The Guardian Knight of Affection-Starved Young Ladies

79 – Dancing at the Ball (12)

080.

Eliana to the side, Selassie in front.

Two noble ladies clung to one boy.

No matter how much the banquet was hosted by Dranus and Sinat was giving a speech, it was impossible not to attract attention.

The speech itself was almost over, and Eliana and Selassie’s actions were becoming more daring.

Near the entrance of the banquet hall, in a corner.

People close to that area began to cast glances one by one.

It was not common for the ladies of Lakatus and Hiatt to gather together,

Naturally, eyes were drawn to the boy who had monopolized their attention.

“Isn’t that the lady of Lakatus?”

“The lady of Hiatt is also with her?”

“Who is he?”

“What… Which family’s young master is he?”

“With such looks, it’s impossible that he hasn’t been seen in social circles.”

The reactions of the ladies were particularly noticeable.

Although Eliana and Selassie were surrounding him, Kallen was taller.

Even at a glance, he was far more handsome than the young masters attending the banquet.

Moreover, the young masters around had already approached Eliana but had not gained anything.

Even though Selassie was eating fruit dessert over there, those who showed interest in Eliana couldn’t exchange a single word with her.

It means they were curious too.

Who was the person close enough to hold the arm of the girl who never even glanced at them?

But no matter how much they looked at Kallen, they couldn’t know who he was.

Kallen was just an illegitimate child without a background to be presented at such a banquet.

The fact that he had a deep relationship with Dranus was limited to the Ecclesia Salon.

People who only attended the banquet hosted by Dranus started talking about the mysterious and secretive prince.

“Go and talk to him…”

“Huh…? You want me to go between Rakatus and Hiatt?”

“Wow… He’s handsome…”

“Does the banquet dress suit him that well?”

However, there was no young lady who could step forward.

The names of the two young ladies surrounding them were too high.

Moreover, if they were close enough to have such a friendly conversation, it was clear that they wouldn’t be able to talk much even if they intervened.

As the young ladies hesitated, unexpectedly, there was a reaction from the princes who were watching the situation closely.

Still, there is a sense of pride in not falling behind anywhere if you come to Dranus’s banquet and hold your chest high.

When they expressed interest, the young lady of Rakatus, who had been as cold as ice,

Seeing her actively showing affection to the boy, some emotions surged.

Those in their prime often have difficulty controlling their emotions.

Those who have experienced more life call it youthful vigor and bravado.

“Hello?”

After patting Eliana on the head.

Kallen, who was relieved that the atmosphere was starting to loosen up a bit, turned to the sound.

Someone approaching with a slightly burdensome smile.

It was someone he didn’t know at all.

“Are you talking about something interesting? Can I join the conversation too?”

What do you call this?

Yes.

Sly.

Or awkward.

Eyes that clearly seemed to have some ulterior motive.

Although he was smiling, his eyes were staring intently at Kallen.

Naturally, it was unpleasant to be stared at by a stranger who appeared out of nowhere.

It was both puzzling and uncomfortable.

Without a proper greeting, the way he leered at a person he was meeting for the first time could not be called sociable in any good sense.

“Sorry. We were catching up on some overdue conversations.”

Kallen, likewise, stared back at the man without a greeting and replied bluntly.

At that unexpected response, the man frowned.

Saying they were catching up on overdue conversations was another way of saying not to interrupt.

It meant they were talking about a topic only they knew, so don’t butt in.

Nobles are a breed that lives on face and reputation.

Even if someone acted rudely, the custom was to respond with a smiling face.

But this boy did not do that.

He directly confronted the rudeness that was subtly offered so that no one else would notice.

The man felt deeply humiliated by this fact.

Although he was a minor noble, it was not appropriate for someone bearing the marquis’ name to be spoken to in such a manner.

Earlier, when he had tried to talk to Eliana and was ignored, it had properly triggered his inferiority complex.

With quite a few eyes already on them, retreating would only damage his reputation.

The man chose to advance rather than retreat.

“Don’t be like that…”

At that moment.

“Kallen~!!”

Someone came running towards Kallen from afar.

Her indigo hair fluttered, and the sight of her struggling to lift her evening dress while eagerly moving her feet seemed somewhat cute.

The girl was the young mistress of Dranus.

Just moments ago, Sinat, who had been giving a congratulatory speech at the podium in front of the banquet hall, came running towards Kallen, trying to hug him.

I say trying because she didn’t succeed.

Kallen, anticipating Sinat’s actions, skillfully blocked her.

Sinat, as if she had expected it, straightened her posture and laughed.

“How could you talk to someone else while I was giving a speech!”

“I’m sorry. But I didn’t ignore you.”

“Um… Reflect on your actions!”

“Okay.”

In that incomprehensible situation, everyone except Kallen, Eliana, and Selassie froze.

Especially the expression of the prince who awkwardly took a step forward.

It was as if he was wondering why even Sinat was showing such familiarity with Kallen.

“Then, since Sinat is here too, shall we go eat what we talked about earlier?”

“Okay, sis.”

Selassie said, hugging the empty arm opposite to Eliana’s.

Eliana and Sinat nodded in agreement and followed Kallen.

Kallen, surrounded by the three ladies, glanced at the prince who had mustered up his courage before leaving and then looked away.

The prince left behind felt more embarrassed by Kallen’s last glance than anything else.

*

“Is it delicious…?”

From noble mtl dot com

“It’s my favorite.”

“Try this too!”

Kallen was busy eating the snacks that were being handed to him non-stop.

The snacks, reflecting the tastes of the three ladies, kept coming into his mouth as if they were competing.

But he didn’t feel bad about it.

He liked spending meaningless time with these people with whom he had built such a relationship.

Kallen talked about trivial daily matters while eating the snacks.

The three ladies, each with a smiling face, listened and conversed with him for a long time.

“That time was fun…”

“Hello.”

As Kallen was talking about the time he got drunk in the north, someone interrupted and joined their conversation.

It was a rather courageous act.

Although many people were watching them with interest, no one had dared to actually approach them.

At the same time, the three young ladies turned their gazes.

Kallen also directed his gaze towards the person who had interrupted.

A dull grayish-white.

A woman with an impression that seemed difficult to approach.

The woman cautiously smiled as if seeking permission to intrude.

Just as Kallen was about to ask who she was,

“Lady Laris?”

Selassia spoke, looking at the woman with a hint of surprise.

The woman with the dull grayish-white eyes nodded as if to confirm.

At the name Laris, Kallen also realized her identity.

Laris Plache.

One of the five great families of the Claire Empire, now including Dranus.

In other words, she was a lady from a family as prestigious as Eliana and Selassia.

When was it?

There certainly was such a name.

When Kallen was learning various etiquettes from Blamia.

At that time, Laris Plache was a prominent figure among the four great families.

The second daughter of the Plache family.

Rumor had it that she excelled in academic attributes in social circles.

Perhaps sensing the atmosphere, Laris Plache stepped a little closer.

Since Selassia and Kallen recognized her, they could no longer ignore her.

“What brings you here, Lady Laris?”

“Ah. Let me introduce myself properly first.”

Laris lifted her evening dress gracefully and showed her manners.

Since all three young ladies were looking at Kallen, he had no choice but to greet her on their behalf.

“I am Laris, following the name of Plache.”

“I am Kallen.”

After the brief introduction,

Laris smiled faintly.

“I was just curious. Who are the flowers of Lacatus, Hiatt, and Dranus having such a friendly conversation with?”

Laris said so and gazed at Kalen.

It was not the look of wanting to pluck out his eyes like the prince a moment ago, but a pure curiosity filled with goodwill.

Kalen, knowing this, also received the gaze calmly.

Soon, Laris nodded slightly and looked around at the three ladies.

“Someone told me this. Dranus extended an invitation to Eclesia, and three worlds were born there.”

No one here would not know what the world means.

A wizard’s own world.

Commonly called the world of imagery, it was still one of the hottest topics in social circles.

“If it was just that, it would have been just a surprising thing, but I find it a bit hard to believe.”

And for a moment, Laris’s eyes changed.

From curiosity to deep interest.

“I heard that the same boy is depicted in the imagery of the three of you…”

Laris’s eyes were still on Kalen.

“Is the rumor true?”