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Before she knew it, not only young wives but also unmarried young ladies had gathered around Ekaterina and Flora, and the area had become a veritable garden of women.

As hostess, Ekaterina found herself worrying whether the banquet could truly be enjoyed by all the invited guests with such an imbalance in the distribution of young women.

However, when she witnessed one of the men approach a young lady at the outer edge of the women’s defensive perimeter and escort her onto the dance floor, she understood. Among the young ladies were some hunter types who were not so much interested in speaking with Ekaterina or Flora as they were in targeting the men hovering nearby. Waiting for prey beside a conspicuous decoy… an anglerfish model?

Well, prey or not, the men were hunters too, so perhaps it was survival of the fittest—eat or be eaten.
Um… do your best, everyone. It’s a world I don’t understand. Sorry!

Surveying the banquet hall, she could see several clusters of people. The largest surrounded Aleksei and Mikhail, but there were others as well.

The one encircling Lady Adelaine consisted of ladies older than those around Ekaterina. That was only natural, as she could well be called the key figure behind the adoption of the first dance this time. Moreover, she was the wife of Novak, who now wielded influence as Duke Aleksei’s close aide. No doubt many were flocking to pay their respects.

That reminded her of a wildly popular drama from her previous life—the one about the inner workings of a bank, with the “double repayment” catchphrase. She seemed to recall it touching briefly on the hierarchy among company housing wives. It was probably much the same here. Only, in a setting like this, gathering and providing information would have far more serious consequences.

Elsewhere, smaller groups had formed. Among them were some who watched Lady Adelaine with bitter expressions. Perhaps remnants of the old faction. Since they had not been purged, they likely had committed no wrongdoing, but there would always be those who resisted the tides of change.

…I’ve never been good with human relationships and factions, not even in my previous life. My apologies.
Still, thanks to Margarita of the Novak family—apparently masters of propaganda—it seemed safe for Ekaterina to remain calmly in this garden of women. In fact, this might even be her proper role. If she wandered about unnecessarily, she might disrupt the hunters’ grounds.

Feeling greatly relieved, Ekaterina summoned a server. Non-alcoholic drinks were brought for herself and Flora, and preferred beverages for Margarita and the other ladies. When finished, a small jelly butterfly appeared at the bottom of the glass, faintly infused with the drink’s flavor and delicious when slipped into the mouth.

“Lady Flora, as this is your first party, please enjoy yourself. Would you care to dance?”

Flora, however, shook her head.

“To dance with someone I do not know… If it were with you, Lady Ekaterina, I would wish to.”

The latter half was said playfully, and Ekaterina laughed lightly.

“In that case, I too would rather dance with you, Lady Flora, than with an unfamiliar gentleman.”
“You two are truly close, are you not?”

Margarita smiled.

“You are even wearing matching dresses in different colors. Both of you look lovely.”
“They truly are wonderful dresses. Those long ribbons stood out beautifully in the dance! For my next gown, I shall certainly incorporate such ribbons into the design.”
“As shall I! My younger sister began begging Mother the moment the dance started. When one sees a beautiful lady’s dress, one wishes to imitate it. It feels as though one might be able to dance just as beautifully.”
“The dance just now was a splendid arrangement. In the past, I too danced it with the people of my domain during festivals, but it was much simpler. Adding turns gives it an instant air of refinement.”

As they exchanged such remarks, the women laughed softly.

“Oh, speaking of attire…”

One of the ladies cast a glance toward the center of the hall—the largest crowd, gathered around Aleksei and Mikhail.
Ekaterina followed her gaze and widened her eyes.

That back is completely exposed!

Among the many people gathered to greet Mikhail—most of them men—stood a woman in an extremely bold dress. From Ekaterina’s position, she was seen from a diagonal rear angle. Though her hair was a subdued brown, it was clear that her figure was magnificent. And she displayed it without reserve.
There had been eras when such dresses were fashionable; Kamila the designer had once told her that for summer evening parties they could be a valid choice for married women. However, combined with a figure that could rival even a villainess in dynamism, the effect was like a final weapon.

Oh… Prince, will you be all right? That’s a bit much for a sixteen-year-old boy. I’m sure there was a time he turned red just seeing me in a dress… This is a higher difficulty level than that. Do your best!

For some reason, Ekaterina watched in anxious suspense.

Yet, to her anticlimactic surprise, Mikhail calmly exchanged a few words with the bold woman, smiled gently, and that was all. The woman withdrew from before him.
Meanwhile, the way Aleksei looked at her differed little from the way one might look at a vase or a chest of drawers.

Huh?
In front of something like that, it would be only natural for one’s gaze to wander—though I won’t say where. He’s a boy in adolescence; big sister would forgive him.
That’s what she had thought, yet he did not so much as flinch.
Is the prince rather accustomed to that sort of thing? …Then what was that blushing about, however long ago it was?

“His Highness is a gentleman, is he not?”

Margarita spoke in a tone tinged with relief, as though mindful of Ekaterina, who had been watching Mikhail.

“My lady, that woman is…?”
“She greeted me at the celebratory feast. I heard she is a widow.”
“Yes, that is so. With few people to rely upon, she protects her house with her young son.”

Since she was permitted to greet Mikhail at this welcoming banquet, she was unquestionably the wife of a distinguished family. Married to a husband much older than herself, she was now widowed and raising a small child while acting as head of her marital house.
In a historical novel from her previous life, she had once read that aristocratic women only truly enjoyed life after becoming widows. Perhaps she was now venting the frustrations of her earlier years in her newfound freedom.
Even so, though Margarita spoke in her defense, the surrounding ladies seemed divided—more leaning toward disapproval. Women of the sexy type tended to draw harsher scrutiny from their own sex.

“If Lady Margarita says so, she must surely be a good person. To protect both her child and her husband’s house is admirable indeed. And that striking dress—truth be told, I found it somewhat intriguing.”

Personally, having memories of a previous life where midriff tops and miniskirts were ordinary, she felt no disgust. She had only exchanged brief greetings at the feast and knew nothing of the woman’s character. Therefore, she would judge based on Margarita’s information. It would not do to speak ill of someone one did not know.
Besides, she was a little curious about what it looked like from the front.

“I am relieved by your words. I shall properly introduce her to you later…”

Margarita’s sentence trailed off unnaturally as she stared behind Ekaterina and caught her breath.
What now?
Turning around, Ekaterina saw a group led by Mikhail approaching.

Oh? Are the greetings finished already?
Then she recalled that at the celebratory feast, after receiving greetings from those of sufficient rank, there had come a time when he strolled about the hall, addressing from his side those of lower standing who could not approach him freely. It must now be Mikhail’s turn to circulate.

As the royal prince drew near, the young ladies—and even the married women—suppressed voiceless shrieks.

“Forgive the interruption, Ekaterina, Flora. I saw such a lovely flower garden and could not resist coming closer.”

With those words and a smile from Mikhail, the suppressed cries finally escaped.

Oh, he can deliver flowery compliments now! Well done, Prince!
Thinking this, Ekaterina smiled brightly.

“Lord Mikhail, are you enjoying the banquet?”
“Very much. I have received many warm words and am grateful for your splendid proposal, Ekaterina.”
“I am pleased to hear you say so.”
“That dance was enjoyable. Your dress was even more lovely while in motion. That ribbon—”

He extended his hand and stopped his fingertips just shy of touching the ribbon that trailed from her shoulder.

“I found myself wanting to catch it.”

With a mischievous expression at those words, Ekaterina spun lightly in place. The ribbon fluttered and softly entwined itself around Mikhail’s hand.

At the expression that crossed his face in that instant, the surrounding ladies let out simultaneous voiceless shrieks behind their fans—but Ekaterina did not notice.

“I am delighted that it pleases you.”
“Yes… it draws one in.”

The ribbon slipped from Mikhail’s slightly reddened hand. Though he looked faintly reluctant, he addressed Flora as well.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Flora?”
“Yes. Simply being in such a splendid place feels like a dream. I have been treated very kindly.”
“I am glad to hear that. Forgive me for intruding.”

Meanwhile, Aleksei, who had accompanied Mikhail, stroked Ekaterina’s hair.

“Ekaterina, are you not tired?”
“No, Onii-sama. I have only been enjoying the company of such kind ladies. I almost feel apologetic.”

Beaming, she rubbed her head happily against his hand and looked up at him with a smile.

“That is good. You are not yet accustomed to society. Do not overexert yourself.”
“Yes, Onii-sama. I shall do as you say.”

Aleksei wore his usual gentle smile for his sister, which in turn sent the surrounding women into silent raptures.

Then Mikhail and the others departed.
Yet the ladies surrounding Ekaterina exchanged excited glances.

*(As expected, His Highness harbors feelings for our young lady!)*
*(Indeed! One could tell from his expression during the dance!)*
*(They suit each other so well. We must support them! As subjects of Jurnova, we shall make our young lady the future mother of the nation!)*
*(To touch that ribbon with such a wistful expression… how thrilling. Such youthful romance!)*

However, what they did not know was what Ekaterina had thought upon seeing Mikhail touch the ribbon—

*—There was a time I thought the prince was like a puppy. But to think he’d be drawn to a ribbon… he has something of a cat about him as well.*

A thoroughly disappointing conclusion.