CH 105

CHAPTER 105: COUPLE’S DANCE

「U-Umm……」

「My apologies. I am Edward Raul Flarekista. May you tell me your name? 」

「Li-Lilia Anderson. Eldest daughter of Marquis Anderson. How do you do」

「Lady Lilia……a very beautiful name」

Umm.

What kind of situation was this?

Edward-san was kneeling before Lilia and was gazing at her with captivated eyes. No matter how one looked at it, Lilia was the only one reflected in those eyes.

I greeted him earlier, but I was completely ignored.

「I would not really say “how do you do”. Do you not remember meeting me before? 」

「Eh!? N-No, my apologies……umm, where did we……? 」

「During Knight Captain Wilhelm’s wedding. At that time, from the moment I saw you, I was captivated」

「O-Ohh! 」

Speaking of which, they really did meet then.

It was Lilia who entered with me at that time. And Edward-san was acting as a priest to surprise me. Recalling it now, it was a kind of surprise where one could be too shocked and die.

Well, I really was surprised at that time, but Lilia seemed to be even more surprised now. And naturally so. The talked-about prince suddenly confessed his love to her; it would be strange not to be confused.

「Carol」

「Oh, Wilhelm-sama」

「Sorry. You were surprised by Edward, right? 」

Before I knew it, Wilhelm-sama was back.

It seemed I was too surprised that I neglected noticing my surroundings. Wilhelm-sama stood next to me with a wry smile as we watched Edward-san whispering his love to Lilia.

Did Wilhelm-sama know?

「I just knew about it a while ago」

「Is that so? 」

「He asked me, who was the friend who entered with Carol at the wedding. The second I told him she is with Carol right now, he took off. Apparently, he has been looking for her ever since that wedding」

「Eeeh……」

No, well, it was indeed surprising.

I never expected that Edward-san, a royalty and the next king, would be captivated by Lilia like that. Though it was a surprise wedding in the first place, I was the bride. What did it mean that he fell in love with my friend Lilia at first sight?

What would have happened to Lilia if Wilhelm-sama had not returned, and I had the wedding with Edward-san, as was arranged?

Well, there was no point in thinking about it.

「May I have the pleasure of dancing with you? 」

「E-Eeh…I-If it is just one song……」

「Well then, here. Please take my hand」

「U-Umm, I’m…I am…not quite good at dancing……」

「It is all right. Please leave it to me. I shall bring out all your charm」

「E-Eeeeh……」

Edward-san took Lilia’s hand and went straight to the center of the hall.

Wilhelm-sama and I simply saw them off. Edward-san, he was surprisingly forceful.

Edward-san and Lilia started dancing.

Lilia’s movements were very stiff. On the other hand, Edward-san’s dancing was refined—true to his bold talk about leading.

One would unconsciously be captivated by it. Lilia was cute when she is silent, so the two painted a lovely picture together.

Aah, this would not do.

Watching them made me want to dance, too.

「Wilhelm-sama」

「What is it, Carol? 」

「How about we dance, as well? 」

「Uh……th-that」

I saw that Wilhelm-sama was puzzled by my words.

Did I say something so strange?

Since we came to the ball, I thought it was only natural to dance.

「Well, I do not dance much……」

「Oh, I am sorry! 」

It was then I realized.

Basically, it was the gentleman who would be escorting at a ball. It was also the gentleman who would ask for a dance. And the maiden who was without a man’s invitation and remains at the side was called a “wallflower”.

In other words, I should not be the one to ask. I must not forget that common practice.

Ahem, I cleared my throat.

Go on.

「Go on」

「Eh……? 」

「……」

「……」

My head tilted to the side.

Huh?

Would Wilhelm-sama not ask me?

「……What do you mean? 」

「Well, I would like to be asked to dance」

「……Eh? 」

「In such cases, it is the gentleman who would ask……For me to take the initiative was improper of me」

「………………Aah, so it was like that」

Hmm, Wilhelm-sama folded his arms and lightly sighed.

What could have happened?

「Well……at this point, huh? Even His Majesty knows about my marriage」

「What happened? 」

「I do not have to hide it at this point. Well, there is only one way then……shall I imitate Edward earlier? 」

Kuku, Wilhelm-sama smiled.

And then—he knelt down before me.

「Carol」

「Y-Yes!? 」

「May I have this dance? 」

「O-Of course! 」

Wilhelm-sama held out his hand.

I took that hand and Wilhelm-sama stood up.

The waltz was in its crescendo. Lilia was still moving so stiffly, and yet it looked elegant thanks to Edward-san’s skill.

Wilhelm-sama’s hand settled on my back.

And my hand rested on Wilhelm-sama’s shoulder.

We were close enough to feel each other’s breath.

My face felt hot. It was embarrassing, but I did not dislike it.

「Carol……」

「Yes, Wilhelm-sama……」

It was a happy moment of simply calling each other’s names.

Of feeling Wilhelm-sama’s warmth, his breath, his heartbeat.

It was a waltz I was unused to. And though I learned to dance, I was not very good at it. Even so, I was happy, so much so that I wished time would stop for all eternity.

Aah, I really…

Really wished this moment would last forever—.