When we get to the Great Hall, the people who notice us make way for nature. Some of them knew, but they all looked wide open and stared at me.
"... why are they looking at me like that? Is something wrong with me?
The dress, the accessories, the hairstyle, they should have been ready for the debutante. Yet when he tilted his neck, not knowing he would be noticed, Al laughed.
"There's nothing strange about it. You said you were beautiful, didn't you? Everybody's just in love because you're so pretty."
"Really..."
I nod as I wonder. When we reached the center of the great hall, the dance floor, the court orchestra began playing music, as we understood it.
"... Lili. Your first dance. Will you dance with me?
Al puts his hand on his chest in an elegant motion and lowers his head gently.
I stared at the hand offered and said yes.
"Happy. Your Highness Alan."
That's how I take his hand and dance one song to my relaxed rhythm.
Al's move, as he self-declared, was pretty good and even supported me when I was a little nervous at my first dance. When I finished dancing one of the prescribed songs without a problem, the audience around me applauded me.
"Dear Liz, that was very nice!
Back off the dance floor, the ladies who used to tea with us came with us first.
Faces that were making social debates before me.
I haven't been in touch with them since I told them to cancel the tea party for a while. Maybe you forgot about me or something. But I was having fun with Chloe every day too, and I didn't even remember them, so I'm guilty of the same crime.
"Thanks"
"Ah... yes"
I looked at the ladies looking out for me as surprised and wondered what was going on...... I thought of it.
Because they know I was normal to say "naturally" instead of "thank you".
So I guess he was confused when he said "thank you".
The ladies began to praise my dress, as they had regained their minds.
"That meal! It's a completely different design than before, but it's great. You look great on Liz. Yes, Liz's costume made a strong impression before, but she looks better now."
"Yeah, I like it, too. Your dresses are lovely, too."
"Oh, thank you"
Praising each other for their dresses is fundamental. In fact, their dress was conscious of my preferences a while back and also makes me feel sorry if I don't compliment them.
"Your engagement with Your Highness has been decided, and increasingly, Liz's status is a stone's throw. Even if you're in the social world, please don't take us by your side."
"Really! I've missed you lately for inviting me to the tea party. Please don't forget about us."
"... right"
You think it doesn't matter now, it's a huge clap return.
Perhaps it's a big deal that my escort opponent was Al. I know that, but to them, I seemed to be shown that I wasn't worth it myself, and I was just a little sad.
"Oh...... Isn't she wearing a shaped dress from last year?
As she sighed in her heart that she deserved it, one of the surrounding warrants spotted a woman as a flower on the wall and frowned.
Follow her gaze. Indeed, there stood a lady in a dress with a very old design, alone and lonely. She stares at the dance floor with a coveted eye.
"Oh, it's true. I don't like it. I can't believe Prince I'm wearing such a fashionable, belated dress today."
"It's impossible as a nobleman. Come to a royally-sponsored nightclub, you should dress for it. That's obvious."
"But, you know, maybe you don't even know what's obvious."
"... I can't stand being dressed like that every time. We should be careful not to be imitated like that again."
"Yeah, let's do that"
"... stop it"
I stopped them, who are totally willing to pay attention.
They look at me with a "eh" face.
"But, Dear Liz..."
"Nothing, there's nowhere to be determined that you have to wear a new trendy dress every time. She may have her circumstances, and that dress is probably her favorite. Stop denigrating it with your own logic."
"... Dear Liz"
Everyone stares at me as if they were surprised. I knew that, but let's all pay attention to one person - I mean, I didn't think I could miss trying to abuse him.
Besides, I've asked Chloe.
He said that many houses below the Count's house are not very wealthy when it comes to nobility. In those houses, she said, you can't waste it, and dresses are not very hard to contract.
Chloe's house isn't that poor, so she doesn't have a problem with the debutant's dress, but her friend's Viscount's warrant, for example, says she hasn't been to a night club since the debutant because she doesn't have a dress to wear.
That's the first time I've heard such a story, and I know it. To be honest, I was so surprised.
On their own, they thought they were just like me. I didn't question anything about wrapping my favorite dress around, having a fun tea party, and having fun.
It's an embarrassing assumption, and then I changed my mind.
Every house has its own circumstances. I reflected deeply that it was wrong to judge them on their own and blame them.
Now standing alone, she may have also come to enjoy the atmosphere alone in poverty. I'm here for the night club. Instead of being abused and not wanting to come again, I want you to go home feeling a little fun and wanting to come again.
That's what I think right now.
"She may be the maid of a house with a lesser title. Then it's natural that you can't make a new dress or anything, and it's rude to laugh at her for doing everything you can. Don't you think so?
"... Yes"
It was surprising that I was embarrassed, they all looked incredible. I know how that feels, but I really want you to stop because you want to cry about what you've been thought you are.
"... uh, Master Liz. Now, if you'll excuse us. I apologize for holding you back despite being with Your Highness."
I guess I can't stand the awkward atmosphere anymore. When one said so, the rest of the children spoke the same words one after the other, and left us.