ITIF Chapter 45

Mark (2)

The nobles who were present here today would undoubtedly spread rumors throughout the entire empire.

He had planted the firm perception that he was the definite next emperor.

The young ladies stood motionless in their places, only gazing at Joshua.

The eyes of the young ladies looking at Joshua were filled with respect, admiration, and affection.

In addition to that, there was a mixture of anticipation and longing to be asked to dance by Joshua at today’s imperial ball.

“……?”

Among the young ladies who earnestly hoped for Joshua’s selection, Joshua felt a slightly different gaze. It seemed almost exploratory.

‘Interesting.’

Joshua’s gaze lingered briefly on that young lady.

That unique reaction, different from the other young ladies, piqued Joshua’s interest.

Without much deliberation, Joshua stepped toward the slender young lady with beautiful features wearing a red dress.

And he extended his hand to the young lady.

“Lady Amaterasu. Would you dance one song with me?”

“……!”

The young ladies standing in a row let out silent gasps of amazement.

Joshua paid no attention to the young ladies’ reactions and stared intently only at the young lady before him.

The young lady didn’t immediately take Joshua’s hand, but he wasn’t flustered at all.

‘She must be shy.’

In fact, there was nothing that would damage a young lady’s dignity more than eagerly taking a man’s hand the moment she received a dance invitation.

So it would be more dignified to hesitate briefly before accepting the dance invitation.

“…….”

However, Joshua’s generous mood didn’t last very long.

‘This can’t be right…….’

Joshua’s green eyes trembled slightly.

The longer the young lady hesitated, the more anxious Joshua’s heart became.

At this point, Joshua began to wonder whether he should withdraw his extended hand or not.

But there were too many watching eyes.

Whether the young lady in front of him rejected the dance invitation or not, his dignity would plummet to the floor.

It was just when Joshua, judging it would be better to resolve the situation beforehand, was about to withdraw his hand.

“There’s no reason to refuse.”

With a refreshing smile pulling at her lips, the young lady placed her small, white hand on Joshua’s.

Only then did Joshua realize he had been so tense that he had momentarily stopped breathing.

However, he tried his best not to show it and began walking.

The two passed by the young ladies who couldn’t hide their shock and moved toward the center of the hall.

****

Perfect symmetrical features as if drawn stroke by stroke with care by a master painter, height more than a span taller than ordinary men, and broad shoulders.

Even in his suit, his body packed tight with muscle without an ounce of fat couldn’t be hidden.

When he stood still with an expressionless face, he gave off a cold impression that made him difficult to approach, but this only made his charm stand out even more.

Because it made observers feel as if he existed only in places absolutely beyond their reach.

The gazes surveying Kavelaseth were quite attentive.

He sighed inwardly.

‘Sigh…….’

Even when he tried to concentrate on conversations with nobles, the gazes directed at him were painfully intense.

Groups of young ladies and noble ladies who had been hovering around since earlier hoping to receive a dance invitation from him, and even male admirers…….

Their attention was quite bothersome, but Kavelaseth didn’t lose the faint smile on his lips.

If he wore an expressionless face, even the nobles who needed to have conversations would surely all flee.

He couldn’t even bring up the truly important topics.

Because even the young ladies, noble ladies, and male admirers were all pricking up their ears, listening intently to every single word Kavelaseth uttered.

So unable to speak directly and having abstract conversations, the dialogue went in circles without progress.

Of course, it wasn’t that there was absolutely no way to drive them all away from his side at once. It’s just that all the methods that came to his mind were rough ones.

For instance, he could have glared with a menacing expression and told them to get lost.

However, if he did that, he would certainly end up driving away not only the unwanted people but also the nobles with whom he needed to share information.

‘How tedious.’

Feeling bored with this uncomfortable situation, Kavelaseth casually turned his gaze.

Soon his eyes caught sight of an incongruous pair of man and woman.

‘I wondered why the hall seemed a bit noisy…… it seems those two were the reason.’

Kavelaseth gazed at the center of the hall with slightly furrowed brows.

The pair of man and woman greeted each other and clasped hands. They seemed about to start dancing.

“Duke Cardia, what’s over there?”

One of the nobles conversing with Kavelaseth keenly picked up on his gaze and turned his head.

Before Kavelaseth could even withdraw his gaze, the other nobles with them also turned their heads toward the center of the hall.

“Ho, His Highness the Crown Prince is dancing.”

His words became a signal flare, and all the nearby nobles turned their heads toward the center of the hall.

“They make a truly well-matched pair.”

An elderly noble said with a chuckle.

Whether the two were well-matched or not aside, they certainly drew attention.

Every time the woman dancing with the Crown Prince took a step, the golden embroidery at the hem of her red dress sparkled like jewels, her body line was gracefully flowing yet clearly curved, and her dance moves were elegant and dignified.

The long trailing sleeves fluttered and swayed with every movement of her body.

Someone among the nobles watching the enchanting dance said:

“But which family’s daughter is dancing with His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“……It must be Lady Amaterasu.”

But as soon as her identity was revealed, the nobles who had been praising her just moments before sealed their lips tight.

However, soon murmuring voices followed.

“God is truly fair. Seeing how He gave such beautiful looks but didn’t give a sharp mind in return…….”

“Indeed. It seems she stood there like a mute, not even opening her mouth in front of His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Snickering sounds could be heard.

Malicious criticism toward Giselle Grante began bursting out from here and there.

“God is truly fair. He gave her a mind that’s not sharp and a tongue to match it.”

At Kavelaseth’s weighty remark, the surrounding air instantly froze.

With an impassive expression, he surveyed the nobles who had just been criticizing Giselle Grante.

The nobles who received Kavelaseth’s cold gaze flinched and shrank their shoulders, then began to slink away from their spots.

Thanks to this, Kavelaseth was able to drive away all those who had been annoyingly following him around everywhere.

Of course, he also ended up driving away the nobles he had been trying to converse with as a bonus.

****

Meanwhile, Count Frederick couldn’t properly enjoy the imperial ball as he was busy searching for the nobles that Giselle Grante had said would be good to build relationships with.

Of course, even if he hadn’t had any particular tasks to handle, he probably wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the imperial ball anyway.

‘Where is Baron Cypress…….’

Count Frederick, who was wandering around the hall looking for another noble he needed to build a relationship with, flinched when he felt an intense gaze.

He didn’t have the courage to turn his head in that direction.

Because the young lady who had attended as Count Frederick’s partner had been glaring at him as if she wanted to tear him to pieces since a while ago.

‘It would be nice if she just enjoyed herself moderately…….’

At that moment, Count Frederick made a resolution.

The next time he had to attend a gathering requiring a partner, it would be better to bring a young lady who enjoyed drinking or knew how to get along well with people.

She had been standing guard in front of the cream-colored wall like a decoration since entering the hall until now.

While ignoring all the proposals from men who occasionally suggested dancing.

And she hadn’t taken her eyes off Count Frederick the entire time.

‘She’s not going to hold a grudge, is she?’

Count Frederick let out a light sigh and busily went around meeting the nobles on the list Giselle Grante had given him.

Fortunately, he had even made appointments to meet with several nobles from the list later.

‘That’s all the work for today done.’

Now all that remained was to soothe the mood of the partner who had come to the imperial ball with him.

However, his feet wouldn’t move easily.

‘Just a little drink.’

Count Frederick decided to have more alcohol and picked up his wine glass.

And just as he was about to bring the glass to his lips to wet his dry throat, the hall became somewhat noisy.

‘What’s happening?’

Count Frederick quickly scanned the hall.

And he spotted Giselle Grante and the Crown Prince dancing in the center of the hall.

“……!”

It was such a surprising sight that if he had just taken wine into his mouth, he would have spat it out.

Instantly, the conversation he had with Giselle Grante not long ago came to mind.

[I heard this imperial ball requires partner participation.]

[Yes, so I heard.]

[Seeing how relaxed you are, it seems you have a separate partner, my lady?]

Count Frederick naturally thought Giselle Grante wouldn’t have a partner to accompany her.

So he thought she too would be in quite a difficult situation right now.

However, Giselle Grante’s response easily exceeded Count Frederick’s expectations.

[Of course, naturally. Have you found a partner, Count Frederick?]

Though he was momentarily speechless, Count Frederick didn’t show his fluster and safely got through that moment.

Even after that, he couldn’t utter a single word about becoming Giselle Grante’s partner for the imperial ball, and he couldn’t even ask who her partner was.

After all, they had decided to keep secret the fact that he and Giselle Grante had joined hands for the same purpose…….

‘It must have been the Crown Prince. Lady Amaterasu’s partner.’

Count Frederick stood there watching Giselle Grante and the Crown Prince dancing.

More precisely, he couldn’t tear his gaze away from Giselle Grante.