Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: The Ball (1)
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The day of the ball arrived.
Erich gathered everyone and explained the schedule.
“You'll all make your entrance last.”
The ballroom was already open.
The nobles were already there, mingling and strengthening their connections.
Our time to appear would be around sunset.
We were to make a grand entrance, like the main characters, just as the ball officially began.
I nodded calmly.
In reality, the Hero's party were the main attraction of this ball.
It was an important stage in many ways.
Word of mouth had likely spread quite a bit from the last event.
But being the talk of the nobility was a different beast entirely.
Making a good impression at the ball would make our future activities much smoother.
Our favorability and reputation were still rising steadily.
As long as nothing unexpected happened, we were on track to exceed our goals.
The princes were a variable, however.
But since we'd already earned the Emperor's favor, it probably wouldn't be a major issue.
We had a simple lunch.
Perhaps because of the upcoming ball, most of them ate lightly.
Aruru, of course, was the exception.
Ilensia, on the other hand, seemed determined to starve herself, groaning at the sight of the food before her.
“You skipped breakfast too, didn't you? Are you sure you'll be okay?”
Unable to watch any longer, the princess gently chided her.
She meant for her to stop being so silly, but the elf girl took it a step further.
“Yes, this is nothing. Elves, after all… are beings who live on dew alone.”
“…”
It was nonsense that not even a child would believe.
Though a very small minority who held fantasies about elves might think so…
In any case.
I didn't know about other elves, but Ilensia certainly didn't fit that description.
Didn't she meticulously pick every last scrap of meat off the bone?
She barely even glanced at the vegetable scraps that sometimes appeared on her plate.
While everyone was at a loss for words, Aruru respected Ilensia's claim.
“Then I'll eat it for you.”
“—!”
Before anyone could stop her, she devoured it in an instant.
The fox beastkin paid no mind to the resentful glare directed at her.
Was it the result of enduring her hunger?
A short while later, the elf girl emerged confidently, dressed in her gown.
“What do you think? This elegance is bound to draw admiration, isn't it?”
I found my gaze drawn unconsciously to her slender waist.
The sacrifice she'd made to achieve that was by no means small.
The pressure from the tightly laced corset seemed to make even moving difficult.
Regardless, she was dazzlingly beautiful.
A green dress that exposed her shoulders.
It seemed to bring out the very essence of an elf's charm.
“Not bad…”
“…Is that all you have to say?”
She grumbled that I wasn't being honest.
Her expression showed she was completely disappointed after putting in so much effort.
Hey, think about my position too!
What do you expect from a man who has a fiancée?
Besides, the elf girl had her own partner for the ball.
The Second Prince would surely praise her beauty until his mouth went dry.
Well, I suppose I should at least offer some lip service for today.
“Now you actually look like an elf.”
“—??”
Hmm, was that not it? Oh well.
That was the best I could come up with.
Soon, the Second Prince, Karl, arrived at the annex.
He was here to pick up his partner, the elf girl.
“—!”
The moment he saw her, he froze on the spot.
He even forgot his dignity as a prince, his jaw dropping wide open.
Well, that was a normal reaction.
A peerless beauty had dressed herself to the nines; it was only natural.
“You are truly beautiful…”
The Second Prince was also dressed splendidly.
But it still felt like Ilensia was too good for him.
“You look wonderful as well, Your Highness.”
“But I'm sure I fall short compared to you. I will do my best to make this the greatest moment of your life.”
He swore it on his honor.
His words sent the elf girl's self-esteem soaring.
She then proceeded to link arms with the Second Prince, as if to show off.
*Feeling any regrets now?*
*Too late. I'm going to have fun with this man!*
She sent me a meaningful glance that seemed to say just that.
“…”
What is this feeling…?
Seeing the elf girl clinging to the Second Prince felt a little strange.
It definitely wasn't jealousy, but still!
Was this the feeling of not wanting to give to others what you can't have yourself?
It felt like the base instinct of a male trying to take control of me.
That's how devastatingly effective Ilensia's dress version was.
“We'll be on our way, then.”
The Second Prince and the elf girl left, looking quite affectionate.
Just as I was stewing in an unknown sense of discomfort, a girl came to my rescue right on time.
My soulmate.
My eternal partner, with whom I would spend my life.
Ceria made her grand entrance.
I had seen her in many different ways until now, but this time, my eyes couldn't help but widen.
Her long hair was swept naturally to one side.
Understated makeup highlighted her youthful freshness to the fullest.
And it accentuated a certain part of her… Hmm, this is a little risqué, isn't it?
My eyes were fixed on it before I knew it.
That subtle hint of something almost, but not quite, visible…
It wasn't particularly revealing, but from my perspective, it was, uh… you know? Anyway, it was something!
I barely managed to regain my composure.
A ball, and a royal one at that.
The finely dressed daughters of nobility and the grand dames who ruled high society would all be there.
In other words, dressing to that degree was only proper.
You couldn't face machine guns with just a pistol.
My perception might be a bit strange.
But for the women, it was no different from going into battle.
A fierce war of nerves waged behind gentle smiles.
A moment's carelessness would lead to irreversible consequences.
Ceria slowly approached.
Then, with a shy expression, she gently tried to link her arm with mine.
“Do you like it?”
I didn't know what to say.
She had so far surpassed my expectations that I was trembling.
“I always feel this way, but you're too good for me. That's how beautiful you are.”
The girl's radiant figure.
Her loveliness was such that an hour of praise wouldn't be enough.
It went without saying, but any thought of the elf girl had already vanished from my mind.
Perhaps she sensed my sincerity.
Ceria blushed and whispered softly.
“The reason I dressed up like this… is only for you.”
“—!”
*Only for you…*
Those words resonated beautifully.
She could shake her lover's heart so effortlessly.
A certain desire suddenly welled up inside me.
How about we engage in some lover-like activities right now?
Nothing too serious, of course, but a light kiss might be okay?
Of course, it had to remain a fantasy.
Just gazing warmly at each other was more than enough to make me happy.
Soon, Luciel made her appearance.
Befitting a saintess, she still looked holy even in a dress.
Ah! Unlike usual, she was wearing black stockings…
Setting aside the strange sense of depravity, they suited her so well it was almost cheating.
The lines of her legs, glimpsed with every step…
Luciel gave me a smiling glance, then walked right past me and sat on the sofa opposite.
As if my half-dazed reaction was all the confirmation she needed.
She didn't even bother asking something like, "So, how do I look?"
And then…
A girl did something unexpected.
*Pinch.*
I jumped in surprise at the sensation in my side.
“—!”
It wasn't because of the pain.
I was stunned by the very fact that Ceria had pinched me.
A girl who perfectly embodied the virtues of a noble lady.
A gentle and calm disposition, respectful to everyone.
The shock was immense because she was the last person I'd expect to do something like that.
The funny thing was…
She looked just as horrified as I was.
“—!”
*Oh, what have I done?*
*What should I do? I did it without thinking!*
*Now he'll think I'm a petty woman who gets jealous over nothing, won't he?*
I only gave him a little pinch to tell him not to stare at other women.
But her expression was one of self-reproach, as if even that small act was unforgivable.
“…”
“…”
What was this awkwardness?
I was the one at fault, but she seemed to be the one feeling sorry.
But if I apologized first, it would look strange.
Not because of pride, but because it would be an admission that I was staring at the Saintess.
Well, I mean…
By not asking why she pinched me, I had pretty much admitted my guilt anyway.
“I-I'm sorry. I mean… just now…”
“It's okay. You're the only one for me.”
“…”
“…”
We were stuck in an awkward silence for a while.
Luciel's meaningful smile only made things more confusing.
Hmm, is this sort of thing going to keep happening?
My gut feeling is that this is just the beginning.
Forget it, can someone please fix this situation!
In times like these, our little cutie usually showed up.
And this time was no different.
From across the room, the fox beastkin was forcefully pushing the princess by her rear.
“Wait! I'm not mentally prepared yet…”
“I told you, you look pretty. You really look like a princess! Trust your big sister!”
I understood the situation at a glance.
The princess was beautifully dressed but was too shy to show herself to anyone.
Our little cutie, frustrated by her hesitation, was forcibly pushing her forward.
It was a rather bizarre scene, and it quickly dispelled the awkward atmosphere.
“Jace! Hurry up and say something.”
Aruru urged me on.
She said that would stop the princess's coyness.
Even Ceria, who had been smiling quietly, joined in.
“I don't mind. Go on.”
Perhaps because of the flow of the conversation, she gave her permission readily.
Praising another woman in front of your lover was taboo.
But this was a special case, so it seemed okay to say whatever.
I took a good look at the girl, the princess.
Under my gaze, she looked like she wanted to die of embarrassment, not knowing what to do.
*What if Jace doesn't like it?*
*Then I'll just skip the ball and everything!*
She looked so afraid of that possibility.
Hmm, what should I do?
Simply saying it looked good on her would be insincere.
But piling on all sorts of flowery compliments would be just as transparent.
I put my brain into overdrive.
I had to find an answer that would satisfy everyone.
Suddenly, a good idea came to mind.
It would be best to use the conversation we'd had the other day.
“Oh, it's you, Esterize.”
“—??”
“I was wondering who it was. You're so beautiful I didn't recognize you.”
“—!”
As I said it playfully, the girl's face flushed bright red.
She looked like she wanted to bite her tongue out from the overwhelming embarrassment.
*-Anyway, message received!*
*-But don't you dare not recognize me.*
She had clearly remembered her own words.
Where had all her confidence from back then gone?
“D-Don't tease meeee…”
“I'm serious. Just like Aruru said, you really look like a princess.”
“…”
On the verge of tears, she lowered her head and fell silent.
Given the atmosphere, she didn't exude much of a princess's dignity, but she boasted a supreme beauty befitting one of the main characters.
Her hair was tied up neatly in an updo.
The pale line of the girl's neck drew the eye.
The glimpse of her collarbone made my heart flutter for no reason.
She wouldn't lose out in a comparison with anyone.
Fifteen out of ten… no, even twenty out of ten wouldn't be enough.
“Hey, what about me? What's my score?”
Aruru asked curiously, her fox ears twitching.
The moment the princess's issue was resolved, she latched onto me.
My little cutie.
It's impossible to give you a score.
There's no one to compare you to, so just know you're a perfect 100.
“Wow!”
She circled around the princess excitedly.
Perhaps because of her cheerfulness, the girl who had been hanging her head regained her spirits.
With a look that said she had worried for nothing, she stroked the fox beastkin's head.
Hmm, she really is all-purpose.
Aruru did it again.
It was a heartwarming moment, but Luciel suddenly showed a hint of displeasure.
*Ah, this wasn't how it was supposed to go…*
*I guess I'll have to wait for the next chance.*
She gave off that kind of vibe for a moment before smiling as if nothing had happened.
Huh? What was that? Was Luciel the villain here?
A saintess who's a villain. It somehow seems plausible.
Of course, there was no need to be too concerned.
She might cause a few minor problems, but she would never do anything to harm me.
After some time passed, the scheduled moment arrived.
I entered the ballroom alongside the rest of the party.
And with that, the ball event officially began.