"It is a pleasure to have been invited, Lord Leonhardt," Melion said, her voice firm as she rose from her slight bow.
'Not a pleasure for me…'
"Oh please, Melion, we've known each other for years. No need for formalities," Leonhardt replied, his tone lighthearted.
In an instant, he closed the distance between them, moving so fast that Lindarion barely registered it.
The young elf's eyes widened in surprise, but he forced himself to remain composed.
Whispers rippled through the ballroom.
'I hate being in the center '
"And this must be your son, young Prince Lindarion, correct…?"
Leonhardt seemed ready to continue, but the moment his gaze met Lindarion's, his pupils dilated. A sudden smile spread across his face.
"Yes, Leon. He's quite the talented child—smart as well," Melion said, dropping the formalities as requested.
"Of that, I have no doubt."
His voice carried a strange certainty, as if he knew something others did not.
'Did he notice the Mana Core?'
"It is an honor to be so highly regarded, Lord Leonhardt," Lindarion said, offering a slight bow toward the King of Humans.
"Come on, Lindarion. You're the son of my best friend. It's unfortunate that Eldrin couldn't make it…"
Leonhardt's grin widened, but something about it felt off—a bit too broad, a bit too knowing. An unease settled in Lindarion's stomach.
"Enjoy the ball," Leonhardt declared before vanishing back to his throne in an instant.
'That was… unpleasant.'
The whispers only grew louder, the weight of countless stares pressing down on Lindarion. His mother ignored them entirely, gracefully making her way toward a couple nearby. With little else to do, he simply followed.
The pair appeared to be around fifty.
"Melion," they greeted with polite bows.
"Evelyne, Darius," Melion responded, returning the gesture with a slight nod.
"And this must be the young prince."
They turned to Lindarion and bowed slightly. He returned the gesture out of courtesy.
"Lady Evelyne, Lord Darius. My name is Lindarion Sunblade," he said, standing straight as an arrow.
"You're quite the polite little prince," Evelyne noted, her voice gentle yet refined.
"Our children didn't want to come, though we had hoped they would," Darius added with a light chuckle, though there was genuine regret in his tone.
'I don't want to be here either…'
Before Lindarion could dwell on the thought any longer, Leonhardt's booming voice shattered his focus.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! PRESENTING MY DAUGHTER, PRINCESS VIVIENNE VALERIAN, AND MY SON, PRINCE JACK VALERIAN!"
All eyes snapped toward the grand doors as a young girl and boy walked in.
The entire hall erupted into applause—Melion included.
'So we need to clap…?'
Not wanting to stand out, Lindarion hesitantly joined in, watching the two as they entered. Then, as if by fate, the princess's gaze met his—but almost immediately, she turned her head away.
His smile faltered slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching.
'Did she seriously just turn away?'
He couldn't even process what had happened. He didn't even know her.
'Whatever. It's not important.'
Turning back to his mother, he found her already deep in conversation with Darius and Evelyne.
'Great. Now what am I supposed to do?'
With nothing better to do, he found an empty seat and sat down, tuning everything out as he sank into his thoughts.
'This whole thing is pointless—'
A tap on his shoulder pulled him back to reality. Turning to the side, he found himself momentarily confused—until he recognized the boy standing before him.
"You're sitting in my seat."
Jack pointed at the chair's back, where his name was engraved. His voice was laced with disgust, though Lindarion had no idea why.
"I must not have noticed. I'll move—"
Lindarion began to stand, ready to vacate the seat, but before he could step away, Jack clicked his tongue.
"Do you think anyone wants to sit where you just sat?"
A few heads turned in their direction.
Lindarion's voice was soft, his expression calm, as if he hadn't quite processed what he had just heard. Because he hadn't.
"I said, do you think any human wants to sit where an elf has sat?"
"I'm sure they can bring another chair if His Majesty finds this one unsuitable," Lindarion said smoothly, his tone dripping with irony as he exaggerated the words His Majesty.
Jack's expression darkened. Frustration crept into his face.
By now, a couple people had taken notice—among them, his guards and Lindarion's as well. Especially Therion, who immediately started moving toward him.
'I don't want to cause a scene in a place .'
So, Lindarion did the last thing anyone expected.
He was the bigger man and let it go.
A hushed silence followed. Even Therion's eyes widened.
"I will be more mindful in the future."
Jack muttered under his breath, low enough that no one would really hear—but by now, only some people were watching.
Without hesitation, Lindarion turned and walked toward Therion.
As he reached him, he looked up, and Therion looked down at him. Fury burned in the guard's eyes.
"How dare he speak to the Elven Prince like that…?! We must tell Lady—"
Therion muttered under his breath, his hand drifting toward the hilt of his sword. But before he could go any further, Lindarion stepped in front of him.
His voice was steady—firm, but understanding.
He grasped the sleeve of the knight's tunic and began leading him away from the scene.
"Do you really think this is worth making a fuss over?"
Despite what had just happened, Lindarion's tone remained calm.
"Even so! A prince should never be talked to like that! It's—"
"Is it worth it? We aren't in our own land. Letting it go is the best choice to avoid conflict."
Lindarion's words seemed wise, his voice sharper this time. It indeed was the best choice, causing a conflict in a place full of high ranking nobles wouldn't be the best decision. Not at all.
Therion's grip on his sword loosened, but the fire in his eyes remained.
'At least I know he's loyal. But he's not very wise… He could use some self-control.'
Just then, music filled the ballroom.
'…No. No, no, please, anything but this.'
And once again, Leonhardt's voice thundered through the hall, loud enough to make Lindarion's eardrums ache.
"ONCE AGAIN, I WELCOME EVERYONE WHO HAS COME TO HONOR MY DAUGHTER TONIGHT! THIS BALL CELEBRATES HER SIXTH BIRTHDAY!"
A soft elbow nudge from the side caught Lindarion's attention. Melion leaned down and whispered into his ear.
"It's not actually her birthday today. They just took a long time to organize it. Vivienne has been six for weeks now."
She let out a quiet chuckle.
'And what exactly am I supposed to do with this information?'
Silently, Lindarion sipped from the glass of water a young servant had placed beside him.
'Hopefully, no one's name is engraved on this one.'
"AND NOW, THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT—MY LITTLE GIRL'S FIRST DANCE! VIVIENNE, CHOOSE A PARTNER, PLEASE!"
Vivienne nodded and began walking toward the crowd. Naturally, Jack shot to his feet, standing tall with a bright, confident smile as he stepped toward her.
"Sister, would you do me the hono—"
But Vivienne simply walked right past him.
'…She's heading this way. Please, gods, tell me she's not coming here…I just wanted to live this life to the fullest..why must this happen to me.'
Step by step, she kept moving forward.
Melion smiled knowingly, as if she had expected this all along…maybe she did or maybe she didn't.
'…I'm doomed. Someone, please, save me.'
Then, Vivienne stopped in front of him.
Lindarion's eyes widened. The smile on his face began to crumble, his lips trembling slightly.
"I want to dance with him."
The entire hall went silent.
All eyes were on him. Then on Vivienne. Then back on him.
'…This has to be a joke. Right? Right?'