After a few moments the Imperial Family appeared one after the other, and the Imperial Spring Flower Ball, one of the highlights of this festival opened its splendid curtains.
'So that person is the Crown Prince.
My greatest rival in this world, because we are sharing my ivory-colored Master.'
I studied him because I wanted to know my competitor.
"Distinguished guests, thank you, for accepting the invitation from the Imperial Family and for making this event shine brighter."
The Crown Prince smiled kindly and politely thanked the nobles.
The Crown Prince was the representative of the Imperial Family. And to announce the start of the ball, the first thing he did was to come out and dance with his partner.
'Just as the novel described him, he has a handsome appearance and because he is a sword master his body is build well.
But the most amazing thing about him is his blue hair, like the sky.
Blue, the symbol of the Imperial Family.'
In the Azutea Empire, blue was considered a supreme color, that represented the sky and the sea.
Also 'blue blood' is an expression that is associated with the noblest bloodline.
'If no unexpected events happen, the Crown Prince will later become the Emperor of the Azutea Empire.
So the Blancia Master must be actively helping him, because there are two more princes as possible candidates for the Emperor position, but their presence is not as strong as the Crown Prince's.
The second Prince has a weak body and the third Prince is born from the fourth Empress that is from a foreign country, so she has to be cautious of the social conventions and of the high nobles of the Empire.
Even though she is favored by the current Emperor, it would be unreasonable for her to push the third Prince as a candidate for the Emperor position, because of the severe internal opposition by the nobles.'
As the Crown Prince danced with the Princess of the Serig family, the nobles started to go one after the other to the dance floor.
'It is just like in the movies.'
It was something I had only saw in the fragments of Deborah's memories, so I couldn't take my eyes off them, the sight of the gorgeous dresses fluttering in all directions was like dancing flowers.
While I watched the ball excited, Isidor made eye contact with me and smiled charmingly.
"Shall we dance too, Princess Deborah?"
Isidor held out his white gloved hand.
'Big hands, my ideal type!'
"Yes, of course. "
When I saw his big, graceful hand that that looked like it can play the piano well and his gentle smile, I foolishly accepted his dance request, only after did I remembered something important.
'I forgot to practice dancing because I was to worried about our clothes!
During the winter, I only practiced a few social dances that the family tutor taught me!'
Isidor, gently, wrapped his firm arm around my waist, and brought my body in contact with his and the scent of musk permeated my lungs.
Even though I didn't drink, I felt like my head was spinning for some reason, and when he closed his face, the spot his breath touched was so hot like it had been burned.
Isidor started dancing slowly to the rhythm of the music and I tried to follow him as best I could.
"Are you perhaps nervous?"
He whispered softly in my ear, because my steps felt stiff.
"Aaaa...that, my steps are usually like this."
I felt embarrassed and started talking nonsense again.
'My acting skills and bluff are improving tremendously after coming to this place.'
"You're not even a soldier, but you are overflowing with discipline, just concentrate on the music, Princess Deborah."
He said jokingly and turned me around and around to a fast beat.
'Wow!!'
My head went blank for a moment, but Deborah's natural motor nerves instinctively followed his movements with agility.
So I reacted and moved automatically without having to think about anything, maybe because the dance was familiar to this body.
'Isidor can lead very well.
Deborah's past partners were a bit clumsy and stiff, so she hated dancing with them.
But, Isidor is moving according to the music, so it is really easy to follow him because he is controling the rhythm so well.
When he pulls I quickly follow him, when he releases his strength I adjust my stride slowly and when he turns I turn as well.
This is really so much fun. I can understand the dance fever a little bit.'
As the music progressed to a certain extent, I was able to naturally follow Isidor's steps.
"Ufff."
"Sorry, I made a mistake."
Of course an accident in which I stepped on Isidor's foot, hard, had to happen.
"Princess, you dance really well and your stamina is also good."
"Ahem, thank you. "
I was a little flattered to hear him say that I have good athletic skills. Especially since I wasn't athletic in my previous life.
"I suspected that you stepped on me on purpose a while ago and very strongly too..."
"Not intentionally. "
"Really?"
"I don't lie."
While I was chatting with him, I felt a strong gaze from behind Isidor.
'Philap?'
Philap's red-brown eyes stared at us fiercely.
'Why is he staring like that?'
But as soon as I felt Philap stare, Isidor turned slightly and blocked my view.
His emerald eyes seemed somehow cold and the strength of his arm that wrapped around my waist became even stronger than before, making me stick to his strong build body.
'The dance level difficulty is suddenly increasing.'
As the music progressed to the climax, the steps were faster and faster and I had no choice but to pay attention to his movements.
My vision was all over the place, and when the music stopped, loud applause burst around us.
"That was great!"
"What a wonderful dance!"
Isidor looked down at me without saying a word.
Because of the dance, he clasped his fingers tightly with mine but he slowly released my fingers.
I unconsciously swallowed hard at the feeling of him slowly brushing his fingers past my fingers.
"No one can take their eyes off you Princess Deborah."
He whispered, slowly, in my ear.
"They must be looking at you, Sir. Isidor, more than me, there is no other gentleman more radiant and handsome as you here.
And I must say that no one is more suitable for the Spring Flower Ball, than you are today."
"I'm not sure."
He slowly raised his head with a subtle expression.
Philap and Mia were standing in the spot where Isidor's eyes turned.
'Why is Philap staring at me like I am his mortal enemy? I felt him staring at me earlier to.
Don't tell me?! It is because the pink diamond is making him uncomfortable? Well, who told him to fail at predicting the winning bid?'
While I was feeling annoyed by Philap's insistet stare, Isidor led me to a table that was lined with champagne and finger food.
I was very hot from our dance, but after I quenched my thirst with a cold drink, I felt like I could breath again.
After Isidor gave me a glass of champagne, a handsome man with black curly hair approached us while he frivolously waved his arm.
"Sir. Isidor! You danced so well."
"Ahhhh, great, other more annoying people came."
Isidor clicked his tongue while he wispered in a low voice.
'Those people! Aren't they must be the fifth Princess and Thierry Orgo.
They are the people I saw at the fact-finding meeting.
Short blue hair, that came down to her ears, symbolizing the Hystch Imperial Family, and cold neutral features.
The person on the left is the fifth Princess, who attracts followers just as clouds gathere together.
And that careless-looking man escorting her seemes to be Thierry Orgo, the third son of the Orgo family.'
"Hmmm..."
While I was quietly analyzing them, the fifth Princess fluttered her fan and slowly approached me, she covered half of her face with the fan and looked at me. Her eyes were shining sharply, like that of a cat looking at his pray.
On the other hand, Thierry Orgo was looking at Isidor with a naughty smile.
"Sir. Isidor, I must say that you are more dazzlingly today than ever,
you can even become the Flower of the year, and I will gladly throw flowers at you."
'I understand now, why Isidor said he was annoying. He is quite shrewd.'
"Ahem! Ahem!"
In the meantime the fifth Princess kept glaring at Isidor while she cleared her throat.
Isidor eventually stepped forward with a dissatisfied expression and introduced us.
"Nice to meet you, Lady Deborah."
The fifth Princess said with a happy tone.
"It is an honor to meet you too, fifth Princess."
'Because she promoted my formula with enthusiasm, I was able to get a lot of early customers.
So, personally, I like her.
She made me, bitterly, realize the fact that having connections makes the money flow.'
"Actually, I wanted to meet you here and have a conversation."
The fifth Princess, gently, foldet and unfolded her fan.
"Why couldn't we recognize what a talented person you are, Lady Deborah?
And I also really like your dress today, it emit the strong confidence of a woman that can dominate men, it stands out."
"Thank you for having a good impression of me, fifth Princess."
"It is not easy to give such a fresh and pleasant shock at a ball that is the same way every year, Lady Deborah. It made me admire you even more and the desire to get to know you is much stronger now."
"You flatter me, fifth Princess"
"It's the first time I've ever seen the Princess complimenting someone so generously."
Thierry added, next to us.
"Right, speaking of which..."
The fifth Princess paused for a moment and then extended her hand towards me.
"Lady Deborah, join Epsilon. Be my associate."
I was shocked because of her words.
"Fifth Princess. I'm sorry, but I haven't had the chance to talk with Lady Deborah about this sub..."
The fifth Princess, pretended that she didn't hear Isidor's remark, and began to persuade me.
"You must join Epsilon. If you do, you can see, our leader the most handsome man of our Empire every day."
"The biggest pride of our Epsilon is Sir. Isidor's face."
The fifth Princess and Thierry Orgo both started to say nonsensical remarks, but I found myself, secretly, agreeing with them.
'You should feel proud when your leader is so impressive.
Who wouldn't be fascinated by him?'
"If you come to Epsilon, you will never regret it. As the fifth Princess of this Empire, I guarantee it."
The nobles standing around us glanced at the Imperial family's public scouting.
The fiftth Princess was raising her voice on purpose so that everyone could her that she wanted me to join Epsilon.
'Even if I am Seymour's Princess, I can't openly refuse the fifth Princess's request.
It looks like they are trying to bribe me in advance, just in case I consider to join Omicron where Philap isâ¦
But, thanksfully, it is me they are trying to convince and not the real Deborah, and this situation is unexpectedly lucky for me.(â0â)ï¼
I thought my head was going to explode because I didn't know how to solve the Social club joining problem. But this is Epsilon, and they are scouting me, so I will gladly bow down and enter.(ã_ _)Ïâ¥
Epsilon is a social club where ability is the main criteria for joining and the competition rate for joing Epsilon is fierce, also Epsilon is famous for having many famous seniors.
For reference, Duke Seymour was also from Epsilon. So this is an opportunity to earn bonus points with my main financier.'
"Thank you for the great opportunity."
I said a little cunningly.
"Instead of thanking me, join us."
The fifth Princess was a direct person.
'I like her even more. I fell much more comfortable having her around me than a young lady who is elegantly wrapped with thorny words.'
"Alright, I will join."
"Really?"
Thierry Orgo's eyes opened wide at my affirmative answer and Isidor's firm forearm, in which my hand was placed, also flinched.
"Have you really decided?"
Isidor looked at me and asked in a serious voice.
"Yes."
"Lady Deborah, if you go back on your word, I will be really angry."
"How could I dare to break my word with the fifth Princess?"
"Lady Deborah, your decisiveness is amazing."
"It's a joyous occasion, now that even the Seymour family is joining Epsilon, our prestige will grow even more."
"Sir. Thierry, bring the sign-up form right now. I am to anxious to wait. Omicron is to cowardly who knows what they will do."
The fifth Princess said in a low voice and urged Thierry.
"Fifth Princess I'm sorry, but it's a bit unreasonable to bring the sign-up form here right now."
"It is unreasonable?"
"There are many witnesses here. Do not worry."
I said to console her, and the fifth Princess nodded her head and sipped her champagne.
"Ahhh, Lady Deborah! I heard that you are participating as a thesis presenter at the next magic theory conference."
"That is correct, fifth Princess."
"But, before I see your presentation, there is one thing that I am curious about."
"Please ask me whatever you want to know."
The fifth Princess started asking questions about the formula, and I answered the inquiries of my foolish, VIP customer with all my heart.
'If I receive the attention of the fifth Princess, who attracted a lot of followers, even people who are not interested in formulas are more likely to subscribe to my paid service.
Because it gives the ilusion that something big is going on.
So I give them an opportunity to fill their intellectual vanity for just 7 silver coins and 99 copper coins!'
While I was busy with my sales activities, Isidor looked at me.
'Is it just me or his expression seems to hardenâ¦maybe it is just my impression.'
After playing four songs in a row, the band took a 25 minutes break.
...
The Omicron's executives were looking at Princess Deborah, who was still talking with the fifth Princess, with dissatisfied expressions.
"The atmosphere is good between them, it seems that Princess Deborah is going to join Epsilon."
"No matter how much Princess Deborah likes to do things her own way, how could she refuse an Imperial offer? It seems like it's already decided."
"Sir. Philap, didn't you say that Princess Deborah would definitely join Omicron?"
When someone complained, Philap, who was standing silently with a stiff expression, could no longer control his temper and his facial expression got distorted.
"None of you wanted Deborah to join. Why did you guys change your mind now?"
"Frankly, the situation has changed a lot from back then, and she is also the one who stood out the most at today's ball."
"I had no idea that Princess Deborah could dance so good."
"If I didn't know about her personality, I might have asked her for a danceâ¦"
"Poisonous mushrooms are always colorful."
The conversation about Deborah didn't show any signs of ending.
'It changed.'
The attitude of those around him who were talking about Deborah was different. It didn't contain disregard like before, but a strange sense of awe.
Deborah, who used to wander around him to the point that it was annoying, doesn't even look at him now.
Everything was changing so suddenly that Philap was confused.
Philap, pressed his forehead and quenched his thirsty throat with cocktails.
'Deborah is pretending to ignore me in order to get my attention.'
He thought about it, and according to his own assumption he was right, but seeing Deborah side by side with Isidor made that unpleasant feeling in his throat get worse.
"What was Sir. Isidor thinking when he decided to be Princess Deborah's partner?"
"If she intended to draw attention and raise her reputation she won."
"The contrast in their appearances has a great effect. But that is not all, everyone thinks of Sir. Isidor, who boldly matched the dress code with pink accessories, as kind and thoughtful."
"He humiliates all men...ptew."
Philap murmured annoyed while spitting out the cherry seed in the cocktail.
"We are annoyed and unlucky, but the problem is that the young ladys don't think like that at all."
"I guess you don't know what you have until it's gone.
I feel like I have lost something when I see the leader of Epsilon stuck to Princess Deborah. "
"But, what if our leader tries to appease Princess Deborah? Nothing is certain until she signs the sign-up form and is officially announced."
"Our leader is the person on whom Princess Deborah has had a crush on for a long time."
"Why should I beg Deborah? Don't say such offensive things."
Philap said bluntly and escaped from the group of executives.
However, Philap couldn't help but keep looking at Deborah, it was like that moral ' that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence'.
It may be because Deborah has a much more strong personality and intense attitude than Mia, who blends well and is beautiful but lacks presence.
As he kept feeling anxious, Philap stared at Deborah's back with tightly clenched teeth.
......................