Chapter 17: You are Like the Night Sky (part 1)

Jewels were embroidered across the ceiling like starlight.

A dignified, old-fashioned melody played, perfectly matching the grand atmosphere. The sound resonated calmly through the air as thousands of people danced in rhythm. 

Those who weren’t dancing were engaged in lively conversation.

It was a magnificent and beautiful ball—one that left everyone in awe.

The venue hosting this splendid event was none other than Heros Hall.

As it turned out, the Knight Competition had been a prelude—a party to celebrate Reina’s 14th birthday. This ball was the after-party.

‘Aristocrats really are on another level,’ I thought.

I had never had a birthday party myself, but even I knew this wasn’t normal. While it was smaller in scale compared to the one held at the imperial palace last time, that was only in relative terms.

Nobles truly were impressive.

To be precise, the Duke’s family was impressive.

With that thought, I quietly sipped lemonade alone in a corner of the ballroom. I couldn’t help it—I still wasn’t familiar with party etiquette, nor did I recognize most of the guests.

Reina, the star of the evening, was understandably busy.

“Young Master Ike.”

“Oh, Miss Helen.”

The person who approached me was Helen Oberon, my opponent from the semifinals of the Knight Competition. She was dressed in a dazzling red gown—far more elegant than the practical outfits she wore during the competition.

“Congratulations on your victory,” she said.

“Thank you. I learned a lot from watching your movements, Miss Helen.”

“You flatter me.”

It wasn’t flattery. There truly was much to learn from her precise, piercing techniques.

“I also learned a lot from you during the competition. Especially while watching the finals,” she said.

“Oh? May I ask what you were thinking?”

“I used to think of the Knight Competition merely as a stepping stone toward becoming a knight. Most knights win a competition like this before the age of fifteen. So, I took it for granted that I would win.”

Her expression gradually filled with regret.

“But I realized how foolish that thinking was. I had been drunk on my own strength, blind to my limitations. With that mindset, there was no way I could win.”

“Miss Helen…”

“I should have approached it with the resolve to win at all costs. Knights are people who must never accept defeat. I think that’s what made the difference—our mindsets.”

“You’re giving me too much credit.”

“Of course, I’m not saying I lost because I wasn’t trying. I gave it everything I had.”

She smiled gently.

“I’ve learned a great deal. You and I are the same age, Young Master Ike. That means we’ll see each other again at Arcana. I hope we can cross paths once more, perhaps as rivals.”

The determination in Helen’s eyes sent a chill of sweat down my back. Her fiery spirit was no joke.

“By the way, Young Master Ike… don’t you dance?”

I hesitated at her question.

It would have been easy to say I wasn’t confident, but this was a ball—a place to display one’s lineage and status. And here I was, the second son of House Axus, unable to dance.

“As far as I know, Young Master Ike doesn’t have a fiancée yet, so I doubt it’s due to any customary restriction.”

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t come up with a good excuse.

…Maybe I should just tell her the truth.

Helen was known to be discreet in the original story, so it would be fine.

“That…”

“Young Master Ike?”

Just as I was about to speak, someone else called my name.

Turning around, I saw Reina approaching, dressed in a graceful purple gown.

It was a dreamlike outfit.

Typically, the guest of honor at a party wore the most flamboyant attire, but Reina was the opposite. Her soft, elegant look didn’t quite match the vibrant energy of the ball—but perhaps that was why it drew even more attention.

Only Reina could pull off such a look. She truly was the Ice Princess.

“Lady Reina. Happy birthday.”

“You must be the eldest daughter of Count Oberon, correct?”

“Yes. I hope we’ll get along.”

“I enjoyed watching your match during the competition. Your skill was impressive.”

“It’s an honor.”

While I stood there, a bit dazed by Reina’s presence, she began chatting with Helen. Despite her calm expression, it was strange to see these two talking—especially since they had been rivals in the original story.

“By the way, were you looking for Young Master Ike earlier?” Helen asked.

“Yes. I have something to discuss with the winner of the Knight Competition.”

Something to discuss?

I couldn’t even begin to guess.

Hearing that, Helen politely excused herself.

“Then, Young Master Ike, shall we move somewhere more private?”

“Ah, yes.”

I followed Reina out of the ballroom. She led me to her private waiting room.

Once we were alone, Reina spoke in a casual tone.

“What were you and Miss Helen talking about?”

“Just the Knight Competition… and why I don’t dance, things like that.”

“I see. So you finally admitted the truth—you can’t dance,” she said, her voice laced with mockery.

I let out a dry chuckle.

“Well, thanks to you, I was spared. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.”

Come to think of it… was Ike always bad at dancing?

For some reason, I felt a strange sense of kinship with him.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

“I spoke with my father earlier, and we agreed—you and I should dance before the night ends.”

Reina said it so casually, as though it were nothing.

I blinked, caught off guard.

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m in a bit of trouble,” she explained. “Her Highness had to return to the capital for an urgent matter.”

“…Ah.”

Originally, Reina was supposed to dance with the crown prince. At a prom, the most important partner is your intended.

Of course, if one didn’t have a fiancé or didn’t attend the ball, you could simply dance with someone else.

But Reina’s fiancé was the crown prince.

She was also the daughter of the Roselia family—one of the Empire’s ducal houses.

Add to that the fact that she was the future crown princess…

In short, it would be unthinkable for her to dance with just anyone.