Chapter 284
Chapter 284
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 284
Chapter Title: Midnight Ball (5)
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“Looks like tonight will pass quietly. Still, we can't let our guard down.”
Shirone responded with a smile.
She wasn't doing all this just to dig up high-level information. He was grateful for Reina's efforts to reassure him.
“I'm sorry about earlier today. I think my nerves were on edge.”
“Hehe, it's okay. Don't worry too much. I'll do my best to protect you. Anyway, relax a little. You might fall if you're that stiff.”
As Shirone relaxed his body, the two of them displayed a beautiful dance, like flowing water.
They were the most beautiful couple in the banquet hall.
“Hoho! They truly are a well-matched pair. How can Lord Shirone be so beautiful? It must be thanks to inheriting His Highness's bloodline.”
“And what about his partner? I hear she's a very famous musician in the Tormia Kingdom. Her impression is so pleasant, she's a young lady who brightens your mood just by looking at her.”
Amy stood alongside the noblewomen who were chatting. Even in her eyes, there was a clear difference between them and the other couples.
‘Why is it so late?’
Checking the time, Amy realized things were taking much longer than originally planned. Just as she was wondering if new information had been obtained, someone approached.
Amy was startled to see Zion and quickly showed her respects.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Yes, are you enjoying the banquet?”
“Yes. Everything is to my liking.”
Zion smiled with satisfaction. After dealing with Shirone, who looked down on royalty, facing the flustered Amy finally made him feel like a prince.
“How about it? May I ask for a dance?”
Amy looked at the hand Zion offered.
According to etiquette, to refuse a request for a dance, one must already have another partner.
But since Shirone was dancing with Reina, she had no grounds to refuse. He had clearly thought this far before approaching her.
“Yes. It would be an honor.”
Amy took Zion's hand and entered the ballroom.
It was her first time doing a traditional Kazra dance, but with her exceptional dancing skills and the power of her Red Eyes, she was able to match Zion's rhythm without difficulty.
The gazes of the nobles now shifted to Zion and Amy.
Praises poured out, no less than those for Shirone and Reina. Lovely. Beautiful. Noble, and so on.
Amy's face flushed. Was this what it felt like to be a princess?
But the feeling ended there.
She had never once thought of wanting to become a princess. Though she thought about becoming the world's greatest mage every day.
‘Surprisingly naive. This is unexpected.’
Seeing the shy Amy, Zion thought he was already most of the way there. Through his experience of having affairs with noblewomen since he was twelve, he knew what words would work in a situation like this.
“You're beautiful.”
Amy felt as if she'd been ambushed.
Is this brat in his right mind? She was so embarrassed she wanted to scream.
But given the circumstances, she couldn't show it.
As she continued to dance while seething inwardly, her gaze collided head-on with Shirone, who was approaching from the opposite side.
It was truly just for a fleeting moment.
Shirone looked surprised. Even in that brief instant, she could feel him asking something with his eyes.
Amy hastily averted her gaze.
She didn't know why she did it. It just seemed that she was afraid to look into Shirone's eyes.
She belatedly thought she shouldn't have done that, but they were already far apart.
As her mind grew complicated and her steps began to falter, Zion smiled. He seemed to think it was because she was nervous being in his arms.
“Be at ease. As long as you're with me, no one can look down on you.”
Zion liked Amy. She had a different feel from the flirtatious nobles. Thinking she was lovely, he pulled her waist in tightly, and Amy's dancing came to an abrupt halt at that moment.
Her body had reacted before she could even think. It was only natural that the nobles' attention would be drawn to them.
Amy, with a reddened face, was at a loss for a moment before quickly thinking of a way out.
“Ah, I'm a little tired. It was enjoyable.”
As she paid her respects and turned away as if she had intended to stop from the beginning, a venomous glint flashed in Zion's eyes. He immediately grabbed Amy's wrist and whispered in a low voice.
“I've taken custody of Vincent and Olina.”
With shocked eyes, Amy quickly scanned the crowd, trying to locate Shirone.
Zion threatened her in a menacing tone.
“That's not a good idea. Don't tell anyone and follow me quietly. Then Shirone's parents will be released safely.”
Amy turned her gaze back and feigned a calm expression. The biggest problem was that she couldn't determine if it was true.
Reina's attendant was supposed to report on the situation every hour, and the last report had come in 32 minutes ago.
In those 32 minutes, would it have been difficult to carry out the deed? Or was it more than enough time?
Amy followed Zion as if nothing was wrong.
She didn't know his intentions for pulling such a stunt, but she knew she wasn't the main target.
In any case, Reina would make a move in 28 minutes. If she could just hold out until then, this crisis could turn into another opportunity.
‘Of course, I have to survive first.’
As the two left hand-in-hand, the nobles finally eased their suspicions. It was a not-so-uncommon sight to see a young man and woman, fired up with passion, leaving the hall.
Zion's insides were boiling as he led Amy away.
The strategy of using Shirone's parents was Plan B, proposed by Arius. He had boasted that he could make any woman fall for him, so his pride was hurt more than a little.
‘Whatever. All that matters is that I got her out. I've done my part, Arius.’
Without Amy, Shirone would be isolated. Reina had to manage the overall affairs of the royal castle, so she couldn't be dedicated to Shirone. Even if she found out later and made a move, by then, Shirone's head would already be rolling on the floor.
‘Kekeke, farewell, Shirone.’
@
Reina looked at Shirone with puzzlement as he suddenly stopped dancing. He didn't even seem to realize his feet weren't moving.
“Shirone, what's wrong? What is it?”
“Uh, well... Where is Amy going with Zion?”
Reina quickly looked around. Just as Shirone said, the two were nowhere to be seen.
According to her investigation, Zion wasn't one to chase after women. But like most men his age, he didn't dislike them either, so the number of women he had spent the night with was not exactly small.
To put it simply, he might have taken an interest in Amy.
Amy was a girl beautiful enough to make even royalty fall for her, and given Zion's personality, he wouldn't hold back even if she was Shirone's friend.
The problem was Amy. What on earth could he have said to make her follow him?
Reina looked at Shirone. He was pretending to be calm, but his gaze was fixed on the door.
She gave a bitter smile and pushed Shirone's back. If he was going to go no matter who tried to stop him, it was better to send him off herself.
“Go on. You can just go ask Amy, can't you?”
“Is that okay?”
“What are you talking about? She's your friend. Go quickly. I'll take care of things here.”
“Then... I'll be back.”
Shirone glanced around cautiously and turned. But from that point on, he didn't look back and left the grand hall.
Reina placed her hands on her hips and snorted.
‘Did I torment him too much by getting in the middle? Haa, how am I supposed to fix this personality of mine.’
In any case, this was not the time to be dealing with emotions.
The reason she sent Shirone off first was because her attendant was due to arrive soon. Amy was important, but she couldn't neglect security for his parents either.
‘Huh? His parents?’
The moment she thought that far, an idea struck her.
Amy was not the type of girl to fall for Zion's tricks. So what could have been her motive for following him without a word?
‘Could it be?’
Reina stomped her foot on the floor.
This was no time to be waiting for her attendant. No, if the other side had made a move, it was more likely he wouldn't come at all. Checking the time, she ran towards the lodging where Vincent and Olina were staying.
4. Theraze's Proposal (1)
Shirone ran to the royal apartments.
He had followed Zion out as quickly as possible, but he had already vanished. His first thought was to go to Zion's room.
‘Why on earth did she follow Zion?’
There must have been a good reason, but whatever it was, he didn't feel good about it. A strange emotion kept welling up, preventing his thoughts from connecting as quickly as usual.
Arriving at Zion's room, Shirone hesitated without realizing it just as he was about to turn the doorknob.
A bad thought crossed his mind. The image of Amy dancing with Zion came to him.
Why did she look away? If there was a specific reason, she should have sent a signal. The Amy he knew was that kind of person.
‘Am I... doing something unnecessary?’
What if his fears were unfounded? But what if they were true?
Shirone quickly shook his head.
Amy was not someone who would act rashly before a big event. To even think such a thing was an insult to her.
Shirone steeled himself and opened the door.
The brightly lit room showed no signs of anyone. But there was someone there. He could see Uorin walking towards the table.
“Uorin? Why are you here...?”
Uorin leisurely sat down in a chair. From the way she was stroking the cat on her lap, it seemed she didn't even know someone had come in.
But Shirone now realized that her visible actions were not important.
“Uorin. Where is Zion right now...”
“Sit.”
Uorin cut him off and offered him a seat. Her voice, unlike usual, was filled with dignity.
Shirone swallowed hard and sat down opposite her.
“Why are you in Zion's room? I didn't see you at the ball.”
“I thought you'd come. So I waited.”
It was just as Shirone had expected. She knew what was happening in the royal castle right now.
“Where is Zion?”
“Who knows? He's around somewhere, I guess.”
Uorin looked away as if uninterested.
Shirone was frustrated. But he didn't do something as foolish as pestering her.
He had already revealed his intentions at the demonstration. All that remained was her choice.
As the silence stretched on, Uorin was the first to speak.
“Why did you do it?”
Shirone hardened his gaze and stared at her.
It made no sense for her not to know. Therefore, this question wasn't the main point either.
“Why did you unleash all your power? That was as good as a declaration of war against Theraze's faction. Zion is furious because of it.”
“Because if I had held back, you wouldn't have helped me.”
Uorin made a puzzled face, but Shirone wasn't fooled by the mask. That was something else Uorin had taught him.
“You're different from Zion. You're the successor to the Empress. The political situation in Kazra is probably just a small part of the picture for you, who dreams of becoming the Emperor.”
“Is that so? Well, it's true that everyone wants to latch onto my power. You're no different, Shirone.”
“That may be so. But Ataraxia must have a different meaning for you, doesn't it?”
For the first time, a flicker of interest appeared in Uorin's eyes.
“How is it different?”
“The Emperor of the Kashan Empire is the leader of the Valkyries. And Ataraxia is the ability of an Archangel, considered the best even among the Valkyries. In that case, it must have enough value for you to use.”
Uorin readily nodded. It was true that if Shirone's Ataraxia hadn't been as impressive as it was today, she would have had no reason whatsoever to help him.
“That's right. After seeing your ability, I've changed my mind a little. Ataraxia would be a great help in my becoming the Emperor.”
“So help me. If you want, after I graduate from the magic academy, I'll be on your side. So please, don't touch my family and friends.”
Uorin let out a snort of laughter.
“You're a little naive.”
“What?”
“How many archmages do you think submit their résumés to me each year? If you thought I'd cling to you for Ataraxia alone, you're mistaken. I'm not dismissing your talent, but you're still just a student, aren't you?”