ALL NOVEL Chapter 14 - The Ball (1)
7. The Ball (1)
Time passed.
Yuri found himself sitting in front of Bernard once again today. His entire body ached from Bernard’s blows.
He wanted to knock that man down and look down at him at least once, but such a day seemed far off.
“Bernard.”
He struggled to maintain formal speech, ultimately rendering their agreement to use honorifics null and void.
“Yes.”
“Do you know?”
“What do you mean, Your Highness?”
“You’re quite popular?”
“Pardon?”
Yuri gestured toward the outside of the training ground.
When Bernard turned to look, he saw the maids, who had been moving laundry carts, giggling among themselves before they scampered off.
“The maids keep stealing glances.”
Yuri waved at them.
“You should wave back too.”
“No need.”
“Playing hard to get, I see.”
Yuri stood up.
“How’s the swordsmanship?”
“Your Highness was right.”
Bernard assessed.
“There is no set form to that swordsmanship.”
“That’s right. It just flows.”
Yuri sensed the movement of the Mana Method coursing through his body.
The mana synchronized with Yuri’s will, spreading throughout his veins, and that flow manifested as a new form in the world.
Thus, he merely embodied the flow of the Mana Method with his sword.
“The Mana Method is swordsmanship, then….”
Bernard had a look of regret.
“I cannot learn it. To study it, I need to observe Your Highness….”
“Nice, isn’t it?”
“That’s why I’m even more concerned.”
The Heart and Soul Slash left by Erich Briol was passed only to Yuri. To observe it, there was no choice but to follow Yuri.
“By the way….”
Bernard raised his sword and stabbed the air.
It was the strike that had just toppled Yuri.
“You are growing rapidly.”
“Of course.”
Yuri shrugged.
It was only natural.
It had to be.
This time, he was ‘serious.’
“Certainly, you have a remarkable talent in mana.”
“Oh?”
Bernard rarely praised others. This level of comment was considered high praise by his standards.
“Yes. I was surprised. To handle mana at this level already….”
Yuri felt a slight twinge of guilt.
His quick adaptation to mana was thanks to his experiences as a mercenary.
He had worked tirelessly to erase traces of the Briol Method, which led to the development of his mana sense.
“Take it slow. I’m worried.”
It was the first time Bernard had used the word “worried.”
“Worried?”
“Yes. Your Highness is fast. For your age, you’ve already achieved a lot.”
“I just started.”
“Your start was quick.”
“You told me to learn it.”
“I didn’t expect it to be this fast. Your Highness’s body hasn’t matured yet.”
“But I have a beard now.”
“It hasn’t grown.”
“It will, soon.”
Typically, the beginning of the second growth spurt is the starting point for practicing the Mana Method. In Yuri’s case, he showed only faint signs of it.
Considering the growth in the Mana Method, Bernard’s assessment was indeed swift.
But Yuri wasn’t worried.
Thanks to memories from his past life, he had a precise understanding of the coordination between his body and mana.
“Don’t worry. I’ll control it well.”
“Always observe the inside.”
“Got it.”
Yuri stood up.
“Let’s go again.”
“Are you sure, Your Highness?”
“Of course.”
Yuri was driven to train as hard as Bernard, enough to arouse his concern.
He had his reasons for needing to grow strong quickly.
Before reaching adulthood, an event would occur on the continent—one he would later come to understand as the prelude to upheaval.
He needed to be prepared by then.
“Let’s use real swords.”
“As you wish.”
Instead of a wooden sword, he held the familiar sword, Guilty.
Yuri suddenly asked.
“Are you going to the ball?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“There’s no need to go.”
“Wanna bet?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you never keep stakes, Your Highness.”
“When did I ever?”
“With honorifics.”
“You said it was awkward too.”
“I said it was awkward, not that I disliked it.”
“Never mind. Let’s make a bet. If I succeed in landing a strike even once, you have to attend the ball.”
“That’s nonsense.”
“Are you game?”
“I will win anyway.”
“Watch.”
Yuri didn’t manage to land a single hit.
* * *
Every spring, Briol held a ball, inviting influential nobles and foreign dignitaries.
It was an important event for the Royal Family of Briol.
While heading toward the ballroom, Yuri nervously fiddled with his outfit.
“What’s bothering you, Your Highness?”
“I said this and that doesn’t look good.”
“If you take it all off, what’s left? Would you rather have me bring the clothes you usually wear for sword training?”
“That might be better.”
“Oh, boys and their sense of fashion.”
“What did you just say?”
“Yes?”
“You just called me a boy….”
“Maybe you heard wrong, Your Highness.”
“….”
Lately, Ena seemed to be getting bolder, but she was cute, so he let it be. Considering his past life, he was much older than Ena.
“I’ll bring you lots of what you like, so find yourself a cute young lady.”
“I’m not interested, just bring plenty of meat.”
Ena had volunteered to help prepare for the ball, even though it wasn’t her original job because they were short of hands.
As they neared the ballroom, attendants were moving supplies.
“Oh, good day, Your Highness.”
Even while carrying heavy loads, they bowed their heads in respect.
Yuri waved it off.
“Keep it up, keep it up. Don’t mind me.”
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
Ena rolled up her sleeves.
“Looks like everyone is busy. I’ll go ahead.”
“Sure. Good luck.”
“Don’t cause trouble at the ball.”
“Don’t worry.”
She scampered off after the attendants.
Yuri watched her before clasping his hands behind his back, gazing up at the sky.
White clouds drifted by.
“Hmm….”
He tried to recall how the ball had been in his past life.
His lack of memories suggested nothing significant had occurred.
“I don’t have time for this….”
Clicking his tongue, Yuri walked toward the ballroom.
At the entrance stood Sir Rosso, someone he recognized.
“Good day, Your Highness.”
“Hard at work, Sir Rosso.”
“You still remember me.”
“How could I forget such a loyal member of the Royal Guard?”
“It is an honor.”
“I’m very reassured knowing you are watching over the ballroom.”
“Haha, thank you, Your Highness”
“And who’s this?”
“Greetings, Your Highness. I’m Huddleson.”
Sir Rosso chimed in.
“He’s new. More of a newcomer than Jared even.”
“I see.”
Yuri extended his hand unexpectedly.
Caught off guard, Huddleson hesitated, but after Sir Rosso gave him a look, he carefully took Yuri’s hand.
“Thank you for joining the Royal Guard. Young men like you are the future of our Briol.”
“Th-thank you….Your Highness”
In the spirit of fostering unity within Briol, Yuri freely extended his kindness.
He patted Huddleson’s shoulder, acknowledging his efforts.
“Then, keep up the good work.”
“Yes!”
As he passed them, he overheard whispers behind him.
“The Third Prince is very kind, unlike the rumors.”
“Well… that’s understandable. You could see it that way.”
“My loyalty surges.”
“Calm down, my friend.”
They probably thought he couldn’t hear them, but with the keen ears trained by the Mana Method, Yuri didn’t miss small praises.
“Heh heh heh….”
Just as strong liquor dilutes when mixed with water, he resolved to dilute his old notoriety.
“I’m here.”
“Oh, Your Highness.”
“Make it sound grand.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
When Yuri arrived, the ballroom doorkeeper blew the horn.
The nobles, already present, rose to show respect.
Yuri scanned the ballroom briefly before making his way to the seat reserved for royalty.
Cedric welcomed him.
“You’ve come.”
“Brother.”
Yuri blinked.
The chandelier’s delicate light cascaded around Cedric’s eyes, enhancing his handsome visage in his neat formal attire.
“You look great.”
“Thank you. You look good too.”
Though it was his elder brother whom he often saw, on days like this, he truly shined.
Cedric, whose eyesight had recently begun to blur, had glasses clipped to his breast pocket, which even gave him a refined look.
Yuri silently admired Cedric as he took his seat.
“Did you see Joshua?”
“No.”
Yuri shrugged.
“He’ll come when it’s time.”
The horn kept sounding and soon, the ballroom filled with nobles.
There was also an unexpected attendee.
“Sir Jaime came. I didn’t hear anything about him coming.”
Yuri furrowed his brow.
More unexpected things kept happening that had not occurred in the previous life.
He hadn’t thought that going back in time would have caused too many changes by his hand.
But as one change led to another, unexpected events continued to unfold.
The intricate ways in which everything was interconnected sent a chill down Yuri’s spine.
“Joshua. Why are you late?”
“Slept in.”
Joshua stumbled into his seat. His eyes were hollow as if he had engaged in some misdeeds the previous night.
Slouching in his chair, he commented,
“Father’s arriving soon. Saw him on the way.”
Once Fiore arrived, the ball would officially commence. Most nobles were seated, awaiting his arrival.
“What’s up, Yuri?”
“Nothing.”
Yuri shrugged.
He felt as though Jaime Theodore was staring at him, but dismissed it as a hunch.
Joshua murmured, “I heard there’s an unexpected guest today….”
“They’re over there.”
“And who might that be?”
“Count Sidore.”
“How is that an unexpected guest?”
“He rarely attends these events.”
“I’m not interested in such matters.”
“Then who?”
Before Joshua could respond, the curtain behind them was drawn.
It was the entrance of Fiore.
As he entered, the orchestra ceased playing and the nobles present stood up to show their respects.
Yuri, along with his two brothers, bowed to their father.
Fiore simply stated,
“Everyone, enjoy yourselves.”
As soon as his words ended, the orchestra launched into a loud melody.
The ball had started.
Some nobles lined up to greet Fiore, while others immediately began dancing.
Those farsighted enough focused on greeting Cedric after Fiore.
“We greet the Crown Prince.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you so much for inviting us….”
However, Joshua and Yuri didn’t receive much attention.
“They’re ignoring us?”
Joshua grumbled.
In the past, Yuri might have agreed and sought to cause trouble.
Now, however, he was an adult.
“That’s a good thing. Why seek attention?”
“This kid, what’s come over him? Ate something bad?”
“Heh heh….”
No need to rush the mental transformation of Joshua; it would be gradual.
Munching on food, Yuri observed the ballroom’s proceedings.
The nobles who attended without much thought enjoyed drinking and small talk or took to the dance floor.
The more political individuals gathered to share discreet plans.
And at the end of it all, an unexpected guest appeared.
The horn sounded once more.
The nobles were in a stir.
Traditionally, everyone should be seated before the king arrived, but this newcomer disregarded etiquette by arriving after the king.
Who could it be?
Soon, a vivid red silhouette appeared at the entrance.
A hush fell over the ballroom.
Yuri, too, was at a loss for words.
A vivid red cape swayed over a white suit.
Brilliant golden hair and vivid green eyes marked the insignia of the most noble bloodline on the continent.
The blood of the emperor.
Prince Georg of the Empire.
What was he doing here?
Amidst the silence, Fiore spoke first.
“You’ve arrived earlier than I expected.”
Georg smiled slightly and nodded.
“I hurried over as soon as I heard there was good news during my nearby travels.”
“Thank you for visiting such a humble place.”
“It’s excessive modesty to call the place where Briol’s Swordmaster is located humble.”
Fiore rose from his seat and approached him.
Though a King, Fiore stood as an equal before Prince Georg.
The two exchanged a firm handshake while gazing into each other’s eyes.
“I apologize for the sudden visit.”
“You are always welcome.”
“Thanks again for the warm welcome.”
“Please enjoy the ball.”
“With pleasure.”
The crimson cape, exclusive to those of imperial blood, swayed with his movements.
Yuri stood witness to their meeting, slightly furrowing his brow.
Joshua whispered beside him.
“He’s not alone.”
As Joshua pointed out, Georg hadn’t come alone. Several retainers accompanied him, and among them, Yuri spotted a face he had never wished to see.
Joshua, with an excited voice, remarked,
“Do you see her? She’s really pretty. Who is she?”
His finger pointed at a girl.
Yuri muttered her name.
“Yekaterina.”
“Yekaterina?”
While Joshua looked puzzled, Yuri continued.
“Ivarna Granzayen.”
Yekaterina Ivarna Granzayen.
The younger sister of Georg Ivarna Granzayen, and daughter of the emperor.
And Yuri’s sin.
—-
(T/N): oooooooh so he fell in love? Hmmmm..