Chapter 33: Dancing in His Colors.

The grand hall, transformed for the celebratory occasion, was lavishly adorned.

Not only the tables but also the walls and floors were decorated with fresh flowers, filling the air with their fragrance.

Some of those blooms were varieties that did not grow in this country, or were out of season.

Perhaps a few of the guests noticed.

By now, most of the attendees had likely gathered in the hall.

Into that space, the four princes entered, each taking the hand of his partner.

First came the stars of the day: Julius and Marie.

Next, Crown Prince Alexis with Crown Princess Sophia.

Then Second Prince Est.

And finally, Sarju and Amelia.

Come to think of it, this was the first time Amelia had attended a party held at the royal castle.

And to do so as Sarju’s partner—no one from a year ago would have believed her if she had told them.

After Est entered with his cousin, it was finally Sarju and Amelia’s turn.

She told herself she must hold herself together, yet the hand she had placed in his trembled finely.

“Amelia, are you all right?”

At his concerned voice, she looked up.

Sarju was peering at her with worry.

In her extreme tension, she hadn’t noticed earlier—but in formal attire, he was so dazzlingly beautiful that the thought of walking beside him stole even her breath.

“I-I’m sorry. I’m just a little nervous…”

She tried to rally herself, telling herself this wouldn’t do.

“You don’t need to be so tense. Just stay by my side—that’s enough.”

With those gentle words, he took her hand firmly, and Amelia stepped into the venue.

Countless gazes turned toward her.

Everyone watched with keen interest to see who the young lady escorted by Sarju might be.

Soon, murmurs rose among the students: “That’s the Renis Count’s daughter.”

She braced herself—expecting whispers about Lease, who had eloped to uphold his “true love,” or about her freshly dissolved engagement, or how she had once been isolated at the academy.

Yet what reached her ears was only praise: “She’s so outstanding she can serve as Sarju-sama’s assistant.”

Among the students, it had become a major topic.

But in noble society, broken engagements were hardly uncommon.

Even Julius had nullified a long-standing betrothal to choose a new fiancée.

What drew their attention far more was the research that would shape the kingdom’s future—and the brilliance of the young lady assisting Sarju.

A weight seemed to lift from her shoulders; she let out a long, relieved breath.

After the King’s greeting, Julius announced his engagement to Marie.

Following congratulatory words from the envoys of various nations came the dance of the guest of honor couple.

As Amelia watched the two glide elegantly across the floor, she realized Sarju’s arm had slipped around her shoulders.

“Shall we dance after my brother?”

“Yes. I’d be delighted.”

She had never dreamed she would dance with him again.

When Julius and Marie finished and the orchestra began anew, Sarju led her by the hand to the center of the hall.

At the new student welcome party, she had simply reveled in the joy of dancing freely.

But today, the arm around her back felt strangely vivid; she couldn’t dance smoothly.

Worse, she nearly missed a step and stumbled—only to be caught and steadied by Sarju.

“I’m so sorry.”

“No need to apologize. I think tense Amelia is cute, too.”

“…Eh?”

The casual remark was so startling she let out a small cry.

Yet Sarju continued as though nothing had happened.

The shock loosened her tension, and after that, she was able to enjoy the dance fully.

Among the four princes, Sarju was the only one without a formal fiancée.

Yet not a single young lady approached him.

Because—

“Sarju-sama. I thought data from the Renis territory alone might be biased, so I requested information from southern territories as well. It seems the new wheat variety hasn’t spread much there—likely because cold damage is already less severe than in the north.”

“I see. I’ll look at it later. If cold damage is minimal, pest damage would be the greater concern, so that choice isn’t wrong. Still, even in the south, the yearly temperature drop is troubling.”

“Yes. I felt the same, so I asked them to send five years’ worth of temperature and weather data.”

“That will be very helpful. Also, regarding the water magic formula—”

Because the two continued such conversation without pause, no one could draw near.

They couldn’t even interject.

Sarju was his usual self, but Amelia—sometimes even proposing ideas before he did—earned gasps of admiration from those watching for her intelligence.

Completely unaware of the surrounding reactions, Amelia simply spoke with Sarju as always.

The only ones who managed to approach were Amelia’s family.

She spoke with her parents, then introduced her uncle and cousin to Sarju.

Sarju, in turn, called over Kaido and Miina and introduced Miina to the cousin.

The two exchanged greetings and smiles; their compatibility seemed promising, and Amelia felt relieved.

With this, the future of the Renis Count house looked secure.

After dancing with her cousin for a change of pace, Amelia started back toward Sarju—only to notice her hair coming loose.

“Oh…”

She should fix her appearance before returning to him.

Excusing herself from her cousin, she headed toward the waiting room.

Several maids who had helped her dress were stationed there; they could surely repair it quickly.

With that in mind, Amelia left the venue alone.