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n“Oh, I think I have to call you Sir Carsein from now on. I was always grateful to you, and now you have made such a wonderful achievement. I don’t know how to praise you properly.”

n“… I’m so honored, Your Majesty. ”

n“Last year I told you that I would look forward to seeing you be a knight in two years. You have become a knight when you’re only sixteen. What a surprise! Indeed, it is the blessings of the empire. His Majesty was also very pleased with your achievements. ”

nHe stepped forward and hugged Carsein lightly.

nWhen he hugged Carsein, there was the sound of everybody whispering here and there.

nBy hugging him, he wanted to show his trust in Carsein. Even though he might be exposed to security risk for a moment by doing so, his hugging symbolized his trust in somebody. He was now showing everybody that he trusted Carsein.

nAfter patting him on the shoulder lightly, the crown prince said with a smile, “I’m worried that the duchess might misunderstand again, but you’re my cousin in terms of our personal relationship, right? I have always trusted and liked you.”

n“… I’m honored to hear that, Your Majesty. ”

n“Oh, come to think of it, I have to thank you again.”

nHe looked at me, standing a few steps behind him, and reached out to me.

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nWhen I reluctantly approached and placed my hands on his, he said with a gentle smile, “My fiancee is a lonely woman. It’s not easy to make a friend with someone who she can chat freely with because she has been chosen as my fiance as a child. I have always felt sorry and regretful about it.”

n“… ”

n“But in the last few years she looked to be in a cheerful mood. So I asked why, she told me that you and Duke Verita’s son were her close friends. As I always felt sorry for not caring for her well, I would like to thank you for being her friend on my behalf. ”

n“… I’m honored to hear that, our Majesty,” Carsein replied in a slightly dry voice.

nWhen I raised my trembling eyes and looked around, I saw a courteous smile on his lips.

nAt that moment, I felt my heart freeze.

n“As you know, I’m so busy that I don’t care for my fiance much. I have to blame myself for that, but I’m very sorry for her. Fortunately, I am a little relieved because you and Duke Verita’s son are her friends. I hope you can continue to be her close friend.”

n“… Yes, Your Majesty.”

n“Thank you. Hmm, where is Duke Verita’s son?”

nSmiling at him, the crown prince looked around. I thought Allendis might not have come because he was at odds with Carsein, but surprisingly, he also attended the party. Elbowing his way through the participants, the young man with light green hair approached the crown prince.

n“I, Allendis de Verita, am honored to greet Your Majesty, the Little Sun of the empire.”

n“Nice to see you here. I don’t think I’ve ever had a conversation with you. ”

nAfter looking at Allendis silently for a moment, he said to Carsein, “I feel a bit awkward as I’m saying this in the presence of today’s hero, but I want you to understand my rudeness.”

n“Of course I do, Your Majesty.”

nHe nodded lightly to Carsein’s response and said to Allendis, “Thank you. I called you here because I wanted to praise you, too. I hear you’re called a genius of the century. I know that only at the age of seventeen you have become an official. How wonderful! With so many talented people like you, I think the future of the empire is very bright.”

n“I’m honored to hear that, Your Majesty.”

n“I want to say the same thing to you. Please take care of my fiancee. Please continue to be her close friend. ”

nAfter saying that, he quietly gazed at the participants and said, “I’m afraid I’ve disturbed your wonderful party time. Why don’t you resume it?”

n“Thank you so much, Your Majesty.”

nWhen Duke Lars, who bowed to him and waved his hand, music played again, and they began to enjoy the party again.

nWhen Duke Lars and his wife bowed out, only four were left behind in an awkward atmosphere. After being lost in some thought for a while, the crown prince looked at me with a smile and said, “Can you still dance well like before?”

n“Pardon, Your Majesty?”

n“I was surprised at how well you danced at my coming-of-age ceremony, so I want to see you dance today.”

nI couldn’t believe my ears for a moment. Obviously, he asked me to dance, given the way he talked to me. Is it true he really asked me to dance? Before I came back from the past, I danced quite a bit in social circles, but I danced with him only a few times. After my dancing with him at his coming-of-age party, he had never asked me to dance on formal occasions except when he had to dance first. Of course, he never asked me to dance after Jiun appeared.

nBut now he was asking me to dance even though this was not a formal occasion, and he didn’t have to dance first.

n“Yes? No?”

n“… It is my honor, Your Majesty. ”

nAs he seemed to be impatient, I okayed with a faint smile.

nWhen I walked with him to the dance floor, the nobles who were dancing stopped and stepped aside. The band started playing new music.

nI felt his hand encircle my waist. His hand on mine was still cold, but not as cold as in my memory. I was lost in thought while stepping through the dance as he led me.

n‘Why did he suddenly ask me to dance? And what did he mean when he asked Allendis and Carsein to be my close friends? ‘

nI stepped away to the tune of the music and looked into his eyes when he pulled me back, but I could not read anything in his blue eyes.

nSuddenly, I came to recall something like longing in his eyes recently. I think I saw it on the anniversary of my mother’s death. As it occurred to me suddenly, I hesitated for some time before asking him, “Your Majesty?”

n“Why?”

n“Well…”

nThe moment I was bold enough to ask, the music stopped. He looked at me for a moment and reached out after he finished his dance. Holding back the urge to ask, I put my hand lightly on his hand. I found it hard to ask again as I lost the right timing.

n“Sir Carsein.”

n“Yes, Your Majesty.”

n“I think I have to go because I am busy. So, please take care of my fiancee. I don’t want to take away her pleasure.”

n“Yes, I’ll do as requested, Your Majesty.”

nNodding at Carsein’s answer, he then looked at Allendis and me and said, “Let me make the same request to you. Please take care of my fiancee. ”

n“… Sure, will do, Your Majesty. ”

n“Okay, enjoy more. I’ll see you next time. ”

n“Yes, Your Majesty.”

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n“You don’t have to see me off. I don’t want to disturb the exciting atmosphere. Please send my best regards to the duke and duchess.”

nHe stopped us from seeing him off and left without any hesitation. I saw the royal guards on standby escorting him right away. He was gradually fading away and disappeared among the guests.

n“Shall we dance, my lady?” Carsein asked, breaking a long, awkward silence. When I looked at him in surprise, he shrugged and said casually, “Since the crown prince asked me to care for you, it would be discourteous for me to leave you standing here bored. Would you like to dance with me?”

nI hesitated for a moment. Is it okay for me to accept his dance request? What if they spread rumors about me again?

nCome to think of it, however, I didn’t need to think so. Most of the aristocrats who attended this party were those affiliated with our faction, and they watched and heard what the crown prince said.

n“I am honored to have the opportunity to dance with today’s hero.”

nI smiled and put my hands lightly on his hands. As soon as I came on the dance floor, the band finished playing one song and began to play another one.

n“I thought you couldn’t come, so I was really surprised when you appeared with the crown prince”

n“Somehow, it happened that way. Sorry, were you surprised a lot? ”

n“I’m okay. Fortunately, I was honored to see him in person.”

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