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Chapter 21
As soon as we arrived at the ballroom, we went straight to greet the Emperor and Empress.
“May the eternal glory of Stade dwell with the sun and the moon. I greet Your Majesties.”
“The princess attends this ball as an unmarried lady for the last time, I see. I can’t believe the day has come.”
Emperor Otto, his eyes glistening slightly, nodded before glancing at Friedrich beside me and muttering,
“…Indeed, his looks are exceptional.”
“Now I understand why the princess was so eager to marry. The Duke of Rommel is handsome, but compared to a prince…”
Empress Gisela chimed in cheerfully,
“Oh, by the way, did you hear? The duke has come down with lovesickness, apparently.”
“Yes, but I don’t think that’s really any of my concern, is it?”
When I answered indifferently, the empress looked hurt, as if I had wounded her personally.
“Oh my, how cold of you… well, I suppose that’s true.”
“In any case, congratulations on your marriage, Princess. Since this is your final ball before the wedding, enjoy yourself to your heart’s content.”
Emperor Otto shook his head with an expression that said, so very like Rene, and changed the subject.
“You needn’t worry about that, Your Majesty,” said Empress Gisela, laughing in amusement. “I overheard the princess’s admirers earlier—they were very much looking forward to this evening.”
Her cryptic words piqued my curiosity, but before I could ask what she meant, a crowd of nobles pressed in to greet the imperial couple, forcing us to step aside.
“Shall we dance, Friedrich?”
It was finally time to make up for the waltz we hadn’t managed last time.
“Just one dance, and then let’s return.”
Friedrich nodded. As we moved toward the dance floor, a group of young ladies suddenly approached and surrounded me.
All of them looked flushed and excited, their bright eyes tinged with a strange fervor.
“My goodness, Your Highness! You’re shining like the Milky Way tonight!”
“You’re so dazzling I can hardly look straight at you! My eyes might go bad, eek!”
…The over-the-top flattery reminded me of something.
‘Rene’s fans’—that’s the best way to describe them.
A group who adored Rene’s power, arrogance, and beauty.
Even Rene, who usually found sycophants ridiculous, liked them.
“They love me purely,” she used to say.
So she always gave them at least a small “fan service.”
When I opened my arms slightly, they all rushed in as if they’d been waiting for it.
“It’s an honor, Your Highness! You must pass down that gown as a family heirloom for generations!”
“I shook hands with the princess! I’m not washing my right hand all week!”
They were ecstatic over a mere hug or handshake, not even a jewel or a favor.
Now I understood why Rene liked them.
That should be enough fan service for now.
When I turned to Friedrich—thinking I’d kept him waiting too long—I saw him quietly watching the women who’d just hugged me.
What’s this? Did one of them catch his eye?
Let’s test him.
“See anyone you like?”
“…Pardon?”
“You kept staring that way.”
“Ah—!”
Friedrich’s eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head.
“N-no, not at all.”
“It’s okay if you do. You can tell me, I don’t mind.”
He frowned slightly, repeating,
“Truly, no.”
“Then why were you staring so intently?”
“……”
He bit his lip, unable to answer, and lowered his head.
So he does like someone but can’t admit it in front of me, huh?
“Your Highness, may I have the honor of toasting with you?”
“Me too, please!”
“Please accept my glass as well, Your Highness!”
Suddenly, people thrust their glasses toward me from all directions.
Caught off guard, I froze—then Friedrich whispered beside me,
“If this makes you uncomfortable, I’ll decline on your behalf.”
But Rene, thanks to her magic, never got drunk easily. Refusing here would only arouse suspicion.
Besides, I can’t turn down drinks offered by my fans.
I smiled reassuringly at Friedrich and accepted every glass. I could feel the alcohol creeping in, but—
Hold it together!
Even a hint of drunkenness could give me away. I gathered every shred of willpower and finished all the drinks.
“You must be feeling much better now, Your Highness. We’ve actually prepared something else for your pleasure.”
“Yes, please follow us. You’ll be very satisfied.”
There’s more?
Before I knew it, my followers were tugging me away. Friedrich, looking alarmed, reached out.
“Wait—where are you taking Her Highness…?”
“Don’t worry, dear prince-to-be. Tonight is for Her Highness alone.”
“It’s also the day we fulfill a long-promised vow to her. We’ve been waiting for this moment!”
A vow?
I gave them a puzzled look, and one of the girls giggled.
“You don’t quite remember, do you? That’s all right—we remember everything.”
“That’s right. We never forget a single word you’ve ever said, Your Highness. Not even the smallest one.”
Well, after that much insistence, I couldn’t really refuse. They didn’t seem dangerous anyway.
It’ll be fine. I’ll be right back.
I gave Friedrich a reassuring glance and followed them out of the ballroom.
They led me into a room.
“Here we are. Inside, you’ll find everything we’ve gathered according to your tastes.”
“Please, Princess, enjoy limitless delight.”
As they opened the doors wide, I expected to see perhaps a glittering array of jewels. Instead, my jaw dropped.
…What on earth?
Shirtless men knelt on either side of an enormous bed.
“Do they please you?” one of the followers asked eagerly.
And at that moment, I remembered what Rene always said to them.
“I’m going to spend my last ball as a single woman in the most thrilling, magnificent way possible.”
They had interpreted “thrilling” and “magnificent” according to Rene’s usual tastes. Their sense rivaled Elsa’s, honestly.
“Um, well… I appreciate the thought, but…”
I laughed awkwardly and quietly closed the door.
The followers looked devastated.
“A-are they not to your liking? Forgive us—may we ask what they lack?”
“Of course, they can’t compare to your future husband’s toes, but still…”
“That’s it!”
Someone had just handed me the perfect excuse, and I seized it.
“After meeting Prince Friedrich, my standards have risen so high I simply can’t trifle with anyone else. But I appreciate your devotion.”
They looked stunned for a moment, then nodded as if it made perfect sense.
“Well, yes. Given the choice between several decent cakes and one truly exquisite one, I’d take the exquisite one every time.”
“Indeed, we can’t possibly grasp the depth of the princess’s discernment in choosing her husband solely by beauty.”
“We only worry that our humble gift might have offended Your Highness instead.”
I smiled reassuringly at one of the anxious girls.
“Don’t worry, it’s fine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should return to Prince Friedrich—”
Ding, dong, ding.
Just then, the sound of bells echoed through the air. A sense of unease prickled at me.
“…What’s that sound?”
The others looked puzzled for a moment before one answered brightly,
“It’s the bell for midnight, Your Highness.”
