Chapter 9.2
I was wearing a pale, light blue dress and my hair was done up and adorned with white roses. As the leading actress, I stepped into the prepared party hall within the mansion.
「Congratulations, Flora.」
「You look much more beautiful today.」
「Thank you very much.」
I greeted close n.o.bles and friends with a smile.
As today’s guests were only those we were casual with, I was able to enjoy delicious tea and idle talk without feeling self-conscious.
Suddenly, the hall was filled with commotion, and I saw that movement began to gather around me.
Why here?
「Congratulations, Flora. I came because I wanted to see your figure, by all means.」
Blonde with a tinge of light blue; should we call it blue blonde? And also, deep blue eyes. There was a slender and tall, elegant handsome young man.
That’s right. It was Alvin Rigurdo-sama, the beautiful duke.
He was 10 years my senior and was a sharp and capable person who already succeeded the duke rank. He was also a n.o.ble famous for his good looks and received the ardent gazes of the women with a smile.
Upon seeing this beautiful man, one could only call him easy on the eyes. However on the inside……it isn’t like that, ne?
「……Alvin-sama.」
「Flora. As expected, you are as beautiful as a fairy.」
It is our first time speaking directly. He smoothly approached me and took my hand.
Around me, I could hear people’s voices saying「Ara*」and「They’re well-matched, ne?」.
「One moment please, Alvin-sama. We’re still not officially engaged, aren’t we?」
I tried to pull back my hand from the man who was behaving as if he were my lover, but his big defined hand wouldn’t let go and he brought it to his mouth and kissed it.
The sultry look in his eyes as he brought my hand near his lips was too much for me and I felt dizzy.
Not good. This person’s ikemen* power is staggering.
For a moment, I had no idea what I should do!
「I wanted to meet you, no matter what, Flora. I wanted to get to know you properly before our engagement is formalized.」
The young n.o.ble’s gentlemanly charms were overflowing as he held my hand and said some surprisingly upfront words.
「Well, well. This is going favorably.」
My father turned up with a face full of smiles.
To be able to become related to a ducal family is a good deal for my father. That’s one way to summarize this whole engagement, right?
「May I talk to Flora for a little bit?」
「Of course! Flora, why don’t you guide him to the garden with our family’s prided roses?」
Yes, my father had sold me out.
If an engaged couple were to be alone together, that is to say, no matter what they do, it would be alright. (TN: I guessed this line too. 婚約中の男女をふたりっきりにするということは、すなわち何をしてもいいですよということなのだ。)
However, I could not oppose my father’s words.
「……Well then, please excuse me. Over there, Alvin-sama.」
「Thank you, Flora. I will monopolize you for a bit.」
TN: One more part after this.
Ara ⇒ Equivalent of “Oh my~”Ikemen ⇒ Handsome man