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“This banquet is being held with His Highness Prince Mikhail and Lady Flora both attending as honored guests. I had assumed that the first dance would be danced with Lady Flora as your partner.”

Aleksei says this with a stiff expression, while Ekaterina can do nothing but nod repeatedly.

Honestly, that’s the only thing I’d thought of! Isn’t that the standard theory?
Me being your partner would be bad. Really bad. The villainess becoming the capture target’s partner—this is how the doom flags start ticking up!

This time, atop being the daughter of a baron, Flora-chan has an additional standing as “Prince Mikhail’s companion” and “close friend,” which boosts her treatment considerably. Just because I’m a duke’s daughter doesn’t mean it’s only natural for me to be the partner. If anything, ignoring the royal companion and having the host’s daughter throw her weight around like, “His Highness’s partner is *me*, obviously!” would be outrageously rude.
Well, sure, it can depend on various factors, like how close the royal is to whom, so it’s case by case. But this time, Flor-chana being the partner should be perfectly fine.

“Yeah… normally, when a man and a woman visit together, those two are the partners, right? But I think this time is a little unusual.”

Mikhail replies, looking troubled.

“When a man and a woman travel together, it’s usually because they’re married or engaged. But that’s not the case this time.”

Ugh…
That’s true. Unmarried men and women traveling together isn’t very common in this world and era…
S-sorry. This happened because I forcibly shoved in a Villainess-Produced Special Event.

“It may be an unusual case, but there should be plenty of precedents. Not making Lady Flora—who has shared the entire journey thus far—your first partner could have an undesirable effect on her standing in Jurnova. I must question whether that would be wise.”

At Aleksei’s words, Ekaterina once again nods rapidly.
No matter who ends up the partner, I’ll protect Flora-chan’s boosted treatment with my life. Right now, I’ll just keep nodding like an Aizu red cow toy.

“Even so, the fact that someone danced the first dance with me could carry meaning long after we return to the capital. You understand that well, don’t you?”

No, that was supposed to be the biggest payoff of the Villainess-Produced Special Event…
Damn it. I guess with a half-baked villainess-produced event, I couldn’t advance the capture that far. In the game, Flora-chan dancing with the prince happens much later, after all.

“So having Flora as my partner would probably end up causing her trouble instead. And I hear Flora has never attended a party before. Throwing her straight into the first dance would be a lot to ask.”

Ugh!
Th-that’s… true… even for me, my dance with Onii-sama was a serious mental trial…

Ekaterina glances at Flora. Aleksei also waits for her to speak.
Then Flora, wearing an expression of gathered courage, speaks.

“Um! Excuse me… what is a ‘first dance’?”

All three others change color at once.

We start from there?!

When the rule—that in a formal party, the highest-ranking person dances first—is explained, Flora turns pale.

Of course… you wouldn’t know. You were a commoner until recently; it’s not a term you’d ever encounter.
I should have explained beforehand. I’m such an idiot, idiot, idiot!

“I’m sorry… I’m ashamed of my ignorance…”
“No! Lady Flora, you are not at fault at all. It’s something you would have had no reason to know. I should have taught you beforehand!”

I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, Flora-chan. You’re not even used to dancing yet, and I failed to consider that. I’m really sorry!
Onii-sama and the Prince are normally in positions where *they* dance the first dance. They’re also in positions where they never interact with people who don’t know what that even is.
It was something I needed to be careful about—something only I could have anticipated.

Even Aleksei can no longer suggest making Flora Mikhail’s partner, and his agitation shows. He seems to be rapidly reviewing the guest list in his head, but there’s no way a suitable candidate exists.

Th-then… then…
I should take responsibility and be the prince’s partner…
…
…

Ekaterina glances at Aleksei.
No, that’s bad! If I end up in the Doom route, I’ll drag Onii-sama down with me. Wanting to be the prince’s partner—that’s exactly the game’s Ekaterina. From here, the game scenario could revive, leading eventually to condemnation and ruin… no, no, that’s scary!

And besides—

Ekaterina glances at Mikhail.

“Um… I don’t think we need to think about it so heavily. You are the highest-ranking woman in Jurnova, so I believe everyone would understand that you were chosen as my partner simply because of rank compatibility.”

Mikhail’s words are persuasive, but Ekaterina hesitates, then says,

“I’m… terribly embarrassed to admit this, but I’ve never danced with any gentleman other than my brother…”
“Huh… really? But you learn it in class.”

Yes, dance is part of the academy curriculum, and students dance with classmates. However—

“I always dance with Lady Flora.”

Dance classes are generally practiced in male-female pairs. But because the number of boys and girls in the class isn’t equal, Ekaterina and Flora—back when they were both loners—became partners in dance class. They switch male and female roles each time, dancing together with cheerful chatter. Now they’re no longer loners, but no classmates dare interrupt the cheerful sight of two beautiful girls dancing together, so they continue to dance comfortably as a pair.

“Th-that’s right. Lady Ekaterina and I always dance together. So!”

Flora clenches her fist.

“Wouldn’t it be fine if Lady Ekaterina and I danced the first dance together?”

Flora-chan!
Brilliant idea!

“Why, yes! Indeed. Then there would be no problem!”
“You two, let’s calm down a bit.”

Mikhail says coolly.

A royal tsukkomi has been delivered. Sharp timing—you have potential, Prince!

“That might be worth considering…”
“You too!?”

Mikhail now stares at Aleksei in open disbelief.

Seriously, your tsukkomi is sharp. Forget dancing—I’m recruiting you as my comedy partner!
—No, this is not the time to escape reality. Calm down, me!

But still… the Prince is a good friend, but because of that… dancing means holding each other. Close contact. Imagining doing that with the Prince makes me embarrassed all over again. It’s only because I have memories of a past life; in this world, it’s normal.
Uwaaa, who was it that spread something as embarrassing as social dancing into this world!?
Piotr the Great! I curse you! Does that count as lèse-majesté!?

Though technically, the one who brought dance to Jurnova wasn’t Piotr the Great but his younger brother, Duke Sergei, the founder of our very own ducal house—
Ah.

“Um… then, since it is such a rare opportunity, might I make the following request?”