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The Imperial Palace Ball hosted by the Imperial Royal Family is a prestigious event that any noble would wish to attend.

Being invited here is an important measure of one’s standing and influence in noble society, and even among the nobility, just the fact that someone received an invitation to the palace ball while another did not can divide their ranks.

Thus, for the imperial nobles, the palace ball is more than just a party; it is a crucial occasion for honor and power, and the scale of the event is grand and magnificent, incomparable to any other gathering.

The banquet hall, adorned with platinum and marble signifying the White Dragon Albnisis, a symbol of the Imperial Royal Family, was stunningly beautiful, with a chandelier embellished with sparkling jewels casting a dazzling light throughout the space.

As the classical music of the imperial orchestra gently spread through the banquet hall, nobles clad in luxurious garments made from the finest silk and velvet, accessorized with expensive jewelry, danced to the music or enjoyed exquisite delicacies while engaging in light conversation.

The center of attention at this palace ball was, of course, the First Prince Wilhelm. He was not only the main character and host of the event, but also a hero wielding the Holy Sword.

However, if we limit it to women, the situation changed slightly. The woman attracting the most attention at this ball was not Frida, the “Ironblood Knight” who was a member of the hero party, nor Greta, the “Ashen Witch.”

It was Marian.

“Beautiful lady. Your red hair catches my eye like a blazing flame. If you don’t mind, might I have the honor of sharing a dance with you?”

“Hehe, I appreciate your gentlemanly invitation, but… sadly, I do not know a dance that fits this tune. I think I’ll wait for a song I prefer more.”

Asking what her favorite song was or saying she would wait for a melody she wanted to dance to would only prove one’s foolishness.

It would show one’s inability to grasp a lady’s subtle rejection or that they completely lacked basic manners.

“Oh… I see? Very well. Th-then, I shall take my leave….”

As the nobleman wearing a leopard mask awkwardly left, Marian let out a small sigh, ensuring no one else could hear.

“Haah….”

With that, the number of rejected noblemen had already reached sixteen.

Originally, rejecting dance requests to this extent would be considered rude in social circles, but Marian had nothing to worry about.

She was the sole granddaughter of the Kalstein Marquis, the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army and one of the Seven Heroes of the continent. Moreover, she boasted a stunning beauty that once earned her the title of the most beautiful woman in the empire, being the daughter of the renowned ‘Azalea’ Ibian.

Refusing dance requests sixteen times? Such rumors would only serve to enhance her regal image.

Yet, despite all these rejections, the number of nobles subtly keeping an eye on Marian did not decrease at all; rather, the heat of their gazes intensified.

Was it because people find a flower on a cliff even more beautiful, or do they think, “Even if everyone else has been rejected, I’m different…”?

‘Nobles truly are….’

Marian was grateful that this ball was a masquerade. If it weren’t, she would have to manage her expression with even greater care.

Of course, even with a mask on, her distinctive red hair was impossible to hide, and it seemed people around her already recognized who she was….

At that moment, another man approached Marian.

As she prepared to don a fake smile and reject him, she felt a sense of familiarity from the man wearing a stag mask.

Unlike the other suitors who sought to request a dance, this man spoke to her in a more casual manner.

“It’s been tough for you, Marian.”

“…Schurz?”

Only then did Marian notice Schurz’s gray hair. Since he wasn’t wearing glasses as usual, she had momentarily failed to recognize him.

Realizing where she was looking, Schurz chuckled and pointed to his eyes.

“Oh, this? My vision isn’t that bad, to begin with. And it would be strange to wear glasses over a mask, wouldn’t it?”

“Hm, I see… But you’re not planning to ask me to dance, are you?”

“Me? Haha, not at all. I’d prefer not to be the seventeenth.”

“Well, in that case….”

Marian implicitly allowed Schurz to sit beside her.

Schurz smiled as he handed Marian a champagne glass. When she realized it was actually non-alcoholic despite its fancy appearance, she nodded in appreciation of his thoughtfulness and took a sip from the glass.

It felt quite strange. Although Marian usually maintained a wariness in high society, oddly enough, she felt significantly more relaxed in this moment. And it appeared Schurz felt the same way.

Perhaps it was because she had met Schurz several times in social settings, where he was the prime minister’s son, yet here he was as a peer instead?

‘When did I start seeing him as a friend….’

That was likely because they had forged a bond of empathy under the stoic instructor they’d both endured alongside at the Back Mountain.

Marian chuckled lightly and said, “Your favorite among the Seven Heroes of the continent is over there. Why don’t you go say hello?”

Schurz shook his head with a sardonic smile.

“Um… no, that’s okay. I’ll pass.”

“Why?”

“Just… it feels a bit awkward to speak here. You know why.”

Schurz mumbled evasively, and Marian nodded slightly.

Like the offspring of high-ranking nobles, they were well aware of the numerous scandalous rumors surrounding the hero party, many of which were quite credible.

It was evident that the formation of the hero party had significant political motives from the outset, and reflecting on their achievements made it difficult to view them positively.

In fact, Saladin’s earlier comments about the hero party were far from incorrect.

It was just that everyone avoided these discussions for fear of the imperial authority and the next emperor’s eye.

“Isn’t it strange?”

“What is?”

“Well, all of this. There was such a commotion during the day, yet these people here are enjoying themselves as if nothing happened. Acting like everything is fine when it’s clearly not… while the real heroes who resolved the matter are elsewhere.”

Marian’s gaze shifted to Prince Wilhelm, who stood at the center of the ball. Even though it was a masquerade, no one could mistake him for anyone else. There were only two men in the empire with white hair and red eyes.

Moreover, it seemed the prince had no intention of hiding his identity, as he wore a blatant White Dragon mask over his face. The nobles clustered around Prince Wilhelm pretended not to recognize him, making small talk to keep him in high spirits.

If pretending not to know was the nature of the nobility, then Marian thought it bore quite a resemblance to this masquerade ball.

Schurz spoke in a low voice.

“Marian. There are many eyes watching here.”

“…Yeah. I see.”

Marian raised the corners of her mouth, offering a radiant smile. Her beautiful face, deliberately gracing the room with a lovely smile, made the hearts of many noblemen flutter; however, Marian hardly minded.

Schurz asked with a tone of surprise, “It’s unexpected. You, Marian… if we put it more plainly, you are the flower of high society, right? I thought you’d be rather indifferent to such matters.”

“One sees deeper only as much as they know. And….”

“And what?”

“…….”

In the past, she had always thought this was simply how things were. While the Marquise took charge of Marian’s education as the head of the family in place of the Kalstein Marquis on the battlefield, Marian was raised as a noblewoman, receiving the kind of education expected of a noble daughter.

She learned how various schemes and plots intertwined in the midst of dazzling parties, what meanings were hidden in the subtle gestures of the nobility, and how to act so as not to be laughed at by others.

Investing immense sums into lavish parties, purchasing dozens of dresses, adorning herself with countless accessories—all these were things Marian thought were essential for maintaining a noble lifestyle.

The belief that one should stand atop society as an object of admiration was the very essence of being a noble.

However, interacting with various people at the Opal Black Class began to shift Marian’s perspective.

Marian was not as skilled with the sword as Gwen, nor was she as adept with magic as Osnia. She didn’t excel in spirit arts or archery as Titania did, nor was she as physically gifted as Batar.

While Marian’s skills in socializing and observation might be respectable, they were learned traits, things anyone could acquire with practice.

Certainly, when compared to other common students of the Opal Black Class, she might stand out, but if asked if she excelled overwhelmingly, she would indeed hesitate in answering.

If there are commoners superior to some nobles, and nobles inferior to some commoners, what basis exists for asserting that nobles should dominate commoners?

“I’m not sure….”

In the end, Marian chose to say less.

It was a thought too delicate to voice readily.

Marian was proud of her grandfather, the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Army and one of the Seven Heroes. Yet, the response he had given her when she broached such thoughts before him still vividly lingered in her heart.

“Marian, I am not a hero. The true heroes are every single soldier who fought bravely under my command. Without them, I would be nothing.”

She had not understood what that meant in the past.

But now, she felt she might grasp it, albeit vaguely.

The reason for this realization was undoubtedly due to one particular man who, despite achieving many accomplishments battling against the brink of humanity’s extinction as an ordinary soldier, forsook all the honor and power to work merely as an academy instructor.

“Hmm….”

A month had already passed since the semester began. It might seem like just a month, but at eighteen, it was a sufficient age for nobles to consider marriage or engagement.

Especially when considering the numerous engagement proposals showering upon the Kalstein family, it was time for Marian to start seriously contemplating a partner.

‘Should I take a more proactive approach?’

If she remained too laid-back and ended up losing a worthy man right before her eyes… she would probably be unable to sleep at night out of regret.

‘Should I have proposed to partner? It’s too late now, but… the family will host a party in the summer, so maybe I can bring it up then-?’

At that very moment.

Amidst the clamor of the many gathered, the entrance of the banquet hall fell suddenly silent. Every gaze converged on a singular point.

Marian’s eyes instinctively followed to the entrance.

A girl with white hair and a white fox mask was approaching. Thanks to her royal elegance and silver hair, everyone gathered in the ballroom instantly recognized her as the Third Princess Elizabeth.

And Marian could see a man standing beside Elizabeth.

Though he wore a black mask, recognizing him wasn’t difficult. His hair and eye color, towering nearly a head taller than the average height of imperial men, and the features partially visible beyond the mask were all too familiar to her.

“Ion… Instructor…?”

As the two walked in arm-in-arm, resembling a couple,

Marian’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she stood there in a daze.

 

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