IRFVTS 66

Chapter 66

After neatly arranging all the gifts, Eligia finally changed into something comfortable and lay down on her bed. Then, as if something had just crossed her mind, she murmured:

“…Come to think of it, this is my first time going to a ball with an actual partner.”

Of course, the Crown Prince had been her “partner” once before, but that hadn’t been a pre-arranged agreement. He had simply claimed her as his partner on his own.

So this time would be her first real experience attending a banquet with an officially designated partner.

“How does it usually go? Do we enter together?”

In the original story, the protagonist, Prillien, was picked up by her official partner who arrived with a carriage. So then, in her case…

Could it be that Sir Ende will come to fetch me?!

“No, Sir Ende likely won’t be able to come.”

“…What?”

The morning of the banquet. Just as Eligia had finished changing and was starting to get ready, the Duke suddenly entered her room and said this out of nowhere.

For some reason, he looked especially displeased today. Even the “Disappointment Meter” floating above his head confirmed it:

Disappointment: 465%

…On the verge of exploding.

What is that supposed to mean?

Was that a silent warning telling her not to bother him today? But why on earth was he like this?

Eligia racked her brain. Yesterday his disappointment level hadn’t been this high. To be precise, after she had fully recovered, it had dropped to the low 400s. In fact, after she’d gone to the dress shop the other day, and he’d said he actually liked her last red gown, it had gone down to around 390.

So I let my guard down! But why did it shoot up again like that?

What could possibly raise it by seventy-five points in one go?

And that wasn’t the only strange thing. She studied the Duke’s outfit. It wasn’t banquet attire. Rather, it was…

Why is he dressed in battle gear?

At first glance it looked like ordinary outerwear, but subtle pieces of defensive equipment peeked through—protection prepared for an unexpected attack. She couldn’t help but ask:

“Father, why are you dressed like that? Did something happen?”

“…!”

The Duke’s eyes widened briefly, clearly not expecting the question. But it lasted only a moment; his face quickly hardened into something even colder.

“That’s none of your concern.”

“But—”

“Eligia Semperion.”

His chilling voice cut her off, warning her not to pry further.

Warning!
The Duke’s disappointment has risen!
465% → 495%

What—495?!

Startled, Eligia snapped her mouth shut. The Duke’s voice continued.

“I’ll join later. For now, go to the banquet with Howell first. Sir Ende most likely won’t be able to fetch you.”

“Why wouldn’t Sir Ende…”

“…”

The Duke hesitated—whether because he hadn’t prepared an excuse or simply didn’t want to answer, she couldn’t tell. Eventually, with a sigh-laden voice, he asked:

“Did Sir Ende actually promise to come pick you up?”

“Well…”

Her words trailed off. Now that he said it, she realized they hadn’t made a firm arrangement. She had just assumed Finn would come. Between her treatment at the Magic Tower and receiving dresses as gifts, she had taken it for granted.

While she was silent, the Duke frowned.

“Even if I arrive late, do not let your guard down. Howell will accompany you.”

In other words, Howell would report every single thing back to him. Don’t get into trouble, don’t cause incidents. The Duke continued:

“If it looks like you’ll get dragged into another troublesome situation, leave early. Honestly, it would be better if you didn’t attend at all.”

He glanced at her face, then sighed, almost mockingly.

“But I suppose you’ll go anyway, no matter what I say. No point in telling you otherwise.”

“….”

Spitting out his words with a bitter twist of his lips, he turned on his heel and strode away, his back bristling with sharpness.

Still, Eligia called out to him:

“Father.”

He paused. Scratching her head, she added awkwardly:

“Um, I know you told me not to worry about it, but… still, I hope things go well. I’ll see you later.”

“….”

“Oh, and don’t worry about me. I really am healthy now—just like I said before. And besides, I’m the strongest, so nothing’s going to happen to me.”

…Maybe I shouldn’t have said that?

A healthy, powerful Eligia—didn’t that sound like someone about to cause trouble?

The Duke was silent, his back still to her. His expression was hidden.

Then—

The Duke’s disappointment has decreased!
495% → 435%!

…!

“Fine. At least you didn’t say you wouldn’t go.”

It was still a rebuke, but his tone held more of a wry chuckle than sharp sarcasm. Then he strode out the door.

“Stay here. No need to follow me.”

…I wasn’t planning to.

Well, at least the risk of him collapsing from stress had lessened.

Eligia shrugged as she watched him leave. His mysterious early departure still nagged at her.

But wasn’t today uneventful in the original story?

All the main characters—including Prillien—attended this event.

If something major were happening, at least one of them wouldn’t show. Like a monster invasion… or, you know, a monster invasion… or a monster invasion.

If such an event occurred, the kingdom’s strongest forces wouldn’t just be idling at a ball. And yet, the Duke’s outfit clearly looked like he was preparing for combat.

The Semperion family, after all, was famed for both magic and swordsmanship. She’d never actually seen the Duke wield a blade, but according to the audience notes, he was among the best in the setting.

As for Howell, he usually seemed quiet, but was said to have deep knowledge in politics, law, and history… though she found that hard to believe. Was that why he always teased her about knowing nothing? If it were true, then he really was insufferable.

Just as she scowled at the thought, Howell appeared—exactly as expected—wearing his usual infuriating smirk.

“Hey, do you even remember how to dance?”

Wow, right on cue. Still just as annoying.

Eligia flashed a dangerous smile.

“What kind of dance? Fork-stabbing dance?”

“…Why are you suddenly so scary?”

Howell’s wariness has increased!
310% → 320%

Sensing her murderous aura, he quickly dropped the smirk and studied her warily.

Meanwhile, Eligia frowned at the numbers.

Wait… why is his wariness so high?

Over 300 already? His meter usually only spiked like that in temporary “error” moments. Like when they spotted monsters in the forest—it had briefly gone over 300 then dropped back down. Or when she collapsed from poison—it had shot past 300 again.

But this time… it wasn’t going down.

Why hasn’t it lowered after days? That’s a long glitch.

Maybe it was because a poisoning had actually occurred inside the mansion—no wonder he was on edge. At least she hadn’t yet seen the dreaded “Over 500—Warning” message like with the Duke.

While she was mulling it over, Howell sighed.

“I was just asking. You’ve always hated dancing. I was going to suggest you sit this one out today.”

“…Really?”

That was unexpected. She had always loved flashy gowns, but hated dancing?

“Isn’t it about time you forgot the steps anyway? You haven’t had a tutor in ages.”

That’s a relief.

She knew nothing about the latest dance trends. If she danced poorly, people might get suspicious. But if her image was already that of someone who rarely danced, she was safe.

I mean, I do have dance-related skills…

But every single one of them was combat-based. Sword dances, martial forms… all of which left the partner decidedly not okay. She grimaced.

“But don’t you have to dance if you have a partner?”

“You mean Sir Finn Ende? Are you sure he’s even coming? Father said he might not.”

“….”

Right. The Duke had been pretty insistent about that.

Is something really happening?

If it were a monster threat, she’d be the best person to send. She’d already proven herself, and everyone knew it—the Duke, Jerome, the Saint, even the Crown Prince. So why was no one asking her?

In the original story, nothing happened. Everyone, including the Crown Prince and Jerome, attended normally.

So was this just coincidence? The Duke had urgent business, so he wore protective gear? And Finn was delayed for some unrelated reason?

Still unsettled, Eligia turned to the mirror. The reflection staring back was dazzling.

Her maids had had plenty of time to dress her up today: a luxurious gown embedded with shimmering magic stones, intricate hair ornaments threaded with gems, delicate makeup. With her natural charisma and beauty, she looked every inch the elegant noble lady from a novel—so long as she kept her mouth shut.

Well, I suppose ‘Eligia of House Semperion’ really is a noblewoman.

Then Howell, ever ready to spoil the mood, commented:

“What, even you think you’re pretty? You’re about to drill a hole in that mirror.”

“….”

She scowled.

“I wasn’t looking that long!”

“Anyway, stop staring and get up. Time to go.”

“Already?”

“The carriage is ready.”

That was fast. Reluctantly, she stood. There were still too many things bothering her, but she had no choice—she had to go.

Maybe she should’ve contacted Finn earlier, just to check. He’d said he would be her partner, but in the end, it had only ever been words.

As she walked toward the front entrance, the butler spotted her and Howell. His face stiffened.