For the first time in a long while, the royal family was hosting a ball. The attendees were abuzz with the discussion of the Fairy Princess.
“Is it really true that Her Highness Princess Meltia will make an appearance today?”
“I think so. That’s what her aunt, Duchess Pablo, said. Look, there she is talking to Their Majesties! There must be some credibility to the rumor.” The young noblewoman pointed to where Christine was conversing with the king and queen. The young noblewoman also kept glancing around every few seconds, as though she were waiting for someone.
“I wonder what brought this on right at this time,” the other young lady mused. “I heard Her Highness is very feeble because she suffers from an incurable illness. Do you suppose she got cured?”
“Maybe she’s trying to find a partner? She’s sixteen, so she’s quite eligible for marriage!”
While the women squealed among themselves, the gentlemen were also glancing around wildly with bloodshot eyes.
“I can’t wait to see her beauty in person! She’s not married or engaged yet, is she? Maybe I have a chance.”
“Don’t even bother. Everyone says she’s the apple of Their Majesties’ eyes. Can you imagine what would happen if you were to hurt her? Losing your rank would be the least of your worries. They might throw you and your entire family into prison.”
“Besides, Her Highness would never take you on as her partner. Just look in the mirror.”
“What?! How dare you?! And that’s rich coming from you!”
“Excuse me?!”
These kinds of conversations blended with the sound of laughter. The nobles were in high spirits indeed, and Jeanette watched them together with Kyuriakris.
“Good grief. Look at them, making merry,” Kyuriakris remarked snidely. “Are they really that excited about this princess?”
“I think some people are so excited because you’re here too, Lord Kyuriakris!” Jeanette asserted.
The prince’s hair was brushed back and held in immaculate shape with a styling product, and he was wearing the formal outfit of Pakiran royalty. The purple robe, decorated with finely detailed patterns, was fitted perfectly to the shape of his body. In some places the material was loose, and in others tied tightly, enhancing his exotic beauty and allure. The nearby noblewomen were all fanning their flushed faces with folding fans while sending him furtive looks.
“Humph! I shouldn’t have revealed my identity. It irritates me how they’re falling all over themselves now,” he huffed. Indeed, the reason he was the target of all these passionate glances was because he’d finally come clean about being the first prince of Pakira back when he’d helped Jeanette infiltrate the palace. Now, he was no longer able to get away with pretending to be a waiter and had to behave like a dignified royal.
“Really?” Jeanette asked with a grin. “Well, I’m glad to be able to see you in your formal clothes! I already knew what sort of outfits Pakiran royalty wear, but actually seeing one in person is totally different! This lovely purple robe only shines so brilliantly because you’re the one wearing it, Lord Kyuriakris. By the way, how is this pigment even achieved? Oh, the green outfit you wore that other time was also made with a method I’ve never seen before!”
Jeanette’s praise and questions were pure and genuine. Pleased by this, Kyuriakris laughed smugly through his nose.
“Oh? So you’ve finally noticed my charm. And you of course noticed the uniqueness of my robe. Would you like to learn my country’s secret manufacturing method? Then let’s forget this whole ball and go to my place instea—”
“Lord Kyuriakris, they’re here!!! It’s Her Highness and Lord Claus!!!” Jeanette said excitedly, having spotted the pair.
Kyuriakris seemed dissatisfied at having been cut off and didn’t reply.
All the guests noticed the appearance of Meltia and Claus, quickly turning to look their way. The dance hall grew silent. Their Majesties watched their daughter, their gazes swimming with anxiety and anticipation. Only Christine and Jeanette observed the pair with sparkling eyes.
“Wooow... She was already beautiful, but today she’s truly radiant!” Jeanette whispered.
Meltia’s hair was done up and decorated with pearls. She had also donned a pearl necklace, and she looked as though she were emanating a white light from within. Perhaps it was because on top of her naturally graceful appearance, her dress, though white, shone wondrously in all the colors of the rainbow. At first glance, it looked to be made of white silk, but each time the material shifted, it emitted a curious, rippling light, like an aurora.
“That fabric is similar to Orlonde silk,” Kyuriakris noted.
“You have a sharp eye! I wouldn’t expect any less from you, Lord Kyuriakris!” Jeanette replied brightly. “You see, while Orlonde silk comes in many colors, surprisingly, white wasn’t one of them. It’s very difficult to retain the basic white color and have it change shade only when it moves. But we finally managed to solve that problem, so Matheson Trading arranged for Her Highness to wea—”
“Huh. I heard that Claus would be escorting her, but he’s even matched accessories with her?” Kyuriakris asked, ruthlessly interrupting Jeanette’s rambling. He was referring to the pearl pinned to Claus’s tie.
“Ah, yes! Her Highness said she wanted to match with him!”
“I see. I wonder if she threw a tantrum about it...” he muttered with a distant gaze, as though having figured out something. “But are you okay with this, Jeanette? Matching outfits is proof of a close relationship, don’t you think?”
Claus had once mentioned that he’d always made sure his and Jeanette’s outfits matched in order to show everyone that they were engaged. It was almost like a way of marking someone as yours. However, Jeanette’s eyes widened at the question.
“Huh? Is there a problem with that?”
“I guess not... I thought that feeling would sprout for you sometime soon, but it seems like I was wrong.”
That feeling? I wonder what he means? Jeanette pondered the matter, but it wasn’t long before her gaze was once again stolen by Meltia and Claus.
“Just look at them! They really look like a painting...” someone said while sighing wistfully. Jeanette agreed from the bottom of her heart.
I totally get it! They’re the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen!!!
When Meltia opened her mouth, it was a different matter, but as long as she was silent, her beauty was flawless. Thick eyelashes fringed her downcast eyes. Her perfectly pointed nose was so slim that it almost looked artificial. It was a miracle in itself that such a gorgeous human being could even exist.
The same went for Claus. His silver hair, which was slightly more rigid than the princess’s, fluttered divinely. As he smiled, his violet eyes were filled with both sweetness and seductiveness.
Everything about the pair from head to toe was in perfect harmony. The onlookers felt as though they were staring at a historical masterpiece.
At last, music began gently flowing through the venue. Meltia and Claus started to dance together, their majestic movements causing everyone else’s breaths to hitch.
“They look so good together... Look, the men who had their eye on the princess are stunned by all this beauty!” a noblewoman commented quietly.
“Oh, you’re right. They finally remembered their place,” another replied, and the two of them giggled. “But yes, Her Highness and Lord Claus look perfect together. Just watching them fills me with joy.”
“I know! I hope they get married.”
“That’d be so wonderful! They’d make a stunning, flawless couple!”
“Their presence alone would fill high society with brilliance! And if Her Highness became a countess, wouldn’t we also have a chance at befriending her?”
As the ladies chattered elatedly, one of them suddenly murmured something.
“But...didn’t Lord Claus already have a fiancée?”
“Oh!” all the women exclaimed in unison. Jeanette felt their gazes home in on her.
They’re looking at me...!
She did her best to keep her expression neutral and pretend she didn’t notice. Relieved that she apparently didn’t hear them, the noblewomen shuffled closer and began talking as quietly as mice.
“There she is...”
“Right, Jeanette Roussel...”
Judging by the fact that the women didn’t proceed to slander her, Jeanette must’ve finally earned her place in high society. (After all, every single person who’d ever spoken ill of her lost the opportunity to buy trendy new items, and so people had learned their lesson.)
“Well, all I’m saying is that Her Highness and Lord Claus suit each other. That’s fine, right?”
“Right, just saying that is not a bad thing.”
“Exactly. This doesn’t count as slander...does it?”
It was a subtle way of expressing their feelings. They kept their language vague because they were wary of Jeanette’s presence.
Still, I understand where they’re coming from... she thought, turning her gaze back to the dancing pair. Her Highness can actually stand next to Lord Claus without looking out of place, unlike me. They really do look like they’re right out of a painting. Her Highness is a princess at the end of the day...
Not to mention, if Claus married the princess, then just like Duke Pablo, he’d obtain a powerful weapon in the form of the royal family’s backing. Royal lineage wasn’t something Jeanette could give Claus, no matter how hard she tried.
And while Lord Claus is a gentleman and always treats women kindly, I feel like he’s especially let his guard down around Her Highness.
Meltia’s karate training had paid off, as she was enjoying the dance without gasping for air. Claus seemed peaceful as well, with no trace of animosity or exasperation. He looked very much at ease.
They’ve been living in the palace together for two months now, haven’t they...?
Jeanette had noticed it ever since she began acting as Dr. Jaquilla’s assistant, but Meltia often went to Claus’s room even outside of her study times, and they spent a surprisingly long time together. Meltia was also a quick learner and excellent student. Jeanette herself had noticed as much when instructing the princess in something she disliked—fitness. Claus, who taught Meltia on subjects that were her forte, must’ve found her an even better pupil. It would’ve been strange if those two hadn’t grown closer in their time together, just as the king and queen had planned.
“They really do...suit each other...” Jeanette muttered before she could stop herself.
“Hmm? Did you say something?” Kyuriakris asked.
Jeanette quickly shook her head.
“No, it’s nothing!”
I wonder why I blurted that out just now?
She found it strange, but nevertheless she went back to watching Claus. He and Meltia were holding hands, their bodies pressed close, and they smiled while whispering to each other.
This was not an unusual sight. Nobles of the opposite sex were permitted physical contact in public exclusively during balls. Whether someone had a partner or not, it was normal for people to touch each other during a dance. It was what everyone did. But even though Jeanette acknowledged that inwardly, her brows furrowed ever so slightly.
Huh? What’s going on...?
For some reason, her chest felt tight. Her heart was pounding as quick as an alarm bell, and her stomach coiled in on itself as though someone was squeezing it.
Oh no! Did I eat something bad?!