Chapter 31

What is socializing?

If we were to describe its dictionary definition, it is an activity of interacting through contact or meetings with others.

Then, what is socializing among nobles?

Again, if we were to describe its dictionary definition, it is an activity where nobles interact to build relationships with other nobles.

But if we delve deeper, it becomes clear that the dictionary definition alone is insufficient to explain it.

For nobles already debuted in the social scene, engaging in invisible power struggles with other nobles is part of their daily life.

Young lords and ladies who have just debuted in the social scene meet various people to find their partners.

To find a partner with better conditions or one that suits their heart.

They step into the social scene to make the most important first impression and leave a mark.

This is also why the custom of dancing emerged in the social scene.

While there may be people who genuinely enjoy dancing purely for the love of it.

Most danced with various people to find their future partners.

In a way, dancing can be seen as a consideration for young lords and ladies who have just entered the social scene.

“You stepped wrong.”

“…”

However, for me and Rebecca, it was the most meaningless thing in the world.

With our fiancé and fiancée standing right beside us.

What meaning would there be for the princess or me to dance with someone else?

“It’s the left foot, not the right.”

“…Understood.”

Yet, the reason I continue to practice dancing, even while being scolded by the princess, is.

If I were to make a mistake at the imperial banquet, not only I but Rebecca would also become the subject of gossip.

Being the next Duke of Valencia alone would surely draw the attention of all sorts of nobles.

If, in such a situation, my fiancée by my side were to cause a scene.

– Lady Valencia must have no taste.

– Indeed, to marry someone like that.

It was clear that the princess would hear such remarks.

Of course, given the princess’s background, no noble would dare to say such things openly.

But the feeling of being whispered about behind her back would surely be stressful for the princess.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

Perhaps I was too deep in thought about doing well. Rebecca noticed I wasn’t fully focused.

“…I had something to think about for a moment.”

“I’ll listen. What were you thinking about that you couldn’t concentrate?”

“…”

I was at a loss for words.

No, rather than being at a loss for words.

It was more accurate to say I couldn’t think of how to deflect.

To tell the princess exactly what I was worrying about would be no different from saying, ‘I am this worried about you.’

“…It was nothing.”

I tried to steer the conversation elsewhere to avoid it.

“No, I really want to hear it.”

“…”

It didn’t work on Rebecca, who doesn’t let go once she’s latched onto something.

“Speak up while I’m still asking nicely.”

The princess’s gaze seemed to declare she wouldn’t practice properly until she got an answer.

“…I was worrying about what to do if a situation arises where I have to dance with another lady.”

Finally, I voiced one of the worries in my head.

Of course, at first, I would dance with Rebecca, my fiancée and partner.

But if a lady from another noble family, wishing to befriend me, asks me to dance.

What should I do in that situation?

There’s no rule that says you can’t dance with someone of the opposite sex at a banquet if you have a fiancé or partner.

In fact, those who truly enjoy dancing or wish to build many connections would dance around even if they had a fiancé or partner.

And the watching nobles didn’t view it negatively.

Though the meaning might have changed a lot by now, the main purpose of the social scene was interaction.

Who could interfere with someone wanting to dance to interact at a place meant for interaction?

But what I was worried about was Rebecca’s reaction.

From the perspective of a typical fiancée, it wouldn’t be pleasant to see her fiancé dancing with another woman.

“Princess, what would you like me to do?”

So, I asked for Rebecca’s opinion.

Whether it’s okay for her fiancé to dance, even if it’s for socializing.

Whether Rebecca wouldn’t mind me dancing with another woman.

I was curious about that.

“…Why are you asking me that?”

A reaction as if asking why I’m consulting her about my own affairs.

As if it didn’t matter to her what I did.

“I am your fiancé, am I not?”

“…”

Having watched Rebecca for the past three years, I knew that reaction was false.

To test me. To see what I was thinking.

I knew she was saying something contrary to her true feelings.

The Rebecca Valencia I knew was someone with a strong sense of possessiveness.

“…Don’t dance.”

As expected, Rebecca, with her cheeks flushed, ordered me not to dance with others.

A normal person might have been satisfied with that and said, “Understood,” to the princess.

But.

“May I ask why I shouldn’t?”

“…”

Being the fiancé who loves to tease his fiancée the most in the world.

I wanted to hear from her own mouth the reason why I shouldn’t dance with others.

“…Because you’re my fiancé, aren’t you?”

“I can’t hear you well.”

“You’re my fiancé, aren’t you?”

So, do as I say.

In Rebecca’s red eyes, claiming ownership over ‘Albert Zernias,’ only I was reflected.

“…As you wish, Princess.”

I decided not to go against Rebecca’s words.

“…Hurry up and hold my hand.”

“Understood. My beloved fiancée.”

Still with her face flushed, I firmly held the princess’s hand.

That day’s dance practice continued until it was time for dinner.

***

Rebecca hated the social scene.

Hearing her mother, the Duchess of Valencia, talk about the social scene made it natural for her to dislike it.

The romantic events always appearing in romance novels were almost nonexistent, and the social scene was filled with noble intrigues, as her mother said.

Even before her debutante, her mother instilled in her a rejection of the social scene.

But as the next Duchess of Valencia, as a ducal lady of the empire approaching her coming-of-age ceremony.

She couldn’t avoid participating in the imperial banquet, a must for nobles.

So, while she disliked it in her heart, she had no choice but to prepare for her debutante.

The reason she initially refused her fiancé’s suggestion to practice dancing was simply because it was bothersome.

Having already prepared for her debutante, she had perfectly mastered dancing. She wondered if she really needed to spend time practicing dancing again.

But eventually, she accepted the proposal due to Albert’s shameless words.

However, it wasn’t in a good mood that she accepted the proposal.

Once the practice started, her mood worsened.

The fiancé who suggested the practice wasn’t concentrating properly once it began.

Whatever he was thinking, his face was full of worry.

So, she asked Albert.

What was he thinking that he couldn’t concentrate on the dance practice he suggested and kept making mistakes.

Her fiancé seemed reluctant to speak at first, but under her sharp gaze, he finally opened his mouth.

-…I was worrying about what to do if a situation arises where I have to dance with another lady.

The fiancé’s answer made her think of many things.

If, as Albert said, a noble lady asked her fiancé to dance.

And if Albert accepted that request.

What should she, as Albert’s fiancée, do?

In fact, the answer was almost obvious.

At a banquet gathered for socializing, what’s the problem with dancing with someone else to socialize?

Rebecca, who had already learned from her mother that such things weren’t really a problem.

But.

“…”

She couldn’t easily say it was okay to dance with others.

Even though she was the type not to care much about what her fiancé did. Why was it so hard to say it was okay?

“…Why are you asking me that?”

So, instead of answering the question, she tested her fiancé.

Wondering why she was feeling this way.

“I am your fiancé, am I not?”

“…”

And when she heard Albert’s reply.

She finally realized why she was feeling this way.

Albert was her fiancé.

Not someone else’s. Only her fiancé.

Even if she didn’t love Albert, who would like seeing their person with someone else?

Having reached a conclusion, she could comfortably command her fiancé.

“…Don’t dance.”

Not to dance. Not to get close to another woman.

To stay only by her side during the banquet.

It wasn’t love. It was possessiveness and exclusivity.

At least, she believed so.

Whether that was the truth or just what she wanted to believe was unknown.

But one thing was certain.

“…Hurry up and hold my hand.”

“Understood. My beloved fiancée.”

Though always annoyingly so, her fiancé being with another woman wouldn’t sit well with her.

That much was certain.

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