Marisan had been searching for her prey since morning using only her gaze.
According to the reports, Noie von Draguknight was said to obey her husband Argusta’s orders with absolute submission. In other words, 「To shoot the general, first shoot the horse.」
However… the man who appeared at the ceremony venue kept rubbing his sleepy eyes, and his attitude was so lax that his older brother standing beside him scolded him openly.
『He shows no interest in advancement and spends his days working leisurely and relaxed with his subordinates.』
The report appeared to be entirely accurate. He truly radiated not even a fragment of motivation.
For someone like that to have clashed with Hartzen, perhaps the minister was simply that detestable.
She thought to greet him, but he slipped away into the crowd and vanished.
Marisan let out a soft sigh and reset her mindset.
Since he was assigned to serve as her host during her stay, there would be plenty of opportunities to speak with him.
And so the scene shifted to the ballroom.
-0-
Her dress, based in black… well, it was her signature color, so she had no choice but to accept it.
Marisan remained surrounded by the upper nobility of Univance, continuing to chat lightly.
The man she had specifically requested as her escort should be arriving soon, accompanied by his wife.
Still, the expressions of those participating were unmistakably sour.
The dragon slayer’s skill and popularity could be called unrivaled in the Kingdom of Univance.
Those who stand out tend to be resented… it is a problem that arises in every nation.
(Could I perhaps turn that into a line of flattery?)
While engaging in trivial conversation, her mind raced swiftly through possibilities.
「Onee-sama… personally, I’d rather just greet and～」
「Quiet. Just come along.」
A pair of sisters who looked remarkably alike gave light nods as they passed by.
It was a common sight at gatherings of high society.
The young ones never understood the value of making their faces and names known in a place like this.
(The framework of the world remains unchanged no matter where… and the gaps only continue to widen.)
Though exasperated, Marisan waited patiently.
-0-
「Yes. Noie.」
「……」
I step down from the carriage first and offer my hand to help her descend.
Normally it would be the other way around… but today we are attending as the head couple of the Draguknight family. Manners and etiquette take precedence.
I know there are people who find Noie’s appearance distasteful, given how disliked she tends to be.
Even so, I refuse to let my wife be relegated to some forgotten corner of the ballroom like a mere decoration.
I ordered the maids to spare no expense in preparing her.
She is dressed to outshine even the guest of honor, the witch of the Republic.
The moment she steps out of the carriage and reveals herself, the air around us shifts completely.
Knowing the other side would come in black, we chose the opposing color.
Silver-white, the exact shade of Noie’s hair.
Silver shoes. A silver-white dress paired with elbow-length gloves. Her hair flows down her back, adorned with jeweled ornaments.
Noie stands before them in full battle-ready splendor, far more intense than even at our wedding.
Every man in the room has his eyes glued to her.
Ahaha. My pride is soaring right now!
「Shall we go, Noie?」
「Yes.」
Instead of taking my hand, she slips her arm through my elbow…
Damn it. How can someone be this beautiful?
-0-
From the entrance of the venue, a ripple of murmurs reaches Marisan, and she naturally turns her gaze in that direction.
『Is there another guest of honor besides me?』
According to the information she has, the king’s second son’s fiancée has arrived in the capital.
Her attendance tonight had been uncertain… but perhaps he brought her after all?
If so, she would need to prepare congratulatory gifts and words on short notice.
Gifts could be managed easily enough, but the words… Marisan exhaled inwardly.
If this was the treatment she received after he spent the entire meeting staring at her chest, she would have no choice but to rethink her wardrobe starting tomorrow.
A little subtle revenge would be perfectly justified.
Then she spotted the second son being scolded by a woman who appeared to be his younger sister.
It looked like she was reprimanding him for attire inappropriate to the occasion.
So then who…?
The answer arrived quietly from beyond the open doors.
(Snow.)
That was Marisan’s first impression.
Pure, pristine snow. The word “pure white” fit her perfectly… yet she was a married woman.
The dragon slayer Univance prided itself on had appeared, clad entirely in silver-white.
-0-
Mm. She has completely taken over the room. And she’s utterly oblivious to the atmosphere.
The king on his throne shakes his head wearily.
Handsome oniichan nearby is desperately restraining the overly excited Camille.
Please, just keep holding her down like that.
Then the Muscle Prince approaches.
「Argusta.」
「Yes?」
「……You really went all out, huh?」
The idiot who uttered such rude words is promptly struck from behind by Frea-san and carried away.
Krea wears a dreamy, melting smile, but in a way that’s perfectly normal for her.
Today’s Noie is only modestly enhanced, just enough.
It is a small consideration so that those who judge by breast size will have something positive to say.
The maids did an excellent job.
This favor will surely be repaid in the form of sweets.
Accompanied by Noie, who walks with quiet grace, I head toward the witch, the envoy from the Republic.
Honestly, I don’t want to go.
I really, seriously don’t.
Something is warning me… trouble is coming.
「Pleased to meet you, Lord and Lady Draguknight.」
「Pleased to meet you, Marisan-sama.」
We exchange greetings and quietly size each other up.
As expected, her attire is based in black.
The bold open neckline somehow manages not to look vulgar, impressive.
But Noie is no less impressive.
Today we made her noticeably larger than usual.
The witch gazes at us… then lets out a soft chuckle and takes one step closer.
「Argusta-sama.」
「Yes?」
「If it is not too much trouble… would you consider giving Noie-sama to me?」
「……」
Is this some kind of running joke in the Republic?
That is genuinely rude!
Giggling quietly, she takes yet another step forward.
「If you would be so kind as to hand her over… then I would come to Univance myself.」
「Huh?」
What did she just say?
She laughs again and turns that suspicious, alluring gaze toward me.
「If you would grant her to me… I am saying I would defect to this country.」
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