“But as he has no fiancée… The first dance of the debutante ball is quite significant. During this social season, he will choose a candidate for princess, but rather than dancing the first dance with a family member or a particular person of interest… It is more natural for Duke Aser to appear with his wife.”

Kevrant added, subtly hinting at something.

“To be frank… If the crown prince supersedes Duke Aser for the first dance, there’s a concern that it would look like the Empress Maria has influenced him to steal the place of honor… The royal family would not want that.”

Ah, why is everything so complicated? Lucan mumbled, wedging his words between Kevrant’s.

“…And the royal family will honor Duke Aser as a sign of acceptance… In fact, they probably don’t even consider the possibility that Duke Aser might refuse.”

Aser leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, seeming tired.

“…If I were to offer the spotlight to Crown Prince Kail on my behalf…”

Kevrant, seeming troubled, shook his head.

“…That wouldn’t work. It could be seen as ridiculing the royal family’s goodwill. They might think Duke Aser is purposely causing difficulties.”

Tristan exhaled a brief sigh.

“Well… It can’t be helped. By then, this situation should have been normalized. The problem is that the Crown Prince has already seen the face of ‘the lady’…”

Lucan rolled his eyes.

“If it’s just the debutante ball, couldn’t you simply bring ‘the current lady’?”

Kevrant frowned as if he had said something absurd.

“That’s not possible. It doesn’t end with just one dance. You would have to mingle with the Emperor and Empress, all sorts of nobles, and important people for weeks, and even make friends with them. Would Lady Christina send a standin for that?”

Lucan scratched the back of his head.

“Ah, is that so? I wouldn’t know since I’m a commoner.”

Kevrant said,

“Even if relations are delicate now, the person who will be looking after the Julius territory for a lifetime should be the one to go. Lucan, you should also start to pay attention. You’ll soon receive a viscount title, and you’ll need to start social activities. I’ll tell you now, when you’re introduced to bride candidates, make sure to consult me first about manners…”

Lucan immediately changed his expression and declined.

“Ah, I’m not suited to living as a noble, serving a lady every day. A wife who would be taken aback by my uncouthness every night? No thanks.”

Kevrant looked confused.

“No, who would be taken aback by their husband every day? Nobles are humans too. That’s a prejudice against nobles. You wouldn’t marry such a person…”

Lucan interrupted,

“Ah, enough. I’ll marry a lady I meet by fate. Someone of my level, a commoner like me, a pretty lady that I like. I don’t need an introduction.”

Tristan laughed.

“Your criteria are very clear.”

Kevrant tried to persuade him.

“How can you choose a bride by just looking at her face? You received plenty of war compensation and will also receive a title, so people you like who are also beautiful will line up for you. There are plenty of good brides with much better conditions…”

Lucan cut him off with a short snort and a proud chest.

“Then that’s even better. I’ll be able to meet the standards of someone who won’t reject me, won’t I? That’s enough for me. It’s even better if my pretty wife is happy to meet me for her entire life.”

Life should be enjoyed.

Tristan laughed.

“Having a single, clear goal does increase the chances of getting what you want.”

In the end, Kevrant also chuckled and gave up on the useless advice.

Tristan brought the conversation back to the main topic.

“Then we have no choice but to explain the truth to the Crown Prince and ask him to keep it a secret.”

The knights added their pieces.

“We should settle the reward issue about the deceptive marriage with the Julius side first and normalize the bride’s position.”

“Feels like we suddenly have a time limit.”

“The time limit is their problem. What does it have to do with us?”

“…”

Arthur leaned silently against the back of his chair.

The knights carried on the conversation among themselves.

“When will the social season resume?”

“Next spring. March. There’s supposed to be a debutante ball then.”

“There’s plenty of time.”

“Not that much. After all, Arthur needs to attend the capital’s improvement ceremony. When he goes to the capital for the ceremony and then returns to Julius’s territory, at least a month and a half will disappear. After that, to go to the capital again for the debutante ball, preparations should begin by February at the latest…”

“Mm… Running back and forth will indeed be busy.”

“We don’t have anything to worry about, right? Julius will take care of it.”

“……”

Arthur had been quietly listening to their conversation all this while.

The debutante ball.

A wife.

Normalization.

Tristan, who was talking to the knights, asked Arthur.

“……Since you will find out anyway, should I tell you in advance and consider planning?”

Arthur responded immediately.