"Mir, is there anything strange?"
Looking at my reflection in the Mirror, I ask Mir, who helped me get dressed. Today, I'm escorting Serena to the Nethercrest Duke's party. I can't afford to embarrass my fiancée.
"Please rest assured. I am confident that you, Lord Elysion will be the star of today's party."
With a humble bow and confident words, Mir makes me uneasy.
'The star is Serena, and I'm just a supporting role. Do you understand that?'
But to say, I am really an eye-catcher uhehehuehe…!
"Well, whatever. I'll believe you if you say so."
"Your Excellency, isn't that a bit disrespectful?"
Seems like I phrased it poorly. Mir turns her face away with a 'pui.' Well, I'll apologize when I get back.
"Then, I'll be going."
"Nya!? Am I not coming with you!?"
Oops. Night seems to have misunderstood that he'd be accompanying me.
"No, animals can't go to parties[91] ."
"I'm not an animal!"
"Even magical beasts are a no-go."
"Nyuuuuuuu!"
Oh well, Night got upset too. Troublesome.
Leaving Night and mir at the palace, I head to the townhouse of the Ravenhurst Dukedom.
The capital is still lively in the evening, with a crowded street and people filling night shops as the carriage my focused on solely one thing.
"I wonder if Serena will like it."
Touching the item prepared for today, hidden in my coat, I imagine her delighted face, and I can't help but smile.
I've been thinking only about her all day, after all...We quickly arrive at the Ravenhurst family's townhouse.
But.
"Ely, thank you for coming to pick me up."
Dressed in a party gown, which is the same shade of blue as her eyes, Serena is many times—no, dozens of times—more beautiful than I had imagined.
Thanks to her, my heart has began pounding incessantly.
"Lord Ely...?"
"Ah, sorry. You were so beautiful that I got lost in thought."
"Fuu... Th-Thank you."
Did you hear that? Serena let out such an adorable voice like 'fu.' She's incredibly cute.
"Now, let's go."
"Yes."
In the carriage heading to the Nethercrest Duke's townhouse, I handed Serena the special present prepared for tonight.
"Rena... for tonight's celebration."
"May I open it...?"
"Of course."
Blushing, Serena carefully unwraps the present, and when she opens the lid...
"Beautiful..."
"Did you like it...?"
"Yes... Thank you so much for giving me such a wonderful hair ornament. It's a shame I can't wear it to tonight's party."
Hugging the gift to her small chest, Serena blushes even more.
Yeah, Mir's advice was worth it. I'll definetly give a pay raise to her.
But, there has been something that I've been curious about for a while.
Why does Serena guide me so much and get so happy with even a small present from me?
As you know, I'm the "incompetent dumb prince," with the worst reputation ever prince had till date .
Still, she looks at me properly, helped me without caring about the danger during the Yeti subjugation, and...
Of course, being engaged plays a role in it too, I think.
But it's not just that; I've received a lot from her.
'Hey, RENA! why do you go this far for someone like me, what do you really think about someone like me?'
I really want to know the answer, but right now... I don't have the courage to ask.
"Ely, it seems we've arrived."
"Ah... Y-Yes."
Oops. I shouldn't be lost in thought like this when she's here.
"Please."
"Hehe... Thank you."
Hurriedly getting off first, I take her hand and help her down from the carriage.
At that moment...I just wanted to blur out…
"Rena... I'll do my best. I'll work hard, keep my promise on the engagement day, and become a man worthy of you." …and I did so.
"Yes... I will be waiting for you, forever."
Serena answered my out of place determined words, with an enthusiasam, which was but I was happy.
Of course, not 'forever,' not 'three years later,' but even earlier than that, I will become a man worthy of her.
At that time, I will ask her this question.
And... I will tell her those words, Ihave always wanted to tell.
"As expected of the Nethercrest family's party, there are so many guests."
"Hm? Ah, yeah, that's right."
Haa... It's good to be determined, but I shouldn't forget that I'm escorting Serena. I should concentrate on her.
"Lord Elysion, Lady Serena, welcome. Please come this way."
Guided by the Nethercrest family's servant, we enter the venue.
"Wonderfull...!"
I inadvertently let out an exclamation at the dazzling scene inside.
After all, it's the first party I've attended since regaining my memories from my previous life. My personality is also from my previous life, so in that sense, it's like a first experience.
"Ely, is this perhaps your first time attending a party?"
"Yes. It's the first party I'm attending with you."
"Ah... Y-Yes, I'm quite happy to hear that..."
Blushing, Serena loosens her lips and looks down.
'Oh my god! What should I do? My fiancée is cuter than a goddess.'
While I'm fascinated by that...
"What's that?"
"It seems noisy over there..."
In the back of the venue, nobles are gazing at something from a distance, surrounding it as if enclosing it.
From their mouths, phrases like, "Why is that person...?" or "That person is truly out of place here...?" can be heard. At least, it doesn't seem like a welcoming atmosphere.
Uh-oh... they are not looking in our direction, so it's not about me, right? Then, what in the world...?!
Through the gaps in between the people's crowding, I see a familiar young lady in a red dress and a boy next to her wearing a silver tuxedo, matching the colour of his hair.
No mistake. That's...
'Vikir Silvercrest, the protagonist of 'Engage Hundered times.''