Splendid jewels adorned the space, their value difficult to estimate.
A grand hall, vast enough to accommodate dozens with ease, exuded an air of opulence. It was the kind of place anyone would envision as the perfect venue for an extravagant gathering.
This was the dining hall of the Duke of Axus’s residence.
“Ike, are you aware that today marks His Highness the Crown Prince’s social debut?”
“Yes, Father.”
At first, I thought I would never get used to dining in such a lavish setting. But after a month, it had become familiar.
If anything, the most difficult part was conversing with my family.
I had spoken to them so infrequently throughout my life that our interactions felt almost unnatural.
“Will Mother and Brother be attending the event as well?”
“Unfortunately, no. They’re occupied with student council duties.”
“I see.”
Father—Addos Axus.
Mother—Nia Axus.
Brother—Lucal Axus.
None of them had appeared in the original work. Not even a passing mention.
Then again, Ike himself had only played a minor role. There had been no reason for his family to be introduced.
“Ike,” my father continued, his voice firm. “As you know, our family has served as knights of the imperial household since the founding of the Astraia Empire. Because of that, His Majesty has great expectations for you at tomorrow’s ball.”
“I understand.”
“Good. No matter what happens, protect the Crown Prince. You may lack talent with the sword, but you’ve worked harder than anyone else. Have confidence in your efforts.”
“Thank you, Father.”
But those efforts weren’t mine.
I had trained over the past month, but the foundation had already been laid by the ‘real’ Ike Axus.
“From now on, His Highness the Crown Prince will be your lord. I trust you understand the weight of that responsibility.”
“…Yes.”
His voice was heavy with expectation. I nodded, but in my heart, I whispered an apology.
I’m sorry, Lord Addos. No—Father.
What I truly wanted to protect was…
And then, the party began.
***
“Amazing.”
I couldn’t help but voice my admiration as I took in my surroundings.
The Duke of Axus’s mansion was enormous, but even it paled in comparison to the grandeur of the imperial palace.
If the ballroom, located outside the palace proper, was this extravagant, I could only imagine the splendor within the main halls.
Perhaps, with limitless wealth and human craftsmanship, such magnificence could be achieved.
“Young Master Ike, a pleasure to meet you. I am the second son of Count Lore…”
“Young Master Ike, I am the eldest son of Baron Mariet…”
The moment I stepped into the ballroom, I found myself caught in an endless cycle of introductions.
Ike was not the heir to the family but the second son. However, the House of Axus was one of the two great ducal families of the Astraia Empire.
That alone placed me above the heirs of most noble households.
“Hm.”
Despite the many nobles I had met, I had yet to see Reina.
I had hoped to find her before the formal introductions began, but it seemed she would be making a late entrance.
That was to be expected.
Her engagement to the Crown Prince was a closely guarded secret. It made sense that she wouldn’t appear until the last moment.
“This is uncomfortable,” I muttered.
The black tailcoat I wore for the first time fit snugly, almost too tightly.
It wasn’t that the size was wrong—it was just restrictive, likely due to the muscle mass my body carried.
Would I even be able to move properly if I had to wield a sword in an emergency?
Normally, carrying a weapon into the imperial palace’s ballroom would be strictly forbidden. However, the Dukes of Axus had served as imperial knights since the empire’s founding.
I was the sole noble permitted to bear a sword at this event.
“But if I’m stuck in clothes like this…”
“Ike.”
A familiar voice interrupted my thoughts. My father had approached me, leaning in to whisper.
“His Highness the Crown Prince will be arriving soon. Stay focused.”
I wanted to ask about Reina’s whereabouts, but before I could, he withdrew, disappearing back into the crowd.
Well, since she was undoubtedly the star of the evening, she would most likely enter alongside the prince.
In that case, I just needed to wait—and prepare for what was to come.
“…I have no idea what’s about to happen.”
One thing was certain: something significant would take place tonight.
But I had no clue what it was.
The original story took place about four years from now, beginning with the heroine’s entrance into the academy.
Reina’s past had only been explored as an anecdote, with little detail provided.
I recalled a vague mention that she had fallen for the Crown Prince due to some event at this ball.
But the specifics…
I couldn’t remember.
Or had the story never explained them in the first place?
“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!”
A herald’s voice rang out across the ballroom.
All eyes turned toward the entrance.
Standing at the center of the hall was a young man, flanked by imperial knights.
Golden hair gleamed beneath the grand chandeliers, complementing his sharp crimson eyes.
His pristine white uniform was adorned with countless embellishments, a testament to his noble status.
He was the Crown Prince of the Astraia Empire.
One of the central figures of “She Heals the Wounded World.”
Leon Aegis Astraia.
I couldn’t quite recall the exact descriptions or illustrations of him from the original work, but seeing him now…
Yes, this was exactly how I imagined him.
And then, behind him, another figure slowly emerged.
“…Ha.”
How many times had she left me breathless already?
This novel will be upgraded to regular release, and get a Patreon Tier if there is enough support. You can get more chapters by sponsoring chapters at BuymeaCoffee.
Check out my other projects:
Rehabilitating the Villainess (complete)
Pushover Extra Trains the Villainesses (complete)
I Picked Up an Amnesiac Witch,
My Wife is the Devil (recommended)
Transmigrated as the Butler of a Defeated Heroine