‘Seorn has been really noisy lately.’

Rine thought so as she felt the overly excited atmosphere around her.

It wasn’t particularly surprising—this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

For her, all she needed to do was focus on her studies as a proper student should.

Still, if someone overly excited was sitting nearby, it was impossible not to notice.

“Senior, are you alright?”

Rine cautiously asked as she watched Erendir poring over a stack of documents beside her.

They were in a small, neatly tended garden no one ever visited.

Sitting on a mat spread over the grass, Rine quietly observed Erendir.

The princess didn’t respond—she was already lost in another world, unable to pull herself out easily.

“It’s no use calling her.”

The reply came from a pleasantly clear voice.

Freuden Ulburk.

True to his status as the son of a high noble, he cast a sharp look at Erendir.

“Her Highness seems to be completely absorbed in the upcoming ball. Looks like she can’t escape from her personal catalogue of which dress to choose.”

“Ah, so it’s because of the ball.”

“Her room is probably stacked high with letters right now—famous brands begging her to wear their sponsored dresses.”

Rine nodded in understanding.

Regardless of her behavior, Erendir’s beauty was undeniable.

Royal blood from the Imperial family.

Innate charisma wasn’t something one could acquire later in life.

Of course, the reaction at the ballroom would depend on what Erendir wore.

If this weren’t Seorn, instead of letters, she would be surrounded by crowds and flattery.

“She’s probably worried about which to pick. She must have her own hopes as well.”

Like making friends far above her station, for instance.

In truth, someone like Erendir didn’t need to obsess over dresses at all.

But her intense focus likely wasn’t about the dress itself—it was about imagining herself at the ball afterward.

She was probably picturing herself entering the contest and becoming the star.

That way, she could impress her juniors and maybe form new connections.

‘It’s a little too transparent, though.’

To students who didn’t know her true nature, they might easily be taken in.

Thinking that made Freuden feel a twinge of irritation.

But he didn’t bother pointing it out—it had nothing to do with him.

The person who did matter to him was someone else.

“I guess nobles get a lot of sponsorship offers,” Rine said with naïve detachment.

Feigning indifference but keeping his tone from sounding too cold, Freuden replied, “It’s a nuisance.”

“Do you get them too, Senior Freuden?”

“Well, yes. Enough to be annoying.”

As the heir to one of the Empire’s Three Ducal Houses, Freuden was certainly a prime target for sponsorship.

And with his striking appearance, there was no shortage of people eager to court his attention.

“Rine, you’re not interested in the ball?”

At his subtle question, Rine smiled softly and shook her head.

“Not really. I’m already busy enough with my studies.”

“It’s a once-a-year event. Even if you can’t be the star, you could still have a rare experience you wouldn’t get otherwise—like the contest. As a Seorn first-year, you’d be expected to look forward to that.”

Among the girls, the hottest topic was definitely the contest—

Miss Seorn, the beauty contest held at the ball to crown the most beautiful attendee.

Having your name listed was every female student’s dream and aspiration.

“Well... I’m not that interested.”

It wasn’t that Rine had never thought about the Miss Seorn contest, but her thoughts had only gone as far as, oh, so that exists.

She had never once imagined herself entering and winning.

Partly because she saw no need—but more than that, she simply wasn’t drawn to it.

Besides, beauty standards varied from person to person, didn’t they?

To her, Seorn was full of beautiful people, male and female.

Trying to decide the “best” among them seemed absurd.

“But you will go to the ball, right?”

“Well, it’s a festival, so skipping it feels wrong. And from what I’ve heard, everyone attends. I was just planning to hang around for a bit, then slip out.”

“That’s a shame.”

“Huh? What’s a shame?”

“That you, Rine—you could definitely be the star there.”

Rine widened her eyes at that, then chuckled as if amused.

“Senior, you don’t have to say that just to flatter me. I know my place.”

“...”

No, he had meant it.

Freuden wondered how he could get her to understand his sincerity.

But being too direct might make her uncomfortable, so he chose his words carefully.

“You’ll need to match the dress code for the ball. Have you picked out a dress yet?”

“No. I wasn’t even thinking about clothes. I figured I’d just get something simple to fit the occasion.”

“That won’t do.”

At Freuden’s firm tone, Rine’s lips parted in surprise.

Realizing he had spoken his mind, he steadied his voice.

“I’ll have one made for you.”

“You will?”

“Yes. I can do at least that much.”

Rine quickly waved her hands.

“No, no. That would be too much. It’d trouble you—”

“I just want to.”

He added a reasonable excuse.

“You’re an important junior to me.”

It was a cover to keep her from seeing his true feelings—but anyone who knew him well would have been shocked to hear it.

Not knowing that, Rine simply thought he was being kind.

“Still...”

“If it bothers you, I’ll make it conditional. I don’t have a partner for the ball yet...”

He was about to get to the point—asking her to be his partner in exchange for the dress.

That was the real goal.

If they could grow closer, maybe he could end this stagnant relationship.

“Huh? Didn’t you get a ton of love letters, Freuden?”

Unfortunately, Erendir chose that exact moment to snap out of her trance and butt in.

This oblivious princess...

Freuden frowned but didn’t ignore her.

“They were all from people aiming for my family. Their intentions were far from pure—why should I accept them?”

“And your intentions are pure?”

Erendir smirked knowingly, poking at him.

Usually clueless, she could be annoyingly perceptive in matters like this.

“Coming from a princess daydreaming about making friends, that’s rich.”

“What did you just say?”

They glared at each other.

Like oil and water, their gazes were filled with mutual disdain.

“Uh, I’ll be going now.”

Rine knew from experience that she couldn’t mediate between them.

Their petty quarrels had been going on for a while—and by now, they were so routine that it was almost strange when they didn’t happen.

Intervening was pointless, so she chose to slip away naturally.

If she stayed, she’d just get caught up in it.

‘The ball, huh.’

Still, what Freuden had said lingered in her mind.

She headed straight for the library.

Spotting a familiar face there, she naturally sat beside her and explained her situation in detail.

“So, what do you think I should do?”

“...Was that question directed at me?”

White hair falling loosely around her face, Julia Plumehart stared at Rine in disbelief.

Without warning, Rine had sat beside her, poured out an unsolicited story, and now was asking for advice.

“I figured I could get at least some advice.”

“I don’t recall us being that close. Didn’t I tell you before not to talk to me?”

Even with that sharp pushback, Rine smiled brightly.

“Come on, it’d be nice if we were closer—we know each other’s secrets, after all.”

“...”

That guileless answer left Julia at a loss for words.

Normally, when she spoke like that, people either got angry or shrank back—but Rine’s reaction was something ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) she had never experienced.

“You’re not going to the ball, Julia?”

“No. I don’t care about that stuff.”

“Really? Then I guess I can’t ask you about the dress code.”

Something about that remark pricked Julia’s pride.

Even knowing Rine hadn’t meant anything by it—

No, perhaps it was precisely because she knew Rine had no such intention that she said it.

“Then why not ask someone who dresses well for help?”

“Someone who dresses well?”

“You know. Someone who seems like they’d know about these things. Professor Ludger Cherish.”

Of course, even if Ludger dressed impeccably, there was no way he’d give advice on something like this.

Julia had only mentioned his name to tease Rine.

But ironically, Rine took the words as serious advice and nodded.

“I’ll do that.”

“...What?”

Wait—really?

Julia stared wide-eyed as Rine stood, thanked her, and walked away with light, graceful steps.

She didn’t take her eyes off Rine’s retreating back until the girl had completely disappeared from the library.

* * *

Once outside, Rine didn’t head straight for Ludger.

It wasn’t a question about class, and going to him just to talk about the upcoming ball felt awkward.

I know Professor is kinder than he looks and treats me well... but to run up to him for something this personal...

If it were a chance meeting in passing, that would feel more natural.

But something that convenient wasn’t likely to happen—

“...”

—Yet it did.

She spotted Ludger walking toward her from the opposite end of the corridor.

Was this fate’s little joke?

Ludger noticed her too and approached at a measured pace, every step carrying an air of calm authority.

Just watching him draw closer was enough to make her breath catch slightly.

“Cinderella.”

“...Pardon?”

Rine blinked at the unfamiliar word.

“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”

“Ah, I see.”

She answered, hesitating over whether to speak up.

She’d thought she’d be glad to run into him, but she hadn’t expected it to actually happen. Now she didn’t know what to say first.

With anyone else, she could act naturally—but with Ludger, it just didn’t come easily.

Why was that?

She even remembered hearing news that Ludger Cherish had attended the recent Mystic Night, which meant he must have gone through something significant.

He looked fine, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask after him.

She was just about to speak when he beat her to it.

“Rine. Are you busy right now?”

“No.”

“I have something to ask you.”

Professor Ludger... asking her?

Feeling a strange, unplaceable emotion, she nodded readily.

“Are you interested in the upcoming ball?”

“I’m planning to attend. It’s one of Seorn’s most famous events, after all.”

“I see. Then—have you chosen a dress yet?”

Rine swallowed.

How strange—she’d been intending to ask him the same thing.

Was this destiny?

“Not yet. But... why do you ask?”

There was a hint of anticipation in her voice as she looked up at him, eyes sparkling like starlight.

“I’m looking for someone to sponsor a dress for. You were the first person who came to mind.”

“R-Really?”

“But what matters is your choice. If it would make you uncomfortable, you don’t have to—”

“I’ll do it!”

Her answer came like a snap of steel, so swift and full of conviction that even Ludger was momentarily taken aback.

* * *

Grand Chapel.

A great cathedral, second only to Centerford in liveliness within Rederbelk.

It was also home to the Lumenis Church’s Rederbelk branch.

New visitors had arrived there.

“It’s an honor to meet you, High Priestess.”

Branch overseer Preden bowed deeply to the woman before him.

Remria, a white tiara over her eyes, gave a light nod in acknowledgment.

“I heard you’ve been busy with matters in the capital.”

“Oh, it’s fine. Everything there has already been resolved.”

“Resolved?”

Preden had his own sources.

Remria, a High Priestess from the Holy Nation, had come to the Empire to investigate an ominous presence in the capital.

Surely it wouldn’t have been easy with the Imperial Court’s interference—how could it be over so soon?

Sensing his doubt, Remria smiled.

“I had help.”

“Help?”

“Elves.”

At that word, Preden’s eyes widened.

“They’re heretics.”

“But to uncover a greater evil, there was no other choice. Our august Father would have wished it so.”

“...And did you gain anything from it?”

Preden wasn’t a man bound purely by doctrine—he knew that, if necessary, even heretical power could be used.

“Of course. And we, in turn, left them a favor to match.”

“A favor from the High Priestess? I’m curious what that could be.”

“Nothing much,” she said, smiling with innocent sweetness.

“I simply told them where to find traces of a blood relative they’d been searching for. As it happens, they’re in this very city.”