Shadowless Night

Rosaline moved cautiously, her expression changing as she listened to what was being said. She quickly glanced at the mirror to fix her hair.

“Um, do I look strange?”

“Nope.”

“Am I pretty?”

Chloe looked at her like a baby kitten. She was somehow… cute.

“The prettiest in the world.”

Confidence surged within Rosaline at Chloe’s assertion. Baroness Laritya, the maids, Leticia, and Chloe had all praised her.

Rosaline herself thought she looked exceedingly beautiful today. This would surely astonish His Highness! Seeing Rosaline had finished her mental preparation, Chloe gestured as the door opened.

***

The guards surrounding the castle were more vigilant than ever. Unlike the clinking and clanking sounds coming from the outside, where the armor-wearing knights were patrolling, inside the walls, there was nothing but laughter. Some were dancing, and others were clinking their glasses. The grandest ballroom in the palace was overflowing with people, leaving no room to spare for even a single step.

Within the Knights of the White Night, all members eligible for entry into the ball had attended. Although they appeared to be enjoying the festivities in the music-filled space, no one could read a hint of complacency in their eyes. No sweet melodies or delicious food could lower the knights’ guard.

The Emperor, Diech, and Haqab were not yet visible. The Knights of the White Night wandered purposelessly, exchanging greetings with familiar faces.

“You’re quite popular, sir.”

Pardict approached Starz with a plate of food in hand. Despite the compliment, he didn’t seem to show any signs of jealousy or resentment. Perhaps it was because the young ladies who had been requesting dances with Starz one after another were barely in their twenties. Starz grinned in response to his remark.

“Well, it seems popularity eludes you, my friend.”

Starz had witnessed Pardict being rejected when he asked for dances a few times as well. Pardict chuckled heartily. “Guess it’s not to the taste of the city ladies. In Aluwe, I’d cause a stir.”

“Don’t make up stories about your family estate.”

“Make up? I should invite you to Walegrave one day.”

***

Pardict, who had been grumbling, picked up a glass on a passing tray. Starz firmly stepped on his foot. From the pitiful look in Starz’s eyes, he could tell that the question, “Did we come here to have fun?” was implied, so he reluctantly put the glass back down.

The crowd began to murmur. The entrance for nobles and dignitaries led to the first floor, while the entrance for the imperial family members and their partners was connected to the ballroom’s stairs leading to the second floor. When the grand and ornate double doors on the second floor opened, all eyes from the first floor were inevitably drawn there, regardless of whether they were dancing, conversing, eating, or engaging in secret meetings.

Amidst the cascading light, the figures of the imperial family members descending one step at a time in their white attire left no doubt that there was nobility within.

The heavy door on the second floor swung open.

“His Highness Elpidio Barsol Illavenia, the 1st Laurel of the Snowfield, has arrived!”

“Lady Theresia Brege Ironhoff!”

It was Elpidio. His appearance contrasted sharply with his personality, and his white attire also suited him. The lady accompanying him down the stairs was equally elegant. Starz instinctively felt that what had unsettled so many people wasn’t the arrival of the Laurel, but rather the lady at his side. Pardict made a sound of surprise when he saw her too.

“When did the mad troublemaker of Ironhoff get released?”

Startled, Starz firmly stepped on Pardict’s foot again. “I agree to some extent, but lower your voice.”

“Oh, right. Sorry.”

Theresia, the wild and outrageous troublemaker of Ironhoff. She had a glamorous history of sending twenty marriage proposals a day to Ricardis in the past, secretly spying on him, and even climbing tall trees to catch a glimpse of him while he slept.

Later on, unable to endure her antics, her father, Count Ironhoff, shaved her hair and threw her to their villa in the countryside somewhere. Rumors spread that she spent her days fervently transcribing scriptures at the house, but those had been just stories for a while until seeing her again today.

Theresia, the most notorious troublemaker, descended alongside Elpidio, radiating charm and flashing a lovely smile. People surged around them, surrounding Elpidio. It was a moment where the extent of his influence was clearly visible. Elpidio was smiling as if in good spirits. Even if Ricardis had made all efforts, his support seemed solid, and there was a noticeable lack of anxiety.

“They truly make a perfect pair.”

“… Well, yes, they do.”

Externally, both of them were exceptionally good-looking and attractive, leaving no room for criticism. However, apart from their appearances, they seemed to complement each other in their flaws. Seeing Count Ironhoff looking at his daughter with an appraising expression, it was evident that her peculiar temperament hadn’t faded. Starz signaled to Lewon, who was moving around.

“We have another one to watch out for. Keep a close eye and maintain decorum.”

“Yes. I’ll relay this to the members.”

Although he didn’t explicitly mention who this additional subject of caution was, Lewon seemed to know already. Starz observed Lewon busily moving about behind the swaying curtains.

“We have yet to see… His Highness Ricardis.”

The sound of nobles muttering reached Starz’s ears, concealed behind the curtain. Not seeing Starz, they boldly criticized his master while he was nearby.

“He only carries a mage on his back, yet he’s full of himself. I wonder if he’ll appear like the star of a play only after His Majesty declares the celebration of the National Founding Day has begun.”

“His partner also belongs to the Radwiells.”

“My, my. What is His Highness Ricardis thinking? That daughter of the Radwiells, too. If Count Radwiell had been present, I would’ve asked for his opinion. But since he’s stuck at the border, I’d survive on my own fantasies!”

“Wasn’t the daughter of that house always a bit unconventional from a young age? Regardless of her humble origins and average face, she tried to catch His Highness’s eyes; I wonder if she’s mentally sound!”

“…”

“…”

The conversation among the men paused for a moment. Then, they coughed uncomfortably, making an effort to divert their gaze from Theresia Ironhoff.

Those who wanted to make a good impression on the potential candidate to lead Illavenia approached Elpidio with friendly faces. Starz observed them closely, taking note of each face. It must have been when the music changed for the second time…

Here and there, left and right, behind. Gazes that either faced each other or narrowly missed each other slowly converged in one direction. Since everyone’s attention was slightly directed upwards, Starz realized that Ricardis had arrived at the ball.

“His Highness Ricardis Darius Illavenia, the 2nd Laurel of the Snowfield, has arrived!”

“Lady Rosaline Esther Radwiell!”

The door opened. People stared blankly upstairs.

“… An angel?”

It was the voice of the person lamenting of one’s humble origins and average face earlier. The reason Straz couldn’t just brush off his dramatically changed attitude was that he felt a similar sentiment towards the man.

Ricardis, who despised elaborate attire and appeared in a simple outfit on each National Foundation Day, was like a beautiful and unattainable flower beyond reach… Yet, the power of dressing that carried the souls of the maids, transcending the mundane days of adding and subtracting jewelry based on the outcome of chess games, could be said to be fatal.

“Ah, beautiful!”

In truth, the white attire worn by nobles on National Foundation Day had a similar form each year, without any special variations. Unable to compete based on colors like others, they adorned themselves with elaborate forms, using flashy embroidery with golden and silver threads, and further embellished their attire.

While it wasn’t tacky or unattractive, there were certainly elements that could be felt as somewhat excessive.

However, Ricardis was dazzling, just right, not overly extravagant. His clothing exuded a sense of restraint and asceticism! The color was majestic, his form was elegant, the jewelry was displayed glamorously, and the epitome of all this beauty was his face!

Young ladies were moved to tears. Everyone had a hallucination the moment the door opened. It was a hallucination where a halo illuminated behind Ricardis as he stood. His silver hair shone even more brilliantly today, and the attire that clung to the lines of his body was accentuated by delicate embroidery, making his beauty even more pronounced.

Numerous rings and adorned jewelry seemed insufficient compared to that face. That… body. Perfect. The most flawless form among the creations shaped by the gods!

Ricardis turned slightly and looked at someone. Everyone had forgotten his partner, being dazzled by that halo.

Rosaline Radwiell. Within this space, there was no one who didn’t know Rosaline, even if they were unfamiliar with Ricardis. Nobles from other countries had only heard of her through rumors. A mage, remarkably strong, trampling the Black Moon, her family stood on the 1st Prince’s side, yet she pledged loyalty to the 2nd Prince due to her beliefs. A distinctive exterior accompanied her peculiar actions.

Even the most generous assessment deemed her to be at an average level. With fierce, sharply defined eyes, and a figure that was neither delicate nor petite, she did not suit the adorable and richly detailed dresses like those seen on young ladies scattered around.

‘Hmm…’

Oh? But this was unexpected. No, it was different from what everyone had anticipated.

Receiving Ricardis’ escort, each step she took down the stairs was light and graceful, not clumsy. Illuminated by various lights, her skin sparkled subtly like pearls. Contrasting with her white skin, her lips weren’t excessively red, appearing natural.

Behind the stairs, the hem of her white dress gently swayed. The dress, snug against her body’s contours but flaring out below her hips, flowed elegantly like a mermaid’s tail as it followed her movements.

Her wavy black hair cascaded over one shoulder, revealing her sharp eyes. However, it wasn’t just fierceness that emanated from her; there was a certain solemnity, like a well-forged blade, akin to the eyes of a wild beast. Her shoulders were held upright, and her posture exuded elegance. The lavish dress only enhanced what she naturally possessed.

Everyone couldn’t help but gasp. It wasn’t the impression one would expect from a woman just past her twenties. It was an impression one might believe even if she were a queen of some country.