Chapter 35
Episode 35.
What on earth could he be trying to say?
Agatha gazed up at him. Theodore, who had been hesitating, spoke with difficulty.
“...By chance, the Marchioness's name came up in a gathering with my grandmother, mother, and sister. I couldn't hear the details, but it couldn't have been good news for you."
“...”
"Quietly observe the nobles connected to my family, Marchioness. ... I wish you happiness wherever you may be."
Theodore, bowing respectfully to the Crown Prince once more, withdrew.
Since even the Crown Prince's time spent in attendance was very brief, the nobles' keen interest quickly waned.
Antony wore an expression of surprise.
"That's unexpected. Was the Duke always like that?"
Agatha nodded slightly in affirmation without a word.
She knew better than anyone that Theodore Neuta, despite his outwardly cold and efficient demeanor, had a warm disposition towards his family.
Of course, he had been terribly untalented at mediating family matters.
However, the Duke's reaction was unexpected.
The man who always deferred to his grandmother, mother, and sister, had now sided with her, not them, even though she was no longer family.
And only after their divorce.
As Agatha remained silent for a long moment, Enoch looked into her face.
"Are you alright?"
"I already knew they wouldn't stay quiet. I was just surprised by the Duke's reaction."
Agatha brushed off the meaningless sentiment Theodore had left behind.
"Madam Neuta and Grand Madam, and the young lady will return to the autumn social season. It can be resolved naturally once the new season begins."
"If you are alright with it, then I am."
Theodore's appearance was far more gentlemanly and sensible compared to Fernand.
Enoch wouldn't misunderstand this, surely.
Just as Agatha was organizing her thoughts and straightening up, the sound of a deep horn blast was heard.
Bwooo-
It was the sound announcing the Emperor's arrival.
"His Majesty Emperor Warmilai II, the sun of the Roxbard Empire, Her Majesty Empress Margarette Roxiva, the moon of the Roxbard Empire, and Her Highness Crown Princess Consort Elizabeth Roxiva, the little moon of the Roxbard Empire, are entering!"
With the Imperial Family's entrance, Antony also moved to fulfill his duties as Crown Prince.
"See you later."
"Yes, Your Highness."
After seeing Antony off, Agatha immediately bowed respectfully to the Emperor.
The Emperor was more regally attired than usual. He wore a sun crown on his head, a crimson cloak bearing the Imperial Family's crest over his shoulders, and held a golden scepter of glory in one hand.
"All of you, raise your heads."
The Emperor's voice echoed in the silent hall where not a single breath could be heard. Though not a loud voice, it reached every corner of the vast hall.
"In appreciation of your efforts in striving for the Empire's prosperity and peace, I hereby extend this summer ball by one more day. I hope this will be a period of great enjoyment and the hearing of much good news."
Though not explicitly directed at Agatha and Enoch, anyone with ears and a mind could understand the implication.
The Emperor looked at Agatha and Enoch with a pleased expression and then commanded the Crown Prince.
"You shall lead the first dance today, Crown Prince."
"I shall, Your Majesty."
As Crown Prince Antony Roxiva stepped into the center of the hall with the Crown Princess Consort, a cheerful waltz began to play.
The notorious rake of Roxbard began to glide through the hall with skill and grace.
It was an unspoken rule that those of high status or esteemed in society would participate in the first dance of a ball.
Therefore, the nobles who were to follow the Crown Prince into the hall today were Marquis Aratus and his wife.
"My lady. Will you grant me the honor of the first dance?"
Agatha smiled and took Enoch's outstretched hand.
"I've been waiting."
Escorted to the center of the hall, Agatha danced with Enoch, their eyes meeting.
Despite the gaze of countless nobles, she was so focused on Enoch that she didn't notice them at all.
Beneath his neatly styled blue hair, his handsome face was etched with strong lines.
Agatha gazed into Enoch's seemingly bottomless gray eyes and suddenly spoke.
"Did it not bother you that Duke Neuta approached me?"
Even knowing he had six ex-wives, facing one of them directly was a different feeling.
"I believe there was a reason for it today."
"This is the first time I've encountered an ex-husband since the divorce. There haven't been many opportunities."
"I, too, know that this was not your intention."
More people entered the center of the hall, and the music grew faster. As her skirt swirled and their steps intensified, Enoch's voice reached her ears.
"However, I do not feel entirely pleased."
Enoch's eyes seemed very dark as he said this. Looking at the man who seemed lost in thought, Agatha tightened her grip on his hand.
She wasn't sure if Enoch's displeasure stemmed from affection for her or simply from being her husband.
'I wish it were because he has feelings for me,' Agatha thought, looking into Enoch's eyes.
"How is my dancing today? Much better than at the wedding, isn't it?"
She changed the mood, raising her tone. As Agatha signaled the shift, Enoch's expression softened.
"You are magnificent today."
"I was a little nervous then."
Unlike at her wedding, Agatha was not nervous and fully displayed her dancing skills.
As she took light steps, gracefully and smoothly completing the dance, Enoch responded in kind.
When the first song ended and they moved from the center of the hall, Enoch draped his suit jacket over Agatha's shoulders.
His large, firm hand gently smoothed her hair that had fallen out from under the jacket.
As they naturally moved towards the familiar faces, the Emperor called Enoch over.
"Marquis Aratus. Come here!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Enoch, having answered the summons, drew her hand, which he was still holding, to his lips and kissed it.
"I'll be back shortly, Agatha."
"Yes, I'll be waiting."
He seemed pleased with him since their last audience.
The Emperor offered Enoch a seat and began to converse with him.
The Imperial dais and stairs were crowded with key ministers from various departments and nobles eager to form connections with Enoch, who had just made his debut at court.
"Here, have another drink, Marquis."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Seeing Enoch's troubled look, Agatha gave a slight nod. She had said she would wait, but she didn't expect it to be immediate.
Now that a new Marquis, favored by the Emperor, had entered the court, he would surely be surrounded.
He would likely not be able to leave until the mountain of food and drink before him was depleted.
Enoch's expression became subtle at her composed face, which seemed to have anticipated this.
'Well then.'
Enoch seemed to have nothing to worry about.
Agatha turned her attention to her own tasks as soon as he gave a subtle nod.
"Madam Aratus. I've been waiting."
"I saw the Marquis drape his outer garment over you right after he danced the first dance with you."
"It was a very beautiful scene."
Numerous nobles, including her close associates, had approached.
"Thank you, everyone. How about we sit over there and chat?"
"That's a good idea. There seem to be more guests than usual, so there's no need to stand and tire ourselves out, is there?"
"Hahaha. Lady Iris, indeed."
On one side of the hall, there were many spaces with sofas and couches arranged for seated conversations.
Agatha chose the largest and most spacious area and took the seat of honor, with her close associates and their subordinates naturally filling the surrounding space, forming a sort of barrier.
Amidst the flood of congratulatory greetings, her associates selected a few individuals they had been observing and invited them into the inner space.
"Madam Aratus, this is Lady Sion from the Earl of McKellen's family. She is scheduled to debut at the next social season and wishes to pay her respects."
"Hello, Marchioness Aratus. I am Sion McKellen. Congratulations on your marriage earlier this year, though it is late."
"Thank you, Lady McKellen. Um, would you like to sit here? How about you, Lady McKellen, join us for a brief chat?"
"It would be an honor, Marchioness."
Agatha made room for a few more people.
Those who succeeded in entering the inner space and receiving seats were met with envious and jealous glances.
"I didn't know Madam Aratus was interested in the McKellen family."
"I heard that Lady Vanessa, your confidante, has invited them to her salon frequently for some time."
While selecting potential new associates or subordinates and choosing individuals who could grow their influence in society, Agatha occasionally glanced at Enoch.
Theodore, who had somehow settled near him, was a slight concern, but there seemed to be no major issues yet.
As the nobles' attention gradually began to waver, Agatha called out to her closest friend and confidante, Marchioness Iris Domunia.
"Lady Iris."
"Yes, Madam Aratus. Please speak."
The quick-witted Lady Iris immediately leaned towards her.
The surroundings were filled with the rustling of many curtains and hushed voices, so their conversation was completely inaudible.
Agatha covered her mouth with her fan and whispered softly.
"I think we need to keep an eye on the Neuta family."
