"Thank you for your attendance."

The party began with the words of a man who looked like the host.

The dignified nephew of His Majesty the King, who is said to be looking for a bride, is His Excellency Duke Michael, the Grand Duchy of Lubelga despite being only seventeen years old.

Being his nephew, I got to see a trace of that seven-year-old boy I've escorted for a few days in him. 

Probably the densest moment in my previous life was that face that cannot be forgotten even if I tried, it instead tickles something in me.

Before I knew it, my face was all puckered.

"— Ara!"

Daughters of the n.o.bility like me crowded around His Excellency the Duke Michael while trying their best to appeal to his fancy.

I regarded them from afar in the corner of my eyes as if it were others' affairs.

Then a familiar voice pierced my ears.

"Fi?"

The moment my head turned over my shoulder, a name burst out of my mouth. This is also the name of my best friend, Flora. 

Fi Rebecca was a nickname given by me.

"Laura? I knew it! I thought you weren't Laura!"

A dainty woman in a gorgeous red toned dress called my name with her sing song bouncy voice and walked up to me happily.

I too was dressed for the party so she stopped right in front of me. Without our dresses, we could have hugged.

"Is Laura also after the Duke's bride?"

"Yeah, but it's under my parent's orders."

With a bitter smile, I uttered the truth behind my attendance. 

It's not something that I need to hide, and I think Fi must be already aware of it.

She nodded her head twice or thrice in response to my statement, as if to say, “I guessed so."

"What about Fi?"

“Me too. My father wants me to expand my circle of friends, even if it's impossible."

It seems that the reason for both of us attending the party is similar. Confirming that fact, we looked at each other and laughed.

Fi and I have known each other for more than ten years, and with our closeness, we could be called sisters.

That's why I could vomit these hidden emotions weighing in my chest without fear.

"I see. That's something Fi's father would likely say."

"No question about it, that's exactly what he said."

As her father, he should know best why Fi wasn't fit to be the Duke's bride.

She blurted it out with a crumpled face.

As a matter of fact, I agree with Fi, so I laughed at it without thinking that she is another person.

"It's just, I mean, who would want to mix here?"

That said, I turned my attention back to the lively crowd in front of me, which has gone busier.

The young ladies clad in their best dresses mingled around and flocked around someone with their shrill voices.

He's just one man.

They are desperately trying to present themselves to the star of the party, His Excellency Duke Michael.

"Really, I think father had no expectations of me, that's why he let me come alone to this party."

"That's great Fi, good going Fi."

"What good going Fi, Laura is not much different from me."

"Hahahaha, point taken."

I stuck my tongue out, and just like that….Fi was stunned. 

Nonetheless, it lasted for just a moment. 

"Well, I know there's something undisclosed in this race this time, so Laura can't be blamed."

"Something undisclosed?"

I can't help but ask.

"Yes. It was spread as a rumor or something, but His Excellency the Duke of Mich.e.l.le wants to marry a certain lady.

"Yes. It was spread as a rumor or something, but His Excellency the Duke Michael wants to marry a certain lady."

"Marry? Huh? But today's party is in search of his bride-to-be, right?"

So, the reason why this party was held was….

"It's a sham. His Excellency the Duke Michael already has someone he wants to marry. But it seems that the girl is beneath his position. So, throwing a party like this was destined. It's just a production staged for her sake."

I see. I was convinced all this time that someone as honorable as His Excellency the Duke hosted a banquet like this so as to publicly announce his bride-to-be.

If my father had known about it, I would not have had to be forced to the royal palace like this, I sighed. Then, a momentary question pa.s.sed through my mind.

"But why did Fi still attend such a determined bride selection banquet…?"

"Did you know him?"

Just as I was about to ask, a voice rose louder. It was not a scream, but more like a cheer, if anything.

And that interrupted my question, and Fi's attention was also attracted by the exclamation.

What has caused such a sudden cheer?

I was puzzled for a bit.

The question was splendidly dispelled by a dignified voice from the man who was in control of this party.

—-His Majesty the King has arrived.

Just that one line.