“Lady Juliane, Lady Amalia of the Duke Ruston is over there.”

Stephanie muttered bitterly. I nodded. Ahead of us was a group of people with a particularly glamorous atmosphere.

“My! What a beautiful outfit, Lady Juliane.”

Then, the most beautiful and imposing woman stepped forward.

“Oh, Lady Amalia. I’m so glad to hear that, thank you.”

The daughter of Duke Ruston. She was a beautiful woman with dazzling platinum blonde hair and well-defined features. She was surrounded by above average beauties.

“I’m sure you’re right. They’re graceful and elegant, and they suit the proud Lady Juliane well.”

Alfred looked at me and let out a sigh of admiration. He scooped a lock of black hair that had fallen over my shoulder and kissed it, as if inhaling its scent.

Wow, Lord Alfred is really working hard…

Amalia, clad in a very intricate and flashy deep crimson dress, suddenly twisted her face.

She displayed her fighting spirit from the start, and didn’t even try to hide her contempt towards me. The dazzling, deep crimson dress was at the cutting edge of fashion. Her confidence in her superiority over me as a woman was painfully obvious.

It was well-known in high society that she was fond of Alfred. However, she couldn’t become his fiancée because of the Gessel family?

Duke Ruston felt threatened by the rise of the Gessel family, and believed the rumor that there was a rift between me and Lord Alfred. As such, he had sent Amalia to the royal palace. However, Amalia’s bold and energetic approaches were completely ignored by Alfred. She was also heavily obstructed by the Grand Duke.

“I heard that you’ve momentarily stepped away from socializing due to poor health? Now, you’re suddenly attending a ball. Does depression make you suddenly want to do strange things?”

Amalia’s voice carried a strange intonation. It wasn’t just my imagination—her malice was palpable.

“Apparently, you’ve been bedridden with a terrible illness recently? I’m sorry to hear that. Poor Lord Alfred…”

After enunciating “I’m sorry” very clearly, Amalia revealed a charming laugh. The others around her also chuckled.

“I’m worried. If the royal bloodline were to end, Lady Juliane would be held responsible…”

Amalia clearly showed her feelings and bloated self-righteousness.

The method in which she took the long way around and aimed for his heart was quite impressive. Well, the way she displayed all her emotions on her face made it hard to shake the impression that she was a narrow-minded person, though.

“The doctor says everything is fine, so why worry?”

I remained silent, thinking it’d be best to let her talk as much as she wanted.  That was when Alfred spoke in a somewhat exasperated voice.

“You won’t know if she can’t have children if we don’t try hard in bed. Even if I marry a daughter from a fertile family, I may not be blessed with a single child. Children are a blessing. No one knows the future, even if you take risks or play it safe. So, I want to try hard with a woman I truly love.”

‘T-try hard in bed’?! Lord Alfred, that’s too direct!

Amalia had an unsure expression—a mixture of embarrassment and overwhelming disappointment.

However, what Amalia said wasn’t entirely wrong. Taking a safe approach in order to preserve the bloodline was a long held perspective.

I feel worried as well. If my brain or my heart reaches its limits, I might collapse again. I think I’ll always feel guilty about this, but…

I pursed my lips, raised my chin, and narrowed my eyes as I glared at Amalia.

“Indeed, I may not be a good match for Lord Alfred, who has beauty, talent, kindness, and strength. But he has declared that I am truly irreplaceable!”

Even though Amalia was smiling, something was slowly seeping out from her heart. It was an expression that exuded the feeling of “love.” Her love for Alfred was revealed in a glimpse, completely bare.

“I was arrogant and cocky. I was full of jealousy, worry, hatred, and other things. But by noticing the precious things around me and meeting impressive people, I was able to change. I came into contact with the troubles and suffering of many people and learned the importance of being there for them.”

I knew that I should defeat my opponent.

Yet, I couldn’t. Perhaps because Amalia’s stubbornness was similar to my shockingly narrow-minded past self.

“That’s why, I’ll do anything. Anything that’ll benefit this country. If the time comes when I myself am no longer of benefit, I shall step aside with dignity!”

---

Only six chapters left. Read them and support Faux on Patreon for only $2~

<Previous Chapter

Next Chapter>