I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.





*******************

In the event that you're not sure what to do, you'll be able to always ask for help.

Deanna's role was to be the king's first partner in the dance after the opening announcement, and then after dancing with various partners for a while, she joined the circle of entourage and ladies to gather information. At the same time, he kept an eye on the movements of those who needed attention. When someone offered to dance a song, he would assess the person and accept or decline. While dancing, keep an eye on the entire hall, and be on the lookout for anyone who moves suspiciously. ...... et cetera.

(...... never gets boring)

Until last year, I was still not this busy. Because of the nature of the Crester family, most of the people who came to us were small, and we could just brush them off and be done with it. It was the role of Dualis and Edward to keep an eye on the power struggles that were going on in the hall. All Deanna had to do was to obtain information from the movements of the ladies.
And yet, this year...


It's a good idea to keep an eye on what's going on in the front and the back of the house at the same time, keep an eye out for trouble, get information from both men and women, and extrapolate the latest developments from that information. ...... Oh, I don't even have time to take a break, do I?

I really envy you your wallflower position where no one pays attention to you. If I could only observe the hall from such a place, how much room would I have in my mind?
Since I'm in the Red Rose, I'm constantly being stared at and talked to, which is frankly annoying. The number of people who come to talk to me is 30% higher than when I was just "Deanna Crester," and everywhere I go, people flock to me.

I was swimming in the hall with a lustrous smile and graceful gestures, seemingly enjoying myself, but in reality, I was fed up.

That's when I ran into the man in question.

Look, there he is.
You'd better say hello.
Yeah, and, uh, .......

This conversation is directed at me, isn't it? ...... I casually glance over and see three young ladies frozen at the table. Two of them were familiar to me.

(......They're ladies of the house, aren't they?　(I believe they came to greet me once.)

(I believe they came to greet me once.) The Red Rose Faction's entourage was so numerous that even Diana couldn't immediately match their names to their faces. If it's a lady who only came to greet you once, that's even worse.

"Oh, uh, Master Diana!
"Oh, how do you do? It's been a while.
"Yes, ......, it's been a while.

The two concubines hurriedly bowed their heads. The unfamiliar young lady sandwiched between the two seems to be confused by their appearance.

(......, hmm?)

(, hmm?) Deanna observed the bewildered young lady without being noticed.

Her hair was pale gold, like the light of the moon. Her clear eyes were the blue of the spring sky.
Her face is not conspicuous, but if you look closely, you can see that she is pretty and lovely. She is more cute than beautiful.
She is dressed in a simple sky-blue dress, probably to match the color of her eyes, and stands up straight with a frightened back against the "red rose" in front of her. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. ...... There's only one girl like that in Deanna's inventory.

"Master Diana. I'd like to introduce you to someone.
I'm sorry.　Is that you, by any chance?
Yes!　She's a young lady who came to the court from a noble family like ours.
Oh, dear. What's your name?
............ It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Shayla Callerd.

The blonde-haired lady bowed deeply.
This is how Deanna met "the one" - King Juke's favorite princess, Shayla.

I am Diana Kuhn. I'm Deanna Crester. I'm Deanna Crester. ...... are you the daughter of the Barons of Callerd?

It was a very rude thought, but Deanna kept her cool. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
Sheila, who was anxious, still looked into Deanna's eyes and nodded clearly.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
So ....... I'm sorry to hear about your father's death.
"What ......?
Oh, isn't Master Shayla the daughter of the deceased former Baron?

The current Baron de Carreld has no children. If you have that information, it is not so difficult to guess Shayla's identity. Therefore, Diana's conversation should not be unnatural.
However, Shayla and the other three members of her entourage opened their eyes wide. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

...... Yes, that's right. I'm sure you're aware of that.
I'm sure it's difficult to ...... keep your father in mind.
No, ....... Thank you for your concern.

--Thank you for your concern. - You're a very interesting young lady.
In the course of the conversation, Deanna took a liking to Shayla.

Even though Deanna said some unexpected things to her, she picked herself up and kept talking. And she's looking her right in the eye.


This is a normal part of socializing, but the reality is that there are very few people who can do this from the very first meeting with the Cresta family. Shayla has broken through the first barrier.

If possible, I would like to talk to her more intimately and get to know her personality. However, if she spent too much time talking to Diana, who was the center of attention for better or worse, Shayla would be exposed to the curious eyes of the nobles. I'd like to know what's going on.

"So long. Enjoy the evening party, everyone.

After saying her goodbyes, Diana turned her back on Shayla and walked to the center of the hall. On the way, she was approached by the son of a marquis, who asked her to dance, and she smiled and nodded. She smiled and nodded to impress the others that she was just taking a break from dancing.

The son took her hand and led her to the middle of the hall. A moment later, the music changed and people started to move.

A whisper.

A slight murmur echoed from the corner of the hall, where Diana had just been. A slight, but different kind of throb.

(What ......, huh?

(What? , huh?) Deanna reflexively glanced over and was stunned by the scene that was unfolding there. Her heart rate increased, and she felt an unpleasant sweat run down her back.

In a corner of the hall, Shayla was alone.
King Juke was talking to Shayla and holding her hand.

How dare he!

The noise was getting louder and louder. At first it was coming from the people in the vicinity of Shayla, but it was gradually spreading. At this rate, a large number of people would witness the king's actions. If this continues, a large number of people will witness the king's actions. Deanna's concern for Shayla's well-being, which she had cut short so as not to draw attention to her, will be undone.

I have to do something.

The dance had already begun. People's eyes were drawn to the Red Rose as she began to dance again, and many of them hadn't noticed the stirring yet.
But it's only a matter of time.

(...... It's now or never, right?)

At last, Diana smiled at her dance partner.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Miss Diana?
"Yes, very much. --Oh!

"Yes, very much.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Deanna?

The crimson dress flew up, exposing Deanna's slender legs to the public. It is the height of rudeness to fall at a ballroom dance, and for a woman making her debut in society, it is considered shameful to show her legs in front of a man she is not close to.
--If it doesn't get your attention, it's probably a lie.

"...... Di, Deanna-sama!
I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.
Are you hurt?　There's nothing wrong with your body. ......

After a few beats of silence, the hall was abuzz like a beehive. Some rushed to her with concern, others looked at Diana with curiosity, others with outright disdain. When she was sure that she had attracted the attention of everyone near Shayla, Diana looked up quietly and said, "I was a little too excited.

I think you've had a little too much fun. Is there somewhere I can rest?

She smiled, her eyes beautiful and lustrous, with a hint of sensuality.

All the men around her were knocked out. She ran off to find a place where she could rest, while her dance partner, the Marquis, and other men of high rank supported her and helped her to her feet.

"I'm sorry, Master Diana. I couldn't support her properly.
"Should I be angry with you for humiliating me?
I will accept your wrath. I beg you to punish me however you see fit.
You're overreacting. It's not just a little fall.
But ...... Diana's name has been damaged.
"Oh, ......, what could I possibly have on my name?

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. That smile, while beautiful from a distance, has a certain coldness to it.
She was worthy of the infamous "Rose of Ice and Fire," who uses even her ugliness to increase her followers.

The sensible people watching around her must have thought. She was so excited that she fell down, which is not a good behavior for a lady who has the name of "Red Rose". But rather than being ashamed of her behavior, Deanna Crester acted as if she could forgive herself for it, turning even her blunders into part of her charm for men. What a horrible woman ...... is.

In addition, the young aristocrats who were knocked out by Diana include some who are classified as sensible people. You can't resist that smile, even though you know in a corner of your mind that you're being used well.
--When people of the Crester family are aware of their own faces and take themselves seriously, their influence is actually quite strong. I rarely use it because it's too much trouble. This is the first time I've used Deanna in a large gathering.

(...... this is scary)

In no time at all, I was carried to a sofa, given a cold drink, and had my feet cooled by a maid. The next thing I knew, I was being blown around by a fan, and I wanted to ask myself, "Which queen am I?　I wanted to ask myself, "What kind of queen am I?



It's a bad situation. ....... That's when Deanna started to get nervous.

"Excuse me. ...... Deanna.
"My brother.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I mean. He came up to her quickly and looked into her face.

"Are you okay?　Are you hurt?
It's nothing serious. They've been very kind to me.
I see. ....... Your cheeks are a little red. You must have been overheated.　It's your first soiree in the inner sanctum, and you must be in high spirits.
"...... You may be right.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

You'll feel better if you sit on the balcony and enjoy the breeze. It'll help.
"You'll go out with me, brother?
There's no one else I'd rather go out with. You're the Red Rose.
Oh, yes.

Taking the offered hand, Diana and Edward stepped through the crowd. None of the young men in the crowd moved.

"......, what's wrong?
I'm not sure what's wrong with me. If you mess with His Majesty's concubine without permission, you'll be stripped of your title.
"Oh, I see.

The two of them walked gracefully, conversing in a whisper so that no one around them could hear. This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing.

It's been a long time, brother.
"Long time, no see. It doesn't feel like it.
It doesn't feel like it, but we've been writing letters to each other. But it's been a long time since we've met in person.
Oh. How have you been?
Good.

They exchanged greetings and walked out onto the balcony.

The two of them walked onto the balcony, ...... with everyone around them wondering what kind of devious scheme they were going to pull off this time.