Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The Ball (2)
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Social Assembly, Day Four.
Starting today, the ball would begin.
What was the first thing to do in preparation for tonight's schedule?
It was writing a letter to Ariel.
I'd already been too busy with mock battles to write, and she'd been worried sick.
I could only imagine how anxious my worrywart little sister must have been.
Just thinking about it made me want to reach out right away.
[Sorry. I'm late. You doing okay?]
I hoped she hadn't gotten into any trouble fretting over me.
For a brief, trembling moment, I waited for her reply.
It came almost immediately.
[Where have you been, bro?]
Short and sharp.
I could picture Ariel furrowing her brows at 10:10 on the clock, scribbling away furiously, and it brought a smile to my face.
[Sorry, sorry. Something came up at the social assembly. Couldn't get in touch.]
[Idiot. We said once a day. Why didn't you keep your promise? Idiot. Moron. Idiot.]
This was the peak of my little sister's cursing repertoire.
As her big brother, I felt a strange swell of pride.
My Ariel is so pure.
[Sorry. Won't happen again.]
[Promise? If you do it again, I'll come find you.]
[No, you can't do that. Do you know how far it is from there to here?]
[I'll just run.]
Was this a distance you could just run?
[Hmm... No, it's my fault. I won't do it again, so please bear with me on that.]
[Okay. If you say so.]
[You didn't think about coming here when I missed that last letter, right?]
[I did. I even declared war—if no reply by today, I'd head out.]
[To who?]
[Dad.]
Dad must have stopped her.
Thanks, Dad.
[He begged me to hold out just a little longer, so I waited until today. Since you messaged, I'll forgive you.]
[What a relief. The thought of my little sister crossing that distance to storm the palace nearly gives me a heart attack.]
[But bro.]
[Yeah?]
[You seem in a good mood today. Something up?]
I seem in a good mood?
Ariel's words made me pause and reflect.
Was there anything special making me happy today?
Thinking over today's schedule, the only thing was the ball.
Hmm...
Her comment nudged my thoughts that way too.
Tonight at the ball, I had plans to dance with two young ladies.
The Third Imperial Princess Adelheit von Valdrian, the empire's most cherished flower.
And Lady Elisicia Rosenet, the mentally fragile healer viscountess.
Honestly, both were among the most beautiful girls at this social assembly.
I must have been subconsciously looking forward to it.
But the question was...
'How did she know?'
Does my little sister have some kind of intuition?
[Yeah, something like that. But how'd you know?]
[I just do. I can feel your state if I try.]
[Did the otherworld tell you that too?]
[Yeah.]
The hidden world the prophet had mentioned before.
Being part of that hidden world herself, Ariel could apparently do things like this.
[But what is it? Tell me.]
[Later.]
[No. Tell me now. It's girl trouble again, isn't it?]
...How did Ariel's instincts get so sharp?
I pondered how to handle my little sister's intense attachment and possessiveness.
At this rate, I'd end up tied down for life.
[Got partners for the ball. End of story. No more from big bro now.]
[Fiancée?]
[Nothing like that.]
[Good. If you got a fiancée, I might actually kill you.]
She meant "kill her," right?
Right?
Hoping it was a typo.
[Can't you ever get engaged? You'll have to when you're grown up.]
[No. Hate it. Won't accept it. Won't allow it. Won't forgive it.]
The intensity of her words was escalating.
First, I needed to calm Ariel down.
Truth be told, as a noble, avoiding engagement forever was unrealistic... but reassuring her now was priority.
[Got it. No engagement for big bro. So stop.]
[Okay. Stop.]
[Big bro's heading out now, so be good. No more talk of coming here.]
[Don't wanna.]
Stubborn to the end, refusing even a simple "okay."
It was so brazen I wanted to flick her forehead, but it was pure Ariel, so I let it slide.
I opened the wardrobe and picked out my outfit.
For a ball, bringing formal attire from home was standard.
Especially for a high noble house like the Leonhart Ducal Family.
A deep black tuxedo. A white shawl around the nape, topped with a black tie.
Black leather loafers to match.
Simple coordination, but the premium materials gave it a luxurious sheen.
I checked myself in the mirror, nodded.
This would do. At least I wouldn't embarrass Adelheit or Elisicia.
I left the room.
Heading straight to the ballroom with a spring in my step—
"Ah! Sir Kline!"
I was stopped by a boy waiting right outside the door.
A kid much shorter than me.
The young noble Marvin Drusk, just turned ten.
He looked up at me and said,
"I saw your last duel! It was awesome!"
What was this?
Coming all the way to my door just to praise me?
I hadn't expected it, but I smiled warmly and accepted.
"Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it."
"Yes! The way you used aura to win...! Ugh, a true role model for any swordsman!"
"Weren't you scared when I got hurt?"
"Nope! That's basic for a swordsman!"
His sparkling eyes were so innocent.
I see.
He doesn't know what really happened in that duel.
Thinks I just won with aura.
'Cute kid.'
Yeah, there are still pure nobles like this.
I placed a hand on Marvin's head.
"Ah!"
He flinched at first, then stayed still obediently.
I ruffled his hair gently and continued.
"Did you do a mock duel yesterday too?"
"Yes! I fought another young lord and won!"
"Good job. Well done."
"Hehehe..."
His beaming smile was heartwarming.
Then I noticed the glasses perched on his nose.
'Still wearing them.'
Why do all these social assembly nobles wear glasses?
"Like the glasses? Still wearing them."
"Yes! I'm so grateful to Lady Bloodied. Thanks to these, I can nail my debutante."
"Oh, you're participating in the ball too?"
"Of course! Lady Bloodied specially invited me. Probably giving me some accessory!"
"I see. Hmm."
Marvin's words made me furrow my brow.
Bloodied.
The merchant guild leader under Red Mask—I currently suspected her.
Suspicious vibe, shady behavior.
I needed to investigate her, and here Marvin was, meeting her.
'What to do.'
Telling him not to go would be tough.
Hard to explain why, and he was too excited to listen anyway.
So, flip it—ask him to gather info.
Better that way.
If Bloodied was the 'big client,' it might be risky... but in the imperial palace, if Marvin suddenly had an accident, the other nobles would notice.
No one would touch him unless they were insane and planned to fool every noble here.
"Alright, go ahead. When you do, tell me what you learn about Bloodied later."
"Huh? Do you admire Lady Bloodied, Sir Kline?"
"Not that. Adult stuff. Favor?"
"Hehe! Sure!"
"Don't be late for the ball."
"I won't! Super excited!"
Marvin grinned brightly, waved, and left.
Probably off to meet Bloodied.
Time for me to head to the ballroom.
**
The ball was moments from starting.
Nobles gathered, sipping drinks.
Some had already paired up, others scouting partners.
The higher the family prestige, the greater the beauty, the more suitors.
A subtle feeling, but I was one of them.
"Young Lord Kline. Care for a dance?"
"Sir Kline. What do you say? Just once?"
"Shall we make a beautiful memory tonight?"
Ladies approached from all sides, leaving me a bit overwhelmed.
Dancing with multiple opposites at a ball fell into two categories.
The noble was so attractive and powerful, drawing many admirers.
Or a playboy charming anyone in sight.
Usually, handsome with good family meant the former; otherwise, the latter.
I could dance with several... but
'No fun.'
For someone seeking self-indulgence, random ladies were exhausting.
They cared more about my background than me.
Hard to connect personally.
So, I declined.
"Sorry."
Sorry, but I have two prior engagements.
I sent away the approaching ladies and scanned the room.
Adelheit hadn't arrived yet.
The ball would start when she did—the princess held the highest rank here.
Until then, talk to Elisicia.
Didn't want to shock her by dancing with Adelheit first.
'There.'
In the corner, a timid girl huddled small.
Frizzy purple hair, swirling purple eyes.
I sidled up to Elisicia.
"Lady Elisicia."
"Eek?! ...Ah. Uh. Young Lord Kline."
"You jump at a simple hello. So, can we dance?"
"Uh. Y-Yes! I'm good at physical stuff, you know. I'll satisfy you for sure."
"No... Don't phrase it weirdly. I'm here because I have a prior engagement."
"Y-Yes...? Prior...?"
Elisicia's eyes welled up with moisture.
Before she could think she'd been dumped and start crying, I hurriedly reassured her.
"No. Not skipping you—real prior. After that one, I'll dance with you."
"Hic... Really? Not lying?"
"No. Why would I?"
"Hehe. Fine, I'll watch. Just this once..."
Relieved, she slumped in exhaustion.
Her dress couldn't quite cover her chest, drawing my eyes.
Self-control.
"You sure you're okay with it? Me dancing with someone else first."
"Eh. For a girl like me, that's normal... Grateful just to dance with you."
"Sheesh."
Why's her self-esteem so low?
A bit worried. Might end up with a wife who gets hit by some jerk.
Different from Ariel, but someone I wanted to look after.
"Her Imperial Highness, the Third Imperial Princess Adelheit von Valdrian, enters!"
The attendant announced loudly.
All lights focused on one spot.
Click-clack—
The girl entered in dance shoes.
Adelheit, in pink modaca and dress.
"... "
Her cheeks were faintly flushed.
Unexpected.
I thought she'd care even less about balls than I did.
'No way she's looking forward to dancing with me?'
Nah.
Don't get ahead of yourself. Bad male habit.
"With Her Highness arrived, let the ball commence!"
The court orchestra began.
Sweet music filled the hall.
Nobles approached partners to request dances.
Men usually asked first—custom and norm.
A woman asking meant serious courtship, rare.
'Guess I ask first.'
No men near Adelheit.
Obviously. Who'd boldly ask a princess?
Even speaking up took guts; rejection would just hurt.
Highborn like her were picky, especially with Adelheit's personality—she'd never accept.
No one wanted pointless rejection.
Her partner spot: empty.
So, when I decided to approach—
'Huh?'
Click-clack—
She approached.
Adelheit's pink dress fluttered as she moved.
Stepping away from her spot.
Direction: clear.
Toward me.
"... "
Unsure how to react, I stood still.
Soon, she stood before me, stopping.
"...Haa."
A hot sigh.
Now I saw—her face was beet red.
Not the faint blush from before.
Red as if it'd burst at a touch.
She said to me,
"Young Lord Kline... Will you dance with me?"
A woman— a princess no less—asking first at the ball.
Unprecedented in Cluster of Stars history.