Chapter: 113
It seemed Seraphina had put quite a lot of thought into this charity party.
Well, considering that her reputation was on the line, it was only natural in a way.
Even aside from the “Brightest Star of November” event, which had been inspired by the Rose Game, there were various little entertainments prepared.
“You’re randomly choosing dance partners?”
Her Majesty the Empress’s eyes lit up with curiosity.
Seraphina nodded brightly.
“Yes. I thought it would be nice if everyone had a chance to mingle with people they weren’t already acquainted with.”
The rules were simple.
Inside a large box were slips of paper bearing the names of the ladies.
The gentlemen would randomly draw a slip.
Then they would dance with the lady whose name was written on it.
“Duke Claudius!”
Seraphina waved toward the Duke with a radiant smile.
At the same time, a deep crease formed between the Duke’s brows.
It was plainly an expression that was anything but pleased.
“……I’ll be back, Lady Ancy.”
After asking for my understanding, the Duke approached the box placed in the center of the stage.
The ladies watched with burning eyes, all eager to see which lucky lady would be chosen by the Duke.
Watching them, I suddenly felt my mood sink.
‘Well, he is an extremely popular man.’
Still, I had come here as his partner for once.
And it felt as though I were being deprived of the time I could have spent with the Duke……
‘Am I being too childish?’
Just as I was inwardly giving a bitter smile at myself, the Duke pulled out a slip of paper.
With a rather half-hearted gesture, the Duke unfolded the slip, and his eyebrow twitched.
“……Seraphina Lopez.”
My heart plummeted.
‘Seraphina?’
The ‘original story’ that I had completely forgotten came rushing back to me.
The female protagonist of this world, Seraphina.
And the Duke, Seraphina’s destined partner.
“Oh, me?”
Seraphina’s eyes widened, and then she deliberately blushed, pretending to be modest.
“I’m not very good at dancing, so I’m worried that I might cause trouble for Your Grace……”
It was utter nonsense.
She hadn’t earned the title of ‘the most innocent lily of high society’ through a random draw, after all.
“Lady Lopez was chosen?”
“I’m so jealous.”
While the ladies each let out disappointed sighs or became somewhat dejected,
“No, why did it have to be Lady Lopez?”
The young lady of the ducal family, who had been clinging tightly to my side, lowered her voice and grumbled furiously.
“Did they tamper with that box or something?!”
“……”
I kept my mouth firmly shut.
Normally, I would have hurried to soothe the young lady, but strangely, I didn’t feel like doing so now.
I knew it logically.
If the Duke rejected Seraphina here, it would ruin the atmosphere that had finally become so lively.
And yet.
‘I don’t want the Duke…… to dance with Seraphina.’
Pathetically, I couldn’t stop thinking that way……
I forced a smile onto my face, trying to hide my sinking mood.
“All right, next is High Priest Evans!”
Seraphina called out in a lively voice.
High Priest Evans stepped onto the stage.
The ladies once again looked full of anticipation.
And then.
“Larit Ancy.”
What?
I doubted my own ears.
At the same time, High Priest Evans smiled brightly at me.
“Please take good care of me, Lady Ancy.”
At that moment.
I could have sworn the Duke was staring at High Priest Evans with a cold gaze……
‘Huh?’
I was a little bewildered.
The Duke’s face looked perfectly composed, just as usual.
There wasn’t even a trace of the icy gaze from moments ago.
‘Did I imagine it?’
Well, I must have seen it wrong.
I shook my head inwardly.
Standing in the dance hall, Seraphina faced Dietrich with an excited expression.
‘Oh my, I never imagined I would get to dance with the Duke…….’
Her heart was pounding.
Though she was a woman who had been thoroughly hardened by the rough world of high society,
Even Seraphina’s heart fluttered like that of a young girl whenever she stood before Duke Claudius.
‘This is an opportunity.’
Although she had managed to grab onto a lifeline named Isaac, there was still no harm in building a good relationship with Duke Claudius.
‘Come to think of it, I think this is the first time I’ve seen the Duke from this close.’
A forehead smooth as marble, firmly closed lips, and an elegant jawline.
He was a beautiful man who looked as though God Himself had painstakingly sculpted him.
Seraphina stared at Dietrich in a daze, her eyes filled with fascination, when she suddenly furrowed her brows.
‘Huh?’
Something was strange.
She was clearly the person standing in front of Dietrich.
And yet, those beautiful blue eyes never once looked at Seraphina.
And his gaze was……
‘Larit?!’
Following Dietrich’s gaze instinctively, Seraphina felt her insides twist.
His eyes were fixed solely on Larit.
‘No.’
She had to somehow draw the Duke’s attention back to her.
Seraphina spoke as warmly as she could.
“I’m really happy to have the chance to dance with you like this, Your Grace.”
“……”
At those words, Dietrich finally turned his eyes toward Seraphina.
His blue eyes were as cold and emotionless as finely polished sapphires, with not the slightest trace of warmth.
It was as though he didn’t even regard her as another human being.
……Seraphina felt a chill run down her spine.
“Is that so.”
After replying so curtly, Dietrich turned his gaze away again.
His eyes remained fixed on Larit.
‘How can this be?’
Seraphina’s face went pale.
Her pride, crumpled beyond recognition, dropped helplessly at her feet.
And Dietrich—
Crunch!
With graceful steps perfectly suited to the dance, he casually trampled Seraphina’s pride lying on the floor beneath his feet.
A lively dance tune began to play.
Listening absentmindedly to it, I thought indifferently.
‘Seraphina chose this song.’
It made sense, considering this was Frederick’s Waltz, the dance Seraphina was best at.
It was a very good song, but somehow……
Its cheerful melody seemed far too lively to be played within a solemn grand temple.
And besides, this song definitely……
‘At the very end, there was a move where the partners practically embraced each other.’
That was probably why it had the nickname ‘the dance tune that creates the most lovers.’
……If so, would Seraphina and the Duke end up having intimate physical contact?
Of course, I knew they were simply dancing.
But still……
“This is our first time dancing together, isn’t it?”
Just then, High Priest Evans smiled at me.
I nodded awkwardly.
“Yes, it is.”
“To be honest, I never expected Duke Claudius to choose Lady Ancy as his partner.”
As he skillfully moved through the steps, High Priest Evans spoke to me again.
‘What on earth is he trying to say?’
I looked at the High Priest suspiciously.
High Priest Evans shrugged both shoulders conspicuously.
“There is a story in the Scriptures.”
Why was he suddenly talking about the Scriptures?
Whether he knew about my indifference or not, High Priest Evans continued in a cheerful tone.
“It is said that there was once a brilliant craftsman who created enormous wings in order to reach the Goddess.”
My shoulders stiffened in surprise.
Because that craftsman was undoubtedly……
“One day, the craftsman flew from the bell tower with wings attached to both his arms. He had no doubt whatsoever that he would be able to reach the Goddess through his own strength.”
At the same time, his pale blue eyes narrowed like a snake’s.
“So, what do you think happened to that craftsman?”
“……”
I bit my lips tightly.
Because in the end, the glue holding the feathers of his wings melted, and he fell to the ground.
