Didn't Plan to Become a Companion (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 56

The silence that had settled over the assembly like a tacit agreement turned in an instant into a rustling commotion—exaggerated and artificial, like a scene from a third-rate opera. I willingly thrust myself into that vulgar situation.

The mood truly warmed only after the imperial family arrived at the banquet hall. At first, I moved stiffly alongside Ricardo, exchanging greetings with guests out of nervous tension. But after repeating the same pleasantries about forty times, I was utterly exhausted.

Ricardo remained consistently expressionless to the point of coldness, yet his courtesy was flawless—just sufficient to avoid reproach. Every time I witnessed his aristocratic demeanor, I felt anew the dissonance between who he was now and the boy I’d known in childhood.

Even while exchanging identical congratulatory greetings with guests over our engagement, Ricardo glanced covertly at my feet several times. Each time I sensed his gaze, my fingers gripping his arm tightened involuntarily.

Sabrina seemed to have hidden herself somewhere completely out of sight; she was nowhere to be seen throughout the entire banquet. Julian had vanished as well, which felt somewhat suspicious, though in this vast hall, running into someone by chance seemed even less likely.

Once the formal dances began, fewer guests approached us to offer greetings. Seizing that respite, I took a sip of wine to catch my breath—when a servant quietly approached Ricardo and whispered something.

“I’ll need to step away briefly… Rest here for a moment.”

“Understood. Do you happen to know which balcony is the least popular?”

He chuckled warmly and offered a helpful explanation.

“There couldn’t possibly be such a place. But there is a balcony rarely visited by others. Go to the far end opposite the third-floor lounge we stayed in earlier—you’ll find it easily. Wait for me there. I’ll come for you shortly.”

“I’ll do that.”

I answered firmly, yet like any true directionally challenged person, forging a new path to an unfamiliar destination proved impossible.

The moment Ricardo left my side, I began retracing my steps toward the lounge to avoid the gentlemen requesting dances. Though circling around from there would be a longer route, it was still better than wandering aimlessly.

Stepping out through the entrance I’d originally used, I entered a long corridor and immediately felt a slight relief.

Just as Ricardo had said, the farther I went toward the opposite end of the third-floor lounge, the fewer people I encountered.

Read full content of this chapter on r e d c a t t y . c o m