Ch.114114. The Ball

“Are you an acquaintance of Miss Maya?”

The young man looked back and forth between Maya and Rex as he asked. Maya didn’t answer the question, instead giving Rex a peculiar look.

‘An acquaintance, huh.’

Rex nodded slowly. During the month-long journey from Edenhar to Elysium, Maya and Zaide had sat in the driver’s seat, leading the carriage. They hadn’t particularly developed a deep friendship, just exchanged occasional small talk here and there… but still, they were closer than complete strangers, weren’t they?

“Um, the one I mentioned before…”

Maya whispered to the young man in a cautious tone. The young man’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Ah! I’ve heard all about you. The genius knight who’s a disciple of Charlotte and has already reached the stage of Radiance. Seeing you in person, you’re much younger than I expected.”

It seems his story had already spread widely throughout Elysium. Rex waved his hands with an embarrassed expression.

“Strictly speaking, I’m not her disciple. I was fortunate enough to receive some guidance from her. I owe Lady Charlotte a great deal in many ways.”

“Haha, even if you say you’re not her disciple, the world won’t believe it. There’s nothing hotter in the current Empire than the rumor that the Apostle of the Sword dotes on a young man. Anyone who’s in the know has heard about you. People are buzzing, wondering if the Sword Order has finally selected a successor.”

“I am not a successor.”

“I know. The Apostle of Gold personally guaranteed that you have no connection to the Sword Order. Those who misunderstand are third-rate people who haven’t heard the accurate story.”

The young man extended his hand with a smile curling at his lips.

“I’m late with my introduction. I am Claine von Drachenfelt.”

“Rex von Calibrant.”

“You’re not surprised.”

When Rex tilted his head with a puzzled expression, Claine blinked as if Rex’s reaction was unexpected, then burst into laughter. Claine wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes with his finger.

“Well, this is embarrassing. I apologize. It’s been so long since someone didn’t react to my name that I couldn’t help myself.”

“Sir Claine is the eldest son of the Drachenfelt family.”

Maya cleared her throat and joined the conversation.

“My grandfather is the Chancellor.”

Claine added with a smirk. The Chancellor is the minister who controls all administration and military affairs of the Empire. Except for the Emperor and the King, the Chancellor enjoys the highest power in this continent. And the current Chancellor is… Rex’s eyes widened.

“…the Apostle of Judgment.”

Alvar von Drachenfelt. The Apostle of the Order. The surname of Claine standing before him was also Drachenfelt. Recalling this, Rex remembered that Drachenfelt was a ducal family of the Empire. Claine chuckled and released the handshake.

“Don’t be intimidated. While my grandfather is certainly a great man, I myself am nothing special. Compared to you, who became a knight at eighteen and has a bright future ahead, I’m little more than an idler.”

“You’re being modest. You seem to have plenty of talent as a Sacred Awakener yourself.”

Rex replied in a matter-of-fact voice. That wasn’t flattery but sincere. Claine appeared to be in his late twenties. Judging by his aura, his level was at the threshold of Sacred Flame. Not as good as Rex, but certainly not a level to be looked down upon.

“Indeed, you assessed me at a glance even though I was concealing my energy. You truly are exceptional. I wasn’t trying to deceive you. It’s true that I’m lacking. If I couldn’t even manage this much, I wouldn’t be qualified to become the head of the Drachenfelt family. To succeed my grandfather’s position, I need to work even harder.”

Claine shifted his gaze to the table with food on it.

“Do you have company? There are two plates.”

“Yes. Is Maya your partner, Sir Claine?”

“Call me Claine. I’m not great enough to deserve such formality from you. It sounds too distant. Or better yet, how about calling me ‘brother’? I don’t know about you, but I’d like to become friends with you. After all, that’s the purpose of this ball—to socialize with new acquaintances.”

“Isn’t it too soon for such familiar terms?”

“The sooner we meet, the more meaningful time we can spend together in the days ahead. Don’t feel pressured. Go on, try it.”

Rex scratched his cheek awkwardly. There was no harm in calling him brother. Above all, the other party was the future head of one of the Empire’s most prestigious families. Charlotte had sent him here with the intention of experiencing the noble world and making friends if possible.

Meanwhile, Claine was still staring at him with sparkling eyes. Finally, Rex spoke in a reluctant voice.

“…Brother.”

“Well said, little brother. I feel better speaking comfortably like this. Ah, so… what was I asking about?”

“I asked if Maya was your partner, brother. This is… a ball, isn’t it?”

When Rex stammered his question, Claine waved his hand with a hearty laugh.

“While Maya is certainly beautiful, we’re not that kind of relationship. We’re more like employer and bodyguard. And I brought her to maintain appearances, given the nature of this place.”

“Nature?”

“Come to think of it, this is your first visit here? Then it’s understandable you don’t know. Listen carefully. The Darmua Club is a ball, but not an ordinary one. There are more interesting things here.”

Claine turned his head abruptly to look into the distance, then continued.

“No one has started yet. But you’ll be able to see soon enough. It’s quite entertaining to watch. I’ve secured a good spot—would you like to join me?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to decline for now. I have company.”

Rex answered with a wry smile. While joining Claine wouldn’t be bad, he needed to get Chloe’s consent first. Quite some time had passed due to his chance encounter with Maya. He needed to return to Chloe, who was likely waiting alone.

“Can’t be helped.”

Claine nodded without showing any particular disappointment.

“I’ll be on the second-floor terrace. Feel free to come up anytime you wish, little brother.”

“Yes… brother.”

“Haha! It seems we’ll need a long time to truly become close.”

Claine waved his hand and turned around. Maya bowed her head to Rex and followed after him.

‘I’ve suddenly gained a brother.’

Rex sighed lightly as he picked up the plates. Fortunately, the food hadn’t cooled yet. As for the drinks… perhaps he should put them down and come back for them later.

As he was thinking this and taking a step forward—

“You presumptuous wench!”

A sharp cry pierced his ears.

***

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have come.’

Chloe thought with an expressionless face.

‘He said he was going to get food, but when is he coming back? It’s not even that far away.’

When they first entered the ballroom, her heart had raced at the sight she’d never seen before. Magnificent chandeliers sparkled on the high ceiling, and an orchestra played romantic melodies on the stage. The sweet atmosphere floating in the air and the joyful laughter—all of it intoxicated Chloe.

Maybe I should dance with Rex like them. I shouldn’t step on his feet by mistake, so I should imagine it in my head first. Here, I’ll lift my foot lightly like this. I should pull up my dress a little so it doesn’t get in the way.

She had been smiling with such thoughts, but—

“Lindveil? Where is that again?”

That smile was quickly erased.

“It doesn’t matter. It must be a beautiful domain that produced the beautiful Miss Chloe’s beauty. Isn’t that right?”

“Hans is making a sensible remark for once. Heh heh, Miss Chloe. If I ever get the chance, I will certainly visit Lindveil. With a bouquet of flowers befitting you.”

“I was about to say the same thing. I would not only bring a bouquet but an armful of other gifts as well! Perhaps a ruby necklace to match your red hair! My Gisel Viscounty has been famous for its gem mines since ancient times. I’ll bring the largest and most beautiful ruby from our viscounty.”

“Then I will…”

How annoying.

Really. Perhaps she should have ignored them from the start. Chloe clenched her fist resting on her knee. The group that approached shortly after Rex left included both men and women, which had made her let her guard down.

‘You look lonely by yourself. Would you like to join us? Don’t misunderstand. We all just met here too.’

‘That’s alright. I have company.’

‘If you have company, that’s even better. Joy increases when shared. We’ll wait until your friend returns. May I ask the lady’s name?’

She had given her name readily only out of consideration for Rex’s position. Chloe had merely accompanied Rex, but Rex was different. Experiencing the noble world and possibly making friends with nobles—this might be an opportunity for Rex. These people didn’t seem particularly bad either.

‘…I’m Chloe.’

‘A name as lovely as your beauty!’

She regretted it immediately after giving her name. The men snickered and babbled about things neither asked nor interesting. Where their family was from, how wealthy their household was, and how great they would become in the future.

The conclusion was that they wanted to be her partner.

Nonsense not even worth considering. She rejected them immediately, but the men continued to compete with each other, clamoring to win Chloe’s favor. Their behavior was truly pathetic and absurd. Why were they fighting over someone who had no interest in associating with them?

In every aspect—appearance, ability—they were inferior to Rex. They didn’t even register as potential romantic interests. She just wished they would quickly disappear somewhere.

Moreover—

‘What did I do?’

The gazes of the women who came with the men were unfriendly. It wasn’t hard to understand. From their perspective, Chloe had suddenly appeared and stolen all the men’s attention.

‘I wouldn’t take them even if you offered.’

While their glares weren’t intimidating, it still felt unfair. If they were ignored because of their lacking beauty, they should feel ashamed rather than resenting someone else. Chloe inwardly heaved a deep sigh.

As if irritated by her demeanor, one woman frowned and blurted out.

“I know about Lindveil.”

“…Matilda? You’re still here?”

At the embarrassed voices of the men, Matilda suppressed her rising indignation.

‘Until just now, they were following me around like puppies!’

As Chloe had guessed, Matilda was very displeased with the current situation. How much preparation had she put into today? She had badgered her father to commission a famous tailor and applied layers of makeup.

She was supposed to be the one shining brightest here today. Not this damned woman who appeared out of nowhere. She had made sure all the other women present were less attractive than herself. The men had been grinning like monkeys, and the women had been looking at her with admiration. All of that collapsed in an instant.

‘…What’s so pretty about her?’

Though she denied it in her mind, Matilda knew that Chloe possessed beauty incomparable to her own. That made her even angrier. Those almond-shaped eyes that appeared nonchalant, that straight nose. Skin as white as moonlight without any visible makeup. All things Matilda lacked.

Suppressing her inferiority complex, Matilda said:

“Lindveil was a region belonging to the small kingdom of Liberta. I visited there with my father when I was young. It’s a city ruled by Baron Raimund, surrounded by nothing but fields and forests.”

“A place with beautiful nature is good to live in.”

One of the men glanced at Chloe and spoke in a solemn voice. Already enchanted by Chloe’s beauty, the men received anything related to her positively. That’s not it, it’s a rural backwater reeking of animal dung! When the men failed to grasp her intention, Matilda grumbled, then smiled crookedly and asked:

“As far as I know, there are no legitimate nobles in Lindveil other than the Raimund baronial family. I’ve never heard of a lady named Chloe either.”

“Miss Matilda, might you be mistaken? Without being a legitimate noble, she couldn’t have been invited here…”

“No! It’s true! Are you saying I’m lying?”

“I said it was a mistake. Even you, Matilda, are human and might have forgotten something you heard before…”

“Then we can just ask. Aren’t you all curious about Miss Chloe’s family?”

“Well, yes, but… there’s no need to…”

“No! We’ve already introduced our families. It’s impolite for her alone to withhold that information.”

Matilda turned her head, grinding her teeth. Chloe remained silent with an indifferent expression.

“Miss Chloe, what is your family?”

“I am a commoner. Not a noble.”

At those words, Matilda’s lips stretched into a wide grin. The men looked at Chloe with bewildered expressions.

“You could be the child of a wealthy merchant.”

“No. I’m an orphan.”

Chloe replied with a composed face.

“I thought as much.”

Matilda sneered with a smirk.

“No wonder your appearance is so shabby. What’s with that cumbersome dress? A commoner and an orphan, you probably don’t have money… What did you do to dress up and come here?”

Chloe didn’t answer. The question had an obvious intent. However, Matilda had no intention of stopping just because Chloe was ignoring her. Rather, she thought Chloe had finally realized her place and backed down. Once the reins were loosened, her dark inferiority complex spilled out.

“It seems you were trying to climb the social ladder by catching some ignorant noble’s seed, but this is… The name of the Darmua Club will be tarnished. Failing to filter out what should be filtered—it’s not like it used to be.”

“Miss Matilda, your words are too harsh…”

“Shut up. You were flattering me just a moment ago, what happened? Did your thing between your legs die the moment you heard she’s a commoner?”

The man closed his mouth at the vicious mockery. Matilda’s family had the highest authority among the heirs gathered here. This was by Matilda’s design. And Matilda’s words were also true. No matter how beautiful, if she was a commoner, she couldn’t be tempting. If blood were accidentally mixed by mistake, one’s position within the family would be shaken.

‘I miss Rex.’

Chloe let Matilda’s nonsense go in one ear and out the other. You can’t bark back just because a dog barks at you. The changed gazes of the men and the women’s sticky inferiority complex didn’t stir any emotion in her. She hadn’t wanted to befriend them in the first place, so if they distanced themselves on their own, it was welcome to Chloe.

“You did dress up for the ball, I see. From head to toe, things beyond your means. Except for one thing.”

If only she would just keep barking and then leave.

“That brooch. I don’t know where you bought it, but it’s tacky. Why don’t you take it off? No, wait.”

Matilda twisted the corner of her mouth and reached out her hand.

“Let me personally throw it in the trash for you.”

You shouldn’t have touched this, of all things.

“Eek!”

Her body moved before she could even think.

“Stop.”

The wrist she gripped tightly was so fragile it seemed it would break with just a little pressure. Chloe stared at Matilda with cold eyes. Matilda’s complexion turned pale at the sight of the bright yellow glow in Chloe’s eyes.

“L-let go of me!”

Fear was momentary, quickly replaced by anger. Matilda tried to swing her arm, but it remained immobile as if locked in handcuffs. Like when she was caught by a knight after wandering outside her family grounds as a child… no, perhaps even more.

Strong.

“…You presumptuous wench! Do you know who I am? Someone like you—”

“Who are you?”

A voice that cut in sharply. Immediately after, Matilda trembled at the eerie gaze that fell upon her. Everyone gathered there, including her, suddenly felt a chilling sensation.

“I asked who you are.”

A young man stood nearby, holding plates in both hands. He placed the plates one by one on the table. Strangely, the moment they saw him, people’s minds went blank and they couldn’t think. They couldn’t move, just stare blankly.

“…Rex.”

Chloe hesitantly opened her mouth.

“I’m curious. Who exactly are you to be so confident?”

Rex looked at Matilda with an indifferent face.

“Shall we check just how great you are?”

It seems he won’t be making any friends after all.