23 Conflict

"That is..." Serena, as if perfectly timing it, furrows her brow as she watches the two men and women heading towards the center.

Oh well... Why did they have to appear at the same time, Vikir and her... Mary?

Well, I can understand why Vikir, who never has any girls to escort him within the palace, would choose Mary, his only exclusive maid, as his partner. But honestly, I don't understand why he's attending the party in the first place.

...Well, never mind.

"Serena."

"Lord Ely...?"

"To be honest, as someone who can't dance, I'm worried if I can dance properly. So, please, help me?"

Well, what I mean is, I want her to leave Vikir alone and focus on dancing with me. Considering her attitude from earlier, it seems like she was looking forward to dancing with me.

"Hehe... that's right. You must let me lead you properly."

"That's exactly it. So, I'm counting on you."

"Leave it to me."

As the music plays, we begin to dance. Fortunately, it's a calm melody, so I won't have to do any complicated steps.

"Lord Ely, keep it up!"

"Yes!"

Thanks to Serena's skilful guidance, I seem to be dancing well enough (self-praise). But more than that...

"Hehe! Ely! Ely!"

"Serena!"

Serena, showing a truly happy expression, and I, were equally happy and delighted, and we couldn't help but enjoy ourselves.

It's not just about learning to dance seriously; I made up my mind.

And then...

"That was good... I'm glad we danced all the way to the end."

"Lord Ely... It was truly wonderful."

If you say that, it's Serena. She led me, an amateur, wonderfully and shone more than anyone else. I apologize to Miss Frederica, but tonight's main character is undoubtedly you.

"Well..."

Blushing, looking embarrassed, Serena relaxes her mouth.

And then...

"Greetings, Brother Elysion."

'Huh... why does Vikir have to come and talk now?'

The lingering feeling of the dance is ruined.

Moreover, in 'Engage Hundred Times,' he was the cause of my bad end, and before I regained my memories from my previous life, Elysion used to bully the main character quite a bit.

It's awkward, to say the least.

"... What is it?"

"I apologize for the delay in expressing my gratitude."

"Gratitude?"

I ask with caution, and Vikir deeply bows.

'Huh? I don't have any reason to be thanked. What's going on?'

"Thanks to my brother, I was able to have my first exclusive maid."

"..."

Vikir holds Mary's slender waist, talking happily. But the distance between the prince and his exclusive maid seems a bit strange.

Also, Mary is silently glaring at me.

She must resent having to take care of the 'unclean prince,' who is of no use to the Shiaar family's reconstruction. But even though I've been avoiding contact, Vikir never expressed any wish for a meeting.

"So, it's good for you."

"Yes."

After saying something that didn't really matter, Vikir, who had made Mary his exclusive maid more than four months ago, bowed deeply.

I had avoided contact, but he never requested a meeting.

'So, why now?'

"... Shouldn't you at least discipline your exclusive maid? Or... are you insulting my Lord Elysion?"

"!?"

Serena, who had been silent all this time, directed a sharp gaze at the two.

Because of her experience, she must have noticed Mary's attitude and gaze.

In the first place, Vikir only ended up with an exclusive maid because Serena scolded and admonished her for her disrespectful attitude towards me.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Serena, the eldest daughter of the Ravenhurst family. ...Ah, you don't need to remember my name. So, from now on, please do not show yourself in front of me and my fiancée."

'Ugh! Wait, wait a minute!'

Why did such a harsh statement just come out of Serena's adorable mouth?

Could it be that she holds such disgust for being born as the child of King Evial and his lover?

But she treats me so kindly, even though I'm bad-mouthed as the 'incompetent evil prince.' I can't believe she would be a woman who discriminates based on origins.

"Oh? Didn't you hear me? I told you to disappear immediately."

"...Brother, I apologize."

Continuing to get glared by Serena, Vikir, with a somewhat crushed expression, leaves with Mary.

'... Ah. I should have at least asked why he's attending this party.'