I lowered my voice so others wouldn’t hear.
“Having fun?”
“If I don’t make it clear you’re mine, those clueless flies will keep buzzing around.”
“Lacking confidence?”
“I’m overflowing with it. But…”
He gently lifted my chin, his golden eyes glinting like honey. As his face drew near, a featherlight kiss brushed my lips and pulled away.
“When it comes to you, no amount of precaution eases my mind.”
“Eek!”
“Oh my!”
Gasps and squeals erupted around us. His arm naturally encircled my waist, his large hand steadying me firmly.
“Shall we go in, Lady Eliant?”
In an instant, he transformed into a perfect gentleman, raising and lowering his eyebrows playfully. I shook my head at his mischievous expression, so at odds with his polite demeanor.
The New Year’s Ball was held in the grand Erharak Hall, built to accommodate a large crowd. Sys moved to escort me there.
“Your Highness!”
A servant rushed forward, blocking our path. Sys’s face darkened slightly. For a mere servant to obstruct the crown prince was highly improper.
Palace servants knew this. To do so despite the breach meant something urgent had occurred.
Has something bad happened?
The servant whispered something in Sys’s ear. Displeasure clouded his expression.
“And?”
“W-Well…”
His cold tone made the servant falter, glancing nervously at him.
“What’s the matter?” I asked.
“The Duke of Daysha is injured,” Sys replied.
“How did it happen?”
I smoothed my expression before it could betray my concern. Sys, still visibly annoyed, seemed reluctant to answer. I turned to the servant, who stood fidgeting.
“Where and how badly is he hurt?”
“I don’t know the details, but he’s requesting His Highness.”
“If he’s injured, call a physician. Why summon me?”
Sys clearly had no intention of complying. The servant, anxious about failing his master’s orders, shifted nervously.
“We should go see him,” I said.
“Why should I?”
“It’s not wise to antagonize the duke right now.”
Though still displeased, Sys didn’t argue further. A soft sigh escaped him.
“Come with me.”
“I’ll lead the way!”
The servant, fearing Sys might change his mind, hurried forward.
Sys gently pushed my back, signaling he wouldn’t go without me.
“Why not go alone?”
“If you’re not going, neither am I.”
“Acting like a child again?”
“Childish or not, I’d rather be that than leave you alone.”
His stubbornness was unshakable. I shook my head in resignation.
“Fine. Let’s go together.”
I followed him to where the Duke of Daysha awaited.
“We meet again, Lady Eliant,” the duke said.
“Beeonne Lotta Eliant greets the Duke.”
“Haha, no need for such formality between us.”
He gestured for Sys and me to sit on the sofa.
“You summoned me?” Sys asked.
“My apologies for the imposition, Your Highness. Today is a crucial day for my daughter, but as you can see, I’m in no state to help.”
He lifted his trouser leg, revealing a heavily bandaged, swollen ankle that looked painful even at a glance.
“I’m too embarrassed to speak of it, but I must ask Your Highness for help, despite my shame.”
“Speak.”
“Please escort my daughter to the ball.”
Sys’s expression didn’t change, but I felt his demeanor sharpen instantly.
The New Year’s Ball, attended by the empire’s elite, was rarely chosen as a debut stage. With so many prominent figures present, a young lady fresh to society had little chance of standing out.
Failing to shine at one’s debut could stunt a noblewoman’s social prospects. No one wanted to be a mere backdrop on such a day.
But if the debutante is the Duke of Daysha’s only daughter, it’s a different story.
Unlike lesser houses that couldn’t afford a debut ball, she was the focus of the empire’s attention alongside her father. Few at the ball would outshine them.
A debut at the grandest event of the year.
It’s deliberate.
Her debut was poised for success.
“I know it’s a bold request,” the duke continued. “But as a father, I can’t bear to see my daughter debut without a partner due to my failure. Is it too harsh to send her into an unfamiliar place, friendless, without an escort? Please consider her plight.”
“You’ve chosen the wrong person. As you know, I already have a partner.”
Sys pulled me closer, his arm around my waist, making his point clear. The duke’s thick eyebrows twitched.
“I ask Lady Eliant as well. You know I have a few acquaintances here. My knights aren’t qualified to escort her to the ball, and as you can see, I can barely move, let alone dance. I can’t entrust my daughter to a stranger, can I?”
A faint smile played on his lips.
“You have plenty of escorts to spare, Lady Eliant. I don’t believe you’re so heartless as to ignore a poor girl’s need.”
What’s his angle?
If he aimed to place his daughter by Sys’s side, this was a clumsy approach. It would only make us wary.
And despite his talk of concern for her debut, his face remained calm—too calm.
“You know how important a debut is for a young lady, having had yours. Please, take pity on her. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime day.”
He rose from the sofa, swaying. A knight moved to support him, but he waved them off, struggling to stand straight before bowing to me.
“I beg you.”
Refusing now would paint me as not only callous toward a young lady but also dismissive of a duke’s earnest plea.
I wasn’t afraid of criticism, but I was curious about what he hoped to gain by going this far.
Sys’s face stayed neutral, but his grip on my waist tightened.
“You’re unwell—please sit,” I said.
“I’ll stand until you agree.”
His body wavered unsteadily on one leg. The knights and servants nearby watched anxiously.
His tactic to corner me with his condition was irritating, but I decided to play along for now.
“Very well.”
“Bee!”
Sys turned to me, incredulous. I kept my gaze on the duke, smiling faintly.
“We can’t ruin a once-in-a-lifetime debut. An escort will do?”
“If possible, I’d ask you to yield her first dance as well.”
The duke sat back, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. I forced my stiffening expression to stay pleasant.
A debut at the New Year’s Ball, with the crown prince’s first dance.
The star of tonight’s event was clear, even before it began.
Was this his goal?
It was a clever move, but too transparent.
My instincts told me there was more to it.
“That’s a steep request for a favor. Do you think I’ll agree?”
“I trust in your generosity, Lady Eliant.”
As if certain of my compliance, he leaned back on the sofa with a relaxed air.
