The Noble Lady Without Magic Aims to Become an Adventurer! - Chapter 45
The Day of the Ball Arrives.
On the morning of the ball, Fars and I headed straight to the castle after our training. Having rested well the day before, both of us were full of energy—our magic and stamina were at their peak. Without my usual wristbands, my body felt unusually light.
“Fars, it feels great to have such light arms and legs for a change.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while. But honestly, I’ve got a feeling today is going to leave us completely drained.”
“I think so too. It’s our first time on guard duty, after all. And we’re bound to attract attention. Ugh, I’m not looking forward to it.”
“If this wasn’t a ‘request’ disguised as an order, I’d never have agreed to come.”
“Same here.”
“Well, at least we’re getting paid. Let’s do our best.”
“You’re right. We’ve got no choice but to push through.”
When we arrived at the castle, Fars and I were escorted to separate locations. He was taken to the knights’ quarters, while I was led to a guest room.
Apparently, I would be getting prepared there by the royal maids.
The guest room was far larger than my room back home. In the center of the room stood a mannequin dressed in a pale pink gown. My off-the-rack dress had been customized so extensively that it was unrecognizable.
Delicate lace had been added in many places, turning the dress into an exquisite blend of girlish charm and mature elegance.
Knowing how plain it had been originally, I couldn’t help but feel both astonished and delighted. The royal seamstresses were truly talented.
While I was marveling at the dress, the maids bustled into the room. They ushered me into a bath, thoroughly cleansing me from head to toe and giving me a rigorous massage.
It was all a first for me. Most noblewomen are probably used to such treatment, but I felt awkward exposing so much of myself to the maids.
To make matters worse, my body was apparently full of tension, so the massage was agonizing. The maids explained it was to make my décolletage look beautiful and my face appear smaller, but I could barely hear them through the pain.
“Lady Marloa, you’re ready.”
By the time I regained full awareness, the maids had completed their work. The reflection in the mirror was that of a princess from a fairy tale.
“Wow! I look like a completely different person. Thank you so much, everyone!”
I spun around in front of the mirror, overwhelmed with joy.
“It’s all thanks to your natural beauty, Lady Marloa,” one of the maids said with a smile.
They helped me put on the accessories I’d brought with me.
“I’ll be wearing these tonight,” I said, taking out the birthday gifts and other pieces I had brought from home.
I chose a small, delicate necklace. I didn’t want to wear anything too flashy or cumbersome since I needed to move freely. Hidden beneath the dress, I secured a dagger to my leg, just in case.
As the time for the ball drew nearer, my excitement gave way to nerves.
Once I was ready, the maids escorted me to where Senior Arnold was waiting. Along the way, I caught glimpses of other attendees, dressed in their finest attire. Just seeing them lifted my spirits.
“Senior Arnold, have you been waiting long?”
“I just arrived, Marloa. You look stunning tonight. I always thought you were beautiful, but tonight you might just get whisked away if I’m not careful.”
“Fufu, thank you, Senior. You look wonderful as well—so refined.”
Normally, Senior Arnold didn’t care about his appearance, often leaving his hair unkempt as he focused on his research. But tonight, as the marquis’s son, he had dressed impeccably in a navy tuxedo, with his hair neatly styled.
Seeing him like this, I realized he must be quite popular with women. Perhaps his obsession with alchemy kept the noble ladies at bay.
I took the hand he offered, and we walked into the venue together.
“Arnold Gaus, son of the Marquis, and Lady Marloa Efsee, daughter of the Marquis, have arrived!”
The announcer’s voice carried through the grand hall, drawing everyone’s attention. Curious and intrigued gazes fell upon us.
“S-Senior… everyone’s looking at us.”
“It’s fine. They’re probably just captivated by how beautiful you look. You’ve been rumored to be a sheltered young lady, after all.”
“Fufu, a sheltered young lady, huh?”
As we chatted amicably, a couple approached us.
“You must be Lady Marloa. I’ve heard about how you’ve been helping my son with his research,” the gentleman said.
It turned out they were Senior Arnold’s parents.
“It’s quite the opposite. He’s always the one helping me,” I replied.
“Oh, Arnold has always been so absorbed in alchemy that we had nearly given up on him. We never thought we’d see the day he escorted a lady!”
Arnold’s mother’s eyes glistened with tears, and even his father’s eyes were a little red. Were they really that worried about him?
I glanced at Senior Arnold, who looked visibly embarrassed and unsure of how to respond.
“Alright, that’s enough,” he muttered.
“Fufufu, you’re right. We shouldn’t get in your way. Lady Marloa, please take good care of Arnold.”
With that, they left to greet other nobles.
“Senior, your parents truly love you.”
“…Yeah, it’s a little embarrassing.”
Seeing his shy expression, I found myself thinking how wonderful it must be to have a close family.
The ball officially began as the king, queen, crown prince, and other royals entered and greeted the attendees.
This marked the start of my duty to guard His Highness.
Exchanging a quick glance with Senior Arnold, I took my assigned position.
The royal family began their dance, led by the crown prince.
It was breathtaking.
The passion and harmony of the prince and his partner’s dance captivated the entire hall. It was like watching a scene from a dream.
“That was a magnificent dance, wasn’t it?”
“It was. Now that the royals have finished their dance, shall we have ours?”
Senior Arnold extended his hand to me. I placed mine in his, and we walked toward an open space near the royals. As the music began, we started to dance.
Though I had practiced with Professor Levain and others, I was still nervous. However, Senior Arnold’s skilled leading made it surprisingly easy to follow.
For the first time that evening, I found myself genuinely enjoying the moment.