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Chapter 35
Partner Request
So, when Finn said, “Let’s go together next time,” he was actually asking her to be his partner at the next ball—not this one.
Unlike Jerome’s cautious expression, Eligia simply grinned as if to say, “What’s the big deal?”
“Of course I knew. How could I not?”
She had accepted fully aware of what it meant. This way, even if the Duke tried to block her again, she could still attend as Finn’s partner. And if, for some reason, they couldn’t go together later, she’d just owe him a different favor in return.
“You accepted so readily… I was surprised. I thought you’d want to dance with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Huh? Why would you think that?”
Eligia’s eyebrows shot up at the unexpected comment.
Why bring up the Crown Prince out of nowhere?
“Don’t tell me Jerome also thinks I like the Crown Prince?”
Even after watching her duel with him last time?
Between thinking the Duke cared for her and now this, Jerome really did seem like someone prone to misunderstandings. Not knowing where to begin clearing things up, Eligia furrowed her brows, but Jerome spoke first.
“I’m sorry. Actually, I heard it from His Highness today. He said you two agreed to dance at the ball…”
“What? That’s not true!”
Absolutely not. The Crown Prince had asked her to be his partner, and she had flat-out rejected him!
“Anyone hearing that would think it was mutual! No, worse—they’d think I wanted to dance with him and got rejected!”
What gave the Crown Prince the confidence to go around saying such things out loud?
The more she thought about it, the more absurd it became. First, assuming she’d obviously accept his invitation, then hinting at it to Jerome.
“His Highness spoke as though it was a given that he’d partner with you at the next ball… So I thought, naturally, you had feelings for him.”
“That’s not it. Really.”
Eligia firmly raised both arms and made an “X” in the air.
“There was no agreement between us. His Highness asked me today, and I turned him down. That’s all. I haven’t promised anything for the next ball either.”
“I… see.”
Jerome’s eyes widened in surprise. But Eligia didn’t wait for him to respond—this time, she had a question of her own.
“Vice Tower Master, I’ve actually been wondering something for a while now.”
She tilted her head curiously.
“If you already knew all of that, then why did you ask me to accept Finn’s request earlier?”
Now that she thought about it, it was strange.
Jerome knew the Crown Prince had asked her.
He also knew Finn had asked her.
And yet he’d pleaded with her to accept Finn’s request.
“The more I think about it, the weirder it seems. Is there a special reason I have to be Finn’s partner? So urgent that you had to press me right then and there?”
“Th-that’s…”
Jerome’s eyes wavered as if caught off guard. He looked around like he was at a loss, then sighed in resignation.
“Well… I’m not sure if I should speak in Finn’s absence. But I can guarantee one thing—he would never do anything to harm you. If you asked anyone else at the Magic Tower, they’d all speak highly of him too.”
“Really?”
Seeing Jerome emphasize that so sincerely made Eligia feel a little more at ease. Maybe it really wasn’t such a big deal to be his partner after all.
‘Then the next thing I should consider is…’
▢ “What do you all think?” ▢
Her viewers—always well-informed and sometimes even more insightful than she was—would surely have something to say. She quietly asked her stream chat, and the replies poured in:
Is that even a question????
If it were me, I’d have accepted that partner request in a heartbeat.
Why didn’t that face show up at the last ball? That’s a loss for the empire.
You’re going to the Magic Tower again, right?
Come back to the Magic Tower x10
A bit… intense.
“Well, if everyone thinks it’s a good thing, then I guess it is.”
…Right?
Eligia fiddled with the invitation tucked into her pocket, feeling a little uneasy.
“Eligia, we’re heading out!”
The day of the ball had finally arrived.
Howell, standing outside her room, seemed intent on provoking her with how many times he called out.
“Are you really staying home? If you change your mind, I can still beg Father to—”
“I’m good.”
Eligia waved her hand disinterestedly.
“If you were going to say something like that, you should’ve said it earlier.”
After all this time pretending not to care and just nagging her—why act concerned now, right before the ball? He really was an expert at getting under her skin.
“Besides, it’s too late to get a dress tailored now.”
“Oh, about your dress…”
Just as Howell looked like he was about to say something—
“Howell Sempherion!”
The Duke’s voice rang out from the first floor. Howell glanced back at Eligia several times before heading down the stairs. Eligia slowly stepped out of her room.
“I should at least show my face.”
Her plan was nearly complete anyway. She had snuck into the Magic Tower, secured an invitation, and even got Jerome to promise to vouch for her.
Everything was set. The last thing she needed was to skip seeing the Duke off and end up getting on his bad side, ruining it all.
Wearing the most obedient expression she could manage, Eligia bowed her head.
“Have a safe trip, Father.”
‘Of course, I’ll be following you shortly!’
It was a time-honored strategy straight out of Cinderella: let them go first—then follow in secret!
Covering her mouth, Eligia grinned with mischief. The Duke, clueless, looked back at her.
“While I’m out… is there anything you’d like me to bring back?”
A request?
His slightly softened tone made Eligia tilt her head.
What could she possibly ask the Duke for? Maybe some imperial desserts?
Since they came from the palace, they were probably poison-free. Tempting. But—
“This is a romance fantasy novel—no way a noble would bring back takeout from the palace.”
Especially not the strict and cold Duke, and especially not for her.
“No.”
Eligia quickly shook her head. Right now, she needed to get this father and son out the door—fast.
So she could get going herself.
She shook her head with such finality that the Duke and Howell eyed her suspiciously a few times before finally leaving the estate.
▢ “Yes! They’re finally gone!” ▢
Hearing the carriage roll away with her sharp ears, Eligia clenched her fist in secret triumph.
Grinning proudly, she strode back to her room, where a maid nervously asked,
“Milady, are you okay?”
“Of course I’m okay.”
She answered cheerfully with a soft smile. The maids, however, looked increasingly uneasy.
Their eyes seemed to say, “She can’t be okay—so why is she pretending to be?”
Eligia, noticing their reactions, smiled and spoke.
“Why am I okay? Because I’m heading out too.”
“You must be heartbroken—please get some rest… Wait, what?!”
The maid blinked in shock. Eligia added with a grin,
“I told you to let me know when they left, right? You did. And now, I’m telling you—I’m going. I keep my promises!”
“L-Lady Eligia?!”
Panic spread as some of the maids scrambled to leave the room.
“E-evacuation alert! The young lady’s trying to run away again!”
“What? I thought you promised not to snitch! I’m disappointed.”
Eligia made a mental note of the maids who tattled. She had made sure to tell everyone on purpose—partly because she was curious to see how they’d react.
Among them, one maid calmly asked a serious question.
“Milady, is there anything I can do to help?”
It was Dora. Though her voice trembled, her eyes were steady—she truly meant it.
“…The imperial palace is far. If you plan to take a carriage, please use this.”
She pulled something from her sleeve and pressed it into Eligia’s hand—several silver coins.
“Maids don’t get paid that much.”
Maybe this was a big decision for her. Eligia looked down at the coins in her hand with a complicated expression.
