Chapter: 114
“I hope you won’t make such a mistake, Lady Ansi.”
“…High Priest Evans.”
“The Claudius ducal family and the Ansi viscount family are, in many ways, not very well-suited to each other, are they?”
High Priest Evans began speaking that way, looking at me with a pitying gaze.
“I’m telling you this carefully because I’m worried that Lady Ansi might get hurt later on.”
His tone genuinely sounded as though he was concerned about me.
That only made me feel even stranger.
“So I hope you won’t take it too badly.”
In the end, was I really unable to escape the original story?
Honestly, I…
I had thought that perhaps the Duke and I might have developed romantic feelings for each other.
But now, it was almost as if…
…this world was rooting for Seraphina and the Duke to be together.
Without realizing it, I glanced toward the Duke and Seraphina.
The sight of the two of them dancing gracefully truly looked like a painting.
My heart sank.
But then—
“Ah, excuse me for a moment.”
A voice tinged with laughter asked for my understanding.
And then—
“Ah!”
High Priest Evans suddenly pulled me toward him.
My body leaned against him as though I were being embraced, and I hurriedly tried to pull away in embarrassment.
But High Priest Evans firmly wrapped an arm around my waist and pressed his body even closer to mine.
Almost as though he and I were lovers.
‘Th-this is a little too much, isn’t it?’
There was indeed a movement like this in the dance, but even considering that, the embrace was far too intimate.
At the same time, a deep smile appeared on High Priest Evans’s lips.
As though he were intoxicated by the feeling of victory.
‘Who on earth is he looking at?’
Puzzled, I turned my head slightly.
“……”
My eyes met the Duke’s.
He was glaring in this direction with an expressionless face.
His lips were tightly pressed together.
And his blue eyes were as cold as a sea covered in ice.
Everything about him suggested that he was suppressing his anger.
‘Huh?’
My eyes widened slightly.
Because the Duke…
wasn’t touching Seraphina even with his fingertips.
‘What on earth is going on?’
Seraphina stared at Dietrich with a dazed expression, as though she had just been hit over the head.
Dietrich stood there as if rooted to the spot.
His blazing blue eyes were fixed relentlessly on High Priest Evans, who was holding Laritte in his arms.
The music had already reached its climax.
Amidst it all, they were the only ones standing there blankly instead of dancing.
“D-Duke.”
Seraphina cautiously called out to Dietrich, trying somehow to resume the dance.
At that moment—
Thud.
Dietrich walked past Seraphina without even offering an excuse.
The Duke strode over to us and yanked High Priest Evans away by the shoulder as though tearing him off me.
Then—
“My partner is uncomfortable, High Priest Evans.”
The Duke snapped sharply.
“As far as my limited knowledge goes, the Goddess teaches us to be considerate so that our partners do not feel uncomfortable.”
The Duke smiled viciously.
“I believe you may need to take some time to review the Goddess’s teachings.”
High Priest Evans’s face twisted violently.
At the same time, the music finally came to an end.
“……”
“……”
Silence descended over the hall.
Afterward.
I was nervous that a fight might break out, but fortunately, nothing happened.
Of course, there were numerous guests present, not to mention Her Majesty the Empress herself.
“What on earth is going on here?”
Her Majesty the Empress personally stepped in to mediate.
In the end, both the Duke and High Priest Evans had no choice but to reluctantly back down.
However, after that, the Duke’s mood hit rock bottom.
‘Wow, Big Brother is in a terrible mood.’
Even the Duchess had to shake her head in disbelief.
“Everyone, please take your seats.”
Just then, Seraphina, who had organized the charity party, stepped onto the stage as the event’s host.
Honestly, after the commotion earlier, she probably wasn’t in the best mood either…
Even so, I had to admire how perfectly she maintained her composure.
As the guests gradually took their seats, I also sat down in the VIP section I had been guided to.
For reference, the seats on either side of me were occupied by the Duke and the Duchess.
“I’m going to sit next to Larri.”
The Duchess had insisted that she absolutely had to sit beside me.
At the same time, they couldn’t exactly leave the seat beside the Duke, her partner, empty.
And, for reference, Her Majesty the Empress was sitting beside the Duchess…
‘Good heavens, what an extravagant group of companions.’
Feeling strangely nervous, I straightened my back and corrected my posture.
“Thanks to the support provided by High Priest Evans this time, we are able to select the ‘Brightest Star of November.’”
Seraphina smiled delicately, as pure as a lily.
“There are still many people in need around us. I sincerely hope that this event will gather a great deal of donations and allow them to spend a warm winter.”
After politely addressing the distinguished guests, Seraphina concluded in a clear voice.
“Then, let us begin.”
Clap, clap, clap—
Applause erupted throughout the hall.
Various items were brought onto the stage one after another.
“This item was donated by Lady Barreto. It is a scarf.”
“This item was donated by Count Covel…”
“This item…”
The donations steadily accumulated.
A lady whose fiancé had purchased her donated item for a large sum turned toward her fiancé with an affectionate gaze.
The nobles who had donated their possessions also puffed out their chests with pride.
Naturally, the priests were pleased to see the donations steadily piling up.
Then—
A luxurious handbag was brought onto the stage.
It had clearly been meticulously cared for, as the leather gleamed beautifully.
“This item… is something I have donated myself.”
Seraphina continued, pretending to be shy.
“It is from the 1827 collection of the Vüsken brand, and it is a handbag that I treasure very much.”
Ah, of course I knew it.
That was the handbag Gregory had bought for Seraphina’s eighteenth birthday.
“Serra, I prepared this for you. You know how hard it was to get this?”
Gregory had boasted proudly.
At the time, Seraphina, who normally wouldn’t even bat an eyelash at ordinary gifts, had—
“Gregory, you’re really the best!”
Unable to contain her joy, she had thrown her arms around Gregory’s neck, even getting tears in her eyes.
‘To think she would give up something she cherished so much.’
It was obvious that she had come here grinding her teeth and determined to raise her reputation at this charity party.
Seraphina continued with an innocent expression.
“I sincerely hope that this handbag, even if only in a small way, can help those who are less fortunate.”
The moment she finished speaking, a bidding paddle was raised.
It was High Priest Evans.
Twenty thousand derks.
It was the highest price offered for any item so far.
Even considering the rarity of that collection, it was an enormous amount.
The proof was in the reactions of the distinguished guests attending the charity party, who all widened their eyes in astonishment.
“Twenty thousand derks?”
“Even considering how rare the collection is, that’s quite a sum.”
“Isn’t it for the purpose of helping those in need?”
Faced with everyone’s astonished gazes, High Priest Evans answered pleasantly.
“I’m simply delighted that I can add some vitality to the event in this small way.”
“My goodness…”
Meanwhile, Seraphina covered her mouth with both hands as though deeply moved, but she still couldn’t hide her proud expression.
I could already imagine how much she would use today’s events to boast and raise her nose in high society…
After that, several ladies and noblewomen participated in the auction.
But in the end, the final winner was High Priest Evans.
