The World’s Strongest Are Obsessed With Me

Chapter 10

While Dahlia was making all kinds of assumptions, Hikan was starting on the official Pesteroz family work that had piled up. There was one event he couldn’t avoid, and that was the ball typically held to congratulate a new duke, as Duchess Blueport had mentioned.

The entire mansion was abuzz as everyone prepared for the upcoming ball. Even Dahlia, who lazed around most of the time because she had no responsibilities, was busy learning a new dance from her tutor.

She was sitting on her nanny’s lap drinking an iced tea during a break from said dancing lesson when her nanny spoke. “By the way, Miss Dahlia, you’ll need a personal maid in order to attend future balls.”

“But I like you the most, Nanny. I want to go with you.”

“M-miss Dahlia...” Her nanny hugged her tightly, her face choked with emotion.

Dahlia smiled and buried her head into her nanny’s chest. “Do I already need one? I’m sure Madam Mashu will take me if I can’t find one in time.”

Besides, Duchess Blueport will be at the ball.

Madam Mashu was Dahlia’s tutor and dance teacher. Because the four duke families that churned out the Transcendent were treated like the royal family, they traditionally hired personal maids. Usually, the maids were selected from lower-ranked families who had children of similar ages.

Unfortunately, Dahlia didn’t have a single friend her age. Friends in society were usually made through the mother’s connections, and Dahlia had no mother. Even her father, who should have tried harder to make her some friends, paid no attention to her. In fact, her situation was so dire that Duchess Blueport had to step in.

Still, Dahlia knew that since the duke families were so small in number, people would approach seeking to make friends with her at the ball. She wasn’t too worried. She was going to leave the family anyway, and that would make her a stranger to everyone. What was the point of making friends?

“Still, I wish you could attend with a friend your age, miss Dahlia," her nanny whispered as she stroked Dahlia’s hair. Dahlia felt her nose twinge at the honest concern in her nanny’s light-hearted voice.

She burrowed herself into her nanny’s embrace. “I’ll ask my brother," she said but was doubtful since she didn’t want to burden Hikan with more work.

I’d rather ask Madam Mashu.

Her nanny smiled trustingly. “Of course, Miss Dahlia.”

“I think break time is over. See you later, Nanny!”

Madam Mashu seemed to appear from thin air. Dahlia finished the rest of her tea, entrusted it to her nanny, and stood.

I’ll probably have my first dance with Hikan.

Turning Hikan’s feet black and blue would be an issue. That could end their ever-so-slightly improved relationship once and for all. Dahlia burned with enthusiasm to learn, which was unlike her. She would learn the dance perfectly.

* * *

“You’re doing very well, lady Dahlia! Now, the last steps! One, two, three!”

Dahlia made her last turn, following Madam Mashu’s guidance, and the music ended. It was the first dance she'd finished without a mistake.

“Goodness, very good job!" Madam Mashu said, more excited than Dahlia.

Dahlia was weaker at dance than any other subject. While she never showed it, Madam Mashu was probably stressed by Dahlia’s dancing skills. Dahlia awkwardly smiled at Madam Mashu.

“You demonstrated such a great dance just as His Grace arrived!”

“What...?” The smile faded from Dahlia’s face. She turned around. For some reason, Hikan was standing at the door. “Oh, uh, Brother! Wh-why are you here?”

Ever since the last hand-heart incident, Dahlia had been feeling awkward whenever she saw Hikan. She was unable to act cute in front of him anymore.

Instead of replying, Hikan walked towards her and stared. Dahlia felt embarrassed to be stared at by that handsome face of his. She noticed strands of her sweaty hair that had gotten loose from her hair-tie and pushed them behind her ear.

“Oh, since you’re here, Your Grace, would you both like to partner up for practice beforehand?” Madam Mashu asked in a bright voice.

Dahlia violently shook her head in her mind. She was scared of the aftermath that would hit her once she stepped on Hikan’s foot.

I don’t think Hikan will want to dance with me either.

She lifted her head and met his eyes, desperately trying to send a silent signal that he should decline the offer. Hikan’s eyebrows shifted into a small furrow. Dahlia was sure her desperation got through.

He hesitated, sighed, and spoke. “Sure. Let’s do that.”

Silent conversations were never easy. She sobbed internally as she placed her hand on Hikan’s arm. Madam Mashu turned on the gramophone again, and the music began.

Hikan moved with Dahlia, one step at a time. Madam Mashu looked on with a pleased expression. Well, it was a dance between a sixteen-year-old and a thirteen-year-old.

Of course, Hikan was taller and appeared very mature compared to most kids his age, but dancing didn’t reveal a person’s true personality. For the first time, Dahlia thought about how heavy the burden of carrying a noble family on his shoulders must be.

Even if this is a world where there are people like the Transcendent, he’s still a sixteen-year-old duke.

Dahlia couldn’t even recall what she'd done when she was sixteen. She was sure her greatest interests had been running away from after-school classes and eating ramen as her midnight snack.

Hikan danced better than she’d expected. Well, it was easier to spot the things he was bad at, since he was so perfect in the original story. He was good at everything except controlling his twisted affection towards the female main character.

Wait, when does the main character appear?

Dahlia counted around three years before the main events occurred, as that was when the main character debuted in society. From then on, she was fated to meet all the male leads as she completed her many tasks.

“Ah.” Dahlia’s distracted thoughts messed up her steps. Instead of stepping backwards, she ended up knocking her forehead on Hikan’s chest instead. Her foot on his was the cherry on top of the situation.

“I-I-I’m s-so sorry!” Dahlia screeched, and immediately moved her foot away, stopping the dance.

Hikan, on the other hand, didn’t say anything. The silence made her even more nervous. Dahlia bid the rest of her life farewell.

I hereby announce the end of Dahlia Pesteroz’s life at thirteen years of age.

Dahlia carefully checked on him. “D-did it hurt?”

“Think before you speak. Do you think it would have hurt for you?”

But you said I’d never be able to understand you...

With that argument in mind, Dahlia looked up at Hikan. He flinched as though he could hear her objection. Instead of adding an explanation, he moved into the next dance steps without another word.

Dahlia rushed to follow. Fortunately, she didn’t get distracted and was able to avoid any mistakes.

At their last step, Madam Mashu clapped with an extremely satisfied expression. “That was lovely to watch. You truly are excellent at everything, your grace.”

They could tell she wasn’t just being courteous by the honesty dripping in her voice. Hikan avoided looking at Madam Mashu again after a quick glance.

Madam Mashu’s gaze turned to Dahlia. “You’ve really progressed, lady Dahlia. I’m sure you won’t make a single mistake with a bit more practice.”

“Th-thank you, Madam Mashu," Dahlia replied with an awkward smile.

Madam Mashu left, saying she had no more to teach for the day. That left Dahlia and Hikan in the room together.

She glanced at him awkwardly and held his hand. Before Dahlia could open her mouth to apologize, Hikan moved his hand away. “I don’t need your apology," he said in a cold voice.

“Oh, okay.” Dahlia answered, smiling. Hikan’s expression seemed off, but it didn’t matter. “But Hikan, why did you visit?” She was sure he hadn’t visited to see her dance.

“I’m here because of the issue concerning your maid.”

“Oh, right. Nanny mentioned it.”

“His Majesty has decided who’s going to be your personal maid.”

Dahlia’s eyes widened. “Ex-excuse me...?”

“I looked around as well, but His Majesty’s decision will suit you better.”

“What?!” she shouted, further surprised.

Hikan frowned. “Why are you surprised?”

“No, it’s nothing...”

“Did you think I’d send someone with the Pesteroz name to the ball without a maid?”

Did he just... acknowledge me as a Pesteroz?

She never expected to hear that from Hikan. Dahlia felt strange.

“Anyway, His Majesty hand-selected your maid, so treat her with respect," Hikan continued in a monotone voice. He looked the same as always, but Dahlia grew slightly doubtful as she looked up at the side of his face.

Was Hikan, just maybe, changing like Duchess Blueport had predicted?

Before she could finish her thought, Hikan continued speaking. “You’ll be meeting her for the first time at the ball. She wanted me to tell you in advance that she’s sorry for not being able to greet you sooner due to her personal circumstances.”

That meant she’d be entering the ball with Madam Mashu. Dahlia didn’t really care who she went to the ball with. She nodded her head. Hikan spoke again. “Your maid’s name is Adrisha Beniterre. The Beniterre family isn’t too outstanding, as it is a viscount family, but I believe His Majesty has his own reasons for sending her to be your maid.”

Huh? Adrisha?

The moment she heard the name, Dahlia froze. Adrisha Beniterre was the alias the main character used for herself. The main character of Ouroboros’ Labyrinth, Adrisha Beniterre. Real name Yustia.

The maid the emperor had selected for Dahlia was... was... the main character of the original story!