* * *
“Could it be that he’s not on good terms with Lady Viola?”
Even if that were true, it was strange.
What did his relationship with Viola have to do with me asking her to be my partner?
No matter how close we were as friends, meddling to that extent was…
[Please, just this once—listen to me.]
…Hmph.
“So it’s fine as long as it’s not Lady Viola, huh.”
Good grief. Can’t be helped.
Maybe I should think a bit more about my dance partner.
“The Imperial Ball is still a few months away, after all.”
I entered my room and sat on the bed, ready to enjoy a bit of alone time.
But before long, someone knocked on the door.
“Young Master. It’s REddy Ward.”
He was the head butler of the Lowell family.
I gave him permission to enter, and the elderly man with snow-white hair came in with a polite bow.
“What is it?”
“A letter arrived for you, sir.”
He handed me an envelope sealed with elegant wax.
I pulled out a knife from my desk drawer, broke the seal, and opened the letter.
Judging by the layout, it appeared to be an invitation to a banquet.
“Good work, REddy Ward. You may go.”
“Yes, sir.”
After a respectful bow, the butler left the room.
I listened to his retreating footsteps as I examined the invitation.
“It’s from the daughter of Count Melanica.”
It was a standard invitation asking me to attend her birthday banquet.
Seeing it brought back vague memories from the novel, from Edgar’s original perspective.
“I didn’t attend this party originally.”
I had always been that kind of person.
Gentle and friendly enough to be called a gentleman, yes—but never one to approach others easily.
The kind who keeps a tight, close-knit circle rather than spreading wide.
Of course, ‘Cedric’ was the exception to that “kindness.”
Anyway, even during our time at the Imperial Academy, I’d only ever heard the Count’s daughter’s name—I’d never actually spoken to her.
So originally, I wouldn’t have considered going…
“…Maybe I should go.”
The daughter of Count Melanica was known to be exceptionally sociable—someone who could make friends with anyone and keep a wide circle of companions.
If I attended, maybe I could meet some of her friends too.
“If I’m not going to ask Lady Viola to be my partner, I need to meet other people.”
That was one reason, yes… but also, I had this urge to break free from the frog-in-a-well life I’d been living.
I wanted to expand beyond a world that only consisted of Cedric and Liette.
“I need to meet new people, find a new partner.”
Hmm.
Better not tell Cedric or Liette that I’m going to the party.
If I do, they might want to come along—and that would defeat the purpose.
“Alright.”
Decision made.
Let’s try this solo social networking thing!
Joyful music filled the banquet hall, and nobles who’d been invited—just like me—gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing.
This was Count Melanica’s banquet.
As soon as I arrived, I sought out the young lady of the house, handed her my gift, and had a brief chat.
Coming alone had made things a little awkward, but she greeted me with such cheerful surprise that I relaxed.
Thanks to that, I could look around the hall in peace.
But then…
“Why don’t I recognize a single face here?”
It hit me all over again—just how small my social circle really was.
Sigh…
I wanted to approach someone and strike up a conversation, but I had no idea what they liked or what topics to bring up.
While I was lost in that worry—
“Edgar?”
A familiar voice called out from somewhere unfamiliar.
I instinctively turned toward it, heart lifting—
And there she was. Viola.
“Ah, Lady Viola.”
My voice softened without thinking.
Part of it was relief at finally seeing someone I knew, but more than that—it was her.
Someone I’d been meaning to talk to soon.
“So you came too.”
Viola lowered her gaze with a faint blush and hesitated, shy as ever.
“I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
“Neither did I.”
“I’m… glad to see you, Edgar.”
“Hearing that makes me glad, too.”
Suddenly, her cheeks deepened in color.
Was she feeling hot?
The hall was big, but crowded…
I studied her expression.
She had her eyes shut tightly, like she was bracing herself for something.
Then, all at once, she opened them—her golden eyes sparkling like topaz.
She stepped forward, eyes shining, catching me off guard.
“Um! E-Edgar—”
“Yes?”
“By any chance… have you already chosen a partner for the ball?”
Her gentle voice trembled slightly.
I recovered from the surprise and shook my head.
“No, not yet.”
“Then… would you go with me?”
…Huh?
With me?
My brain briefly froze.
I never expected her to be the one to ask me.
Maybe she didn’t have a partner yet either?
“What do I do?”
It was a great opportunity.
I had been thinking of asking her anyway.
And since a lady was the one who’d approached me first, rejecting her outright wouldn’t be easy. But…
Cedric’s warning floated back into my head, and I couldn’t speak right away.
“He already has a partner.”
A voice suddenly cut in from behind.
It was cold enough to make the hairs on my neck rise.
Startled, I turned around—and was shocked all over again.
Cedric.
“C-Cedric…?”
Why the hell was he here?
I gave him a sheepish smile.
“Oh, hey. What a surprise, running into you here.”
But my smile vanished instantly.
Cedric’s eyes locked onto mine, radiating menace.
Then he turned, gave a formal nod to Viola, and grabbed me by the arm.
“Hey, wait, where are we—”
“Just shut up and come with me.”
He growled and dragged me away.
I clamped my mouth shut.
He pulled me into an empty corner of the hallway, face twisted in fury as he turned to me.
I bristled a little, meeting his glare with my own.
Then he snapped—
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?”
“That you were coming here. Why didn’t you say anything?”
“You didn’t tell me either.”
Cedric’s expression shifted—strangely.
He looked like he was biting something back, then exhaled hard and raked a hand through his hair in frustration.
“I told you. I did say it. That the Count’s daughter was holding a birthday party—I told you ages ago.”
…Ah.
“Guess I forgot.”
He must have said it before I regained my past-life memories.
Back then, anything Cedric said would’ve gone in one ear and out the other, so… yeah, no wonder I didn’t remember.
“…Sorry.”
I immediately shrank back and apologized in a whisper.
Cedric’s face twitched.
He clearly hadn’t expected me to apologize.
A short silence, awkward in a way.
After a moment, Cedric turned his gaze to the side and spoke again.
“Anyway, I told her it wasn’t going to happen.”
Only then did I realize what our original conversation had been about, and I snapped back to my senses.
Feeling sorry was one thing, but the issue of the ball partner was something else entirely.
“Wait, Cedy. Why are you being so arbitrary? You said you already had a partner—what kind of ridiculous lie is that?”
“You’re the one who does whatever you want. Why shouldn’t I?”
“…Still, dragging me away in the middle of a conversation like that isn’t right. That’s rude to the person you were talking to.”
“So I should’ve said it in front of her? That she shouldn’t even think about dancing with you? Is that what you wanted?”
“What? Of course not!”
Startled, I raised my voice, but quickly tried to collect myself.
I hesitated, debating whether to ask the question on my mind, then cautiously opened my mouth.
“Cedy, are you… not on good terms with Miss Viola?”
This time, Cedric went silent.
He clearly had no intention of explaining why he interrupted me.
The uneasy feeling settled heavier in my chest, and I let out a deep sigh.
“Then who am I supposed to go with, huh?”
“…You have Lett, don’t you?”
“I told you I’m not asking Lett to be my partner.”
Cedric gave me a very skeptical look, like he was watching someone tell the most obvious lie.
He’s been reacting like this for a while now.
Ugh, seriously. It’s unfair.
I told him I wasn’t interested in her, so why does he keep acting so sure?
Sure, I did like Liette before.
That’s true.
And maybe it was obvious.
But I never actually said anything.
Isn’t he being way too pushy for someone who’s just assuming?
“What exactly do you want from me?”
“……”
“Do you want me to dance with Lett?”
I asked half-resignedly, and Cedric made a face—as if the very idea offended him.
See?
He talks like he wants me to dance with Lett, but the look on his face says otherwise.
At this point, I wanted to crack open that guy’s head just to find out what the hell he was thinking.
* * *
