Chapter 28

Who in the world designed this universe so that incidents like these could happen one after another?

Even if this place was supposedly the world of the novel Minabel had read, it still made no sense.

Especially since this was already the second timeline, a version that hadn’t even existed in the original story.

To be fair, unexpected situations could happen anytime.

But first, I ran into the Crown Prince outside the palace.

Then, right in front of everyone, he stole my first dance.

Honestly, it was a blessing from heaven that I hadn’t brought Elian with me and wasn’t wearing the Imperial Consort’s sacred necklace.

Just when I thought our conversation was finally over, he suddenly decided to skip a song and spend even more time with me.

Just look at the expressions of all the ladies waiting for their chance to dance with him.

Still, even House Rosena couldn’t think of a way to refuse the Empire’s Crown Prince.

“Yes, of course.”

In the end, I followed him out of the ballroom like a prisoner being led away for sentencing and headed toward a quieter area.

Specifically, one of the private rooms reserved for distinguished guests.

“There are too many people outside who enjoy gossiping. I thought this would be a better place to speak comfortably with you, my lady.”

There was no helping it.

I’d have to take drastic measures.

“Now that I think about it, why didn’t my friend attend today?”

I deliberately asked the question.

Partly to make it clear that Vincent and I were not particularly close, and partly to present myself as someone who wasn’t especially perceptive.

Vincent blinked.

A flash of surprise and confusion crossed his face.

“You don’t know much about the relationship between Lucian and me?”

“Could a mere friend dare concern herself with such matters?”

Vincent seemed to understand something immediately and let out a faint chuckle.

“The Young Duke may overshadow you, but you’re remarkably clever yourself.”

What exactly was he trying to imply?

At this point, the only thing I could do was maintain an expression that said:

I have absolutely no idea what Your Highness is talking about.

“Tie. Since you weren’t coming back, I came to get you myself.”

The person I most wanted to see appeared at last.

Unable to tolerate listening to our conversation any longer, my sister had personally come to rescue me.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Young Duke Rosena, it seems I unintentionally monopolized Lady Rosena’s time for too long.”

“My younger sister is frail. If she remains outside for too long, she invariably collapses sick the next day. I believe it’s time for me to take her home. Besides, now that she has shared her first dance with someone so exalted, I doubt any gentleman would dare ask her for another.”

My sister didn’t even attempt to hide the sharpness in her voice.

“You seem to be in quite a poor mood, Young Duke.”

Vincent responded calmly, as though he was already familiar with her temperament.

To be honest, I was the one constantly worrying about etiquette.

House Rosena possessed such overwhelming prestige that my sister could stand proudly with her head held high and speak bluntly without anyone daring to criticize her.

Unless she became a traitor and lost her head, of course.

Ah.

I really couldn’t get that dream out of my mind.

“You summoned an unmarried daughter of a ducal house into a private room during a ball. Had I not intervened, I can only imagine what sort of scandal might have attached itself to my sister’s name.”

She wasn’t wrong.

If I hadn’t always looked somewhat expressionless and aloof, I might have already found myself burdened with ridiculous rumors.

“On that point, I admit I was careless. Lady Flotie, I apologize. I had no intention of tarnishing your reputation.”

“Not at all. Who would dare slander my name where the Young Duke’s eyes and ears can reach? Your Highness worries too much.”

“Indeed. It seems I momentarily forgot just how formidable House Rosena truly is. I can certainly see that Lucian has found himself a remarkable friend.”

Vincent casually brought up Lucian’s name.

The way he did it was almost suspicious.

It was far too natural.

Far too informal.

As if he addressed Lucian that way every day.

The ease of it only deepened my suspicions.

There was something between those two that we didn’t know.

And while Lucian might wish to keep it hidden, Vincent seemed determined to reveal it to us.

“My lady, it is true that I was pushed into attending this ball because everyone keeps insisting I must take a Crown Princess. However, I have absolutely no intention of making anyone my Crown Princess, so you may set your mind at ease regarding that matter.”

“Even though there are so many outstanding ladies here tonight?”

And there truly were.

Beautiful, graceful, capable women who would make excellent Empresses.

The ladies sitting beside Hayley.

The ones Minabel had wanted to introduce to my sister.

All of them qualified.

“Young Duke, what do you believe marriage is?”

“A union between families. Respect and consideration between individuals. At times a contract. Perhaps love. And for some, a matter of mutual interests.”

My sister answered without hesitation.

As though she understood marriage all too well.

Of course, if women like that became Crown Princess candidates, it would be troublesome for us.

But I still couldn’t understand Vincent’s insistence that he had no intention whatsoever of choosing a Crown Princess.

Outside this ballroom, the number of suitable noble ladies narrowed dramatically.

Vincent looked distant for a moment, as though recalling something.

Then he slowly shook his head.

“Yet I have no desire to keep anyone beside me except the person I love.”

For something that sounded like a muttered remark, he said it remarkably loudly.

Strangely enough, my sister seemed not to have heard it.

At that exact moment, Minabel happened to contact her through magic.

Of course.

The world was once again showing only me the things it wanted hidden.

“Hopefully I’ll have another chance to meet Lucian. There are many things we were unable to discuss here.”

After a brief farewell, Vincent departed.

Understood.

I know very well that you’re in love with someone.

What a remarkable thing.

Time and time again, situations arise where everyone else somehow misses the obvious clues, and only I hear them.

Once or twice, it would be amusing.

But at this point, it felt as though the world itself was leaning close and whispering into my ear:

Only you know this.

Still, after years of experience, I had learned that it was better to seek solutions quickly rather than suffer alone with secrets.

And as always, I intended to share everything I knew and ask for advice.

“While you were dancing with the Crown Prince, Hayley and I introduced your sister to all sorts of people.”

“Really? Wasn’t unni tired?”

“Well, most of them were familiar faces.”

My sister answered indifferently, but Minabel immediately launched into an excited explanation.

She went on and on about how eloquent Serphina had been, how effortlessly she had charmed everyone around her, and how people of every age and gender had shown interest in House Rosena.

“I merely made use of memories from the previous timeline.”

“The fact that you remember all that is what’s incredible!”

When Minabel’s sincere admiration spilled out without the slightest exaggeration, my sister actually looked a little embarrassed for the first time.

Cute.

After hearing about everything Hayley, Minabel, and my sister had accomplished while I was away, I cautiously brought up the subject of the Crown Prince.

“So you’re saying the Crown Prince doesn’t seem interested in getting married?”

After the ball ended and we escorted Hayley home, I honestly shared my impressions with Minabel and my sister.

I omitted the part where I thought I could probably guess who Vincent was in love with.

“Refusing to take a Crown Princess is a serious problem.”

“Exactly. Is it some sort of principle? Like, I won’t marry someone I don’t love? I can understand that, but he should think about the feelings of the person he loves too. Marriage isn’t just about one side.”

Minabel grumbled as though she truly couldn’t understand.

I knew she was speaking casually, but her words still startled me.

A soul from another world really could think like that.

“Where in the noble world are marriages based solely on love?”

But my sister, who had been born and raised as an Imperial noble just like me, seemed to think completely differently.

In fact, her reasoning followed exactly the same path as mine.

“Is it impossible to marry the person you love? No matter what?”

“Not completely impossible. If Tie were to fall deeply in love with someone and insist on marrying him, I would use whatever means necessary to place that man at your side. I’d even buy him a title if I had to.”

“Huh?”

Her tone made it sound as though she had already assumed that any man I might fall in love with would possess a status lower than House Rosena’s.

Meanwhile, Minabel looked completely absorbed, as though she were already imagining my hypothetical romance or future marriage.

When exactly had the conversation about Vincent disappeared?