The target (2)

Mariette realized it after her heart skipped a beat a while ago. Her body was fragile then, so she hoped eating warm soup would restore her energy. The delicious aroma plus the thick sauce must taste very good. But Mariette was wrong: the soup she had worked so hard to make didn't taste at all on her tongue.

There is no savory and salty taste. No bitter taste either. Mariette thought it was because she was sick. Gradually all the food that went into her mouth was nothing.

Food no longer mattered in Mariette's life.

"Why are you just saying it now?" he asked. He watched Mariette even more closely. "For God's sake, Mariette. Do you think this is a small matter? You have lost your sense of touch!"

"Sir Anatole, people are watching us," Mariette admonished. She watched their surroundings for a moment. "As long as I can still see and hear well, I don't think it's a big deal."

"Mariette―"

"Sir Anatole," Mariette interrupted. She smiled faintly at Anatole. "Thank you for worrying about me."

Anatol fell silent. Mariette watched as the man clenched his fists as if trying to quell his anger. "My apologies, Viscountess Tierney. I will report it to His Majesty the King and Emmanuele later," he said, then turned his head towards the main entrance.

The announcement of Louisa's arrival had been made.

***

"Please announce that Her Highness Princess Louisa Vallotton will be entering. Thank you," said Elroy to the announcer.

Elroy glanced at the young lady beside him. Usually, Louisa was as talkative as her twin, but she was much quieter this time. Slight sweat beaded her forehead.

Louisa looked tense. Naturally, this was the first time he had appeared before so many people with high expectations for her.

"You'll be fine," Elroy whispered to Louisa. The young lady turned to him. "There are His Majesty the King and Prince Louie inside. If someone dares to make fun of you, they will be punished immediately."

Slowly, Louisa tried to smile. "It reminded me of a banquet a few years ago," she said. "In the past… Father once beheaded someone and impaled his head in the border fort because of Mariette."

Elroy chuckled. "That became one of the stories of His Majesty the King's power," he said. "I believe that disciplines the mouths of many, Your Highness. So smile. Many people want to see the Lamamont flowers this spring."

Louisa's name is announced. The door opened. Elroy gave Louisa a slight nod and led her into the ballroom.

"Sir Elroy, look at that glare. It doesn't feel like it was directed at me," Louisa whispered in a comment.

Elroy laughed darkly. "My apologies, Princess Louisa. I didn't know that I was hated by them so much."

Yes, what first greeted them were the glares of the men who wanted Elroy's current position. At this rate, Louisa's worry was useless.

Stop looking at me like that! I never asked for this! shouted Elroy in his heart as King Vallotton delivered his messages. Beside him, Louisa was back to her usual self. Instead, he enjoyed the sharp stares aimed at Elroy.

Elroy thought he would die that second as the dance music played. From the corner of his eye, he felt someone ready to throw a vase at him.

"Any last messages, Sir Elroy?" Louisa teased when Elroy asked her to dance.

"Please tell them I never seduced you, Your Highness," Elroy replied.

But anyway, in the end they both still dance.

All eyes automatically turned to the two of them. Elroy and Louisa circled the dance hall as if it were their own. They both stepped and turned in rhythm.

Both Elroy and Louisa were amazed by the harmony of their movements.

"To be honest, I was worried about your dancing skills," Louisa whispered. "Sir Ferdinand says you've only danced with your sister and Lady Gauthier."

Elroy developed a mischievous smile. "Want to surprise people even more?"

Louisa's eyes were wide open, flashing mischievously. "Do it then."

So with one light, practiced movement, Elroy lifted Louisa and spun her around once. There was muffled admiration from the invitees.

"Please hold back your laughter, Princess Louisa," said Elroy.

Louisa had a hard time holding back her laughter. "Oh, you should see the men's expressions over there."

The music ends. Elroy and Louisa both saluted each other. As Elroy got up, he caught sight of Mariette.

Elroy had seen it earlier, but… The brown hair that was usually rolled up was now loose. Her light makeup hid her pale skin. And the dress… The dress really matched Anatole's outfit.

"You looked at Mariette?"

Elroy flinched at Louisa's rebuke. He felt embarrassed instantly.

"Aha!" Louisa smiled broadly. "Then let's go there!"

"W-wait! Princess Louisa!"

Too late, Elroy couldn't help but follow Louisa.

"I want to dance with Sir Anatole," Louisa said excitedly to Anatole. He looked surprised and confused. "Come on, the second music will be playing soon."

And in the end, Elroy and Mariette were left alone.

How awkward, Elroy thought. He didn't even know which way to look. What's worse, when he was confused, Mariette looked calm.

Can I ask her to dance? What about Sir Anatole? What about Louisa? Will Mariette accept my invitation? thought Elroy.

"That was a splendid performance, Sir Elroy. Thank you for making Princess Louisa's first dance so memorable," blurted Mariette.

The second dance music plays. This time all the girls who followed the debutante joined in dancing with their respective partners on the dance floor.

"Well… That… because Princess Louisa dances well too," replied Elroy.

They both fell silent again. Elroy had thought Mariette would soon leave him, but the woman turned to him instead.

"I'm sorry," Mariette said. "I know I'm selfish. I ask that you stay away and forget about me, but on the other hand, I also don't want our relationship to get worse."

"Do you… want us to just be friends without involving any feelings?"

"Yes. But that seems impossible to you."

"The meanest of all, you asked for it when you knew I would have a hard time doing it."

"So for that, I apologize. Sir Elroy, I will break your heart many times."

Elroy laughed sadly. "It just feels like a fool. Even knowing that I would be hurt, it looks like I will still love you, Viscountess Mariette."

"Why?"

Elroy now turned his body, looking at Mariette. "I also do not know. I just feel so sure about my feelings for you. Even if you ask for my heart, I will voluntarily give it to you."