Capítulo 22: To Dance

"Pleasant evening, Prince Elysion. I hope you enjoy the party."

"I also hope so."

'But, why is Frederica coming to greet me alone...'

I quickly looked around, but Chris is nowhere to be found.

I'd like to be relieved about that, but leaving his fiancée behind to wonder where he went isn't great either.

"By the way, thank you for inviting me today. This is..."

"Lady Serena, welcome." Before I could introduce Rena, Fredercia greeted her.

"Thank you for having me."

The two exchanged smiles.

Well, both being duke's daughter, it's not surprising they know each other. They probably even sent invitations to each other.

"By the way... have you two become engaged?"

"Yes. Thanks to King Evial, I was able to be engaged to such a wonderful person as my Ely."

"Then, congratulations, Lady Serena."

With a hand on her chest, Serena, with a genuinely happy smile, returned Frederica's smile.

But for a moment, Frederica's thin eyebrows twitched, and I didn't miss it.

Well, being the "incompetent wicked prince" as I'm called, I can understand the feeling of wanting to tilt your head at Serena's excessive evaluation.

'I sometimes feel like tilting my head too.'

"Now, If you excuse me, I have to leave to greet the other guests."

Frederica gracefully curtsied and moved away from us, as rena questioned the same thought I had in mind.

"...Why isn't Crown Prince Chris is by Lady Frederica's side?"

Observing Frederica as she approached other guests, Serena muttered with a slight hint of anger in her sapphire eyes.

"I don't know... But I can say this. Tonight's party, I won't leave your side even for a moment."

"Oh... Thank you very much."

Saying that, Serena's beautiful face blossomed into a smile.

In the first place, except for Serena and Frederica, whom I was invited by, and Chris, there are no acquaintances of mine in the venue.

'Huh? Wait…'

Rather, since I've already greeted Frederica, the host do I really need to be here anymore?

"U-um... I've already accomplished my goal, so if you'd like, Rena, we could go to the royal palace or..."

"Huh...?"

Although I made such a suggestion, Serena opened her eyes wide and displayed a sad expression.

'Uh, does she still want to enjoy this party...?'

"N-no, of course, if you want, we can continue to enjoy like this."

"Y-yes. It hasn't been long since the ball started."

Serena seems to want to stay here more.

Certainly, this is our first time attending a party as fiancés.

'In other words, she doesn't enjoy but rather stay with me…'

Haa... yet, here I am, leaving behind the feelings of my most important girl just because I don't want to meet the characters from "Engage Hundered times."

That's why I was a forever-alone virgin in my past life...

"Um... I'm sorry. As you know, there are many areas where I am lacking, so please point them out anytime...?"

"There's no way you have any shortcomings when you cherish and understand me so much, Ely. I am sincerely happy to be engaged to you."

Staring at my face, Serena showed a radiant smile.

Oh well, why wasn't she the main heroine when she's such a wonderful woman? Or rather, why can Elysion in "Engage Hundered times" break off the engagement with her?

'There's a limit to being an idiot.'

Just then...

"Ahh..."

The orchestra in the venue started playing.

It seems that the dance time is about to begin.

"Crown Prince Chris and Lady Frederica, right...?"

"Yes..."

It's natural for them to dance the first dance as the main characters of today, Frederica and her fiancé, Chris.

I don't know where he went, but he seems to have rejoined Frederica unnoticed.

But... as expected of the rival character and heroine of the protagonist of "Engage Hundered times." Their dancing figures were so elegant...

"Serena...?"

"Th-that's right..."

Tugging at the hem of my coat, Serena turned bright red from her ears. 'Wait, isn't this unfair? How can someone resist cuteness like this!!'

Of course, I know what she's asking for, but the problem is that I, including Elysion before regaining his memories from his previous life, have never danced properly or even learned it.

In other words, this is an event to lower Serena's favorability. What should I do?

However, her eyes looking up at me are filled with love, and there is absolutely no atmosphere to refuse the dance. I'm in trouble.

But...

"So, um, embarrassingly, I've never danced at a party, and I've never seriously learned it at the palace... But! Even though I'm like this, I want to dance with you. S-so, will you dance with me...?"

Even though I've only danced the at a middle school sports festival, what am I so confident about?

'I might end up embarrassing Rena.'

Still, I felt that I should invite her to dance... No, that's not it. I wanted to invite her.

I cautiously gauged Serena's reaction.

"I will lead, so please don't worry, Prince Ely."

Blushing and smiling shyly, she gently placed her small hand in mine.

Me? I was so happy, so overjoyed, that I felt like jumping up on the spot.

Because... my hopeless invitation was gladly accepted by my favorite fiancée.

"Yes! Well then, let's go!"

"Hehe... Yes!"

Overwhelmed with joy, my voice unintentionally rose, and I was breathing quite heavily.

Looking at me with a smile, she chuckled, and together, we headed towards the center of the hall, exchanging places with Chris and Frederica. But then...

"What's this..."

As if she timed it perfectly, Serena furrowed her brows while looking at the men and women heading towards the center, Vikir and Mary.

Oh well... 'Why did Vikir and Mary have to show up at the same time as us?'