Father, I Won’t Do Anything

“Princess Elia!”

Elia, who had briefly left, had returned.

Tension flickered across Countess Milpres’s face. However, she managed to address Elia in a forthright manner.

“Come to think of it, didn’t a rumor spread about Lady Newin offending another lady at a certain tea party, causing her family’s status to decline? I heard Princess Elia was also present at that gathering.”

“…”

“Princess Elia, isn’t it unfair to solely favor just one lady?”

“That is my freedom.”

“Everyone asked for a chaperon, yet you solely favor one lady…”

“So? Should I have been your chaperon instead?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“It’s merely being a chaperon, nothing more. Does that help in acquiring titles or wealth? I’m simply there to ensure a successful debutante.”

Elia’s eyes turned cold.

“Yet you speak as if I’m acting without any discernment?”

Elia deliberately scoffed as she glared at Countess Milpres.

“In fact, you just said I solely favor Lady Jaina. I see how little you think of me.”

“Oh, Princess Elia.”

“If you have grievances against me, confront me directly. Don’t needlessly pick on others.”

A chilling aura emanated from Elia’s body. The oppressive presence she had acquired from years of war was not something ordinary people could withstand. Those around turned deathly pale.

It was the first time Elia had revealed such displeasure at a social gathering like this soiree.

Everyone froze in place, trembling.

“I’m… sorry…”

Particularly Countess Milpres, solely bearing the brunt of Elia’s murderous intent, had a face drained of all color.

The mustachioed gentleman she had trusted had already fled the moment Elia arrived.

In the end, Countess Milpres turned and fled in an unsightly manner, her legs giving out as she tore her dress in the process.

* * *

Finally, the most important time of the debutante ball arrived.

“Jaina, who will you be dancing with? I’ll be going with my cousin brother.”

Everyone held their partner’s hand, but Jaina was alone. She didn’t have a close male companion to attend the ball with.

‘I should have asked Brother Mikael after all?’

Watching the ladies walk towards the hall hand-in-hand with their partners, belated regret washed over her.

‘But Princess Elia did say that wouldn’t be a good idea.’

Though she didn’t explain why, Jaina could roughly guess the reason.

Unless she revealed her relationship with Diamid, she couldn’t introduce Mikael as her cousin.

Well, there was no need to involve Mikael unnecessarily, anyway.

‘Moreover, the first dance is with your partner…’

While Elia had said it was fine for Jaina to attend the debutante ball without a partner, she would certainly stand out.

Marilyn hadn’t randomly invited a distant cousin brother she normally didn’t even contact.

“I was under the impression Lady Seirin didn’t enjoy dancing.”

“But on a day like this, if I don’t dance, I’ll feel sorry for those who put in the effort to dress me up.”

“Oh my, but that’s their job, isn’t it?”

“That may be, but still.”

Hohoho, giggles echoed all around.

Seeing even the shy-looking ladies eagerly stepping forward, Jaina felt a tinge of regret.

‘I had made such a glamorous entrance in a dress unlike any other, after all.’

As she pondered what to do, something seemed to stir behind her.

‘What’s going on?’

Just as Jaina was about to turn around, a man reached out from behind.

“Young lady, would you honor me with this dance today?”

Though it was a voice she had never heard before, it felt oddly familiar.

Instead of turning around, Jaina tilted her head back.

Naturally, her body leaned back, resting against the man’s chest.

‘Ah, so this is why Princess Elia said I didn’t need to forcibly find a partner.’

Realization dawned, a soft smile blooming on her face.

“Prince Rosian.”

“It has been far too long, Miss Jaina, or should I address you ‘my lady’ now?”

“Please, address me as you normally do.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled charmingly at her words.

Seen up close, his smile seemed to have transformed in a subtly alluring way.

Did his laugh lines appear more pronounced than before? There was an indescribably roguish air about him now.

Of course, Jaina had always known Rosian was handsome. He wasn’t the male lead for nothing.

His appealing looks defied personal tastes, and people would invariably sneak glances at him whenever they were together.

But now, at eighteen, having come of age…

“I missed you.”

Jaina, not particularly short herself, fit snugly into his taller, broader frame.

His firmly toned muscles, more defined facial features, and sharp jawline.

All traces of boyishness had vanished, revealing not a mischievous youth, but a full-fledged man.

Over the past few years, he had matured from a boy into a proper young man.

“There’s much to say, but shall we dance first?”

Rosian naturally led Jaina onto the hall.

The first piece was a waltz.

As the music began, Jaina soon realized he was quite talented at dancing as well.

“You dance well?”

“Well, I am royalty, after all.”

“Ah…”

Rosian gave a sly smile at her expression of seeming realization.

“Had you forgotten?”

His smile brightened his already exquisite features once more.

Jaina answered slowly.

“Since I’ve been constantly in Princess Elia’s company recently…”

“What, you’re saying I don’t seem like royalty?”

“I didn’t say that.”

Despite their long absence, their conversation flowed naturally.

Unlike when speaking to the likes of Countess Milpres earlier, she felt at ease.

“By any chance, do you know that person over there? Even a passing glance, that face is unforgettable, yet I can’t seem to place it.”

“The emergence of a new dark horse. High society will be in an uproar. Such a beautiful man.”

“Dammit, who is that cad to steal all the ladies’ attention like that?”

Jaina could sense the admiring gazes directed at Rosian’s appearance.

“Those striking crimson eyes. It seems Prince Rosian has returned from Melbel Academy.”

And that admiration only heightened once Rosian’s identity was revealed.

“Goodness, I thought handsome princes only existed in fairy tales…”

The most fervent reactions came from the ladies making their debut today.

“Isn’t he the Prince who was practically exiled to Melbel Academy for playing around too much?”

However, the slightly older ladies narrowed their eyes upon recognizing Rosian’s identity.

He had yet to shed his reputation as a philanderer.

But.

‘His hands feel so calloused….’

Jaina looked down at her own hands. While her fingers were originally slender and soft, they appeared exceptionally delicate encased within Rosian’s hands.

When Jaina suddenly caressed his hand, Rosian raised an eyebrow and spoke from above.

“I didn’t know Miss Jaina was so bold as to fondle a man’s hands like this.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

Realizing her action, Jaina tried to withdraw her hand.

However, Rosian curved his eyes in a smile before firmly grasping her hand and pulling her closer instead.

“I didn’t say I minded, did I?”

The distance between them, already close from dancing, narrowed by half a step. Now, even his breathing seemed audible.

“So you wish for me to continue touching you?”

“That also seems acceptable.”

Rosian playfully quirked his lips.

Others might have been appalled at what they’d call a heart-stopping smile, but Jaina didn’t bat an eye.

“Even without you saying so, I can tell how diligently you’ve been working, Your Highness.”

Jaina met Rosian’s gaze squarely as she languidly traced his palm with her thumb.

Despite being the one who had said she could continue touching him, Rosian was the one who became flustered.

More precisely, by Jaina’s following words.

“You didn’t just play around at Melbel Academy.”

“…!”

Rosian’s hands bore the rough calluses distinctive of a swordsman.

Traces of blisters formed and burst over and over, hardened and calloused skin…

Jaina gave a faint smile.

“You didn’t forget the promise you made to me.”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It’s alright if you’ve forgotten. It’s enough that I remember.”

Of course, there was no way Rosian could have forgotten that promise. For the past few years, he hadn’t taken a single day off in his efforts to become someone Jaina could rely on.

With reddening ears, Rosian averted his gaze.

Though usually adept at parrying witty banter, he was defenseless against Jaina’s direct approach.

“Please tell me about how you’ve been at Melbel Academy all this time.”

“Well, it’s a predictable story. And I wrote you letters occasionally, didn’t I?”

“Still, I’d like to hear it directly from Your Highness.”

“…Where would I even begin? There will be a better place than here, later.”

Reuniting with Rosian after three years, Jaina found him familiar yet unfamiliar.

Hearing his fully matured masculine voice in her ear, a shiver ran through her for some reason.

It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, just… an odd sensation.

“Then just a simple question. You didn’t return for my debut, did you? What brought you back?”

For the past few years, while they had exchanged letters, Rosian had never once returned to the Empire. Yet now he was suddenly here – there must have been an important matter requiring his presence in the capital.

Her question seemed to dampen Rosian’s mood.

“Why do you assume it wasn’t because of you?”

Jaina blinked in surprise.

‘Did he really come to the capital because of me?’