Sigh... Finally, they were caught, although William also managed to escape this time.

"Let's go home," Damarius said as he snapped his fingers. Instantly William's underlings disappeared, which I assume were teleported to prison.

Uh... Teleport is more comfortable than a horse carriage, though it makes me dizzy. But...

"The party isn't over yet, right?"

"Your title is higher than theirs, it's not a problem to leave in the middle of the party."

An arm wrapped around my shoulder. "Lord Alfaret, Lady Alfaret's partner tonight is me. I would be very sad if Lady Alfaret left me in the middle of the party."

Damarius raised his index finger and swiped upwards, removing Alvanio's hand with magic. "Don't care."

...What's wrong with this guy?

"Marquess Fabian is right, the one invited is me. It would be very impolite if I left my partner alone."

"Then he can go home too."

...? Why is this person so persistent?

"Brother, if you want to go home then go home. I'm not a child who can't go home with the help of her family."

"Don't want to."

"Why?"

"Just because."

Ok, now you're being very childish.

"Now now, Lord Alfaret, let's just enjoy the party tonight. There's no harm in spending time here." Julianus stood beside me while glancing at me with a small smile.

Damarius shut his mouth, and then he looked at me before letting out a deep sigh. With a snap of his fingers, the clothes Damarius was wearing changed, from casual clothes to a black suit mixed with lavender that matched my hair.

Alvanio whistled. "Now these siblings look good together. Perfectly dazzling!" He shifted quickly to my side. "Since this lady has received permission, should we join this lively party?" Alvanio led me down the hall, holding my hand with a smile, but his quick pace made it difficult for me to keep up.

***

In the party room, orchestral music floated softly in the air. The dance floor was filled with elegantly and stunningly dressed guests. "They danced with great grace, creating an enchanting and captivating performance."

Everyone appears with a partner of their choice. Alvanio is no exception, he is now surrounded by girls who ask him to dance.

I feel sorry for him, having to control his emotions just because he's a noble. But it's his fault. Who told him to rarely attend parties and show up with that charming face of his? No girl can resist being drawn to an attractive man, you know. And look at that, Julianus was no less disturbed. I could sense the annoyance hidden behind their smiles.

For some reason, I feel like laughing...

I tried not to burst out laughing as I scanned the room.

There is a dining table filled with delicious dishes and the best wine. Waiters in formal attire serve special dishes that have been carefully prepared. The tempting aroma of the food made the guests' appetites increase, including mine.

Ugh... I want Alastor's cake... I really can't get enough of his cake...

"Sick? Tell me if you feel uncomfortable."

Sigh... And here comes tonight's intruder, Lavenia's non-blood brother.

Yup, Damarius.

He's been standing next to me all this time without greeting a single person, including the party organizer.

"I told you to head back home. As winter approaches, the temperature drops significantly during the night, and your health is at risk of deteriorating." I looked at Damarius, who met my eyes with a stoic expression and a hint of worry.

Look at him. He had just recovered, yet he was worried about strangers like me.

Who said that the relationship between Damarius and his family was not good? And who said that Damarius didn't talk much?

"Sigh... I'm okay. The party is still going on. Just enjoy it while you're here."

"I don't like crowds."

"Why?"

"Just because."

Sigh... This answer again.

"You won't find a partner at this rate."

"I don't need one."

I looked at him strangely.

"What do you mean you don't need it? Do you want to be single until you're old?"

He was silent for a moment. "I guess. Maybe."

Sigh... This person is beyond help.

"Are you still angry?" he asked quietly.

Well, not so much now, although I'm still irritated.

"I don't know. Maybe if you bring the cake there without magic, my anger will decrease," I said nonchalantly.

Damarius unexpectedly responded to my words and went to the table where they were serving food.

... Although I was just saying it casually, he took it seriously... Well, I'm the one who benefits, and no one is harmed, so it doesn't matter.

I sighed and averted my gaze, then I noticed a nobleman walking towards me.

He approached me, extended his hand, and asked, "Beautiful lady, would you like to dance?" without introducing himself.

I was about to answer, but a strong hand grabbed the man's hand. "Oh my, of course I'd like to. I didn't know that anyone else noticed my beauty." Arkanio spoke with a voice that sounded like a woman.

"Pft-" I bit the inside of my cheek to hold back the laughter that was about to come out.

"Wh- what are you doing?! Let go!" The man waved his arm, but Arkanio's grip didn't release.

"Aw... No need to be shy, no need to be embarrassed. I know I'm beautiful enough to make you nervous like this."

I closed my mouth and took a deep breath.

Oh, damn. It's not funny if I laugh here. My laughter is very unaesthetic compared to the nobles here. In my world, no one criticizes my laughter and behavior, but here every breath is criticized.

Hold on... Hold on... You can do it...

In the end, the nobleman was let go by Arkanio because his face looked pathetic. And yeah! I managed to hold back my laughter with great difficulty!

"Lania Lania, how is it? I did a good job, right?" Arkanio looked at me with a proud face.

"Haha, you did. Thank you."

"Yeah! Sooo, where's my reward?" He looked at me expectantly.

...Huh? Did you expect a reward? But I didn't ask you to do that, did I?

"Don't say that you don't want to repay me..." He said with a sad expression.

Of course I don't want to! I'm afraid to know what kind of strange request that you want me to do.

But I couldn't say that out loud for some reason.

"Of course not, what do you want in return?" I said as naturally as possible.

"How about dancing with me?"

...Doesn't this make you the same as that guy?

He pouted. "I'm different from that guy."

Ok, for real. You can read minds, right? You always know what I'm thinking...

He pursed his lips. "You don't know him, but you know me. Plus his reputation is very bad in noble circles. Of course, I'm the opposite. My reputation is good and I'm more ideal than that skinny guy."

Pft- what the hell.

He straightened his posture, which made him look like a real nobleman. "So, let me ask you for a second time." He said seriously.

Hey, you're starting to scare me. What's with that serious face?

"Lady Lavenia Alfaret, would you like to dance with me?" he asked as he extended his hand.

...What's wrong with you today? And hey, why do you want to dance with me?

Suddenly the surroundings became a little quiet, making me glance around. I can see that several people are starting to see what Arkanio is doing.

What the hell is this... Is this Arkanio's route? Why was their attention on him?

"Lania?"

"Uh... But I'm not good at dancing..." I said quietly, a little embarrassed.

It's embarrassing, dancing is one of the basic etiquette here, and now I look really stupid.

But I'm not to blame! I wasn't born in a noble era or anything, so it's not my fault I didn't learn to dance, okay?

"No problem, I can guide you. I'm very skilled at dancing as you know. You could say I'm one of those skilled dancers who can't be rivaled." He said proudly.

...you can not be trusted.

"Come on, Laniaaa, dance with meee. When else will you get the chance to dance with this knight? I even rejected those girls." He whined with his lips pouted again.

"Geez, stop whining, you're not a child. Why do you want to dance with me anyway?"

"First dance partner! You haven't danced since debut, right? I want to be your first dance partner!" He said enthusiastically.

"My debut failed. You know this can't be included in the first dance of my adulthood, right?"

"Of course! But the circumstances are very special! It's the same, even though it's not official."

"You're so desperate."

"Usually girls are desperate to dance with me, but I made an exception for you as someone special." He looked very confident, making me speechless.

"Sigh... Alright. Don't blame me if your feet bleed. The heels I'm wearing look sharp." I took his hand which had been extended ever since he asked me earlier.

...I just realized, aren't his hand feel numb?

We are walking to blend in with the group of people who are dancing.

"Don't worry, I'm immune to pain. The battlefield has introduced me to all pain, and now I'm friends with them."

I chuckled and said, "You're becoming more and more incoherent with your rambling."

"And you enjoyed it, right?"

"I can't deny it."

I took a breath, standing stiffly in the middle of the dance floor when I felt several glances directed at me, that causing my heart to race.

Arkanio put my left hand on his shoulder and held my right hand. He put his left hand on my waist, making me a little awkward.

"You have to look me in the eyes, Lania." His almond pupils stared at me fixedly. In his gaze radiated sharpness and confidence that seemed to convey to me.

With a beat in the music, he started moving his feet. He guided my movements with patience. His strong hand held my trembling hand, giving me a hidden sense of confidence.

At first, I felt stiff and embarrassed. But with every step Arkanio showed me, I started to feel more relaxed.

I tried to imitate every move he made. Even though there are still mistakes and stiffness, Arkanio still smiles. "Woah, Lania, it turns out you can do it better than I thought. Were you lying to me when you said you couldn't dance?"

"Huh? Why would I lie?"

"Haha, who knows."

I smiled, slowly feeling the beauty in dancing. My body began to move naturally, following the rhythm of the music that filled the room.

Even though I can't dance like a professional, I learned to enjoy every step and let the music flow through my body.

"Thank you," I said sincerely.

"What for?"

"Well, you see... Even though I'm a little annoyed to admit, you are good at dancing. And at guiding too..."

He chuckled with his hoarse voice. "Isn't that right? I told you I'm a good dancer."

He stopped and then released his grip. Did a closing bow which I replied.

"So how was your first dance?"

"Not too bad I guess."

He smiled with satisfaction. I noticed his expression and smiled back.

"Oi, you fire head. It's not fair that you started without me. And you, Lady Squirrel. How could you betray me when those little devils are swarming around me?" Alvanio scowled in annoyance.

"Hey, so rude!" Arkanio put his arm around my shoulder with a satisfied expression. "You're so slow, it's your fault for making my Lania wait."

Alvanio snorted, and a second later smiled meaningfully. "Now you have to apologize."

"Why should I?"

"If you think you have to apologize to me, then you are wrong."

Arkanio and I looked at Alvanio questioningly.

Alvanio smiled and looked at Julianus who was looking at us from within the crowd of girls. "To Lady Squirrel's husband candidate."

...

...What the duck?

WTF?!

The night ends with a spectacular fireworks display. Colorful lights fill the night sky, creating a sight that amazes guests. Except for me, who is still thinking about Alvanio's words.

Lavenia was never tied to the crown prince in the game... What kind of cheap development is this...

Sigh... Let me live in peace, will you?