Chapter 23.1

“Betty.”

If Duke Janus hadn’t called in a small voice, I would have stood there blankly.

I trotted to Duke Janus’s side and bowed as he did.

“Your noble sacrifice for humanity has not been forgotten.”

“Your noble sacrifice for humanity has not been forgotten.”

We were greeting the tree, but I was helplessly nervous because of the situation.

The boy Duke’s eyes met mine for a moment, and as his lips curled slightly, he smiled softly. Still, that smile relieved my tension a little, for I had been stuck with him almost all winter.

Around the roots of the world tree, among the fragrant passion flowers, I could see the flowers that the children had planted sloppily. I planted the flower I received from the priest in an appropriate place and tapped the soil well.

It was then.

“Huh? It’s snowing.”

Something small, white, fell from above, and I secretly muttered then quickly closed my mouth.

It was pollen, not snow.

The world tree has given a kind of grace, but I muttered, ‘It’s snowing’ without thinking.

I hurriedly looked around and checked, but everyone seemed not to care about what I muttered unknowingly.

Before I knew it, the priest who had been by my side held out a silver dish filled with clean water to me. After wiping my hands there, I was ushered into the inner garden. Unlike the place where the world tree is located, the atmosphere was much more breathable here.

Children gathered in groups and were chatting with each other in the garden.

“Is she that ugly?”

“She’s really ugly. Her hair is completely curly and looks like cotton candy, and she has so many freckles that it looks like someone has sprinkled sugar on her face. She has big eyes and big front teeth, she looks like a frightened squirrel.”

“…… that ugly?”

“Ah, th, there…… !”

As I entered, I saw Matthew on the other side, but I ignored him and passed by. There were quite a few boys around Matthew, but they looked bad even by the looks of them. He has been scolded enough that even an amoeba could understand, so he probably won’t be openly messing around around me.

We were guided to the innermost part of the high-ranking nobles and sat at a round table at one of them. It was the seat where Duchy Gladio and Duchy Mattia were already sitting.

Since it was a banquet where children were the main characters, there was plenty of food to eat. It would end before midnight, so there was no need to worry about enduring sleepiness.

“Keep your dance card safe.”

“Yes.”

A dance card in the shape of a butterfly with the order of dance songs written on it was given. I quickly put it on my wrist. It even came with a small pencil, so when someone asked to dance, they could write their name on the spot. Without it, I can’t remember which song to dance with and with who.

Then someone spoke to me.

“I see you again.”

“Ah, yes, I see. Young Duke Gladio, it’s nice to see you again in a place like this.”

Was it too business-like?

The eloquent greeting that came out by reflex drew several people’s eyes to me.

“A very brilliant child, Duke Janus.”

“I’ve heard so many things like that, that my mouth now hurts to answer, Duke Mattia.”

What is wrong with him really?

If someone compliments you, you should say ‘yes, thank you’ and compliment Duke Mattia’s daughter. What is he bragging about?

I endured the shame given to me alone.

The son of the Sol family, who was sitting across from me, crept over here and asked Duke Gladio to introduce him to me.

“Eric, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to have a chat with the lady sitting next to me. Could you help me?”

It was a very good sign for me, who needed the help of other nobles to get away from Duke Janus.

A noblesse oblige spirit, rich sensitivity, thoughtful and altruistic character carved into the bone.

Lord Lucifer Sol, a typical fairy tale prince with dazzling platinum hair, was a person who never refused a hand from anyone who asked for help.

He is already involved in all sorts of charity work and poor relief policies at such a young age, so it would be very easy to draw sympathy from him.

As proof of that, he first extended his hand to me so that a commoner child who knew nothing could adapt to the banquet.

In a word, he is very suitable as a connection that will help me escape in the future.

I nodded my head as hard as I could to Young Duke Gladio, who was looking at me, asking for my permission.

“Miss Betty, this is Lucifer, the eldest son of the Sol family. Luci, this is Miss Betty, who is being sponsored by His Grace, Duke Janus.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Lord Lucifer.”

“I am more honored to be able to meet such a great lady. Are there any empty spots on the card?”

To go straight to asking me for a dance like this. As expected, Lucifer was the perfect gentleman who was kind and friendly to everyone.

I replied, hurriedly trying to get the dance card off my wrist.

“It’s all empty.”

“Then will you give me the honor of the first dance?”

“Yes, of course.”

Oh, it’s finally out.

I held out the card, thinking that I should loosen the string a little, when I put the dance card on my wrist again later. But Lucifer’s hand, which was trying to write his name next to the first dance, was blocked.

“No, the first dance has already been taken, Lord Lucifer. Please find another song.”

It was Duke Janus.