At a ball, you’re usually expected to dance with someone you look good with.
However, it would be absurd for the main character of the ball not to dance at all.
“Did you catch what I was saying?”
“Roughly.”
“The children of dukes—especially those with close familial ties. And you, Ike, are the winner of this Knight Competition. There probably won’t be much backlash.”
It made sense.
But there was another issue.
“I think the backlash will come in a different form.”
The real problem was simple: I couldn’t dance.
It wasn’t that I hadn’t practiced at all, but I had barely grasped the basics.
Dancing at a ball affects a family’s reputation. Would it be okay for me to mess that up?
“It’s fine.”
While I was lost in thought, Reina spoke confidently.
“I’ll do a quick run-through here, and I’ll lead when we get to the venue. Don’t worry.”
Her face radiated confidence as she gracefully extended her right hand to me.
“So, please take good care of your escort, Young Master?”
I gave a wry smile and gently took her hand.
***
“Lady Reina, may I have the honor of this dance?”
“Please take good care of me, Young Master.”
The soft strains of music began to play.
It suited Reina’s dress perfectly—almost as if it had been chosen just for her.
We took slow, deliberate steps, moving naturally.
To the onlookers, it might have seemed like I was leading her.
But the truth was quite the opposite.
I wasn’t guiding the rhythm—Reina was.
All I had to do was stay attuned to her movements and follow along.
Traditionally, the male partner leads at a ball, but I lacked the skill for that.
“Slightly move your left foot back…”
From a position where others couldn’t see, Reina whispered instructions in my ear.
I followed her lead, trying my best to suppress the heat rising in my face.
Gradually, I sensed that we were drawing attention.
Every time I was about to make a mistake, Reina’s flawless technique shifted the focus, earning admiration.
Even though she was portrayed as a villain in the original story, it was easy to see why she always stole the spotlight when she danced.
Reina Rogelia—once dubbed the “Ice Princess”—was now gliding in a dreamlike dress through an ethereal atmosphere.
She had the same mesmerizing allure as the night sky—something you could only truly appreciate by simply looking.
“Thank you.”
As the song ended, we exchanged words of gratitude.
Applause erupted from all directions.
That’s how the ball came to a close.
“I’m glad… it ended well.”
Reina said that with a bittersweet smile as she looked around the hall.
***
“Reina will no longer be visiting the duchy of Axus.”
“…What?”
The day I was scheduled to return to Akkad after a three-week stay in Heros, I was summoned to Duke Richard’s office.
And there, I received this abrupt announcement.
“Young Master Ike, I trust you’ll understand.”
“Wait, this is too sudden. I need to know what you mean.”
“Surely, you must know. The Rogelia and Axus families have been close for generations. But you and Reina are both fourteen now. Not yet adults, but no longer children either. There are gender considerations.”
“But—”
“And Reina is the fiancée of His Highness, the Crown Prince. Continued intimacy with another young man is… inappropriate.”
“…”
“At your age, even small things can spark emotions. Childhood friends or not, are you certain those feelings will never change? Reina may still view you as a friend, but even the smallest gesture from you could ignite something in her heart. And vice versa.”
I had no argument.
“In truth, I wanted to object to Reina dancing with you at the prom. You know what even the slightest stir can do to a family’s standing. Thankfully, due to various circumstances, no serious issues arose.”
Duke Richard’s words were undeniable. I had no choice but to accept them.
“That’s why I can’t allow Reina to visit the Duke of Axus anymore. Maintaining cordial relations is one thing—but this is another.”
To be honest, I had also started to feel that Reina and I had grown too close lately.
“Does Miss Reina know about this?”
“She was informed about two months ago. Addos and Nia also agreed. As long as you accept this, the matter is settled.”
With that, everything began to make sense—her recent behavior, the way she seemed to be rushing to do as much as she could for me.
It had all been because she knew this would be the last time.
“…All right. But, please grant me one request.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Can we continue to exchange letters?”
“After six months, starting next week.”
Duke Richard spoke with patronizing gentleness.
No—he had every right to be patronizing.
“Thank you for everything.”
“Don’t be too disheartened. We’re not cutting ties with the Axus family. This isn’t a permanent separation.”
It was a reasonable decision, one I could fully understand and accept.
“May I ask one last thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“They say memories with close friends last a lifetime. I respected that, so I didn’t place any restrictions during this visit. I wanted you both to enjoy this time however you wished. Reina seemed to understand—she moved around quite freely.”
He was referring to when she left for Vulcanus.
“Reina and you—did you make enough memories this time?”
“…It was more than I deserved.”
“If you mean that, I’m glad. Congratulations on your win, Young Master Ike.”
Duke Richard gave me a warm smile.
I left the office and began preparing to return to Arkady.
I had hoped to say goodbye to Reina one last time before leaving Heros, but I never got the chance to see her again.
Next time I see her will be when I enter Arcana.
Her personality would’ve softened noticeably—and I consider that a good sign.
But I can’t afford to get complacent.
There are too many reasons for Reina to fall into darkness—beyond just her cold demeanor or her role as a villainess.
If I fail to stop them all, the ending won’t change.
“Still… it’s not enough.”
I have to become stronger.
Strong enough to protect Reina, no matter what happens.
Even if we face the worst possible scenario—I must become someone who can keep Reina on the path to becoming Crown Princess.
What I want… is a happy ending.
One where even Reina can smile in the end.