Balance of the World

Episode 7: Black-haired nobleman

Agen, the son of Duke Pyrope, shook the carriage on the way home and muttered, "I failed."

"If I had known that Her Majesty had called out to her, I wouldn't have given her the dance."

At that mutter, Streng, who was sitting opposite Agen, raised his thick eyebrows.

Streng is the son of a knight who has served the Duke of Pyrope for generations, and Agen's confidant. His features are still childish, but his stout physique is as good as an adult.

"My tricks to surprise her backfired. I should have made a promise from the beginning."

Agen was late to the party today because he wanted to create a situation where he could definitely dance after surprising Linaria.

Anyone who knows Agen knows that he hasn't promised anyone his first dance.

If you go to the venue early, there will definitely be a young lady who wants to dance with Agen, even if it means canceling her plans for the slightest chance.

It was annoying, so he went at the last minute on purpose, but thanks to that, Agen didn't know that Linaria was specially called out to His Majesty the King.

"She never reveals her true feelings, so I thought if I was caught off guard I could read a little bit... Spinel Boulanger interrupted me. While I was dancing with him, I completely regrouped." It has been done."

“…That man, I never thought you would ask Agen-sama to give up.”

Streng said somewhat annoyed. Streng dislikes his dishonorable behavior.

"Yeah. He's a really good squire.

"...?"

Unable to comprehend the meaning of Agen's words, Streng has a question on his face.

"He didn't make a promise to Linaria. He could have invited her at any time, but until that moment she was planning to dance with her brother....But when I tried to invite Linaria, she rushed over and interrupted me. I ended up being her first dance partner. What do you think of this?"

“…A restraint from the prince who said, ‘Although she has not yet been recognized as a fiancée candidate, I have no intention of letting another man spit on her.’”

Streng answers. This should have been obvious to everyone.

If it hadn't been Agen who had invited her to the dance, but a son of a family on the same or lower rank than her, he might have watched in silence. Because he is no big deal to the prince.

However, Agen is the next duke, and among the new students, he has a position to succeed the prince. If Agen danced her first dance ahead of her other daughters, she would be seen by those around her as "the prince's friend" and "the daughter that the Duke of Pyrope looks up to." become. Naturally, members of her faction in Agen would also try to approach her.

Strang thought that the Prince had moved his servant Spinel to prevent it and keep her by his side.

…But the Master of Strength seems to think that Spinel's actions don't mean just that. He continues his words with a somewhat amused expression.

"But he took the trouble to invite her to the terrace in the middle of the party just now. What does this look like?"

"Huh? Well... they seemed to be on good terms, almost like they were lovers... Ah."

"That's right."

If you show a friendly appearance with her, another meaning will come out of the action just now.

It is possible to interpret that he interrupted because he wanted to be her first dance partner, not because he had received the prince's will.

The question remains as to why he didn't invite her in advance, but there are many reasons why she couldn't bring herself to tell the prince.

"In other words, he deliberatelydegree・blood・and others・When・and・taking・Re・Ru・world・cormorant・To・You did it."

"…I see"

"By making my presence stand out, I made the speculations of those around me vague. Well, I think it's clear where the prince's heart is when you look at her... In the end, I didn't know anything about her. By the way, Spinel Boulanger's true intentions."

“In spite of that, Agen-sama seems to be having fun.”

Agen smiles at Streng's remark.

"It's fun. It's very funny. When asked about her relationship with the prince, she always says, 'I'm afraid' and 'I'm not worthy.' Why don't you show off your relationship with the prince and try to keep the other ladies in check...Are you really confident?I never say that I'm in love with that attendant...I. She looks very strong to

I don't know much about strength. In her eyes of her strength, she looks like a very docile, just a little prettier than normal lady. But if Agen says so, then so be it.

"However, that squire is more like her protector than a knight. Even if I leave her alone, she seems to be able to protect herself well... but in his eyes, I'm completely different. It seems that she is in the picture.I don't understand why the prince tends to hold back against her.If you want it, you should get it. I wonder why His Majesty called out to her even though she should have just called out to her? No matter how good a magician she is, what kind of expectations do you have for a child who hasn't yet entered the academy?"

It's true that it's all unnatural when you mention it like that. Suddenly, that girl seems like a witch plotting something.

"...I was just going to flirt with her a little bit, but it turned out to be a lot more interesting than I thought. Plus, I think it's a good thing that I was able to make a loan to Spinel Boulanger."

Agen laughed again and looked out the window of the carriage.

"I'm looking forward to entering the school. I think I can lead an interesting school life."

Streng silently nodded.

No matter what, he just obeys the command of the Lord.

Streng believed that was the course of action for a competent subject.

He is the type of nobleman who reads too much into it.