Debut Ball (1)
The event known as the Debutante Ball—or simply the Debut Ball for short—was a festival for noble girls. It marked the moment when fourteen- and fifteen-year-old girls officially entered society. Noble young ladies had to go through the Debut Ball before they could participate in any social activities. Skip the Debut Ball, and no invitations would ever come your way. Debuting was like declaring, "I'm ready to chat with all you fine folks!" While refusing to debut screamed, "I'm not ready yet..." Would anyone send an invite to someone who wasn't prepared? Absolutely not. Inviting someone who hadn't debuted was seen as rude, and the host would be the one getting finger-wagged at.
No friends, no social invites, not even marriage prospects. Most noble marriages were forged right there on the dance floor.
"Hoo..."
Sara took a deep breath and bellowed, "Let's go, big bro!"
It was a cry overflowing with young lady energy. A total general-in-the-making.
"Have fun, dears~! Charlotte~!"
"We'll be back soon, Mother~!"
Charlotte's partner was her cousin, a twenty-two-year-old. A perfectly ordinary choice—nothing flashy or weird about it.
Except...
"Greetings, Dante Aision. And Lady Sara."
"..."
How to put it? He looked like he'd leaped straight out of a romance fantasy webtoon. Like a meticulously drawn background extra.
...He's a bit off, huh.
Dante returned the man's greeting while pondering. Nobles rarely visited each other's homes unless they were at a social gathering. They didn't pry into private lives unless they were true intimates. So Dante had never really met any peers his age. This Debut Ball was his first real chance.
Are all nobles this handsome and pretty by default?
Fantasy world and all... maybe? Dante tilted his head but shrugged it off for now and headed to the venue.
The streets were jammed with carriages from all over, no room to step.
"The duke's daughter enters~!"
"The marquess's daughter enters~!"
"The countess's daughter enters~!"
"So-and-so enters~!"
The doormen shouted nonstop about arrivals. Dante wondered how much they got paid per hour...
"Whoa, so many nobles."
Sara peered out the window, eyes sparkling. In full makeup, she looked stunning—no trace of her usual wild energy. Dress, shoes, earrings, tiara: all perfect.
Dante's take on his dolled-up sister? She really went all out. Lukewarm at best. She'd been fussing with Charlotte since yesterday and settled on this look. Was the Debut Ball that big a deal? No one even knew who she was... But he shelved the snarky thoughts. Today was Sara's day.
"Bro! Those nobles out there—they're all here for the ball, right?!"
"Probably."
Dante kept peering out the window too.
...Yeah. Something felt off.
Is it normal for nobles to swarm like this?
Okay, fine, Debut Balls were major events. But why were they pulling up like it was a self-parking lot?!
"Hey, who do you think you are, parking your carriage in my spot?!"
"What? Me?! I'm the famous count from the west that everyone knows—"
"I'm a marquess."
"Eek! Sorry!"
"..."
"White horse carriage! Don't go right—that's the exit!!!"
"..."
Parking attendants(?) scrambled to sort the chaos. Dante sank deeper into unease.
This world... felt kinda weird. Like... a romance fantasy or something?
Nobles were all freakishly gorgeous. Just like in romance fantasy webtoons where the "plain country girl" turns out to be a stunning beauty. "Average-looking," my ass! Why draw 'em so perfect?!
Webtoons could get away with it, though. Draw a "plain" character actually plain, and the comments would explode: "Ugly character..." Romance fantasy readers wanted eye candy—plot be damned. "Pretty faces? Satisfied!"
...
Dante had a weird thought. If he were in a romance fantasy webtoon... he'd die in episode one. Why? Bug tamer. Bugs are hard to draw and gross...
He chuckled at the idea.
A romance fantasy with bug tamers? No way. Readers would riot with complaint emails.
"Lady Sara Aision, countess's daughter, enters~!"
Finally, they entered the hall.
"Whoa..."
Chandeliers in four tiers sparkled like stars up to the dizzyingly high ceiling. Tables draped in white linens overflowed with delicate finger foods. Handsome servants offered drinks to the young ladies, who gracefully accepted while chatting with friends.
Bet this cost a fortune.
All the kingdom's noble daughters in one place—makes sense. A servant handed Dante a drink. He sipped awkwardly.
...Still not my scene.
He didn't think of himself as one, but Dante was a noble. House Aision held major stakes in New World trade fleets. His father, Lennon, was a famed knight. But Lennon loved time with Elena too much for social scenes. He'd been off to the New World since Dante was ten-ish.
Not much "noble life" for a kid playing with bugs in the woods daily.
"Bro..."
"?"
They were inside, but Sara fidgeted, rooted in place.
"Introduce me to some people..."
"???"
Me? Huh?
"All you ever say is 'do it' to your brother, huh?"
"C'mon~ Don't be like that! I'm bad at approaching strangers!"
"You think I'm good at it?"
"But do it anyway!"
"..."
Then—brrr...
"?"
A red bumblebee popped from Dante's collar. A Noon Fairy honeybee. Drawn by something, it fluttered off.
Dante startled, trying to control it. Hey! Honeybee! Get back here!
But it landed delicately on a young lady's tiara. Then shamelessly(...) started gathering mana from her head.
Probably lured by the magic artifact's mana... I'm losing it.
Dante grumbled and chased after it.
"Ah! Bro! You're doing it?!"
Sara watched with sparkling eyes as he moved—
"!"
Then paled, lunging to grab him. Bro! Not there!!!
She whisper-yelled(?).
That's—!
But Dante didn't hear. Eyes locked on the troublemaker bee.
The imperial table!!!
Dante stopped before chatting nobles. Mystical platinum blondes. Eerily beautiful.
"Hm?"
They all turned to him.
...Maybe not eerily beautiful. Just eerie.
"Who are you?"
A boy Dante's age spoke.
"Got something to say?"
Boy, girl, and a motherly woman. Probably—the star was the girl. Ladies' Debut Ball and all.
Dante executed courtly etiquette gracefully.
"Allow me to introduce myself first. I am Dante Aision."
"..."
Atmosphere: greeting passed.
Dante shifted gaze to the girl. Star of the night—talk to her.
"Forgive my presumption, but I have learned the art of bug magic."
"Bug magic?"
The boy blinked in surprise.
"The bug magic lizardmen use?"
"Yes. Humans who wield bug magic are rare, but I was fortunate to have the talent."
A flicker of astonishment rose and faded. Bug magic—bug tamers—were indeed rare.
But... that was it. Just curious stares.
"And what brings this esteemed bug tamer here?"
Dante smiled silently. Chasing my runaway pet bee~ Yeah, that'd tank Sara's debut.
Decision: bluff convincingly.
"My honeybee suddenly flew off, and following it led me here."
"...Honeybee?"
"The one on your tiara, milady."
She touched her head. Dante commanded earnestly. Stay put. No resistance, no fleeing.
Bee obeyed.
"Oh my, Princess!"
The woman gasped.
"Grabbing a bee barehanded?! What if it stings?!"
The princess smiled faintly.
"It's fine. Didn't the bug tamer say it's his?"
"..."
"No problem. Right, bug tamer?"
...True enough. He nodded.
But. Wait. Princess...?
Like, emperor's daughter? Actual princess?!
Dante was stunned inside—but played cool. Freak out now, and he'd ruin Sara's debut! He was her partner, after all.
"How cute."
The princess stroked the red honeybee gently.
"Bug tamer."
"Yes, Princess."
"If I killed this bee... what happens?"
What else? Girl-who-killed-a-bee arc.
"Would you kill a bee that flew here just to see you? Please spare it."
"Heh. Flew here for me? Maybe you sent it secretly and now play innocent?"
Dante stayed calm.
"Care to see what it's doing?"
"?"
She examined it. Tiny butt wiggling, legs sweeping.
"Cute, but... no idea?"
"Gathering honey."
"...Honey?"
She deadpanned.
"Where's the honey here..."
Dante smiled.
"Bees see flowers and crave honey—that's their nature."
"..."
"This foolish bee must've mistaken you for a flower."
Instantly—the princess and her mother. Both smirks crept up...
"Hmph!"
The boy—prince, probably—grumbled alone.
"Flower? It's the perfume stench confusing it!"
"Oh my, Prince. I think the bug tamer's right!"
The empress gazed fondly at the princess.
"You're blooming like a flower today."
Then—
"Heehee... heeheehee...! Ahahaha!"
The princess burst into clear laughter.
"Mother! Did you set this up?"
"Not at all. I was surprised too."
"Really?"
She eyed Dante. Innocent, beautiful face. But... eerie eyes.
Looking at her, Dante felt "scary" before "pretty."
...Why?
"Dante Aision? Heir to Count Aision, right?"
"Yes, Princess."
"Good. Satisfied. What do you want from me?"
Dante answered honestly.
"Nothing."
"Oh, Dante? I'm in a great mood right now? But if you're messing with me... I might sour."
"Sorry. Truly, I want nothing."
"...For real?"
"Yes."
"Then this bee..."
"It flew here by chance. If I may wish... I'd like it back. It's dear to me."
"..."
Her smile vanished. Snap! Fingers flicked.
"Take it."
"Thank you, Princess."
The bee fluttered back into his clothes. A chilly voice followed. Slightly disappointed, maybe.
Perhaps—she'd hoped he'd approached on purpose. Wanted a deal.
Dante caught the subtle shift.
"Dante Aision."
"Yes."
"Next time you stand before imperials... think of a deal in advance."
Dante sighed inwardly. Were royals all this capricious? Or just a picky princess? Emotional rollercoaster.
To match her tempo, he pitched the first "deal" that came to mind. For sister Sara's debut.
"Then... may I state my wish now?"
"Fine. Speak."
"My sister adores you. She's debuting—could you chat with her? It'd be an honor."
"..."
Blank stare—then a chuckle.
"Ah... that vibe?"
"...?"
"Sure. Got it. I'm the host anyway—gotta talk to all the girls."
She looked at him. Clear, sparkling eyes. Platinum hair like a galaxy.
...Gorgeous girl. If picking one star of the ball? Her, no question.
"I'll grant your sister the first chance to chat with me."
"How gracious. An absurd honor."
She beamed.
"Dante Aision?"
"Yes."
"I like you."
"The honor is mine, Princess."
"See you soon. Us."
Sara Aision wanted to bolt right now...!
Bro—!!!
Dante Aision. That madman brother...!
Was dragging their kingdom's princess straight toward her!!!
Dante waved with a grin. Sara shook her head desperately.
Go away—!!!
Of course. Nowhere to run.