“Oh my.” Lord Nigel whispered softly. Though he sounded like he was enjoying the sight, he also sounded exasperated.
Lending his arm to Princess Mira was none other than Lord Simeon. Though it was my first time seeing my husband in several days, I was certainly not pleased to witness this. He was escorting the princess as if he were a prince himself. His white and blue uniform paired well with her dress, as if the two of them were supporting each other.
Oh my, how incredible. They’re a beautiful couple that steals everyone’s gazes, like a fairy tale come to life. I’d love to capture this moment in a painting... Wait!
No, no, no!
Why is Lord Simeon there?! If His Majesty isn’t the one escorting her, then wouldn’t Prince Severin be next in line?! If anyone had to label Lord Simeon, he’d be a security knight! Even putting status aside, it was unthinkable for someone in his position to escort a princess. He was supposed to stand back and keep watch, not walk next to the guest of honor!
I hadn’t predicted I’d be shown something like this at the very start of the event. My thoughts skidded to a halt. It might have just been my imagination, but I swore I could feel stares piercing me from all sides. People who knew I was Lord Simeon’s wife were curious about this development.
His Majesty the King greeted the audience, and even as he introduced the guest of honor, Princess Mira never let go of Lord Simeon’s arm. Naturally, she wasn’t holding on to him in an unruly way, but she was still leaning on him as if to announce that he was her partner.
Er... Hmm... This is... Hmm.
Lord Simeon was maintaining a completely expressionless face, like a doll. In fact, it wasn’t just his face—his posture was perfectly still, his gaze fixed somewhere far off. He didn’t look at Princess Mira even once, making it seem as if he truly was a doll.
I couldn’t bring myself to accuse him of infidelity when he was acting like that. It was easy to tell that he was doing this entirely against his wishes. The issue was how those around him viewed the situation; the atmosphere of the venue was becoming more and more uncomfortable. Even the king and queen appeared somewhat disturbed.
Could no one have stopped this? Evidently not.
Far behind the princess stood people who seemed to be her attendants from Vissel, waiting alongside the Royal Order of Knights. These attendants also had awkward expressions on their faces.
“Hey.” My brother whispered to me while poking my side again.
What do you want, Brother?! I’m busy!
“Gimme my glasses.”
“Bear with it. You can still walk around without them, can’t you?”
“I can’t see what their faces look like. Let me check!”
He seemed to be worried for me, at least. I pulled his glasses from my handbag and passed them to him.
Gerard squinted at Lord Simeon. “Looks like he hates it.”
“Indeed, it does.”
It only took my brother one look at Lord Simeon’s demeanor to confirm his inner thoughts.
“I was gonna give him a good punch if he was playing along with her, but I guess I’ll forgive him.”
“You’re the one who’d get hurt if you tried punching him. There’s nothing to worry about. Lord Simeon would never be pleased with something like this. It would go against his work ethic, even if it wasn’t cheating.”
My husband was so rockheaded that he’d never be happy about supposed “side perks.” His current duty might have been at the behest of a princess, but he was still struggling to accomplish this task.
The royal family began greeting the attendees. They and the ministers were the first to exchange words with Princess Mira. Her face was ever-smiling, and her arm never left Lord Simeon’s.
Lord Nigel laughed, impressed. “Ha ha. What a princess.”
Gerard kept his eyes focused on her. “People are sure to have their opinions on this, yet she’s being really bold about it. She’s stronger than she looks.”
I wavered. “It would be a problem for a future queen to be weak, so it’s a good thing she’s strong...”
“Not here, it isn’t. She lacks common sense.”
My brother was right, but there wasn’t anything we could do about it except watch from along the wall.
That was when I noticed His Highness Prince Severin looking my way from near Lord Simeon. Oh, you’re there? He must have entered with Julianne after Princess Mira. I hadn’t even noticed. The shock from the princess’s entrance had been so great that I hadn’t seen him at all.
Seeing me react, His Highness motioned for me to go over to him.
Really? I’d rather not. I crossed my arms in front of my face to give him an “X” symbol. His mouth formed the word, Fool!
But! But! If I go over there, I’ll be confronting the princess! Do you really want me to fight with her in front of all these people? It’ll become an international issue if anything happens, so I think it’s best for me to stay here and keep quiet.
I turned my head and ignored His Highness, but I couldn’t stop myself from glancing back at the princess and my husband. Lord Simeon was still staring at nothing very intently, unmoving. Or so I thought—his eyes met mine for a split second.
Should I give him a nice smile? While I debated it, his gaze flicked back over yonder. I almost started to sulk, but then I noticed that his body had become even more rigid than before.
Ah, so he’s afraid of my reaction. I’m not mad, you know. I’d just like to talk to you.
Behind the partition screen, the orchestra began to play. His Majesty the King would most likely ask Princess Mira to dance, which would give me the opportunity to approach Lord Simeon.
That was what I’d thought, at least, before I watched the princess tug on my husband’s arm and ask him a question. Unable to ignore her, he looked down at her, and they began to have a back-and-forth about something. Lord Simeon was shaking his head, but Princess Mira did not relent. He looked to the king, but... Ah, he lost.
Ushered on by His Majesty, Lord Simeon bitterly turned back to the princess, taking her outstretched hand. She walked the two of them to the center of the venue, to the space the crowd had vacated for them.
Wait. You’re even going to dance with Lord Simeon?
No one was staring out of pure curiosity anymore—no, their expressions were now firmly in the realm of full-on astonishment due to the sheer audacity of the princess.
This was her welcoming party, so technically, it was fine for her to dance with whomever she pleased, but... But...
Her frail arm reached out to Lord Simeon. Despite her thin physique, she still had prominent curves, which she leaned against him. A toned knight and a lovely princess dancing together was certainly a sight for sore eyes, but...
Ah, I’m starting to feel just a bit hazy. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I don’t want him dancing with other women, but I’m not fond of this development. The two of them suited each other so well that it was difficult to watch.
Lord Simeon is only doing as she orders because it’s his job. I know that. That’s why there’s no need for me to be down about it or become jealous.
I know that...but it still hurts my heart!
I suddenly felt the urge to go home. I didn’t want to watch anymore.
Tearing my eyes away from the two of them with a feeling of complete defeat, my gaze was drawn to a Visselian near the wall. He was still a young man, seemingly around Lord Simeon’s age. His attire was average formal wear, so he must have been an attendant, but he had toned muscles like a soldier, and his posture was good. Perhaps he was an undercover guard?
Residents of Vissel often had bright hair colors. Princess Mira’s hair, for example, was ash-blonde. Other attendants had blends of blond and brown, but this man along the wall was a rarity—his hair was dark.
Not only his hair, but his expression was dark too. His line of sight was fixed on the dancing princess. My vision wasn’t so good that I could tell from so far away, but he appeared somewhat sad. Could he be worried about the princess’s reckless actions?
“What in the world is that?! What’s going on here?!”
I’d been about to creep closer to the man when a voice full of rage sprouted nearby.
Marielle! How could you have made such a rookie mistake?!
Lady Aurelia had approached without me noticing. Unlike the last time we’d met, she was wearing a highly decorated dress. It was a deep crimson, embroidered with beads and lace. Her blonde locks flowed over it. Before I knew it, my vision was filled with light.
“Oh, good evening!” I squeaked. “Aaah, my heart is being soothed by your sparkle!”
“This isn’t the time to dillydally!” she scolded me. “Explain yourself! What’s going on over there?!”
For some reason, she seemed quite upset. She was pointing her closed fan at Lord Simeon and Princess Mira while leaning toward me.
“I’ve been wondering that myself.” I blinked at her.
“I shouldn’t have asked!” Lady Aurelia smacked my head with her fan. Agh, to receive such a reward from Lady Aurelia herself...! She turned to my brother and Lord Nigel, ignoring me shaking with pleasure and agony. “Please, tell me what’s going on.”
Gerard was of no help. “No idea. I’m sick of it too.”
Lord Nigel attempted to pacify her. “Calm yourself, my lady. Isn’t the princess allowed to dance with whomever she pleases?”
“Yes—unless it’s the first dance. She can choose whomever only after dancing with His Majesty the King. He should’ve been the one to invite her first.”