Chapter 26

A grand drinking party, no, a banquet had begun.

To celebrate the empire’s first ‘Messenger sent by God,’ ‘Holy Girl,’ the Saintess female lead, not only nobles from various parts of the empire but also envoys from neighboring countries had come. Though it might not seem important, influential figures from the magical association and temples that have a closer relationship with anyone else also visited the imperial palace.

Well, it’s none of my business anyway!

The highlight of the banquet was undoubtedly dance and alcohol, and foods from foreign lands were generously displayed on the tables.

From the moment I entered the hall holding hands with Callian, I had only one goal.

In the world, there are only two kinds of alcohol: the alcohol to drink, and the alcohol that has been drunk. And today, I planned to selectively taste every drinkable alcohol.

“Please behave today,”

“Huh?”

“Please…”

Callian’s pleading was somewhat ineffective; I had absolutely no intention of modestly leaning against the wall and just waving a fan.

With so many untasted delicacies and the hall filled with sounds of musical instruments one couldn’t hear in the North, why would I? What for? For what reason?

Roughly speaking, important figures made their appearances one after another, and the Saintess female lead appeared almost at the end.

She was fussing over who should escort her right up until the banquet, but in the end, she appeared, placing her hand on the arm of the knight commander.

Despite all this, the Crown Prince already has a fiancée.

“Callian, shall I make a prediction?”

“What?”

“Today is definitely going to be a mess. Completely. Utterly. A disaster.”

“You will?”

“No, what do you take me for……”

I remember vividly drinking at Arnen’s birthday party and even attempting to feed dirt to the Crown Prince in the royal garden, but, um, isn’t that cute? At least I didn’t roll on the dirt floor insisting not to go home.

“……You’re really generous to yourself.”

“That’s my charm. In this harsh world, even I should love myself. Love myself-“

“Love yourself a little less,”

“Shut up.”

The eyes of the Crown Prince’s fiancée, as well as various ladies, are not normal when looking at the female lead. If this were an incredibly cliché novel, one could easily predict the upcoming situation.

“If it’s not you, then why would this gathering go awry?”

It’s a cliché role where the villainous group jealously targets an unknown lady who steals the hearts of excellent men, obviously harassing her but obviously backing off due to the intervention of the male lead or potential male leads.

“Crown Prince, Prime Minister, Knight Commander.”

“Huh?”

“Those look like male lead candidates. Look at their eyes. Wow, thrilling.”

“What- Ah.”

“And there, who is that person?”

“He’s Lady Castries’ younger twin brother. The eldest son of Count Ga.”

“Um, Caswong”

“……Lady Castries, is the Crown Prince’s fiancée.”

Wow, it’s a complete mess. Not just the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, and the Knight Commander, but perhaps even the brother of the female lead’s rival, the Lady? If I were Lady Castries, I’d have decapitated both my brother and my fiancé on the spot.

“But what are they doing,”

“It’s obvious. Love, it’s love.”

“……Among themselves?”

“Nope. It’s centered around the female lead. Those passionate looks! Desperate and wistful!”

It’s the classic setting where people fall in love without reason, just like in Romeo and Juliet. The female lead is overwhelmed at her first-ever ball, the major male figures are mesmerized by her every move and blink, and the ladies watching them are getting uneasy.

Will someone casually spill wine on the female lead’s dress or try to demean her subtly?

“Oh, this alcohol tastes good.”

“Please, limit the alcohol,”

“I’ve only had one glass, you know? I don’t plan on drinking a lot right now. I’ll be dancing soon.”

As I slightly rotated my wrists and ankles, Callian’s complexion became even paler. I wasn’t worried that he might turn so transparent as to become a ghost. I haven’t heard any stories about a Grand Duke dying because his hands and feet got cold.

“So many have come.”

The solemn Emperor skillfully gave his speech—it may not be called a speech, but the remarks prepared at the beginning of the event felt like a principal’s address—then praised the female lead. I’m not sure what he’s praising about someone who suddenly popped into this world.

The Emperor, as before, gracefully excused himself with the state seal to let the young people enjoy themselves, making me feel more at ease—

“This is the music.”

I could seize the stage. As soon as the orchestra began its elegant prelude, I grabbed Callian’s hand and dashed into the center of the hall. The first to seize a spot can make a large circle. Whether or not there was another protagonist of this ball, I had to dance now.

“You won’t step on my feet, will you?”

It was a voice trying to calm my excitement.

“If you do step on me, don’t make a fuss, just lead skillfully like the iron-blooded Northern Grand Duke you are.”

Holding Callian’s hand, I spun around and around. I didn’t feel dizzy or short of breath. Ah! How long has it been since I last danced!

The tempo picked up, and the gaps were filled with solid music.

The main character? Who cares! Whether foreign diplomats see or not!

“Ahahahahaha!”

“Be a bit more dignified,”

“Huh?”

Ugh, far away, there were Rha and Elliot who were nervously staring at me. It’s a gathering where all the prominent nobles are participating, so why didn’t I think they would come? Not that it’s any of my business!

“Now’s the time!”

“What, what?”

This timing, this speed, this accompaniment!

“I’m going to lie down!”

I fixed both hands on Callian’s shoulders, bent my upper body and lifted one leg. If you ask what kind of dance this is, I can’t explain because there’s no basis.

If Callian hadn’t stably held my waist, I would’ve been in a position to fall on the back of my head.

The first glamorous performance ended satisfactorily. The dress was made of a light material similar to the Crown Prince’s birthday party, so it wasn’t uncomfortable to dance in. Although I’m a bit disappointed that I couldn’t steal and wear Callian’s uniform, I do like the rustling sound of the dress fabric.

The shawl that was certainly on my shoulders before I started dancing was now thrown somewhere in the corner of the hall. Oops.

“Oops…”

“You, well,”

“If you knew beforehand, you should’ve held onto it.”

“When you were flailing around like a bird fallen into the water?”

“My dance was probably like the graceful movement of a swan, wasn’t it?”

“You, do you know what conscience is?”

“Ah, that was torn to pieces in all directions. They say if you collect them all, it will grant your wish.”

It feels like they’re looking at me as if I’m some kind of joke, and it’s frustrating that I can’t say it out loud.

Whether Callian is frowning or not, I should stop drinking.

The next music is a waltz, which doesn’t interest me. I need something faster and stronger to get excited.

“Oh, it seems like the female lead is new to parties and doesn’t know much.”

“Of course, it’s okay to be clumsy. But with this outfit,”

Ah, now? I was in the middle of pondering how to mix the glasses of alcohol when a very clichéd line caught my ear.

Ladies centered around the Crown Prince’s fiancée were busy intimidating the female lead.

“What are they talking about over there—”

…..Should I be thankful for this?

“If you can’t understand, that’s unfortunate. Such lack of grace—”

Clink.

“Complete lack of manners—”

Tink!

Tink!

Tink!

“Who the- Gasp.”

Oops. Is it fortunate or not that they’re this close to me in a hall that could easily accommodate five hundred people?

I was happily mixing drinks when I was caught red-handed by the ladies.

The female lead, who had been suddenly caught off guard, stared at me with wide eyes. Um, it’s a bit embarrassing.

The lady who had been coveting the female lead from the front line was speechless, just licking her lips. After all, even though she was talking about manners and grace, I’d feel awkward too if the empire’s only Grand Duchess was mixing drinks flamboyantly in the lead.

“Adriana!”

“……Your Grace, the Grand Duchess.”

I cautiously paused my mixing to reply.<br>”Shall I show you something fun?”

My sister has also done a fire show with alcohol.

…… It was a mistake, but oh well. Ahaha.

Although I’ve lived without a hint of embarrassment for my actions, it was a little embarrassing when younger kids looked at me with confused faces.

Clang!

I finished mixing the drink I had started.

***

The drinking, no, the dancing continued several times, and the group trying to capture the female lead subtly distanced themselves from her, watching my cues. In the meantime, I mainly performed fantastic dances with Callian, and once with Arnen, then retreated. It was because the existing alcohol ran out and new alcohol was brought in.

New drinks are the best. It was quite enjoyable to drink while detecting the subtle differences in acidity, sweetness, and aroma. Although I thought of pancakes, the savory and salty finger foods weren’t bad either when paired with a refreshing fruit liquor.

“My lady, would you dance with me–”

“This time with me,”

“If you would permit–”

Ah, it begins. At the perfect moment to pick the next dance partner, three hands reach out to the lady.

Who, you ask? Who else but the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, and the Knight Commander.

I have no interest in their romance; I could just pop some popcorn and watch. But the expressions of those who admire either the Crown Prince’s fiancée or one of those three, or maybe their supporting nobles, were a mess.

Ah, the atmosphere is totally ruined, and it’s really interesting. Who is it! The one who ruined the mood here! Come forward and put a damper on the ballroom yourself!

“Ah, well, I am–”

“Feel free, just do as you wish.”

Saying that won’t get the Crown Prince anywhere.

Alright, let’s say Arnen and Bernu are like that, but isn’t the Prime Minister not supposed to do that?

Are members of the clergy here allowed to date? Is it an exception because she’s a Saintess?

Typically, don’t such characters only serve the gods and shun petty emotions?

“Follow only the will of God and do as your heart desires.”

“Callian, do you know how old the Prime Minister is?”

Well, I guess falling in love is not a crime…….

“He is a year younger than you.”

That love seems wrong.

Hey! You, twenty-nine! Get away from the nineteen-year-old!

“I, I mean-“

The female lead, who was restless, noticed me and couldn’t take her eyes off me.

“Just a moment!”

Thanks to adjusting the length of the dress so it wouldn’t touch my shoes, there was no problem with it trailing behind as I walked briskly.

“The female lead, or rather, the female lead’s dance partner is me!”

“……What?”

From behind, as I wrapped my arms around the female lead’s shoulders, the three awkward men looked at each other with confused eyes.

“Is it still okay?”

“What? Yes! I’m okay with it!”

“You heard? Now, hmm, Callian! Come here.”

Callian, who was standing awkwardly, promptly came at my call.

“Now! You guys, no, you should dance amongst yourselves! The numbers are perfect!”

“……What?”

“Huh?”

“What did you just say-“

“What did you just-“

“Callian will dance with Bernhardt, and Your Highness, the Crown Prince, will dance with the Prime Minister, Yeha.”

With Callian, it’s four people! Perfect number for pairing partners!

“But why specifically Yeha and me-“

“Ah, that’s-“

If I say I paired them based on chest size, will I be reported for blasphemy? I looked away from the trustworthy chests of Callian and the Knight Commander and said whatever came to mind.

The chests of the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister aren’t bad either, but they’re a bit skinny. They’d look good wrapped in body lace. As expected, chests are…

“Because of the water,”

“Water?”

“I paired them based on who I think can survive on their own and who I think will be saved by someone else!”

Ahaha. I clasped my left and right hands together and smiled brightly.

The dignified Prime Minister seems to be frowning and thinking it’s blasphemous and disrespectful, but hey, it’s not my business!