ALL NOVEL Chapter 15 - The Ball (2)
7. The Ball (2)
“Princess?”
“Yes.”
The very person who had caused Yuri to commit an indelible sin in his past life stood there.
The platinum-blonde hair and deep green eyes were exactly as he remembered.
Their eyes suddenly met.
She stared at Yuri, then narrowed her eyes and smiled faintly.
Yuri did not respond.
In this life, he had not entangled himself with Yekaterina at all.
Yet, she stared at him as if she knew something.
Yuri closed his eyes to regain his composure.
This time, he would not make the same mistakes again.
Never.
Resolving himself, he opened his eyes again. Yekaterina’s smile had deepened further.
* * *
Yuri, deep in thought, had lost track of time.
Georg was sitting next to Fiore, engaging in conversation.
He couldn’t quite pinpoint what changes he had made that led Georg to be in this place.
He wanted to probe for information, but the presence of that woman made it difficult for him to find peace.
Yekaterina.
She sat quietly, occasionally flashing a pleasant smile to the nobles who approached her.
But to Yuri, who knew her well, her every action felt deceitful.
“Yuri.”
“What.”
“Should I go and speak to her?”
“Suit yourself.”
Joshua seemed to have fallen for Yekaterina.
“What should I say?”
“How should I know?”
“How old do you think she is?”
“Same age as me.”
“Really? How do you know?”
“I just do.”
“She seems older than you.”
“It’s because she’s mature.”
He understood.
Yuri, in his past life, was also captivated by her for the same reasons as Joshua. He knew better than anyone how her face could ensnare people.
“I can’t resist. I’m going.”
Joshua stood up from his seat.
Yuri sighed.
“Suit yourself.”
“Trust me.”
“Trust you with what?”
“She’ll be your sister-in-law one day.”
“Yeah, right.”
“If I return with a sad face, buy me a drink.”
“I’ll pour you some juice.”
Ironically, he would return with a big smile. Yekaterina was skilled at playing with people’s emotions.
“Hmm…”
Looking around the ballroom, Yuri saw Cedric dancing with a noble lady.
Not only considerate but also excellent in martial arts and temperament, he never turned down the requests of nobles.
Indeed, he had the qualities to become a wise ruler.
And Yuri?
He cast a sidelong glance at Yekaterina, deep in thought.
Their eyes met again.
Fortunately, Joshua approached and started a conversation, blocking her gaze.
“Damn it…”
Yuri decided not to concern himself further. He turned his body away from her direction and reached out for the refreshments provided.
“Would you like more cookies?”
A familiar voice suddenly resonated. Lifting his head, he saw Ena standing there with a bright smile.
Seeing her somehow put Yuri at ease.
“Ena. You’ve been through a lot.”
“Not at all.”
“Is it difficult?”
“No, it’s harder to clean up after someone every day…”
“Never mind, just give me a lot.”
“Yes.”
“Take it easy and rest.”
“Have you finally realized my worth?”
“I’ve always known.”
“Oh my.”
Shoving the cookie Ena gave him into his mouth, Yuri brushed off his idle thoughts.
Whether a prince came from the Empire or he met Yekaterina, what difference did it make?
Nothing changed. Regardless of what happened, he would do his best at every moment.
“I’m off, then.”
“Take care.”
Ena gathered the empty plates and walked towards the kitchen.
Yuri leaned back in his chair, sipping his drink.
The unexpected guests made him feel exhausted even just sitting there.
“Ha…”
As he sighed, someone approached him.
Yuri instinctively straightened his posture.
“……”
Deep green eyes were looking down at him.
Georg Ivarna Granzayen
The Second Prince of the Empire.
He was the enforcer who directly wielded the Empire’s military might on behalf of the Emperor.
The pressure of seeing him ride with a helm on a black horse was still vivid in his memory.
Georg’s lips parted.
“You are…”
Yuri stood up and greeted him properly.
“I am Yuri Briol, the Third Prince of Briol.”
“Ah, so you are…”
His eyes scanned Yuri from head to toe.
Yuri tried not to show any hostility.
While it was the Emperor who decided the war, it was this man who executed the battles on the front lines. Yuri had even crossed swords with him directly.
“Indeed, you are Fiore’s son.”
“Pardon?”
“Look at me.”
Following Georg’s words, Yuri lifted his head and met his gaze.
At that moment.
Yuri flinched and stepped back.
Then, the tendrils of mana that were approaching him stopped.
“Did you feel that?”
Georg gave a chilling smile. His green eyes glistened like a serpent’s.
It wasn’t the formal expression he had been showing until now; it was his true face.
“You’re thirteen, right…?”
Georg studied Yuri for a while, as though he found it intriguing.
“Quite the talent.”
He then turned around. His red cape swept through the air, causing Yuri’s hair to flutter.
Yuri clenched his fist to calm the trembling.
It was a threatening action even if it was meant as a test.
For someone known to be young, was he already at that level?
Annoying brat.
“Brother and sister are just alike…”
As he complained.
Clatter.
A sharp shattering sound reverberated.
It was a sound that was not supposed to be heard in a ballroom.
The entire hall fell silent.
Scanning the scene, he witnessed a vexing sight.
“……”
Georg’s red cape was stained.
In front of him, Ena was trembling.
“My apologies.”
Spilling food on royalty, especially soiling the red cloth, the symbol of the imperial family, was an unforgivable crime in the Empire.
“This is…”
Georg turned his head slightly, looking at Yuri.
He wore a faint smile.
“This child seems to have made a mistake.”
Yuri understood.
He had deliberately provoked Ena.
“But, what can be done? The Imperial Law is the highest law in the Empire…”
The sword between his red cape trembled. Aside from Fiore, no one but the Imperial prince was allowed to carry a sword here.
“The rightful punishment… would be execution…”
Georg bowed towards Fiore.
“I ask for Briol’s King’s understanding.”
Fiore shook his head.
“Did you come here to disturb my ball?”
“Of course not.”
“If you wish to see blood, do it in your land.”
“Your Highness.”
Georg, still bowing, lifted his eyes to Fiore.
“The Empire and Briol have always maintained good relations.”
“You don’t seem to think so.”
“The Imperial Family and the Royal Family of Briol have agreed to respect each other’s authority as long as it doesn’t conflict.”
“Indeed.”
“Do you remember the incident at Gatensha?”
“…”
Fiore had personally decapitated an imperial knight in the past.
The Emperor chose not to make an issue of it and let it pass.
“This is no different.”
The past had come back to haunt them.
Fiore rubbed his forehead.
Since the agreement had been mentioned, the honor of the imperial family was at stake, and challenging it would mean defying the Empire.
“It’s for the peace of both nations.”
Yuri felt a sense of déjà vu.
Peace.
In the name of preserving peace, they had given up something, only for them to demand more in return.
“I will protect the honor of the imperial family.”
Honor.
The honor of Briol and the honor of the Empire were not the same. To uphold one, the other would have to be bent.
Georg drew his sword.
“I don’t want to do this either. Let’s finish this quickly. There won’t be much blood.”
The smooth glow of the ballroom’s lighting flowed down the length of the white blade.
Ena’s shoulders trembled.
Yuri looked up at the chandelier hanging above.
As its lights flickered, memories from his past life flitted by.
The kingdom’s safety and a young girl’s life were laughably tilted on a scale.
Countless thoughts gathered in his mind, then scattered and repeated.
Ideals and reality.
Duty and conditions.
Righteousness and power.
The flowing thoughts eventually halted in front of the horrific face of the dead.
‘That is the oath of Briol.’
Yuri chuckled.
He had forgotten for a while. He was a sinner, and this life was a punishment. Yet he had been scheming like a mouse.
From the start, no options had been offered to him.
Yuri’s voice resounded in the silent ballroom.
“Your Highness.”
The descending blade toward Ena’s neck halted.
“That girl belongs to me.”
Georg turned back.
A smile played on his lips. With his eyes, he seemed to challenge Yuri to try something, anything.
Yuri mirrored the smile and stood up.
“Thus, her mistake is akin to my own mistake, and…”
The contorted faces turned their focus on him.
It amused him to see everyone, with uniform expressions, trying to stop him.
Yuri began walking towards Georg.
“Although Your Highness is a great prince of the Empire, I, too, am a Prince of Briol, considering that, I ask that you forgo immediate punishment and instead…”
Almost hidden within the ballroom’s dazzling lights, he felt another deep, scrutinizing gaze directed his way.
Yekaterina was watching him.
Her beautiful face served as a grim reminder of the misery he had endured in his past life.
“I request a trial by combat.”
Ripples of astonishment spread.
Dishonoring royalty was a grave crime, yet Briol’s prince could not directly face punishment. Thus, a trial would be pursued if a penalty was warranted.
Combat was a familiar method in the Empire.
The prideful Georg would not shy away from such a challenge.
“Hahahahaha…”
Georg burst into laughter.
“You are Yuri, the Third Prince.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Mind if I call you Yuri?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“Got it. Yuri.”
He sought Fiore’s approval.
“Your Majesty, since I’ve accepted Briol’s Third Prince’s legitimate objection, I’d like to honor it. May I proceed?”
Fiore sighed briefly.
“Go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
Georg seemed the happiest he’d been all evening.
“Though I would step in personally, considering the dignity of the Imperial Family, I’ll send my champion. I will have the youngest squire from my retinue face you.”
It sounded like a concession of good faith, but it was quite the opposite.
When the skill levels are distinctly clear, moderating results often follow one side’s restraint.
A duel between a grown Imperial prince with a reputation in warfare and a thirteen-year-old prince would likely have ended that way.
However, when the levels are evenly matched, unexpected outcomes are not uncommon.
“I appreciate your graciousness.”
“The Empire is generous to brave warriors.”
After saying that, Georg paid respects to Fiore.
“It seems I’ve ruined the mood, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave.”
“Much obliged.”
“Yekaterina. Stay and enjoy yourself a while longer.”
She shrugged at him with a hint of displeasure.
Georg laughed aloud and exited the ballroom.
A storm had passed.
The atmosphere was tense.
Yuri helped Ena to her feet.
“Ena. Get up.”
“Your Highness…”
“Go and rest.”
“Because of me…”
“Don’t worry.”
Ena looked at Yuri, her eyes a whirlwind of emotions, then bowed her head before being helped away by other maidservants.
Yuri clapped his hands to break the tension.
“Hey.”
At his signal, the band quickly began playing music.
Just in case, he glanced toward Yekaterina.
Contrary to expectations, she sat in a distant place, simply watching, rather than approaching to converse.
Was young Yekaterina a bit more cautious?
“What am I thinking about…”
Yuri shook his head.
He had no regrets about what he had done. What pained him, instead, was that he could not have beheaded Georg at that moment.
Subconsciously, he reached for a glass on the table, only to have someone stop him.
“You can’t drink that.”
It was Hernando.
His eyes flared with a peculiar light.
“Have this instead.”
“What is it?”
“Wine without alcohol.”
“What kind of wine is that?”
“A children’s drink.”
Hernando grinned.
“A toast to Briol’s future?”
“No thanks.”
Yuri chuckled, downing the glass Hernando handed him in one go. It tasted like juice.
“What are you staring at?”
“Just…”
Hernando’s gaze felt burdensome.
He always did, but today his eyes gleamed especially brightly.
Of course, any cultured person would have been impressed by what just transpired.
“Hernando.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t fall for me.”
“Pardon?”
Hernando seemed to twist his expression, but Yuri didn’t mind and lifted another glass.
This time, it was real wine.
“A toast, for me.”
—–
(T/N): I’m getting riled up because of the frigging second prince. Thanks to Hernando, I ended up laughing at the end of the chapter. lol