TLS : Shenks

  Perez’s lips felt hot on the back of my hand.

  "What are you doing?"

  I said as I pulled my hand out of his grasp.

  Perez then replied, bending over.

  "I heard Madam Impigra say that I was supposed to greet you like this at first.”


  I looked around and everyone was saying hello to their Cavalier.

  "That’s true."

  As Perez said, everyone was bowing politely to the debutante and doing the same greeting.

  "But no one kissed the back of their lady’s hand like you?”


  "……I know."

  I’m the one who’s rather taken aback by Perez’s very easygoing response.

  Did the other Cavaliers skip the kissing part because they’re shy?

  That could be it.

  Unlike me and Perez, they all seemed new or barely acquainted.

  "You didn’t say anything in your letter a few days ago. Why are you suddenly showing up like this?”


  "To surprise you. Are you surprised?”


  Perez leaned slightly towards me and asked.

  "A little? You suddenly came here and become my Cavalier, how much did……”


  It was unfamiliar.

  It wasn’t the Perez I used to know.

  Perez was close to what I had seen in the crowd in my previous life who looked across the banquet hall.

  "How much, what?"

  "I am surprised."

  "Then I succeeded."

  Perez smiled faintly.

  "I’ve already written a letter and I was about to send it to you, but Madam Impigra came to Poirak Palace asking me to be your Cavalier. It’s also a great opportunity to impress the nobles."

  "I see."

  Impigra was looking proudly at the young aristocrats who were having awkward conversations.

  She was right.

  Is there any other place where everyone’s eyes are as focused as the imperial debutante ball?

  It was obviously a great opportunity for Perez.

  But why.

  What is the intention of Madam Impigra?

  Given that she is the only one in the palace who is at odds with the Empress, I don’t think she’s going to take a bad turn against Perez.

  "Perez, I never thought I’d make my debut with you.”


  I didn’t even know that.

  In his previous life, Perez did not enter society until he returned from the academy.

  He was completely forgotten, to the point that there was a happening where the banquet hall gatekeeper refused Perez’s entry because he wasn’t recognized.2

  "Then who were you going to do it with if not me?"1

  Perez asked me, tilting his head.

  "With whom? Hmm……”


  Come to think of it, yes.

  Choosing one of my twin cousins hurts their pride for some reason.

  It would seem like I had no other choice but to go with a relative because I don’t have anyone else to go with.

  When I said that, Perez nodded again and curled up his lips faintly.

  It was a very satisfied face.

  "Well, please take care of me."

  "It’s an honor, Lady Lombardy."

  Perez once again bowed politely and smiled.

  "One, two, three…… One, two, three……”


  Pairs of men and women moved together following the rhythm of the dance teacher brought by Impigra.

  The unique steps of the Imperial Debutante, close to waltz, were very different from the usual social dance in the Empire.

  So I heard screams from all over the place as they were unfamiliar with it.

  "Oh, my God, I’m sorry!"

  "Argh, my foot!"

  There were small disturbances here and there, stepping on each other’s feet, regardless of whether they were men or women.

  "Excuse me, Lady Lombardy and His Highness……”


  "How can they both be so good at this?"

  Except for us.

  Perez, who grabbed my waist lightly, was even showing the ease of turning in advance so that I wouldn’t bump into other people in the middle.

  "There’s nothing you can’t do.”


  This man must be a fraud!

  He’s smart, good at studying, he does everything well even when we were young, and he’s handsome.

  Now, Perez has become a man who naturally attracts many enemies and ladies.

  "Are you sure you’re learning this dance for the first time?"

  Maybe Madam Impigra gave him a prior education?

  "It’s my first time dancing."

  "But why are you so……”


  Why are so skilled?

  Perez was much better than other children who had not officially made their social debut and had attended various kinds of banquets.

  Even now, everyone can’t take their eyes off Perez’s leisurely steps.

  "And what about Tia?"

  Perhaps because his face was so close, Perez’s voice can be heard right by my ears.

  "Tia is a great dancer."

  "Me? well……”


  I wasn’t as relaxed as Perez, but I was keeping up with it.

  "I didn’t know, but I guess I’m more of a socialite. The dance and everything else."

  But it was no match for Perez.

  "At this rate, everyone will be busy watching you, rather than me in debutante.”


  Because Perez, whose black hair sways with every movement, is really handsome even to me.

  Even now, when I’m standing with boys of different ages, I feel like I’m seeing a peacock standing alone in a flock of chickens.1

  Perhaps he felt a blank stare, Perez looked at me with a slight tilt of his head.

  It was then.

  "Oh, I’m sorry, Lady Lombardy!"

  A couple dancing nearby turned toward us and the boy’s shoulder slightly hit my back.

  "Well, I didn’t see it because I was so busy……"

  I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of him really struggling with dancing and apologizing while sweating a lot.

  "It’s just a little bump. I’m fine. Are you okay, Mr. Palin?"

  He didn’t think I’d know his name, the boy opened his eyes wide.

  "Do your best, Mr. Palin."

  I saw you stepping on her foot a lot earlier.

  I want to tell you that Estira ointment is perfect for such bruises.

  And I smiled with a little heart of encouragement, and the boy’s reaction was a little strange.

  He stared blankly at me, and his face turned redder because of the dance.

  Just as I was about to tell him to go get some rest, I heard Perez’s slightly lowered voice.

  "I’d rather they see me."

  "Huh? What?"

  "I’d rather people see me."6

  "What are you talking about all of a sudden?"

  Are you confessing that you want to get more attention than me who is debuting?

  Perez was glaring somewhere instead of answering.

  It was the boy who bumped into me a little while ago.

  The boy, who started practicing with his partner again, kept glancing at Perez’s side with a frightened face, which, of course, looked precarious.

  "Oops!"

  He stumbled and eventually made his partner fall.

  "Hey, Perez?"

  I tapped him on the shoulder and Perez then looked down at me and replied.

  "Nothing. Let’s practice again."

  Throughout practice since then, I never happened to bump into anyone.2

  * * *

  "Everyone’s working hard this year."

  Emperor Jovanes relaxed, looking down at the banquet hall downstairs.

  Nevertheless, his eyes were on Florentia and Perez.

  The banquet hall, where the practice of the debutante ball was held, was a double-decker structure.

  The second floor was rarely used, but access was possible through the stairs outside, and the Emperor and Empress came in without telling anyone and were watching everything.

  Until the Cavaliers first appeared, Rabini was watching the practicing young children with a great deal of joy.

  Lombardy’s girl was annoying, but she also thought she would give her an example when she became a member of society soon.

  But the problem was that Perez was mixed among the Cavaliers.

  "Well, what the……"

  Surprised, Empress Rabini looked at Jovanes and noticed at the moment.

  The Emperor already knew Perez would be a Cavalier.

  I can’t believe the reason we walked here after having a luncheon together was to observe him!

  All of this must have been the usual ploy of Impigra.

  That senile old woman……!

  Rabini immediately stared at Impigra.

  And their eyes met.

  The maids in the hall had already noticed that the Emperor and Empress were watching the practice scene.

  "Did you expect the Second Prince to make that face?"

  Emperor Jovanes leaned against the railing as if he were interested.

  Perez, who had always been expressionless and angry, was smiling softly at Gallahan’s daughter.

  "Oh, they look pretty good together."

  It was a perfect match.

  "How old is Florentia Lombardy this year, Empress?"

  Empress Rabini did not say anything.

  Jovanes also murmured to himself, as if he did not expect an answer.

  "Gallahan, Gallahan Lombardy’s daughter……"

  The Empress knew better than anyone that the abacus was running busily in the Emperor’s head.

  Jovanes was calculating what assets Perez and Florentia could get out of Gallahan Lombardy if they were to have a marriage.

  Heuk.

  Empress Rabini gritted her teeth quietly.

  Now that Perez has already been selected as Cavalier, there was no way to stop him from appearing at the debutante ball.

  But partnering with Lombardy’s Young Lady must be prevented.

  Right now, not only Emperor Jovanes but also the social aristocrats would blabber their mouths when they start to think of Perez and Florentia together.

  And then he’ll really start to covet Lombardy’s stuff, which the Emperor has long since wanted!

  So on the day when he decides to make them marry, Perez will surely inherit the crown.

  Gallahan Lombardy, his power is already over-magnificent.

  At a time when Astana’s marriage has yet to be decided, it was impossible to ignore the gaining power of Gallahan Lombardy.

  "One, two, three…… One, two, three……"

  The sound of Rabini grinding her teeth again was buried by the distant count for rhythm.