Chapter 68 : Dance of Debut

“I’m not really in pain.”

“That’s what you call ‘not really’…?”

Back in Isabelle’s dressing room again.

Isabelle’s expression was quite fierce as she tended to his wound. Meanwhile, Glenn remained calm and collected, which seemed to provoke her even more.

“Well, isn’t it a relief? Since it’s been treated well.”

Zhiiing—.

The blood energy at the tip of Isabelle’s fingers wrapped around his pierced wound. It was definitely useful, but it wasn’t exactly a display one would want to show others.

Blood Magic was still viewed with suspicion.

In fact, since Glenn was also a Blood Mage, such a flesh wound could be self-healed. But Isabelle stubbornly insisted on doing it herself.

“…Because the bleeding was minimal.”

If the blood energy was fully controlled, bleeding from such a wound could be easily managed. Thanks to that, Glenn avoided raising concern from the nearby medics.

If his hand had been dripping blood just now, would it have ended as simply as this harmless mishap?

Honestly, no one could say.

“Still, do you think your hands are made of some kind of steel? Don’t do this again.”

Her determined red eyes glared at him for a moment, but when Glenn met her gaze, she quickly averted her eyes.

…What’s she up to?

Despite the question in his mind, he replied quietly.

“You weren’t in any real danger, Princess.”

“…Hmm, aren’t you underestimating me? I’m a Blood Mage too. I could have crushed Britani before she even got close.”

Though she answered confidently, Isabelle felt a faint warmth inside. Honestly, she hadn’t sensed it at all earlier.

Was her mind so full of other thoughts that she couldn’t react?

“Well, that’s fortunate. But if it’s necessary again next time, I’ll do it twice, or even three times.”

Such stubbornness.

Isabelle muttered softly.

And then, silence.

Glenn’s wound had long since healed.

“…I never thought my sister would go that far.”

He knew well enough that Isabelle disliked him. Likely out of jealousy, envy, or resentment.

That much was familiar.

But to think about a knife in the middle of the ball?

It was something truly unimaginable.

“From what I saw earlier, she seemed quite surprised by her own actions too.”

“…But that doesn’t mean it’s forgivable.”

Why did she hate him so much to go that far?

He’d once wondered the same.

After returning to the Stauffen House, every day was a battle. Having lost her mother, and being half an outsider within the family.

Within the dazzling wilderness of Arian Palace, she had to constantly prove herself.

Serving Contract and winning over Father’s favor wasn’t a choice—it was a necessity for survival.

That’s why she fought so fiercely every day. If she couldn’t even empathize with someone like her sister, what kind of person could she be?

And then—.

Isabelle’s gaze suddenly drifted toward Glenn’s hand. Although healed, a small scab had formed.

Seeing this, something stirred quietly inside her chest. Memories of the past cruelty and disdain Britani had poured on her flashed before her eyes.

And now, not only herself but her precious close ones were hurt.

By what right?

Just because that inhuman creature was her sister?

It was no laughing matter.

Or was it simply because she was too easygoing and therefore tormented?

Does anyone think I have no claws?

The tips of Isabelle’s fingers trembled slightly.

“That wretched woman will definitely pay the price.”

Anger—no, hatred.

The feeling locked within Isabelle’s red eyes was exactly that.

More precisely, it was a hatred accumulated over a long time. Not a fiery rage but a much darker, stickier resentment.

Glenn immediately sensed her feelings. Unconsciously, it reminded him faintly of himself.

A brief moment of hesitation.

Should he tell her? No, did he even have the right to say such things?

After a short pause, he spoke.

“That’s not exactly a good way to handle things.”

“Huh?”

At the unexpected response, Isabelle let out a slight laugh.

She had expected him to be more passionate about revenge than she was.

“Ah, don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying Princess Britani did the right thing. She definitely must pay for it. But beyond that… it’s not really good.”

His tone was hesitant and cautious, something he had never shown before. Isabelle felt a breath of freshness.

“What I’m worried about now is you, Princess Isabelle.”

“…Me? You’re worried about me?”

Glenn averted his eyes slightly, embarrassed as he continued.

“Spending time consumed by hatred and resentment—honestly, it’s not pleasant even if you say it as a platitude. It’s just hollow and painful. It could even be a terrible experience.”

“That person…”

Suddenly, a scene surfaced in Isabelle’s mind—the man who once vented his anger about the empire in front of Father.

He must have thought the same because he gave a wry smile.

“Yes, I know what you mean. That’s not something I can preach. I’ve also spent a lot of time consumed by hatred. And… it wasn’t enjoyable at all.”

Hmph.

For just a moment, Isabelle felt a cold sensation from his green eyes.

It was like catching a glimpse into an endless abyss. At the same time, she felt her father’s advice echoing softly.

“That man is a monster.”

“Don’t live like me. Please…”

A snicker.

With a clear bitter smile, Glenn rose from his seat.

…Trying to be cool? Trying to comfort her? Or was it just self-mockery?

Isabelle thought his smile looked strangely cold.

“Now, you should go back.”

“Yes…”

With mixed emotions, she also stood up.

***

Once again, the dazzling lights and music of the ballroom surrounded them.

After Contract’s opening speech and the first dance, the atmosphere shifted into a genuinely free one.

Several nobles chatted with one another or danced freely. The food was neatly set, and the well-dressed attendants quietly moved about.

At the familiar sight, Isabelle returned to her usual self—as if signaling it was time to work.

“Got it? Try to interact with as many people as possible.”

Pointing out one by one among the nobles mingling freely.

“That person is the scion of a family famous for their dye business. And…”

That one comes from a rather well-known knight family,

and that one is the son of some merchant guild…

“Do you really have to do all that? Wouldn’t just doing it moderately be enough…?”

Glenn, overhearing, showed some discomfort. Isabelle immediately frowned.

“You told me yourself. The Lion Knights, and furthermore improving Lepent’s reputation, are also objectives.”

He definitely had said so. And it was truly necessary.

For Glenn’s plans, more people and knights were needed. So this process was essential to attract them to Lepent.

“But if you just frown and stay still in the corner of the hall, do you really think the reputation will improve?”

“…That—”

“Don’t tell me you really don’t know that. You’re not that stupid. So it’s just that you don’t want to do it, right? Am I right?”

He had no answer.

Isabelle’s rebukes were all correct.

“Or do you just think these social gatherings are ridiculous? A place for shallow noble ladies to kill time?”

Glenn sensed the risk.

If he answered poorly here, she would truly be disappointed. So he quietly lowered his head.

“I apologize. I was thinking wrongly.”

She looked slightly surprised.

She didn’t expect him to apologize so meekly.

“…Good thinking. And—after all, we people like us are used to these things. We just need to endure it briefly.”

She said it so easily.

Glenn didn’t bother to voice the thought that it wasn’t so easy.

“Make sure you dance with the young ladies too. You still remember the people I introduced earlier, right?”

“…Wouldn’t it be easier just to keep dancing with you, Princess?”

“Absolutely not.”

Not knowing people’s hearts, really.

She answered firmly and briefly looked away.

“Otherwise, what kind of rumors would spread about the two of us? At least two others must dance with you. Understood?”

In a ballroom like this, it was common for unknown men and women to dance. It was essentially a large matchmaking space.

In other words.

The dances between men and women here were just extended greetings. Of course, the Dance of Debut held special meaning, as the partnered couple usually danced together.

If not, it was a major scandal.

“…Understood.”

“And over there are the two men who will be handling the ‘plan.’ Remember them well.”

Isabelle shifted her gaze slightly to two men.

One was the heir of the ancient Senate’s military faction. The other was the leader of the moderate faction among Arian nobles… or so it seemed.

“I’ll be the one delivering their messages anyway… but you, Prince, must also assist. You know that, right?”

“You mean the ‘plan’ you mentioned?”

“Yes. Oh—when I signal at the end, be sure to follow me out. Since I’ve arranged it, one side of the terrace will always be left vacant.”

If a dance was a greeting, going out to the terrace together implied progressing to a deeper relationship. And here, deeper meant a somewhat secretive and romantic connection.

Neither Isabelle nor Glenn had such relationships with others. That’s why they arranged a private space to exchange a few words alone.

“Y-Yes, I remember everything well, so don’t worry.”

“Don’t forget to keep smiling too.”

Like I’m a child.

Glenn grumbled with dissatisfaction.

“That’s not something I can promise.”

“Oh my—feeling like a baby thrown into the water, really.”

“Enough nonsense, let’s get started.”

“We’ve already talked enough about the ‘plan.’ According to Isabelle, Contract also knows about it, right?”

If so, there can be no mistakes.

Isabelle turned and walked away.

The moment Glenn was left alone.

“…Hmm.”

In an instant, countless gazes unknowingly fixed on him.

“Is that… the Grand Prince of Lepent?”

“Yeah, I saw him dancing earlier, and he seemed pretty close to Princess Isabelle.”

“He doesn’t even know his place.”

From slightly jealous men’s gazes.

“He’s quite handsome, isn’t he?”

“Not just quite—he looks like the best here.”

“Hmm, apart from the slightly cold impression, he’s fine. Sharp features… Is that Isabelle Som?”

Even shy young men glowed with secret admiration.

“Hah.”

When with Isabelle, he never noticed such gazes. Now, he truly felt how influential she was in this place.

“But I have work to do.”

Gazes are one thing.

He had no intention of wasting time here.

Thus, Glenn’s debut at the Arian Ballroom began.