Chapter 67
At that, the Marquisate servants lifted Bill and began dragging him outside the residence. Kasselard’s thoughts turned to what Viscount Caneze had said about bringing his daughter to the ball.
‘I heard that daughter was the one who especially tormented Ephinia!’
He also knew that she had scars on her body because of it, and that a priestess had been made to heal them. He turned to Marquis Deacon.
“I’m worried about the Baroness, so I’ll return now.”
“I will see you again after we finish dealing with him.”
Leaving Marquis Deacon behind, Kasselard hurried back toward the ballroom. When he reentered, Helena Caneze was being dragged out by the maids.
‘What is that woman?’
It was an absurd sight, but the thought crossed his mind that she might be Bill Caneze’s daughter. He quickly moved to where Ephinia had been and saw her talking with Marchioness Deacon.
“Ephinia!”
“Your Highness.”
Her golden eyes seemed to shine more brightly than before he had left. Is she happy? It was a good thing if Ephinia was in a good mood, but something felt strange. Stepping close, he immediately wrapped an arm around her shoulders and asked,
“Are you alright? I saw a lady being dragged out just now.”
“It was Miss Caneze.”
She gestured for him to lean closer, then whispered into his ear.
“She tried to hit me, but I didn’t get hit even once.”
I hit her.
Kasselard looked at Ephinia in surprise. The woman who had just been dragged out was slightly shorter than Ephinia, so it seemed possible that Ephinia could barely have the upper hand.
“Caneze tried to hit you?”
“The Baroness wasn’t struck. She hit first before the other could reach her.”
The noblewomen seemed to have enjoyed the spectacle as well. Fights involving hair-pulling were rare but not unheard of in high society, but a noble lady who rushed in, got slapped, rushed in again, got slapped again, and was then dragged away… was something none of them had seen before.
Kasselard looked stunned. Since he was present, he had thought it unnecessary and had not brought Meredith, but now he felt he should have brought her along.
Ephinia, who seemed slightly anxious after acting first, asked,
“I ended up being the only one hitting her. Will this become a problem later?”
“Not at all. She was an uninvited guest, and she was making a scene like that before being thrown out, so nothing will come of it.”
In truth, even if Helena Caneze had not caused a disturbance, it wouldn’t have become a problem. That’s just how power workeded. Even if Kasselard had not been the Crown Prince, he could have suppressed something of that level.
Seeing Ephinia relax, Kasselard let out a deep sigh and pulled her tightly into his arms. A moment of surprise appeared on her face.
“Y-Your Highness…”
“Just for a moment. I really got tense for the first time in a while…”
It wasn’t his usual flawless embrace meant for casual closeness, but one that completely enveloped her. The two were similar, but this one was at least less embarrassing.
The surrounding nobles were deliberately pretending not to notice, so Ephinia decided not to push him away. It wouldn’t make much difference now anyway.
‘And I feel good too.’
It wasn’t that she felt good because Kasselard was holding her. She felt good because she had stood up to Helena Caneze. She fought and won. It was an experience that couldn’t be compared to anything else.
“Shall we dance now? Can you dance?”
Feeling the urge to kiss her, Kasselard quickly released her and asked. Unaware of what he was feeling, Ephinia smiled brightly.
Her expression was so beautiful that Kasselard stared blankly for a moment.
“Of course. Let’s go dance!”
“Huh? Ah… yes…”
Her cheerful pull made him smile without realizing it. Kasselard felt certain that he would truly be able to enjoy this night.
* * *
Kasselard had already guessed it to some extent, but nearly everything that happened between him and Ephinia was being reported to the Empress. The Emperor had entrusted this matter to her.
Since it involved winning over a Guide’s heart, he judged the Empress more suitable than himself.
Although the Emperor had denied it, after news arrived that an S-Class Guide Imperial Princess would be coming from the Nabel Empire, his interest in Ephinia had waned.
Yekaterina knew that this news had also been delivered to Kasselard. Their son had shown no particular reaction.
‘It seems Kasselard’s heart has already leaned toward Ephinia.’
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