Chapter 524: Authority
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 524: Authority
While the silver-haired beauty and the blonde "beauty" were busy devouring delicacies at the edge of the crowd, and while the blonde "beauty" was being subjected to a series of knees to the side from the silver-haired girl, the atmosphere in the hall began to shift.
As the ball progressed, the initial pleasantries and social exchanges wound down. The display of "brotherly affection" between the two princes came to an end, and the royal orchestra finally began to play a melodious classical piece.
Polite gentlemen bowed to invite their partners to the center of the hall for an elegant ballroom dance, while the unmarried youths prowled the edges of the hunting ground, searching for their intended prey.
In a sense, unlike the atmosphere that had been deliberately hyped up earlier, this was the true start of the ball. However, under these peculiar circumstances, the main event had become a mere distraction—something few people cared about, save for the youngsters who had just entered the social scene. For the rest, it was nothing more than a backdrop to the hidden daggers being drawn.
Given Celicia’s beauty and status, she naturally became the center of attention once the dancing began. However, everyone knew the Princess already had a fiancé. Combined with her notoriously cold temperament, they understood the chances of a successful invitation were pitifully low, so few dared to approach her.
Muen, on the other hand, was currently twitching his cheek as he rejected his third suitor of the night.
"You’re quite popular," Celicia remarked meaningfully.
"I’d rather be ugly right now," Muen replied with a bitter face, secretly regretting ever agreeing to Celicia’s disastrous idea.
The gazes from those adolescent boys, radiating hormonal intensity, didn't just make his skin crawl—they brought back some very unpleasant memories.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait much longer. Muen finally spotted movement from the two princes.
"Get ready. Brother Albert should be making his exit soon," Celicia said.
"Oh? Why are you so sure?" Muen asked curiously.
"Just watch. I know Andrew’s personality far better than you do."
Celicia swirled her red wine, leaning against the wall as she closed her eyes with a look of utter boredom.
*
"Brother Albert, care for a dance?"
Once the music started, Andrew suddenly made a seemingly sincere suggestion. "A ball is meant for dancing, after all."
"Dancing..."
Albert’s eye twitched slightly. He gripped his cane and glanced at the maid supporting him.
Though the maid kept her head down, barely daring to breathe in this setting, her presence wasn't so negligible that she could be completely ignored.
Could a sick man who needed a cane and a servant just to walk actually dance?
But Andrew acted as if he truly didn't see the problem, enthusiastically calling out to the surrounding crowd, "Is there any young noble lady willing to share a dance with my brother?"
The crowd looked at each other. A few naive girls, seeing a chance to dance with a handsome prince, felt their eyes light up. A ballroom dance was the best opportunity to leave a good impression, after all. But just as they were about to raise their hands, they were firmly pressed down by their brothers or fathers.
What a joke. Andrew might look expectant, but if anyone raised their hand now, how much resentment do you think they’d earn from him?
Anyone with half a brain knew this was just Andrew finding an excuse to publicly humiliate his older brother now that the "brotherly love" act was over.
More importantly, he was flaunting his "authority" in front of everyone.
Since Prince Andrew was still the Regent and the ailing Emperor had yet to explicitly declare support for the First Prince, he did indeed possess that authority.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Seeing the wordless crowd, a flash of satisfaction crossed Andrew’s eyes, though he feigned anger as he spoke:
"You lot... are you looking down on my brother because he’s frail? Because he can barely walk? You refuse to dance with him? How disgraceful!"
"..."
The silence deepened. No one dared to respond.
Albert took a deep breath, his voice remaining calm as he spoke. "Andrew, if there is nothing else, may I take my leave? I am feeling slightly unwell and truly cannot stay here much longer."
As he spoke, Albert broke into a fit of coughing. The maid beside him hurried to rub his back, helping him catch his breath.
This display of weakness seemed to validate his words. Even Andrew had no excuse to make him stay, so he could only say with a hint of mock regret, "What a pity. I was quite looking forward to seeing my brother’s elegant footwork."
Someone in the crowd snickered, though the sound was muffled by the music, making it impossible to pinpoint the source.
"I am indeed no good at dancing, but..."
Albert suddenly looked Andrew in the eye, his expression serious.
"If you ever have any questions regarding government affairs, Andrew, you are welcome to seek me out. I pride myself on having a bit of talent in that area. After all... what everyone hopes for is to see the Empire grow stronger and more prosperous, is it not?"
"...Indeed. A prosperous Empire is what we all desire."
The smile on Andrew’s face froze instantly, as if he had been poked exactly where it hurt.
There was a rumor that the one burdened by the royal curse was always the most talented member of the royal generation. That rumor had always been a thorn buried deep in his heart.
Before he could say anything else, Albert looked around and bowed with his hand over his chest.
"In that case, please forgive my rudeness. I shall take my leave. I hope you all have a pleasant evening."
With that, Albert didn't linger. Supported by his maid, he quickly exited the hall.
The music swelled, reaching a crescendo. The gentlemen and noble ladies wasted no time, quickly finding partners and immersing themselves in the dance.
Whatever they whispered to each other as they whirled around remained unknown to outsiders.
Only Andrew remained, his brief moment of humiliating joy replaced once again by a dark, brooding expression.
"It seems I can't hesitate any longer. I must..."
He stared fixedly at Albert’s retreating back, muttering something through gritted teeth.
*
"I didn't expect the mild-mannered First Prince to say something like that. Isn't it a bit unwise of him to provoke Prince Andrew right now?"
Muen, watching the scene unfold, rubbed his chin and asked.
"It’s not unwise at all. Don't forget, he is the First Prince. He only needs to demonstrate that his talent exceeds Andrew’s to naturally possess the greatest legitimacy," Celicia replied.
"On the other hand, Brother Andrew is exactly as I expected. He can't stay smart for more than three minutes before losing control of his emotions. I was right—his earlier behavior was definitely the result of someone else coaching him."
"It seems that regardless of this ball, I need to make contact with Prince Albert as soon as possible," Muen remarked.
"If you know that, then hurry up. Brother Albert has already left. He’s currently staying in the palace, and this is your only chance to talk to him and feel him out. Knowing he’s annoyed Andrew, he’ll definitely go back into hiding to be safe."
Celicia opened her eyes, also staring at the direction Albert had gone.
"Understood."
Muen nodded. Using the invincible "powdering my nose" escape technique, he quickly vanished from the edge of the ballroom, following the path Prince Albert had taken.
What he didn't know was that as he left, a certain flat-chested glutton had finally finished stuffing her face. Disliking the stuffy atmosphere of the ball, she naturally decided... to head out for some fresh air.