Chapter 148

…She’s really going to do this?

Honestly, I didn’t expect it at all. I thought what she said at the party was just a joke.

But it wasn’t.

And…

‘What in the world is this crazy performance?’

Her movements were like a swallow, graceful and swift. It was impressive in itself, but the problem was that the place and her attire didn’t match at all.

Where in the world is there a woman who would perform such a technique in a ballroom while wearing a dress?

It’s a showmanship that’s hard to follow.

Then, as if to confirm her intentions, she added, “I’ll be waiting for your choice.”

Those words from the princess weren’t simply about becoming a public enemy of the men.

The first prince, Adolf Peresia, was a terrifying man who was no less formidable than the first princess. He was the kind of man who would meticulously check even a single mouse to find out who was on the side of his rival, the princess. It meant that she could potentially be under his watchful eye.

She said those words, which hinted at an unusual relationship, in front of this many people, so there was no way a man like Prince Adolf would simply ignore it.

‘…This is just going to cause me trouble.’

The protagonist was from a minor family on the outskirts, so he was far from the attention of the central imperial power.

I’m different.

I’m the heir to the Celtrine family, a prominent family in the empire known for its wealth, and my fiancée is a master-level swordsman, a genius even in the Ernbert family, a renowned martial arts family.

There were more than enough reasons to be wary, even without any provocation.

But now there’s provocation?

There’s no need for further explanation.

‘Whatever, that’s for later.’

Right now, I need to decide what answer to give the princess in front of me.

Ignoring the insults and jeers, I took a moment to gather my thoughts and then took a step towards the princess.

I didn’t want anyone else to hear our conversation.

“Why are you doing this?”

I asked in a low voice.

“Huhu, I’m just expressing my feelings.”

The princess answered in a low voice, as if she understood my intentions.

You should have done that earlier. What’s the point now?

“Are you upset that I rejected your proposal?”

I asked directly.

“Oh, come on. It’s just that I’m disappointed.”

Oscar, the princess, immediately denied it.

Really?

But why are you making things difficult for me?

“Then what’s the reason?”

“What? I said I’m just expressing my feelings…”

“Be more specific.”

“More specific? Well, it’s just that…I think it would be more fun to be partners with you, Senior Max, than with those ord…….. guys. Is that clear?”

She was about to call them “ordinary guys,” but quickly changed her mind.

She must have been swept up in the atmosphere of the ball, as her true nature was about to show.

Well, this thrilling survival ball is definitely right up her alley.

“…I understand what you mean, but did you really need to put on such a performance?”

“Oh, was it a bit much?”

“It wasn’t a bit. It was a lot.”

“Oh, I’m sorry if I caused any trouble.”

She’s so good at giving a quick apology, I don’t know what to say.

It’s not like I’m in a position to say anything, though.

“It’s fine. It can’t be helped.”

I said the final words I had prepared.

“Whatever, I’m going to make my decision based on my own convictions, without being swayed by the atmosphere. That’s my answer to your words.”

“Huhu, is that so? That’s why I said I’ll be waiting for your choice.”

The princess laughed.

“Then I’ll take that as my answer. I’ll be going now.”

“Go ahead. Oh, please try to leave normally this time.”

“Of course.”

She nodded politely with a smile and left.

Seeing her walk away with quick steps calmed me down.

Honestly, I was curious.

If this were a game where you could restart, I would have considered the option of going through the entire ball with the princess to see what would happen.

But since there’s no such thing, I couldn’t make that choice just to satisfy my curiosity.

‘One option eliminated.’

I erased the princess from my list with a firm stroke of my eraser.

* * *

“Ma-Max, Senior, what in the world…?”

Annette,a girl. seemed quite surprised by Max’s “manliness.”

Even from a woman’s perspective, it was impossible to deny that these were the most beautiful women in the ecosystem.

It was no wonder she reacted that way, as those women were all lining up to wait for Max’s choice, as if it were a lie.

“What do you think?”

Camian casually asked Alfred, trying to act nonchalant.

But he was secretly speechless.

He had expected something to happen, but he hadn’t expected that Max would shock everyone with such a captivating performance followed by such shocking words.

He had thought that Max was always like that when he was with the princess, but it seemed he had a fiery side to him in this area too.

Of course, itask was Max who had made this side of him, which no one knew about, come out.

“…Don’t .”

Alfred replied with a grim expression.

“What?”

“I lost miserably, so don’t ask.”

Alfred finally admitted defeat.

He had been hit with such a devastating blow, there was nothing left to say.

“What’s with everyone’s taste? Is that style the new trend these days…?”

Alfred admitted defeat, but he was still confused. He furrowed his brow and thought seriously.

He was narrow-minded, but he wasn’t a man with a small heart.

He would admit what he had to admit, even if he hated it, and learn if there was something to be learned.

That’s why he was thinking seriously.

He was wondering what the secret was to his popularity, the secret to winning over the hearts of those 10s.

“That’s your limitation.”

Camian suddenly said something profound with a serious expression.

Alfred frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m saying don’t just look at the surface for answers. That senior is not someone you can judge by appearances.”

Camian’s declaration.

It was a declaration born of experience.

He had also made hasty judgments based on appearances.

“You’re saying it’s about the inside, not the outside. That’s such a cliché.”

“Well, at least one thing is certain. That senior definitely has a power to draw people to him.”

Camian was certain.

Max’s relationships weren’t necessarily vast, as if he had a huge network.

He had a sharp personality and was sometimes selfish.

But he had genuine relationships with all kinds of people, enough to make up for it.

Camian himself and Annette.

The headmaster of the swordsmanship academy, Turk.

The second-year seniors he hung out with, and Senior Elaine.

His fiancée, Student Council President Regina.

Even the people living underground and their leader, Gwen.

And now, the relationship with the high elf senior and the princess, who were sitting at the same table, was confirmed.

The proposition that he was a popular guy is true.

And there are probably even more hidden relationships, so it’s even truer.

‘…I still have a long way to go.’

Camian, who had openly set his sights on Max, once again felt the gap.

It wasn’t just about personal strength. Those aspects were also a clear ability and strength of Max as a person.

Something to learn from.

Anyway…

“I won, Alfred.”

Camian enjoyed his victory once again.

“Yeah, I lost, didn’t I?”

“It’s my victory, Alfred.”

“I know, I lost, you jerk!”

“I won, Alfred.”

“…”

“I won, Alfred.”

“Ugh! Stop it already, you jerk…”

Alfred, about to curse in anger, realized his partner was sitting next to him, and he barely managed to shut his mouth.

Then Alfred realized something profound.

He should never make a bet with Camian.

‘I thought he was a normal guy, but this guy has a strange vibe…’

“I w…”

“Hey, let’s move seats.”

Alfred, his face pale, quickly got up and moved seats with his partner.

* * *

Gulp, gulp.

As if to regain her composure, Amy drank a glass of cold water.

Bang.

She slammed the empty glass down on the table.

“Is this even real?”

She looked like she couldn’t believe what had happened.

“We’re watching it live.”

Meanwhile, Diana, her best friend, was busy writing something in her empty notebook.

She was smiling contentedly, as if she was pleased with the way things were going.

“Tsk, I thought everyone was just joking.”

“What did you see? It didn’t seem like that at all.”

“Really? I don’t know.”

“You can tell by her eyes, her eyes. Her mouth was smiling, but her eyes were serious.”

“So, you’re saying you’re in on it too?”

“Oh, come on. I was just joking. I thought the princess was joking too, but it was honestly unexpected.”

“See, you didn’t know.”

“It’s the princess who’s weird.”

Diana’s notebook already had a line written in it as she answered.

– The princess. She’s very good at hiding her feelings.

“Weird or not, it’s shocking. It’s one thing for other people, but the princess, wouldn’t she have been surrounded by good men since she was little? Why would she choose a guy like that…?”

Amy said, looking completely bewildered.

“What kind of palace are you talking about? The palace in your imagination?”

Diana clicked her tongue.

“Huh? I don’t know.”

“…”

Diana chuckled, looking at Amy’s shameless expression.

“What are you writing?”

Thwack!

As soon as she spoke, Amy snatched Diana’s notebook.

“Ouch, that’s rude!”

Diana’s lips pouted.

“You made me curious.”

Amy quickly checked the contents of the notebook, blaming her friend.

The first thing she saw was…

– Max. He’s incredibly popular with beautiful women. His style is diverse, too. The elegant and graceful high elf, the princess with her perpetual smile and gentle nature, Elaine, who’s kind and pure, and Riera, who’s unpredictable and has a strange way of speaking, but it’s cute. (?? – I’m not sure about the cold city beauty, Student Council President Regina). Who will Max choose?

“Incredibly popular with beautiful women…”

Amy muttered, her eyes narrowed.

“Hey, hey, don’t read that.”

“Ugh, I can’t agree with that.”

“It doesn’t matter if you agree or not. It’s a fact.”

“Ugh, you’re so cold, Diana.”

“Give it back.”

“Tsk.”

Amy handed the notebook back to Diana.

Then she complained.

“Don’t put the Student Council President in the same category.”

“I didn’t put her in the same category. It’s in parentheses.”

“What’s the difference?”

“It means I’m not sure.”

“What? You said it was almost certain that they were over.”

“That was before the Student Council President went to the table where he was and said something meaningful.”

“Me-meaningful? What did you make up this time?”

Amy was about to grill her when…

Suddenly, the crowd around them erupted.

The commotion was palpable.

“He-He’s finally making his move!”

“Damn it, is it starting?”

“This world is so unfair. That guy has a 0% chance of failure.”

“He has a 100% chance for four girls, so that’s 400%? What kind of crazy math is that?”

“…What kind of country uses that math?”

“Shut up and tell me if he’s really going to fail. Is there any chance he’ll suddenly go crazy and choose someone else? If that guy ends up with the princess or the high elf, I’m going to be so upset, I’ll die.”

“There’s no chance, so write your will now.”

“Ugh.”

Amidst the murmurs, everyone’s gaze was focused on one place.

Of course, it was Max Celtrine.

Diana’s eyes sparkled.

“Huhu, finally.”

Amy muttered.

“…Honestly, I’m curious.”

She couldn’t help but be curious, so she fixed her gaze on Max.

* * *

There’s no need to rush.

I deliberately stopped in the middle.

It’s not easy to get this much attention, especially at a ball.

I decided to enjoy the moment.

After a while, I started walking again.