"Mhmm…there isn't anything else but the matter about your engagement. Afterall, Viscount Schwart died due to his out of luck."
And you're the reason of his misfortune but you just laugh it off as if it's a trivial matter.
"Therefore, this mother of yours went through a list to choose your new fiancee."
"No need."
"You shouldn't say that. You are already come of age, so you need to find a good ma–"
"I have already met a man whom I wish to marry."
In a split second the Countess' face, which usually adorned by a smile as if the smile was engraved to her mask, changed into a deep frown and some visible wrinkles could be seen. But, the small wrinkles quickly faded completely and her smile returned back to her face.
"Oh my! What kind of joke were you talking about?"
"I'm not joking. Today I met my soulmate. It's all thanks to you."
It's right, isn't it? If the Countess never accused me for murder, I would never met and got a help from Captain Jullius. I didn't expect the Countess would become a hidden cupid. That's more like how a mother should be. Great! Awesome!
"Soulmate?"
"Yes. I don't know whether if you've heard the news. Today Sir Jullius Rizar who is the Captain of Special Task Squad saved me at the trial. If not for him, I would probably have my neck at the execution board right now."
Well, the execution won't proceed that fast though.
The Countess lifted her beautiful eyebrows after she heard me words.
"Don't tell me the person you're talking right now is–"
"That's right. I've promised Captain Jullius to build our future together."
The Countess' eyes clearly showed her trembled pupils. No wonder she got furious. Nothing could be more troublesome than having a Captain of Special Task Squad who was busy digging up your evil deed, became my fiancee instead.
"I think you're too rushed in making decision."
"It's not. It's nothing strange when a man and a woman who were both adults, fell for each other."
"That aside, there're many bad rumors about the Captain of Special Task Squad. How about you reconsider it again?"
"After I met him, I think he's a good man. We get along well and we have many mutual interest. I wish to be engage with him as soon as possible."
"But there's order in everything. Before you get enganged, he need to meet with the Count and get his approval. Then, we could set an engagement date."
"Did my father even care about my marriage?"
I even never caught a glimpse of my so called father's face until now. If there weren't any problems, I could accept his reasons being busy. However, Silla lied in coma for a week, almost got rape, and even accused as murderer, and not even once the Count showed himself. I even suspected whether Count Epheria was a real person.
The Countess smiled sweetly but her smile didn't reach her eyes. Her eyes coldly looked at me and said, "Of course he cares about you. I will help you arrange the time."
"Make it quick. Captain Jullius is rather impatient."
"Of course. But…, could you meet some of the candidates I've chose for you at least for once? There're some handsome men amongst them."
"I'm not interested in someone's appearance."
Nevertheless, I believed I'm the most handsome man. Every morning I have seen the most handsome face in the entire Empire through the mirror reflection, how could I take interest on average person?
"At the very least, I hope you will attend the banquet to show some respect."
"…, a banquet?"
I'm not even a bit interested in any of the candidates, but hearing about a banquet pique my interest. Assistant Ortzen said it would be better if the engagement ceremony could be held inside the Count's residence. That means a banquet is also a good chance, isn't is?
"I will attend if you also invite Captain Jullius."
"Inviting a Captain of Special Task Squad?"
"Yes. Isn't that obvious? He also must be there when my other candidates come."
The Countess hesitated for a moment, but she still agreed and nodded her head.
"Alright. I will send an invitation to the Special Task Squad's headquarters."
"Many thanks."
"Prepare yourself accordingly. The banquet will be held in four days."
"Okay."
I don't know what kind of scum fiancee she had prepared for me but I would definitely catch every each of them and beat the hell out of them. If I do that, then there might be someone who will spill the beans. I bowed respecfully to the Countess who still maintain her beautiful smile then took my leave from the room.
"In four days?"
Sofia mumbled anxiously when she heard there will be a banquet to choose a new fiancee for me.
"If it's really in four days, then we're tight in time… Right now Miss is still clueless about any mannerism when attending a banquet."
"That's not entirely true. Actually I still remember some parts of it."
I said that while waving my hand. In the past, I was a regular guest at banquets. As someone who worked under the church, actually it was inappropriate for me to attend a banquet, but the ladies sincerely invited me, so how could I have the heart to decline? As long as it didn't overlap with my schedule, I would definitely attend the banquet. That's why I'm familiar with banquets.
"I just need to maintain a smile, give necessary responds, and have a dance."
"That's quite right, but… does Miss still remember how to dance?"
"Of course, my lovely lady!"
If you asked for me, then I would gladly dance with you. I stood and held Sofia's hands. Her hazel eyes looked confused and it made her seemed cute.
"I've mastered many dances, ranged from fast, slow, and three-fourths tempo."
I stretched out my hand that held Sofia's hand and directed her to do a spin in circle. There wasn't even any music around us, but all the nerves inside my body remembered all the dance rhythm. Sofia's skirt fluttered and I held her slim waist into my arms. Did you see that? Although my body changed, but I was still able to dance flawlessly.
I lowered my head to saw Sofia's face that was in a daze, then I smiled.
"I did great, didn't I?"
"…, Miss."
"What?"
"Just now Miss only danced the male's part."
Dang it…
Sofia left my embraced and glared at me.
"Miss indeed danced well, but why does Miss only remember to dance to the male's part?"
"I-I also wonder why…"
Why else could it be? That's because all these times I've always danced to the male's part. Damn! I'm totally screwed up! How could I change my dance habit to the female's part in just four days?! It would be much better if I learn from the beginning when I didn't know anything. It would be really confusing.
"…, perhaps should I just cancel the banquet? Or postpone it?"
"It's impossible the Countess will agree. If Miss do a mistake when you dance, that old witch would be much more happy over your misfortune."
"But we only have four days left…"
"Don't worry, Miss! With me here, I will change the way you dance even if we have to stay up late at night!"
She made the decision with burning eyes filled with passion.
"Ah, including teaching Miss some basic etiquatte. That's why, let's do our best, Miss!"
No, Sofia. Please don't be like that. I'm fine like this. No matter what I said, my desperate voice couldn't reach Sofia's ears. Even if she heard it, she would just ignored it.