The first dance with your fiancé?

Just what kind of situation is this?

I am presently alone with His Highness, the Third Prince, on the terrace of the summer palace. Of course, maids and guards are stationed nearby...

Returning my gaze from the garden, I meet the Prince’s smiling, warmly approachable face.

“Is something amiss, Miss Spica?”

“No… I felt my heart begin to dance in anticipation of the honor of being paired with Your Highness as my cavalier.”

Indeed, my cavalier is none other than His Highness, the Third Prince, Arthur. Though he shares the same amber eyes as his younger sister, Ana, his hair is a calm, rich amber, and his features are refined—yet more approachable than most of the royal family.

Perhaps it is because he is the son of Her Majesty, the Second Consort.

“You’re surprised I’m a suitor? I was surprised too when I first heard—though you needn’t worry, you’re still just one of the candidates. There are two others besides you. Now that you’re included, that makes three. But if my opinion matters, I’d prefer you. I’ve heard much about your excellence from your elder brothers.”

Indeed. I find myself inexplicably among the candidates for the Third Prince’s betrothal. I had assumed this Debutante event was chiefly meant as a gathering for Ana’s friends. And yet, I’ve been told repeatedly by my elder brothers not to approach the Third Prince—so the confusion is great, though I know this is an honor beyond measure, my heart still cannot keep pace.

Now is the time for each of us to exchange thoughts with our assigned partners. Though I believe Your Highness is a most admirable person, my elder brothers have repeatedly spoken of Your Highness’s carelessness toward women, and so I cannot help but remain cautious. Yet despite my unease, Your Highness speaks to me of the academy, of neighboring lands, as if unaware of my thoughts.

“You seem wary of Miss Spica… Did Fret say something?”

I startle, but I keep my voice steady. “I have heard much from my elder brothers about Your Highness, but now I am simply nervous. If I have offended you, I offer my deepest apologies.”

I begin to bow, but am gently stopped.

To my guarded demeanor, Arthur Your Highness seems scarcely to notice.

After half a candlemark of conversation, we return to the hall. There, I see the others already growing close with their cavaliers.

It is surprising—this year’s Debutante event also serves to announce the three royal suitors.

The first pairing is myself and Your Highness Arthur. The second consists of Lady Patricia Klaus Mittsberg, daughter of the Duke of Mittsberg, and His Royal Highness Prince Gavain, the Second Prince—this one is said to be nearly certain. The third is the engagement between Her Imperial Highness Altera and the Crown Prince of the neighboring kingdom of Valenburs. The Crown Prince is fourteen years of age, and the match is a strategic one, balanced in age and station. I had heard that Your Highness is currently studying at our nation’s academy, but to see such a joyous occasion arise from that is surprising. Her Imperial Highness, too, seemed genuinely taken aback, her astonishment quite evident. Yet, regrettably, she will not be attending today’s gathering. It is said that, for reasons of security, special instruction will continue to be provided to Her Imperial Highness henceforth… which may mean that the two of us will scarcely ever meet in person.

Each of the other ladies had been assigned a cavalier: Lady Shashya with Count Thomas of Colloid, Lady Yuna with Lord Zand, grandson of the Earl of Evon, Lady Gallyan, heir of Lord Gallahan, with Lady Vivian, sister of Lord Morgan, and Lord Time, son of Baron Rossiini, with Lady Rosemary, daughter of Baron Stekin. Though there is no talk of betrothal at present, these pairings seem likely to grow stronger in time.

When the group returned, a tall woman, who had not been present earlier, now stood upon the floor.

"Allow me to offer greetings to those who have met before and those meeting for the first time. I am Herr Lottermeyer, in charge of dance instruction. From this moment onward, you will each perform the basic waltz. I shall be the partner of Her Highness, the princess. As this is the first time, consider it a check on how much you have practiced at home. We shall begin directly from the fold, without escort. Assume your position." With that, he claps his hands twice and signals the movement.

The sudden announcement comes without delay, yet I remain composed, taking my place near the small door in the hall. His Highness Arthur takes his position with ease, his hand in mine, as the music begins to play. I step forward in time with the melody, and under His Highness’s lead, we begin to dance. Dancing has been taught in my household as a matter of course; the rhythm and steps are already known to my body. His Highness, too, has already made his debut in society and clearly possesses ample experience. He leads without hesitation, without flaw.

At home, my elder brothers take turns practicing dance with me, so I have learned to accommodate their peculiarities to some degree. Your Highness, Arthur, murmurs teasingly into my ear, “You’re quite the seasoned dancer, aren’t you?” I nearly stumble over my step in shock. “Please refrain from such mockery. You are well aware that I have three elder brothers, are you not?” I protest with earnestness, but Arthur finds my reaction amusing and continues whispering into my ear. I have never been so close to a man before, and I am overwhelmed with confusion and shyness, yet I manage to finish the dance. I am more exhausted than usual—tenfold.

“Enough with the jests!” I reprimand, my voice firmer now.

“Flirting with a woman during a dance is perfectly normal in polite society! You’d do well to grow accustomed to it.”

He says this with a childish grin. What a child he is.

When I am left utterly flustered, I am called to gather with Miss Lottermayer.

I am relieved, having been firmly reminded: “I shall not mention names, but please refrain from such ungentlemanly conduct in the future—alternates for the Cavalier may be considered.”

Everyone passed the basic waltz, but on the evening of the debut, all the debutantes are to perform a special sequence together, meaning dance lessons on this new step will likely be our next challenge here.

With the dance lesson concluded, evening approaches. Upon hearing the day’s schedule has ended, I prepare to depart with the others.

After bidding farewell to the group and wiping my sweat in the changing room, I finish changing and leave the chamber. From behind, a voice calls out.

“I’m sorry about earlier! I thought you looked adorable when you blushed… How about a proper date next time?”

If Your Highness and my Elder Brothers grant permission, I shall consider it.

I was unusually angry. I climbed into the carriage, shaking off Your Highness’s insistence.

When I returned home and recounted the incident to my family, they all stared in disbelief, some even furious. No—my father seemed uncomfortable, shrinking in place. Since he had given consent for the marriage proposal, the entire family was now berating him. Though a silence had been imposed, it would have been kinder to inform me, the one involved, even slightly. I punished him by delivering my grandmother’s special fatigue-recovery tea—extremely bitter—for three days straight. A thoughtful gesture, I suppose, given that he must have been too exhausted to think clearly.

Yet with each subsequent lesson, Your Highness would make light remarks, yet also offer gentlemanly instruction. My first dance step, heavily rooted in classical form, proved difficult; he guided me with gestures and movements, saying, “Let me take over this step—when you reach this motion, try relaxing slightly, and it will flow more easily.” His advice was precise, so I thanked him, and he replied with a wink, “I struggled with this myself when I was a debutante. I imagine the others find it hard too. Wouldn’t it be impressive if I mastered it first and then taught the others?” I came to understand that though he seemed childish, there was something endearing about him.

There had been several occasions when she was invited on secret outings, and the initial aversion she had felt had disappeared much sooner than expected. Though, there had been times when her Elder Brother had found out and joined them unexpectedly… Your Highness had laughed, saying even those incidents had been enjoyable. On days when dancing lessons were not scheduled, she occasionally attended etiquette lessons together or received escorting—revealing a remarkably devoted side that only deepened her regard. Though, her teasing remarks remained unchanged, and that, she supposed, was simply her nature.

Knowing this, she began to see her Elder Brother not as a distant figure, but as one among many kind siblings.

In this way, she grew close with her fellow Debutantes, encouraging one another, sometimes hosting study gatherings at each other’s homes, or sharing quiet moments with needlework. The Debutante season drew near.