After Baek Yu-Seol and Hong Si-Hwa left the ballroom, Princess Hong Bi-Yeon stopped dancing.
It wasn't because she had grown tired of it.
Previously, she had danced with partners in an effort to form her own faction, even if it was just with one person. But now, there was no need for that, as numerous nobles were naturally flocking to her.
While many approached simply to establish acquaintance, Hong Bi-Yeon had no intention of letting even those connections go to waste.
"Oh my, isn't the Princess only eighteen years old?"
"To think she's already reached Class 6."
"It's unbelievable."
"Princess, what is your relationship with Baek Yu-Seol? Are you really romantically involved…?"
"Hey, you can't ask that here! Are you trying to invite Baek Yu-Seol to your presentation? We all know what you're doing!"
"Ahem, no, it's not like that!"
"Princess, if you have time, perhaps we could revisit the matter that was previously unresolved…"
There were plenty of points about Hong Bi-Yeon that made nobles eager to curry favor with her.
From those proposing to establish a magical shipyard at the newly flourishing Lisbonde Harbor to merchants suggesting expanding businesses through partnerships with Alterisha, to mages interested in meeting Baek Yu-Seol, the offers were endless.
Many were more interested in the power, influence, and connections Hong Bi-Yeon herself possessed than in her status as a royal contender for the throne.
She was fully aware of this.
She knew that business-oriented relationships alone wouldn't be enough to secure her position in the competition for the throne. Only when people were willing to risk their lives to support her would their allegiance become true strength.
'…This is the framework being built now.'
For muscle and flesh to form, a solid framework was first necessary.
Until now, Hong Bi-Yeon had lacked the means and the foundation to attract high-ranking nobles.
But if Hong Biyeon's power grew formidable - her business expanding globally, the treasury filling to the brim, and her connections becoming as strong as a dragon's - then even the neutral nobles and those aligned with Hong Si-Hwa's faction wouldn't remain unmoved.
This was the scenario she had dreamed of.
For nobles to flock to her, not to Princess Hong Si-Hwa.
For those who had turned away from her to return, recognizing her true value.
Hong Bi-Yeon tirelessly engaged with everyone, ensuring she missed no words, responding to every question.
This was the moment she had long dreamed of, and she didn't waste a single second.
And yet...
Even in the midst of all this, her gaze kept drifting toward the exit.
'Baek Yu-Seol…'
The lonely childhood she had endured.
Now, with so many people looking her way, she still felt just as lonely as she had back then.
How could the absence of just one person feel so overwhelming?
Even though this situation had ultimately been created by his absence, if she could turn back time…
She would have chosen Baek Yu-Seol over the support of all these nobles.
'And the others…?'
Flame was nowhere to be seen. She had been dancing with Eisel earlier, but it seemed she had gone after Baek Yu-Seol.
As for Eisel…
Surprisingly, she had seamlessly mingled with the nobles and was now conversing with them naturally.
It was certain that the nobles despised Eisel as a person, given her background.
Yet, she had managed to approach them, engage them in conversation, break through their preconceived notions, and even share laughter with them.
This alone was a remarkable talent.
While her innate ability played a significant role, it was likely that Baek Yu-Seol planting doubts about the Morph incident had also made it easier for Eisel to integrate herself into their conversations.
In the end, Baek Yu-Seol had come to this ball, prepared a grand stage for both Eisel and herself, removed the obstacle known as Hong Si-Hwa, and left the scene.
Should she be pleased with this outcome?
"Haah…"
After conversing with people for what felt like ages, Hong Bi-Yeon took advantage of a pause in the music to sit down at a nearby table and rest.
Standing for so long in heels was more exhausting than she had anticipated.
Feeling the ache in her legs and feet, she glanced at the wine set out on the table.
In other countries, drinking alcohol was prohibited for those under the legal drinking age, but in Adolevit, anyone over the age of fifteen was free to drink.
Even if there had been a prohibition law, Hong Bi-Yeon wouldn't have cared.
Unlike before, when she couldn't even taste the alcohol properly, she could now savor the aroma of wine, making it a worthwhile pastime.
As Hong Bi-Yeon held a glass of wine and cooled her forehead for a moment, someone approached her.
Interrupting someone during a pause in the music was considered impolite, but given the position of the person approaching her, it could be seen as the right decision.
"Princess, it's been a while."
"Sir Drak…?"
Magrave Drak.
Adolevit, with its borders entirely surrounded by other nations, relied heavily on its defense. It had four powerful border lords, each holding their ground with unyielding strength. Among them, the Iron-Blooded Count, who managed the eastern border, was none other than Margrave Drak.
"Apologies for disturbing you while you were resting."
"It's no trouble. I'm not particularly tired anyway."
That was an obvious lie, as her exhaustion was written all over her face. Count Drak, fully aware of this, chuckled softly.
"In reality, I have something urgent to discuss with you, Princess, which is why I've come despite the impropriety of interrupting your rest. It's a matter that cannot be shared with others."
"Ah… I see."
"It's regarding the recent gathering of the Council of Flame and certain discussions that took place there."
Hong Bi-Yeon's eyes widened in surprise.
The Council of Flame… a group comprised of retired royals who had abdicated the throne or former royal mages who had contributed significantly to the nation before stepping down.
Even the reigning monarch had little authority to interfere with the council's proceedings, as it was a body of immense influence. Occasionally, the council even played a role in the selection of the next ruler.
What was discussed within the Council of Flame rarely leaked, with only a select few individuals privy to its decisions under the strictest confidentiality.
'For him to share this with me…'
The implications were immense.
Even if Count Drak were to say something as trivial as, "The council is requesting strawberry ice cream," it would hold weight.
If it were truly a matter discussed within the Council of Flame, it would be classified as top secret, not to be disclosed to anyone.
By sharing such information with Hong Bi-Yeon, the meaning was clear:
'Margrave Drak is aligning with me.'
She looked at Margrave Drak again. As if he realized Hong Bi-Yeon had caught on to his intentions, he gave a faint smile.
"Yes… it does sound like a very intriguing topic."
"Then, I will arrange a meeting and contact you soon. If your schedule doesn't allow it, please let me know. I'm flexible and can adjust to your availability…"
With those words, Margrave Drak left.
Hong Bi-Yeon barely managed to calm her racing heart.
'So, Count Drak really was here at the ball.'
'He rarely attends these kinds of events, preferring to remain on the border to defend it, doesn't he?'
'I'd heard rumors that he came, but he didn't show his face, so I wasn't sure it was true…'
'And now, after meeting Princess Hong Bi-Yeon, he left immediately.'
'Which means…'
The other nobles were also curious about Margrave Drak's movements and had already begun discussing it among themselves.
That's right.
Let them talk.
And let them exaggerate.
Hong Bi-Yeon wanted the rumors about her to spread even further.
By the time the story reached the last person, she hoped it would be significantly embellished.
That way, her name would grow even larger among the nobles.
That way, her image would become deeply imprinted in their minds.
'One step. I've finally taken one step forward.'
She had achieved her goal for this ball.
For the first time, Hong Bi-Yeon, who had previously had nothing, now had a proper foundation of support.
However, Hong Si-Hwa was already dozens, if not hundreds, of steps ahead.
That gap needed to be closed.
'There's no time to rest here.'
With a slight hint of regret, Hong Bi-Yeon glanced at the ballroom's exit. As the music resumed, she rose from her seat.
'The night has just begun.'
…Although Hong Bi-Yeon and Eisel believed this entire situation had been meticulously planned by Baek Yu-Seol from the start, the truth was, it hadn't been.
He had genuinely come to the ball to see what it was like and enjoy the experience.
Why else would he have gone through the trouble of dressing in an expensive suit?
He had even chosen his suit carefully to make a good impression on them, and had practiced dancing in preparation for the occasion.
Yet, he hadn't even gotten the chance to dance properly. Shortly after arriving, he found himself embroiled in a verbal sparring match with Princess Hong Si-Hwa and was ultimately kicked out.
Sigh.
"What a life."
Baek Yu-Seol looked up at the sky as he exited the ballroom.
The crimson-tinged moon shone brightly overhead. Soon, it would become a full moon, casting its fiery glow across the night sky.
The ballroom had been so noisy and lively, but just outside, the silence was overwhelming, as if the world itself were asleep.
He declined the knights' offer to escort him back by carriage and instead chose to walk.
There was no particular reason.
He simply wanted to take his time strolling through the inner grounds of the Adolevit palace.
'It reminds me of the past…'
Last summer break.
The days he had secretly snuck into the palace to retrieve Hong Bi-Yeon.
It hadn't been a long time, but he still thought of those moments as deeply nostalgic.
He wasn't particularly lonely, but walking along the empty streets at night made him think about everything that had happened since arriving in Aether World.
Flame, Florin, Eisel, Leafanel, Jeliel, Hong Bi-Yeon, Alterisha...
He had met so many people, forged so many meaningful connections.
They were more precious and intense than any relationships he had ever had on Earth.
"Hey, old man."
"…?"
Lost in thought, he was walking slowly when a familiar voice echoed, prompting him to turn his head.
Though his face was obscured in the moonlight, the girl standing behind him was perfectly illuminated, her face vivid and clear.
"Flame… Why did you follow me out here?"
"There's nothing for me to do back there."
She crossed her arms as she spoke, her short hair beautifully braided in a way that gave her a completely different aura.
With her youthful, innocent face, it was remarkable how she managed to exude such a mature vibe. If there was a stylist behind her transformation, Baek Yu-Seol thought, he'd love to learn their secrets.
"Eisel's busy snooping around and talking to the nobles. Hong Bi-Yeon is out of the question, obviously. And that alchemy-crazed assistant is too preoccupied rambling about alchemy. I didn't know they were such a chatterbox until now."
"Haha… That sounds about right."
In contrast, there was nothing Flamm could contribute in that place.
From the beginning, Flamm's presence at Adolevit's ballroom was a paradox in itself.
It felt… off.
An event that deviated from the narrative.
As a protagonist, Flame was supposed to always be in the spotlight, at the center of attention. She wouldn't usually enter spaces where she wasn't the main focus.
That was the rule of a protagonist.
But Flame was no longer the protagonist.
Just as Eisel had been displaced from the protagonist's role with Flame's arrival, Flame, too…
Around this time, Baek Yu-Seol had started to understand.
The person who had shifted the course of their roles was none other than him.
Yet, Baek Yu-Seol didn't see himself as the 'protagonist.' That title felt far too grand for him.
He did, however, think of himself as unique and extraordinary.
After all, stepping into the world of a game, knowing their futures, and acting accordingly… if that wasn't special, what was?
How he chose to use that knowledge was entirely in his hands. For this reason, Baek Yu-Seol refused to think of himself as the protagonist.
"Are you even listening to me?"
"Huh? Yeah, I am."
"So, I'm not going back to the ballroom either."
"You're not?"
"Yeah. So let's leave together."
Flame smiled brightly and gave Baek Yu-Seol a light tap on the shoulder.
She didn't bother bringing up what had happened earlier in the ballroom. She knew there was no need to.
"…Alright."
Flame walked closely beside Baek Yu-Seol, matching his pace.
They didn't exchange any words.
Under the moonlight, they strolled quietly through the serene streets, as if the rest of the world had disappeared.
They simply walked like that.
For a long time.