TOM Chapter 17

"There's nothing substantial. Is there any tea party you'd like to attend?"

"Not going."

"Yes, understood."

Betty shoved all the letters into the fireplace.

She's acting a bit strange too.

However, some didn't burn completely.

Betty picked up the last remaining one.

"You'll have to go to this one."

"What is it?"

"The court ball."

A voice from the doorway answered in place of Betty.

When I turned my head, I saw Minuet smiling refreshingly.

When did she get here.

"Do I really have to go there?"

"His Majesty wants to see His Grace the Duke's prospective fiancée. Ah, you know His Majesty is His Grace's maternal uncle, right?"

"Ugh."

"It worked out well, since the party was ruined, let's make this your real debutante ball."

Minuet approached and caressed my hair.

It was an affectionate gesture that gave me chills.

"Siora. I really like how you've been conducting yourself lately."

When Minuet says it, it sounds sarcastic, but it must be sincere.

Kruelo is friendly and Bonetti isn't under attack, so for her, it's the perfect situation.

"You'll be a wonderful debutante."

Minuet smiled brightly.

I don't know why I feel so anxious whenever this girl smiles.

But the education went fine, so nothing should happen... right?

The days flew by in a blur.

A subtle sense of unease accumulated with each passing day.

There's been no contact from Kruelo since we parted that way at the harvest festival.

What his true identity is, what exactly he did that day.

Even if he came to interrogate me about it, he would have come a hundred times by now, so what could he possibly be thinking.

He even refused my request to be my cavalier—the debutante's partner—at the court ball.

He's apparently too busy and doesn't have time.

Dawn broke while I lay there suspecting Kruelo's schemes.

Today is the court ball.

I got all dressed up and stepped out of the carriage.

Right in front of me, the gorgeously glittering imperial palace was visible.

So my impression is:

"Heavy."

The unease I felt seeing Minuet's smile was real.

How much fabric and jewels did they attach to this dress.

Even if I had strapped a greatsword to my body, it wouldn't be this heavy.

"Don't I look like a walking jewelry store?"

I asked my cavalier irritably, turning around.

"Be quiet, I'm heavy too."

Gavotte's gloomy response is satisfying.

Instead of a dress, he wore a cloak, and its weight also looked tremendous.

No wonder he couldn't straighten his shoulders.

"Exercise a bit, Gavotte."

"You and I are the same, you know?"

"No we're not. I'm stuck in my bedroom all the time so my stamina is in this state—"

"Be quiet!"

Gavotte frantically covered my mouth in alarm.

Yes yes, of course, I need to watch my words.

I heard it hammered into my ears by Minuet.

"Don't even mention the Siora Velvet days."

"What if they ask?"

"Just smile. Gavotte will help you."

"What? Minuet, you!"

"I have business so I'll be late. Gavotte, you're free and you're Siora's cavalier."

"...Damn it."

Will Gavotte really be helpful?

I couldn't shake my doubtful feelings as I went inside.

"To reach such a level at that age is truly the empire's blessing."

"A great sage will emerge in this country, hehe."

"You flatter me."

Julian Minerva.

The young Viscount Minerva smiled and responded to the nobles' praise.

However, inside, thoughts quite different from his exterior expression flowed through his mind.

'Trying to curry favor just to pick up even the smallest crumbs.'

‘This is exactly why I hate coming to these balls.’

‘If it weren't for my friend's recommendation, I would have gladly holed up in my estate using research as an excuse.’

"Speaking of which, Lady Crimson also—"

"Count Ollie. I heard you opened a trade route to Norvian this time."

"Yes? Ah, that's right. I really..."

Julian skillfully redirected the attention that was trying to turn toward Deidre Crimson.

His friend Deidre had an innocent side, so he couldn't let her become prey.

Just then.

"That lady must be the one who was adopted into Bonetti."

A few words entered Julian's ears through the gaps in the commotion.

He turned his eyes.

A young man and woman were entering the ballroom.

One was a youth he had seen to the point of being sick of it while attending the academy.

The other was a face he had only seen in portraits.

A beauty with brilliant blonde hair, a pale complexion, and mysteriously colored eyes.

'Siora Bonetti.'

Julian's lips twisted into a bitter expression.

How utterly absurd he had felt when he heard the news that nothing happened at the party.

Thanks to that failure, he got a proper scolding from the council of elders.

Kruelo Whitedesert must have intervened somehow.

Wasn't he practically showing off by sending that monster poison antidote, and just looking at how they openly dated at the harvest festival made it painfully obvious.

Because of all that, the rumors circulating now are quite something too.

'That Duke Whitedesert has fallen for a woman.'

Of course, Julian didn't believe whoever said that either.

He must have put on a show to turn the council of elders upside down.

They still seemed to believe the duke was under mind control, but that's a foolish delusion.

Then what about that woman.

If she's fallen into the delusion that she's special to the duke...

"...Should I mess with her."

If I lure her out, she might provide some interesting entertainment.

"Gavotte?"

Deidre seemed to have spotted Gavotte too.

She looked up with a pleased expression.

"Is that person the new sister he got?"

"Must be. Going to say hello?"

"...Well, I don't think Gavotte would be happy to see me."

Since there was no reply even when I sent letters.

Julian frowned at Deidre's added words.

"Nothing to worry about, Deidre. You know that friend has always been a bit prickly."

"No, I think I must have made some mistake."

"That can't be."

"I'm fine, so you at least go say hello."

Going without Deidre would be more convenient for probing.

Julian became a bit troubled by her dejected mood.

Just then, someone raised their voice to catch Julian's attention.

"Actually, I prepared a good gift to give to you, Young Viscount."

It was some baron whose name he couldn't even remember.

He handed Julian a crude black bottle.

The nobles secretly mocked him.

"It's liquor that some gypsy tribe supposedly brewed. You've probably never seen it before, this is what kind of liquor—"

"I'll gratefully accept it."

Not wanting to hear the explanation, Julian cut off his words while taking the bottle.

Then, leaving the bewildered baron behind, he turned his head to Deidre.

"Then I'll be back in a moment, Deidre."

He spoke affectionately and took a step.

The ballroom was bustling with people.

And around me too.

"My goodness, your hair is really beautiful."

"The dress suits you well. Which boutique did you have it made at?"

"I heard you passed the education in one try. That's really amazing."

It was hard to understand all the words pouring out.

Everyone who sent invitations must be here.

I had hoped the emperor would rescue me from this commotion since he was curious about me, but it was a vain expectation.

He just glanced at me once and returned with the empress.

All that's left is the crown prince who seems to have absolutely zero interest in me.

So.

"Let go of my arm."

"No way, Gavotte."

I need to keep him with me at least.

Since Gavotte was trying to run away again like last time, I gripped his arm tightly.

"No, Siora. I'm thirsty. I'll just get a glass of wine..."

Gavotte pleaded pitifully.

It was an uncharacteristically weak appearance, but I won't fall for it.

"No, wine is um."

I looked around searching for a servant holding a tray.

Just then, a glass suddenly appeared in front of me.

"Is this what you're looking for?"

At the pleasant voice, Gavotte stiffened with a start.

When I turned my head, I saw who had offered the wine.

Drooping eye corners that looked good-natured and a cheerful smile.

The youth with pink hair was a handsome man who could easily win favor.

A face from the personal information I had memorized and at the same time.

"Julian Minerva was the one who instigated it."

The very person who tried to ruin my party.

"Hello, Young Viscount Minerva."

"I didn't expect you to know my name. Did Gavotte tell you?"

Julian Minerva widened his eyes in surprise, then curved them sweetly.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Julian Minerva. Gavotte, it's been a while."

Anyone could see it was a benevolent attitude, but knowing his true intentions, well.

Gavotte went stiff and I smiled knowingly.

I never expected to encounter a minion—presumably—of the council of elders at the ballroom I was dragged to like some kind of duty.

"...Julian. Have you been well too?"

"Same as always. Ah, Deidre came with me too. She was upset that you didn't reply to her letters."

Gavotte couldn't answer and just closed his mouth.

I just smiled but Gavotte already lost!

I want to confront Minuet about this.

Those surrounding us cheered at the appearance of new prey.

"My goodness, aren't you Young Viscount Minerva?"

"Come to think of it, you were Young Master Gavotte's classmate. It's an honor to meet you like this. I'm—"

"Yes, nice to meet you. But..."

Julian looked around at the people nearby and said.

"I have a lot to talk about with a friend I haven't seen in a long time. If it's alright, could I ask for your understanding?"

His face was smiling but his presence was firm.

Even in the midst of that, it wasn't that there weren't people trying to persist, but when one or two left, they all withdrew in a rush.

The surroundings became refreshingly clear.

Hmm.

This person might be a good person.

"It's difficult, isn't it? Even if it's goodwill, people's attention isn't exactly light."

He really seems like a good person.

"Ah, did I perhaps do something unnecessary?"

"Not at all. It was a bit burdensome, Young Viscount."

"Just call me Julian. If you're Gavotte's family, you're not exactly a stranger."

"Alright, Julian."

Gavotte seemed to have objections, but names are more comfortable.

Isn't that what names are for, to be called.

"I was actually surprised in many ways. First Gavotte got a new sister."

"That..."

"Then there's talk of marriage between that sister and Duke Whitedesert."

Hey, I gave you a good evaluation just 30 seconds ago.

"I was a bit worried. The duke we've all known has such a definite personality."

"Ah, 'we've all known'..."

"But the rumors are good, so that's fortunate. It might feel like meddling to you, Siora."

"Julian seems to know the rumors quite well?"