Chapter 21
“Above all, the magicians are helpful in battle as well.”
“Kaithis must really be a dangerous dragon, then.”
“Yes, a very dangerous one. It destroyed an entire kingdom 300 years ago.”
“An entire kingdom?”
“Yes. I’ve heard it despises humans. It would destroy every human in its path.”
No kidding.
I thought this as I watched the knights depart for the mission.
Although it’s called a “departure ceremony,” this event was really just one of the many banquets held at the palace.
After the knights left, the remaining nobles laughed, chatted, and began to enjoy the banquet.
In every sense, only the knights seemed pitiful.
Dragon hunting would not be easy, and casualties were likely.
Meanwhile, the nobles were using the ceremony as an excuse to party.
I silently hoped the knights would return safely and began preparing to leave.
Whether to enjoy the post-departure banquet was up to me.
I had no desire to stay, so I planned to go home.
And I had to bring Uncle along, just in case she caused another incident.
As I gathered my things…
“Lady Lockwood, would you care for a dance?”
The Duke asked Uncle to dance.
Was this a green light?
I lit up with excitement and nodded vigorously, signaling her to accept.
But Uncle…
“I don’t know how to dance.”
Right.
She had never learned to dance.
I had been so focused on urgent lessons that I completely forgot to teach her how to dance.
I tugged at my hair in frustration as the Duke pulled back his hand with a strange expression.
“…Is that so?”
That look was disbelief!
Who would believe a young lady from the Duke’s family doesn’t know how to dance?
The Duke stared at Uncle suspiciously.
I was about to step in to fix it when a flash of golden hair approached from afar.
“Beatrice.”
Damn it. Now the Crown Prince shows up too.
“Would you like to dance with me?”
As if things couldn’t get worse, the Crown Prince asked Uncle to dance.
I shook my head vigorously, signaling her to refuse, and Uncle opened her mouth.
“I… don’t know how to dance…”
“Beatrice!”
I called her urgently, and all eyes—from Uncle, the Duke, and the Crown Prince—shifted to me.
“You said you weren’t feeling well before leaving, right?”
I winked, signaling her to agree, and she let out a forced cough.
“Yes. Correct.”
The Crown Prince’s expression was subtle, but he accepted it.
The Duke looked back and forth between us suspiciously, but avoiding this situation was the priority.
“Then, Miss Sober.”
Suddenly, the Crown Prince turned to me and extended his hand.
“Would you like to dance with me?”
“Huh?”
Why me? Out of all people? There are plenty of other ladies.
He’s supposed to dance with a lady he likes, not me.
“I cannot ignore a lady who claims to be my fan. I’ll give you the special opportunity to dance with me.”
I wanted to politely decline, but officially, I was supposed to be the Crown Prince’s fan.
So I could only smile shyly and take his hand.
Life is hard.
I stepped in time with the Crown Prince, following his lead.
I could feel all eyes on me.
Being his first dance partner, I had an extraordinary amount of attention.
Especially from the young ladies—their gazes could have shot lasers.
Please save me.
Normally hidden in a corner of the ballroom, people debated which noble family I belonged to. Only later did they realize I was Lady Sober and began whispering.
I felt as though my back was on fire as I stomped to the rhythm.
“You dance quite well.”
“The honor is mine, Your Highness.”
I glanced slightly at the [Affection: 100%] above the Crown Prince’s head.
If only Uncle liked him sincerely, it would be over immediately.
But considering he was a self-absorbed male who thought he was the best, I doubted she would like him.
I held back my disappointment and accidentally stepped on his foot.
“Oh my, I’m sorry.”
I saw his brow slightly furrow—revenge for the sword last time.
Once the dance ended, I bolted from the ballroom, fearing another mishap.
But my escape plan was completely thwarted by the Duke.
He extended his hand toward me.
“Would you care for a dance with me as well?”
His expression was peculiar.
I felt awkward and tried to refuse with a nervous smile.
Keeping my distance wouldn’t hurt, right?
Then…
“Miss Sober, Lady Lockwood.”
Someone called for us.
I turned to see who it was.
The woman approaching, as flashy as a peacock—no, even more dazzling—was the First Princess.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, Your Highness. It’s been a while.”
I feigned composure as I greeted her. She glanced at me, then turned to Uncle.
The First Princess clearly had her attention on Uncle.
“Why did you leave the tea party so quickly last time? I wanted to speak with you more, and I was so disappointed.”
The innocent, polite tone made Uncle’s eyebrows twitch.
“I’ve heard that the Marquess sent many knights for this mission. I am grateful for your dedication to the country.”
Uncle exhaled strongly and nodded.
“By the way, you let Miss Sober take your first dance with my brother—any particular reason?”
Having finished the small talk, the First Princess moved on to the main topic.
She likely wanted to gauge the relationship between the Crown Prince and Uncle.
Uncle rolled her eyes at me and winked, signaling not to worry.
Then…
“I wasn’t feeling well. Yes. Correct.”
She started that damn artificial cough again.
The First Princess looked puzzled, apparently thinking she was being mocked.
I quickly poked Uncle’s side, and thankfully she stopped coughing.
“I see. I hope you recover soon.”
Normally, the First Princess would have made a sarcastic remark, but perhaps because the Duke was present, she stayed composed.
The power of love.
“By the way, Duke.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“I haven’t danced yet. If it’s alright, would you do me the honor?”
Usually, men invite women to dance first. Women asking first was rare.
But this was no ordinary woman—the First Princess herself.
She looked boldly at the Duke, as if to say love is not waiting—it’s claiming.
I watched with interest. Since the Duke had already asked Uncle to dance, I welcomed the First Princess taking him away.
Of course, not the Duke I liked.
In the original story, the Duke was described as very uncomfortable around the First Princess.
From his perspective, she had been like a younger sister since childhood.
He felt burdened by her obvious interest in him.
I watched the pair, intrigued, until the Duke finally took the First Princess’s hand and led her to the ballroom.
Good riddance, Duke.
Finally, with both the Duke and the Crown Prince out of the way, we hurried out of the banquet hall.
“Ugh… what a mess…”
We were heading to the carriages to return home.
I could only ride Uncle’s carriage, since Louis and the Count needed to accompany me.
After some time, we arrived at Uncle’s carriage, and the tired Uncle climbed aboard first.
I was about to follow when…
“Huh? What’s this?”
Out of nowhere, a fountain pen lay by the carriage wheel.
Its gold gleamed, indicating it belonged to a noble.
Thinking it was Uncle’s, I picked it up.
Suddenly—poof—I was teleported.
What the…? Where am I?!
