[284] 3. Midnight Ball (5)
"Looks like tonight will pass quietly. Still, don't let your guard down."
Shirone responded with a smile.
It wasn't that Reina was doing this merely to gather high-level information. He was grateful for Reina's effort to put him at ease.
"I'm sorry about this afternoon. I must have been on edge."
"Hoho, it's fine. Don't worry too much. I'll do my best to protect you. Now relax a little—if you stay that stiff you might trip."
When Shirone loosened up, the two of them moved across the floor like flowing water.
They were the most beautiful couple in the ballroom.
"Hoho! What a perfectly matched pair. How can Shirone be so handsome? It must be his royal blood."
"And his partner too—I've heard she's a famous musician from the Kingdom of Tormia. Such a pleasant presence—just looking at her lifts the spirits."
Amy stood beside the chatting noblewomen. Even to her eyes, there was a clear difference from the other couples.
'Why are they taking so long?'
Checking the time, Amy realized the dance had gone on far longer than planned. She wondered if they had picked up new information when someone approached.
Startled, she bowed politely when she saw Jion.
"Good evening, Your Highness."
"So, are you enjoying the banquet?"
"Yes. Everything is to my liking."
Jion smiled with satisfaction. After dealing only with Shirone, who treated royalty lightly, interacting with a flustered Amy finally made him feel like a prince.
"How about it? May I have this dance?"
Amy looked at the hand Jion extended.
By etiquette, to refuse a partner's request you needed another partner.
But Shirone was dancing with Reina, so she had no pretext to refuse. It was obvious Jion had thought this through before approaching.
"Yes. It would be an honor."
Amy took Jion's hand and stepped onto the dance floor.
Though it was her first time with the Kazra traditional dance, her excellent footing and the flush of youth made it easy to match Jion's rhythm.
This time the nobles' attention shifted to Jion and Amy.
They earned praises matching Shirone and Reina's couple—adorable, beautiful, noble, and so on.
Amy felt her cheeks warm. Is this what being a princess feels like?
But the feeling ended there.
She had never wanted to be a princess. Every day she wanted to become the world's greatest mage.
'Surprisingly innocent. Unexpected, really.'
Seeing Amy shy, Jion thought he had cleared the main hurdle. From his experience spreading romances among noblewomen since he was twelve, he knew what lines worked in these moments.
"How beautiful."
Amy felt as if she'd been struck.
Was this kid sane? She wanted to cry out from embarrassment.
But given the setting she couldn't show it.
Seething inwardly and continuing to dance, her gaze suddenly collided head-on with Shirone's as he approached.
It happened in an instant.
Shirone looked surprised. Even in that brief moment, his eyes seemed to be asking her something.
Amy hurriedly looked away.
She didn't know why. She only felt afraid to meet Shirone's eyes.
She regretted later that she hadn't acted differently, but by then the distance between them had already grown.
As her steps faltered and her thoughts scrambled, Jion smiled. He seemed to think she was just nervous in his arms.
"Relax. While you're with me, no one will look down on you."
Jion liked Amy. She felt different from the spoiled nobles—endearing. He pulled her waist closer, and at that instant Amy's dance froze.
Her body had reacted before she could think. Naturally, all eyes turned toward them.
Blushing and flustered, Amy quickly thought of an exit.
"Ah, I'm a bit tired. It was lovely."
As if she'd planned to stop all along, she bowed and turned away. A flash of malice streaked across Jion's face. He immediately tugged her wrist and whispered in a low voice.
"I've taken over Vincent and Olina's guard duty."
Amy scanned the room with shocked eyes, trying to find Shirone.
Jion's tone turned threatening.
"That wouldn't be good. Don't tell anyone—come quietly with me. If you do, Shirone's parents will be released safely."
Amy turned her gaze back and forced a casual expression. The biggest problem was she couldn't tell whether he was bluffing.
Reina's attendants were supposed to report every hour, and the last report had come thirty-two minutes ago.
Could something be done within those thirty-two minutes? Or was it impossible?
Amy followed Jion as if nothing were wrong.
Whatever his intention, she would not be the central actor in whatever plot this was.
Besides, Reina would act in twenty-eight minutes. If she could hold out until then, the crisis might be averted.
'Of course, assuming I survive first.'
Once the two left hand in hand, the nobles relaxed. It wasn't uncommon to see a young couple leave the hall like that.
Jion was boiling inside as he led Amy away.
Using Shirone's parents as leverage was Plan B suggested by Arius. He'd boasted that he could make any woman fall for him, and his pride had been wounded.
'Fine. If she gets taken out, that's that. I've done my part, Arius.'
Without Amy, Shirone would be isolated. Reina had to manage the castle's overall affairs and couldn't devote herself entirely to Shirone. Even if she noticed later and acted, by then Shirone's life might already be over.
'Heh heh heh, goodbye, Shirone.'
@
Reina looked puzzled when Shirone suddenly halted mid-dance. He seemed unaware his legs had stopped moving.
"Shirone, what's wrong? Is something the matter?"
"Uh, well… Amy left with Jion. Do you know where they're headed?"
Reina glanced around in a panic. The two were indeed nowhere to be seen.
From her investigations, Jion wasn't the type to pursue women actively. But like other boys his age, he didn't dislike them; he'd spent more than a few nights with women.
It was possible he had taken an interest in Amy.
Amy was a girl whose beauty could attract royalty, and with Jion's temperament he might well be bold even toward Shirone's friend.
The problem was Amy. What could Jion have said to make her follow him without protest?
Reina looked at Shirone. He tried to appear calm, but his gaze was fixed on the doors.
She gave a wry smile and nudged him forward. If he intended to go no matter what, it was better to let him go first.
"Go. You can ask Amy yourself."
"Is that all right?"
"What are you saying? She's your friend. Go quickly; I'll handle things here."
"All right… I'll go."
Shirone looked around furtively, then turned and left the grand hall without a backward glance.
Reina put a hand on her hip and exhaled.
'Did I make things worse by butting in? How do I fix this personality of mine?'
Now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
She'd sent Shirone because an attendant was due to arrive soon. Amy was important, but she couldn't neglect guarding Shirone's parents.
'Huh? Shirone's parents?'
At that thought, something clicked.
Amy was not the type to fall for Jion's tricks. So why would she follow him without a word?
'No way…'
Reina stamped the floor.
Now was not the time to wait for an attendant. If someone on the other side had made a move, the attendant might not come at all. Checking the time, she ran toward the lodgings where Vincent and Olina were staying.
4. Teraje's Proposal (1)
Shirone ran to the royal apartments.
He had followed Jion as quickly as he could, but Jion had already disappeared. Shirone decided to check Jion's room first.
'Why on earth did Amy follow Jion?'
There must be a valid reason, but whatever it was, the thought left him unsettled. Strange feelings kept rising and his mind wouldn't connect as quickly as usual.
At Jion's door, Shirone hesitated a moment before grasping the knob.
Unpleasant images surfaced—Amy dancing with Jion.
Why had she averted her eyes? If there had been a special reason, she should have signaled. The Amy he knew would have done that.
'Am I making a fuss over nothing?'
If his suspicion was unfounded, fine. But if it wasn't—
Shirone shook his head.
Amy was not the sort to act rashly before a major event. These thoughts insulted her.
He steeled himself and opened the door.
The room was brightly lit but showed no sign of movement. Still, someone was there—Uorin was walking toward the table.
"Uorin? Why are you here...?"
Uorin sat leisurely in a chair, stroking the cat in her lap as if unaware someone had entered.
But Shirone realized outward actions mattered less now.
"Uorin. Where is Jion?"
"Sit."
Uorin cut him off and gestured to a seat. Her voice carried more authority than usual.
Shirone swallowed and sat across from her.
"Why are you in Jion's room? I didn't see him in the ballroom."
"I thought he might come. So I waited."
Just as Shirone had suspected—she knew what was happening in the castle.
"Do you know where Jion is?"
"Who knows. He's probably somewhere."
Uorin looked away as if unconcerned.
Shirone felt frustrated, but he didn't press her with foolish impatience.
He had already laid out his intentions in the exhibition hall. All that remained was her choice.
After a long silence, Uorin spoke first.
"Why did you do it?"
Shirone fixed his gaze on her.
She couldn't plausibly claim ignorance. That made the question itself less important.
"Why did you unleash all your power? That was basically a declaration of war against the Teraje faction. That's why Jion was so furious."
"If I'd done it half-heartedly, you wouldn't have helped me."
Uorin showed a puzzled look, but Shirone wasn't deceived by her mask. She'd made her choice clear.
"You're different from Jion. You're the heir to the empress. The Kazra situation is only part of your dream of becoming emperor, isn't it?"
"Is that so? Well, everyone wants to cling to my power. Shirone, you included."
"Maybe. But Ataraxia means something different to you, doesn't it?"
For the first time, interest flickered in Uorin's eyes.
"Different how?"
"The emperor of the Kashan Empire is the leader of the Valkyries. And Ataraxia is the archangel-level power—the highest even among the Valkyries. That makes it valuable to you."
Uorin nodded. If Shirone's Ataraxia hadn't left such an impression today, she would have had no reason to help him.
"That's right. After seeing your ability, I thought differently. Ataraxia would be a huge help in my becoming emperor."
"Then help me. If you want, I'll graduate from the Magic Academy and stand with you. Just don't touch my family and friends."
Uorin snorted a short laugh.
"That was a bit naive of me."
"What?"
"How many archmages do you think send resumes to me every year? If you thought they'd cling to me over just Ataraxia, you'd be mistaken. I'm not denying Shirone's talent, but after all, he's still just a student, isn't he?"