### Chapter 33: Débutante (6)
In the midst of the commotion, I took Ria’s hand and slipped out of the Marquis’ mansion.
Along the way, I received a look that seemed to ask if my parents had caused trouble again, but there was no time for explanations. I simply left a message that I would return to the mansion first by carriage. It’ll be a bit of an inconvenience, but I’ll have to ask the carriage driver to make another round to our house and the Marquis’ residence.
The driver, puzzled by my decision to return to the mansion so soon after the banquet began, raised an eyebrow but didn’t pry. He simply agreed to proceed.
I feel a bit guilty bothering someone who was resting, so I should probably tell him to give a bonus next payday.
And so, Ria and I boarded the carriage back to the mansion, quietly feeling the sway of the carriage.
Clunk… Clunk…
“…”
“…”
…It’s awkward.
To Ria, the fiancée of the Golden Sun—someone she thought was rather cold—must have appeared like a deranged psychopath boasting about a history of grabbing another lady’s hair and tearing someone’s cheek.
If I were her, I’d be shaking in fear sitting next to someone like that.
Turning my gaze slightly, contrary to my expectations, she was looking at me with her usual calm eyes.
As if she were waiting for me to speak to her like an expectant puppy.
My eyes meeting hers startled her, and I saw her eyes flicker with a sudden brightness, leaving me a little flustered.
Hmm… Why do they really shine?
“Uh… Ria.”
Unable to bear the suffocating atmosphere, I awkwardly scratched the back of my head and called her name. Her posture straightened immediately, delighted to have been addressed.
Absurd fantasies crossed my mind—whether her ears would twitch and her tail would wag madly if she were a beastkin. Facing her, full of anticipation, I bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry.”
“…”
“I messed up your debut dance… Yet don’t worry too much. The attention will be on me due to the commotion, so hardly anyone will be saying bad things about you…”
“Are you angry?”
“-What? Uh…?”
“You’ve heard him say you were going to another man. Are you angry about that?”
Are you angry?
Hmm… I think I was.
The outrageous proposal that would completely ruin Ria’s happy ending…
Not only that, I think I got angry with someone I didn’t even know who she was, simply out of jealousy and discontent, saying something hurtful to her.
“Uh… Yes. I think I was…”
“Really?”
After hearing my response, she didn’t seem disappointed or angry. She merely turned her head with a soft chuckle and a smile.
Is it getting hotter in here? Or has her face just gotten redder than before?
“Young Master.”
“Yes, Ria.”
“If this incident spreads among the nobility, there won’t be many ladies interested in the Young Master, right?”
Th-That’s true. Apart from trash like the Duke and Duchess, no parent would want their child to marry a reckless fool like me. Even those young ladies who were only interested in my money will probably shy away after hearing about this.
“Well, it’s my punishment. There weren’t many of those types to begin with, but now, I doubt I’ll even see their hair anymore.”
“Hmm…”
Ria didn’t say anything else. After leaning back against the carriage seat and closing her eyes, she remained silent until we reached the mansion.
However, she was humming softly with a satisfied smile on her face.
*
Cecilia found it amusing amid the barrage of malice that pricked her like sharp needles.
After a lifetime of being treated as a tool by her parents, the envy of other young ladies concerning her looks was like mere ticklishness. And though it was a lie to say she wasn’t nervous about her debut, their petty jealousy made her almost feel it was nothing more than a cute joke.
“And now, I have the Young Master and the people of the Count’s house as well.”
Especially to Cecilia, who has found people who truly value and cherish her, the hollow compliments and veiled criticisms seemed trivial.
“I can’t gain weight no matter what I eat, so my figure doesn’t show off dresses as well as yours does, Your Ladyship.”
“Hmm.”
“I was thinking of the recent talk, weren’t I? Stubborn women don’t attract men as much?”
“Interesting.”
“Doesn’t this necklace look splendid on me? It’s the latest from Boutiq… oh dear! I apologize, Your Ladyship might not know much about it.”
“Yes.”
“Your Grace’s parents seem to raise children very freely. If mine were a bit more lenient, it’d be wonderful… Sometimes I wish I could be as quiet as Your Ladyship.”
“Please do.”
Despite the storm of attacks from the young noblewomen, Cecilia remained calm, answering only briefly. Her unwavering gaze made them uneasy.
Typically, by now the target of such attacks would have red-rimmed eyes filled with tears or clenched fists from anger, but Cecilia calmly sipped her tea as if nothing was happening.
Finally, Enbi, the leader among them, decided to take the offensive herself.
“Still, it must be tough for Your Ladyship, huh? Having ‘Him’ as your dance partner…”
Rab. Her fiancé.
When his name was mentioned—not hers—a sudden emotion welled up inside Cecilia.
When Enbi made that presumptuous comment about her precious Rab, she felt an overwhelming chill contrasting with the rising anger inside.
“Probably, it’d be better to get divorced quickly… Once you separate from the Young Master, come to me! I’ll introduce you to someone else! There’s the Young Noble Butai… He’s a little older, but a decent enough man.”
Cecilia knew who Butai was.
Yet, her thoughts turned to the insinuation of her breaking up with Rab, and before she could react—
Crack!
Just as she was about to counter-attack by addressing Enbi’s insecurities—
Knock, knock.
“Wh-Who is it?”
“I’m Rab Netoire. I simply wanted to check if my fiancée is here.”
The sudden arrival of Rab erased all her previous anger, leaving only a docile little pup behind.
Recognizing Rab’s anger as he entered the room, Cecilia saw it in his cold, distant stare, despite his smiling face.
She knew Rab’s actions, even when seemingly affectionate to noblewomen, were devoid of sincerity. This included when he acted threatening but only to put on a show, knowing very well to control his strength so as not to hurt them. Cecilia understood Rab’s protective nature when he shielded the ladies with mana to avoid injury.
Even when the ladies wet their pants, Cecilia saw no empathy—only the consequences of their actions.
“Then, are you saying I should remain a coward who ignores the sharp fangs of noblewomen trying to snatch my fiancée?”
Even before the imposing Marquis Altero, Rab stood calmly and explained the situation without flinching—reliable and steady.
In truth, despite being intimidated by the Marquis’ appearance, Rab stood defiant in his indignation. Cecilia’s heart pounded seeing him hold her hand and walk out.
“Are you angry?”
Back inside the carriage, the question slipped out before she could stop it.
Though she knew Rab was hurt, she wanted to hear it from his mouth.
Thinking he’d sidestep the question again, his hesitance surprised her as he admitted—
“Uh… Yes. I think I was…”
“!”
Seeing Rab sincerely express his feelings, she barely restrained herself from jumping into his arms and kissing him.
When they arrived at the mansion, Rab led her away from the entrance.
“Master? This isn’t the way back to the mansion?”
“…”
Ignoring her questions, Rab continued forward.
Realizing where he was leading her, Cecilia’s confusion eased.
“Here…”
The Countess’ garden, planted with flowers of various colors.
As the darkness settled, fireflies danced among the flowers, making the garden sparkle like a watercolor painted with gold dust.
“Because of me, you couldn’t enjoy the dance, right? So I thought, why not have your debut dance here instead… Does it displease you?”
“…”
She laughed.
“Ahahaha! Ahahaha!”
She didn’t know why she was laughing.
Perhaps it was from the absurdity of dancing in a flower field at the mansion.
Maybe it was just happiness.
There, under the moonlight, dancing alone with him, she felt pure joy.
Cecilia finally calmed down, her laughter subsiding, and her prince extended his hand.
“May I have this dance, Lady?”
“Of course.”
The dance was messy.
No music, no accompaniment—only the sound of crickets.
And Rab, who had never learned to dance, struggled not to step on Cecilia’s feet, making clumsy movements.
The atmosphere lacked refinement, the harmony was off, and they stumbled often. It was a ridiculous waltz.
Still, her debut was—
Nothing short of a resounding success.
