High Society.
It’s a term that refers to the gathering of upper-class people like royals and nobles for social interaction. In the real world, high society feels like a community exclusive to the upper class.
Though it varies by country, high society is somewhat akin to a marriage market for women. Debuting in high society is the basic route to meeting men of similar rank and getting married.
However, in romance fantasy—commonly known as “rophan”—high society differs significantly from reality. Given the nature leaning towards female audiences, there’s hardly a portrayal of high society that keeps to real-world accuracy in rophan.
Who would want to read a work where high society is simply depicted as a marriage market with a female protagonist? Consequently, high society in rophan holds even greater importance than its real-world counterpart.
It’s a place where discussions about governance and policies arise, making it the most crucial venue for socializing in rophan.
Knock, knock.
If you’re wondering why I’m discussing this dull subject, it’s because I’m currently participating in high society.
Adele is still getting ready, so I’m the one who entered the banquet hall first.
‘..Still awkward.’
Despite being called a social gathering, it’s more like a group of beasts hiding behind masks, biting at each other while doling out compliments.
Even after being in high society for over eight years, the unique atmosphere of the upper class still makes me uneasy.
Thinking this, I lean against the balcony railing and gaze at the night sky. The stars sparkle uniquely, creating a beautiful sight.
“You’re here again today?”
At the sound of a voice behind me, I turn around to see a blonde woman in a white dress. Her golden eyes shine like treasures, and her skin is as smooth as porcelain, with long eyelashes that flutter.
“…I see the Empire’s little star.”
“Well… I told you, there’s no need for you to say such things.”
“I’m merely extending a greeting as a citizen of the Empire.”
At my words, she responded with an amused tone.
“That’s quite interesting. It’s not often that someone who dislikes the royal family more than anyone else says such things in front of a princess.”
“…What brings you here?”
“Do we need a reason to meet?”
“Isn’t that the case?”
At my question, the princess chuckled softly.
“I suppose you’re right; I have no rebuttal.”
Aria von Shpenheim.
The only princess of the Empire of Arye and the only person in high society who I can somewhat relate to. More importantly, she’s the only royal who helps me in my quest to dismantle the royal family.
“What were you thinking when you got engaged to her?”
“Are you referring to Countess Este?”
“Yes. I figured you must have had a reason for it… You didn’t simply get engaged to target Este’s family, did you?”
“Of course not.”
She looked at me, tilting her head slightly.
“You wouldn’t announce an engagement just for love…”
“I needed her.”
“…You mean Adele? The notorious wicked Adele von Este?”
At my words, Aria stared at me in disbelief. It’s understandable; if someone knows nothing about Adele, they would react that way.
Outwardly, she’s known as a vile person, but for me, she holds a different significance.
“Yes. She is the key that will be the cornerstone of my plan.”
At my words, Aria shook her head in confusion and opened her mouth.
“Every time I meet you, I find it hard to grasp your thinking.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
With my joking tone, she sighed, appearing weary.
“I have one question to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Is everything going according to your plan so far?”
“At least for now, yes.”
“…Alright. Then let me tell you, I might not be able to provide information about the royal family for a while.”
“…What do you mean?”
The only situation where the princess finds it difficult to provide information is when the royal family is moving to take someone down.
As if reading my thoughts, she nodded and said.
“Yes. The royal family has started to take action. They’re looking to catch the crow.”
“…Thank you for the information.”
“It’s nothing. It’s natural for people with the same goals to cooperate.”
“I see.”
“I’m off now.”
“Yes. Goodbye.”
Once the princess’s figure completely disappeared, I rested my chin on my hand, deep in thought. Today is the day when my engagement to Adele Este will be announced. The royal family’s movements coinciding with this time might be a kind of warning directed at me.
I have no intention of re-summoning the crow. After all, the crow was an organization created specifically for bait.
While lost in thought, a familiar design of a carriage entered through the main gate.
‘…I should go.’
It seems Adele has arrived.
As I adjusted my white gloves, I left the banquet. I placed my glass of wine on an unattended table.
I felt the gazes of a few people, but they quickly vanished. They know I dislike such gatherings and wouldn’t approach.
I walked towards the carriage at the main gate.
Standing before the carriage, I extended my right hand as soon as the door opened.
“Let’s go, Adele.”
“Yes.”
Adele naturally took my right hand, as if accustomed to my actions.
Holding my hand, Adele stepped out of the carriage, as if she were tense, taking a deep breath. It’s understandable she would feel nervous; this attendance could be her last opportunity.
Although there is infinite repetition, the fact that save points are random makes it hard to be at ease. If a save point is created after a failed moment, there would be no turning back.
“Are you feeling nervous?”
“…Yes.”
Usually, she would boast about not feeling nervous, but it seems she’s genuinely anxious.
“I wonder if this is indeed the Adele that becomes the heartless psychopath in the original?” I thought, stifling a laugh at her trembling demeanor.
“Please extend your hand.”
At my words, Adele hesitantly reached out. I pulled out a candy from my pocket and placed it in her hand.
“What is this?”
“It’s peppermint candy.”
The white candy adorned with red stripes is a type of mint candy made through magical processing. Adele unwrapped the candy I handed her and popped it into her mouth.
“How is it?”
“…It definitely calms me down. How did you…”
She gazed at me in wonder, her eyes sparkling. In this world, the candy serves a similar function to a calming pill. Though it’s quite expensive due to magical processing, it’s not prohibitively costly for me.
“That’s what the candy is made for.”
“…Thank you.”
“I’m glad it helps.”
I said that and escorted Adele into the banquet hall. The moment we entered, the previously lively atmosphere went cold, as if someone had thrown cold water over the gathering.
How long did the silence last? Before long, the hall was filled with murmurs. Looking at their expressions, it didn’t seem to be good news.
Perhaps they’re gossiping about Adele. While pondering this, a man approached us.
With shiny golden hair and golden eyes, his looks were so handsome that there was nothing else to say. His thick golden eyebrows contorted, appearing somewhat displeased.
“Countess Este.”
The Crown Prince, Leo von Shpenheim, approached Adele. Adele and I bowed our heads slightly in greeting.
““I see the Empire’s little star.””
“How did an uninvited lady end up here?”
His rude demeanor, disregarding our greeting, was enough to crack my poker face slightly. No matter how much of a prince he is, being rude in front of a duke like myself isn’t acceptable.
If the Emperor were here, he might’ve clicked his tongue at such behavior. As I thought this, Adele replied to him calmly.
“You seem to be mistaken. I’m attending here today solely as Abel’s fiancée.”
Yet, the slight tremor in her voice couldn’t be concealed. Is she really still afraid?
Well, in the original story, most of the reasons she ends up dead in the early stages are because of the Crown Prince. It’s only natural.
“Is that true?”
To my bemusement, Leo questioned me.
“It is,” I replied with a slight smile.
Perhaps my smile displeased him. Leo’s face twisted in a grimace as he looked at Adele and threw a remark.
“I see you’ve forgotten the disgrace from before. Now that your engagement with me is broken, you’re engaged to the duke?”
“Who knows.”
As she mumbled that with gritted teeth, he hastily continued pressing her.
“So? What’s the reason for returning to high society using Duke Hardenberg? You aren’t planning on harassing Estelle again, are you?”
‘…What a sight.’
Estelle von Louis. The original heroine recognized by Adele and the one whom the Crown Prince is smitten with. They say he fell for her because of her virtuous character and beauty, but honestly, I’m not interested in that.
What matters is that here, in this public setting, he casually spat out Estelle von Louis’s name, directly scoffing at Adele, the duke’s fiancée.
If he had an ounce of sense, he would’ve known that’s not something to say in this setting.
This is the problem with male leads in romance fantasy. It’s as if they have a right to blurt out anything without thinking!
As I mulled over that, I moved to intercept the approaching Leo with my hand.
“That’s enough, Your Highness.”
“What?”
“There are people’s gazes here. I’d like to remind you that acting recklessly isn’t wise.”
At my words, he finally seemed to notice the gazes around us and grimaced, then said to Adele.
“…Remember this. This isn’t the end.”
With that, he vanished from our view. Once Leo was completely gone, I let out a sigh and muttered.
“What a fool.”
“…What?”
“Nothing.”
To Adele’s question, I answered nonchalantly as if nothing happened. After all, no one else heard that but her, so it shouldn’t matter.
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