Chapter 117

Feeling a little helpless, Prince Faradiv looked across the floor. There stood Nina surrounded by beautiful and colorful dresses.

To talk to Nina, he had to break through those ladies.

Wearing a black uniform, the slender Nina stood out among the colorful laces and brilliant colors.

He didn’t have the courage to go through that dazzling wall.

As he stealthily approached the edge of the crowd, Nina’s eyes made eye contact with him. When Nina opened her eyes slightly wide, pretending to know something, she asked for understanding from the ladies, and everyone’s eyes turned his way.

‘It’s chilling.’ (Faradiv)

The ladies covered their mouths with their fans and spoke with a gentle voice, “There’s no helping it since it’s the Prince.” but their facial expressions were nothing like that at all.

Like when the emperor entered the room, the people split up and gave way when Nina strode her way through them. Nina greeted him gracefully.

“Long time no see, Prince.”

“Long time no see. Can we get away from here before I get stabbed to death?”

Nina smiled looking at the women that were staring at Faradiv behind his back with a sullen face.

“Shall we go over there?”

The meeting between the leader of the Black Knights and the Imperial Prince was an interesting subject. As they stood side by side, the eyes of others gathered at the two, and the gap between the others and them widened.

It meant that they were dying of curiosity, but at the same time as the aristocracy retreated, they showed no intent in disturbing their conversation.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you separate from the Duke.”

Nina nodded at Faradiv’s words.

“I have to stand on the side alone.”

Faradiv held back his desire to ask on which side she stood alone.

Nina was popular with both men and women in society. All the doors were wide open to her. Everyone in society invited her to a salon, tea time, and private gatherings.

Even the card club in the capital, famous for being the club of well-known gentlemen, had discussed whether it was allowed for her to enter because Dame Nina was the best knight in the continent.

The club expressed its willingness to give out a membership card if it was okay for her to be an honorary member.

As such, the capital was hot with the stories of Duke Luverne, and as bellacs’ threat became visible, they became even more enthusiastic about the knights.

Of course, the most talked-about issue these days was another topic.

“Have you heard of the Saint?”

Nina nodded at the Faradiv’s words.

“Of course. I didn’t see her, but I heard she showed how to purify the corruption.”

“Yes, everyone was surprised. I don’t know, but I think there’s been a huge increase in donations to the temple these days.”

“Currently, the only place that can deal with the barrier is the temple. Oh, is the Blue Stone Island included?”

He smiled and replied to Nina who had tilted her head.

“I heard that a Wizard Tower will be built on the Luverne estate. Wouldn’t that be more likely the next place for barriers?”

“The rumors are already circulating.”

“My ears are fast.”

That’s how he answered and glanced at Nina. She still had her pigtails and donned a black uniform. But this time, her uniform mixed with blue.

“There’s a mix of blue in your uniform.”

“Oh, it’s for a ball. I thought this would be better than all black, so I made it at the workshop where we make our uniforms, but I don’t think there’s much difference.”

Nina shook her head.

“Do you know that the price of the clothes nowadays depends if you wore it?” (Faradiv)

“Do you think they’re also going to sell this style outside?”

Nina’s eyes widened and Faradiv said, “That’s right.”

He could see several people wearing long coats even at the ballroom now, he can also see a black long coat. The women’s garments also stood out in a dress shaped like a jacket.

“Dame Nina.”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t Dame Nina more famous than I am?”

At Faradiv’s words, Nina looked up at him. Watery-colored eyes silently stared at her. While exchanging letters and talking with each other, he was always polite and never crossed the line.

He wouldn’t be bad as a first lover for a beginner like Nina. She thought deeply and said,

“Would you like to dance?”

Faradiv replied with a smile.

“Gladly.”

The two jumped lightly onto the floor in the middle of the waltz. As the two danced round and round, Charlotte was watching from the other side with hawk eyes.

“How come the prince is more flamboyant?”

Charlotte answered Kell’s whisper.

“Male in ruts are usually flashier.” (Charlotte)

‘How can you say something like that to the Prince of an Empire?’ but Kell answered.

“······It’s not even a courting dance.” (Kell)

This was also not something to say to the prince of an empire. Charlotte, who glanced at Kell as he chuckled, asked.

“Why? Don’t you think they suit each other?” (Kell)

“If I stand here, people won’t talk to me, so it’ll be much more comfortable.” (Charlotte)

Charlotte’s mint-colored eyes stared intently at him, then suddenly turned her head to Nina.

The two people in black uniforms also stood out at the ball. The elite Captain, Charlotte, had a tight defense with people, and anyone approaching her had to brace himself or herself for a shout.

On the other hand, Kell, who has a good personality, was popular among people regardless of gender. When he was fed up with interacting, he would sneak off to Charlotte’s side.

Kell looked around and asked.

“What about Raja?”

“Garden.”

“Alone?”

“He can’t stand it.”

In response to Charlotte, Kell nodded. Raja couldn’t stand the rush of people towards him. But he couldn’t even give a cold answer like Charlotte nor did he like places like the ballroom, where it was always crowded.

Today, the three chased Nina one after another to see if the rest of the elites alone could escort the Duke of Luverne.

Vice-commander Jean followed the Duel as the leader, so he would be fine, but the new elites were the problem.

Kell mumbled.

“Our Commander is very popular, too.”

“Because it’s the Commander.”

Kell had no choice but to agree with Charlotte’s statement, that alone would be enough answer.

“That’s true.”

At the ball, Nina was much nicer toward the girls. Her popularity became high enough to penetrate the ceiling of the Golden hall when she danced with the ladies who became flowers on the wall and beat the bad guys in a duel.

Charlotte flinched.

Kell whispered “What?” in a low voice. Face to face, she replied in an even lower voice.

“Wasn’t the Commander’s expression weird right now?”

“Huh?”

He has no idea.

“It was weird. That must have said something strange to her.”

“I hope the ‘that’ you are referring to, is not the Imperial Prince of the Ebensel Empire.”

Soon he could see that Nina’s face had gotten worse. The smile she had on her face just a moment ago while talking and laughing, fell off and she had a serious face while repeatedly asking something.

“What is it?”

Kell frowned. If he’s talking nonsense to our leader–

Then the entrance to the hall became noisy. Kell and Charlotte looked reflexively over the place, and the black-clad Raja soon caught their eyes. They didn’t know where he came from, but he had their weapon and there was a scuffle with security at the entrance.

As their eyes met, Raja raised his hand and sent a simple sign language.

Bellac.

A lot.

Grade B or higher.

East and west.

Charlotte and Kell at the same time broke through the people dancing on the floor and stood next to Nina.

“Dame Nina?”

There were murmurs and gazes from those confused by their sudden move. Nina grabbed Faradiv’s wrist and started walking.

“Oh, Dame Nina!”

Surprised, he tried to stop her, but Nina’s power was not weak enough for him to be able to do it.

She whispered to him.

“Bellacs are coming.”

“What?”

Faradiv’s face hardened. He looked up and searched for his youngest brother and entourage, Naff, who was drinking champagne over the other side. Noticing that the situation was strange he began to make way to them, at a leisurely pace like that of a royal.

“Charlotte.”

When Nina winked, Charlotte frowned and ran straight to Naff. She dragged him in, and eventually, a voice from somewhere burst out, “What the hell is this?”

Nina kicked her tongue.

“It’s here.”

“What?”

Kiiiieaaaaaayy!

The window broke with an eardrum-splitting-like cry.

“Everyone, get down!”

Nina’s voice resonated more loudly than the screams and the roar.

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