“My, how did someone who only knows about war and training manage to bring a woman?”

“What a beautiful dress… The shoes and bag are also the latest fashion.”

“What about the hat? Oh, it’s truly beautiful!”

The imperial palace party was different from ordinary parties because only those invited by the royal family could enter. Those not invited could only enter as someone’s partner.

That’s why everyone’s gaze focused on Erica, the partner. Such attention might have been burdensome, but Erica smiled and looked around at them. No, it would be more accurate to say she looked down at them.

Upon entering, Duke Felix greeted the Emperor sitting at the highest position.

“Thank you for the invitation, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“Not at all. I must invite you no matter what! Haha. But you usually don’t attend even when I send invitations, so what brings you here today? Don’t spend all your time on battlefields, come to parties more often. By the way, what’s the name of that beautiful lady beside you?”

Not only the Emperor’s gaze but also the Crown Prince’s next to him fixed on Erica. It was her first time seeing the Emperor directly. But Erica didn’t tremble. She very skillfully held her dress and bowed her head.

“I am Erica Mills of Count Mills’ family. I’m so happy to meet Your Imperial Majesty and Your Highness the Crown Prince that I couldn’t sleep last night!”

‘Couldn’t sleep… I slept very well, even snoring. But I should say this, right? It’s true that I was looking forward to coming here.’

Erica thought to herself. Though polite, Erica’s face showed the fresh excitement that only someone her age could have. The Emperor smiled warmly.

“How lovely. I hope you’ll come often.”

“Thank you!”

Erica smiled brightly. Seeing this, Duke Felix’s right eyebrow rose slightly with displeasure. After the greetings, Erica sat on the sofa. Duke Felix said he had something to discuss with the Crown Prince and told her to wait here.

“Stay right here without moving.”

“…What about the restroom?”

“You can go there. But we’ll be returning to the mansion soon…”

“We just arrived at the party, and you’re saying we’re leaving right away? Without even dancing?”

Seeing Erica’s disappointed face, Duke Felix firmly grabbed her chin and lifted it.

“…So you want to dance with other noble men?”

“Well, I could. It’s a party, isn’t it?”

Her tone suggested she didn’t understand what the problem was at all. Duke Felix momentarily felt his blood pressure rise and rubbed the back of his neck.

“If you came as my partner, stay put. Don’t you understand what I’m saying?”

“…Then will you dance with me later? I want to show you how well I can dance.”

When Erica spoke with sparkling eyes, Duke Felix let out a deep sigh.

“Fine, if that’s what you want.”

“Yes! I’ll be waiting.”

After seeing Duke Felix off, Erica plopped down on the sofa. The imperial palace party was luxurious, but judging by the soldiers standing guard everywhere, it wasn’t exactly a free-spirited atmosphere.

People usually attended parties to meet potential romantic interests, but Erica came to dance. She liked the free atmosphere of parties. Getting to know strangers wasn’t bad either…

“…Erica Mills?”

Erica turned around at the voice calling her. There stood her rarely-seen fiancé, Otis Cox. Moreover, beside him was Duke Felix’s fiancée, Sienna Harper. Just seeing how close the two were standing, it was clear they were more than ordinary acquaintances.

Erica spoke calmly while sitting on the sofa.

“It’s been a while, Otis.”

“Why are you here…”

Otis stood with a shocked expression. Since Count Mills was neither a noble who had achieved great feats nor a high-ranking aristocrat, he wasn’t qualified to be invited to the imperial palace party. So Otis must have guessed that Erica had come as someone’s partner.

With a stiff expression, Otis pushed Sienna Harper away from his side and approached Erica. Conscious of those around them, Otis whispered:

“How did you get in here? …Did you sell my name? Or did you throw a tantrum claiming to be my partner?”

Erica tilted her head.

“Can you bring two partners here?”

“No, you can’t. But I thought someone like you would find a way in somehow. …You like me, don’t you?”

“Ah…”

Erica recalled her experiences after becoming his fiancée. She had gone to his mansion unannounced, but Otis wouldn’t see her. 

Erica waited endlessly in front of Duke Cox’s mansion. Several carriages passed by, but Otis never came out. That day, she finally gave up on meeting Otis and returned home.

When she sent letters to Otis, there were no replies. The reason was “he was busy.” He always said he was busy studying to become a duke.

Meanwhile, she heard from high-ranking nobles that they had spotted Otis at imperial palace parties several times.

[He said you weren’t of the right status to associate with him?]

[Otis must have been forced to associate with you, right? Since you’re his fiancée in name only. Heh heh.]

In truth, she thought their words were somewhat correct. The families of a count and a duke were of different ranks. It seemed natural that they couldn’t meet easily even if they were engaged.

That’s why Duke Cox used the engagement as bait to manipulate Count Mills. But who would have thought Duke Cox would betray them first? Indeed, staying away from the Cox family was beneficial for survival.

“I’m Duke Felix’s partner.”

“…What? Duke Felix?”

“Yes. I’m learning swordsmanship while staying at his mansion.”

“Swordsmanship? Why would you?”

Otis had already sat down next to Erica. He called a servant to bring two glasses of wine. When Sienna noticed Otis wasn’t paying attention to her, she accepted a dance invitation from another man. Erica received the wine from Otis and savored its aroma.

‘Indeed, even the wine is different at the imperial palace.’

It was a premium wine unlike those at ordinary noble family parties. Erica gulped down the precious wine and grinned while watching the dancers.

“I want to become a knight.”

“…A knight?”

“Yes.”

Any feelings she had for Otis had long since evaporated. She felt nothing for him now. Well, wasn’t that natural after not seeing each other for so long? 

Erica personally experienced how distance in body led to distance in heart.

“…Then come to the Cox duchy. I’ve also received a knighthood, so helping you would be nothing.”

Otis spoke slowly, seemingly determined. Erica smirked at his words.

“No thanks.”

She knew very well she would be turned away at the mansion entrance. Even if Otis said it was fine, his father Duke Cox would oppose it.

‘Right. It was because of this occasional attitude from Otis that I misunderstood. I thought Otis really liked me.’

That couldn’t possibly be true.

If he had liked her, he wouldn’t have framed the Mills family for all those crimes.

Soon, perhaps thinking Erica was ignoring him, Otis stood up abruptly.

“You’re my fiancée. So why Duke Felix of all people? Why that monster?”

“I don’t want to be your fiancée anymore.”

“What?”

Otis looked at Erica in shock. With her legs crossed, Erica spoke while watching Duke Felix approaching her.

“I’m going to become a knight.”

Duke Felix approached with very quick strides, then firmly gripped Erica’s wrist. He frowned severely at Otis, who glared back at him.

Otis, who had received an honorary knight title simply because he was a noble, could never defeat Duke Felix, a formal knight. Yet he tried his best not to back down.

Between the two men engaged in a battle of nerves, Erica spoke to Duke Felix.

“Let’s go dance.”

“…Dance?”

Duke Felix’s face grew more fierce, but having made a promise, he had no choice but to dance with Erica.

While dancing, he whispered to her.

“…What did you talk about with your fiancé?”

“Nothing special.”

“Really?”

He blatantly caressed Erica’s waist. The sensation made Erica’s hair stand on end.

“You’d better tell me. If it was nothing special, why is that youngster glaring at me like he wants to kill me? He’s completely lost his fear.”

“Is he still watching?”

“Even if he is, he won’t dare say a word in front of me.”

Erica giggled at his words.

The music of the famous band filled the air. The performance was excellent, unlike anything heard elsewhere, but it wasn’t as fun as she had expected. Even seeing Otis, whom she had wanted to see so badly, felt just ordinary. Her feelings for him had clearly diluted. Other concerns took precedence.

“When will I be able to run 20 laps around the garden?”

“…With these thin legs of yours, not a chance.”