After the first dance, as I had co to expect, my brother and father remained firmly stationed at my sides like overly devoted bodyguards—neither allowing to mingle nor doing much themselves aside from glaring away any man who so much as glanced in my direction.
It was starting to get slightly annoying. That’s when my savior appeared.
"Why are you flanking her like that?!" Grandfather’s familiar voice rang out, making my father flinch visibly.
"Oh, Grandfather. How are you?" Rune greeted with a disarming smile, though I knew it was only an attempt at distraction.
"I’m fine," Grandfather replied curtly. "Besides, you didn’t answer . Why are you two shadowing Reina like that?" He asked as he smoothly pulled to his side, effortlessly cutting between them.
Nice, Grandpa.
"That’s because we don’t want any annoying pests near her, Grandfather," Rune said with a straight face.
"He’s right," my father added promptly, arms crossed in agreent.
Grandfather grunted, clearly unimpressed, before raising his hand to gesture toward . "With the way you two are behaving, she can’t even move around freely."
"But—"
"Enough," Grandfather’s voice cut in with quiet authority, and both my father and brother imdiately fell silent like scolded schoolboys.
"I understand she’s looking really beautiful tonight, but trust her a bit—she can take care of herself."
"Th-That’s where you’re wrong!" Father stamred. "E-Everyone here is staring at her. How could we possibly let her out of our sight?!"
With a slow, deliberate motion, Grandfather turned his head and swept a piercing glare across the room. Several nobles who had been caught staring quickly averted their eyes, pretending to be engaged in their own conversations.
"You’re kind of exaggerating, Father. It’s not like—"
"Oh my, there you are, Lady Reina." I wasn’t even done speaking when a voice slithered into our circle—just my luck.
Carlos.
"I didn’t get a chance to speak to you earlier," he said smoothly, clearly thinking he had an opening.
"Reina, I have sothing to talk to you about. Co along," Grandfather interjected before I could respond.
"What?" Carlos blinked. "But I—"
Grandfather’s eyes sharpened, locking onto Carlos with a stare so cold I could almost hear frost forming. "I have to talk to my granddaughter, so if you’ll excuse us."
Without waiting for a reply, Grandfather extended his hand toward with a calmness that radiated complete authority. I bit back a laugh, placing my hand in his with a poised smile—then turned to Carlos with just enough sweetness to salt the wound.
"I’ll see you later, Your Highness."
His face flushed an impressive shade of red, torn between anger and humiliation, as I walked away with Grandfather.
"That was quite good, Grandfather," I chuckled, letting my amusent show as we strolled across the ballroom.
"I understand why your father and brother are acting like fools," he said, voice softer now. "It’s been a long ti since even I have felt the need to protect soone like this."
"Now, now, Grandfather," I teased with a small smirk, "I hope you’re not going to say I should stay glued to your side all night and forget the task I’m here for."
He sighed, shaking his head. "I’ll stay around in case you need help. I’ve made sure your father and brother are kept busy—so go on, do what you need to do."
I smiled warmly. "Thank you, Grandfather."
He gave a slight nod and turned away, heading off in the opposite direction.
I turned back, and sure enough, both Father and Rune were sward by a crowd of nobles vying for their attention.
Perfect.
Ti to get to work.
I walked around and began conversing with a few of the young ladies who had their debut alongside . It was pretty obvious why I chose them first.
So of them recognized from the tea parties I had attended during childhood with Rune, and the mont they realized it was , they eagerly gathered around. It was a little overwhelming, but I managed to get a word in while gracefully enduring the sharp looks and subtle evaluations.
I was mid-conversation when I heard the sound of rapid footsteps approaching from behind. The girls around gasped softly just before I felt a familiar pair of arms wrap themselves around my shoulders.
"Reina!"
I almost chuckled at the dramatic entrance, even as the other girls paled visibly. Turning my head, I found myself face-to-face with the one person I expected to be this bold.
"Brielle, how are you?"
Her closeness with had made her more expressive and casual in public, though I wasn’t always available to reciprocate. As a result, she tended to cling to whenever we t, making the most of our limited ti.
I turned fully to face her, offering a warm smile. She looked lovely in a delicate rose-pink gown, her blonde curls braided neatly and pinned up, while soft bangs frad the sides of her beautiful face, giving her a sweet, almost porcelain-like charm.
"I’m good, but I missed you," she said, holding both my hands in hers. I chuckled softly in response.
"But, Reina... are you all right?" she asked, her tone suddenly shifting to concern.
"Hm? Yes, I am."
Brielle sighed in relief. "Thank God. I was really worried when you couldn’t attend Young Master Kai—"
I quickly tightened my grip on her arms, interrupting her before she could go further. "I was feeling a little under the weather back then, but now I’m fully recovered."
She stared at for a second, scanning my face as if searching for any sign of lingering illness, before sighing again—this ti out of genuine relief.
"I’m so glad. By the way—"
Her eyes once again scanned my attire from head to toe, then she bead. "You look so beautiful today, Reina. This dress is absolutely elegant! I’ve never seen this style before—was it specially designed for you? Can you tell the boutique na?"
The other girls, who had been a little hesitant due to Brielle’s familiarity with , now found the courage to join in.
"Yes! I was about to ask the sa."
"Your makeup, hairstyle, and accessories all match perfectly with the dress!"
"Where did you get this dress, Princess Reina?"
I smiled. Usually, noble ladies guarded their beauty secrets—and the nas of exclusive boutiques—as if they were warti strategies. But I saw an opportunity here to promote Flora’s boutique.
"Oh, it’s from a boutique in the Oasis territory," I said, smoothly. "And the one who crafted this piece is Madam Flora."
The girls went silent for a beat, eyes wide, before bursting into an excited flurry of questions about other designs I liked and even about my hobbies.
"Well," I said with a modest smile, "this dress was specifically designed by for today’s occasion."
"Really? You designed it yourself?"
"You must’ve been really looking forward to this mont, weren’t you?"
I turned my head slightly, letting my gaze fall on Rune, who was standing so distance away, engaged in conversation with his friends. My smile grew fonder.
"Yes, I was... especially for my brother, who has been away from ho for so long."
The girls followed my gaze toward Rune, and a couple of them blushed a deep crimson.
"It’s an honor to be here today to celebrate his achievents. This ball isn’t just for us—it’s for all the young n who’ve worked so hard these past few years. Prince Eric, my brother, and the other Young Masters gave up the comfort of their hos and the warmth of their families to fight for peace... sothing that once seed impossible, but is now our reality."
My voice grew soft with emotion. I let the words linger for a mont, letting the sincerity wrap around them like a warm shawl. Then, for extra effect, I added a couple of tears to the corners of my eyes—just enough to shimr, never enough to fall.
I wasn’t trying to undermine the significance of these girls’ debutante—it was a special day for them, no doubt. But to , the return of my brother and the others who had fought at the frontlines held far greater importance.
"Pardon?"
"But this is the debutante—"
One of the girls quickly pinched the other before she could finish, no doubt to stop her from reminding that this event was ant to celebrate us, not the returning warriors.
"Well, I missed my brother a lot too," Brielle chid in gently, and I offered her a soft smile.
"But they’re back now," I said, "and hopefully, we’ll finally have peace."
That quiet line settled over the group, silencing them. Their expressions shifted as they turned to look at the n who had risked everything at war—standing there now, smiling, chatting, as if they hadn’t walked through hell to return.
"Oh my! If it isn’t the latecor," ca a smug, grating voice, cutting right through the mont. The girls around instantly dipped into polite curtsies—myself included.
"You don’t seem to be enjoying yourself much," Carlos remarked, his gaze settling on like a weight.
"Not quite, Your Highness," I said, keeping my voice composed. "I’m enjoying my ti with my companions here." I gestured lightly at the girls standing beside .
"Is that so?" he mused, stepping closer. "Well then, why don’t we—"
"There you are, Miss Reina!"
Another voice broke in, clean and unexpected. Carlos’ face twisted slightly in irritation as Prince Eric stepped forward, brushing past him without sparing a glance.
"Your Highness," we all greeted him with a curtsy.
Eric offered a warm smile. "How are you, ladies? I hope you’re enjoying your debutante."
"Yes, Your Highness, we are," one girl said quickly.
"It’s a truly extravagant celebration," another added.
"Well, my sister was the one who handled the preparations," Carlos interjected, stepping up beside Eric, his words laced with a biting undertone. "Did you expect it to be anything but extravagant?"
Eric barely acknowledged him. He simply turned back to us with the sa charming smile.
"I’m here to escort you, Miss Reina," he said to . "Your brother is looking for you."
Carlos scoffed audibly. "It seems that’s what you’ve been reduced to—a re escort who follows other people’s orders."
The girls gasped, unsure how to respond. Everyone here knew that Eric’s presence was often an unwelco one, especially around Carlos and Colette. They didn’t hide their disdain for him—and while they usually veiled it in public, today it was as overt as ever.
Carlos moved to shove Eric aside. "Now move, I was—"
"Your Highness, Prince Eric," I spoke clearly, stepping forward and lifting my hand toward him.
"Would you care for a dance with ?"
The words cut through the noise of the gathering like a drawn blade. Every eye turned to .
It was custom for n to invite won to dance at such events, after being formally introduced by family mbers. A lady never asked for a dance—not in public, not in front of royalty, and certainly not with soone like Prince Eric.
But I was more than ready to break those rules today.
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