The Beauty’s Secret 03. Fiancée

03. Fiancée

“Julius-sama, it has been a while.”

While Julius was chatting with Maxian, a girl approached and curtsied, lightly pinching the hem of her lovely dress.
Her name is Emilyn Verj. She is the daughter of Viscount Verj and also the fiancée of Julius.

Emilyn is two years younger than Julius and still an innocent girl. She is more suited to be described as pretty rather than beautiful. Her peach-colored hair reached her back and was adorned by a small embroidered red rose.
She is wearing a simple sleeveless violet dress which was really suitable to her slender figure.
The pink diamond necklace matching her hair and adorning her bare neck was a present from Julius in the past.

Julius immediately smiled upon noticing Emilyn’s appearance, smoothing over his expression and bowing elegantly. He then took her hand and gently placed a kiss on it.
At this action, Emilyn cheeks slightly turned red.

“Lady Emilyn, it has been a while indeed. The time I have not seen your beautiful face, I endured the feeling of eternal waiting.”
“I-I’ll be embarra.s.sed if you say such things.”

Unlike his conversation with Maxian sometime ago, Julius completely changed and delivered a theatrical statement. Although he was thoroughly trained by his mother on att.i.tude towards women, it’s actually because this speech and conduct is almost conditioned response. Incidentally, for him, his intention is to show a gentlemanly behavior.
It is also a fact that it started becoming appropriate when Julius says such pompous lines, but it’s just disgusting when other people do. The surrounding ladies who were listening attentively also let out heated sighs.
And Emilyn who received a direct hit somehow answered back even with her ears dyed red.
However it can be said that Emilyn only reached this level due to her long a.s.sociation as his fiancée. If this was another girl, they would have surely fainted in bliss.
His appearance, atmosphere and voice possessed that much offensive ability.

“It’s a rare dance party. Ojou-sama, would you dance with me for a song?”
“Yes, it would be my pleasure.”

Emilyn smiled and nodded at Julius who invited her while presenting his left hand.
With Julius as the escort, the two of them went towards the center and began to dance.

 

The Houses of Earl Rosenberg and Viscount Verj have neighboring territories and their deep relations existed since old times.
It became a natural thing to bind marriages between these two families but when the fourteen-year old Emilyn heard the engagement announcement with Julius then, she felt as if she received a blessing from heaven.
This is because she was also an ardent fan of Julius.
Emilyn unhesitatingly nodded and the talk settled smoothly afterwards. She became engaged with Julius.
Before her enthusiasm, the awareness that the other person was a woman did not become a hindrance.

Yes, a woman.
Only Julius’ family and the employees working before he was born knew that Julius is actually a man. Other people believed he was a woman disguising herself as a man.
Emily is obviously not an exception, she’s still convinced that Julius is a woman. Despite that, she accepted the engagement.

The priority of n.o.bles is the continuation of their family line above all.
In this case where having a child is impossible between two women, such marriage should not be something expected from a person born into a n.o.ble house.
That she dared accepted, it indicates her fervor.

Coincidentally, it wouldn’t be strange to arrive at the idea that the Rosenberg Earldom’s side wouldn’t want such kind of marriage, but Emilyn became obsessed with the notion that this marriage is [a camouflage to hide that Julius is a woman].
It would be difficult to keep falsifying his gender if the marriage happens but it’s a different story if the spouse cooperates with the concealment. It is just the right cover.
Julius would lead a married life outwardly and have the child of a distant relative become his successor… Emilyn accepted the engagement with Julius while resolving to live such unfortunate life.
She will be satisfied if she can help Julius whom she admire.
However it’s wrong to say that Emilyn is h.o.m.os.e.xual.
She longs for [Julius] to the very end, it doesn’t mean that she likes girls.

“You are skilled at dancing as ever, Lady Emilyn.”
“That is because Julius-sama is leading me.”
“It is an honor.”

Julius whispered to Emilyn, who danced while gently placing her right hand on Julius’ outstretched left hand.
Emilyn answered with a smile while desperately suppressing the flush in her face caused by the hand in her waist.
Actually, their dance was flawless. The surrounding spectators also stopped dancing before anyone noticed it. They watched with heated eyes while sighing.

“Is this pace alright, Lady Emilyn?”
“Yes, it’s alright. I’ll follow wherever Julius-sama goes.”

It was natural for Julius to be skilled at dancing since he was strictly trained by Elizabeth, but Emilyn is also at an equal level.
That is the proof that Emilyn strenuously exerted great effort to be able to stand next to Julius.

Julius’ popularity among the people around him is high. But on the other hand, the number of people intensely paying attention to his fiancée, Emilyn, are in no way small.
There are many young ladies attracted to Julius but their feelings are roughly divided into two categories.
Those who hold serious romantic feelings for Julius and those who admire him as an idol.
As for the ratio, the latter is overwhelmingly numerous than the former. Realistically, there are various obstacles in pursuing a romantic relations.h.i.+p with Julius. Most people understand that.
The people who admire Julius can be further divided into those who dream to stand beside him and those who appreciate him from a distance.
The young ladies who regard Emilyn with hostility are those who hold serious romantic feelings for Julius and those who want to stand beside him.
It is widely known that Julius deeply cares about Emilyn so it can be said that these girls never harmed Emilyn directly. If they did something like that, they will surely be hated by Julius.
But if Emilyn showed an unsightly appearance, they will take the opportunity to raise a fuss that she isn’t suitable as Julius’ fiancée.
Because Emilyn also understood that, she endeavored to conduct herself as a perfect lady suitable to stand next to Julius. She eagerly exerted effort in every field, never laying herself open for an attack.
Nevertheless, not all surrounding people are Emilyn’s enemy.
Julius’ family and their close friends approve Emilyn as Julius’ fiancée. There are also a lot of young ladies who warmly watched over their figures standing together.

Above all, Julius himself is actually in love with Emilyn.

“How long can I happily dance like this with you? If my wish can be granted, I want this to last forever.”
“Me, too. If it’s possible, I want to stay like this through eternity. Even if I cannot be by your side in the future, please let me stay beside you for now.”

…For all that, as long as Emilyn thinks Julius is a woman, those feelings will never be transmitted.
No matter how many times Julius conveys his feelings, Emilyn won’t take anything seriously since she believed that the engagement is just a camouflage.

“Please don’t say something so dreadful. My heart will break if you aren’t by my side.”
“Saying that to me is unnecessary, Julius-sama, since it’s not possible.”
“Then we can always be together, right? Since the moment when I won’t need you anymore will never come. ”
“Oh how happy will I be, if those words were true.”

Contrary to their conversation that won’t mesh, their steps are in perfect harmony with each other.
At the center of the spectators who stopped dancing, only the two of them were dancing gracefully. That image make it seem like they were the protagonists of this ball.
It was mortifying, but even the young ladies who can’t stomach Emilyn can’t help but recognize that.

“Then I will endeavor to make you believe that I am telling the truth.”
“Yes, please make me believe in you.”

While fully receiving looks of praise from their surroundings, the young lovers continued to dance.

 

Although they were in love with each other, their hearts have yet to truly connect…