“Ah, that’s true.”

Yelodia resolved to change her mindset. After all, if the situation were reversed, she, too, would likely feel disappointed.

Engaged in lighthearted conversation, the two continued to dance in rhythm with the lively music.

Though not particularly fond of dancing, Yelodia had improved naturally after three years of practice. No matter how much she disliked it, it was still preferable to attending geometry lessons.

Edward, on the other hand, had only learned to dance in the past month, mastering the basics in a crash course.

Yet he adeptly led Yelodia, thanks to his natural talent for quickly picking up physical skills.

“Come to think of it, you’re quite the dancer,” Yelodia remarked. “I doubt there were any balls held on the battlefield.”

“To be honest,” Edward confessed with a faint smile, “this is the only dance I know. I’ve practiced just this one routine for the past month.”

“Really? You don’t seem like a novice at all,” Yelodia said, astonished as she looked up at him. She couldn’t help but marvel at how Edward had reached a level of competence in one month that had taken her three years.

Naturally, she couldn’t help but be curious about what his practice sessions might have looked like.

“And yet, Yelodia dances beautifully,” Edward commented.

“I only know the basics. I’ve never found dancing particularly exciting,” she replied.

“To me, this level is extraordinary. I can’t manage a single step of any other routine,” Edward admitted.

“Well, you’ll need to start practicing immediately. His Majesty has mentioned hosting a ball,” Yelodia said, her voice tinged with genuine concern as she pondered the seriousness of the matter.

Edward, observing her worried expression, asked softly, “Would you help me, Yelodia?”

“Me?”

“Yes. If you’re willing to assist, I feel there’s no need to worry,” Edward said, his tone earnest.

Yelodia’s face brightened at his request, though she quickly bit her lip in an effort to hide her delight.

I can’t keep giving myself away like this. I still have a long way to go.

“If I can be of any help to you, Lord Edward, well… I think I’d be happy to,” she said, her voice wavering slightly with emotion.

“That would be an honor,” Edward replied, smiling warmly.

For a moment, Yelodia found herself lost in his gaze.

Before they knew it, the music ended.

Edward bowed courteously, and Yelodia curtsied in response.

Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd as if they had been waiting for this moment.

It was only then that Yelodia realized how many people had been watching them. She flushed in surprise.

“You make the most beautiful pair I’ve ever seen,” said the emperor, their matchmaker, with evident pride.

Eagerly, the Duke of Xavier stepped forward.

“Now it’s my turn, Yedi,” he declared.

Yelodia danced with the Duke of Xavier, then Kias, Fabian, Hester, and finally the emperor himself before she was finally able to catch her breath.

After five consecutive dances, her feet felt as though they were on fire.

Edward, meanwhile, was surrounded by vassals of the duke’s household, receiving their congratulations.

Yelodia, too, was inundated with heartfelt congratulations from family and relatives.

Though only close kin had been invited, the Duke of Xavier’s family alone was sizeable. Adding the lords with strong ties to the duke and the vassals of the southern estates, the duke’s hall was packed.

It wasn’t the modest affair Yelodia had initially worried about.

“Congratulations on your engagement. Please take good care of Edward,” said Lady Selina warmly.

Only after receiving her congratulations did Yelodia truly feel the reality of her engagement.

The engagement ceremony had been far busier, more complicated, and more demanding than she had imagined.

Still, Yelodia found it far more enjoyable than solemnly bowing her head before the archbishop to receive blessings.

***

“Have you heard the news? Lady Xavier had her engagement ceremony. Mother was beside herself, saying one of the Empire’s great ducal houses has allied with a military family.”

“Lady Xavier? Who’s the lucky man?”

“Baron Adrian. You know, the naval vice admiral recently granted the title by His Majesty. Rumor has it the emperor himself arranged their union.”

Despite her cousin’s excited explanation, Karas merely grunted in disinterest.

“How can you be so indifferent? The most eligible lady in society has been swept up before even making her debut, and you’re yawning?”

“Ah, the most eligible lady. And?”

Karas’s voice grew lazier, and his cousin began to sense his disinterest.

Dragged to the Freia mansion as soon as the social season began, Karas Havel had little interest in political matchmaking.

He had his reasons.

As the second legitimate son of Havel County and the cousin of the empress, Karas had no need to fulfill the burdensome duties required to inherit the Havel title or participate in strategic marriages.

Instead, he spent most of his time in hedonistic pursuits with friends.

The riskier and more unattainable something was, the more it piqued Karas’s interest.

Knock, knock.

“Come in,” he called.

A servant entered the parlor.

Karas immediately sensed an impending nuisance.

“Master Karas, an invitation has arrived from the palace.”

Of course.

With an indifferent gaze, Karas looked at the card in the servant’s hand and stifled a yawn. Rather than reading the ornate text, he opted to ask directly.

“What does it say?”

“It’s an invitation to a ball hosted by His Majesty. Count Havel specifically instructed that you attend.”

“Ah.”

Karas rubbed the back of his neck, visibly annoyed. No matter how inconvenient or bothersome it was, he couldn’t go against the wishes of his father, who controlled his allowance.

Until he could secure enough funds for independence and escape the mansion, Karas had no choice but to treat his father’s words as if they were divine.

“My elder sister will attend, right?”

“Of course, Her Majesty the Empress will be there. I hear it’s a grand ball with most of the nobles attending,” his cousin Fedric interjected, catching the muttered question. There was only one person Karas could refer to as “elder sister.”

“Fine. Let Father know I’ll attend,” Karas said.

At his uncharacteristically positive response, the servant’s face lit up.

Once the servant hurriedly left the drawing room, Karas slumped back into the sofa, staring out the window.

His blond hair, grown long enough to touch his neck, had a hint of blue that gave it an unusual allure. His long lashes framed amethyst-colored eyes that radiated boredom.

Fedric narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke.

“You look like you’re plotting something.”

“I’m just wondering when Father will finally give up on me. How long will this tedious game go on?”

Every social season, Karas was dragged to balls and gatherings like a prized stud horse—a routine he found utterly unbearable.

Having turned twenty this spring, he felt an increasing dread that this was just the beginning.

“Wouldn’t it be better to get engaged like Lady Xavier? Marriages between nobles are just political arrangements, after all,” Fedric suggested.

As he pointed out, most noble marriages were arranged for alliances. After producing an heir, it was common for both spouses to openly maintain separate lovers.

They might arrive at the ballroom together but leave with someone else entirely.

“I’ll marry for love,” Karas declared.

“That’s an awfully lofty dream,” Fedric said with a mocking laugh, adding, “Especially for someone who looks like you do right now.”

Karas’s disheveled appearance betrayed his habits—he had clearly spent the previous night with a woman. The idea of someone like him preaching about love and marriage was laughable.

“Seeing how my elder sister and older brother live, arranged marriage doesn’t appeal to me. The thought of having a child with someone I don’t care for is horrifying.”

“So, are you planning to have illegitimate children?”

“I meant I don’t plan to marry at all. Is the trend of bachelorhood in high society already outdated?”

Fedric sighed. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard from you.”

It was clear that Karas Havel had little grasp of reality.

If he understood how much nobles gained through arranged marriages, he wouldn’t be sitting there yawning so nonchalantly.

More importantly, even if Karas declared his intent to remain a lifelong bachelor, Count Havel would never stand for it.

Fedric could already envision Karas standing before the archbishop, holding hands with some noble lady. Shaking his head, he muttered, “Enjoy your freedom while it lasts.”

“I’m already enjoying it to the fullest,” Karas replied lazily, glancing down at his rumpled shirt.

Fedric clicked his tongue involuntarily.

‘He probably spent the night with the most beautiful woman in Freia’, Fedric thought bitterly. As someone who never seemed to catch the eye of beautiful women, he couldn’t help feeling a little annoyed.

“Don’t look down on noble marriages so much. Your cousin and older brother might be unusual cases, but plenty of arranged marriages turn out well. Many couples live happily while respecting each other.”

“Care to bet? Do you think Lady Xavier is happy right now?” Karas smirked.

“Hey, that’s not a fair question!” Fedric exclaimed, furrowing his brows in frustration.

Karas shrugged dramatically. “See? Bachelorhood really is better.”