A series of splendid carriages lined up to enter the Imperial Palace. The guards at the palace entrance couldn't help but express their admiration at the sight.
"Wow, it's even more grand than last year."
"Indeed. I wonder who the main character will be this time?"
"I heard there's a rumor that the First Princess is determined to shine."
Last year's Star Ball had the Crown Prince as its main character. The selection of the successor, which had been dragging on, was finally decided at the Star Ball when the Emperor declared Isaac as the next Emperor.
As a result, last year's Star Ball started and ended with Isaac.
"I've heard that, too. They say there will be a pledge of loyalty from the central nobility this time."
"Isn't it a bit rebellious to pledge loyalty to the First Princess just a year after the successor was selected?"
The junior guard nodded in agreement.
"Despite the festive atmosphere, it's actually quite tense."
"I feel the same way."
"Why is His Highness the Crown Prince just standing by, doing nothing—"
The junior guard stopped mid-sentence, suddenly startled. It was because someone had approached them.
"Y-Your Highness!"
"Do I make you uneasy?"
It was the voice of Crown Prince Isaac. His face showed no sign of displeasure, just a wry smile.
The two guards quickly prostrated themselves on the ground.
"No, not at all!"
"We have committed an offense. Please forgive us."
"Don't worry, what you said is the truth."
The senior guard, regaining his composure, asked, "What brings Your Highness here?"
Isaac's voice brightened.
"Oh, I'm curious to see how my guest will arrive."
"Your guest, Your Highness?"
"I've made a new friend, a rather troublesome one at that."
Isaac's smile grew broader.
"There they are. As expected, he's far from ordinary. He's making the other nobles look insignificant."
The guards turned their heads. Approaching them were a man in a white uniform and a woman in armor, walking instead of riding in a carriage.
Their modest entrance could easily have seemed insignificant, but to the guards, they outshone any noble.
"That friend is my guest."
Isaac waved his hand at Kane.
"A familiar voice."
The noble children passing by in carriages belatedly recognized him.
"Why is His Highness the Crown Prince there?"
"Damn it!"
"Stop the carriages immediately!"
One by one, the carriages rushing into the palace came to an abrupt halt, and the noble children stepped out.
"Your Highness, why are you at the entrance?"
"We greet Your Highness."
Isaac replied indifferently to their greetings.
"Don't mind me and go inside."
Isaac's gaze was fixed solely on Kane.
As Kane arrived before him, he spoke curtly, "I am not Your Highness's brother, you know."
"Are you embarrassed? By the way, why did you leave the carriage and walk in?" Isaac seemed eager for Kane's response.
"Only members of the royal family can bring carriages into the palace. As a vassal, how could I commit such an insolent act?"
It was exactly what Isaac wanted to hear. He looked very pleased.
"It's gratifying to see the noble dignity of Rehinar."
"You flatter me."
Kane's words were a pointed critique of the actions of the noble children. During the days when the Fresia Empire was at its peak, even their parents would disembark as soon as they reached the vicinity of the palace. Despite the long distance, nobles would always walk to the entrance. However, as Fresia gradually declined, the nobles' behavior grew bolder. More and more people began riding their carriages directly into the palace, a sign of the diminishing authority of the royal family.
"Let's go inside. I'll guide you to the best room," Isaac offered.
Kane declined Isaac's kindness. "Any place will do for me."
"I can't let my brother stay in a shabby waiting room."
"As I've already mentioned, I am not Your Highness's brother."
"Oh, whatever. Just follow me."
Isaac grabbed Kane's arm and led him inside.
"What… what's going on?"
"How is the situation unfolding?"
"The Crown Prince himself came out to greet Kane Rehinar…."
"Is Rehinar's family so important that he can ignore all of us?"
The noble children wore dumbfounded expressions, feeling humiliated and envious. The negative emotions swirling around included shame from being ignored and jealousy towards Kane Rehinar.
—
Crash!
An expensive cup shattered against the wall.
"Not only did he ignore my favor, but he also damaged my belongings?" The First Princess Wendy's eyes glinted with anger.
Before her, kneeling maids bore scars on their faces.
"I won't let this slide, Kane Rehinar." Wendy bit her red lips so hard that they bled.
"Beno."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"What should we do about him?"
The Captain of the Guard, Beno, told her what she wanted to hear, despite his true thoughts.
"It appears he acted to draw your attention, Your Highness. I'll ensure he remains under your watchful eye during the Star Ball."
"Right? He must have touched my belongings to get my attention."
"Of course, Your Highness."
"He succeeded in catching my attention."
Her irritation vanished, and she smiled brightly again.
"But this will be the only time I overlook it. If he touches my belongings again, it will be a direct challenge to me."
"If you give the order, I will bring you Kane Rehinar's head at any time."
"Hahaha, I don't mean to kill him."
Wendy removed the dress she was wearing. The kneeling maids quickly stood up and helped her into the golden dress she would wear to the ball.
"How do I look, Beno? Am I beautiful?"
"You are breathtaking."
"Beno, you always think so highly of me. Be honest."
"There is no one in the Fresia Empire who can match your beauty, Your Highness."
"Thank you, Beno. You've lifted my spirits."
Wendy kissed Beno on the cheek. It was a scene that could make one believe they were lovers. The maids, accustomed to this, continued tidying up the room.
—
The Star Ball had begun. Nobles of lower status were the first to enter, each accompanied by their escorts. The strength of a family was often judged by the caliber of their escorts, so everyone brought the strongest they could.
The ballroom was soon bustling with people. Then, a voice rang out, announcing,
"Entering now is the first son of the Rehinar Family, the Empire's Guardians, and son of one of the Twelve Star lords of the Continent, Young Master Kane Rehinar."
Kane and Camilla entered the ballroom, drawing everyone's gaze.
"Isn't that the one who killed Instructor Faro and Viscount Rosta with a single strike?"
"Hmph, I could do that too."
"I heard the Crown Prince himself went to the palace entrance to greet him."
"It must be because of the Rehinar name."
"He has quite a handsome face."
The male nobles were envious and jealous of Kane.
"The lady he brought as an escort looks to be a mid-level 3rd Class."
"They say the fallen Rehinar family is rising again, but it seems to be an exaggerated rumor."
The female nobles, on the other hand, had intrigued expressions, as if they were eyeing prey.
"How does that uniform suit him so well?"
"And that aura. He exudes elegance with every movement."
"I heard he even walked to the palace entrance without using a carriage, showing perfect consideration for the royal family."
Some even wore enchanted expressions.
"I'll go talk to him."
A baroness's daughter approached Kane with a wine glass.
"Excuse me,"
"Do you need something from me?"
At Kane's voice, the young woman froze. She wanted to say something but couldn't find her voice.
"If you have no business, move along."
Kane brushed past the baroness's daughter and went to a corner. Camilla, following him, whispered softly,
"Young Master, you should speak kindlier."
"I have no intention of mingling at a children's event."
"You're only 21 years old yourself."
"And I spoke as kindly as possible."
"Not at all! What's the use of a handsome face if you're not kind? Women like kind men."
"Am I not your type?"
"N-No!"
"You prefer muscular, macho men?"
Kane's joke made Camilla shout.
"Y-Young Master!"
Everyone's eyes turned to Camilla, and she hid behind Kane with an embarrassed expression.
Soon, the voice of the chief attendant echoed.
"Entering now is Her Highness the First Princess, Wendy von Fresia, of the noble bloodline of the Fresia Empire."
The First Princess appeared in a plunging golden dress, drawing admiration from everyone present.
"Only Her Highness the First Princess could pull off such a daring dress."
"It's too dazzling to look at directly."
As all attention focused on the First Princess, it naturally extended to the man following her.
"That's Sir Beno Tegelo!"
"The Captain of the Moonlight Guard! The youngest graduate who completed the Royal Military Academy in just four years."
"A genius who reached the 5th Class at the age of 29!"
"Sir Beno Tegelo, the Nebula of the Wind."
Among the twelve most outstanding heirs, known as the 'Twelve Young Stars of the Continent,' Beno Tegelo was one, known as the Wind Sword. He was also the second son of the Marquess Tegelo, the head of the Tegelo Family, one of the four great families supporting the Fresia Empire, protecting the northern regions.
"He wasn't at last year's ball, but he's here this time."
Beno felt a quiet satisfaction at the admiration he received.
'This is the difference between you and me, Kane Rehinar.'
Though Beno glared at Kane, Kane paid no attention, continuing to joke with Camilla. Their apparent close master-servant relationship seemed to bother Wendy, prompting her to approach Kane and speak.
"Thank you for accepting my invitation, Sir Kane."
The mention of a personal invitation from the First Princess caused a stir among those nearby.
"The First Princess herself?"
"Not Sir Beno?"
"Impossible! Abandoning the Tegelo family for Rehinar?"
Wendy had anticipated the surrounding reactions and waited for Kane's response with an even brighter smile. However, her expression cracked.
"I warned you, didn't I? Not to play games."
Kane's irreverent tone caused an even greater shock among the onlookers.
"Is he insane?"
"How dare he speak so rudely to Her Highness!"
Wendy struggled to maintain a composed expression. She continued the conversation, humbling herself.
"Perhaps I was thinking only of myself. Please forgive my rudeness. I just didn't want Rehinar to be looked down upon by other nobles."
The nobles admired the First Princess's magnanimity. However, Kane remained sharp.
"How long do you plan to wear that false mask?"
"Does Sir Kane dislike me that much?"
"Can't you tell from my reaction?"
Wendy, two years older than Kane at twenty-three, was addressed informally by him.
It was blatant disrespect.
"Ugwu, I harbor goodwill towards you… Can you not see me favorably?" Fake tears welled up in Wendy's eyes.
Everyone looked at Wendy with sympathetic eyes. Favorable views towards Kane turned wholly negative. Just as everyone started to perceive Kane as a rude brute, Crown Prince Isaac appeared.