CH 74

“Thank you for accepting the position for tonight.”

“No, I was surprised that I was chosen for such a huge role.”

Last night of the year. It was a grand ball held every year at the royal castle, and we just had a speech from His Majesty, who was in poor health.

The woman who stood alongside me was Marquess Cecile Aldrin. She has pale light blue hair and deep blue eyes. I had often heard rumors that the beauty mark under her eye was sexy.

After seeing her up close for the first time, I do think that she is indeed a woman with a calm atmosphere.

The reason she was now standing next to me…

In the end, it was because she and I, the third prince, were selected to dance for the opening of the New Year’s Eve ball this year.

If Brother Seth were to dance with someone, it would increase the possibility of assassination.

Brother Vincent was acting a little strange.

I could understand why someone bland like me was chosen, but the fact that the dull third prince is starting the New Year’s Eve ball like this makes me feel that it’s somehow clouding the future of this country. Anyway…

(I can’t believe it’s me…!)

I wanted to close my eyes and clench my fists…but I hesitated to do so because there was a graceful young lady next to me.

The burden of this dance is heavy. Because I have to show the dignity of royalty that will blow away concerns about His Majesty’s health.

Everyone was concerned about His Majesty’s health.

His Majesty, who had been working all his life to make this country a better place. However, the political marriage that was intended to make the national government of Pluvia rock solid had resulted in this current situation.

The vassals must have hoped that there would be princes around to support the excellent king before he suddenly fell ill.

The truth is, I don’t know much about how His Majesty himself felt about it.

(By the time I became old enough to understand what was going on around me, his medical condition was no longer very good…)

Perhaps His Majesty was worried about the conflict within the kingdom. When he collapsed, perhaps from continued overwork, everyone should have been worried about the future of this country.

Even today, it seems like His Majesty was wearing makeup to make his complexion look better. Still, the way he stood proudly on his feet and spoke to everyone must have stirred everyone’s feelings for Pluvia.

(I shouldn’t break that atmosphere. I must make Pluvia’s glory known…!)

I wonder if I can do something like that.

Brother Seth would have done it without fail. I’m sure that even Brother Vincent would be able to charm people with his powerful moves.

As for the third prince, he keeps thinking on and on about what can be done.

Marquess Aldrin is in the first prince faction, a senior in the academy, and a classmate of Vivienne’s. I had never seen her talking with Vivienne because of their different factions, but whenever we passed by each other at the academy, she would always greet me with a soft smile.

But, even she must have been surprised by this major role.

By the way, according to Vivienne, she doesn’t appear in the “book”.

(Can I…pull off this huge role?)

The fingertips of my hands, tightly clasped together, trembled.

At that moment, Marquess Aldrin spoke to me.

“…Your dance with Miss Vivienne in the summer was very wonderful.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

“I came here looking forward to see if perhaps I can shine as brightly tonight as Miss Vivienne…”

“!”

I gasped in realization and looked at the face of Marquess Aldrin, then she smiled at me as she always does.

She must be nervous as well, I scold myself that I shouldn’t be the nervous one. At that moment, as her hair swayed and she looked back at me, a familiar scent wafted through the air.

(The scent of lilies…)

I tensed up for a moment. However, I thought that I should say something to Miss Cecile, who was looking at me curiously, so I hurriedly uttered the words.

“Umm… You have a lovely scent.”

It was hardly a response to her words that were spoken to me.

On top of that, I felt like my voice had taken on a stiff tone that couldn’t be considered as a compliment, and I panicked.

Miss Cecile, who had been puzzled for a moment, continued with a chuckle.

“This is sold at Miss Vivienne’s store. Men prefer this kind of fresh, pure, ladylike scent to harsh perfumes. My friend secretly participated in a course called ‘You’ll definitely become popular!’ and bought it for me.”

“Huh?”

“It’s currently a popular perfume. Men seem to think it smells very nice. I also liked the modest scent.”

I felt my body relax as Miss Cecile smiled mischievously at me and told me so.

I realized that the scent from that night was Vivienne’s fault, and then…

(Ah…so, it’s not just the scent of Marquess Aldrin, but it’s something currently fashionable.)

I thought about it and gasped in realization.

It was not a time for me to only let myself feel calm and breathe a sigh of relief. I’m the one in the position of having to entertain her, and yet…!

As I panicked, Miss Cecile told me.

“Has your grief cleared up? I wonder if you have someone you have feelings for.”

“…! My head is full of thoughts about my dance partner tonight.”

“Fufu, I am honored to hear Your Highness say so.”

Oh no! My mind went blank.

But…this is no good. This is not enough. For the future, for the light of His Majesty that shines on the future of this country, for Brother Seth who will inherit it, I will…

“To be honest, I was nervous. Thanks to you, Cecile, I feel like I’m finally back to my senses. Thank you.”

“Oh my.”

“I am glad to know not only the mature side as you are rumored to be, but also the bright and innocent side of yours. I will strive to be a shadow of your already dazzling radiance.”

“!”

She looked surprised for a moment, but then her smile softly blossomed, and I was the one who ended up being surprised.

“Your Highness Nagi is…”

Miss Cecile was about to say something and reiterated, “Nevermind.” I wonder what was it. I tilted my head in confusion but was swept away by her smile.

And I think—

That’s right. Right. Even if I wanted to do something just like Brother Seth, or Brother Vincent, or do it for His Majesty’s sake, it wouldn’t work.

I am…the insignificant third prince… Let’s think only of entertaining her, the one who is in front of me.

In truth, there must be something more, there should be something more. There should have been a lot of things that I had to do. Still, if she said she felt something when I danced with Vivienne…

(I’m sure her feeling of joy will be able to make this country happy…)

Quietly, the sound of the piano began.

This country had a quiet beginning, this country which was made by a king and a knight— And then there were various histories, sorrows, and joys. Even now, the country may be in the midst of another black cloud with no foreseeable future.

The uneasy piano melody somehow made me feel such a moment in the present.

Still…

(I’m sure there will be another light shining ahead of us again in the future…right, brother?)

I gently held out my hand and smiled at my princess tonight, in the sense of starting over.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, let us.”

The Glory Room, which is only used on New Year’s Eve.

Under the ceiling painted with the history of this country, Miss Cecile and I took a bow and stepped forward. The piano melody also began to run and gradually became faster and faster. It must be like the footsteps of heroes who have run through history. Everyone must have hesitated to take an uncertain step. But, after we continue to take such steps one by one, there must be glory ahead of us.

(That is how this country… Pluvia is made.)

For some reason, I felt as if I was being watched over by the heroes of history. My legs went forward. I put my hands around Miss Cecile’s slender waist, and her long dark blue dress spread out like a flower blooming.

Beautiful gesture that went all the way to the fingertips, not a single breath out of place, and sophisticated movement.

Ahh…

(She must have been nervous, too. She must have practiced a lot before getting to this day.)

And yet, she was so considerate about my strange reaction that she even talked about Vivienne’s “popularity course” like that, and even tried to make me feel at ease. I’m happy.

Ahh, it’s so…

“Beautiful…”

“Huh?”

“I’m glad you’re my partner tonight. It was nice to be in touch with your deep compassionate heart. I’m sorry for being nervous.”

“……Your Highness, the royal family must not apologize. Yes, from the very beginning, I came to the castle tonight with the intention of having more fun than anyone else. You can make me become the happiest woman in the country tonight.”

“Fufu, I see. I will do my best to meet your expectations.”

I was going to be able to laugh with her, and also face her in the real meaning of the word.

The orchestra’s performance turned into a powerful melody, that’s right, just like the various past that make up the present of this country…I digested the sound with such a realization.

Miss Cecile’s swaying dress danced gracefully when she took a big step forward. The silver thread decoration on her dress shone like the twinkling stars dancing in the night sky.

My eyes met with hers, which had the color of a calm night sky.

I remembered our earlier conversation, and my expression naturally softened. Miss Cecile smiled back and spoke in a gentle expression.

“You have changed, Your Highness Nagi.”

“Is that so?”

“I thought about it earlier. I thought that this might sound rude, but I think it is a talent for you to be able to make others feel that they want to support you, which is different from His Highness Seth or His Highness Vincent. Would you be offended if I said this?”

“Huh?! Ah, that is… If you would also support me, it’d be a tremendous strength.”

Miss Cecile continued, “Some may be as charismatic as His Majesty. But, I think that kind of people are not the only ones that can attract others.”

These words came as a bolt out of the blue for me, who had always been compared to my older brothers who were always so much better than me. Things like if only I were as almighty as Brother Seth, or as strong as Brother Vincent had always been in my head.

(It’s exactly because I’m a third prince who has nothing…that makes people want to support me?)

I wonder.

I felt her words sink in because she knew very well that I had nothing. Thump, thump, my heartbeat quickened.

Jade’s gaze glances towards us from the crowd.

Ah…that’s right.

(I have Mika with me…and then, little by little, I also have comrades.)

My face started to break into a broad smile.

Because it was the first time I had ever been praised for having nothing.

I’m not good enough yet to be able to swallow the words as they are. Still, her words illuminated the people I have around me.

The words overflowed from my mouth with a natural smile.

“Cecile, thank you.”

In the beginning, it started with one person who came to my mind. In the present, I could imagine a few people’s smiles in my mind.

Miss Cecile looked surprised, her cheeks tinted in a manner befitting her age, and she turned her head slightly downwards and said,

“Oh my…This is trouble. The third prince faction could be formed at this rate.”

I don’t think that could happen, though.

Still, we both had a great time dancing.

By the time we took a bow to each other, we were greeted with overflowing applause. We managed to get through the opening dance of this year’s ball amidst the twinkling lights spilling from the glittering, dancing chandeliers.

I thought quietly in my mind.

(Surely…surely, let there be glory to the kingdom of Pluvia.)