TCBCVF 114

~Chapter 114~

“I hope Lady Ansie will not make such mistakes.”

“…High Priest Evans.”

“The Claudius Duke family and the Ansie Viscount family… they don’t really suit each other, do they?”

High Priest Evans began speaking, looking at me with a pitying gaze.

“I only say this carefully because I worry Lady Ansie may be hurt in the future.”

His tone really sounded like he was concerned about me.

That only made me feel even stranger.

“So please, don’t take my words too badly.”

In the end, can I never escape the original story?

Honestly…

I thought maybe the Duke and I might really have feelings for each other.

But right now, it feels like—

…this world itself is pushing the Duke and Seraphina together.

I couldn’t help but glance sideways at them.

The two dancing gracefully looked like a picture.

I felt my heart sink.

But then—

“Ah, excuse me for a moment.”

A playful voice asked my pardon.

And then—

“Ah!”

High Priest Evans suddenly pulled me strongly toward him.

My body almost leaned into his embrace. Startled, I tried to move away quickly.

But Evans firmly held my waist and drew me even closer.

Almost like we were lovers.

‘T-this isn’t right, is it?’

Yes, there are moves like this in dancing… but his hold was far too intimate.

And on his lips was a deep smile—full of victory.

‘Who is he even looking at?’

Puzzled, I turned my head slightly—

“……”

And my eyes met the Duke’s.

He was staring this way with an expressionless face.

His lips tightly shut.

His blue eyes colder than a frozen sea.

It was the look of someone suppressing his fury.

‘Huh?’

My eyes widened.

Because—

The Duke hadn’t even touched Seraphina with a single finger.

‘What in the world is going on?’

Seraphina stared blankly at Dietrich, like she had been struck on the head.

Dietrich stood still as if rooted to the spot.

His blazing blue eyes were fixed only on Evans, who was holding Laritte in his arms.

The music had reached its climax.

Yet they were the only ones standing still, not dancing.

“D-Duke…”

Seraphina carefully called him, trying to restart the dance somehow.

At that moment—

Step.

Without even a word of excuse, Dietrich brushed past her.

The Duke strode over and roughly pulled Evans’s arm away from my shoulder.

And then—

“My partner feels uncomfortable, High Priest Evans.”

The Duke’s voice was sharp.

“With my shallow knowledge, I still remember the goddess’s teaching—always show consideration so the other feels no discomfort.”

Then he gave a fierce smile.

“Perhaps you need some time to reflect on the goddess’s teachings.”

Evans’s face twisted instantly.

At the same time, the music ended.

“……”

“……”

The hall grew silent.

After that—

I was so nervous, afraid a fight might break out.

But fortunately, nothing happened.

After all, not only many nobles but even Her Majesty the Empress was present.

“What on earth is going on here?”

The Empress herself stepped in to mediate.

The Duke and Evans had no choice but to back down.

Still, the Duke’s mood sank to the bottom afterwards.

‘Wow… my lord’s mood is completely ruined.’

Even Lady Eva shook her head at him.

“Everyone, please take your seats.”

Just then, Seraphina went on stage as the event host.

Honestly, after such a scene, she must not feel good inside…

But I had to respect how perfectly she controlled her expression.

The guests all returned to their seats. I too sat down at the special guest table.

For reference, the seats beside me were taken by the Duke and Lady Eva.

“I’ll sit next to Laritte.”

Eva insisted she must sit beside me.

Of course, the Duke’s partner seat couldn’t be left empty either.

And sitting next to Eva was none other than the Empress herself…

‘Goodness, what a luxurious lineup.’

Nervous, I straightened my back and sat upright.

“This time, thanks to High Priest Evans’s support, we will be selecting ‘The Brightest Star of November.’”

Seraphina smiled gently like a lily.

“There are still many neighbors around us who suffer. I hope that through this event, enough donations will be gathered so they can have a warm winter.”

She bowed politely to the nobles and finished her words gracefully.

“Then, let’s begin.”

Clap, clap, clap—

Applause burst out.

One by one, items were brought onto the stage.

“This item was submitted by Lady Barreto—a scarf.”

“This one, from Count Cobel…”

“This one is…”

Donations steadily piled up.

A lady whose fiancé bought her item with a high price looked at him with loving eyes.

The nobles who submitted items held themselves proudly.

The priests were delighted to see the donations increasing.

Then—

A luxurious handbag was placed on stage.

The leather shone, polished and well-kept.

“This item… was submitted by me.”

Seraphina spoke shyly.

“It’s from the Busken brand, the 1827 collection. A bag I cherished very much.”

Oh, I knew that bag.

Gregory had given it to Seraphina on her eighteenth birthday.

“Serra, I got this for you. Do you know how hard it was to find?”

Gregory had bragged like that.

And normally, Seraphina didn’t even blink at most gifts—

“Greg, you’re the best!”

Overcome with joy, she had thrown her arms around him and even teared up.

‘To think she would put up such a treasured item.’

It was clear she was determined to raise her reputation at this charity party.

With an innocent face, Seraphina continued,

“I hope this bag, though small, can help our neighbors in need.”

As soon as she finished, a sign was raised.

It was High Priest Evans.

20,000 derks.

The highest price so far.

Even considering the rarity of the collection, it was an incredible amount.

The nobles widened their eyes.

“20,000 derks?”

“Even for a rare collection, that’s a lot.”

“Isn’t it for helping the poor?”

Evans smiled kindly at their shocked looks.

“I’m only glad I can liven up the event like this.”

“My goodness…”

Seraphina covered her mouth as if moved, but she still couldn’t hide her proud expression.

I could already imagine how she would flaunt this in society later.

A few ladies and noblewomen also joined the bidding.

But in the end—

The winner was High Priest Evans.