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As Letticia stepped into the grand hall of the Duke of Averil's mansion for the banquet, she scanned the faces of the other guests with Lenard and Seraphina at her side.
It wasn't the height of the social season, so the number of attendees was relatively small, but it seemed that most of the influential noble families still in the capital had turned up.
"I'd heard that the Averil Duchy isn't particularly powerful in the capital's social circles, but it looks like everyone still made the effort to come."
"No matter how prosperous foreign trade becomes, nothing can fully replace Elrey's wheat. As long as they have those fertile lands, the Duke of Averil's standing will never truly diminish."
Lenard whispered, fulfilling his role today as chaperone. Seraphina quietly joined in the conversation.
"With a gathering of this scale, it wouldn't pale even in comparison to my younger brother's birthday banquet. I'd say it's befitting for an heir's birthday. But even so, it's still held on a smaller scale than Lady Averil's birthday celebration, right?"
"Yes. At that time, they even held a festival in the territory."
"A festival, hmm… Somehow, it doesn't seem like something the young lady herself would have welcomed."
"She did seem rather burdened by it."
As they strolled along, exchanging conversation, greetings soon poured in. People eager to greet the Sharon Count's household and those wanting to pay respects to Seraphina all converged at once, and as a result, it took them twice as long as usual to get through the greetings.
Among them were a few who mocked the fact that the Sharon family, newly risen nobles, had taken on the role of chaperone for the eldest daughter of the prestigious Marquisate of Eskis. But Seraphina's calm rebuttal left them speechless.
"Bloodline and status are, of course, important, but what a chaperone truly needs is trust. And Sharon Count's household showed me genuine friendship and loyalty when I was at my most difficult time."
Indeed, during the Wallace incident, it had been Sharon Count's household who offered Seraphina the greatest support. On that matter, even the old nobility had nothing to say. And the newer nobles, careful not to incur the disfavor of great houses, refrained from stirring trouble.
Still, avoiding the more seasoned noble ladies who sought to peel Seraphina away to their own circles was no easy feat. Using the excuse of offering greetings to the hosts, Seraphina managed to decline them, though rare weariness flickered faintly across her expression.
"Would you like to leave early today?"
"…No, I should still exchange words with them."
If it had been Letticia, she might have simply slipped away but Seraphina was the type to follow through on her word, even if it meant having the conversation later.
Feeling a flicker of sympathy for her, Letticia turned her gaze toward the group who had arrived earlier and were now greeting the Duke's and his children.
The family appeared to have brought along all of their daughters, introducing each one in turn. The youngest, seemingly, was now standing face-to-face with Achilles.
"Oh? They're introducing her to Sir Achilles? Now that's unusual."
"It's simply because he went from being the duke's second son to gaining inheritance rights as the new commander of the knights. People are expecting him to establish a family that passes down the knight commander's seat, like the Wallace family did. That's why his value as a potential husband has skyrocketed."
Lenard explained. Just as he said, the nobleman, presumably the father, was eagerly introducing his daughter. The girl herself seemed too frightened of Achilles to even meet his eyes, but that apparently wasn't a concern for her father.
A few minutes later, once the introductions were over, Letticia's group also moved forward.
Between the impeccably dressed Duke, Alexander, and Achilles stood Ariette, clad in an elaborate gown.
Her chiffon dress was lavishly embroidered and adorned with jeweled chains, paired with a necklace crafted from a massive aquamarine and hundreds of diamonds. For an un-debuted young lady, it was an excessively extravagant outfit. Yet considering the Averil family's indulgence toward their youngest daughter, one could hardly imagine them dressing her in anything simpler.
The day's main celebrant wore the practiced smile of courtesy upon her face, but this time she greeted them with poised elegance, showing no change in expression.
"Welcome, Lord Sharon, Lady Sharon, and Lady Eskis. The birthstone brooch sent from House Sharon adorns me today, and the mead sent from the Marquisate of Eskis will be served at tonight's ball."
"I'm delighted the gifts pleased you, my lord. Nothing brings greater joy. Once again, on behalf of my house, I extend my congratulations on your birthday."
"And I too, on behalf of the Marquisate of Eskis, congratulate the future Duke of Averil on this day."
After the exchange of relatively simple well-wishes, Seraphina finished speaking, and Alexander addressed her in a courteous tone.
"Lady Eskis, if you would permit it, may I have the honor of you being my partner for the first quadrille of the evening?"
"Thank you for such an honorable invitation."
Given Seraphina's status, it was only natural that such an offer would come her way. After briefly exchanging a glance with Lenard, she nodded and accepted the request.
Although she had already completed her first season and thus could have accepted without her chaperone's consent, Seraphina was so proper that she still seemed intent on seeking Lenard's approval in such matters.
"His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, is arriving!"
The announcement from the entrance drew everyone's attention. Seraphina, too, straightened her already perfect posture even more, waiting for Matthias to approach.
Walking forward without hesitation, Matthias raised his hand to those bowing before him, signaling them to rise. Then, with a smile directed at Alexander, he spoke.
"On behalf of the Imperial Family, I congratulate the heir who will one day be master of Elrey."
"To receive the Crown Prince himself at such a humble gathering is an honor beyond measure."
"How could I not know of the Averil Duchy's immense contributions to the Empire? Naturally, it was my duty to attend in person."
Though his tone remained dignified, it carried a gentleness far warmer than his usual detached manner, which stirred murmurs throughout the hall. In contrast, the three men of the Duke's family regarded him with heightened vigilance, though Matthias ignored their wary gazes and continued.
"Still, it weighs on me that it would be such poor manners to attend a banquet like this without dancing even once. What say you, Lady Averil? Might I request you as my partner for the first dance?"
His words fell like a bombshell, and the hall rippled with shock. Matthias had never extended such an open invitation to anyone before; some nobles even spilled their drinks in astonishment, eyes wide in disbelief.
Seraphina, equally stunned, leaned slightly toward Letticia and whispered.
"Did I hear that correctly? Did His Highness truly just invite Lady Averil to dance?"
"You didn't mishear. I heard it too."
"…Just what is he thinking…?"
Lenard muttered quietly, echoing what was on everyone's mind. For though Lady Averil was the host family's daughter, asking an un-debuted young lady to dance could be seen as an act that humiliated her.
Ariette, too, had gone pale. Shaking her head frantically, she refused.
"Y-Your Highness, I am unworthy! I have yet to make my debut!"
"That's correct, Your Highness. Though my daughter attends this banquet, she is not yet in a position to dance. I beg you to withdraw your request."
When the Duke stepped forward protectively in front of Ariette, Matthias only shrugged as though regretful and gave a slight nod.
"What a shame. I merely thought it most proper to dance with a member of the host family, yet it seems I've committed a grave discourtesy. Perhaps it's not quite an apology, but, while the Duke and his sons are dancing, might I serve as the young lady's conversational partner instead?"
At his second bombshell, Letticia inwardly pictured herself whacking the back of Matthias's head with a thick hardcover book. Since she couldn't very well set him on fire, it was the next best option.
But unlike Letticia, who kept her frustration to herself, the Duke's family gave voice to their protest.
"Your Highness, we beg you, please take back those words."
"It is my understanding that it is improper for an un-debuted young lady to be engaged in extended conversation. While we deeply appreciate your consideration, we ask you to take into account my younger sister's circumstances."
"If you are worried she might be left alone, then I will remain at her side. Please, Your Highness, enjoy the ball without concern."
"But surely the main figures of this banquet cannot abstain from dancing. Once you begin, others too will take to the floor."
"However-"
The Duke tried not to yield, but Ariette stepped in quickly.
"Father, it's all right. Please, let's just begin the dancing. Everyone is waiting, aren't they?"
"But Arie, leaving you alone with His Highness-"
"I won't be alone. Sir Bright will be here, and Lord Sharon and Lady Sharon are with me too, right?"
Yet upon hearing Ariette's words, Matthias's gaze flicked briefly toward Lenard and Letticia before he turned to Alexander.
"The quadrille is danced with four pairs, is it not? Then would the remaining pair be Lord Sharon and Lady Sharon here?"
"What?"
Startled, Letticia blurted out, utterly unprepared. Alexander clicked his tongue softly, then addressed them both.
"As it happens, I had intended to ask the two of you as well. Would you do us the honor of joining the opening dance?"
"…Since the heir of Averil himself has spoken so, it would hardly be proper to refuse."
Lenard swiftly took Letticia's hand and led her onto the floor. And so, by that turn of events, Ariette, Matthias, and Ezkhiel were left together, while the rest had no choice but to begin the quadrille.
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