“As Your Highness knows, having had no occasion to dance for a long time…… I might not remember some of the steps well.”

“Jürgen could lead you directly for that much.”

“I never particularly enjoyed dancing anyway. I’m really fine.”

“Hmm. Is that so.”

Leopold, who seemed to be thinking for a moment, smiled again and said,

“But I really want to see you dance, Miss Schleicher.”

“……Pardon?”

“More precisely, I’ve wanted to dance with you at least once.”

He added, addressing Diez who had lost her words,

“It would be nice to have one dance, also to reminisce about our previous encounter.”

It was surprising enough that he turned out to be royalty, but now this royal was asking Diez for a dance. However, unsure if she should accept, Diez hesitated.

What would Jürgen want me to do?

She had to avoid going against his mood at all costs. Literally, she was in a position where she had to cling to Jürgen’s one act of goodwill.

As Diez couldn’t bring herself to do anything, Jürgen asked her in a calm voice,

“What would you like to do?”

“I, I……”

“Make the decision as you wish.”

The words respecting Diez’s choice only plunged her deeper into confusion. Why is he giving me a choice? My opinion shouldn’t matter at all at this point.

What if I make a judgment that doesn’t please Jürgen?

She didn’t want to frustrate them, but it was difficult to make up her mind quickly. Just as Jürgen, who had been looking down at the still hesitating Diez, was about to speak for her—

“Miss Schleicher seems……”

“If I could dance with Your Highness…… even with my lacking skills, it would be an honor.”

Leopold’s face brightened considerably.

“I am the one honored by your permission, Miss Schleicher. Then after His Majesty’s congratulatory speech ends, the ball will begin immediately, and I will come to your side again at that time. His Majesty is particularly fond of me, so I must be by his side during important moments.”

Leopold merely gave a brief eye greeting to Jürgen and disappeared from their sight. When they turned their heads back to the nobles in front of them, their gazes had changed significantly.

The nobles who had been watching the recent events with interest quickly hid their expressions and said,

“To receive a dance invitation from His Highness, you’ve obtained a rare opportunity.”

“What do you think, lady? You can’t embarrass Duke Klaus, can you?”

To decline dancing with Jürgen but accept another man’s dance invitation—even if that person was a prince, it wasn’t a decision easily made considering one’s partner.

Of course Diez hadn’t made that decision with any special intention. She had simply been conflicted about whether to prioritize her own feelings or be mindful of Jürgen’s reaction, resulting in an unexpected outcome.

Fortunately, Jürgen didn’t seem displeased.

“I’m not embarrassed. I was the one who said I would prioritize Miss Schleicher’s wishes. Please don’t worry about it.”

At this, the nobles also refrained from adding anything more. Just as Diez was trying to compose her unsettled feelings, the murmuring conversations stopped and everyone’s attention focused on one spot.

Diez’s gaze naturally followed the others. The King stood on a balcony where everyone gathered in the banquet hall could see him best. But Leopold was not beside him.

Soon, the white-haired King looked down at everyone and began his congratulatory speech.

“Seven years have already passed since we grasped our glorious victory. Once, we endured the most difficult times. There were days when we had to grieve over the bad news pouring in from the front lines. But in the end, we stand here savoring the joy of victory. No matter how many years pass, this joy will never fade.”

Albrecht IV lifted a glass from the golden tray prepared beside him and said,

“Let us enjoy the Victory Festival to the fullest as we raise our glasses together. To the glory and peace of the Empire, let us all toast.”

The nobles raised their glasses high. Shortly after, with the sound of applause, the King’s brief congratulatory speech ended.

Though it was only a vague memory, Diez recalled that the King’s speech hadn’t been very long when she attended the Victory Festival with her father years ago.

Not long after the speech ended, bright lights focused on the ballroom of the banquet hall. As Leopold had said, it seemed the ball was about to begin.

“I’m not sure if I made the right decision, Duke.”

Diez confessed to Jürgen in a small voice.

“Whether agreeing to dance with His Highness was the right thing……”

“You’ll have to get used to it now. Taking responsibility for your own decisions, I mean.”

“……I know that.”

“Of course, the fact that your judgment isn’t very trustworthy is true. Especially considering how you almost caused trouble by barging into my bedroom without warning.”

Diez’s face turned red. Her heart still raced thinking about that incident, yet he mentioned it so casually……

“You’ve already made your decision, so there’s no way to take it back.”

As his words fell, Leopold approached Diez.

“You’re not going to say you won’t hand the lady over, are you?”

Jürgen stared at Leopold as he said this and answered,

“Miss Schleicher only promised one dance.”

“Well, that could be extended if the miss is willing.”

The prince then extended his hand to Diez.

“A promise is a promise. Let’s go, Miss Schleicher. Even if you’ve changed your mind, it’s already too late.”

“……Yes, Your Highness.”

Diez took his hand and left for the ballroom, glancing sideways at Jürgen. His gaze was strangely sharp and alert. It was directed not at Diez but at the back of Leopold’s head.

“Take your position.”

Leopold whispered lowly as he led her to the center. As Diez placed one hand on his shoulder and prepared herself mentally, he pointed out,

“When dancing, you should look at your partner.”

Diez’s blue eyes rolled up to meet Leopold’s. Though he already knew this, she was an incredibly lovable woman. Even if she had become a rag under the late Duke Klaus.

I must admit he had good taste. Even I’m momentarily captivated.

Had Jürgen really not laid a finger on Diez? Though he thought it unlikely, considering Jürgen’s pathological obsession, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had been holding back until now.

Diez was a bit shorter than other ladies. Leopold, who was of similar height to Jürgen, imagined how she might look from his perspective.

Following her clear blue eyes and crimson lips, lowering his gaze a bit further, the round cleavage was clearly visible between the low neckline of her dress. Despite her innocent face, Diez’s chest was larger than expected.

‘No matter how I think about it, the Duke probably couldn’t have held back.’

He was dying of curiosity. It was now certain that the claim of having no interest in Diez Schleicher had been a lie, so it was time to dig deeper.

Soon the waltz began. Leopold held Diez’s waist with one arm and took gentle steps.

“You said you weren’t confident, but you dance quite well.”

“Please don’t talk to me.”

“What did you say?”

“I-I’m concentrating…… otherwise I might step on Your Highness’s feet.”

Leopold couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

I can’t tell if this is innocence or if she’s learned well how to entice men.

“Even if those small feet stepped on mine, I wouldn’t get a single injury. My shoes are made of quite sturdy leather.”

“Still, I don’t want to commit such a discourtesy.”

“Don’t worry and follow my lead. Then nothing will happen.”

Around them, dozens of couples were spinning on the marble floor, dancing. Among them, the two inevitably stood out—the young lady of the Schleicher family who had reappeared after five years amidst rampant rumors, and the Crown Prince. Who could have predicted they would witness such a scene?

“Do you know why I asked you to dance?”

“I…… don’t really know.”

“Without an excuse like this, I didn’t think Jürgen would let you leave his side.”

“What do you…… mean?”

“Actually, I’m curious about many things regarding you, Miss Schleicher.”

Diez visibly put up her guard, which Leopold could see. To him, it was no more than a frightened cat raising its fur.

“Don’t be so wary. I don’t want to put you in a difficult position either.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t answer any questions.”

“I only intend to ask very trivial questions.”

“I have nothing to say. Your Highness doesn’t know.”

“But you won’t stop me from asking, will you?”

Diez didn’t answer. As if to emphasize that she had nothing to say, her tightly closed lips made him laugh again.

“It’s just really simple curiosity. For example, whether you’re close with Jürgen, that sort of thing.”

“……You could ask the Duke directly about that.”

“Jürgen would never talk to me about you.”

Diez glanced up at Leopold.