Ancient Imperial Calendar Year 1813
The day of the Graduation Ball, which had been prepared for three months in advance at the Blood Academy, had arrived
While the boys wore their latest dark blood red striped and patterned black suits
The girls wore dresses with long skirts and thin waists in the colors representing their Dynasty, with dark blood red stripes and patterns
The meaning of the dark blood red stripes and patterns was a symbol of absolute loyalty and submission to the Kislavein Dynasty
Ricardo and Arnheid attended the ball together, which surprised everyone
The whole Academy expected Ricardo to attend the ball with Marilin, but when Ricardo came to the ball with Arnheid, there were many rumors
"What's going on, wasn't the Dynasty Heir going to come with Marilin?"
"I don't know either, did they have a fight?"
"Haha, maybe Arnheid seduced the Dynasty Heir"
"Still, it's a shame for Marilin, she was a very beautiful and affectionate girl"
"Oh, where is Marilin, who did she come with?"
"I don't know either, has anyone seen her?"
All the attention of the Menzuns was on Ricardo and Arnheid, when the gossip could not be stopped, Ricardo spread his killing intent to the whole hall
The killing intent was so intense that the Menzuns could not breathe, they fell to their knees and held their throats, seconds before they were going to die, Ricardo withdrew his killing intent
The people in the hall started breathing again, they were all breathing deeply, they were in shock
They were afraid to even look at Ricardo from the corner of their eyes
"What did I experience"
"The Dynasty Heir's killing intent was very intense"
"If the damned bastard had continued any longer, I would have been dead"
The hall, filled with terror, fear and anger, cursed and cursed within themselves, but they did not dare to say it to Ricardo's face
An hour later, the Head Master of the Blood Academy, Kisrael Kislavein, took the podium to give his speech
After clearing his throat and strengthening his voice meaningfully, he began his speech
"Today, I sincerely congratulate the 850th generation of the Blood Academy graduates
I hope that you will serve the Kislavein Dynasty with all your loyalty and the best in your future lives
First of all, I have no doubt that you will serve our Great Leader IV Orsman Kislavein and his Successor, the Dynasty Heir Ricardo Kislavein with all your loyalty
That's all from me, you can enjoy the rest of the night, dance and have a good memory for the years to come, have fun in advance
When Kisrael finished his speech, the people in the hall applauded Kisrael
The Academy Masters stayed away from the public eye and left the square to the menus
The rest of the night was spent in entertainment
Everyone ate, drank and danced but there was one person missing
When Ricardo noticed this absence, he went to Marco
"Greetings Marco"
When Marco noticed Ricardo, he stood in silence
"Greetings to the Heir of the Dynasty"
Ricardo received Marco's greeting and signaled for him to raise his head
"I didn't see Marco Marilin in the hall, where is he"
Marco was angry
"Don't you know or are you pretending not to know?" thought Marco
"He didn't come, Heir of the Dynasty"
Ricardo asked in surprise
"Didn't he come, why?"
Marco felt that he could no longer control his anger, but he respected his friend's authority and hid his anger with a respectful tone so as not to cause a misunderstanding
"He said it wouldn't mean anything if he wasn't coming with you, he's probably in his room right now, Heir of the Dynasty"
Ricardo felt guilty about what he had heard
His childhood friend would not attend the graduation ball that he would only experience once in his life because of him
"Should I go to her, but if I go, what will happen to Arnheid, I will cause a lot of gossip about her"
Thoughts like these were eating Ricardo's mind
But now he had made up his mind
"We can't have a future with Marilin, not with her or any of my descendants
But Arnheid is the only noblewoman in the Westerlands who is not of my lineage
I'm sorry Marilin, I wish our paths had crossed in another way, maybe it would have been best for both of us"
With these thoughts running through his mind, Ricardo now drew a clear line between himself and Marilin
There would be a final dance later in the evening, near the end of the ball, all the members were asked to join in this dance
Ricardo extended his hand to Arnheid
"My lady, may I have this dance?"
Arnheid did not hide her smile, butterflies were flying inside her, she held Ricardo's hand with excitement and joy
"It is my pleasure, Heir of the Dynasty"
The two go to the middle of the Hall to dance, while Marco, who watches them with eyes full of anger, cannot hold his thoughts
"I really can't believe what he found in her
She has been with Marilin since childhood
Marilin rejected hundreds of men who were deeply in love with her, even rejected all invitations at the cost of not coming to the ball
but...but he went and chose a girl he had only known for a few years"
Listening to these words, Alia held Marco's hand tightly and leaned her head on his shoulder, which is what Marco did whenever he was angry
"If what we call Love was like you said, I would never have fallen in love with you Marco"
Marco asked in surprise
"What do you mean Alia?"
"I mean this Marco
I also had a childhood friend whom I had known for ten years, but our relationship did not go beyond being a brother
We've never looked at each other that way, maybe Ricardo feels the same way too"
Marco was taken aback for a moment
"I...I never thought of it that way"
When Alia saw Marco's sad state, she felt a pang in her heart, she couldn't stand to see him in this state
"Ahem, Marco, aren't you going to invite me to the dance?"
Marco, who was caught off guard by this question, suddenly flinched
"Okay, I've practiced too much, come on, you'll do the lion's part" Marco thought
Marco extended his hand to Alia
"My Lady, may I have this dance"
Alia held Marco's hand, her face was full of roses
"With great pleasure, my Lord"
The later hours of the night witnessed dancing, smiles and sweet romantic moments
All the members were enjoying one last moment of fun before facing the challenges of the next phase of their lives
The ball ended when the clock struck twelve
All the members went to their rooms
On the other hand, those who could not get over the effect of the moment continued their fun in the city
After taking Arnheid to his room, Ricardo went to Marilin's room and knocked on the door
"Marilin, are you awake, can we talk to you?"
A few seconds later, the door opened, Marilin's anger and rage could be seen from every aspect, even if she was hiding it
"Welcome Dynasty Heir, I hope you had a fun night with that silver-headed man"
"He's quite angry" Ricardo thought
"Can I come in?" asked Ricardo
"Of course, of course, come in, Dynasty Heir"
The two went into the room and sat across from each other, Ricardo started the conversation
"Why didn't you come to the ball, Marilin? I mean, I know the reason, but isn't this becoming an obsession, why don't you give other men a chance"
Marilin was brimming with anger, she frowned, stood up angrily, her veins swelled as if they were about to burst with anger and she started yelling with all her anger
"Are you kidding me, why don't you accept my love for you, I've done everything I can to win you for years, but you went and chose that whore, why does she have what I don't?"
Marilin felt relieved but also regretful and sad when she vents all her anger, she fell to her knees and covered her mouth with her hand, her tears flowed like a flood
Ricardo felt a deep sense of remorse for the girl he had known since childhood falling into this state because of him
Ricardo fell to his knees and hugged Marilin tightly
"I didn't want it to be like this either, but I can't be with you Marilin, I wish I could tell you the reason, but I can't"
"What is the reason, what kind of reason do you have that you don't accept my love"
Ricardo gently caressed Marilin's head
"I hope I can explain it one day"
Ricardo stood up and slowly left the room
When Ricardo entered his room, he lay on the bed without even changing
"What a day"
"Indeed, Sir"
"Ah, was it you, Giskar"
"Yes sir, there is something I wonder if Marilin would be with you if she were not of your lineage"
"Are you kidding me, if marriages with age differences were not forbidden in this period, I would not even come within ten meters of these girls who are children in my eyes"
"But sir, when you ascend to the throne, you can marry any woman of any age you want"
"It seems that things do not work that way these days, Giskar, in this period, everyone is married off as soon as they become adults, it is considered unacceptable for people with age differences to marry"
"Seriously, who passed this law"
"Hmmm, if I remember correctly, Rylvas III, my grandfather's grandfather, passed this law"
Giskar became even more curious
"Can you elaborate on this topic a little, sir"
Ricardo normally liked historical conversations, but due to his tiredness, sleepiness and headache, he wanted to skip the topic
"I'll explain it tomorrow, Giskar"
Giskar couldn't wait until morning because of his curiosity, he was stubborn and started flying around Ricardo's head
"Sir, please explain it, please"
Giskar, who was circling Ricardo's head like an annoying summer fly, was testing Ricardo's patience
Finally Ricado couldn't take it anymore, he used his hand that he strengthened with meaning and slapped Giskar hard at full speed
With this slap, Giskar flew from one end of the room to the other, first hitting the door and then hitting the ground
Giskar was writhing in pain
"Aaaa what the heck sir what the heck just...I was just wondering"
Ricardo's anger calmed down but at the same time his conscience ached for the slap he gave
"Oh damn Giskar come here I'll only tell you once"
Giskar appeared in front of Ricardo in a split second
"I am listening sir"
Giskar gave his full attention to Ricardo Ricardo was thinking of going to bed quickly
"63 years ago my grandfather's grandfather Rylvas III, when he ascended to the throne, his first law was to ban marriages with age differences
The reason was that his real sisters, whom he loved very much, were forced to marry old Lords
His sisters had an unhappy and depressed marriage When Rylvas III ascended to the throne, his sisters told what they had experienced for years
Listening to his sisters' unhappy and depressed marriage stories touched III Rylvas' heart
III Rylvas, who already had a soft spot for his sisters, passed a law prohibiting marriages between people with age differences so that no one else would experience the bad life his sisters lived and marry people they loved and were of the same age
III Rylvas, who gained the respect, love and full support of the young population with this law, silenced all opposition with the support of the young people behind him, even though he received objections from the elderly, and even after his death, he and his sisters were remembered with respect
That's it, our story ends here, good night Giskar, I'm going to bed"
Giskar felt satisfied and was happy
"Thank you sir and good night sir"
Giskar was deep in thought
"I wish I had watched Harloumen's grandchildren closely in the past thousand years, there were many entertaining events, oh well, I wonder what will happen from now on, I will watch with curiosity"