The Grand Ballroom erupted with cheers the moment the Duke Houses finished making their entrance.

Voices rose from every direction, blending together into a sea of admiration and excitement.

Students called out the names of their favorite young nobles without holding anything back, while countless camera flashes continued to illuminate the hall one after another. Paras, Starlixs, and Zphones remained raised high in the air as everyone hurried to capture photographs and videos of Britannia’s future pillars.

The atmosphere became livelier with every passing second.

"Sir Ravenor looks so cool!"

"Lady Sasha!"

"She’s so beautiful!"

"House Burnwick!"

The voices echoed continuously.

At the front of the Burnwick Family, Ravenor walked with both hands resting inside his pockets. His face remained completely expressionless despite the overwhelming praise surrounding him, as though he had long grown accustomed to such attention.

Or maybe he just didn’t care about the attention itself.

Beside him, Sasha carried herself with the elegance expected of a young lady from one of Britannia’s greatest Duke Houses. She wore a gentle smile as she lightly waved toward the students calling her name.

The remaining members of House Burnwick followed behind them with composed expressions, occasionally returning the crowd’s greetings with confident smiles and graceful waves.

Near the back of the group...

Cyrus quietly walked behind his two step-siblings.

His earplugs rested loosely around his neck while both hands remained tucked comfortably inside the pockets of his scarlet-red and black trousers.

As expected...

Hardly anyone called his name.

The crowd’s attention remained fixed almost entirely on Ravenor and Sasha.

Yet Cyrus didn’t seem bothered in the slightest.

He simply continued walking with his usual relaxed smile, as though the difference in treatment had long become something he accepted.

Not far away...

Another wave of excited voices erupted.

"Lady Selena!"

"Lady Selena!"

The cheers of countless girls overlapped one another, while many boys could only stare in silence before blushing uncontrollably.

Selena’s appearance immediately drew everyone’s attention.

She wore a graceful emerald-green and black ballroom gown that flowed elegantly behind her with each step she took. The carefully crafted dress perfectly complemented her refined bearing, making her appear even more dazzling beneath the crystal lights hanging from the ballroom ceiling.

Walking closely beside her were two Highline ladies from House Galehart.

Each held an elegant fan, gently creating a cool breeze as they attended to her.

Behind Selena, another young lady carefully lifted the long train of her gown to prevent it from brushing against the polished marble floor, making the entire scene resemble the arrival of royalty rather than ordinary first-year students.

Many students instinctively raised their devices higher.

The sound of camera shutters became almost nonstop.

"My heart won’t stop pounding just from looking at her."

One young noble whispered while staring in admiration.

"You aren’t the only one."

His friend nodded with a helpless smile.

"I’ve already taken over thirty pictures."

Selena heard the crowd’s admiration and responded with a soft, elegant smile.

The warmth of that smile caused several nearby students to blush even harder.

"You really are stealing the show today, Lady Selena."

One of the Galehart girls said proudly.

Selena let out a graceful laugh.

"Haha..."

She lightly covered part of her mouth with her fingers before gently shaking her head.

"The other Flowers of Britannia are receiving just as much attention."

Her tone remained humble.

As she spoke...

Her eyes drifted toward someone walking a short distance away.

"Elena."

She smiled gently.

"You should come walk beside me. That way we can be in the pictures together."

Elena glanced sideways at her sister.

Her narrowed eyes remained completely unreadable.

She didn’t answer.

Not even a single word.

"Hmph."

She simply turned around and walked away from the group, disappearing into the nearby crowd.

Selena blinked.

"...Hmm?"

She tilted her head slightly.

One hand naturally rested against her cheek as she watched Elena leave.

"Who made her angry?"

Her voice carried genuine confusion.

She honestly couldn’t understand what had happened.

The Galehart members walking beside her exchanged helpless glances before quietly looking back at Selena.

Each of them wore almost the same expression.

I wonder why...

The exact same thought surfaced in every one of their minds.

Of course...

None of them dared say it aloud.

Selena herself remained completely unaware.

After thinking about it for only a brief moment, she simply smiled again and continued greeting the crowd.

Soon...

The attention surrounding her gradually blended together with another wave of loud cheers coming from the Drakes, Bergwyn, and Ashenlocke families.

"Lady Fatima!"

"She looks even more mature than her age in that dress!"

"Sir Starke!"

"Sir Logan!"

"Lady Gin!"

The applause rolled through the ballroom like waves crashing against a shoreline.

Fatima responded with a composed smile before gracefully waving toward the students.

Beside her, Gin returned the greetings with a bright, cheerful smile that immediately won over many people nearby.

Starke acknowledged the crowd with a calm nod and an easy smile.

Logan, on the other hand, wore his usual confident smirk while raising one hand toward the cheering students.

Behind them, the remaining members of House Drake walked forward in orderly formation, carrying themselves with quiet confidence.

Not long afterward...

The excitement surrounding House Bergwyn became just as overwhelming.

"Lady Diane!"

"My Sleeping Queen!"

"The Lady of Berg!"

Boys and girls shouted her titles one after another.

"D... Lady Diane..."

One of the Bergwyn Mainline girls leaned toward Diane while gently poking her shoulder.

Her voice sounded both embarrassed and desperate.

Diane continued walking.

But her eyes remained peacefully closed.

The loud cheers filling the ballroom seemed completely incapable of waking her.

The Bergwyn family members exchanged awkward looks.

Several of them quietly moved closer around Diane, making sure she continued walking in the correct direction without drifting away from the group.

Even so...

Her appearance remained breathtaking.

The light-blue ballroom gown hugged her figure with remarkable elegance, while her neatly tied light-blue hair gently swayed behind her every time she took another step.

Many girls covered their mouths in admiration.

Several boys stared without blinking, completely captivated by her beauty despite the fact that she appeared to be sleepwalking through one of the grandest events of the academy year.

The Bergwyn members could only sigh inwardly as they continued guiding their Lady through the ballroom without letting her wander off.

Meanwhile...

The loudest cheers in the entire ballroom still belonged to House Ashenlocke, because of a certain flower.

"Sir Veda!"

"Sir Gareth!"

"Sir Felix!"

"Sir Ezra!"

"Lady Vera!"

"The Greatest Flower of Britannia!"

"No lady compares to Lady Vera!"

"My one and only number one!"

"Yes! That’s my Lady!"

The hall practically shook from the overwhelming enthusiasm.

Even before the voices settled...

A familiar figure suddenly darted away from the Ashenlocke group.

Nina rushed toward the cheering crowd with sparkling eyes.

She raised one arm high into the air as though leading a battle cry.

"Lady Vera is number one!"

Her excited voice echoed across the ballroom.

The surrounding students immediately answered with the same enthusiasm.

"Number one!"

The synchronized shout spread throughout the hall.

"Hahahaha!"

Nina proudly placed both hands on her waist.

Her smile stretched from ear to ear.

She looked even happier than Vera herself.

Not like Vera was actually smiling.

Veda couldn’t help letting out a light laugh after witnessing the scene.

Not far behind him...

Priscilla and Paige exchanged faint frowns as they continued walking with the Ashenlocke Family.

Their reactions were far less enthusiastic than Nina’s.

Even so...

Neither of them said a word.

"I still don’t understand why I was forced to stand at the front."

Ezra spoke while looking toward Veda, who seemed determined not to meet his gaze.

Veda simply kept smiling at the crowd.

His hand rose naturally as he continued returning the greetings of the cheering students.

"Smile and wave, boys...Smile and wave."

He spoke in an easy tone without turning around, as though he had completely ignored Ezra’s complaint.

Gareth couldn’t help but chuckle before answering in Veda’s place.

"It’s because you’ve finally reached the level where you belong at the front."

He smiled naturally.

"You’re quite popular now, Ezra."

Ezra quietly looked at Gareth for several seconds.

His expression remained as blank as ever.

"I guess so."

That was all he said before turning back toward the sea of students.

The applause continued around them.

Camera flashes reflected across the polished marble floor while countless students called out the names of the Ashenlocke Family.

"Tsk."

Felix clicked his tongue.

The sound wasn’t loud.

Yet it was more than enough for those nearby to hear.

His eyes briefly swept toward Ezra before looking away again.

The dissatisfaction on his face wasn’t hidden in the slightest.

Gareth noticed it immediately.

He could only laugh awkwardly.

Fortunately...

Before the atmosphere became any stranger...

Someone quietly stepped closer.

"Ezra."

Vera’s calm voice reached him.

Ezra turned slightly.

Vera had already walked to his side.

She tilted her head just a little as she looked directly into his eyes.

Several loose strands of her neatly tied black hair had slipped free, gently resting beside her cheeks.

Her plain black eyes remained calm.

Completely unreadable.

"How was your dance practice?"

She asked in her usual straightforward manner.

"It went well."

Ezra answered honestly.

"I guess."

His tone remained as plain as ever.

There wasn’t even the slightest sign that Vera’s sudden appearance had caught him off guard.

Vera looked at him for another moment before giving a small nod.

"I can’t wait for our dance together."

Her expression didn’t change.

"I’m sure you can’t wait either."

A short pause followed.

"I’m very sure you’ve been looking forward to dancing with me."

Her voice remained completely flat.

The confidence in her words sounded so natural that it was difficult to tell whether she was teasing him or genuinely believed it.

"I’m not."

Ezra answered immediately.

His tone matched hers almost perfectly.

There wasn’t a hint of embarrassment on his face.

Nor did he hesitate.

The reply came so quickly that several nearby Ashenlocke members unconsciously glanced toward the pair.

Vera remained completely unfazed.

She calmly held Ezra’s gaze before speaking again.

"Saying ’I’m not’... doesn’t mean ’no,’ Ezra."

Her reply came so naturally that it almost sounded like a perfectly reasonable conclusion.

Ezra blinked once.

"Since when did that happen?"

He asked while continuing to walk through the crowd.

Students instinctively stepped aside to make way for the two of them.

Without realizing it...

Ezra and Vera had gradually drifted away from the rest of the Ashenlocke Family.

The family members behind them slowed slightly.

Several of them looked toward the pair with confused expressions.

They had no idea when those two had quietly entered their own conversation while everyone else was busy greeting admirers.

Even the surrounding students noticed it.

Many couldn’t help staring.

Some looked surprised.

Others watched with envy after watching the unusually calm exchange between the two.

Not far away...

Nina’s eyes widened.

"W-Where is he taking my Lady...?"

She immediately took a step forward.

Before she could run over...

A hand grabbed the back of her dress.

Tracy sighed.

"Calm down, loyal fan."

She effortlessly held Nina in place.

"Nooooo!"

Nina stretched one arm desperately toward Vera.

Her fingers continued reaching into empty air as though refusing to give up.

Tracy could only shake her head helplessly.

Around them...

The formal entrance gradually came to an end.

The members of each Duke House naturally began separating from their family groups.

Some walked over to greet close friends.

Some accepted invitations to take photographs with admirers.

Others simply wandered through the ballroom while enjoying the celebration.

The lively atmosphere quickly became even more relaxed.

Vera continued walking beside Ezra for several more steps before calmly speaking again.

"Because I said so... Ezra."

Her voice remained completely matter-of-fact.

Almost as though that alone settled the discussion.

Ezra thought about it for a brief moment.

"I see."

He simply accepted the answer without arguing further.

Vera quietly stopped walking.

She turned toward another part of the ballroom where many students continued gathering around the Duke Houses.

"I’m going to see the crowd now."

She raised one hand in a small wave.

"I’ll see you later... Inventor."

With those words...

She calmly walked away.

Ezra didn’t respond.

He simply watched her graceful figure disappear into the lively crowd.

Only after Vera was completely out of sight did he look away.

Almost immediately...

He noticed something else.

The boys standing around him hadn’t taken their eyes off Vera even once.

Their gazes had followed her until she disappeared among the students.

Then...

As though responding to some silent signal...

Every one of them slowly turned toward Ezra.

The envy in their eyes was impossible to hide.

Some looked jealous.

Others looked outright resentful.

Ezra merely glanced at them once.

Then...

Without giving them another thought...

He quietly continued walking.

The opinions of strangers had never interested him.

Not even now.

"My fellow students!"

The voices of the News Club hosts echoed throughout the Grand Ballroom once more.

The lively conversations gradually quieted.

"Now that we’ve welcomed our proud and distinguished Duke Houses..."

The male host smiled brightly as the cameras turned back toward the center of the hall.

His excitement was contagious.

The surrounding students instinctively focused their attention on him.

The female host smoothly continued.

"It’s now time... to welcome Royalty!"

Her energetic announcement immediately stirred the atmosphere once again.

Students hurriedly adjusted their recording devices.

Many who had lowered their Paras, Starlixs, and Zphones quickly raised them once more.

The anticipation inside the ballroom noticeably increased.

The two hosts smiled before speaking together.

"Please welcome... the Royal Family of Britannia!"

Their voices echoed proudly through the magnificent hall.

At once...

Every recording camera pivoted toward the grand entrance again as the ballroom gradually fell silent.

Then...

The doors slowly opened.

The Fourth Prince entered with the nobles accompanying him.

Not far behind...

The Fifth Prince stepped into the ballroom with his own entourage.

And finally...

The Third Princess appeared.

She walked with the grace expected of Britannia’s royalty.

However...

It wasn’t the Princess herself who stunned the crowd.

It was the young man walking calmly beside her.

For a brief moment...

The entire ballroom seemed to freeze.

Even several High-Ember nobles wore expressions of disbelief.

"What the hell is that commoner maggot doing beside Princess Stella?"

Felix frowned.

His arms folded tightly across his chest.

The displeasure on his face couldn’t have been more obvious.

Gareth stared toward the entrance.

"Well...That’s unexpected."

His voice carried genuine surprise.

Walking calmly beside Princess Stella...

Was Maxwell.

His posture remained relaxed.

His smile hadn’t changed.

He behaved as though the countless shocked stares surrounding him didn’t exist.

The nobles following behind Princess Stella exchanged uncomfortable looks.

Some frowned.

Others openly displayed their displeasure.

Yet...

None of them dared say anything.

Not while the Princess herself had allowed him to walk beside her.

On the opposite side...

Tristin walked beside his elder brother, the Fourth Prince.

His eyes immediately landed on Maxwell.

The surprise on his face quickly turned into visible dissatisfaction.

He didn’t even bother hiding it.

His brows knitted together as he silently watched the scene unfold.

Princess Stella, however...

Didn’t care.

She gracefully waved toward the cheering students.

Her elegant smile never faltered despite the countless complicated gazes directed toward her.

Maxwell was equally unconcerned.

To him...

The judgment of others held little value.

"You really don’t care about all those eyes on you."

Stella spoke quietly.

Her smile remained directed toward the crowd as students respectfully bowed before enthusiastically calling out her name.

Maxwell smiled calmly.

"Why should I?"

His answer came without the slightest hesitation.

Behind them...

A young lady accompanying Maxwell, with her hands close glued on his sleeves.

Her fingers trembled ever so slightly.

"B-But...I’m scared, Sir Maxwell."

She whispered softly from behind him.