Chapter 34

 

Perhaps relieved that Iona had accepted his greeting, Joseph spoke with a much brighter face.

 

To be sure, today was the first time he showed such a respectful attitude toward Iona.

 

As a friend of Nils, he had negative feelings towards Iona.

 

He thought that Nils' reaction was excessive when it came to his jealousy toward his adopted sister, but he had been arguing with his friend the whole time that she was the one who cursed at him.

 

Even if there was no personal ill feeling, Iona was always the target of contempt and ridicule in their group.

 

However, things have changed a little lately.

 

Iona was on the rise as the crown prince's trusted subordinate, and even rumors circulated that she was about to marry the duke.

 

This was no nonsense.

 

The moment the Duke and Iona entered the ballroom holding hands affectionately, the group quickly readjusted their direction.

 

“Since this has happened anyway, Nils has no choice but to bow down to that woman. Who will take responsibility if we just pretend we don’t know and leave out all the good opportunities?”

 

“Yeah, but Nils and that woman didn’t seem to have a good relationship. I know for sure that he often hit her... … .”

 

“Well, even though she was treated badly, she was successful as she is now thanks to being raised by the count’s family. Could that woman confiscate her face?”

 

“Yes, and even if we feel bad for Nils, then all the more we shouldn’t be left alone. Even now, we should open up face to face in advance, huh? We are different from Nils! We have to appeal like this so we don’t get retaliation later.”

 

It was true that it was a conclusion that couldn't be more agreed upon when considering only their personal safety.

 

Iona's answer that followed added confidence to their thoughts.

 

“They say the clothes are wings, so I guess that’s true. The duke gave me this dress as a gift.”

 

Saying that Iona lowered her gaze shyly.

 

Naturally, the eyes of others also turned in the direction she was looking.

 

The group who checked the luxuriously made clothes quickly exchanged glances among themselves.

 

Iona pretended not to see this and changed the subject.

 

“More than that, it must be a pity that Nils is not here today. These days, he is very busy in successor training.”

 

“Ah, I heard that Nils was chosen as the successor. I got a letter saying that he couldn't me him because he was busy until the announcement ceremony. Somehow, there had been no news for a while, so I wondered if it was because of that, as well.”

 

Apparently, he used an excuse of successor training for the period when he was absent because of his broken teeth.

 

Iona swallowed a laugh inwardly and spoke like water flowing naturally.

 

“If you don't mind, invite me to a meeting instead. Although not as much as my brother, I also have quite a hobby in various games.”

 

Joseph's eyes widened at Iona's favorable attitude.

 

Today, he was planning to lay the paving stones for the next meeting, but the other side suggested inviting her first. It was unexpected luck.

 

'Hmm, they said she's attending any gathering these days.'

 

Joseph thought that the reputation of a socialite who had not left the house before marrying the duke seemed to be bothering her.

 

In any case, it was all the better for their group.

 

Even before Joseph accepted Iona's proposal, all of his friends who had been watching from the side stepped forward.

 

“Oh, of course. I always wanted to talk to Dame Iona, but since she is such a precious person, I haven't had a chance.”

 

"It's really fortunate that the kite arrived at such a late date!"

 

“But Hoshi… … I wonder if the Duke would be interested in our meeting... … .”

 

Their expectant gazes turned to Leroy.

 

Leroy replied with a small smile on his lips.

 

“I too will gladly attend as Dame Iona's partner.”

 

Then, naturally, his arms were wrapped around Iona.

 

Iona was a little shaken by the sudden contact but did not reveal it.

 

Thanks to this, the appearance of a very intimate lover was completed.

 

Nils's friends left, concluding that Iona and Leroy were not in the stage of discussing marriage, but were actually preparing for the ceremony.

 

Leroy slowly let go of his hand only after confirming that the opponent had moved far enough away.

 

Feeling embarrassed for some reason, Iona moved to the opposite side instead of beside him.

 

“Thanks to you, things went well. Thank you… …”

 

Iona paused momentarily.

 

Without time to be immersed in an unfamiliar situation, an unexpected sight brought her into reality.

 

Behind Leroy's back, Erich could be seen pointing towards the terrace and sending a signal.

 

Judging by the shape of his mouth...

 

'Let's talk privately, huh?'

 

Erich, who freely conveyed his intention, left before Iona could react.

 

“What?”

 

“Ah, I saw something in vain for a moment.”

 

Iona answered Leroy's question in a non-trivial tone.

 

It was really arrogant for a subordinate to ask his superiors to come and meet him.

 

Of course, Iona had no intention of doing anything undignified by following him.

 

Drinking the cold night air, waiting or not, he had to do it himself.

 

"Shouldn't we go find Miss Lenny sooner rather than later?"

 

At Iona's question, Leroy immediately checked his watch.

 

Iona was right.

 

As they were busy talking, the time when he requested a dance from the Lady of Count Ritzer was approaching before he knew it.

 

It was polite for a man attending the ball to dance with a woman from the host family at least once, so he had made an appointment ahead of time.

 

“I missed the first dance while trying to protect my partner from the other guys.”

 

Leroy replied in an unwilling voice.

 

It seemed that he was conscious of the people around him.

 

Iona thought that he was acting as a partner more diligently than she thought. Because he really couldn't regret not having the first dance with her.

 

If the opponent comes out like this, it would be her duty to do her best to match his hands and feet.

 

Iona promised to wait until he returned, in the most romantic terms she knew.

 

“I will wait here until you return.”

 

“… …”

 

“… … Are you having any problems?”

 

When there was no answer from him, Iona looked at him and asked.

 

Leroy, who was not feeling well, had his head down and covered his mouth with his hand.

 

After a while, he lifted his head and rubbed his stiff lips, and muttered admiringly.

 

“Yes, Dame Iona… … . Certainly a knight is a knight.”

 

“Did you not hear me?”

 

“Okay, I’ll go see it.”

 

He waved his hand and walked away. However, it was disappointing that he had left without completing his words, so he soon turned to the road and headed for Iona.

 

Standing in front of Iona again, he said as if asking.

 

“There is no need to wait here, so please rest. but… …”

 

After a moment of hesitation, he narrowed his brows and added.

 

“Don’t dance with that subordinate I saw earlier. That would be great.”

 

“Are you talking about Erich?”

 

“Yes, it would be difficult if that rude second son could not control his strength again.”

 

Iona answered meekly even though she thought it was a matter of paying back several times on her side.

 

“Yes, I will never dance.”

 

Of course, Erich would never ask her to dance.

 

Iona's confident expression must have been quite trustworthy, so Leroy left to find Lady Ritzter.

 

Left alone, Iona looked around and headed for the door on the left.

 

While Leroy was away, she intended to go to the tea room to appease her hunger.

 

If it had not been for the sudden appearance of Erich, she would have eaten two plates of the evening cake.

 

“Sir Erich?”

 

“Why aren’t you coming?”

 

Erich grabbed Iona and whispered in an annoyed tone.

 

Judging by the feeling of cold energy in his body, it seemed that he was really waiting for Iona on the terrace.

 

Iona asked back as if it was absurd.

 

“If I'm told by my junior to do it, should I?”

 

It was a very logical objection. Erich, speechless at that, took a slow, deep breath as if to calm himself.

 

Only then did Erich's eyes become as calm as before.

 

“… …Alright. Dame Iona, please give me a moment.”

 

"If it's about work, why don't you do it at the imperial palace?"

 

“Aren’t you avoiding me even in the imperial palace?”

 

Erich interrupted Iona's words and added patronizingly.

 

“If you don’t like the terrace, we can talk while dancing. It's hard to overhear other people's conversations in the ballroom.”

 

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