"Greetings, heir of Dawson. Greetings, fifth Princess."

"Greetings, my name is Alexander Von Dawson. And this is my fiance, Helena Demeria Boreas, the fifth Princess of Boreas. To whom am I speaking?"

We exchanged the required pleasantries and moved on.

Curious glances were thrown from across the venue as we walked by.

The daring ones would approach and introduce themselves, while most just stared from a distance away, murmuring softly among their peers. However, the ones that did walk up to us would soon leave with their tails behind their legs when faced with Helena's tepid response.

'She can be a little scary, but she's gotten much better now...' I sighed, peeking at Helena, who ignored the recurring events with a stone-cold expression.

To be fair, it was apparent to me that she was trying in her own way. If it was the old Helena, they would get a frown as soon as they got within five feet of her, and that's just her being polite. Now, she would only do that whenever people tried to linger more to try and brownnosed us.

"Hey, wanna near the balcony there?" I pointed to a place with the least amount of people. I figured she could have a breather.

So far, I've been doing great, but I couldn't say the same for Helena since her brother's absence must be taking its toll on her. As for where that punk Howard was, he went outside with Adam since the boy felt stuffy.

"...It's fine. You need to meet a lot of people. That's why we're here...Just...You don't have to introduce me next time. They will run away if you keep doing it, and it's not like they don't know who I am..." Mumbled Helena subdued.

"It is only proper etiquette for a gentleman to introduce his fiance." Why bother going through all that etiquette lesson with Sir Lodrick if I failed such a simple task?

"Yet you pull such crap with that Heliard bitch?" Complained her.

"Hey, let bygones be bygones. Now that I know better, such things won't happen again."

Honestly, I still didn't know why it bothered her so much, but after seeing her reaction from before, I knew it would be better not to risk it.

"Let's hope so...Here comes another one. I'll be quiet, so do whatever you want." Whispered Helena.

'Hm...' I sighed softly.

"Greetings, heir of Dawson. Greetings, fifth Princess."

"Greetings. My name is Alexander Von Dawson, and this is my fiance, Helena Demeria Boreas. The Fifth Princess of Boreas. To whom am I speaking?"

In the aristocratic etiquette lesson, Sir Lodrick taught me that giving out your names was a privilege only for those with higher social standing. Anyone with a lower standing could try to strike up a conversation, but to give out their names without the other party's consent would be considered rude. Because of this nonsense, so many mistakes were made because, realistically, not everyone could know who outranked who unless they wore badges or something.

It was a fucked up unwritten rule, but it was how the nobles in this world lived.

That's why Helena could act the way she did; there weren't many in this whole kingdom who could outrank her. And even if they did, it's not like it was the first time she was pegged as the unruly Princess.

"My name is Robert Albertos, second son of Count Albertos...I beg your pardon, but I just couldn't contain myself after finding my dear junior, Damian, was able to meet the heir of Dawson and the fifth Princess." The man stood upright after politely saluting us. His tall and slender body posed an elegant air with how he carried himself. His green hair was waxed soft and natural to showcase his charming and prudent look.

The sharp pair of eyes was buried beyond the safeguard of his gold-rimmed glasses, snuggly hugging his tall nose.

"Ah, you are Damian's friend?" I took a glance to the side.

Standing awkwardly, not too far away from us, was Damian, who was scratching his neck, looking guilty about something.

"Indeed, I am, heir of Dawson." Replied Robert, smiling.

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"Please, call me Alexander. You're older, and I prefer not to embarrass myself by speaking too formally, which I'm not quite proficient in, to begin with."

"Then I will do so, Alexander." Replied him amicably.

"Yes..." After that, I thought that was it. He would leave us, and I would wait for yet another contestant. But, as it turned out, I was wrong.

Perhaps he had taken a fancy to me, or maybe he was just that sociable, but after we decided not to be so stiff, Robert took another step forward, close enough within arm's reach.

"I have been dreaming days and nights to meet both of you. Alexander and the fifth Princess. I heard Lady Alyson would be coming here, but I never thought she would bring the two of you alone." Expressed Robert with an ecstatic look.

'Well, Howard and Adam also came with us, so...' I glossed inwardly.

"It is an invitation from one of our closest and loyal vassals, Count Grey, after all. Besides, the main star of this ball is Count's family. Not us." I was unsure how I should respond to his remark, so I chose to play it safe and neutral.

"What a humble mind. Truly befitting that of the great house of Dawson. It's a pity I have met such an open-minded gentleman only now," Praised Robert.

'I mean, you're still a teenager yourself, dude. Why're you acting like you've been living for decades already?' I tried to keep the stoic smile from crumbling, hiding away my inner thoughts.

Amidst that, Robert continued. "But regrets aside, all that matters now is how healthy and robust you look. Praise the gods for the Light of hope, and may those who curse you otherwise be punished for the recklessness of their tongues."

'This guy...He plays it safe and careful, but didn't he talk smack about me there?' And the way he peered at my paralyzed legs and the bulging belly only further proved my point.

Still, it was nowhere near enough to flip my shit out...So I smiled. "Thank you."

A mixture of mockery and joy was painted in his grin. Afterward, he began again. "It is my pleasure, Alexander. Truthfully, I did come here in front of you two to embarrass myself with a confession of mine."

"Hey, Robert!" Called Damian out from the back urgently, but Robert ignored him and didn't give him a chance to interrupt.

"I want to express how delightful and impressed I am to meet our kingdom's one and only fifth Princess. Princess Helena Demeria Boreas. Finally..."

"Hah..." Damian facepalmed and exhaled, powerless.

Casting a sideways glance upon hearing the topic shifting her way, Helena's frown grew more profound by the second.

"Hailed as the genius of once in a hundred, I've long since prayed for the chance to meet you. And to find the subject of my adoration to be an unparalleled beauty in return, I am glad to be able to live and see this day come."

'Why does this dude keep talking like he's some old man? Wait...Is he? Dispel any camouflage in my eyes.' I invoked the word magic, and nothing changed...It appeared that the punk with glasses was not some grandpa in disguise but a teenager with an old man complex or some shit.

"I am a novice magician myself, although not quite on the same level as you...If it's not too much of me to ask, will you have the heart to give your guidance, my Princess? How about it, Alexander? We can show you lots of exciting things with magic."

'Another lovesick boy, this one...Ain't you a popular one?' I sneaked a peek at Helena to the side.

It was an undeniable fact that Helena was beautiful. No matter how often she frowned or how foul her tongue got most of the time, nothing could dull that simple fact. Objectively speaking, she was one of the most beautiful girls I've ever met.

There's just no helping it if some boys get infatuated with her looks. Not to mention, there were those out there who were attracted to someone who was prickly and rough like Helena.

It is what it is.

"Tch." Sensing the smirk from the edge of my lips, she clicked her tongue in displeasure. "...You're a novice magician?"

Asked her, trying to reign in her bad habit at bay.

"Yes, my Princess."

"Don't call me that." Replied Helena sternly.

Receiving that, Robert tilted his head to the side, feigning innocence.

I could feel her blood pumping upward to her head. Still, she didn't blow up, and that alone was something already.

"I'll see what you can do later. But you'll have to do something first." Sounded Helena, trying to make a deal.

"Ask me anything! With every fiber of my being, I'll see to it that your desire shall come into reality." And the boy, who seemed blind to Helena's annoyed expression, replied in high spirits. If he had a tail, I believed it must be wagging.

'Oof, he doesn't even bother to hide it anymore...' Bro actually had my hair standing from being how cringe he was. I mean, I was a cringe prick myself, I admit that. But this dude was on a whole other level.

Fortunately, albeit his words were cheesy, he did well to control his volume so that the other people around us couldn't hear what he said clearly.

Damian looks at us with wide eyes. From the concerned gaze he dished out, he might be wondering whether I was okay with this development or whatnot.

I honestly didn't have a strong opinion against this.

Moreover, it was about Helena and not me. She should decide for herself as long as she didn't cause trouble. And I was also curious about this deal she was making, to be honest...

"Go and gather some people around. Tell them I won't stand in the way so they can talk with Alex." Finished Helena in one breath.

'...Um...Helena...?' Then again, if I knew it was about me in the end, I should've said something...

Robert slipped a subtle smirk at my way before answering her. "It is but an easy request. My Dear Princess."