks distressed, and out pops the prince of justice.
"Your Highness, isn't the lady uncomfortable?"
"Gasp..."
Everyone else held their breath.
Rudeness level two. The surrounding young lords and ladies, suddenly spectators, were the only ones sweating it.
Hydele Grace. Eldest son of the Grace Marquis family, and Maria's second reverse harem member.
He grabbed Maria's hand and pulled her behind him—without asking her first, naturally.
What a circus.
I'd seen it in the original, but reading it as text and watching it live were worlds apart.
Mana resistance low or something. Felt like a morning soap opera for women.
"Hydele... long time."
"You've changed too, Your Highness. Tormenting a lovely lady like this."
Their eyes locked.
And here's another setting: Hydele and Prince Lucas were actually close friends!
So not just romance around the heroine, but some bromance too. Author's wild idea, I guess.
"Hahaha! Still the same old you! Ahem... Lady, I apologize for my rudeness."
Surprisingly, that was it.
But the real stuff comes next.
The heroine Maria and her second lead head to the balcony for a chat.
Sure enough, they slipped out for some air.
The prince gracefully backed off from dancing with Maria, and once she and Hydele were gone, the ballroom buzzed back to life.
Elia, who'd watched it all, chimed in.
"Looks like His Highness has taken a shine to the Frendis lady. Even with Lady Alley around."
I smirked at that.
"You think the crown prince is satisfied with some Northern Archduchess?"
"W-wait, Kael! That was reckless. What if someone heard?"
"So what. Listen up, Elia. Political marriages are like that. Couples without real feelings? Miserable as hell. You know that."
"Not really?"
"Playing dumb..."
Our situations were similar, but...
Come to think of it, Elia Adventus in the original never really caught feelings for anyone.
Kael pushed her away because of his crush on Maria, but Elia never fell for anyone.
Unlike the main villainess.
"So, wrapping up soon?"
"Seems like it."
We'd spectated the original scene, exchanged greetings—ball was nearing its end.
Food on the tables was mostly gone, and people looked worn out.
Far off on the balcony, Hydele and Maria finished talking and headed back in.
Time for me to bounce. I stood.
Then Elia quietly tugged my arm.
"What?"
"Those two... coming this way?"
The original protagonist Maria Frendis—who'd refused Prince Lucas's dance—and Hydele Grace, who'd just chatted with her, were heading straight for us.
Oh right. The original ball scene didn't end there.
"Hello... I'm Maria of the Frendis Barony."
"Talking to a wastrel... Does she really know nothing?"
"Even a wastrel's still the heir to a border count... How can she just approach like that?"
Vague memory surfaced. Maria's last encounter at this ball was me.
I racked my brain quick.
"Elia."
"Yes?"
"Remember our deal?"
"The fake... engagement?"
"Yeah. Time to sell it properly. Or better—act like a lovey-dovey couple."
Confusion flickered on Elia's face at my request.
But luckily, she nodded without question.
Right then, Hydele approached first.
"Pleased to meet you. Hydele Grace of the Grace Marquis family. You're the eldest son of the Lotus Border Count, right?"
Maria Frendis, arriving a beat later, bowed.
"Hello... I'm Maria of the Frendis Barony."
Whispers rippled around us.
Earlier they'd called me wastrel; now with Maria as target, they defended me while trash-talking her.
In the original, this was where Kael Lotus showed his true colors.
Enjoying the show? Shut up.
Two lines defined the character.
Maria felt some odd consideration from him there.
Figured the wastrel had a good heart underneath. Accepted him or whatever.
Made me want to puke just thinking about it. Peak original-Kael simp moment.
But I had no reason to play along.
Instead, I turned to Hydele, not Maria.
"Grace family? The martial house leading the Grace Knights, right?"
"That's us. First time meeting, but you're casual. I'd appreciate a bit more courtesy."
"Let's call it 'forthright' instead. Drop the act and talk easy."
Hydele smirked.
"If you say so."
He shrugged, no real complaint.
"One thing, Hydele Grace. Prettiest flowers have the sharpest thorns."
"What's that mean?"
"Don't get distracted by flowers and forget your duty. Looks like you're already hooked..."
My gaze shifted to Maria.
She flinched and stepped back.
I grinned.
"Advice for you too. Don't brush off a wastrel's words. True love? That crap never comes."
"...!"
Maria's eyes widened.
I knew her goals and backstory, after all.
Transmigrator privilege.
"Hydele Grace. Your job's protecting the people as a knight. Got it? No side glances."
"I know that."
"Sure you do. Elia? Let's find somewhere quiet, just us."
I grinned; Elia played along smoothly.
"Sounds good, Kael."
We'd prepped the act.
This was recon—bait for how I'd mess with them later.
Every time these guys flirted with Maria, I'd stir the pot.
I'm the wastrel; it's allowed.
As we left, Elia shot me a pouty glare.
"No helping next time. No need to be that rude to them."
Looked like I went rogue solo.
But I've got plans.