Chapter 9
Silence filled the hall.
[Big sister! Everyone is looking at you!]
At Lili’s words, I carefully looked around.
It was true.
Instead of the Young Duke, everyone was staring at me.
Appearing arm-in-arm with him seemed shocking to them.
“That face… isn’t that the foolish lady from the Soner Count family?!”
“Oh my! Watch your words.”
“She feels different today, doesn’t she? Attending as the Young Duke’s partner…”
Whispers spread like waves.
I put on a faint smile, just like Lili trained me.
My gaze lowered slightly, my back straight.
From afar, Lili gave me a thumbs-up with a proud expression.
The Young Duke’s hand holding my arm remained steady.
Even under all this attention, his breathing never changed.
“Look at Lady Lorraine’s face. So the rumors are true!”
“It was strange how she acted like the mistress of the Count’s house!”
“But isn’t Lady Soner’s dress unusual? I’ve never seen a style like that… it looks loose?”
“It’s Sailor’s new design! She rejected all work just to make the Young Duke’s partner’s dress!”
No one dared judge the dress openly.
The Young Duke was wearing a similar style.
No noble wanted to offend the Duke’s family.
Then—
The doors opened again with a loud announcement.
The Crown Prince entered last.
He came alone, without a partner.
Everyone lowered their heads.
I also lowered my gaze, following etiquette.
For a brief moment, the Crown Prince’s eyes passed over me.
“Everyone, raise your heads.”
At his command, everyone obeyed naturally.
The Young Duke approached him and bowed politely.
“Thank you for attending my charity party.”
“Raiden, why so formal? It’s your first charity party—I had to come!”
Everyone listened closely to their conversation.
After their greeting ended, cheerful piano music filled the hall.
I had trained every night with Lili to learn dancing.
Using my body wasn’t difficult.
I learned quickly.
The Young Duke stopped in front of me and extended his gloved hand.
“May I have the first dance?”
If I hadn’t been prepared, I might have been surprised.
But I was ready.
I placed my hand in his.
He held my waist firmly and supported me.
As we moved to the center of the ballroom, the music grew stronger.
I matched my steps with his perfectly.
Every time we turned, I could feel the eyes around us.
Admiration. Jealousy. Suspicion. Calculation.
I read them all, and my expression stiffened.
“Smile.”
The Young Duke whispered quietly.
I forced my lips upward again.
Noble ladies are truly impressive.
Keeping a pleasant smile is not easy.
As the second turn ended—
I leaned slightly toward his shoulder and whispered close to his ear.
“You didn’t forget our promise, right?”
He smiled.
“You should enjoy this moment. Other ladies envy you for this first dance with me.”
His hand tightened slightly at my waist.
I paused half a beat—
Then pretended to make a mistake and lightly stepped on his foot.
Press.
Just enough for him to understand it was a signal.
“Ah.”
Was that acting?
I barely stepped on him.
When I stepped again, the Young Duke pulled me closer.
This bastard…
Ending the dance like this?
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Someone gasped, and applause followed.
At the same time, he whispered what I wanted.
“Go to the far left terrace immediately.”
He released my hand.
I stepped back properly, holding my skirt.
Left side.
We naturally separated to play our roles.
Now I just needed to go—
“Rize! I’ve been waiting!”
Someone grabbed my arm roughly.
I could have shaken her off—
But I recognized her and stopped.
“Lady, what is it?”
“L-Lady? I told you to call me mother! Sob…”
She acted sad, clearly aware of the eyes around us.
“The Young Duke kept you away from me! We are family! Even the Duke’s family cannot separate us!”
Annoying.
I need to move quickly to meet the Crown Prince.
Then—
“Tsk tsk. Such ungrateful behavior. The rumors must be false. You don’t look like someone who was driven out.”
A nobleman interrupted.
After advancing in level, I could sense strength.
This man was a knight.
“Who are you?”
“Oh? You don’t know me? The Soner family has become strange since its master disappeared. I must report this to my Marquis!”
“Knowing the Emperor and the Crown Prince is enough for me.”
His expression darkened.
“Oh? Talking back like this? I am Baron Bern! A 4th-rank knight granted a title!”
Lili said only Marquises, Dukes, and the royal family were above Counts.
But this man still acted arrogantly.
A 4th-rank knight…
Perfect to use.
Originally, I planned to show my strength to the Crown Prince later.
But now—
I smiled.
“Baron Bern.”
“What? Did I hear wrong? How dare a young woman speak casually—”
“Do you not follow rank? I am the only heir of the Soner Count family. My status is higher than yours.”
“Ha! You don’t even know respect, yet you speak of rank? Don’t think being a woman will save you!”
More people gathered.
Some men even laughed along.
I took off my glove—
And threw it at his face.
“You said you earned your title as a 4th-rank knight, right? Let’s see if your strength matches your words.”
“Ha… haha!”
His laughter slowly faded.
The Young Duke rushed over, trying to stop the situation—
But—
“I told you I wouldn’t go easy just because you’re a woman. I’ll teach you how sacred a duel is.”
So duels are treated as something for men only?
That’s ridiculous.
Strength decides everything.
Women can fight too.
I will show them properly.
“Baron, you called me a foolish woman.”
“So what? Today might be the day the Soner family disappears because of you!”
“You’ve crossed the line.”
“Everyone knows the Count is missing. If you die too, it’s over!”
He spoke loudly so everyone could hear.
No one tried to stop him.
That was more shocking.
“Young Duke, you heard that, right?”
“…Yes.”
“Please be my witness.”
For me, this only made things better.
The Young Duke hesitated.
A duel could mean death.
But then—
“Hmm? What’s going on here?”
The Crown Prince stepped in.
“Your Highness! This may become unpleasant…”
“Unpleasant? For me?”
The Crown Prince smiled.
He seemed entertained.
Good.
I’ve caught his interest.
“I was worried you might feel uncomfortable seeing a corpse…”
“That sounds fun. I will be the witness!”
“Even if someone dies, the other side cannot make any demands.”
That was exactly what I wanted.
Cheers erupted—especially from male nobles.
No one believed I would win.
“The Sun of the Empire is truly generous! I’ll report this to my Marquis. Heh. Why are you quiet, Lady Soner? Even if you beg, I won’t spare you.”
“….”
“Do you accept the duel under His Highness as witness?”
“It doesn’t matter who the witness is. But there is one good thing.”
Did he think I would back down?
This is exactly what I wanted.
“I like that I can kill you without any consequences.”
