Chapter 2: Ball – 1

Jewels so splendid they’d make you hesitate to ask their price.

A room so vast it could easily accommodate dozens of people.

A space that anyone would mistake for a lavish party venue.

This was none other than the dining hall of the Axus Duchy’s mansion.

“You know today is His Highness the Crown Prince’s social debut, don’t you, Ike?”

“Yes, Father.”

At first, I thought I’d never get used to this dining hall.

But after a month, it had become somewhat familiar.

If anything was difficult, it was conversing with family.

In my original life, I could count family conversations on one hand.

“Mother, is Brother attending the party as well?”

“Unfortunately, he’s too busy with student council duties.”

“That’s a shame.”

Father, Ados Axus.

Mother, Nia Axus.

Brother, Lukal Axus.

None of them ever appeared in the original story, not even mentioned.

Then again, Ike himself was a minor character, so there was no reason for his family to appear.

“Ike, as you know, our family has stood alongside the imperial family since the founding of the Astrayia Empire, a proud lineage of knights. His Majesty has high expectations for us at tomorrow’s ball.”

“I understand.”

“So, no matter what happens tomorrow, protect His Highness the Crown Prince. You may lack talent with a sword, but I know you’ve worked harder than anyone. Have confidence in your efforts.”

“Thank you, Father.”

That effort wasn’t mine.

I’ve trained over the past month, but it was only possible because of the foundation the ‘real’ Ike Axus built.

“His Highness will become your lord in the future. I trust you understand what that means.”

“…I understand.”

Father spoke sternly, giving me his instructions.

I nodded, but in my heart, I quietly apologized.

‘I’m sorry, Ados—Father.’

‘The one I want to protect is…’

And so, the party began.

“Impressive.”

Looking around, I couldn’t help but voice my genuine awe.

The Axus Duchy’s mansion was grand, but the imperial palace surpassed it.

This was just the ballroom on the palace’s outskirts.

I couldn’t help but wonder what the main palace interior must be like.

Perhaps the pinnacle of human extravagance.

“Greetings, Young Master Ike. I am the second son of the Roar County…”

“Young Master Ike, I am the eldest son of the Mariet Barony…”

Since arriving at the ballroom, I’d been constantly greeting people.

Ike was not the heir, being the second son.

But the Axus Duchy was one of the two great duchies of the Astrayia Empire.

In other words, the second son of the Axus Duchy held a higher status than most families’ heirs.

“Hmm.”

I’d already met countless nobles, but I still hadn’t seen Reyna.

I wanted to meet her beforehand, just in case.

Then again, her engagement to the Crown Prince was practically a secret, so it made sense she wouldn’t appear until the end.

“This is a bit uncomfortable.”

The black tuxedo I was wearing for the first time felt a little tight.

It wasn’t that the clothes were too small, but my muscles made movement slightly awkward.

Would I even be able to swing a sword quickly if needed?

Normally, carrying a sword in the palace ballroom would be forbidden.

But the Axus Duchy, knights of the emperor since the empire’s founding, was the only noble family permitted to bear arms at such events.

“Still, with the clothes like this…”

“Ike, His Highness the Crown Prince will enter soon. Focus.”

Father, who had approached unnoticed, whispered in my ear.

I wanted to ask about Reyna’s whereabouts, but he left after those words, making it impossible.

Well, she’s a key figure in this party, so she’ll probably appear with the Crown Prince.

For now, I’ll wait and prepare for what’s to come.

“Though I’m not sure what to do.”

I know an incident happens at this ball.

The original story begins roughly four years from now, with the heroine enrolling at the academy.

Reyna’s past was only covered in a single side story.

It briefly mentioned that she fell for the Crown Prince due to an event at this ball, but I don’t recall the exact details.

It’s possible I just forgot.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is entering!”

A man’s voice echoed through the ballroom.

Looking toward the entrance, I saw a man in the center, flanked by knights escorting him.

Golden hair matched by striking red eyes.

His pristine white uniform, adorned with various ornaments, proclaimed his noble status.

This was the Crown Prince of the Astrayia Empire.

The author-confirmed co-protagonist of She Heals the Wounded World.

Leon Aegis Astrayia.

I didn’t clearly remember his illustration or description, but seeing his face, it felt right.

And behind him, a figure slowly emerged.

“…Haa.”

How many times had she stolen my breath?

Her hair, lightly waved unlike usual, transformed Reyna’s typically cold aura into a new kind of charm.

Her dress, a blend of pale blue and platinum, enhanced her ethereal beauty.

The understated accessories only highlighted her appearance.

Cold as ice, yet transparently pure and beautiful.

I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d cast a spell on me.

My words might only diminish her charm.

That’s how much she captivated me.

“…I am Leon. Leon Aegis Astrayia. The first in line to the throne.”

The Crown Prince stood on the dais, speaking quietly.

Everyone in the ballroom swallowed hard at his words.

It was short and polite, yet a firm declaration of his authority.

This ball was his social debut.

To speak so confidently without a hint of nervousness was proof of his talent.

“I thank everyone for attending today.”

He scanned the ballroom and gave a slight bow.

“I hope you all enjoy the party.”

With that, he stepped down from the dais.

It was brief, but it surely left a strong impression on everyone.

As someone who knows the story’s ending, I wasn’t particularly moved.

“But Reyna isn’t with him.”

I thought she’d be with the Crown Prince for the engagement announcement, but he descended alone.

When and where did she go?

“Are you looking for me?”

Reyna’s voice from behind me resolved my question instantly.

But this wasn’t the Reyna I knew as a childhood friend.

Perhaps due to the public setting, it was the Ice Princess herself.

“You startled me.”

“Young Master Ike, did you just call my name?”

“Uh, yes. Lady Reyna, it’s nothing.”

Guessing her intent, I adopted a formal tone, and it seemed correct as she gave a slight nod.

“I see. I wish you a pleasant day.”

“You as well, Lady Reyna.”

With that, she left.

Her beautiful but cold expression and demeanor.

Honestly, this was closer to the Reyna Roselia from the original story.

She spoke formally to everyone and allowed no one to get close.

Of course, I preferred the friendlier Reyna I knew now.

“Hmm… Huh?”

As I scratched my head, lost in thought, I felt something between my neck and the tuxedo.

“What’s this?”

Reaching in, I pulled out a piece of paper folded twice.

Inside, elegant handwriting spelled out a short message.

[“The engagement will be announced midway through the party. I don’t think you would, but absolutely do not tell anyone.”]

It was a note from Reyna.

She must have slipped it in when she stood behind me.

“…I wasn’t planning to tell anyone anyway.”

I gave a wry smile, feeling slightly untrusted.

“But that’s not what’s important right now.”

My thoughts paused briefly, but the priority was what would happen next.

The incident where Reyna, who rarely opens her heart, falls completely for the Crown Prince.

What could it be?

Maybe he risks his life to protect her?

But the Crown Prince only sees her as a political match, with no deeper feelings.

He ends up breaking off the engagement to choose the heroine, after all.

This is tough.

No matter how much I thought, it was all just speculation.

All I could do was stay alert to respond to anything, anytime, anywhere.

It wasn’t ideal, but there was no choice.

I should’ve contacted the author to ask about the side story’s details when it was published.

…What a ridiculous thought.

“D*mn.”

Muttering self-deprecatingly about impossible ideas, I noticed the room growing noisy.

“I believe I’ve greeted everyone by now.”

At the center was the Crown Prince again.

This time, he wasn’t on the dais but in the middle of the ballroom, drawing attention.

And unlike before, Reyna was now by his side.

Glancing at the clock on the eastern wall, over two hours had passed since the party began.

It hadn’t even been an hour when I spoke to Reyna.

“Many of you may have already guessed, but this party isn’t just for my debut.”

“Who’s that?”

“It must be from the Roselia Duchy…”

“The Ice Princess.”

The ballroom buzzed with murmurs.

The situation was so obvious that some nobles’ faces were filled with shock.

Perhaps they’d hoped their daughters would be in her place.

“Lady Reyna, would you grant me the honor of this dance?”

The Crown Prince knelt slightly, extending his right hand to her.

In the empire, the first person a single man asks to dance at a ball is typically his fiancée.

It was a custom even the Crown Prince couldn’t escape.

Thus, the relationship between him and Reyna was clear.

“I’m in your care, Your Highness.”

Reyna took his hand, striking a pose.

Soft music began to fill the ballroom.

The Crown Prince took the first step.

At that moment, a spray of crimson blood splattered across the ballroom.