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I walked back to the Opal Black Dormitory. My bike had exploded along with the airship and disappeared.

To be honest, after losing it, I was a bit disappointed. I never thought I would become fond of Doctor Brown’s invention…

Due to the airship explosion, the capital city was still in disarray, and Central Avenue and the tram were overflowing with people, so I deliberately took a long detour to avoid the crowd. By the time I arrived at the dormitory, the sunset was already fading.

As soon as I stepped into the dormitory, I heard Titania’s voice welcoming me.

“Instructor Ion!”

“Have you been waiting long?”

“Yes! You told me to wait at the dormitory, so I was worried until you returned safely!”

All the students, including Titania, were gathered in the lounge without a single absence.

Surprisingly, their expressions showed more relief than worry, as if they had already heard the news that I rescued Elizabeth.

Marian looked at my condition with a concerned gaze and asked.

“I’m glad you seem uninjured.”

“It was nothing serious. Have you already heard the news?”

“Yes. They keep talking about it on the radio. The Third Princess has escaped safely, and there were no casualties. Thanks to that, the parade went on as planned.”

So they decided to continue the parade after all. I was glad I avoided Central Avenue.

Gwen cautiously spoke up.

“Instructor, what exactly happened? The radio said it was an unexpected accident… is that really true?”

“Um…”

I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate for me to discuss it directly. It wasn’t exactly information suitable for students who had just turned 18, especially concerning the treacherous disputes surrounding the imperial throne.

Perhaps sensing my hesitation, the perceptive Schurz calmed Gwen.

“Gwen, I’m sure Instructor Ion will tell us when the time is right. He must be tired after everything, so let’s not burden him now.”

“Oh, right… I’m sorry, Instructor.”

“No, it’s okay.”

I had said nothing, but Marian, Schurz, and Saladin, who was of royal descent from a different nation, seemed to have an idea of what the situation might entail.

In particular, Saladin wore an uncomfortable expression, perhaps due to his past experiences with constant attempts on his life.

At that moment, I locked eyes with Osnia, who had been quietly watching me.

In her nearly emotionless voice, she asked.

“Did my magic help?”

“Yeah.”

It was fortunate to have a wizard who could use teleportation in an emergency by my side. Climbing to such heights alone would have been quite a struggle for me.

“It was a great help.”

With my sincere words, Osnia gave a faint smile.

If my intuition was correct, the emotion behind that smile was undoubtedly pride.

*

It seemed the students genuinely relaxed only after I returned, as they began chatting casually with each other.

Titania, eventually wanting to enjoy the parade, suggested going out, but most students showed indifference, forcing her to withdraw the proposal. In truth, it didn’t seem like Titania was genuinely eager to go; she just wanted to lighten the mood, so it didn’t particularly matter to her.

Marian and Schurz had to leave the dormitory to attend the imperial palace ball after the parade. They should have already started preparing for the ball, but they had been staying longer in the dormitory to follow my orders to remain until things settled down.

When the imperial palace ball was mentioned, a few students showed interest, but Marian frowned and said.

“You shouldn’t go.”

“Why not? It looks fun…”

At Titania’s question, Marian responded with clear disgust.

“It’s not just some place to have fun. It’s a battleground for nobles’ murky and sticky power struggles. If you really want to go, I could take a few of you under my discretion, but… naive kids like you would just get hurt.”

“Um, um.”

Schurz seemed to agree silently.

“Naive, huh… I’m not that naive…”

Titania reluctantly nodded at Marian’s words. The other students similarly lost interest in the ball.

Thus, the two left the dormitory to prepare for the ball.

As everyone began to scatter to their rooms or for their tasks, I decided it was my time to head back to my own room.

Well, the ball…

Hearing the word “ball” inevitably reminded me of past memories. More precisely, a silly promise from my foolish childhood.

“They say there are balls at the imperial palace. I’ll take you.”

I lightly shook my head to shake off the memories.

Once, it was one of my life goals, an object of desire, but now it’s a place that holds no meaning for me. I’ve never thought once about wanting to go and I likely won’t in the future. I probably won’t ever attend a ball until I die.

While I was lost in that thought, Titania came through the front door, having gone out to tend to the garden plants.

Her expression was clearly flustered for some reason.

“Instructor! Someone is looking for you outside…”

“Hmm?”

Once I looked at the front entrance, I quickly understood why Titania was flustered.

About ten maids were waiting outside the dormitory, each carrying what looked like heavy bags. Among them, one maid who appeared the most elegant and composed stepped forward to speak to me.

“Hello. I am Louisa, the head maid of the princess’s palace. Are you Instructor Ion Graham?”

“…That’s correct, but what’s all this about?”

“The princess has invited you to the imperial palace ball. Also, thinking you might not have suitable attire, she has asked us to assist in dressing you along with providing formal wear.”

What?

I tried hard to suppress my surprise and replied.

“I haven’t heard anything about this at all.”

“On behalf of the princess, I’ll convey that she prepared a fine seat for you and hopes you will keep your promise. Of course, it is not a command, so if you refuse, we will simply leave.”

“…….”

Was this what Elizabeth meant by saying she would ‘prepare a suitable place’?

When she asked me if I had time, I said I would make it work. I didn’t expect it to turn into this troublesome affair…

A promise is a promise. And if I’m asked whether I’m avoiding the ball out of a strong aversion to it, the answer isn’t that simple.

Sure, there are people I’d rather not face, yet honestly, I can’t say there’s any reason for me to escape them.

Though they might have a reason to avoid me.

In the end, I made my decision in my heart.

“I will attend.”

Head maid Louisa bowed politely and replied.

“Thank you, Instructor. Then we must prepare for your attire, so please excuse us for a moment.”

“No, it’s fine to just keep it simple… I can just wear my instructor uniform.”

“That’s not acceptable. There’s a dress code for the ball. To speak frankly, it would be like throwing away a gemstone on the ground if you don’t showcase such a splendid appearance… um, I meant to say that dressing up will surely enhance your looks.”

“You seem a bit overly excited though.”

“Not at all. Please come inside quickly. Time is of the essence, and the ball is approaching fast.”

With a wave of her hand, the maids skillfully led me inside. While their physical strength wasn’t particularly overwhelming, the strangely compelling aura they had made it hard for me to refuse.

“Um… Instructor?”

Titania looked at me being pulled by the maids with a dazed expression.

Not knowing how to respond to that face, I remained silent.

*

The maids worked swiftly and efficiently in assisting me. I could only describe them as pros in their field.

Even though I could easily manage the trip by tram, a luxurious carriage with the royal seal was waiting at the academy entrance. It was a massive carriage pulled by eight horses.

Compared to the cargo cart I rode when I arrived in the capital, it was a clear divide between military tents and palaces.

It was my first visit to Emperor’s Palace Emperatos, but I had no time to leisurely look around. The maids urged me to hurry as time was tight before the ball started.

I thought I was going to be taken directly to the ballroom, but that wasn’t the case.

Where I arrived was into the princess’s palace. Louisa bowed respectfully and said.

“The princess is waiting inside.”

She lightly knocked on the door.

“Your Highness, Instructor Graham has arrived.”

“Come in. It’s open.”

When Elizabeth’s reply came, Louisa opened the door and carefully stepped back. With a gesture for me to enter, I felt curious about what was going on but nodded and stepped inside.

There stood Elizabeth in a stunning white and silver dress.

The subtly shimmering silver fabric contrasted beautifully with her fair skin. While it didn’t reveal too much of her skin, it also wasn’t overly concealing; her evening dress accentuated Elizabeth’s graceful figure while maintaining her dignity.

Upon seeing me, Elizabeth’s eyes widened slightly, and then with her usual charming smile, she lifted her red lips.

“Oh my… that formal wear looks great on you, Instructor.”

I didn’t know how to respond in such moments.

After a brief hesitation, I eventually spoke honestly. There was no reason to lie.

“You look great in that dress too.”

“I didn’t think you would say something like that. But it’s nice to hear.”

Elizabeth silently extended one hand toward me, and I stared at her hand, puzzled about why she was suddenly offering it.

Could it be she wanted me to take her hand? So I placed my hand on hers, and Elizabeth chuckled softly.

“Hehe… Instructor. That’s not how an escort works. It seems I need to help you.”

“What?”

Saying that, Elizabeth boldly wrapped her arm around mine, which is what you’d call linking arms.

With her wearing such a thin dress, I could distinctly feel where a man and a woman shouldn’t touch, but… Elizabeth didn’t seem to notice that at all and appeared completely unconcerned.

With her eyes sparkling, she tilted them just right.

“Shall we, Instructor?”

“…Yeah.”

Is this what an escort is?

I wasn’t knowledgeable at all about escorts, so in the end, I could only follow Elizabeth’s lead.

Thus, we linked arms and climbed into the carriage.

Our destination was the imperial palace ballroom.

 

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