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“You must be Director Hop Harvey. I’m the Duke of Arduna from the Ailan Principality.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. I’m Hop Harvey. It’s an absolute honor to have you here.”

The Duke of Arduna from the Ailan Principality.

He was someone guarding the most important fortress of the principality with the strongest knight order. He was a noble whose rank was among the top tier in the principality.

Since he was a character featured in an episode of the original work, I recognized his name.

“No, no, I should thank you for bringing news of Zion. I owe him a debt from the war. If Zion hadn’t come, who knows what would have happened to my territory… I feel almost sorry for my tardiness, so I truly owe my gratitude to you for arranging this affair.”

“You’re too kind.”

“So, is Zion still getting ready?”

“Yes, he’s in the waiting room.”

Everyone keeps asking about Zion’s well-being.

Naturally, the people who arrived were those whose names were on the invitation with Zion.

It seems that the social network that Serin mentioned is working, as only influential figures from various countries connected to Zion were trickling in.

“Right, the protagonist always makes their entrance last. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Hope you enjoy your time.”

Endless greeting and hospitality…

After a month of manners drilled into me by Serin, I was thankfully able to keep the conversation going with nobles without much trouble.

‘Has everyone who should come arrived?’

It seemed that Zion’s reputation was quite high, as prominent nobles rushed in on wagons, arriving early in the morning after a night of travel.

Now I should start heading inside and take my seat at the table.

As I entered, the inner hall was filled with lavish dishes set up by the kingdom’s top chefs and party planners, while nobles and celebrities from various nations mingled and chatted in small groups.

Even though I was the host of the party, I wasn’t positioned to overlook everyone; instead, the King, serving as a representative, occupied the most prestigious seat, and there were two empty seats right next to him reserved for Zion and me.

“Oh! The protagonist of this party is making their entrance.”

As the King standing at the host’s seat pointed towards me, all eyes in the hall turned my way.

‘Wait a minute, Your Majesty! If you say it like that…’

Everyone will think Zion has entered! If they realize it’s me, they’ll be disappointed…

“…….”

“…….”

Huh? Surprisingly, it doesn’t seem like anyone is disappointed?

“I am Hop Harvey, the director of the Kingdom Rehabilitation Medicine Center, the host of this party. A pride of our kingdom. Please welcome him with applause.”

– Clapping can be heard.

People clapped lightly with smiles, a quiet and solemn welcome.

I see. The people gathered here are top-class nobles, carefully selected by the social circles of various countries.

No matter who the counterpart is, they mustn’t commit any faux pas; they’re all professionals in social etiquette.

So, this is a gathering of sensible individuals while rude and clueless nobles have all been rigorously filtered out…

As I slightly bowed my head in respect, the nobles responded with even greater applause.

When I made my way to my seat, the King stood up and approached me, urging me to sit down.

“Please, take your seat. I must speak with the esteemed guests as well, so I will momentarily vacate my place.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

In that moment, I understood the significance of this action instantly.

At the top seat, the King doesn’t actually sit, leaving his place empty. This way, despite not being the highest-ranking individual, I can still sit in a position of prominence as the host.

The etiquette of social gatherings is truly rational and profound. It seems this life as a noble, where such manners must be naturally acquired, isn’t as simple as I initially thought.

Following the King’s invitation, I ascended the staircase and took my reserved seat next to the empty chair of the King, glancing down at the guests enjoying the ball.

Though I was the host of this party, I realized there wasn’t a single person I knew among the attendees.

Hana and Nao did come as Zion’s companions, but they were currently with him in the waiting room.

I had planned to send Serin to contact me when Zion was ready to make his entrance.

‘For now, it’s a relief that nothing major has happened, but where’s Zion?’

Having finally entered the ball after overcoming numerous hurdles, my first thought while seated was how boring it was.

No familiar faces, nothing to do… I merely arranged this and everyone gathered to see Zion and enjoy the party without any regard for me.

“Teacher.”

“?”

Startled by a sudden voice, I turned around to see Serin standing behind me, whispering in my ear.

When was she behind me?

“It’s ready, so make the introduction quickly.”

“Got it.”

Upon hearing my response, Serin vanished again in an instant. Though I felt a bit dazed, I had to focus on what needed to be done.

“May I have your attention, please.”

As I stood up and spoke, all heads quickly turned towards me.

“I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank everyone gathered here today.”

As I bowed my head in gratitude, the gathered nobles looked at me with broad smiles, silently reciprocating my acknowledgment.

“Additionally, presumptuously, the reason I’ve called you all here today is that the true protagonist of today has successfully completed her rehabilitation at our center and can now stand on her own two legs, and I’d like to celebrate this with your congratulations.”

In truth, this was an effort to uphold a personal promise I made to Zion, but does it really matter?

Thanks to me, Zion would be able to participate in this protagonist ball, so they likely wouldn’t mind my inner thoughts or feel upset seeing me utilize them. There was no way for them to know my true feelings.

As I began the introduction, the doors opened, and Serin led the way, opening the path for Zion who stood outside.

“I’d like to introduce the true protagonist now. Everyone, please look over there. The true protagonist of today, Hero Zion Laurel, is entering now. Please welcome her with applause!”

– Clapping resumes.

As the introduction concluded, Zion slowly emerged from the opened doors amidst the resounding applause.

Zion, drawing all attention from the hall, appeared in a blue dress, its corset accentuating her slim waist, flaunting her health, with her hair neatly braided.

Furthermore, inlaid jewel stones of the same orange hue as her eyes seemed to capture and reflect the golden lighting of the hall, making her appear even more radiant.

“Is that really Hero Zion, this beautiful and dignified lady?”

“The little girl I saw five years ago has completely disappeared!”

“More than that, it’s hard to believe she was sick! I never imagined she would appear looking so healthy!”

“Haha, of course, this is a grand feast designed to showcase that very look.”

“Congratulations on your recovery, Zion!”

“Congratulations on your recovery!”

With Zion’s beauty and health captivating the room, nobles began showering her with praise from all directions.

The hall was filled with applause and cheers. Yet, it seemed that Zion remained uninterested, as she kept her gaze down and walked forward quietly.

What’s going on? Isn’t Zion responding to the nobles’ support?

“Zion, you’re inside the hall now.”

From my position, I couldn’t hear anything, but it seemed Serin, guiding her, offered quiet encouragement to Zion who appeared a bit flustered.

Upon hearing Serin’s whisper, it appeared Zion finally gathered her senses, raising her head to begin looking around.

“Where… where…”

Zion lifted her dazed eyes, as if searching for something, turning her head side to side.

‘Zion? Is it possible she can’t see around her?’

To others, she might seem to be elegantly gliding and observing her surroundings with grace, but to me, she clearly appeared to be in a panic state.

No one noticed. The hall was filled with the cheers and applause of nobles. I couldn’t move from where I was sitting, nor could I call out to Zion loudly.

If this state of panic continues, I have no idea what might happen. I needed to wake Zion up. What do I do? What should I do in this situation…

‘Wait a minute, Zion just said “where…”’

Zion was clearly looking for something. Focused on that, she wasn’t seeing her surroundings. So, it can only be…

“I’m right here, Zion.”

It would be me.

Amidst the hall filled with applause and praise from the nobles. But I absolutely cannot call out loudly. Doing so would ruin the ball.

I needed to call out just loud enough to reach Zion. Cocktail party effect. A person can selectively hear only the information relevant to them amidst a crowded room full of noise.

“Ah…!”

As expected, Zion seemed to notice me.

Zion locked eyes with me and began moving toward me as if entranced.

“Teacher Hop…”

That’s right, come this way, Zion.

The seat next to me is where Zion will sit. Once Zion approaches, I can calm her down and seat her, allowing the ball to continue smoothly.

Zion, slowly approaching me.

Finally, she ascended the steps—

– Thud.

“!?”

She fell into my arms.

“Zion…!”

“Teacher Hop…”

“Calm down, Zion! Not like this!”

She looked so surprised, her eyes wide open; it seemed they could pop out from shock.

And apparently, I wasn’t the only one whose eyes looked like they might pop out in panic.

Even the nobles, specialists of the social circles, seemed unable to find a fitting reaction to the current situation, their expressions one of complete confusion, and naturally, the hall was swallowed by silence.

How on earth am I supposed to restore order…

 

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