— The Ball Begins —
The orchestra's melody soared through the vast ballroom, strings and flutes weaving a soft rhythm that seemed to make even the chandeliers sway in time. Laughter and conversation filled the air like a wave of perfume — noblemen discussing trade, noblewomen boasting of lineage, and every eye drifting occasionally toward the young man standing near the edge of the crowd.
Sho Ardenthal.
The son of the Duchess and Duke of Ardenthal — the reclusive heir who rarely appeared in public.
Tonight, that mystery had a face.
---
Sho held a crystal glass in his hand, though he hadn't taken a single sip. The light from the chandeliers reflected faintly in his gray eyes as he listened quietly to the music.
Around him, nobles whispered.
"His presence is so composed… like an older duke."
"Indeed. And those silver threads in his hair — are they natural?"
"I heard he learned magic directly under Duchess Lirien. His mana control rivals the academy's professors."
He ignored the murmurs. His gaze wandered, not in vanity, but in observation. Every noble here smiled the same way — practiced, polite, strategic.
> The same masks I've seen in business meetings back on Earth... just prettier clothes this time.
---
Before he could move, a cluster of older nobles approached.
"Ah, Young Ardenthal!" a rotund man called, beaming. "It's such a pleasure to meet the prodigy everyone talks about. May I introduce my daughter, Lady Helvena—"
Sho bowed slightly, voice calm. "An honor, Marquis, but I must excuse myself for a moment. The royal family awaits my greeting."
"Ah—yes, of course, of course…"
The noble's voice trailed off as Sho smoothly stepped away, leaving behind a trail of disappointed fathers and flustered daughters.
> Persistent. I almost miss the quiet of the forest.
---
At the far end of the hall, upon a dais decorated with white roses and golden drapery, stood the royal family — King Albrecht, Queen Serina, and beside them, Princess Arisa.
Her gaze met his again — calm, unreadable, but undeniably aware.
As Sho approached, the crowd instinctively parted, the music softening as though the air itself wished to listen.
He stopped a respectful distance away and bowed elegantly.
"Your Highness, it is an honor to finally meet you in person," he said formally, his tone precise but genuine.
Arisa smiled faintly. "Raise your head, Lord Ardenthal. There's no need for such formalities tonight. This is a celebration, not a council."
Sho straightened, his expression unchanging but polite. "Even so, Your Highness, etiquette reflects respect. I would not wish to appear discourteous."
Her lips curved slightly, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Then I suppose I must accept your respect... though you make me feel much older than I am."
A soft chuckle escaped Sho's lips — rare, but sincere. "My apologies, then. I assure you, that was not my intention."
---
The Queen observed their exchange with a quiet smile. The King leaned slightly toward her and whispered something, to which she nodded with amusement. Around them, nobles murmured again — a mixture of envy and curiosity.
Arisa gestured toward the balcony. "Shall we speak somewhere quieter? I imagine being surrounded by endless introductions is exhausting."
Sho nodded. "That would be appreciated."
They stepped onto the moonlit terrace. The cool air carried the scent of roses and faint traces of magic that shimmered over the garden below.
For a moment, they stood in silence, the city lights flickering in the distance like fallen stars.
Arisa leaned slightly against the marble railing, her voice calm but curious. "You're not quite what I expected, Lord Sho. Most nobles your age either boast or shrink away when they stand before royalty. You do neither."
Sho's answer was simple. "There's little reason to boast before someone who already holds everything. And I've learned that silence reveals more than words ever could."
She turned her head slightly, studying him. "Spoken like someone much older than fifteen."
He smiled faintly. "Maybe I've lived long enough in thought, if not in years."
Their eyes met for a moment — not in romance, but in recognition.
For reasons neither could explain, their mana pulsed faintly, synchronizing for a single heartbeat.
A subtle golden shimmer rippled through Arisa's aura, and Sho's system flickered quietly.
---
[System Notification]
> Hidden Synchronization Detected.
Resonance increased: 5%.
Sho blinked, glancing briefly at the faint text only he could see, then quickly refocused before Arisa noticed.
> That same feeling again… the same pulse as the Dark Knight's echo. But this one's pure… familiar.
Arisa tilted her head. "Something wrong?"
He shook his head lightly. "No, just... admiring the view."
She smiled again — soft and knowing. "Then perhaps the view is admiring you back."
For the first time that night, Sho was left speechless.
> She's sharp... sharper than most adults I've met. And she hides it behind charm. Dangerous.
---
The orchestra resumed a slower melody inside the hall. Arisa turned gracefully, extending her hand toward him.
"Would you join me for the opening dance, Lord Ardenthal?"
Sho hesitated for half a second, then bowed slightly and took her hand.
"As you wish, Your Highness."
The two stepped back into the ballroom, all eyes drawn to them. As the music swelled, they moved in rhythm — Sho's movements calm and deliberate, Arisa's graceful and fluid. Their mana intertwined faintly, light and silver weaving like threads across the floor.
And in that quiet dance beneath the chandeliers, something ancient stirred — unnoticed by the crowd, yet undeniable to the world itself.
> [Resonance Stabilizing...]