It had been a week since my date with Phil. As usual, I was sitting in a carriage, wearing a dress that was specifically for soirees. I stared out the window, resting my cheek in my hand, and absentmindedly watched the changing view outside.
The end of August signaled the peak of the social gathering season, and there were balls and soirees every day. This would be the fifth day in a row that I’d be participating in one, and even I was starting to get tired. However, the soiree tonight would take place at the palace, and it was one that would be attended by almost all of the noble families. I had no other choice but to go.
“I can’t let my guard down... I have to do my part,” I said to myself.
With the reminder that Phil was working hard too, I slapped my hands against my cheeks to pump myself up. The moment I arrived at the palace, I quickly joined a circle of noble ladies that I’d gotten close to.
“Lady Viola, you always work so hard. It’s adorable,” one of them said.
“I wonder if we ever worked as much as you did, once upon a time,” another one sighed.
All of the ladies here were married to men from the upper echelons of nobility. I was nowhere at their level in all aspects, but they taught me a lot of things about how to make it in high society. Ever since I became an active participant in these events, my social circle grew much wider to the point that I often received invitations to tea parties.
After I walked around the party and greeted people, I took a small break in the resting room and fixed up my makeup. Once I did so, I started to return to the hall, then I heard someone call my name from behind me.
“Good evening, Lord Cyril and Lady Laura,” I said.
“Good evening, Viola,” Cyril said.
“Oh, Lady Viola! It’s been far too long. I’m glad to see you’ve been doing well,” Lady Laura said.
The two of them were dressed in formal clothing. It seemed that they were fashionably late, only having just arrived. The last time I saw Lord Cyril was about a week ago now. Since he was to take over House Crane, he was also actively participating in various noble gatherings.
“Would you look at that?” Lady Laura said. “Your memories really have returned. I’m happy for you.”
“Yes, they have. Thank you, I’m grateful for how you helped me during that period.”
The last time I saw Lady Laura was when I was still pretending to have amnesia, which was quite some time ago now. She took my hands into hers and smiled delightedly. I felt my chest clench with guilt at the sight and I apologized profusely in my heart as I gripped her fingers tighter.
“Huh, Viola, you’re alone today too?” Lord Cyril said.
“Yes. It seems that Phil’s busy today.”
“From the looks of it, he’ll likely continue to be busy for a while longer. I sometimes help out at the palace too and I think that Phillip’s really amazing, even if I’m loath to admit it.”
Phil was a reliable leader for the younger generation of nobles. Apparently he could perfectly accomplish any task he was given. Despite his somewhat cold attitude toward other women, he was also able to form good interpersonal relationships in the workplace. In my opinion, Lord Cyril was just as perfect a man as Phil was, so it said a lot about Phil’s competency that Lord Cyril had complimented him like this.
All I had to do was make an appearance at social gatherings, and yet I was complaining about how tired I was. I once again reminded myself that I had to do my best.
“Oh my. Cyril, aren’t you also always alone if I can’t make it to one of these gatherings?” Lady Laura said. “Despite the fact that lots of ladies invite you to dance with or spend time with them.”
“It’s far easier to be alone, that’s why,” Lord Cyril replied. “I know that I should start thinking about things though.”
Lord Cyril would inherit the title of Marquess Crane and the power that came with it, so it was about time for him to start thinking about marriage. Considering I knew that he liked me in the past, I couldn’t say anything careless in this situation so I simply watched over them in silence.
“Well, this is hardly a conversation to be held in a hallway! Lady Viola, why don’t you come with us to the dance hall?” Lady Laura said.
“Yes, let’s.”
With my hand still in the lovely Lady Laura’s, the three of us walked down the hall while chatting. As we did so, I heard a familiar voice sound out.
“Sheesh, I’m late now thanks to you, Phillip.”
“Wouldn’t it have been better if you asked someone else for help, if all you’re going to do is complain about me?”
“Oh, don’t be so mean. Besides, isn’t it more interesting if the main character arrives late?”
I looked in the direction of the voices and saw Phil with a woman. She must be the princess of the Samarind Empire. Her wavy golden hair flowed behind her like a veil, and she was so beautiful that I could mistake her for a fairy. Even her voice and laughter, which sounded like the tinkling of bells, was adorable. Though I was a woman as well, I could feel my heart skip at the sound. I’d never seen a more elegant person in my life.
It seemed that we were standing in their blind spot, and Phil didn’t notice me here. When Lord Cyril and Lady Laura saw me stop walking, they paused as well. I watched as Phil and the princess made their way to the dance hall, but I couldn’t say anything. I didn’t think that Phil would come to today’s gathering, nor did I ever imagine he’d come with the princess.
“Viola, are you all right?”
When I looked up, I saw Lord Cyril staring at me with a worried look on his face.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I replied hurriedly.
“So you really didn’t know that Phillip would be here today.”
“No.”
We may be engaged to each other, but there was no need to report every single soiree or gathering we went to. I never told him my plans either, so it wasn’t uncommon for us to run into each other at a party.
I knew it was part of his work, but the sight of Phil escorting another woman felt like a stab to the chest. I never knew that I was such a petty person, and the revelation made me a little sad.
“I’m sorry about that. Let’s go,” I said after managing to form a smile. With the Crane siblings in tow, I entered the dance hall as well.
As expected, the foreign princess was the star of the show, metaphorically, and she was all anyone could talk about.
“She’s so beautiful, she’s like a goddess.”
“I agree. I can understand why the emperor of the Samarind Empire loves her so much.”
I could hear snippets of similar conversations from all around us. I looked at the princess again. Even though it was my second time beholding her, she was still so gorgeous that I stopped breathing for a second. Phil, an incredibly handsome man himself, next to her only added to her radiance.
“Don’t Lord Phillip and Princess Luna look so cute together?”
As soon as I heard someone say that, I felt another sharp pain in my heart. But unconsciously, I had been thinking the same thing. I could feel myself getting seriously sadder but I slapped my cheeks with my hands.
Stop that. Get a grip.
“Lady Viola, don’t listen to those people. They’re just saying whatever comes to mind. I doubt they even have the brain power to realize what they’re saying,” Lady Laura huffed.
“Right. Thank you.”
Lady Laura must’ve overheard them as well. Though she looked angry, she chose to comfort me instead of confronting them.
“Yes, that’s right,” she said. “I had the sweetest and most delicious juice the other day here. I’m going to get one of the servers to bring us a few glasses.”
The offer must’ve been made out of consideration for me. She walked off in a hurry, the bottom of her dress flouncing with her movements. I thanked her for her kindness in my heart as I watched her disappear into the crowd.
“She’s such a sweet and gentle person,” I said.
“Thank you. I’m sure Laura would be happy to hear that too,” Lord Cyril said.
We continued to chat as we waited for Lady Laura to return. Since we were in the same dance hall, I should probably go and greet Phil later as well. However...
“Huh?”
I felt someone staring at me and so turned around. To my surprise, I locked eyes with Phil, even though he was standing some distance away.
At the same time, I saw his almond-shaped golden eyes widen as if in surprise. Not even Phil could’ve predicted that I’d be here. After a moment, the princess next to him noticed my existence as well. Then, I saw her smile happily and start to approach us.