Chapter 8

0.4 — The Extra Young Lady, Adelia Blaise (4)

Translated by Nabi

“Gr, Grand Duke Destro…!”

“His Grace? What is the Grand Duke doing here?”

It was a very protagonist-like ripple effect that made everyone who gathered at the banquet hall buzz. Cain entered the banquet hall with an expressionless face and strode towards me without hesitation.

…No, wait? Me, towards me—?

I tried to look around at this strange situation. Unfortunately, there were only extras around me who did not get more attention than an insect.

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

“….”

“Young Lady Blaise.”

As he greeted me with a smile, the astonished voices of those around us could be heard.

“Who is that, the Young Lady?”

“Right? Also, isn’t Grand Duke Destro smiling right now?”

“No, what the hell is going on…?”

The murmurs from people who could not believe the situation rushed in, and I even wanted to ask him about his smiling face gazing at me.

How the hell does he know who I am?

…No, why is he honored to have met me?

However, it was reason that remained spotty and hope that remained faint that blocked the words from coming out of my mouth.

“I-it’s an honor to meet you, too. Grand Duke Destro.”

“I guess you know who I am.”

“Oh… I don’t think there’s anyone in the Lain Empire who doesn’t know Your Highness the Grand Duke?”

“I didn’t know my notoriety would be so helpful.”

My eyes moved unknowingly at the sound of his low voice. Looking at his black hair and ruby-like red eyes, I could see why the author praised his face whenever they had time.

If there were such a ludicrous face, this would probably be it.

At that moment, I woke up belatedly to the words I heard while lost in his face, which seemed to be unexplainable except for swearing. My head went white at the voices around us gossiping, saying, “Don’t tell me that the Grand Duke fell in love with Young Lady Blaise?”

Who fell in love with who…?

“Then, please take a leisurely look around and relax…”

“….”

“Enjoy, Your Grace.”

I bit my lip at the awkward greetings, which had deteriorated due to tension before turning around to avoid the area as naturally as possible. However, he abruptly moved forward and blocked my steps instead.

Pretending to not realize the ominous foreboding that made my spine shiver, I took another step, yet he stepped in front of me again without any hesitation.

“Do you have something to say…?”

“I heard that today is your debutante.”

“….”

“Am I mistaken?”

“Ho, how did you—”

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”

It was the voice of a man announcing the appearance of the Emperor that prevented my embarrassing question.

At the sound of voices echoing through the cluttered banquet hall, each group that had gathered paid their respects to the Emperor… It was the appearance of the youngest Emperor of the Empire, Joan von Claudius.

ﾟ･ : * ✧ * :･ ﾟ

The Emperor was a handsome man with blonde hair and golden eyes that seemed to embrace the sun. Although the young Emperor’s eyes were full of confidence, there was dignity in his actions.

At first, I thought perhaps I would have liked him quite a bit if he had not made some strange remarks that were about to follow.

“I didn’t think I would see a face more precious than me today.”

Uttering so, the Emperor’s voice was quite playful. I could see Cain’s brow furrowed slightly although it were barely visible.

“Grand Duke Destro.”

“….”

“I thought that you came here today to congratulate the young girls who made their debut…”

“….”

“For some reason, it seems like you have any intention of leaving.”

The Emperor gave Cain, who was only defending his position, nothing but criticism raised in the corners of his mouth. Anxiety appeared on my face as I could see his expression as though he seemed to be up to something.

“What do you think? About giving the grand finale of the last dance of the year for the young ladies that have made their debut?”

The eyes of the nobles turned to Cain at Joan’s playful voice. Their eyes twinkled with curiosity and strange anticipation. I wondered if they were curious about whom the Grand Duke of Destro would ask to dance at the Emperor’s words.

Cain, who had been kneeling on one knee toward the Emperor, stood up at Joan’s words to him.

“Though I may lack the skill, but since Your Majesty said so, it would not be right to refuse.”

“….”

“Actually, I have a young lady whom I want to dance with too. So, if the young lady agrees, it would be nice to do the last dance of the debutante together.”

When Cain finished his words, he then turned toward the people around him. Even Evelyn, who was pretending to be fine, seemed to have not been able to hide her tension.

Well, if it were not the heroine, then it would be the villainess.

…No way—

I stared at him, hoping what I thought was not true, with a gaze that seemed to be stuck to the side of his head. At the same time, Cain was already looking at me with wavering eyes as if ridiculing my wish.

At that glance, I suddenly had an ominous feeling…

“Young Lady Adelia Blaise.”

“….”

“May I dance a song with you?”

…Why has the doleful premonition never been wrong?