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Chapter 56
“Rude? This is a banquet my close friend is hosting after years—I obviously had to come! No, more importantly, how could you not send me an invitation? Did you think I wouldn’t show up?”
That was quite a positive attitude.
It seemed Caron didn’t even consider the possibility that he had been deliberately excluded.
El, who had participated in all the banquet preparations, knew the truth. In the list the butler had submitted, Caron had deliberately left Felix out.
Now, she could understand why.
Caron preferred a lazy, calm atmosphere, whereas Felix was lively and dynamic.
“Let’s talk about the rest after the banquet.”
“Oh, so you’re predicting I’ll stay here now? You’ve grown, Caron.”
Felix nodded in admiration.
El watched Felix as if he were a fascinating creature from another world. No matter how she looked, he was a type of human she had never seen before.
Caron shifted his gaze to El and, after a moment, pulled her close to his side.
“El, it’s your turn to greet them now.”
“Yes.”
El immediately tensed, moistening her dry lips with her tongue.
This was a crucial moment for her to establish her presence and throw out a “bait” in front of the attendants.
She was a figure of curiosity to both those loyal to Caron and those who harbored hostility toward him.
Caron raised the corner of his lips in an enchanting smile and lightly kissed her forehead.
“Don’t be nervous. No matter what anyone says, you’re mine.”
“…Yes.”
Following Caron’s lead, El stepped into the center of the hall.
Caron climbed the central steps of the hall, drawing everyone’s attention.
“I have an important announcement. Please pay attention.”
At Caron’s low, slow voice, all eyes turned toward him and El.
El swallowed nervously, rubbing her sweaty hands. Glancing at Caron, she saw he seemed completely at ease, as if this were routine for him.
“This is Baroness El Olfe. She helps me manage my lands.”
“….”
Caron smiled and gently pulled El closer, holding her by the shoulder.
“She’s someone I hold dear, so I hope no one treats her carelessly.”
“….”
“That’s all I have to say. Enjoy the banquet.”
The hall fell silent. El felt as if she couldn’t breathe, her chest tightening as she took tiny, hesitant steps backward.
Cold glares, frozen air, shocked expressions, and eyes full of malice.
No one in this banquet welcomed El.
No one.
“El. Stand straight. Lift your head.”
Caron whispered softly as he caught El stepping backward.
As if under a spell, El adjusted her posture at his words.
“Good job, El. It’s okay. They can’t do anything to you.”
“I’ve… calmed down. I’m fine.”
El smiled faintly.
If she told Caron she was happy he was comforting her right now, would he feel burdened? Or would he think it was a lighthearted compliment?
Perhaps both.
“Shall we try the dance we practiced now?”
“Caron.”
“Hm?”
“It’s an honor to have my first dance with you.”
“An honor? It would have been better if you’d said it makes you happy too.”
“I am happy. Always.”
Beautiful music began to play as Caron and El descended the steps to dance.
“Caron! Will you dance with me? I don’t know anyone here, and I can’t find Felix either.”
Ascella pouted, stepping into a stance as if she were requesting a dance.
She was truly a humorous person.
When Caron didn’t react, Ascella tilted her head and looked at El.
“Then, El, will you dance with me?”
“…Me?”
El blinked in surprise, pointing at herself.
Ascella shrugged playfully and grabbed El’s hand.
“Yes! So? I’ll take the male part.”
“I’ll dance with her.”
Caron removed Ascella’s hand from El and, almost dragging her, headed toward the center of the hall.
Left alone, El blinked a few times, wondering what was happening.
She had thought Ascella was all cute and charming, but apparently, she was also mischievous and playful.
El watched Caron and Ascella dance like a painting, then turned to greet the approaching nobles.
Fortunately, most were curious about her, and so far, no one seemed openly hostile.
“Rona!”
“Ah, Your Grace.”
El turned at the familiar voice.
Felix’s expression was unusually bright, as if the air around him alone were refreshing.
“You’re Felix, right?”
“Yes, Baron Felix.”
Seeing Felix’s playful face, El couldn’t help laughing.
Felix looked a little surprised at her laughter, then, with an elegant and exaggerated gesture, offered his hand to her.
“Will you dance with me? I missed the chance after returning from the lounge.”
He winked at her.
“I just learned recently, so I’m probably terrible.”
“Doesn’t matter. I like it that way.”
“Huh?”
“If you’ve only just learned, then I’m your first dance partner, right?”
“That’s right.”
El nodded, and Felix’s face lit up even more.
She had thought his expression couldn’t get any brighter, yet it did.
It felt as if a fresh meadow had appeared around them.
“It’s an honor, Baron Olfe.”
“The honor is mine.”
Eventually, El laughed and took his hand, giving in to Felix’s playful insistence.
Dancing, she noticed that Felix was quite skilled. He must have charmed many women in high society.
“You dance really well.”
“You do too, Rona.”
“I’m just trying my best.”
“Trying your best is dancing well.”
Felix smiled and twirled El. Thanks to his skill, El felt her body move as if it wasn’t entirely her own.
“Wow.”
“Do you enjoy spinning? Shall we do it again?”
“But now is the time for steps.”
“Steps? Dance is fun, that’s all that matters.”
Playfully wrinkling his nose, Felix placed his hands on her waist and twirled her.
El felt like she was flying and couldn’t help exclaiming.
“Wow, I feel like I’m flying.”
“Imagine we’re flying. This is the sky, and we dance on clouds.”
Felix whispered in her ear, as if reading her a story.
El really felt that way.
She felt weightless, floating.
“It’s wonderful.”
“Reality isn’t too bad either, huh?”
“Thank you.”
When the song ended, El panted slightly, grateful.
Her flushed cheeks, sparkling brown eyes, slightly messy yet charming black hair, and the red curve of her lips—all made her radiant.
Even after the song ended, Felix bowed slightly, taking in the living moment of El.
She was capable of being this beautiful.
“It may be rude, but… may I ask for the next dance?”
Just as Felix was about to ask again, a commotion arose behind them.
“Your Grace!”
A noble, running past, collapsed before Caron and Ascella.
Startled, El’s eyes widened at the fallen noble.
Caron was standing next to her, so she could see every detail of the noble’s contorted face.
The knights drew their swords, surrounding the suddenly appearing noble.
“How dare you… without consulting us!”
The noble glared at El, eyes burning with betrayal. El had never seen such malice.
It was clear he was restraining himself from tearing her apart.
Yet Caron merely smiled, tilting his head like a fox.
“Can’t I choose a title for my subordinate myself?”
“Impossible!”
“Then there’s no further issue.”
“I’ve never heard of Baron Olfe!”
“Oh? You seem slow to catch up on rumors.”
Caron’s voice carried genuine regret.
El easily realized Caron was mocking the noble before him.
Her gaze shifted between the noble and Caron.
The noble still looked at Caron with awe and respect, but his voice betrayed shock and betrayal.
And Caron?
He laughed lightly, dismissing the noble’s outrage as trivial.
