A man with the classic striking features of the Aragon family, but with sharply angled eyebrows giving him a fierce look, entered the hall. His fiery red eyes stared directly at his father, the King, who seemed to have been waiting for his eldest son's arrival. His neatly slicked-back hair added to his mature appearance. Clad in luxurious attire complete with military decorations, the man immediately drew everyone's attention, diverting it from the de Alba and Durchville couple.
"My apologies for my tardiness, Your Majesty," he said in a deep yet gentle voice, firm but not harsh, calming yet commanding.
"Perfect timing, Crown Prince. Now I shall announce another joyful news for our kingdom. The Crown Prince will officially be engaged to the pride of the Loraine family, Lady Estelle Loraine!"
'Hah?'
Estelle's eyes widened in shock. Rovan was equally stunned, though he clapped and congratulated her, he stared at Estelle with wide eyes, demanding an explanation from his close friend.
'WHAT THE HELL?! WHY AM I BEING ENGAGED ALL OF A SUDDEN?'
'HUH??? THE MARQUESS AND MARCHIONESS DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?? HELLO? ENCHANTED REALMS? WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE?'
Everyone congratulated Estelle and Elias, praising how perfect they looked together. Estelle couldn't hide her confusion, which the King noticed.
"Unfortunately, the Marquess and Marchioness are busy overseeing the winter festival in Nevada, so they couldn't attend. Now, let's raise our glasses to the everlasting light of Aragon. Salud!"
"Salud!" Everyone raised their glasses, clinking the bottoms before taking a few sips. Except for two people, who were bewildered and staring at each other.
"Estelle—"
"Rovie! I-I think I need some fresh air. Can you accompany me to the balcony?" Estelle interrupted hastily. Rovan sighed and nodded, already positioning himself to escort Estelle to the balcony.
Amidst the crowd, the two young people made their way, passing several guests who tried to offer congratulations to Estelle.
"Huah!" Estelle took a deep breath as they stepped onto the balcony, relief flooding her lungs after the suffocating atmosphere inside.
"Estelle—"
"Rovie! I know. I'm sorry."
Rovan gazed into Estelle's eyes for a few seconds before diverting his attention to the moonlit tiles beneath their feet. The moon was exceptionally bright tonight, the first full moon of winter. Usually, the sky was dark and overcast in winter, but tonight was an exception. Estelle realized that Rovan was masking his disappointment.
'Of course he's disappointed. His best friend is getting engaged and he wasn't informed at all.'
Estelle gently patted Rovan's shoulder, rubbing it a few times to soothe her childhood friend's emotions.
"I… didn't know you have a crush on the Crown Prince," he muttered softly, so soft that Estelle had to strain to hear him.
"Crush? No, Rovie! You misunderstand. Trust me!" Estelle's voice carried a passionate plea, shaking Rovan's shoulders in her earnestness. Startled, Rovan lifted his head, his eyes questioning.
'Oh! What should I say? Come on, you've read hundreds of isekai novels!'
An idea popped into her head.
"It's just a contract!"
"Contract?" Rovan squinted, skeptical of Estelle's claim.
"Y-yes! You know my father has long funded Aragon's military needs?" Estelle racked her brain, fabricating a story as she went. Why was it a problem if she was engaged to the Crown Prince anyway?
"Yes?" Rovan still looked confused.
"Rovan, you know well that the Loraine household is very weak in military matters. The kingdom promised us military protection for the Loraine estate and agreed to make me the Crown Prince's partner to gain support from the nobles, ensuring those on Loraine's side would back the Crown Prince's claim to the throne," Estelle explained with a convincing expression.
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Her explanation wasn't entirely false. The Loraine family, a wealthy and prestigious Marquess family, had many enemies eager to seize any opportunity to destroy them. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince was less popular compared to Sebastian and his younger brother, Prince Alejandro, who was much more amiable.
"So, you'll become queen?"
"O-oh no. The contract will end once the king finds the right woman to be Aragon's queen. You see, Loraine and Aragon are two influential families here. If we combine two powerful families in Aragon…." Estelle trailed off, prompting Rovan to think.
"Surely one family would be monopolized, and it's likely… the Loraine family would be controlled by the royal family," Rovan concluded in a hushed tone. Feeling triumphant, Estelle snapped her fingers and made an 'Exactly!' gesture towards Rovan.
'Oh, right, they don't do that here.' She quickly corrected her posture and cleared her throat. Rovan's expression had brightened considerably.
"Is that so…" he murmured, smiling. The dim moonlight hid his blushing cheeks.
"Exactly!" Estelle agreed, "Please keep this secret just between us, okay?" She extended her pinky finger, which Rovan eagerly hooked with his own.
'Look at him, he was just like a young master before, but now he looks like a happy puppy.'
"Captain! So you're here!" A large man appeared from behind the balcony door.
"Fernando? Oh goodness, excuse me. Just a moment." Rovan turned back to Estelle, leaning close to her ear.
"Wait here, don't go anywhere," he whispered softly, then dashed off with his comrade, Fernando.
Once she was sure her friend was truly gone, Estelle could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
'Sorry, Marquess Louis!'
She tilted her head back to gaze at the moon and stars. The night was quite cold, and the open shoulders and neck of her dress made her shiver whenever a breeze blew. Inside, people were still celebrating. Some were dancing, others chatting, flirting, or already drunk.
Estelle still wanted to taste the sweet treats inside, but the thought of facing the deceitful world of the nobility alone without Rovan made her quickly abandon that idea.
'If tonight, after I wake up, I return to my room and my normal life, I think I won't have any regrets.'
Truly, tonight's ball had left a deep impression on Estelle. Her first grand event.
Estelle closed her eyes, focusing her ears on the rustling wind mingling with the soft music. This time she didn't recognize the melody, but it was lovely to her ears. She wanted to savor this moment, repeatedly rubbing her arms for warmth.
"Lady, would you care to explain our contract to me?" A soft whisper, like the night breeze, brushed past Estelle's ear, accompanied by the warmth of a coat draped over her shoulders by the owner of the voice.
"Y-Your Highness!" Estelle spun around, taking a few steps back and bowing deeply.
Elias de Aragon
Affinity: 0%
Mood: -
Status: Royal of Aragon (Crown Prince)
Relationship: Fiancée
'Did he say contract? Did he overhear my nonsense with Rovan?!'
"Lady Estelle, I have never heard of this contract you mentioned to Lord Erlando. I fear there might be information my father forgot to share with me three days ago." The prince's eyes bore into her, his smile not masking the anger in his expression.
"I-it's… I-I…" Estelle stammered, cornered, her back against the balcony railing.
"The Royal Family will monopolize the Loraine family…" he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from Estelle's ear, "how arrogant." She felt his warm breath on her ear, her body trembling.
'P-please help…!'