Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
The day of the royal ball arrived.
The Ardenthal estate, usually calm and quiet, was now filled with servants preparing Sho's attire and carriage. Silk, crystal, and mana-lit chandeliers shimmered as the afternoon sun filtered through the windows.
Sho stood before a tall mirror, his reflection wearing a formal black and silver outfit — the colors of House Ardenthal. The embroidery glowed faintly with mana, forming elegant lines that pulsed softly, like a heartbeat.
He exhaled slowly.
> "A ball, huh... I still can't believe I agreed to this."
He adjusted his cuffs, his silver-threaded hair catching the light. His expression remained calm, but his mind was elsewhere — thinking not about nobles or dances, but why the princess had invited him.
His mother entered quietly, her soft smile reflected beside him in the mirror.
"You look splendid, Sho. Remember, a noble's presence is as important as his words. Speak politely, observe carefully."
Sho nodded. "I understand, Mother. I'll behave... accordingly."
Her eyes lingered on him for a moment — that same faint worry she'd tried to hide for years.
Then she whispered, "And... be yourself. You don't need to imitate anyone else."
He smiled faintly. "I wasn't planning to."
---
The carriage rolled through the moonlit streets of Varellis, passing marble towers and mana lamps glowing like floating stars. The capital was alive — laughter, music, and light spilled from every corner.
Inside the carriage, Sho gazed out the window silently.
> Back on Earth, I never attended anything like this. The most formal thing I ever did was school presentations…
This world really does have a way of making me feel small sometimes.
Yet, his calm returned as the castle came into view — its towers wrapped in threads of floating light. The Varellis Palace was unlike anything he had ever seen. The main hall radiated a golden glow, layered with ancient magic that hummed softly in the air.
When the carriage stopped, a butler opened the door. "Young Master Ardenthal, the royal family awaits inside."
Sho stepped out, his boots touching polished white stone. The crowd of nobles and aristocrats turned as the grand doors opened.
Whispers filled the hall almost immediately.
"Is that him? The son of Duke Ardenthal?"
"I've never seen him before — look at that silver glow in his eyes!"
"He's... much younger than I expected."
The orchestra paused briefly as Sho entered the ballroom. Crystal chandeliers glittered above, reflecting hundreds of colors. His posture was straight, his steps confident but not arrogant — the kind of quiet confidence that drew attention without asking for it.
The nobles' eyes followed him — men impressed by his composure, women whispering behind fans, curious about the young duke's son who rarely appeared in public.
A tall noble approached first, his smile polite but practiced.
"Ah, the young Ardenthal heir. I am Marquis Deltan of the eastern frontier. It's a pleasure."
Sho bowed slightly. "The pleasure is mine, Marquis. My father spoke highly of your defense along the border."
The older noble chuckled. "Ho? A young man who does his research. I see the rumors of your intellect were not exaggerated."
Soon after, more nobles approached — Lady Corven, Count Auren, Viscount Lerris — each greeting him with curiosity and formality. Sho responded with impeccable manners, though his thoughts wandered.
> So this is the world of nobles. Smiles hiding motives. Compliments wrapped in questions.
It's... oddly nostalgic. People really haven't changed, no matter the world.
Still, he played along — polite, calm, unreadable.
---
Then the orchestra quieted, and the herald's voice echoed through the hall.
"Her Highness, Princess Arisa Varellis, has arrived!"
Every noble turned toward the grand staircase.
Sho followed their gaze — and for a brief moment, even his breathing paused.
Descending gracefully was a girl in a flowing white-gold gown, the fabric shimmering like the surface of a lake under moonlight. Her golden hair caught the glow of the chandeliers, and her emerald eyes reflected the hall's light like living jewels.
Arisa's expression was calm yet confident, the air around her carrying a gentle authority that silenced the entire hall.
When her gaze finally landed on Sho — she smiled, faintly but unmistakably — and waved her hand toward him.
The crowd stirred immediately.
"Her Highness greeted him?"
"Impossible… the princess herself?"
"Who is that boy, truly?"
Sho blinked once, processing. Then, with a composed expression, he bowed slightly from where he stood — neither too formal nor too distant.
> So that's the princess… her presence is stronger than I expected.
That smile, though... it wasn't random. She knows something.
---
As the ball resumed, nobles began to whisper new theories, musicians played a soft waltz, and golden light filled the hall once more.
But Sho wasn't looking at anyone else.
His eyes lingered on Arisa for a moment longer — studying the faint shimmer of mana that surrounded her, almost invisible to others.
> This energy… it's the same frequency I felt during the Dark Knight incident. Why would the princess carry that resonance?
He smiled faintly, adjusting his cuff.
> It seems this night will be more interesting than I thought.