information.
But she had no choice but to attend because Miraila would be furious if she did not attend the meeting as she had ordered.
"Your Grace."
Artizea grabbed his wrist with a face of embarrassment.
Cedric stared at her and whispered softly.
"Did Countess Eunice do this to you?"
***
Before he left the Imperial Palace, Countess Eunice stopped him.
Cedric looked at her warily. Although they were cousins, they had never been close.
「Are you going to meet Lady Artizea?」
「Is that any of your business?」
「No, but there is one thing I would ask of you.」
「I can't guarantee anything, but go ahead, I'm listening.」
「Please tell Lady Artizea that I regret what happened yesterday.」
Said Countess Eunice clutching the skirt of her dress.
「If you have something to apologize for, why don't you do it personally?」
「Of course I'll visit her in person and apologize for it at the appropriate time. But right now I think a mediator is needed. Just tell her that, 'I'm sorry, and I appreciate her advice'.」
Cedric didn't know why, but he nodded his head and left.
***
He never imagined it was because of this.
"The Countess Eunice…"
"Please, do not say anything more. If you continue, you'll put me in a difficult situation."
Artizea pressed his wrist slightly.
Cedric, impotent, released her chin. Then he spoke sternly, containing his anger.
"Let's go back."
Artizea felt strange.
Alice was the only person in her past life who had ever cared about her.
After Alice's death, no one noticed her injuries.
In her youth it was even worse.
When Miraila was in a bad mood, she used to vent her anger on her.
No one in the Marquisate Rosan cared that she was slapped on the cheek.
However, now Cedric was angry about it. Of all people, Cedric.
Somehow, with tears in her eyes, Artizea lowered her head and said stiffly.
"Alright."
It wouldn't be good for her to leave the ballroom under these circumstances.
But Artizea wasn't here to find a good marriage partner anyway.
Nor was there anyone in this place who wanted to be her friend. Her reputation had already hit rock bottom and so far it didn't look like it would get any better.
Cedric took a step back and extended his arm to escort her.
Just then, Lady Atiyah casually made eye contact with him.
Cedric reached out to Artizea.
"What?"
"May I have this dance?"
Lady Laila's face was distorted by the humiliation she felt.
It was far from Cedric's usual personality to do anything that would draw attention in a ballroom like this. But now he wanted to do it.
"I really don't want to draw too much attention."
Artizea whispered quietly. Cedric responded.
"I know. It's all right, Lady Artizea. The Grand Duke Evron makes for an ideal complement."
"…"
Artizea didn't respond.
Because Cedric seemed to have noticed that her outfit was unsuitable for this ball and that she was being ignored.
She seemed to be indifferent to such things. This time, however, she was embarrassed.
"Come on."
Cedric urged.
The fact that a man asked her to dance was strange to Artizea. And even more so because on this occasion, that man was Cedric.
She had to summon up some courage to take his hand.
Artizea didn't know why she was so nervous.
"I could step on your feet. I'm not very good at dancing."
"Then even if we step on each other's feet, let's be understanding and pretend not to notice. I can't dance well either."
Cedric said and tugged on her hand.
When he wrapped his arm around her waist, Artizea became extremely tense.
Although he said he wasn't good at dancing, Cedric guided the dance to the rhythm of the music, like a duck to water, and headed towards the centre of the ballroom.
Whispers exploded everywhere.
Some couples stepped aside, and others stopped dancing altogether to watch them.
As she danced, Artizea felt that the hall was empty.