Chapter 3: 3
The day of the court ball arrived.
Alice wore a light blue dress suitable for early summer, paired with a pearl necklace, and had her hair styled up.
Even for Alice, who was treated like air, a maid was assigned to help her prepare on such occasions.
Her father and stepmother cared about appearances, so Alice could dress in a manner befitting a count’s daughter.
Before dusk, Aylmer arrived to pick her up, dressed in black formal attire.
His hair neatly arranged for the evening social scene, and his sparkling smile were wonderful.
In such outfit, he looked more mature than usual.
“Good evening… my fiancée.”
He deliberately stepped down from the carriage and theatrically offered his hand, like a prince. Alice felt dreamy as she took his escort and boarded the marquess’s carriage.
“That dress suits you incredibly well… You’re truly beautiful…”
“Ah… thank you… You look wonderful too, Aylmer.”
If the wedding postponement meant continuing lover-like interactions, it might not be so bad.
Alice had started thinking positively in that way.
Perhaps because their engagement was formed when Aylmer was fifteen and Alice fourteen, still not fully adults, he hardly did anything lover-like.
Gentlemanly escorts, anniversary gifts, and kisses on the back of the hand as greetings… that was about it.
(The marriage is postponed, but at least wanting to advance a bit in those areas… is that selfish of me…?)
It was precisely because it was a night of an adult social event, the ball, that Alice found herself hoping.
The hall in the court was already filled with people and bustling.
Until the dancing began, they spent time greeting acquaintances and friends.
When the orchestra members appeared, and the ball was about to start…
(Aylmer… what’s wrong? He’s been like this for a while?)
Alice noticed Aylmer restlessly moving his gaze around.
As if he was searching for something.
“…Do you have a meeting with someone?”
When she asked, Aylmer made a slightly troubled face.
“Ah, yes. I was hoping to talk with Count Thornwick, who has a territory famous for cotton production…”
“You wanted to discuss business matters?”
Nowadays, nobles didn’t live solely on taxes from their territories.
Managing assets and engaging in various businesses had become commonplace. Alice had heard that Aylmer was starting a sewing factory management.
He was probably trying to deepen ties with Count Thornwick for that reason.
“I’ve conveyed through an acquaintance that I’m interested in cotton… But with so many people, it’s hard to run into him. It wasn’t a firm appointment anyway, so don’t mind it.”
Tonight was the ball Alice had been looking forward to.
But a social venue wasn’t just for fun.
Nobles used these opportunities to exchange information, build connections, and fight to prosper their houses.
In that case, she wanted to respect Aylmer’s desire to talk business.
“Then, shall we dance one song and then search together?”
At the beginning of the ball, people gathered in the center of the venue, and even those not dancing paid attention there, making it unsuitable for searching.
So, they could dance just one song for now, and afterward prioritize what Aylmer wanted for the marquess house’s business.
“Sorry… I was planning to devote myself entirely to you tonight…”
Perhaps as an apology for postponing the marriage.
Just him being considerate like that was enough to fill Alice’s heart.
“You’re such a one, Aylmer. I respect you for handling both your duties as the marquess head and your knight order tasks, and I want to help…”
“Ah… I’m glad Alice is my fiancée!”
They held hands and joined the circle of those waiting for the dance to begin.
Soon, the first piece was played.
Tonight’s dancing might end up being just one song. That was why Alice decided to enjoy this time to the fullest.
(Lately, maybe because he’s been working hard for the enlistment exam? … Somehow, his lead feels stronger than before.)
She suddenly felt embarrassed.
Then, when Aylmer smiled and gazed at her, Alice’s face grew even redder, falling into a vicious cycle.
And just like that, the song ended quickly.
As promised, Alice and Aylmer left the dance circle, and afterward searched for the person.
But unfortunately, they didn’t encounter anyone who seemed to be Count Thornwick.
“I heard he was attending tonight, but perhaps something came up. Let’s give up.”
“It’s unfortunate, but there will be other opportunities.”
“Yes…”
After that, Aylmer was called by friends of the same generation and left Alice’s side.
When attending balls, usually after dancing two or three songs, the same pattern occurred, so she cheerfully saw him off, and Alice joined the circle of ladies chatting.
Fortunately, she hadn’t told the ladies a specific wedding date, so she avoided talking about the postponement.
She continued the conversation enjoyably, but eventually, the ladies’ fiancés came to pick them up one by one, and her chatting partners disappeared.
Tired from talking, her throat was dry.
She headed toward the table set up for food and drinks to get something.
On the way, a noblewoman in her thirties called out to her.
The lady was with a gentleman of similar age, likely her husband.
“Excuse me, but are you Lady Alice Vermilion?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Ah, good. I am Levy Thornwick.”
“Oh! You are Countess Thornwick. It’s an honor to meet you.”
That name was one she had just heard from Aylmer earlier.
“I was hoping to greet your fiancé, Marquess Moonfield…”
Aylmer had said, “I’ve conveyed through an acquaintance that I’m interested in cotton.”
The Thornwick count couple also had interest in the business and were searching for Aylmer but couldn’t find him, so they approached Alice instead.
“He’ll be delighted. He’s probably with close friends. Shall we go greet him later?”
When Alice proposed that, the count opened his mouth with an apologetic expression.
“No, that won’t be necessary. If the marquess is spending time with friends, we can’t intrude. And since the venue is large, we might miss each other again.”
“That’s true… Then, may I send a letter to the count separately?”
“That would be appreciated. Please do.”
“Yes, understood.”
After that, Alice exchanged a few more words with the Thornwick count couple before leaving their side.
With this, she had at least fulfilled her role as Aylmer’s fiancée.
(But just to be sure, I should tell Aylmer that Count Thornwick is at the venue…)
She had an idea where he might be.
Though Aylmer was already an accomplished marquess, he was still nineteen, so he preferred relaxing with unmarried friends.
When he left her side, he was probably with those friends.
(Probably around the eastern gazebo in the garden. I should go inform him.)
She felt reluctant to interrupt a gathering of only men, but it wasn’t good to arbitrarily deprive him of the chance to talk with his target.
Thinking that, Alice slipped out of the ballroom alone and headed toward the garden.
(In truth… they often have pretty vulgar talks, so I don’t want to go…)
They casually appraised women or listed complaints about their fiancées.
The same could be said for women’s gatherings, so it might be mutual…
Just approaching the gazebo, she could tell young men were enjoying loud conversation.
Since they drank alcohol and voices grew louder, unable to hide, Alice knew what conversations happened in men-only gatherings.
Most importantly, Aylmer, who cherished his fiancée, was probably just listening and wouldn’t say bad things about Alice.
“In six months, I’ll become a full knight! Finally, I can get closer to the Sword Princess.”
Aylmer’s unusually cheerful voice echoed.