The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 76

Cedric received Artizea’s letter during a brief break in the military meeting. The servant had delivered it, so Cedric assumed it was important news. 

As he opened it, he found that it was a note explaining that, due to a sudden request, Artizea would be attending a ball with Eloise and would be unable to join him for dinner that evening.

“Heh.”

He smiled faintly, almost without thinking. Freil, who had been observing, tilted his head and asked. 

“What’s wrong? It doesn’t seem like important news.”

“It seems like the Crown Princess is up to something mischievous.”

“Pardon?”

Artizea wouldn’t have volunteered to attend an unexpected ball, and both the letter and envelope were clearly from Eloise. The paper had a distinct fragrance, which was always used for personal correspondence, so it was clear it had been written at the Princess’s residence.

In other words, it’s a letter written directly from the Crown Princess’s palace.

“Well, if it was an urgent request, she might have written it there. Isn’t your suspicion a bit much?”

“Think about it. Normally, to attend a ball, you would go home, change clothes, and then head out. The fact that she didn’t means she prepared for the event at the Crown Princess’s palace. Knowing Her Highness Eloise’s character, she wouldn’t do something like that for no reason.”

“Ah, I understand now. But I wouldn’t say for certain that the Crown Princess is up to some mischief… although, it’s not entirely impossible.”

“Right.”

Freil, who had been about to argue, hesitated and awkwardly trailed off.

“Are you going to go? I think the Crown Princess would be amused just by the fact that you’re attending. Besides, Lady Rosan is at the age when she could attend a ball on her own, right?”

Having said that, Freil flinched when he realized Cedric was staring at him intently.

At a party of some scale, dancing was naturally expected, but in gatherings where the primary purpose was dancing itself, it was usually an event where men and women mingled and had fun. 

If it was a daytime ball hosted by Countess Endar, it might be one thing, but sending a girl under eighteen to a ball at night alone made him uneasy.

Freil quickly added,

“Wouldn’t the Crown Princess be willing to act as a guardian?”

“Well, that’s true… Hmm…”

Cedric answered, and at the same time, he wrote a letter to Ansgard, informing him that he would be going out this evening, and had it sent by a messenger.

In the end, it seemed there was no choice but to go. Freil felt somewhat exasperated by the situation. The letter didn’t contain an invitation to follow,it simply stated, “I’ll be going.”

His overprotectiveness was surely the reason the Crown Princess kept teasing him.

* * *

“Lantern! Bring more lanterns, up to the front! Has there still been no reply from the Taldwin family yet?”

Viscountess Adinne was standing outside her mansion, directing the decorations while shouting commands. A servant hurriedly ran out to her.

“Madam! The necklace you asked for has arrived!”

“Quickly!”

She shouted at the servants who were hurriedly decorating with flowers and lanterns, stretching her neck out. The maid quickly draped a diamond necklace around Viscountess Adinne’s neck.

If there had been a thief today, they would have thought the timing was perfect. The most expensive necklace among the family jewels had to be worn outside in such a hurry because she was so busy.

The Crown Princess had sent word three hours ago that she would attend the ball. Although an invitation had been sent, it was only a formality, and there had been no real expectation of her attending.

Had she known even just a day earlier, Viscountess Adinne’s preparations would have been entirely different.

Even if the Crown Princess was planning to dance casually, as the hostess, Viscountess Adinne could not allow that. Of course, even if she added more decorations and made the party more lavish now, it wouldn’t change the essential nature of the ball.

This ball had originally been planned as a way to let her nieces mingle with more people. The Adinne family wasn’t particularly wealthy, and without family support, her nieces had difficulty attending social gatherings like this.

To have the Crown Princess at such a small gathering.

After hearing the news, Viscountess Adinne had received a letter within an hour that everyone who had previously decided to decline had changed their minds. Even among the high-ranking nobles who hadn’t received invitations, many were now eager to attend.

The mansion wasn’t very large, and the carriage house was even smaller. Viscountess Adinne had to quickly select guests who could arrive in time, arrange places to store the carriages, request help from the neighbors, and procure refreshments and alcohol.

This attention from high society was likely the first in decades for Viscounty Adinne. At least, it was the first time in Viscountess Adinne’s memory.

She couldn’t let this opportunity slip away. And she made sure to demonstrate her skills, ensuring no one could claim she was anything less than an excellent lady of the house.

Finally, the sun set.

The higher the social rank, the later one arrives at a ball, so evenings are typically quiet early on, but today most guests arrived early. They didn’t want to keep the Crown Princess waiting.

With a bright smile, Viscountess Adinne greeted her guests and introduced her nieces. Soft music flowed out into the garden, and well-dressed guests walked inside along the path lit by lanterns.

Eloise, Artizea, and Selenea also left early. Usually, Eloise would appear closer to midnight at such a ball, but today, she was attending for Artizea, not for herself.

Inside the carriage, Eloise smiled as she saw Artizea’s nervous face.

“There’s no need to be so tense. Just dance a little and have fun, then leave.”

“Yes.”

“You’re good at the waltz by now, right?”

“Honestly, I’m not that good.”

Artizea answered sadly. She had put in a lot of effort and managed to learn just enough to not be embarrassed in front of others, but that was all.

Eloise casually replied,

“It’s fine. Ced is a good dancer. If he had been a little more interested in having fun, he’d have been known not as the Shield of the North but as the Dancer of the North.”

“…Do you think Lord Ced will come?”

“Want to make a bet?”

“Your Highness might have ordered him to come.”

“Whether Ced follows such an order is another matter, but you can just ask him, so what’s the point?”

Eloise said in a playful tone, as the carriage passed through the front gate of Viscounty Adinne.

When the servant opened the door, Viscountess Adinne respectfully spread her skirts and bowed in greeting.

“It is an honor to have you here, Crown Princess.”

“Thank you for greeting me so warmly despite the sudden decision. This is my lady-in-waiting, Orca’s Selenea, and this is my friend, Rosan’s Artizea.”

Eloise got out of the carriage and returned the greeting. Selenea and Artizea, in turn, politely spread their skirts and bowed.

Viscountess Adinne looked at the two with bright eyes. While the Crown Princess was significant, Lady Orca and Lady Rosan were also high-ranking nobles that Viscountess Adinne rarely had the opportunity to meet.

Eloise said, cheerfully folding her fan,

“Today, I came to let Artizea know there’s a gathering where we can just dance and have fun without much thought. So, there’s no need to worry about us.”

“I hope it becomes a ball where you can enjoy yourselves.”

Eloise led the way inside in a happy mood, commenting that she had chosen a good event to attend.

It had been a carefully considered choice. Since the ball was being held by the hostess for her nieces, it wouldn’t be too extravagant, and the size was just right. The young men invited as guests were likely to be well-mannered enough for older noblewomen to welcome as relatives.

It was a traditional family, so it would maintain its dignity, and since the family wasn’t deeply involved in politics or business, few would attend simply to build connections.

“Well, then, let’s begin with the first song.”

Eloise scanned the ballroom to find a partner for Artizea, knowing she would likely become the wallflower if left alone.

Fortunately, a perfect partner soon appeared. A handsome young man with red hair and a great physique approached and greeted them.