“You looked beautiful to me than any other lady.”

Felix said it firmly, causing the surroundings to fall silent.

(Is he drunk again, by any chance?)

Aurora’s eyes widened in shock. He had been clutching his glass in one hand the whole time today because he couldn’t keep the conversation going. Furthermpore, he had a record of getting drunk and choosing a fiancée by tossing a ring.

(……I’m certain, he couldn’t keep up the conversation at that party either, and he definitely got drunk while trying to keep pace.)

“I’m not drunk yet.”
“Please don’t read my mind.”

Felix, with a wry smile playing on his lips, placed his white-gloved fingers against Aurora’s cheek. Aurora, unable to fully comprehend the situation, opened and closed her mouth, but all she could do was breathe.
He looked so deeply into her forest-green eyes that his words choked in his throat.

“Your smile is so adorable, and your profile is beautiful when you’re lost in the world of embroidery. Your magic is soft and pleasant. Furthermore, your patience in putting up with a clumsy man like me is wonderful. Compared to those things, your appearance when you dress up is a trivial matter.”

(I-Is it really necessary to make such a desperate, lovey-dovey appeal?!)

Aurora, with her mouth wide open in a foolish way, was met with a passionate gaze. She was so confused that she involuntarily let her gaze wander, as if looking for help.

However, nearby, the Marquise Kirsten’s eyes were shining brightly behind her fan, while the Marquis behind her looked at her with dismay. The young ladies watching from a short distance had bitter looks on their faces, or else they looked away with flushed cheeks, while the noblemen smiled wryly. The men in military uniforms, who knew Felix well, had expressions that read ‘Shock!’ on their foreheads; their eyes were open so wide that it looked as if their veins might pop.
No one seemed to be able to help.

“Oh, um, thank you?　P-please let go of me now!”
“Why?”

When he questioned her in a voice that sounded genuinely puzzled, Aurora was startled and flailed in distress. Then, as if to say she couldn’t escape, the arm around her waist tightened.

“Wh-Wh-Why?! Or rather, what happened all of a sudden, Felix-sama?!”
“It isn’t exactly sudden. Rather, it’s nice to hear you call my name.” (Tl:- yup, he is drunk)
(Wha—what should I do? Is he just drunk after all?)

“Trying to woo your fiancée right in the middle of the dance floor—that’s pretty bold of you.”
“…Loomis?”

(Somebody, help me!)

As she recited those monotonous lines in her mind, a low voice reached her from behind. Aurora instinctively turned around to see a face that looked as if its owner had swallowed a bitter pill, ruining the beauty of his looks.

“I never thought the day would come when I’d see you indulging in love.”

Yule-el-le Loomis, the heir of the Loomis family and host of the evening party, walked toward them, his polished black leather shoes making a high-pitched clacking sound against the gleaming floor. He was, after all, the one who had invited Aurora and Felix to the party.
He was dressed in a white ceremonial uniform adorned with gold embroidery, gold buttons, and a red cape. This was the so-called ‘white uniform’ of the Imperial Guards—the color counterpart to Felix’s own ceremonial attire. It is a distinction permitted only to members of the 1st Unit, 1st Platoon, and it remains one of the few garments allowed even in settings where wearing white is strictly taboo.
Blue eyes filled with hostility, masked by a sweet smile, pierced Felix, who grimaced visibly and slowly released Aurora.

(Tha—Thank goodness! ……Never in my wildest dreams did I think this man’s words and actions would save me!)
“What do you want?”
“What else do you think? I went through the trouble of inviting you, but you haven’t come to see me once since you greeted my father—so I decided to come to you instead.”

‘Oh dear, ‘ Yule shrugged. With Felix glaring sharply at him, he looked over Aurora from head to toe as she stood there, his gaze so intense it was as if he were licking her. Felix immediately hid Aurora, who frowned in discomfort, behind his back.

“Heh”
“What?”
“‘Even a stable boy looks good in fine clothes,’ as the saying goes, doesn’t it? You are much prettier than when I saw you the other day in town, Miss Aurora.”
“Don’t call her familiarly.”
(Wow, I can feel all those thorny gazes piercing right through me!)

Felix’s icy gaze pierced Yule. At the same time, a volley of glares was directed at Aurora—the jealous arrows of the daughters of the new royal faction. They were likely envious of her being sandwiched between two beautiful knights. However, she was being subjected to much stronger gazes than when she was alone with Felix.
To them, no matter how handsome Felix was, he was merely a distant icon from an opposing faction. Yule, however, was a far more practical prospect for a partner, destined as he was to inherit the title of Marquis. For most of the young women, he was the kind of man they could only dream of—let alone speak to him, or even be spoken to by him. To these women, it was utterly unforgivable that a girl from a rival faction, who wasn’t particularly pretty, could command his attention.

Ignoring the trembling Aurora, the men exchanged sharp, hostile glances, though such friction seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary for them. After a brief, fruitless standoff, Felix was the first to look away.

“…..Should I say thank you for inviting me today?”
“Hmm, should I say you’re welcome?”
“No need to… Stop glaring.”
“It is the host’s responsibility to keep a close eye on his guests, after all.”
“Shut up, back off. Don’t look.”
“I guess that’s enough.”

Yule didn’t take his eyes off Aurora. When he glared back, she was pushed into Felix’s shadow by his large hand. With a look of utter exasperation, Yule shrugged again.

“Oh well. It’s almost time for the dance. Move to the dance floor.”
“I Needn’t be told.”
“–Miss Porta”
“Yes”

When she heard her name called, Aurora shifted slightly and peeked out from her hiding place. A sweet, gentlemanly smile graced Yule’s handsome features as he smoothly extended his hand toward her.

“Will you dance the first dance with me?”
“…..Huh?”

Aurora’s green eyes blinked.
The first song is always reserved for one’s partner—that is the fundamental rule of evening parties in the Kingdom of Welbum. However, it is an equally unbreakable rule that one must never refuse a dance requested by the host.

“With me?”
“Yes. Miss Aurora el la Porta, with you.”
(…What a mean guy with such a blatant ulterior motive!)

Aurora thought quickly.
Yule, as the eldest son of Marquis Loomis, was the host of the evening, and his family’s rank far exceeded that of her own, the Earldom of Porta. By the rigid laws of Welbum etiquette, refusing a request from a higher-ranking host would be considered a grave social blunder. However, Aurora was no longer standing solely on her own merits, as her status was now anchored to the House of Clavis through her recent engagement. Since she was attending the soirée as Felix’s partner, she was effectively an extension of his own Marquisate, placing her on equal footing with her host.
Therefore, regardless of which path Aurora chose to follow, she would technically remain within the bounds of high society’s unspoken rules.

But rules are rules after all. What the onlookers might think about them, however, is another matter entirely.
If she were to take Yule’s hand now, she would be judged as a woman well-versed in the rules of high society. However, the onlookers—particularly those of the older generation—would undoubtedly frown upon her dancing with another man so soon after her engagement. Furthermore, the smoldering flames of jealousy from the younger ladies in attendance would threaten to consume Aurora entirely. Moreover, Felix will be waiting for Aurora, looking absent-mindedly.
And what if she were to take Felix’s hand instead? Yule would surely laugh, mocking her as a lady with no sense of etiquette. Meanwhile, the young ladies would cry, “How dare you turn down Lord Yule’s invitation!” before metaphorically engulfing her in their rage. Yule might even retaliate by claiming she had caused the host to lose face.
Either way, Aurora’s reputation is already beyond saving.
(……But I suppose there’s really only one choice.)

After letting her imagination run wild for a moment, Aurora offered a small smile. Suppressing a laugh at the men’s puzzled expressions, she gripped Felix’s arm tightly.

“I’m sorry, Loomis-sama. Today is our first evening party since Felix-sama and I got engaged, so I truly wish to share the first dance with him. Would you please invite me for the second dance instead?”
“…Hmm?”

Yule’s eyes narrowed, as though he had caught sight of something intriguing.

“I am but a country girl with no interest in such games. Please, try to understand the simple yearnings of a girl like me.”

Had she been a better actress, she might have managed a sweet, girlish smile; however, Aurora was incapable of such a feat. Instead, her expression took on a slightly more gallant, masculine edge.
If both options were bound to leave a poor impression, then Aurora’s only true choice was to follow Felix’s lead. It was obvious that if she took another man’s hand, Felix wouldn’t even consider asking another woman to dance—even if they approached him claiming Aurora had abandoned him. He would simply stand by the wall for the entire duration of the dance. While Aurora could waste as much time as she wanted looking at the embroidery, he would likely grow depressed and find himself unable to converse with those around him if left alone. Having spent time as his fiancée, she had developed a certain amount of affection for him.
Besides, Yule, whom she had encountered on the street, seemed to carry the air of a ‘playboy’. If he had even a shred of pride, he wouldn’t do something so unrefined as to make a move on a ‘girl in love’—so she decided to place a small bet on that intuition.

“I don’t intend to give you away on the second song or any other.”
“Woah”
“Well, well”

Felix pulled Aurora closer by the waist once again, perhaps because the position felt natural or simply right. Seeing this, Yule cleared his throat. While the corners of his mouth turned up in amusement, his blue eyes remained cold and unsmiling.

“Well, I am only kidding. I don’t believe I am the sort of rude man who would tear lovers apart. — Enjoy your dance.”

Yule shrugged his shoulders again, wearing an almost audible “Oh dear” expression as he walked away with a futilely elegant gesture. Aurora resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at his retreating back.
As if on cue, a fast-paced waltz began to echo through the hall the moment Yule returned to his seat.
Relieved that the storm had passed for now, Aurora took a deep breath, only for a hand to be held out quickly in front of her. It was a large hand, encased in a white glove. Looking up, she met a pair of blue eyes tinged with purple gazing down at her.
Aurora blushed as she realized he was still holding her, now that she thought about it. It was a little embarrassing to feel the pressure of those firm arms against her waist, even through the layers of her thick corset and dress.

“Yes?”
“Will you be my partner for a song?”
“Ah… yes, with pleasure.”

Remembering her dance practice in Marquise Clavis’s study, Aurora cleared her throat and placed her silk-gloved fingers upon the outstretched hand. Suddenly, she was gripped tightly; startled by the force, she looked up in surprise.
(……………That face is unfair!)

Aurora’s back stiffened like a kitten startled by a loud noise. Oh, who in the world would have ever termed him the ‘Noble of Ice’? I had no idea he could make such a soft expression!
Aurora pressed her lips together to hide her flushing cheeks, only to find herself captured by the gaze of his sweet blue-violet eyes. Slowly, the sharpness in his gaze loosened, and his eyes shifted into a deep, warm shade of crimson.

＊

“I-I’m exhausted……”

Indigo leaves rustled in the pale moonlight. Aurora stepped out onto the terrace, where the setting sun’s lingering warmth met a cooling breeze that brushed against her pleasantly. She leaned against the stone railing, looking out over the garden. Beyond the steps at her feet lay a lush green lawn, where white summer flowers swayed in the wind. They had likely planted white blooms specifically so they would remain visible long after twilight. Even away from the main venue, one couldn’t help but sigh in admiration at such immaculate maintenance.

Aurora rested her weight against the railing, recalling that the Loomis house was a distinguished family, one easily comparable to the house of Clavis.

“Sorry, I got carried away.”
“I’m glad you had a great time…….”

Although he was apologizing sincerely, his beautiful silver-haired profile was illuminated by the light overflowing from the venue, and he looked quite satisfied. Aurora exhaled a long, thin breath, as if emptying her lungs entirely, and slumped down. Even though she wore soft leather, low-heeled dancing shoes, her feet were shaking like a newborn foal’s from the repeated dances; her heels were sore, throbbing with a muffled heat.
Indeed, this man had danced from one end of the ballroom to the other—not just for a second song, but for a third, fourth, and even a fifth—as if he were mesmerizing the entire audience.
His hand upon her waist lifted and turned her again and again, each rotation causing her white dress with its black embroidery to flare outward. Reflecting the overflowing light like stardust, the blue stone of her hair ornament swayed against her temple, shining like a brilliant North Star. His dark blue military uniform and silver hair fluttered in pursuit of her every move. Their light steps and smiles were in perfect sync; the joyful sight of the couple drew the gazes of many young ladies in the hall, inducing sighs of envy, though the dancers themselves remained blissfully unaware.
Aurora’s physical stamina was greater than that of an average noble lady, yet it could not rival that of a working commoner. She could stay up all night to embroider, but her dancing was limited to three songs at most. No matter how much fun she was having, she simply could not match the endurance of a knight through willpower alone. Thus, despite her best efforts to keep pace with the jubilant Felix, Aurora’s smile began to twitch by the third song, and by the end of the fifth, she was on the verge of collapse.

“…I’m sorry. I left everything to you—from the greetings to every other detail.”
“Don’t worry about it. ……”
“But this is the first time I’ve had so much fun at a party.”
“Well, that is wonderful to hear!”
(That’s why making that face is just unfair…! It’s absolute poison for the eyes…!)

The destructive power of those who are usually expressionless lies in the moment they soften. It was easy to see why the military-clad guests looked so shaken. He wasn’t smiling fully, but the sheer satisfaction in his eyes and the curve of his mouth—expressing exactly how happy he was—were so dazzling they were almost impossible to behold. It was as if an ice spirit had suddenly been warmed by a pulse of living blood. Aurora could only avert her gaze and reply in a monotone.
(…I thought I was used to beautiful people because of my brother and father. But Felix is truly frightening…)

Even though she averted her eyes, her cheeks burned as she felt his steady gaze fixed intently on her face.

“Are your legs okay?”
“Hyah!”

Aurora let out a small scream as she was suddenly lifted by her waist. Felix, seemingly undeterred, simply picked her up and sat her down atop the stone railing.

“Um, wait a second, Felix-sama?!”
“Let me see your feet for a minute……. Oh, as I thought. They are inflamed.”
“N-No, you can’t! What if someone sees us?”

Aurora’s face turned a vivid crimson as her shoes were effortlessly removed, and she felt the warmth of his touch against her heels through her silk stockings. It was a well-known rule that a noblewoman should only ever expose her feet to her husband. Regardless of their engagement, this is impolite.

“You mustn’t! Oh, um—if you don’t stop, it will be a disaster! A woman is only permitted to show her legs to her husband!”
“…I—is that so? My apologies for that.”

As Felix hastily adjusted the hem of her dress to cover her, Aurora could only shake her head helplessly at his flustered reaction.

“I’ll forgive you today… though I don’t think I can dance another step.”
“……I’m sorry I pushed you too hard. I had a feeling you could dance forever because you are as light as that embroidered little bird.”

Aurora looked up at him with a wry smile, her gaze softening as if he were a kitten with drooping ears. The night breeze, which should have been refreshing, did nothing to cool the heat rising in her cheeks.

“I’m not that light, truly.”
“You were like a feather, though”
“You’re joking.”
“I am not a man who jokes around.”
(That’s true……)

However, that was only because he was a seasoned knight. Compared to the other dainty young ladies, Aurora felt she was quite heavy. She cleared her throat, attempting to calm her racing heart, and finally looked up at him.

“When shall we head home?”
“Well, I suppose it is time to withdraw. We have fulfilled our social obligations, so there shouldn’t be any trouble.”

‘You’re still in your teens and my fiancée, ‘ Felix continued, and Aurora nodded.

“I believe we’ve achieved the ‘lovey-dovey appeal’ that Luna Mare-sama suggested—well, to a certain extent. It’s likely time to head out; with that much dancing, I’m sure we left a lasting impression.”
“Indeed. I don’t usually speak much, and I never dance, so I am certain the other knights will be quite shocked.”

After nodding in agreement with Aurora’s words, Felix gently lowered her from the railing. Tapping her bruised heel against the floor to test her footing, Aurora stretched lightly to ease the lingering tension.

“Shall we depart now? Or would you like to bid your farewells one last time before we leave?”
“Well… I suppose it would be best to say goodbye.”

Felix nodded and offered his arm. Aurora intertwined hers with his, and they stepped back into the grand hall—only to stop dead in their tracks at the same time.

Author’s Note:-

The first line is a repeat on purpose so it’s okay.