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Outside the Finance Director's office.
Crown Prince Zeke, who had just left the office and was heading down towards the entrance, still had a tired and gloomy look.
A strange expression that made it hard to read his inner thoughts.
As he was walking with his attendants, he suddenly spoke.
"Do you understand why I'm doing this?"
"...…"
"I'm talking to you. My incompetent younger sister."
"…I still don't understand."
"That's why I don't have any expectations for you."
One of the attendants following right behind Crown Prince Zeke.
Next to Suzanne, who had half her face covered with a robe, the attendant who had completely covered their face…
…quietly deactivated their magic and removed the robe.
Flowing blonde hair. It was Amatriuss Delphia Beatrice.
"I still don't understand your thoughts, brother. Actually, I don't even want to know."
"Such arrogant words. You used to be wary of me in the Delphia Kingdom."
"That's because you were the only one among my siblings who treated me like a human being. But even you would throw me away like a worn-out shoe or deliberately take care of me. Like a whim."
Beatrice didn't want to meet Zeke. It was because she couldn't predict his actions.
It would have been better if he had simply despised or ignored her like the rest of her family. Then she could act and behave accordingly. But Crown Prince Zeke was completely different.
He would criticize her like the others, then suddenly defend her, seemingly trying to take care of her, only to suddenly drop her into despair.
Because of his unpredictable thoughts, Beatrice was more wary of Zeke than her other siblings.
It was the same today.
"You suddenly came to the academy without any notice and disguised Suzanne and me as your attendants. What if the Finance Director had noticed?"
"It's natural that he wouldn't notice. He's only a Rank 1."
"…That's not wrong, but that's not what I meant."
"I wanted to convey my intentions to both you and the Finance Director simultaneously, and I simply chose the most efficient method. If I did this, even an incompetent younger sister like you wouldn't needlessly suspect that I'm lying."
"...…"
He was right. If he had called her separately and told her his intentions, Beatrice would have been suspicious, as always. About what kind of whim Zeke had.
But by disguising her as an attendant and having her present at the meeting with the Finance Director, Zeke clearly conveyed his intentions to her. Yes, in a way, it was truly efficient.
However, he didn't usually use such methods. If it weren't for Zeke's whims, Beatrice wouldn't have doubted him in the first place.
Especially since Zeke…
"You knew I overcame my chronic illness."
"It's a brother's duty to know about his incompetent younger sister."
"You had me disguise myself with magic. And yet, what are you thinking? You want to keep me at the academy?"
"Indeed."
"If my family back home finds out that I overcame my chronic illness…"
"You speak of meaningless things. You won't be returning home anyway, and our family won't find out, so why speak of a future that won't happen? I don't understand."
"…Brother."
This was why…
This was why Beatrice couldn't understand him. Whether Zeke was trying to protect her or truly thought of her as incompetent.
Normally, she would have backed down here, but…
Beatrice wasn't the same anymore.
"I know about the situation back home."
"Through the military stimulant merchant. The one you introduced to the Finance Director."
"Yes, I heard from them. That the Duke of Wei… might have betrayed us."
"It's something you don't need to know."
"Why shouldn't I know? I'm also royalty of the Delphia Kingdom. Moreover, the Duke of Wei is our only Rank 8—"
"That's precisely why."
Zeke's tired eyes suddenly turned towards Beatrice. Zeke, who had never looked back during their conversation, finally stopped and turned his head.
Zeke was publicly known as a Rank 5, but his actual rank was only Rank 3. He had falsely declared his rank to avoid being looked down upon as the next king with only Rank 3. Of course, it was something that happened often in other countries, so it wasn't a big problem.
In the end, Zeke was Rank 3, and Beatrice, who had overcome her chronic illness, was an incomplete but still Rank 5 mage. Naturally, she shouldn't lose in a battle of wills.
And yet…
It was Beatrice who looked away first.
"Even if you know, you can't do anything while you're stuck at the academy. So remain ignorant. Ignorance might be a sin, but knowledge only increases unnecessary worries and regrets."
"...…"
"There will be a time when you return to our homeland, so wait until then. I promised the Finance Director a considerable sum, so he won't mistreat you. Just focus on honing your magic."
Thud. Thud.
At the sight of Zeke turning back and walking away without hesitation,
Beatrice hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke.
"When I return to our homeland…"
"...…"
"Will you still be… the 'Crown Prince' by then?"
Zeke stopped in his tracks.
At those biting words, filled with so much meaning,
The other attendants, including Suzanne, quietly closed their ears. It wasn't something they should be hearing.
Zeke, who had stopped walking once again, said,
"Who knows."
"Brother."
"Since you'll doubt whatever I say anyway, I won't bother answering."
"Brother!"
"But if I must answer… then yes."
"…That means…"
"Don't misunderstand. Since you'll doubt whatever I say anyway, I'm just telling you what you want to hear."
"Wait patiently here."
"My incompetent younger sister."
***
Cheerful music filled the air. Chandeliers and brilliant lights illuminated the attendees, and several men and women stepped into the center to dance.
The charity ball held in response to the Grandis Academy terrorist attack.
It was no exaggeration to say that this was the first 'noble' event held at the academy, which had been closed off to outsiders except for the students.
The Headmistress had strictly protected the academy, to the point of not holding even a ball, which was commonplace for nobles.
Therefore, this might be their last chance. The guests quickly reached a consensus, and things proceeded smoothly.
"Greetings, Viscount Dallangol. It's been a while since the mine development."
"Haha! It's good to see Baron Michell doing well. The mine we developed together is still running smoothly."
"That's very good to hear. I was worried that it might collapse due to our mistake."
"Don't worry. Here, I should give you a gift to ease your worries. How about some iron from that very mine?"
"Oh my, such a gift. I can't just accept this. I'll send you a small token of my appreciation."
"Thank you!"
At first glance, it seemed like they were just exchanging pleasantries, but in reality, they were subtly discussing matters they couldn't openly talk about, like the iron ore trade.
"How are your investments doing these days?"
"Don't even get me started. Under the grace of His Majesty Akendelminos, everything is booming! However, well…"
"What's wrong?"
"My profits have slightly, very slightly decreased. I looked into it, and it seems the cause is somewhere near the Claudia territory. Hmm hmm."
"Ah!! It must be just bad luck, it couldn't be the Margrave's fault."
"These things happen."
They were secretly sharing information that investments near the Claudia territory, in other words, the Delphia Kingdom, weren't doing well.
The nobles' ball was a place for deals and covert struggles. There were those who genuinely enjoyed the dance and music, but they were usually those who had no need to engage in deals or networking with other nobles.
In other words, those who didn't need to actively participate.
The most distinguished guests, the great nobles and royalty, were like that.
"Lady Lisha, you've become even more beautiful. This is my son…"
"Lady Lisha. Do you remember Baron Kicol? We were fortunate enough to establish a trade relationship with the Margrave last time, and we're hoping to supply goods again this time…"
"Lady Lisha! It's been a while! I'm Minos from the Astra County. I hope this opportunity will lead to a brighter future for our two territories…"
"Thank you all."
However, Crown Prince Zeke of the Delphia Kingdom, who had visited the charity ball, had disappeared somewhere, and the first prince of the kingdom hadn't arrived yet. Naturally, the nobles' attention focused on the great nobles below them.
And since many children of great nobles attended Grandis Academy, they were each talking with their factions and nobles from neighboring territories.
Among them, it was no exaggeration to say that Lisha Claudia was the main attraction.
It wasn't simply because the Claudia family was the largest among the great nobles, but also because rumors were circulating that Gregory Claudia himself was present.
If they played their cards right, they could make a good impression on both Lisha and Gregory. Even nobles who didn't have much connection with the Claudia family flocked to Lisha, hoping for a chance.
Of course, the more people who approached her, the more Lisha's back was drenched in cold sweat.
"Wait, who was that over there?"
"He's the second son of Count Gliche."
"That's right! Then what about that person? He's been pestering me about deals and such, what should I say?"
"Emphasize that such talk is inappropriate for this occasion and subtly release your aura. You are a Rank 4, Lady Lisha, you must utilize your position appropriately."
"Thank you, head butler."
"It's my pleasure to assist you, Lady Lisha."
This was Lisha's first time in such a setting. It might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some, but it was overwhelming for Lisha, who wasn't prepared.
If she finished talking with one person, two more would approach, and if she chatted with them, four more would come.
The attendants who came with Gregory were preventing the nobles from approaching indiscriminately, but since there were nobles from all over the kingdom, there were many Lisha didn't know.
She was barely managing by following the whispers of the attendants, including the head butler.
Since the Claudias were famous as a warrior family, even the attendants were warriors at least Rank 3 or higher. The head butler was Rank 7 and could send secret messages to Lisha's ears even while seemingly standing still.
Thanks to that, Lisha was somehow managing to deal with the nobles when…
She spotted a familiar face in the crowd and suddenly walked towards him with a triumphant look.
"Lady Lisha?"
"Please wait a moment."
Lisha firmly stopped the noble she was about to talk to and confidently walked towards…
A certain white-haired male student standing alone.
"Ruth Spero."
"…Claudia."
"You weren't at the final exams, but you're attending the ball?"
"…I had some business."
Lisha was momentarily flustered by Ruth's indifferent reply, but…
She soon put on a triumphant smile and beamed at him.
She thought it was a relaxed smile, but it actually looked quite arrogant.
"Do you remember the entrance ceremony? Isn't it quite similar to that time?"
"...…"
"Do you see those nobles behind me? They all came to see me. That's how important I am."
"…So?"
"Not 'so'! I mean, ahem. So you won't ignore my greeting this time, will you? I'm quite the grudge-holding type."
"...…"
It might be petty, but Lisha hadn't forgotten about the entrance ceremony. How her greeting, which she had mustered the courage to give after the illusion monster attack, was completely ignored.
It was a mortifying memory that still made her cringe whenever she thought about it, but things were different now.
The protagonist of this charity ball was Lisha, as evidenced by the gathered nobles, proving her status. Even a talented Rank 6 like him wouldn't be able to ignore her here.
Lisha, who was determined to finally erase that embarrassing memory,
"…She's coming."
"She's coming? Who's suddenly—"
Thud!!
The entire ballroom shook. The sudden impact startled the guests, but Lisha was flustered for a different reason.
The true protagonist of this charity ball, the Headmistress, had arrived from the sky, crashing through the roof.
The panicked guests soon calmed down and looked at the Headmistress, who had literally fallen from the sky.
"I apologize. I was late because I was dealing with two idiots who caused a commotion at the academy."
Were there really people bold enough to cause a commotion at the academy where a terrorist attack had just occurred a week ago?
Most of the guests, sensing the Headmistress's anger, shuddered and ridiculed those unknown idiots.
The two idiots, the Elven Archmage and the Margrave, entered the ballroom under the Headmistress's glare.
They had noticeable bumps on their foreheads, but they were also Rank 8s, so they managed to hide them well. Whether it was the last survivor of their race and an Archmage, or the shield of the kingdom, they had no choice but to bow before the roaring Mad Dragon.
There was a brief commotion, but eventually…
"I've kept you waiting. Now then…"
It seemed like she took out a note from her pocket for a moment, but it was so fast that the murmuring crowd wondered if they had seen it wrong.
The Headmistress, who had indeed quickly glanced at her cheat sheet, declared,
"Let the charity ball commence."
And so…
The night of donations, donations, and more donations began.