By Zephyria 
Nothing much changed, even with the change in address.
I knew Rubel was still struggling to sort out his feelings. Yet, I also knew he couldn’t distance himself from me because of Wesley.
It was rather fortunate. Without such an excuse, I wouldn’t have been able to stay by the child’s side. Thinking that made me anxious and restless.
The new year festival was an event that lasted for fifteen days. I joined the people who, only after the first sun of the new year rose high and illuminated everything, began to head to their rooms to sleep. It was good that Rubel had arranged a room in advance, so I didn’t have to find accommodation for distant guests.
“You can rest here. If you need a servant, pull this cord…”
“Excuse me, is Marianne’s lodging also around here?”
“Uh… No, this is the west side… Young Lady Philodendor is on the east side… Well, Jenny. I arranged for you to share a room with that Young Lady, so she’s placed there. I’ve instructed the servants, so you should be able to find the room easily.”
“Ah.”
Indeed, men and women were separate, so there was no need to place their accommodations close together. I felt pleased, considering it a wise arrangement.
“You did well. Senior… No, what about Rubel’s room?”
“…Here, right next door… to the left.”
“Hmm.”
This, too, was very satisfactory.
Seeing me nod, Rubel asked the reason. I wondered if I should say, but I had already shown wariness towards Wesley several times. Thinking it wouldn’t be anything new, I opened my mouth.
“It’s just that I feel uneasy. If anything happens, please come straight to my room.”
“…Okay. I will. No, nothing will happen, but…”
“I know. Still.”
“…Mhm.”
Seeing him nod obediently put my mind at ease. Yes, if it was the room right next door, I could deal with anything that happened quickly, so I felt relieved. Although I couldn’t bring my usual longsword, I had managed to hide a Flying Dagger, which was fortunate as no one found out.
After saying goodbye several times, telling him to sleep well and see him in the afternoon, I let the child go in and entered my own room.
It was a splendid and well-decorated room. I could tell I was being treated generously. I gave a short laugh upon seeing the traditional Korean sweets placed on the reception room table.
Instead of going into the bedroom, I sat down heavily in the middle of the reception room. The thick carpet meant the floor didn’t feel cold. I immediately assumed the Lotus Position, placing my hands on my knees.
My intention was to dispel fatigue through Circulating Qi and sharpen my mind and body. I didn’t want to be careless with an enemy nearby. I needed to bring my body to its optimal state.
❖ ❖ ❖
The Imperial Palace’s new year festival was a gathering that brought together all the Young Masters and Young Ladies of similar age.
While Rubel sat in a designated spot at the side of the ballroom under the responsibility of the royalty, I was also in the main hall.
I was concerned that I hadn’t received my knight’s title yet, but I endured it by seeing with my own eyes that Rubel and Lucilla’s seats were close, and Richard and Wesley were seated across the way.
After all, what could I do if I couldn’t endure it?
I had suspicions but no proof. I couldn’t just charge at someone I couldn’t defeat even if I attacked them immediately.
I stood in a spot close to the wall, which meant I didn’t have to dance, and quietly surveyed my surroundings.
Marianne and Jenny, concerned that I was alone, chattered and acted cute by my side. Even though I told them it was fine and to leave me alone, the children brought food and insisted I try this and that, making me laugh in the end.
At that moment, I felt a gaze and looked up.
Glotin Tenner. That fellow was staring at Ikyun with a pale face.
He had supposedly taken a leave of absence from the academy, so how did he manage to show up at a place like this? I clicked my tongue in annoyance and looked around, but Oliver Combine was nowhere to be seen.
Worried that Marianne might be unnecessarily bothered, I blocked his gaze with my body.
“This is really delicious!”
“Yes. It really wakes me up.”
“Exactly. This is the best for the new year festival. To be able to taste Imperial Palace desserts to my heart’s content, it feels like we’re beside a goddess.”
“You know, they say there are nine gods, so why do you always call out to the goddess?”
As if it were an unexpected topic, Marianne and Jenny exchanged glances and giggled.
“You’re right? Huh. I called out to the goddess so naturally. Why?”
“Perhaps it’s because the ninth god is depicted as male. Like, ‘Please, any god but the ninth god, help me,’ with the feeling of wanting any god other than the ninth one?”
“I think it’s just because it’s two syllables. ‘Goddess!’ sounds better than just ‘God!’… The gap between opening your mouth for ‘Go’ and closing it for ‘dness’.”
“…Wow, hearing it like this feels strange. It reminds me of when I was learning poetics…”
While the children chattered amongst themselves, I glanced back. Glotin Tenner, with his bright hair, was easily noticeable anywhere. His hair color didn’t catch my eye as I scanned the surroundings.
I turned back to face the wall and looked across at Rubel.
As expected, our eyes met. Rubel was the first to make eye contact, so I smiled back.
“Speaking of which, Michael, didn’t you call Your Highness by a nickname just now?”
Marianne glanced in the direction of my gaze, then tugged on my sleeve and asked. I had no intention of hiding it, so I nodded readily.
“Yes. I did.”
“Ah, I knew it! …Did he confess to you?”
“What? No.”
“Whaaat? Why? I even gave you space on purpose!”
“Isn’t Senior the one who will become Emperor? There might be issues with succession, and… we don’t have feelings for each other.”
Who would be disappointed? I put on a more disappointed expression. Seeing Marianne and Jenny’s crestfallen faces, I laughed out loud.
Yes, it was arranged with care.
Because the dawn spent with Rubel had filled my heart so much, it was a very good time, so I thanked them late.
“Still, thanks to you, I had a good time. Thank you, Marianne.”
“No, seriously… My intuition has never been wrong.”
“Well, strange things happen in life.”
As I was gently pacifying them, Jenny spoke up softly.
“Michael… are you okay, though?”
“Hm? What about?”
“No… The fact that the Princes are sitting there. It’s a place to look for a consort, isn’t it? Even if the First Prince’s options have narrowed down to one of two, the Second Prince hasn’t yet…”
“…If they find a good match, that’s good.”
I was surprised to realize my voice had become subdued. I chuckled as I saw Marianne pinch Jenny’s side.
Yes, we didn’t have feelings for each other. Rubel wouldn’t cling to me anymore, and I… I shouldn’t have brought the child over for no reason.
My eyes met Rubel’s again. Seeing him feign tiredness with a nod made me smile. I leaned against the wall, smiling foolishly.
Without taking my eyes off Rubel’s clear face, I engaged with the girls standing beside me with my lips only.
“Still, I want to protect him.”
“…Like a princess and her bodyguard?”
“It would be more like a prince… but Rubel is quite shy, so I’m worried about him.”
“I see… You’re worried, are you.”
“Yes.”
Why was she drawing out her words like that? Puzzled, I saw Marianne quickly put another cookie in my mouth. I accepted it obediently, chewed, and shrugged. After all, it wasn’t the first time this child had made a fuss.
I just dismissed it as a trivial matter and laughed it off.
When the time for dancing together ended, Rubel also left, saying he was returning to his room.
I hesitated about following him, but other children swarmed over, saying the real debutante ball was about to begin, and I readily agreed.
I had heard many times that the fifteen days of the new year festival involved dancing, eating, drinking, and socializing.
We had danced and dined, so it must be time to meet people.
I joined a large gathering organized by Shayden and Damian. In the spacious garden, decorated with colorful flowers and magic stones unsuited for the season, dozens of tables, each seating about three to four people, were placed with ample space between them.
We sat with teacups in front of us, occasionally changing seats, and engaged in pleasantries. Familiar and unfamiliar faces gathered amongst themselves, exchanging private conversations in low voices.
Shayden added explanations in a small voice beside me.
“You don’t need to memorize everyone’s name. Just tell me later if there’s someone you like or want to get closer to.”
“…If you want to get closer to someone.”
“This is like a ‘Spring Dance’ and ‘Summer Dance’ gathering. It’s a place for strangers to greet each other and make acquaintances. People usually find those they want to invite to a real tea party five days from now here.”
“A real tea party?”
“Yes. Well, sometimes it’s for business talks… or just someone you want to get closer to. Someone you feel good about, or who talks well, or is witty… I’ll help you if you find someone you like.”
I sat down, dumbfounded. However, seeing the girls sitting opposite me looking excessively shy, I let out a hollow laugh.
So, these young girls are being considered as potential partners for me… Is this a matchmaking event?
There was no one who could possibly capture my interest, but I also had no reason to be harsh to the eager girls who were coming out into society for the first time. I kept letting out hollow breaths but answered their questions well.
It wasn’t just girls who sat before me; sometimes, boys curious about news from the Ernhardt family would sit and leave.
Most asked about their favorite foods or animals, but a few asked how they could improve their realm if they used a sword. In those cases, I tried to explain in detail.
By then, I found it not unpleasant to mingle with the young children and hear various news.
This was something I had become quite accustomed to, having lived in dormitories at the academy and often eating with strangers. I felt proud and amused that I could blend in seamlessly among them.
As the sun set and the surroundings grew dark, people began to say their goodbyes and leave. I also told my close companions that I was going to rest and left the gathering.
Without incident, I opened the door to the room Rubel had shown me yesterday and entered. A familiar figure was sitting on the reception room sofa, looking directly at me. I let out another hollow breath. Speechless, I just stared.
“…Why are you here?”
It was Rubel.