Kays Translations

Chapter 9: Freshman Welcome Party

"Lady Charlotte Luna Meyers, would you give me the honor of being your escort?"

His Highness Grayson looks up at me with an upward glance and holds out his black leather-gloved hand. A prince of a country with a suitable heritage and also beautiful… my heart rate quickened. Isn’t this is a partner invitation…?! Why is he asking me to be his partner? Did he feel sorry for me...!? No, His Highness Grayson isn't that kind of person… Several thoughts crossed my mind, but there was only one option I could take.

"Yes, it would be my pleasure."

I smiled and nodded, and I put my hand in his outstretched hand. I had neither the courage nor the reason to refuse the prince's invitation, so I accepted his highness as my escort. The beautiful black-haired young man stood up, said, "Thank you," took my hand in his, and headed for the door of the party. The door which had a large cloth hanging down, was left open, and we were free to enter and exit. As I stand next to His Highness Grayson, I say to myself, 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.' I know I was unworthy of this dream, but it was much better than entering alone. 

I stood in front of the second hall with a little anticipation and anxiety in my heart.

"Watch your step."

Holding the cloth hanging from the door with his hand, His Highness Grayson ushered me inside. While thanking him for his help, I stepped into the venue of the freshman welcome party. Overflowing with students, it was hard to believe that it had been the venue for the entrance ceremony because it had become so gorgeous and luxurious.

Chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling, sofas, and tables set up in the corners of the hall, and an orchestra playing music. It's much more fancy and glittering than a lowly aristocrat's party. As expected of Frügel Academy, they put a lot of effort into this. I didn't expect it to be so authentic. While I was a bit nervous about the party venue, which was three times more luxurious than I had imagined, His Highness Grayson led me to the front of the stage perfectly and flawlessly.

When the students saw us, they looked at the combination of the third prince from a neighboring country and a failed viscountess, but they didn't openly question us. Because on the stage, ──── there is already a representative who declared the beginning of the freshman welcome party. The greeting at the freshman welcome party is supposed to be given by the person who gave the greeting at the entrance ceremony as the representative of the new students. That is… the brilliant student who scored the highest on the entrance exam. This is an annual event, and it was almost a tradition at Frügel Academy. 

"Er, ......, ladies and gentlemen. It's time for the party to begin, so I'd like to start the greetings right away. I'd like to make a toast, if I may be so bold."

The pony-tailed girl standing in the center of the stage filled the hall with her beautiful soprano voice. Standing before us with a regal presence, she was Emilia Candice Dursley, Duchess of Dursley ──── who had been admitted to with top grades. I've heard that she's the daughter of the Duke of Dursley and is a very diligent person.

Her light brown hair was silky smooth, and her emerald eyes, which showed a strong will, were dignified. Her face was a little plain, but she had a neat and clean look that I liked. Emilia-sama is one of my classmates, and one of the few people who don't outright avoid me. Well, she doesn't actively talk to me either… Perhaps she's in the process of figuring out what kind of person I am. Anyway, she’s a diligent person. She raises the glass in her hand to her chest as she speaks a lengthy greeting with a series of difficult words. It seems that the toast is finally at its end.

"I hope that this party will help to deepen our friendship. Please have a wonderful evening ──── cheers!"

"Cheers!"

When Emilia-sama announced the start of the party and raised her glass high, the sound of glasses clinking could be heard from everywhere. The quiet venue quickly became lively, filled with the sounds of laughter and speech. His Highness Grayson and I, who had arrived at the venue just in time for the start of the event, didn't have glasses with us, and we smiled at each other.

"Shall we get drinks?"

"Yeah, let's do that."

Nodding at His Highness' suggestion, we left the front of the stage and headed for a corner of the hall. We selected glasses from the ones on the table and each took one. Normally, it's a violation of etiquette to take a glass directly from the table, but this is a casual party so no one cares.

"Do you want to make a toast?"

"Yes, of course."

Even though there was no need to, I didn't want to start eating and drinking without a toast, so His Highness and I clinked our glasses together. We sipped our glasses after the clicking sound. The contents seemed to be fruit wine, with a sweet and sour taste and aroma spreading in our mouths.

"Weak ..."

"It was prepared for children, you know. It’d be bad if students got a hangover and had to miss tomorrow's class, so I'm sure they took that into consideration."

Frowning at the low alcohol content, His Highness Grayson drank the fruit wine in one gulp and handed the glass to a nearby waiter. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the alcohol, which was not much different from non-alcoholic, I guess he likes strong drinks. I smiled at his complaint, "I feel like I'm drinking juice," and walked over to a table with a variety of dishes. I took a small plate of roast beef and handed it to the dark-haired young man, who began to eat it in silence. The liquor was a little disappointing, but the food was prepared by the school's own top chef, so it would suit the taste of His Highness. I hope this will put him in a better mood… 

As I was drinking the fruit wine while trying to keep up with His Highness Grayson's surprisingly good mood──── the orchestra suddenly began to play. The orchestra was playing light music as the students moved to the wall, leaving the center of the hall empty. There, Emilia sama and her partner leaped into action. Dances at the freshmen welcome party are supposed to start with the representative of the freshmen and their partners. From there, the second-place and third-place pairs followed, and once the fifth-place pair joined in, the others were free to dance as they wished. 

After the Emilia sama pair had made their turn, the second-place pair stepped out from the back of the hall and joined them. The two pairs stepped lightly with beautiful harmony. As the other students looked at them with envy, His Highness Grayson snatched the glass from my hand.

"What?" Before I have time to raise my voice, he pushes the glass to a nearby waiter.

"Let's go."

"Excuse me...?"

I couldn't read the intention of his action and tilted my head, but His Highness tugged on my hand without hesitation. He then walked to the center of the hall where Emilia sama and the others were performing a magnificent dance.

"Eh…! Hey, what are you…?!"

As I shouted out loud, a thought passed through my mind: "His Highness Grayson is from another country, so he might not know the customs of Frügel Academy..." His Highness Grayson tilted his head slightly as I turned pale in anticipation of the worst.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but ──── you've been paired with me, the third place in the entrance exam ・・・・ so you're going to have to dance properly."

"What…? Third place in the entrance exam...?"

I responded to what I heard it and His Highness nodded his head as if it was nothing.

"Oh, yeah. Didn't I tell you?"

I managed to swallow the words "I never heard a word of it!" and let out a deep sigh. I give His Highness Grayson, who is unknowingly waving me around, a stern look and quietly protested. But the beautiful young man with black hair just tilted his head and didn't understand my intentions. ...... He just started dancing. As he stepped to the music, he put his arm around my waist and pulled me into a close embrace.

"Follow me properly."

As soon as he said that, the dark-haired young man intensified his dancing. The other pairs looked like a blur as he showed off his magnificent footwork. I was amazed at His Highness Grayson's lack of self-restraint, but I followed his lead with graceful footwork. If I danced perfectly here, people would probably say, "His Highness Grayson is just good at leading," but I wouldn't cut corners anymore. I've decided to be serious. I held his hand tightly and stepped lightly, making my movements as large as I could without compromising my dignity. 

As the other pairs joined in the dance, we twirled in a circle. As we faced each other, the beautiful young man with black hair held me close. When we were close enough to embrace, the music stopped. Apparently, the first performance is over. As I was awestruck by the face that was close to mine ──── I heard cheers from the surroundings. I looked around to see what was going on and saw applause coming from everyone and they were saying, "That a wonderful dance." They are looking at me and His Highness Grayson. 

Needless to say, it is we who are being praised by them… and my cheeks redden slightly. Most of the compliments were directed at His Highness Grayson, but I'm glad to hear they're complimenting me too. As the applause and cheers broke out, I relaxed my cheeks and smiled softly.

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