CH 46.1

With the End of the Ball

The man who was met with Alberto’s gaze, which seemed capable of killing with just a glare, was frozen in place and turned pale.

It’s understandable. If someone were on the receiving end of that gaze, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for them.

“I, uh, I just wanted to talk to Miss Edigma, that’s all…”

I looked at the man in amazement.

It takes courage to continue the conversation without running away when you were under such a scary gaze.

Alberto glanced at me with his sharp eyes and then turned his attention back to the man.

“I see. But in such a dark place, if something happens, I’ll be in trouble. Please return to the hall.”

“Y-yes.”

The man looked a little relieved and turned towards me, ready to return to the hall together.

“Miss Marie.”

Alberto suddenly called my name, and I looked up at him. Although his gaze still held its intensity, his face appeared calm as he looked at me.

“If you don’t mind, would you allow me to escort you?”

“Ah, yes.”

Before the man could extend his hand, Alberto reached out his hand to me first, and I instinctively took it.

I wanted to say farewell to the man who I was talking to earlier, feeling sorry for him, but my hand was pulled forcefully, and I couldn’t say anything as we walked through the garden.

I struggled to keep up with Alberto, who was walking briskly, and in no time, I couldn’t see the man anymore.

Still, Alberto’s footsteps didn’t stop. He continued to walk through the garden, and gradually, the music flowing from the hall grew fainter.

“Alberto-sama?”

Concerned about his strange behavior, I called out his name, and he suddenly came to a halt. It happened so suddenly that I couldn’t stop in time and ended up bumping my face into his chest.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Are you alright?”

The face looking down at me with concern was the usual Albert. I felt relieved. However, I couldn’t help but notice a lingering sense of urgency in Albert’s demeanor. I smiled and reassured him, saying, “I’m fine.”

“Thank you for earlier.”

Since the man who had barged in earlier seemed rather forceful, I was at a loss as to how to handle the situation. So, I thanked Alberto again, but for some reason, he made a face like he was taken aback.

His expression makes me wonder if he’s the same noble Knight Commander as before.

The way Alberto intervened earlier was different from his usual self, and it made my heart flutter strangely.

Is it because the situation is completely different from usual?

Alberto, dressed in a knight’s attire that was even more formal than usual, gazed at me with a slight smile, his eyes crinkling with happiness.

“I’m glad nothing happened. However, please be careful. There are people who might take advantage of such situations. Please stay close to your brother.”

Alberto gently smoothed my slightly disheveled bangs with his long fingers.

I felt a rush of heat in the areas where he touched me, causing me to blush and look down in embarrassment.

“My brother seems preoccupied with his affairs, so I thought I would return home alone when the time was right.”

“Alone?”

“Yes. I was thinking of using a rental carriage to go back.”

It was about time to go home anyway.

Rather than staying longer and being approached and attracting curious glances like earlier, I had a delicious meal, so it was time to leave.

“Then, I will escort you to the front gate.”

He placed his hand on my waist and guided me. Wait a moment.

“Alberto-sama, aren’t you currently working?”

I’m grateful for the offer of being personally escorted by the esteemed Knight Commander, who is an important figure in the country, but…

He assured me, saying, “It’s not a problem,” and proceeded to walk with me toward the main gate, disregarding his inappropriate comment.

At that moment, the music playing in the hall changed.

It was a famous dance song.

“This song… Rosemary used to practice it a lot.”

“Are you aware of it?”

“Yes.”

The song playing now seemed to be a basic dance track often played at debutante balls, intended for beginners and intermediate dancers.

Rosemary often danced to this song when practicing her dances.

And the practice partner she danced with was the knight standing in front of me right now.