I gulped in a large breath and resolved myself. I opened my mouth.

“I, I cannot marry you, your Highness!!”

The passing silence was painful.

　Unable to endure it I looked down, and while staring this direction the Crown Prince did not say anything for a while.

“……Can I hear the reason?”

　Hearing the calm voice, I lifted my face.

　The Crown Prince continued to look this way with a smiling expression.

　……This, could it work?

　While raising a fist in my mind, I firmly nodded.

　Turning towards the Crown Prince, I slid onto my knees in apology.

“First of all, my Father knows nothing of this matter. Speaking about this with your Highness is my first. This may be selfish of me to ask, but please don’t hold my Father in contempt for this. ……If something happens, then I will bear all responsibilities.”

　This situation was completely due to my selfishness. If possible, I didn’t want to give any trouble to my Father. He was that kind of person, but he truly cared for me.

　If I had to bear the responsibility then I will carry anything.

　Having appealed directly to the Crown Prince like this, I had to have at least this much determination.

　Staring at the Crown Prince with determination in my eyes, he slightly nodded.

“It’s an exaggerated talk, but so be it. From henceforth, this conversation shall be kept between you and I.”

“Thank you very much.”

“And? Saying you can’t marry, what do you mean?”

　I felt grateful towards the Crown Prince who had taken an earnest posture to listen.

　As according to rumors, he was a good person, and in the depths of my heart, I felt slightly regretful that it had come to this.

　……Even so, I didn’t have one thought of wanting marry him.

　Polygamy, that laid everything to waste.

“It’s a little embarrassing, but I do not possess the qualification to marry your Highness.”

“Qualification? You are the daughter of the foremost Duke, our ages are suitable and you’re beautiful. Above all, I desire you. I don’t believe there are any problems to be had, though?”

　……Saying he wanted a woman who he’d never even met, he speaks well.

　Really, what about me has pleased you so?

“You jest, Highness. I do not possess such value. It’s inexcusable towards your Highness, but I……that is……”

　It was extremely difficult to say.

　But the Crown Prince sensed what I had wanted to say.

“……Perhaps, you are no longer a maiden. Is that what you’re saying?”

　The Crown Prince had pointed out what I couldn’t say, and with relief I nodded.

“Yes. I’m very sorry, but truly I had thought to take the opportunity of when my Father came home and discuss this matter with him. Even though I do not have the qualification to marry your Highness, to name myself in front of you was my error. Really, it can’t be pardoned. I will receive any punishment.”

　Dispirited and I cast my eyes downwards, and “that was close”……I heard a voice saying such things.

　Did I mishear? Thinking that, I raised my face and the Crown Prince made a declaration where objection would not be permitted with a smile.

________________________________

……This is bad.

I completely forgot about my important objective.

Considerable time has passed since the ball began. Did that person come?

Or perhaps, did he already slip out with his target?

I broke into cold sweat. Crap. I failed right at the start.

I shouldn’t have gone to the sweets corner.

Since my past life, I’ve always had a weakness for sweet things and delicious things.

The sweets of this world were quite excellent, and there was no way I would let this all-you-can-eat opportunity slip by.

But since I lost sight of my important goal, there was no point.

I wonder if I will still make it in time if I start now.

In a hurry I began to head towards the dance hall, but from behind a quiet voice sounded, making me stop from reflex.

“Milady.”

Being called, I stopped my legs and turned around.

At such a busy time I wonder who dared irritatedly in my head, but the moment I turned around I was pierced with an intense gaze as deep as the oceans, and those thoughts were blown away.

……A beauty was standing there.

It was a cheap representation, but there was no choice but to phrase it that way.

Although covered by a mask it was easy to tell his face was finely featured. His gently wavy hair was black. His stature was tall enough I had to raise my eyes, and his proportions came off as a well trained physique. I was completely fascinated by his refined demeanor.

Understandable at a glance. The man who called out to me was cloaked in an keen atmosphere that was different from anyone else, and he stood in that place.

As if piercing in my direction, his eyes entwined me. I stopped caring one bit about not knowing his face.

As soon as that man appeared, we were in a situation he completely stole and pinned down the gazes from our surroundings.

Even myself, I forgot about my motive for a moment and was simply charmed in blank amazement.

So it’s you–!

I quickly returned to myself.

There was no mistake. The man Marianne had spoken about was definitely this guy.

He was just as I had heard. Certainly I had understood at a glance.

I thought that I would have to search for him to call him out, but to have the other party call out to me instead could be said to be lucky.

Now, to successfully claim him. Failure was not permitted.

I had no choice but to proceed with caution.

“Do you have business with me?”

While inclining my neck, I produced a perplexed voice.

Although in the depths of my heart, I was yelling”Alright! It’s come–!! “, I did not forget about the propriety of a girl from a Duke’s household that had been crammed into me.

To leave behind a good impression as possible I conducted myself in a graceful manner and returned his words.

Without knowing my inner voice, the man who called out to me expressed an amiable smile and courteously bent at his waist.

The golden mask he wore reflected the light of the chandelier and glittered.

“Yes, with you. Good evening, milady. I believe this is the first time I’ve seen you, but have you attended here much?”

“Good evening. It’s a pleasure to meet you. As you’ve said, tonight is my first at this Masquerade Ball. I wasn’t familiar with the etiquette, so I escaped to over here. But to know that it was my first time here, you must know a lot. Have I done anything ill-mannered?”

Although I emitted a uneasy voice, I was entirely unconcerned that I would commit such foolishness.

I wasn’t a Duke’s daughter for 18 years just for show.

……Still, as expected of the rumored womanizer.

Even though he didn’t know my face, he was able to tell I was a first time participant.

If he said that he was able to differentiate by my figure, no matter how much of an ikemen he was I would draw back.

After thinking that, the man widely shook his head in a grandiose manner.

“Ill-mannered, nothing of the sort. Your manners are perfect. Not that, but it is my first time witnessing someone of your caliber of beauty.”

Taking my hand, he dropped a kiss to it. Knowing that was manners I let it pass, but without thinking chills ran up my spine. This man’s sex appeal wasn’t half-baked.

“……You’re skilled. I’m wearing such a mask, you shouldn’t be able to tell if I’m beautiful or ugly.”

“Even so. Your exuding elegance and your behavior told me that you were a very beautiful woman.”

U-wah-. So- cringe- worthy!!

This is no good, yep. This conversation between nobles giving face was making my whole body break out in gooseflesh.

These types of conversations were also one of the reasons why I didn’t like appearing at evening parties.

When I felt as if someone wanted to call out to me before I would always run away immediately, but just for tonight this was an unavoidable circumstance.

While continuing the meaningless conversation, inside my head I only thought about what I should do.

I wonder when he will hurry and end this unimportant conversation and move onto the real question at hand.

“……And? I wonder if it’s fine for me to ask the reason why you called out to me.”

I’m sorry. My patience ran out.

No matter how long I waited for him to get to the real matter, after running out of numbness and speaking those words, he seemed a little surprised and loosened his lips.

At the same time his aura changed from a sharp cleverness to a relaxed and gentle manner.

“Fufu, you’re a hasty person. I was thinking that I wanted to know you a little more in detail, is all. I have no other objective than that.”

“Really?”

Finally managing to come to the point where I’ve indirectly invited him in a roundabout manner, even so I was still more or less a noble girl so I showed suspicion once.

My real opinion was that I didn’t give a damn, so hurry up and eat me……No, please eat me.

Actually, his overly polite tone had changed. Was it because my side invited him first?

If he had continued with that shiver inducing speech, I don’t think I would have been able to compose myself and have sex with him, so honestly it was a relief.

Using an informal tone, he happily continued the conversation.

“How harsh. Are you doubting me? I really just wanted to get to know you…… Actually just before, I arranged a room to rest in. If it’s fine with you, would you like to continue the conversation there?”

This time a more direct invitation came.

Al-right, alright!!

It would’ve been better if you said that sooner.

I mustn’t let this chance past me by. I had to strike when the iron was still hot.

While acting as cutely as possible, I gave a small nod.

“……Indeed. I was also just thinking that I would like to get to know you better.”

Will you allow me to accompany you?

Through my mask I replied with upturned eyes, but for some reason he was left speechless.

Afterwards wondering if he had saw me, he laughed in heartily.

“!?”

In a moment, I felt something bursting.

As if establishing my aim to a carnivore, I felt a sense of dread.

But in a moment I passed it away.

Unable to determine what happened, I blinked with surprise.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-no, it’s nothing.”

He inquired my frozen self, but there was no way I would answer. I don’t even know what happened.

Treating what just happened as my imagination, now I didn’t feel anything.

Somewhat unable to comprehend and tilting my head, while still laughing he wrapped an arm around my waist and prompted me to walk.

Of course it was a welcome development, so I stayed silent and followed along.

I disregarded the feeling I got earlier as part of my imagination.

Later I would be regretting that I had not learned one bit about the『Courting Etiquette between Men and Women,』but for now I still had no idea.