But for Eshika, this was advantageous. The disturbance had to be resolved before Lucius came this way.

In the process of helping Ambrosia Viscountess’s debutante, just like in the original work, Eshika had to attract Lucius’s attention.

In the original work, Ambrosia Viscountess’s debutante, suffering from the effects of a tightly laced corset, eventually struggled and fainted.

“How about calling for a physician! Let’s move the debutante!”

Amidst everyone’s indifference, it seemed there was someone in their right mind.

Eshika turned her gaze in that direction.

It was the young man from the Kohegen Marquisate who had spoken to her a while ago.

Of course, he didn’t step forward to support Ambrosia Viscountess’s debutante.

He just talked.

“Yes, that would be a good idea. Could someone call for a physician?”

When another debutante stepped forward, another young man who had been standing by, watching the situation, raised his voice a bit.

“Hey, you there, come here for a moment.”

When the physician turned his head in response to the young man’s call, it happened.

At that moment, the surroundings became a bit noisy, and soon a handsome man, taller than the nearby young men, walked towards them. It was the awaited arrival.

‘Lucius!’

Eshika’s mouth involuntarily curled upward. She slightly lowered her head to hide that expression.

Then, she lightly tapped Ambrosia Viscountess’s debutante’s cheek.

“Debutante, debutante! Wake up.”

“Wait. What happened?”

Lucius asked.

“Today, perhaps due to nervousness, the debutante suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed.”

Eshika looked up at Lucius, trying to make a pitiful expression.

Watching her for a moment, Lucius, who had been looking down at Ambrosia Viscountess’s debutante, finally pointed to a sturdy-looking footman.

“You, take the debutante to a private room.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The footman, pointed out by Lucius, lifted the unconscious Ambrosia Viscountess’s debutante onto his back.

“You, go inform the Ambrosia Viscount.”

“Understood.”
As soon as Lucius appeared, the situation was quickly brought under control. After resolving the situation, Lucius turned as if to leave.

Eshika, who couldn’t miss the opportunity, quickly spoke before he departed.

“Your Highness, how should I express my gratitude…”

“Gratitude? Why would you?”

Lucius raised one eyebrow, questioning with a somewhat indifferent expression.

‘What…? In the original work, Lucius fell in love with Eshika at first sight…’

Although Eshika felt a bit discouraged by Lucius’s somewhat chilly response, she hastily added,

“It was quite a difficult situation, and Your Highness helped us.”

Lucius, who had been staring at Eshika’s face, casually uttered,

“Isn’t this debutante the one you met earlier?”

“…Yes, Ambrosia Viscountess’s debutante is my friend. She wasn’t feeling well since this morning, and eventually…”

With a cold expression, Eshika turned her head towards the direction of the footman leaving the banquet hall.

Ambrosia Viscountess’s debutante, still not fully conscious, was lying slumped over the footman’s back.

‘This is getting interesting.’

Eshika clicked her tongue inwardly.

Ambrosia Viscountess’s debutante completely ruined her debutante waltz today. All her efforts to pretend to be fine and endure dizziness were in vain.

In noble society, the most crucial factor in marriage was the family. Aside from the family, there were various considerations, but having a physical flaw was undoubtedly a disadvantage.

Now that everyone knew she was not in good health, a good marriage was out of the question.

If she had difficulty giving birth to a healthy heir due to her frailty, it would further complicate matters.

‘Well, it’s none of my business.’

Eshika soon shifted her gaze away from Ambrosia Viscountess’s debutante.

After all, Ambrosia Viscountess’s debutante was almost an extra who rarely appeared afterward. Eshika had succeeded in gaining Lucius’s attention as in the original work, so now she was no longer useful.

“I see. It must have been difficult when your friend suddenly fainted…”

Eshika, who lightly nodded at Lucius’s words, belatedly realized one thing.

If Eshika was truly friends with Ambrosia Viscountess’s debutante, she shouldn’t be having a conversation with Lucius like this. Instead, she should have followed her.

‘Did he… notice?’

With such thoughts, Eshika stared at Lucius.

“…By the way, I haven’t heard the debutante’s introduction yet.”

Fortunately, Lucius didn’t seem to have thought that far, as he casually asked.

“Ah… I apologize for the delayed introduction. I am Eshika of the Croft Marquisate, greeting Your Highness.”

Eshika greeted Lucius according to the etiquette she had learned at the royal palace.

“Is today your debut in high society?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Did you already dance your first dance?”

“Ah, no… not yet.”

With a shy smile, Eshika blinked her eyes quickly.

“If I request a dance, will you accept?”

“I would consider it a lifelong honor.”

Eshika said with the prettiest smile she could muster.

Then, Lucius gracefully extended his hand. Eshika gently placed her hand on his.

As they held hands and headed towards the center of the banquet hall, various events flashed through Eshika’s mind.

‘It’s done!’

From a maid to a princess, then back to a commoner, and now the Ambrose Viscount’s debutante. But if she could win Lucius’s heart just like in the original, she would soon become the empress. It truly was a dramatic life.