Time flowed on, and the day of the imperial debutante ball arrived.
"Wow…"
Rubbing my sleepy eyes as usual, I stepped out of the mansion with Schwarz. The sight before me left my mouth hanging open.
"My, Young Master, this must be your first time seeing them."
"Schwarz, those people are…"
"The Belverk 1st Knight Order. Every single one is an elite on par with the captain of an average knight order."
Lined up on both sides all the way to the mansion's entrance in their black armor, they were one of the family's three major internal forces: the Belverk Knight Orders.
By the way, the maids are black mages and the knight orders are dark knights—Belverk really has a distinct taste.
"For your information, the 2nd and 3rd Knight Orders are away on expedition with the eldest daughter. The 4th is serving under the second daughter's orders."
While I dazedly admired the knights' grandeur, Schwarz whispered softly at my side.
It seemed she'd just given me a rough idea of the mansion's current power dynamics. So, the only knight order I could interact with was the 5th?
"...And Belverk only has four knight orders."
"Ugh."
"Hehe, that's the plight of the latecomer."
But as expected, nothing came easy in Belverk. I'd have to rethink my ally-recruitment plan.
"Kairen, over here."
"...Ah, Mother."
"Huh."
"What's wrong?"
Looking up absentmindedly, I widened my eyes at Mother's uniform—a striking blend of black and red.
"You look so cool…"
Hand on my chest, this time it was genuine—not flattery to boost affection.
Of course, I wanted to see her in a dress someday, but I preferred this look from when she protected me in the Mist Forest.
"...You say the strangest things."
As I gazed at her sparklingly, Mother muttered lowly, as if it were obvious, and headed into the carriage.
"...!?"
The knights around us stared in disbelief before hastily bowing their heads. Mother must not joke like that often.
"Huh, Young Master. The sun's rising in the west from over there."
"...Huh?"
Anyway, as I hurried toward the carriage, Schwarz smiled and pointed behind us.
"Huh."
Turning unconsciously, I gaped once more.
"What, what's up."
Third sister Lilien was approaching the carriage, her face slightly flushed.
"...Ah, damn. What's with that look?"
Wearing a bewitching Gothic Lolita-style dress blending black and red.
"You look so pretty."
I'd never thought dresses suited Lilien before. With her bob haircut and perpetual scowl, I figured Mother's uniform fit her better.
But judging by my past-life knowledge, that outfit probably had quite the fanbase…
"...Hey."
"Yes?"
"D-don't stare like that…"
Lost in thought and staring, Lilien clenched her fists, averted her gaze, muttered lowly, and shoved me aside.
"D-do you think I'd never wear something like this? What did you take me for?"
She then preemptively raised her voice.
"...Where did the lady go who threw a fit last year, swearing she'd die before wearing a dress?"
But her dedicated maid's sighing revelation crushed her bravado flat.
- Crackle…
In that split second, the maid absorbed Lilien's flung knife with black smoke and a faint smile.
It happened in under a second—hard to tell illusion from reality—but everyone around was unfazed, so it must be routine.
"Anyway, I'm coming too. As one of your guardians."
"Guardian?"
"I'm using you to crash the debutante and snag some influential nobles. Not here to protect you."
In that moment, her unprompted answer made laughter bubble up inexplicably.
Of course, showing it might really set her off, so I turned and headed for the carriage.
"Hey, you. What's that face."
'…What, it's just a debutante. What could go wrong?'
"Damn, you trying to die?"
With Mother and Lilien here, anything that happened would be quashed quick.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"One of the empire's meritorious ducal houses—the sole ducal house. The youngest son of the Belverk family enters."
I'd thought nothing would happen until we reached the palace, but arriving at the venue forced me to retract that immediately.
"..."
Everyone peacefully enjoying the ball froze for a moment, all eyes on us.
'...What, did we crash a no-go zone?'
We were formally invited, you know? Kinda hurtful. Mother even left the intimidating knights and maids behind to follow etiquette.
For reference, Belverks barely need to follow imperial etiquette. They don't even have to bow to the emperor.
"Sigh, here we go again."
Pulling a sulky face, I heard Lilien mutter annoyed beside me.
"..."
And somehow, the ladies around us seemed to change their gazes…?
- Rumble…
Unable to keep up with the sudden shift, I paled and backed away as the venue's ladies swarmed toward me.
"H-hi! From the Rosebell Viscountcy… Kyah!"
"...Fr-from the Bramford Count family's youngest, Violet."
"Um, do you have a partner by any chance? If not, perhaps…"
Undeterred, the ladies shoved past each other to greet me.
"Young Master is the hottest topic in high society right now."
"...Hottest topic?"
"Meaning… he's become a trophy of sorts."
Dazed by the scene, Schwarz whispered softly beside me.
"Kinder and gentler than Belverk's fierce three sisters. Plus, the rumors of Mother's favoritism. No wonder the ladies are losing it."
"...Ah."
"And his looks are… adorably handsome to boot. Perfect prey for debutantes brimming with dreams entering society."
Something odd slipped in mid-sentence? Anyway, this was bad.
I'd specially ordered modest attire, but if I was doomed to draw eyes anyway, what was the point?
"Of course, anyone targeting Young Master had better brace to become the prey themselves."
Thankfully, the gut-wrenching tension didn't last long.
"...Don't crowd and stink up the air. Scram."
Lilien growled lowly from behind me, and the clustered ladies scattered in fear.
"D-daughter, let's go elsewhere first…"
"...E-excuse us, Duchess."
"Th-the girl's still young…"
Those who lingered despite the fear were swiftly handled by Mother's chilling glare at their parents.
"It's not the girl who's young—it's you lot."
Her cold whisper followed the nobles dragging their daughters away. Plenty of parents had put them up to it, apparently.
'...Still, those ones are tame.'
Parenting fails from my view, but at least they seemed to care for their daughters. Marquis Opstein used to threaten to sell me to some old hag if I disobeyed.
"...Should I just act crazy and dump wine on someone?"
"...You might end up sunk at sea in a wine barrel."
"Ugh, if I could just hold hands once…"
That said, the stares from the ladies were a bit scary. Could I actually enjoy the ball here?
"Hey, hold hands."
"Huh?"
"Don't wander off. Stick by my side."
As I sulked over it, Lilien sidled up, grabbed my hand, and pulled me close.
"Not everyone here's an idiot."
"...!"
"...Belverks have had plenty of enemies since way back."
True to her words, the venue held more than just those eyeing me.
Half the nobles and ladies shot cold, hostile glares at Lilien and Mother too.
"Ignore stares like that. Cowards who'll look away if you meet their eyes."
No house seemed bold enough for an eye-staring contest with Belverks.
"You said you weren't protecting me…"
"Shut it. Keeping you close gets me attention too."
Finally relaxing, I teased her, earning an annoyed glare and grumble.
"Hehe."
"...Don't laugh like that."
But sensing her true feelings somewhat, I just beamed innocently.
"Fine, whatever. Let's grab some food first…"
Throwing up her hands in defeat, Lilien led me toward the food-laden table at the venue's center—right then.
"...Ah."
Lilien halted abruptly, her gaze startled somewhere.
"...Huh."
"Ah, um. How surprising."
"...Didn't expect her here."
And it wasn't just Lilien. The ladies whispering about me and the nobles with cold stares all turned toward her gaze in unison.
"...?"
Wondering what it was, I turned and murmured, eyes widening.
"...She's really pretty."
A mysteriously beautiful young girl swept back her elegant golden locks and walked with poise.
Even I, spoiled by Mother and Lilien's unbeatable looks and jaded eyes, was captivated for a moment.
"Hey, newbie."
"...Ah, yes."
Snapped from staring dazedly by Lilien's subdued voice, I braced for a scolding.
"Better not get tangled with that girl."
But her tone wasn't annoyed like usual—it was serious.
"...That's the famous mute youngest Imperial Princess."
The words hit my ears, and I belatedly noticed the bowing maids trailing her.
"The only current royal not the emperor's child. Won't last a few more years in the palace."
"I-is that so."
"Plus, she's got issues. No one's ever heard her speak—hence 'mute princess.' Fatal flaw for a royal."
Her explanation made the reasons clear enough.
But why did listening stir an inexplicable sense of kinship?
"Never shown emotion once either. Some speculate she's ill."
"..."
"Anyway, don't even think of getting friendly…"
While half-listening and still staring dazedly—that's when.
- Swish…
Just before fully passing, the Imperial Princess's gaze flicked toward me for a brief moment.
"Huh?"
And then, something astonishing happened.
"..."
The princess, locking eyes with me briefly, flashed a breathtakingly beautiful smile in that instant—then passed by.
'...A dream?'
Blinking, I dismissed it as a hallucination and turned to Lilien, but.
"What."
Her dazed expression and low mutter proved it was real.
"...She knows how to smile?"
What the hell was that?