Chapter 78: Chapter 78 – Wings (8)
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As the first notes of the opening song played, people started leading their respective partners to take their places at the center of the ballroom.
Some simply watched the spectacle, and occasionally one could see someone who had come alone and was rejected while trying to find a partner.
Eugenia took a deep breath, her face flushed, as she placed her hand on her chest.
"What should we do? Should we leave right now? Or should we wait a little?"
"… Let's wait a bit and then go out. I need to calm down for a moment…"
"Are you alright? If it's too much, you don't have to go out. We can just watch from here."
"No…! That's absolutely not an option! Just a moment… just a moment to rest…"
Hearing my words, she shook her head vigorously.
"Then let's join in the third or fourth dance. I think that would be fine."
"…Okay."
As time passed, her face relaxed as she gazed at the stage. Among the first to take the floor, some familiar faces could be spotted.
Eugene and Patricia stepped onto the stage, and in the distance sat Claudia and Leta with disgruntled faces.
And still, Iris was nowhere to be seen.
While the two were quite unpleasant, their appearance alone was not enough to warrant any ill-natured gossip.
Patricia's pristine white hair, illuminated by the chandelier's light, scattered brilliantly in all directions. Her radiance dominated the stage.
As the dance continued, the gaze of those around focused more and more on Eugene and Patricia. Eugene's somewhat clumsy dancing was completely overshadowed by Patricia's movements.
When the music ended, Patricia stepped down with a satisfied face, but this time Claudia took place with Eugene.
The same situation continued for the next song. Leta continued to dance with a rapturous expression, but Eugene now had a slightly overwhelmed and troubled smile.
As the two noble ladies captivated attention, it was inevitable that Eugene would become the center of focus.
In the conversations around them, his name was mentioned with increasing frequency.
"If Austin's successor is fighting over him like that, doesn't it mean they've already decided to sponsor him? If that's true, it's a pretty unusual treatment for a freshman."
"I heard he's also of common birth… Just how remarkable must his talents be?"
"The Acelus has also been showing continued interest. Are they competing to claim him? From what I saw, their relationship doesn't seem particularly good."
"Even the merchant tycoon of the West is paying attention to him… There must be something special about him, even if his looks are presentable enough."
Even before this ball, his name was already gradually becoming known among the students as he solved the incidents at the beginning of the semester.
With the addition of such an unusual spectacle, Eugene was sure to attract even more attention in the wake of this ball. Indeed, it was a classic case of the unexpected.
When I see things like this, I realized not everything was completely twisted from the original. However, things related to it always give me a headache.
Before I knew it, the third song had ended, and Eugene finally exited the stage with a tired face. I felt a pressure on my arm and looked down to see Eugenia waiting for her turn with a determined look on her face.
"Phew… I can do this… Ugh…"
After a brief respite, the prelude to the fourth song finally flowed.
I extended my hand and Eugenia gently accepted my invitation. The slight tremor she was holding was clearly transmitted through the clasped hands.
I led her to the center. Soon, the music started again, and we began to dance together, just like the others.
Up close, her tension was even more apparent. The light, shallow breaths she seemed to hold her breath, the pounding of her heart, the two eyes that seemed to have lost their way filled my field of vision.
As my hand touched her waist, she flinched as if she had been touched by an electric current.
"Hah…"
"Don't rush it. Just think about what we practiced."
"…I hate this… You don't care…?"
"Huh?"
"…No… nothing…"
She mumbled and we focused on dancing again.
As we became absorbed in the movement, her tension gradually subsided. Eugenia's entire face was now filled with nothing but a smile as she lost herself in the dance.
Although she seems unaware of it herself, her dancing was truly remarkable. Flowing and elegant, without any unnecessary movements.
Her softly glowing green hair, her fresh, verdant eyes, and the emerald-colored dress that suits her so well instantly captivated the gaze of those around her.
She didn't seem to notice, but the attention she was getting now was even more than what Patricia had gotten earlier.
As the music ended, applause erupted from the surrounding crowd. While it was a customary response after each piece, the resonance this time felt distinctly stronger.
Eugenia, her face flushed, looked directly at me. Even as she panted for breath, the smile never left her face.
"…Did I do well?"
"Of course you did. You did really well."
"Hehe…"
As the thunderous applause subsided, Eugenia, who had been lost in the lingering notes of the music, finally came to her senses.
"Whew…"
She, her face flushed, let out a small, characteristic yelp. Then she stumbled and leaned her weight lightly on my shoulder.
"You worked hard. If it's too much, do you want to go out to the garden and get some fresh air for a while?"
"…Yeah… I think that would be good…"
I led Eugenia out of the ballroom. Outside, the darkness had fallen, and the sky was filled with stars. The soft garden lighting and the surrounding landscape created an enchantingly ethereal atmosphere.
She plopped down on a chair in the corner of the garden, taking off her heels and lightly massaging her feet.
"Phew… I feel a bit better now…"
"Just sit for a moment. I told you not to push yourself too hard."
"After coming all this way, how could I not dance… Ridiculous, right? But it was really wonderful… Hehe…"
The smile on her face now was undoubtedly one of genuine satisfaction, impossible to fake.
Seeing her like this, the image of Ellie's disappointment briefly flashed in my mind. Ellie would have loved to attend this ball as well.
I wonder what Ellie is doing now? Perhaps she was clinging to her brother like a burr…
"Edwin, I'll just sit here for a bit and then head back in. You can go first."
Eugenia, who had been stealing glances at me, carefully spoke up.
"I'm fine, though. We can go back together."
"Uh… no. You need to rest too. You didn't even eat dinner… Go eat something and rest for a while…"
"I'm not really hungry, but okay. Just don't stay out too long yourself."
"Hehe… I get it. Then I'll see you later!"
I left Eugenia and headed back to the hall. A moment later, I looked back and saw Eugenia covering her face with both hands and letting all the strength go out of her body.
She did seem to be quite drained. Well, it's only natural, considering this was her first time attending a ball and even dancing.
Still, seeing her enjoy it so much, I'm sure it was worth bringing her to the ball. If I can fill her heart with as many positive experiences as possible, maybe she'll be less likely to be consumed by gloomy emotions like last time.
—Chirp!
As I was about to leave the garden, I heard the sound of wings flapping above me. And then a bird landed on my shoulder.
* * * * *
A bird with black background and white patterns — no matter how closely I examined it, it was the same one that had taken residence in front of the windows of my mansion. Ellie told me it was definitely a titmouse.
But why is this bird here? Did it perhaps follow me? But I am wearing glasses right now. Or maybe disguises don't work on animals?
After accepting my touch a few times, the bird spread its wings and disappeared into the darkness of the night sky.
Watching it fly away, it just seems like another individual of the same species. Thinking about it, the same kind of bird attacked me at the academy, so it could just be a species that's particularly prevalent in this area.
As I headed back to the ballroom, the atmosphere there had reached a crescendo. Conversations and laughter were exchanged constantly all around.
Since Eugenia's wish has been fulfilled, I could just stay here for a while and then leave together when she's ready. She seemed quite tired, after all.
And I don't particularly enjoy this kind of environment myself. Staying too long might lead to unnecessary interactions with Eugene again.
"Excuse me, do you have a moment?"
Just as I was about to indulge in the prepared refreshments, someone behind me spoke.
Turning around, I saw a cheerful-looking, sociable young lady.
"…Do you have some business with me?"
"Oh, not me, but my friend needs to talk to you."
The girl's smile deepened. She was likely either looking for a dance partner or trying to approach someone she was interested in.
But as I was about to decline, my mouth froze at the next name the girl called out.
"Iris, don't be shy and come over here? If you've summoned the courage, you have to see it through. Sorry about that. My friend is a bit shy…"
As the young lady stepped aside, the figure hidden behind her was revealed.
"…Hello…"
There she was, my former fiancée, Iris Robinette, nervously greeting me; even normally, her beauty was dazzling, but today it seemed even more so. She had neatly swept her brown hair back, adorned in a radiant dress.
And there was something different about Iris today. Her expression was a mix of half-tensed and half-excited; the cold demeanor she usually had was hardly visible at all.
"It's a pleasure to meet you… I'm Iris Robinette."
I checked to make sure my glasses were still in place, and indeed they were, dutifully performing their role. Unless the person directly acknowledges my identity or I reveal it myself, they would never be able to recognize me while I'm wearing these glasses.
That's why Eugene and his group didn't recognize me earlier, and none of the people in the ballroom could identify me either. This was a fact that Ellie and I had confirmed multiple times.
And Iris's attitude was certainly that of someone addressing a complete stranger, and not of someone who recognized me.
But if she was not calling out to me specifically, then what could be the reason for…
"It is an honor to meet the distinguished lady of the Robinette family."
"It truly is an honor, you know. Our Iris showing interest in a man first is an event that will go down in history. So, if I may ask, which family do you hail from?"
Iris's friend gave me a sharp look, as if unwilling to easily let any man near her friend. But Iris stepped forward, cutting her off.
"That's enough, Pamela. It's a ball, after all… Those things don't matter…"
"Oh my, oh my…"
At Iris's actions, Pamela covered her mouth, seemingly incredulous.
"She must really have taken a liking to you… My goodness, what is going on here."
Ignoring Pamela's fuss, Iris offered me her hand, her fingers trembling violently as if there had been an earthquake, though they were covered in thin silk gloves.
"…Would you care to dance a piece with me…?"
Why was Iris here? I had thought she didn't even attend the ball, since she was not seen around Eugene.
Now, she seemed to have come separately with the friend standing beside her. Could there really be some kind of issue between her and Eugene?
"…I'm sorry, but…"
"Just one dance, that's all I ask…"
Seeing Iris show interest in a man in front of me doesn't exactly sit well with me.
But before I could finish my refusal, Iris pleaded again, almost desperately. Her expression looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
Seeing Iris's face about to burst into tears, Pamela gives me a look, urging me to reconsider.
"Hey, surely you don't think such a cold rejection is proper etiquette. How can you treat a person like that…"
"…I'm truly sorry, but I…"
"Please…"
As I tried to refuse again, Iris whispered even more urgently, now lightly grasping my hand.
I'm not sure how I should be handling this situation.
If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02
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