Vol. 3 - Ch. 105 - Katariona Attends the Royal Ball (Part 3)
The Falsely Executed Marquis’ Daughter Wants to Live Peacefully with Fluffy GodThis chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
Translator: Jpkuroneko-chan
Editor: Jpkuroneko-chan
TL: Read with caution: will make one angry, which may or may not cause a disturbance.
After fluffing Leon, Chris sighs.
"I understand. I'll cooperate with you. Rio, you must always stay by my side. If you feel anything suspicious, you should run away with me first.."
"Thank you, Chris. We can escape quickly, can’t we? Thanks to our demon master."
I heard a loud sneeze from next door, "A-chu!"
"Is that Tojurou's voice?"
"Do you think the Hinoshimas' waiting room is next door?"
As I walk over to greet them in the waiting room next door, I discovered Tojurou-san and Kikuno-sama relaxing on the sofa.
Today, both of them were wearing the formal attire of the Kingdom of Findalia, not kimonos.
"Huh. You look surprisingly good in our country's clothes, don't you?"
"Shut up"
Chris looked at Tojurou-san's formal wear from top to bottom and was impressed.
A black frock coat and pants. His hair was tied back at his neck, instead of on top of his head. I was also impressed with how well it suited him since he had a neat face, to begin with, and was tall.
"You look beautiful in your dress, Kikuno-sama."
"Thank you. Laura thought so too."
Kikuno-sama's short black hair was braided and decorated with fresh flowers. Her dress was a pale purple dress with a mermaid line. It looks exotic, but it suits her well.
"The kimono is the formal attire of the Hinoshima nation, isn't it? So why did you choose to wear Findalia's formal attire?"
"As they say when in Rome, do as the Romans do."
Tojurou-san turned his attention to Leon.
"Why does Nyanko look like a knight. Is that your sword, Yuri?"
"Only invited guests are allowed in."
I told Tojurou-san and the others what we had discussed.
"Oh, I see. All right. We'll go to Yurie's after we greet the royals."
"It's boring to be with Hikoshirou anyway."
"Oh. Well then, Kikuno, why don't you handle the negotiations for me?"
"Sure. That would be more convenient for me. After a quick round of greetings, I'll go to Yurie's office."
I wondered if they had been like this since they were children. I can't tell you how many times I've wondered if they've always been like this.
I'm used to it, but ...
When the time came, I went to the ballroom and stood in my designated position.
As the fifth in line, my family was rather high up in the pecking order.
This is how we greeted the entrance of the royalty.
Soon, the fanfare sounded aloud, announcing the entrance of the royal family.
The doors open, and all the subjects bowed in unison.
His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen walked in order, followed by the Crown Prince and Chris.
When the royals reached the throne, the Prime Minister signaled them to relieve their subjects and turn towards the throne.
"Thank you for coming today. I am pleased to welcome our newest members to adulthood. Tonight, I have arranged a small ball to celebrate their coming of age. I hope you will enjoy it."
After His Majesty the King's greeting, music began to play.
The nobles began to disperse to their respective places. Some of them danced with their partners, some of them started talking with their good friends.
My parents began their rounds of greetings, and my brother went to greet the Crown Prince.
I met up with Chris, who had come down from the royal throne. I took a drink from the waiter and moved to an empty seat.
"I wondered if my fears were unfounded. I expected that if the Prime Minister was going to act, it would be right after the start......."
"Chris, what kind of person is the Crown Prince's escort knight?"
"I believe he is the third son of the Count of Wolls. If I had to describe him in one word, I'd say he's a serious guy."
Count Wolls is the Vice Commander of the third division of the Royal Knights. Is that a military family? If so, it's not surprising that he became a knight escorting the crown prince.
I've always felt that history has changed a bit since I came back in time.
I thought that the guard knight might be someone who had returned to time with me, but my fears might be unfounded.
After chatting with Chris for a while, the road in front of us parted.
saw His Royal Highness the Crown Prince coming toward us. Behind him was Brother.
He clasped his hands together apologetically mouthing, "I'm sorry," so I nodded to signal it was alright.
"Chris, there you are. Rio, how do you do?"
"What do you want, brother? I wish you wouldn't interrupt my pleasant time with Rio."
The Crown Prince laughed at Chris's sarcasm.
The Crown Prince glanced at Leon, who was behind me and spluttered.
"Is the knight behind you Leon? It's been a while!"
The Crown Prince offered Leon a handshake.
"Long time no see, Your Highness."
Leon bowed his head in deference.
"Please stop with the formal greetings. By the way, is Leon now a personal guard for Rio?"
"Her escort knight was sick, so I'm taking his place."
That wasn't entirely false. As I never had an escort knight, to begin with.
"Oh, is that so? If I had known you were in the royal capital, I would have invited you to the ball. By the way, won't Leon be entering the Magic Academy?"
He goes there every day as a Holy Beast, though.
"No. Our family is not very well off. "
"God doesn't lie!" Leon usually insists, but isn't this a lie? How can he make up such a story so easily?
"Couldn't a relative of the Marquis de Grandeur be able to help you? And even if that's not possible, you can always get a scholarship."
"……I'll think about it"
You cut off the conversation because it became troublesome, didn’t you?
"That's right. Rio. No, Katariona-sama, would you be willing to dance with me?"
As if remembering, the crown prince asked me to dance.
The song that was playing now was about to end.
"I am not a debutante yet. I only came here today to talk to Her Royal Highness. I am not qualified to dance at the ball."
"That's all right. I have permission from Father and the Prime Minister."
Permission from the King and my uncle?
In the end, I was forcibly led to the center of the ballroom, where I am currently dancing with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
We agreed to dance only one song, so after the dance, I was going back to Chris.
"Rio looks nice today. You look lovely in your uniform, but you look radiant in your dress."
It was one of those awful lines that made me cringe. In my previous life, I would have been flattered by such words.
"Thank you very much. It’s late, but congratulations on your social debut today."
"Yeah. Thank you. Today is a good day."
I looked down at the crown prince's chest as it shone. On his tie is a scaly tie pin that I gave him.
The Crown Prince smiled, perhaps noticing my gaze.
"I treasure the tie pin Rio gave me and wear it every day. Of course, I wore it today, too. This pin goes with all my clothes, so it's very useful."
I was a little horrified. But if he wears it every day, she will be fine even if Charlotte enters the academy.
The dance was over, so I thanked him and turned my head to the table to go back to Chris.
I noticed that Tojurou-san and Kikuno-sama were also sitting near Chris, so I waved to them.
'Thank you, Your Royal Highness, for an enjoyable time. I will return to my duties as her highness's companion."
I curtseyed and was about to leave when the Crown Prince grabbed me by the arm.
"Wait, Rio. Can you stay with me a little longer?"
No way to dance to another song?
I can't dance to two songs with someone who isn’t my fiancé or family.
When I tried to curtsy again to refuse…
"His Majesty the King will now make an announcement."
My uncle gave an order.
All the people in the ballroom turned their gazes to the King.
I had an unpleasant premonition, and my heartbeat naturally quickened.
No way--.
In the silence of the ballroom, the King's voice echoed.
"Today, I announce the engagement of Crown Prince Richard! I hereby declare that Katariona-sama, daughter of the Marquis de Grandeur, will be the Crown Prince's fiancée!"
After a moment, thunderous applause echoed throughout the venue.
Ah, after all, .......
The eyes of the people in the hall fell on the Crown Prince and me.
The worst that could happen just happened.
"Congratulations! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! Katariona-sama!"
Words of congratulations came one after the other.
I stood there stunned.
"Come, let's go to the throne. Rio."
Help me…...
"Everyone is waiting."
Leon …….
"What's the matter, Rio?"
“LEON!”
I found myself telekinetically shouting for Leon.
[!