Chapter 43. The Garden Ball

May is a perfect month for garden balls or parties. The fresh air and moderately warm sunlight help relax the mind. —Not that I was in a relaxed state.

“Relax, Ellen.”

“…I’ll try.”

Since arriving at Count Verbille’s mansion, my hands and feet had been trembling. Enoch shook his head as he saw me shiver. His eyes conveyed his lack of understanding.

I couldn’t understand it either. I had attended social events in the capital alone before… what has changed to make me so nervous now? Was it because I was no longer just a baron’s daughter but the Grand Duke’s fiancée?

“Your Highness the Grand Duke! And Miss Lopez, you’ve finally arrived! We are honored that you chose the Verbille family’s ball as your first social event together. Please, enjoy yourselves.”

Countess Verbille approached us quickly, speaking in a flattering tone. Even a fool could tell she was more focused on Enoch than on me. Well, it was understandable. Everyone wanted to be in the good graces of the Grand Duke of Bayern.

“A new dance piece is about to start. If you don’t mind, would you lead the dance?”

Countess Verbille suggested, indicating the dance floor with a subtle voice. I could feel people who had been glancing at us now watching us more intently. I felt like I might choke from the pressure, but I managed to nod and smile.

“Thank you for the suggestion, Countess Verbille.”

“Oh my, how kind of you.”

It was remarkable how someone who had little interest in me not long ago could become so friendly. Power seemed even more absolute than I had imagined. Especially in how it could manipulate people’s greed.

“Are you confident you can dance well?”

Enoch whispered in my ear as he led me to the dance floor. His gesture seemed affectionate, drawing small gasps—or perhaps sighs—from around us. Trying to ignore the reactions, I answered in a low voice.

“I have no choice even if I’m not. Please forgive me if I step on your foot.”

Enoch laughed heartily at my feigned cynicism. Almost immediately, I felt incredulous stares from all around. A quick glance showed most people looking shocked or dazed. Clearly, Enoch laughing was not something they saw as normal.

“I might accidentally step on your foot too.”

“My instep and toe bones will break.”

“I’ll have Penelope heal you.”

I gave him a timid glare for his unfunny joke. As we stood on the dance floor, the orchestra began to play, and Enoch, smiling playfully, extended his hand to me.

“Then, Miss Ellenore. Would you honor me with this dance?”

“Yes, gladly.”

I smiled back as I took his hand. My body still trembled with nerves, but I was in a better state than before. I decided to forget the burden of being the Grand Duke’s fiancée while dancing. If I just let the music guide me, I might make fewer mistakes. Honestly, stepping on his foot—was something I wanted to avoid out of fear.

“Once.”

“……!”

But I ended up stepping on his foot. Feeling my face flush with heat, I stumbled slightly, and he pulled me closer by the waist. A strong woody scent wafted over me.

“Don’t count the times.”

I warned in a deliberately stern tone, and he chuckled as if amused. It was clear he enjoyed my embarrassed reaction.

“Make as many mistakes as you want. I’m curious to see how much redder you can get.”

“……!”

He was truly too mischievous. Feeling a sudden surge of frustration, I glared up at him, but when our eyes met, I quickly looked away. His mocking laughter fell over my head.

By the time the dance ended, I had stepped on his foot three more times. Four times in total. He counted each time I stepped on his foot.

I felt incredibly wronged and wanted to run back to the Winter Palace immediately to complain to Lucy. I practiced hard for today, so there was no way I should have made mistakes. It was all because of the pressure. Besides, with Enoch who kept teasing me, it made me conscious of every step and caused more mistakes.

Just as I thought this, I suddenly realized how pathetic I sounded. I felt ashamed.

“What a wonderful dance! Your Highness the Grand Duke, and Miss Lopez.”

Even though she must have seen all my mistakes, Countess Verbille flattered us enthusiastically. Being able to lie so smoothly was truly an incredible talent.

“You two looked so perfect together, like lovers from a fairy tale. His Highness the Grand Duke is as splendid as always, and Miss Lopez, you look exceptionally beautiful today.”

“…Thank you for the compliment, Countess Verbille.”

In this one-sided conversation filled with compliments, I was the one mainly responding, while Enoch simply looked down at Countess Verbille as if he found her flattery amusing.

I awkwardly crumpled the hem of my dress in my hand. The burden was already heavy, and this situation was extremely uncomfortable. I wished Countess Verbille would leave or that Enoch would go somewhere else if he was going to continue standing there so indifferently.

Enoch Bayern really has no social skills…

“I’d like to introduce Miss Lopez to other ladies. What do you think?”

Fortunately, a chance to change the situation arose. I nodded earnestly, hoping she would indeed do so, and upon confirming my intention, Countess Verbille smiled faintly and checked Enoch’s expression. She was asking his permission to take me away.

“Do as you please. Please take good care of my fiancée, Countess Verbille.”

He smiled and let go of my hand, leaving without any hesitation. Watching him greet a gentleman warmly, I revised my opinion: Enoch Bayern’s social skills were not lacking. To him, social skills seemed like a tool to be used when needed and put away when not.

“Well then, shall we go? Miss Lopez.”

Countess Verbille gestured for me to follow her. With a painted smile, I walked alongside her. We arrived at a spot where several ladies were gathered, chatting in clusters.

“Are you enjoying the ball, everyone?”

Countess Verbille skillfully led the conversation, and the ladies responded with flowery smiles. I noticed there were no noble young ladies of my age in this group. The ladies sent me curious glances, and Countess Verbille introduced me as if she had been given a monumental task.

“As you all know, this beautiful young lady is Miss Ellenore Lopez, the fiancée of His Highness, the Grand Duke of Bayern. They will be having their engagement ceremony soon.”

The ladies responded eagerly, as though they had been waiting for this.

“Miss Lopez, nice to meet you. I am Ethel Haywood.”

“Miss Lopez, you are as graceful as I’ve heard. My name is…”

Though overwhelmed by the simultaneous introductions, I managed to respond without trembling. The ladies in this group were all kind and warm, showing me goodwill. …Because of this, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was all a well-rehearsed play. Perhaps Enoch had arranged this through Countess Verbille in advance.

“I know it might be impertinent to say, but Miss Lopez, you haven’t been a frequent attendee of social events, have you? You must have some concerns. If you have any questions or face any difficulties, please feel free to talk to us. We are on your side… the future Grand Duchess’s side.”

This confirmed my suspicion. Enoch had prepared this to support my weak position in society. I was conflicted about whether to be grateful for his consideration—or perhaps control—or to feel pathetic for needing his influence to make friends.

“…Thank you for your kindness. I’ll be sure to ask for your help if I need it.”

Nevertheless, I responded with a smile. Regardless of their true intentions, having allies in society was not something to refuse. Though, part of me wondered what good social standing would do for someone with only a year to live…

Well, it’s better than being subtly ostracized for a year.

“Then… Miss Lopez, there’s something you should know. Do you see the lady with black hair standing among the young ladies over there? That’s Lady Angela Besnard.”

The lady who introduced herself as Ethel Haywood whispered softly. Seeing the serious faces of Countess Verbille and the other ladies, it seemed quite important. Besnard… that name…

“She is the granddaughter of Lord Morpheus Besnard, the Royal Librarian. You may not know, but the Besnard family is an old count family, and currently, Lord Joseph Besnard is the head. Lady Angela is his daughter.”

So, to summarize, the Royal Librarian’s child is the current Count Besnard, and his daughter is Lady Angela.

“The Royal Librarian was a mentor to His Highness the Grand Duke in his childhood. Therefore, Miss Angela Besnard has known His Highness for a long time. …Miss Besnard likes to imply that she has a special relationship with His Highness, but his attitude shows that it’s an exaggeration.”

At that point, I realized why the ladies were telling me this. In other words… it was a subtle warning to be wary of Angela Besnard.

“By the way, have you met Lady Ashwood? Miss Besnard is different from her. Both have connections with His Highness… but it’s obvious that Lady Ashwood sees him only as a comrade. However, Miss Besnard’s case is more complicated.”

Just then, Angela Besnard’s gaze turned toward us. Watching her, I couldn’t help but meet her eyes. Her eyes were a vivid green, close to blue-green.

Her eyes curved slightly as she looked at me, then she said a few words to the young ladies around her and slowly walked away. In that direction…

…where Enoch was.