Fiancee Be Chosen By The Ring - CHAPTER 22

(It’s much worse than I thought it would be!)

Aurora shouted in her head.

Time was getting late in the evening and the sun was finally setting. They are in the villa owned by the House of Loomis’, with the heat of the day easing up, the pleasant cool breeze blows in through the large open windows.

The villa owned by the House of Loomis, an influential House from the faction of the new royal family, was an imperial villa that was told to be a gift from the king several generations ago and is said to be used as a guest house. It is a dazzling luxurious building that once welcome the royalty, and inside the hall where the evening party is being held is a magnificent room with large windows and glasses which seemed to be quite excessive.

The light that overflows akin to stardust from the starry chandelier blurs out the shadows of each guests that’s passing by through the hall looked like sunbeams. The orchestra is top-notch, the conductor is a well-known musician, and the violinist is the most sought out man in the royal capital. Women dresses reflected on the polished parquet floor which is quite natural since this is the forefront of fashion, and the enthusiasm of the guests for this evening party was discernible. The grandness was comparable to that of the Duke’s evening party.

Had this been one of the usual evening parties, Aurora would have spent her time here gazing at the embroideries on the dresses without being bored from the start to the end of the party. Today, however, that wasn’t the case.

(I underestimated your self-confession that you’re not good at socializing!)

「I never thought I’d see the young lion of the House of Clavis at the evening party!」

「Thank you.」

「Were you invited by the young master of Loomis?」

「Yes.」

(Lord Clavis, you’ve been answering them so curtly!)

That’s right. Her partner, Felix el le Clavis is not good at socializing. She was confronted with the fact that his self-confession was not an exaggeration. Aurora wanted to hold her head and roam around if she could. This was the extent of how terrible Felix’s “Ice Knight” behavior.

The moment he stepped into the soiree, the hall was momentary silenced to the point that all even the sound of the orchestra and waiters were drowned out. The murmurs of the ladies at the sight of Aurora’s dress, however, were quickly drowned out when he gave the host a brusque, yet very brief, greeting (which earned him the glare of Yule el le Loomis next to the Marquis).

The son of an influential House of the opposing faction is here, and all the people around him are paying attention to everything he does, but the cool voice with a cool, handsome face with a cold attitude and only answers in curt words can be perceived that he’s not interested at all. He would never make eye contact with the ladies who were gazing at him with their hearts racing at his good looks that goes beyond the factions. He responds to the greetings of the elderly and higher-ups in a polite, manner, but he never strikes up a conversation, only occasionally and focuses on the glass in his right hand and his fiancé on his left arm.

I see, this certain gesture is the reason why he’s called 『cold as an ice』or 『cold like the moon』.

However, in reality, he just very shy.

(I have to do something about this… right? Oh, what a torture not to be able to spend time looking at the embroidery at such a big evening party.)

However, it would be embarrassing if things went on as they were. While desperately remembering the words from the noblemen’s almanac that was given by Marchioness Clavis, Aurora poured an unprecedented amount of magic into her earring. It was in the carriage on the way to the destination that she learned how to pour it, which is a surprise, but the earring spell was excellent, and it responded properly to Aurora’s slight magical power and succeeded in delivering Aurora’s voice to Felix’s ear.

『That’s not Lord Cla―Felix! I am certain that person is Earl Reich! From the Reich territory famous for their western wine!』

『Oh… So that’s him…』

(Don’t give me that!)

She covered her mouth with a fan and whispered in a very small voice. She never thought she’d use an earring that was supposed to be an emergency communication device like this. However, it seems that Felix, who received Aurora’s words, can’t think of a way to put them into words somehow. If she left this to this man, the evening party would probably end without any conversation being made.

(Is that it, we’ve been so intimate before… what the heck, he’s even more shy than I imagined!)

Aurora was impatient under the shadow of her fan. As she recalled, the evening party where they have met was hosted by his sister (Duchess Luna Mare). Even after that, the only time she saw him was at each other’s homes and workplaces. She was sure he’s not as bad at socializing as he says he was. That was what had Aurora thoughts but perhaps it was just that his shyness subsided at the places he used to go on a daily basis.

(At this rate, they will only have an impression of Clavis-sama’s appearance. It’s not like there’s a problem with how lovey-dovey we are. And despite my effort in making such a dress, they might remember I was here. Were that annoying young lord of the House of Loomis say,『Oh, so you’re here?』 I’m going to prick you with a needle!―and if Lady Luna Mare finds out about how we did here later, she’s going to hound at me! There’s no choice but to do something about it!)

Aurora prepared herself for the worst. She’d like to see the embroideries on the dress here up close since she hadn’t seen them since her debut last 2 years ago. But she can’t be doing the same thing as the other ladies who always stepped back of their lords and smiling.

(That’s right, I didn’t sign up as a breakwater when I accepted the engagement!)

「Perhaps, this wine is from the Reich’s?」

「Hmm?」

He was a man around the age of 40 with light brown hair, have a beard and pair of eyes of the same color, he gazed back at Felix as if to ask about her. Felix got the cue, and so he placed an arm around Aurora’s, drawing her closer to him then introduced her.

「This is my fiancée, Lady Aurora from the House of Porta, Earl Reich.」

「Ah, so you’re the daughter of the frontier Earl? I’ve been hearing rumors of your engagement.」

「I’m pleased to meet you, Count Reich. I’ve just come of age and I don’t know much about drinks, so it slipped from my mouth. Please forgive my impudence.」

「That’s nothing to apologize for! I’m surprised you noticed it. Indeed, today’s red and white are, I’m afraid, from our Reich wineries. 」

The quality of Reich wines is not only famous within the faction but also across the countries. The name of the wine is known even in Ma Mère, a seaside country called the country of food and fashion.[1] Since they’re from a different faction, they are not often served at the evening parties hosted by the old royal family, however they are served at the House of Porta because Aurora’s father likes it and so, despite the fact that she rarely drinks wine, Aurora knew the wine’s reputation. After showing a friendly smile to Earl Reich who nodded in high spirits, Aurora looked back to her fiancée.

「Is that so？ Lord Cla-Felix, isn’t it delicious?」

「……Ah… Ah, it’s as one would expect from Lord Reich’s wine.」

「Thank you very much. Which wine do you prefer Lord Clavis, red or white?」

「Meats pair well with red wine while fish goes well with white wine, but I think white wine is better to drink when having a talk.」[2]

「Ah, I have recently developed a sparkling white wine. Do drink it by all means. I suppose you’re on duty today but if you could…」

It was probably a good thing that I appealed to him with my eyes, telling him to say something, since I had set this up. It’s a good thing that you’re able to get a good idea of what you’re doing. Delighted that he was finally able to have a conversation, Aurora exhaled deeply behind her fan.

…Is it okay at this pace?

T/L: Hi guys! I hope you’re staying home just like me! I haven’t updated a single chapter last month because… I was actually procrastinating… Also, since being sick is such a grave sin this year, I hope you’re staying healthy in your houses.

Ma mère (マ・メール)
There might be some inconsistency with the characters names, my bad.