Chapter 96

“I feel like this is my first time.”

“Huh?”

Claudia, the Princess, gave me a puzzled look, and as I tilted my head in confusion, she flashed a bright smile. It seemed she had no intention of explaining further. After a moment of watching me prepare, she suddenly spoke up.

“You don’t have a partner, right?”

“Yes.”

“How about going with me?”

“…I was planning to enter alone.”

It’s not that I hadn’t thought about partners. I knew that entering a ball hosted by the Imperial Palace without one would lead to gossip. That’s why Cardinal Besalon had already suggested it. But I turned him down because I didn’t want people to think I had ties to the clergy.

If I took Claudia’s hand, well… The fact that we were of the same gender shouldn’t be a problem, but would people think I had allied myself with her faction? With the title of Hero and a territorial Count, just having that hereditary title as a high noble would raise eyebrows, especially if I were associated with the continent’s strongest warrior, Princess Claudia.

Some might say what does strength have to do with politics, but in the game of politics, those with the strongest swords tend to gain the best positions. Plus, if a civil war were to break out, the chances of winning would only increase.

Of course, emotionally, I had no real reason to refuse. Aside from her confessing her feelings for me, I genuinely liked her as a person. If she asked from a romantic standpoint, I might dodge the question.

“That’s a pity. And… I guess you’ll have to choose eventually.”

“Choose?”

“Yeah.”

“…I’ll think about it.”

“Take your time to think.”

Claudia, smiling sweetly, quietly regarded me before turning her head away, as if she had said all she needed to say.

“Oh, you really look beautiful today, Catherine. I wanted to say that!”

“You’re saying that even though I’m not finished with my preparations?”

“Yeah. You look pretty to me, always. Whether covered in blood on the battlefield or in your current state.”

Claudia laughed heartily, genuinely delighted, before leaving the room. The sound of her footsteps stopped abruptly as the door opened, releasing the tension among the maids.

“…You really know her well.”

“It’s not just knowing, is it? You were practically best friends!”

“Isn’t this the first time we’ve seen her in such a good mood?”

“True. I’ve been in the palace for a while, and this feels like a first.”

“I’ve never seen her smile like that before….”

Had Claudia really been that guarded? She seemed to smile at me often enough. But then again, she claimed to have feelings for me. Hearing those comments made my face feel hot. She had shown sides of herself to me that she wouldn’t show others.

It finally clicked that her previous confession wasn’t just empty words; it was genuine. She had always been so stoic, yet love had her softening. Thinking back to when we first met, she had been very businesslike, carefully hiding her feelings. I couldn’t help but sigh quietly, realizing only now how silly I had been.

As I wrestled with feelings of self-doubt and embarrassment, trying not to let my turmoil show on the outside—because if I did, the maids would definitely have something to say—the door opened again. I thought it might be Claudia, but I quickly recognized the familiar footsteps.

“Young Lady.”

“Oh goodness, now that you’re a Count, shouldn’t you be more formal? Catherine Vexter Alaine, Your Excellency.”

She spoke with a teasing tone. Anyone could tell she was joking, and I sighed softly.

Lilian burst into an unrefined laugh, totally inappropriate for a noble young lady.

“Welcome back! It’s a shame we can’t hug, but it’s great to see your face!”

“It’s nice to see you after so long as well.”

“But now that you’re a Count, you really should stop calling me ‘Young Lady’!”

Just when I thought we were heading towards a warm atmosphere, she immediately corrected my title, and I quietly shut my eyes.

“…Lady Lilian.”

Ugh, it felt so awkward! As I squeezed my eyes shut, I could hear suppressed laughter from behind me.

“But you don’t have to be so distant! Just call me Lilian; we’re the same age, after all!”

“….”

“Hahaha!”

In the end, Lilian couldn’t hold back her laughter, bursting into a fit. The nearby maids looked shocked at her uncharacteristic behavior. To be honest, I could see why they would think her an absolute devil in a genteel guise.

But for me, that side of her was becoming familiar.

“So, what exactly are you here for?”

“To apply as your partner. Still no partner, right?”

“That’s true, but I was planning to enter alone.”

“No need for that, right? You could just go out and say, ‘Is anyone here to be my partner?’ and they’d flock to you like clouds.”

…Maybe? I guess, judging by marriage prospects, ‘Catherine’ would be a top-tier catch. It was a little amusing but also completely true. A Count with territory who had just fallen from the sky, so to speak.

“And you’re also beautiful, Catherine. You would stand out even among noble young ladies!”

“That’s true, but so are you, Lilian…”

“We just have different types!”

As she twirled her silver hair, Lilian shot me a fierce look. The maids nearby gasped in fear. And rightfully so.

“I’m the scariest Young Lady here!”

“I doubt any truly scary Young Lady would say something like that.”

“What?”

Why did she seem so surprised by the obvious? I couldn’t understand, but I quietly spoke up.

“By the way, Princess also offered me to be her partner.”

“You should totally turn that down. Why get involved with a princess?”

“But wouldn’t I be just as tied to you if I accept your offer?”

Given that I was already closely associated with the House of Marquis of Portus, almost everyone knew I had been Lilian’s maid. If I went in as Lilian’s partner, worried glances would surely follow, as people would think the Vexter Territory was being absorbed into the Portus Territory.

“…Still, wouldn’t it be better to be bound to me?”

“You’re still calling me Young Lady.”

“I’m just getting used to it. And I’ll think about it.”

“You know that keeping a woman waiting isn’t a great way to maintain your popularity!”

She could say that because she was unaware that Yulia had already confessed to me.

“I think it’ll be fine. I’m clearly overflowing with interest anyway.”

“Well, I’ll be going now. Oh, you look real gorgeous today, Catherine. You look so much better than in that maid outfit!”

“Thank you… She’s already gone.”

I sighed inwardly while hearing the sound of Lilian’s lively footsteps as she left. Partner applications were obviously the next step…

“Catherine, I’m here!”

“Yulia, come in!”

As I called out to Yulia, who had knocked at the door, a maid rushed over to quickly open it. Then, Yulia approached with her blonde hair neatly tied back, a bright smile focused on me.

“…You’re not dressing up?”

“I’m a Saint. I only did some basic prep that stays within the bound of propriety.”

So that was the reason for her simple get-up. I thought it a little unfair as I turned away from her to glance at the mirror. She stood just behind me, with her basics expertly applied, and she was still stunning. It felt almost unfair.

“I came here to talk to you.”

“About becoming partners?”

“…How did you know?”

Lilian’s warm smile slightly faltered. I caught that glimpse and replied.

“Two others have already come by.”

“The Princess and Lilian?”

“Yep.”

She knew as I muttered it. Yulia replied nonchalantly, and after letting out a small sigh, she nervously twisted one of her loose strands of hair and spoke up.

“Well, I’m here to apply as your partner. I may have neither a background nor riches compared to those two, but… I can definitely make you happy.”

“Are you proposing right now?”

“P-p-propose?! No way!”

Yulia’s cheeks flushed bright red. This was almost comically uncharacteristic of her usual calm demeanor. I found that amusing and added a tease.

“That sounded like an outright proposal to me.”

The maids nearby nodded, as if agreeing, making Yulia shake her head furiously, her face still red.

“That’s not what I meant. You know that!”

“Well, I was actually planning to go in alone.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if you had a partner? I may not know much, but…”

“There aren’t any good candidates for partners.”

“But I’m right here!”

“Hmm.”

Truth be told, if I had to pick one of the three, Yulia would probably be the best choice. We had fought side by side, plus her faction, the Church, was neutral, meaning I wouldn’t get caught up in political games. But… putting Yulia up against Princess Claudia and Lilian, I had a feeling deep down that it simply wouldn’t sit right with me.

“Sorry.”

“…That’s okay. So, are you going to enter alone?”

“Yeah. I think that would be for the best.”

At my answer, Yulia nodded slowly, still wearing her typical smile.

“Well, in that case…”

Yulia said with satisfaction as she looked at me for a moment, then nodded to herself.

“Ah, I think I should head back now. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you.”

As she waved goodbye, the sound of her graceful steps faded away with the closing door.