Chapter 23

 

"Where are you going?"

 

"I'm going to run away before the captain reprimands me."

 

“There is no way the captain will reprimand you for such a thing.”

 

It was true, Saskia wasn't a bad boss like Iona

 

Iona was a bad boss and even a bad subordinate.

 

"Well, wouldn't it make a difference if she knew the reason I left work early was to attend the prom?"

 

“… …I beg your pardon?"

 

“And Erich, don’t worry too much. 'Cause I'm quitting soon. You won't have to suffer anymore because of seniors like me. It's a secret, so don't spread rumors."

 

“No, what are you talking about? Why are you quitting your job?”

 

Iona answered calmly as she mounted her horse.

 

“You said it with your mouth. I'm getting married soon."

 

“What does that have to do with this? Why does a knight famous for the prince's dog quitting her job just because she is going to be married? Isn't it necessary to stay here all the time to serve the master with all sincerity? You… … Are you running away because you don’t want to answer now!”

 

Erich was right. It was a runaway.

 

Iona ran away from Erich, who clattered loudly.

 

Iona had opened the stall door in advance, so she didn't have to get out of the saddle. As she scratched her itchy ears, the nagging sounded far away before she knew it.

 

"Ah."

 

Realizing the last words he had to say belatedly, Iona murmured with a smile.

 

“Well, it’s because I’m not a bastard anymore.”

 

***

 

“Oh my God, Dame Iona! It's been a long time since we last time met.”

 

“Yes, it's been a while, Viscountess.”

 

“The last time I saw you... …Let's see, wasn't it at the birthday banquet of His Highness the Crown Prince last year? Even that, you attended as an assistant to His Highness. Seriously, you're someone who doesn't know 'the romance of dancing and drinking'.”

 

Saying that Viscountess Kruger exaggeratedly waved her hand.

 

It hadn't been long since the party had started, but it seemed like she was already drinking.

 

In fact, Viscountess Kruger was a little drunk, but the pleasure she showed was not just because of her drunkenness.

 

Viscountess Kruger, who confirmed Iona's attendance, was very excited about her appearance.

 

'Is that Iona Mordov really coming to my party, will the sun rise in the west tomorrow?'

 

Iona was famous for never entering a place like this.

 

If the news of her recent marriage hadn't been talked about, Viscountess Kruger would have even completely forgotten about inviting Iona.

 

That would be the case because Iona had almost no presence in the social world.

 

Although she was a young aide to the prince, she was a person who was shrouded in a veil because she did not communicate with other nobles at all.

 

But now she was going to get a husband with high status. She pretended not to be very surprised, but she couldn't help but pay attention to what she was doing.

 

'If you have the will, it's only a matter of time before you become famous.'

 

If it wasn't because of the crown prince's halo, there were even enough reasons for people to pay attention to her.

 

A competent and beautiful knight always attracts attention regardless of gender.

 

There were some people who hated Iona for being arrogant because she didn't put much effort into social activities, but in a way, that was also a kind of interest.

 

In that sense, Iona's visit was a great boon to the organizer.

 

Viscountess Kruger looked at Iona like a golden pig and smiled heartily.

 

"Oh, well where is the partner who accompanied you...”

 

“I came alone today.”

 

“Oh, it’s not like you suddenly got late because your wedding was just around the corner, right?”

 

Viscountess Kruger raised her glass high and winked.

 

“I received the invitation late, so I didn't have time to find someone to come with me. I’m sorry to inform you of my attendance right before.”

 

Iona answered with a thin smile.

 

It was a fact Iona felt from time to time while talking with her, but when dealing with women, she tended to act like a sinful nobleman.

 

Perhaps it was because true gentlemen with such manners were rare.

 

Viscount Kruger sighed inwardly.

 

It was also not polite to monopolize such a person by the host alone.

 

Viscountess Kruger hurriedly pushed Iona into the field as if releasing a large fish into a fishing spot.

 

“It's good to dance with as many opposite sexes as possible before marriage, so it's not bad to be alone. Come on, please enjoy yourself comfortably.”

 

Iona responded with an eye salute and walked into the hall.

 

Indeed, it was a splendid ball to the extent that Viscountess Kruger's 'Romance of Drinking and Dancing' could be vaguely understood.

 

Iona, who took a bottle of champagne from a passing server, frowned after swallowing a sip.

 

It was because she had been slapped hard all morning, and the pain rushed in as soon as the carbonic acid hit her mouth.

 

Fortunately or unfortunately, judging from Viscountess Krueger's reaction, the injured face didn't seem to show. Marsha's long struggle to cover her wounds was worth it.

 

'Well, even if it was obvious, it would have looked like Nils's work.'

 

Considering that she had heard the rumors of courtesy even from Hayden, it was not a particularly painful wound.

 

If Viscountess Kruger understood this as Nils' fault, then that wasn't a bad result either.

 

Iona passed the awkward glass of champagne right away to another waitress.

 

It wasn't a party, she came to for a drink anyway.

 

Iona looked towards the wall while moderately avoiding the approaching people.

 

When she checked the girl standing alone, she soon found the face she was looking for.

 

Iona went straight to her.

 

"It's the first time I've seen you."

 

The girl suddenly raised her head as if she was surprised when Iona started talking to her.

 

Because of that, a small note on the opponent's wrist opened and a blank space was revealed. It meant that she had never received a dance request until now.

 

Iona pretended not to see this and continued the greeting.

 

“I forgot the introduction. My name is Iona Mordov. May I ask the young lady's name?”

 

"Yes? ah… …T-This is Yulia Becker, the eldest daughter of Baron Becker. I don't live in the capital by nature, but since it's my social debut season, I'm staying at our relative's house. You are the face I saw for the first time.”

 

Perhaps because of the tension, the explanation took longer than necessary.

 

Yulia, as if realizing that fact, started blushing.

 

She was greatly taken aback by the appearance of a big woman who she thought would have nothing to do with her.

 

“The reason Sir Jonas came to the capital was to accompany the young lady in her socialite debut season.”

 

Iona said with an intimate smile.

 

Yulia asked back with a surprised face.

 

“Do you know my brother?”

 

"Of course. After seeing the duke, I also met Sir Jonas a few times.”

 

Jonas, who followed Leroy like an attendant, was originally a knight.

 

He was the eldest son of the Becker family, a vassal of the duchy, and he and Leroy had been close friends since childhood.

 

'Even though he didn't seem to want to look like a knight.'

 

His casual behavior and free manner were difficult to see as a servant, but they did not match the title of a knight even more.

 

If she hadn't known about the future, Iona would not have been able to figure out his identity just by meeting him earlier. Jonas had never revealed his last name in front of Iona.

 

"So that's why you talked to me.”

 

Fortunately, the younger sister seemed to be less vigilant than her brother. When Iona said she knew Jonas, she immediately responded with a welcoming response.

 

But even for a moment, a regretful feeling appeared on Yulia's face.

 

“But unfortunately my brother didn’t come here today. I will not be able to say goodbye.”

 

“I know, Miss Yulia. Sir Jonas's personality is too free-spirited to attend an event like this.”

 

“Ahaha, you figured out about my brother pretty quickly.”

 

“Yes, sending your little sister to the prom alone is not very delicate.”

 

Iona, who gently pointed out Jonas' fault, brought up the real business.

 

“Sir Jonas didn't seem to know, but at a meeting like this, sometimes you need an elder to help with the introduction. In fact, one would rather have anything than nothing.”

 

“… …”

 

“Miss Yulia, would it be okay if I take a moment to introduce you to my acquaintances?”

 

Yulia's eyes shook at Iona's polite question.

 

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