「Why are you the one stuck on hospitality duty? Logically speaking, I’d be way more suitable, right?」
「If you came just to complain, then get out already. Thanks to this pointless extra job, I’m swamped!」
I suddenly got saddled with being the host, which meant my regular work piled up even more… and as a result, the mountain of paperwork since morning had multiplied several times over.
「I’m so busy I could use even a cat’s paws right now! Do you get that?」
「I mean… yeah, you’re not wrong, but are you really okay?」
「About what?」
The idiot aniki keeps staring at the spot right beside me.
Noie, in full autopilot mode, signs document after document without even glancing at the contents Krea hands her.
「Is there some problem with Captain Noie’s signing?」
「She’s not even reading them, right?」
「Compared to the royal guard commander who sends us stacks of papers without checking a single thing, there’s hardly any difference, is there?」
「……Yeah, fair point.」
Don’t just admit it! That was sarcasm!
「Besides, I already instructed Krea to let anything advantageous pass through as-is, but to send back anything disadvantageous to us. So, there’s no issue. By the way, the royal guard has been flagged as 『enemy』 too, so if they keep sending unchecked documents, they might feel some pain later.」
「You really haven’t been cute at all lately!」
「……People just get dirtier and more tainted as time goes on.」
I nod repeatedly only to get lightly bonked on the head by my idiot aniki.
Noie twitches in reaction, and the idiot swiftly makes his escape.
「Oh right, Argusta.」
「What now?」
「You’re attending tomorrow’s welcome ceremony and the following ball.」
「Only if Noie’s there.」
「……Fine, join from the ball from the start then.」
「Tch.」
No escape, huh. What a hassle.
「Don’t click your tongue so openly. She specifically requested you… and more importantly, even if her chest is a little lacking, she’s an extremely charming woman with plenty of appeal.」
「You’re in the way, Prince Halfren.」
The idiot, who had poked his head through the doorway to say something crude, grimaces in pain and vanishes.
In his place, Frea-san enters very quietly, wrapped in an aura of pure menace.
「By the way, Krea is also required to attend the ball.」
「Huh? But I’m still underage…」
「Father’s strict order. Take any chance to introduce you to high society. I’ll drag you there if I have to, so put on your best behaved-young-lady act.」
「As a greater noble, I am technically a proper young lady, you know.」
「Make absolutely sure you commit no blunders. And don’t wet your underwear.」
「Aaaah～!」
Krea breaks down, covers her ears, and crouches on the floor.
Is this about that day? Did her boyfriend stand her up or something…? Frea-san’s mood is at maximum bad.
「And Prince Halfren? Rumors are already spreading that tomorrow will be the official introduction of your fiancée. If you don’t make your stance clear… you might cause trouble even for the state guests, you know?」
「I don’t need congratulations or anything. I’ll go meet Father with these legs and settle it.」
「Please do.」
From the way he was bent forward clutching his waist, it looked like he had taken a solid kick to the groin.
As expected, Frea-san is a terrifying person.
「Arg-sama.」
「Hm?」
Noie, who had frozen mid-signature with pen still in hand, looks up at me.
Her ahoge sways slightly in a troubled way.
「The ball… are we dancing?」
「……Ah!」
This is a huge crisis!
「Frea-san?」
「Probably. Even if no brave soul dares ask the captain for a dance… in the worst case, the two of you will end up dancing together.」
「Wait, people are going to ask ‘me’ to dance?」
I never heard anything about this!
「Yes. Even though you’ve declared your intentions, Argusta-sama’s lineage and wealth are extremely attractive. Some noble daughters aiming for a single big reversal might swarm in, willing to settle for concubine status.」
She tilts her head slightly as she says it.
Ahaha. Seriously? Someone please banish those idiots from the ballroom!
「That said, since Argusta-sama is a former prince, you can refuse without issue.」
「Yes!」
「Except for one person.」
「……Who?」
「I doubt you can turn down an invitation from our guest of honor, Marisan-sama.」
Don’t dance, you witch of the republic～! Witches are supposed to toy with men in the palm of their hand! Wait, isn’t that exactly right～!
「Isn’t she a mage? So dancing and stuff…」
「Her charm isn’t limited to appearance. She possesses exceptional intellect, education, etiquette, and courtly manners across a wide range.」
「……So she can dance.」
「Rumors say she is quite skilled.」
Frea-san delivers the finishing blow with perfect calm.
-0-
「Step forward with the right foot, draw back the left. Turn your body lightly… Argusta-sama? Are you willing to learn?」
「I’m desperate! Seriously, dead serious!」
「In that case… I suppose you have zero talent.」
From Frea-san, who has volunteered to be my dance practice partner, come words that nearly bring tears to my eyes.
While watching us, Krea is lightly dancing with Inel-kun as her partner.
This is why noble daughters are～! They’ve been drilled in this stuff since childhood and now they’re showing off!
Knock knock.
「Excuse me～. Reporting on the cleanup after Lutte’s giant breasts caused chaos… Wait, what are you doing?」
「Mische!」
「Yes?」
「You’re the unfortunate one, so you’re on my side. Come on, let’s dance together and expose our pathetic forms.」
「……Argusta-sama?」
The small, flat-chested girl gazes at me with cold eyes.
No way… that can’t be!
「Even I… can dance well enough to teach others, you know?」
「You traitorous horizon chest～!」
「That brutally cutting remark was unnecessary～!」
Mische lunges at me in fury, only to be blocked by a white blur and sent flying out the window.
The figure is… Noie, who has been quietly sulking the whole time.
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