"I wonder what we should call someone who does that."

Vera gently rested her index finger against her cheek as though she had been presented with a difficult academic question.

Her eyes drifted toward Desmond.

She looked at him from head to toe before quietly humming to herself.

"Trash sounds appropriate..."

She paused again.

"No..."

Her expression remained calm as she continued thinking aloud, appearing completely serious about finding the most suitable word.

"Perhaps there is something worse."

She spoke so naturally that anyone unfamiliar with her would have believed she was genuinely searching for the correct vocabulary rather than trying to insult someone in front of half the ballroom.

The words weren’t loud.

They didn’t need to be.

Her calm delivery somehow made them even more effective.

Willow slowly turned her head toward her younger brother.

The coldness in her eyes deepened.

Desmond immediately felt the pressure of that gaze.

Before either of them could continue...

"Vera."

A familiar voice called from the side.

"You should stop adding fuel to the fire."

Prince Tristin walked over with Gareth, Felix, and Basil following behind him.

A helpless smile rested on Tristin’s face.

"If you continue provoking Willow...she might actually decide to discipline her own brother tonight."

Vera looked at him quietly.

Her expression never changed.

"I’m not provoking anyone."

She answered in the same calm tone.

"I’m simply trying to expand my vocabulary."

Felix slowly covered part of his face.

"...Here we go again."

He muttered beneath his breath.

Gareth lightly chuckled.

Even Basil looked at Vera in complete disbelief.

Around them...

The disturbance had already attracted almost everyone’s attention.

Students who had been dancing only moments ago had slowed to a stop.

Others quietly gathered near the edges of the ballroom, whispering among themselves while pretending not to stare.

Servants carrying trays carefully changed direction to avoid passing between the two Duke Houses.

No one wanted to become caught in the middle of whatever happened next.

Among the crowd...

Sasha’s bright eyes sparkled with excitement.

She stood on the tips of her shoes, trying to see over several taller students.

A fight...

A fight between two Duke Houses...

The thought alone made her heart race.

She knew exactly how dangerous Desmond Derlis was.

His reputation had spread wildly amongst young nobles long before their Royal academy life officially began.

As for Ezra...

She barely knew anything about him.

But that wasn’t important.

All she cared about was whether the two would actually exchange blows.

Nearby...

Ravenor looked thoroughly irritated.

"What in the world are they doing?"

He frowned as he looked toward the commotion.

"Is this supposed to be a welcoming ball...or some common tavern?"

He folded his arms tightly.

"They do realize this will delay the entire event."

His annoyance was completely genuine.

Not far from him...

Cyrus quietly continued eating a slice of red velvet cake covered with vanilla icing.

He had already removed the earplugs he normally wore.

His attention remained fixed on the gathering around Ezra.

Ezra... and Desmond.

He slowly chewed another bite.

That wasn’t the combination I expected tonight.

Without realizing it...

Even he had stopped focusing on his dessert.

At another corner of the ballroom...

Diane blinked in confusion.

"Did I miss a fight?"

She looked toward where Vera and Willow were standing.

Her eyes brightened slightly.

"Wait... Are Vera and Willow about to fight again?"

She puffed out her cheeks.

"Mmm...They didn’t even invite me."

She sounded genuinely disappointed.

One of the students standing beside her immediately shook his head.

"No, Lady Diane. That’s... not what’s happening."

"Oh."

Diane slowly turned to look at him.

After several seconds...

She simply closed her eyes again.

"I see."

The student looked at her helplessly.

What exactly did she imagine happened here...?

Elsewhere...

Fatima folded her arms while quietly watching the growing crowd around Ezra and Desmond.

She didn’t move.

She simply observed.

Gin clicked her tongue.

"It’s always Desmond causing trouble."

Logan laughed softly.

"Maybe. But it’s entertaining watching him bully an Ashenlocke."

He stretched lazily.

"I’m going to take a closer look."

He raised one hand before making his way through the gathering, students.

Gin merely sighed.

Nearby...

A small group of noble girls stood around Selena.

One of them frowned.

"This kind of behavior..."

She shook her head.

"...is exactly what ruins elegant parties."

Another nodded in agreement.

"Not elegant at all."

"They’re completely destroying the atmosphere."

"Brutes."

Selena quietly listened.

Her expression remained gentle.

"Is that so?"

She softly replied.

Outwardly...

Nothing about her expression changed.

Inside her mind, however...

An entirely different conversation was taking place.

Ah... Sir Ezra...

What exactly are you doing over there?

Her hearing naturally focused toward the disturbance.

Little by little...

The surrounding conversations faded from her attention.

She listened only to the voices coming from Ezra’s side.

A maid...?

Was this all because of his maid?

Her beautiful eyes blinked once.

Does that mean...

He actually likes his maid?

Noooooo!...

Another rival...?

She almost sighed aloud.

And she’s a maid...

Well... there isn’t anything wrong with sincerely loving a maid.

But...

Now I have to worry about a maid too?

The thoughts running through Selena’s mind couldn’t have been more different from the gentle smile she continued showing everyone around her.

Then...

Her thoughts moved on to Desmond.

Her smile almost stiffened.

Honestly...

This is exactly why I don’t like him.

Fu...

She stopped herself.

Ahem...

He’s simply... a bad boy.

Humph.

"Lady Selena."

One of the noble girls spoke again.

"Boys like that are exactly the type you should avoid."

"They have no elegance."

"Yeah...they’re just ruining the mood."

"Brutes."

Selena gently cleared her throat.

"Ahem."

The girls immediately became quiet.

She smiled kindly at them.

"Ladies...We shouldn’t casually use the ’B’ word when referring to noble gentlemen."

She spoke softly.

"Or even Non-Noble gentlemen. It doesn’t reflect true elegance."

The girls immediately lowered their heads.

"We’re sorry, Lady Selena."

They apologized together.

Selena lightly waved both hands.

"Oh...I’m only correcting everyone. Please don’t apologize. It makes me feel embarrassed."

Her gentle smile immediately melted the girls’ nervousness.

The admiration in their eyes only deepened.

"As expected of Lady Selena."

"The Ideal Flower of Britannia."

"She’s so graceful."

Selena smiled politely in return.

Yet...

None of those compliments truly entered her ears.

Ah...

I wonder...

Will there ever be a day when Sir Ezra protects me like that?

The thought alone made her heart flutter.

She quietly sighed inwardly.

Not far away...

Veda still looked completely dissatisfied.

He folded both arms.

"Why did you two stop me?"

He glanced toward Linda and Tracy.

"I should’ve gone over there and given that guy a piece of my mind."

Linda looked at him with concern.

"Because things could have become much worse."

She spoke honestly.

"If you had joined in...the situation would’ve escalated."

Tracy nodded beside her.

"And besides..."

She folded her arms.

"Ezra can handle himself."

She sounded completely confident.

Veda clicked his tongue.

"Tsk."

He understood exactly what they meant.

Even so...

He still disliked the idea of someone openly provoking Ezra.

His frustration simply refused to disappear.

Back at the center of the commotion...

Vera quietly looked at Tristin.

"Your Highness..."

Her voice remained perfectly calm.

"You’re accusing me of something rather serious."

She blinked once.

"Does that mean... you’re trying to bully poor little me?"

She looked at him with complete sincerity.

As though she truly couldn’t understand why he would treat her so unfairly.

Tristin froze.

"...What?"

Felix slowly placed a hand over his forehead.

Ahhhhhhh

He sighed to himself.

Tristin rubbed his temple.

"How did this conversation suddenly become me bullying yo..."

"I’ve heard enough."

Willow calmly interrupted before he could finish.

Her voice wasn’t loud.

Yet...

Everyone instinctively fell silent.

She turned toward Tristin and respectfully lowered her head.

"Your Highness. Please forgive my rudeness. But I’ll be taking my leave now."

She straightened her posture.

"The welcoming ball should resume."

No one objected.

Not even Tristin himself.

Willow slowly turned toward Desmond.

The cold look she gave him this time lasted much longer than before.

No words were needed.

Desmond understood perfectly.

Still wearing an innocent smile...

He scratched the back of his head as though he had done absolutely nothing wrong.

His friends immediately stepped forward.

Without giving him the chance to speak again, they quietly ushered him away from the gathering.

Only after Desmond disappeared into the crowd did the heavy atmosphere finally begin to ease.

Vera turned toward Ezra.

She studied him for a moment.

"You look surprisingly calm... for someone who just confronted Desmond."

Her voice carried its usual quiet curiosity.

Ezra answered honestly.

"I only calmed down just now."

His reply remained as straightforward as ever.

Vera simply nodded.

She wasn’t surprised by the answer.

Ezra’s attention shifted toward Lucy.

Violet had already left.

Lucy smiled helplessly at him.

Although the danger had passed...

The slight trembling in her hands hadn’t completely disappeared.

Seeing that she was unharmed...

Ezra finally looked away.

Just then...

The two News Club hosts stepped back onto the stage.

The male host smiled awkwardly.

"We sincerely apologize... for the interruption."

The female host continued naturally.

"But now... the welcoming ball shall officially resume."

"And now..."

The male host raised one hand toward the tall crystal windows surrounding the Grand Ballroom.

"...with the moonlight finally upon us."

The ballroom had changed without many people realizing it.

Outside...

The silver moon had already risen high into the night sky.

Its gentle light filtered through the enormous glass windows, mixing with the warm glow of the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

The polished marble floor reflected both lights beautifully, making the ballroom appear even more elegant than before.

The female host stepped forward with a graceful smile.

"Ladies... It is time to invite your gentlemen once again."

She turned slightly, looking toward the young noblemen gathered around the ballroom.

"And gentlemen... Please invite your ladies once again."

The transition between the two hosts remained smooth, as though they had practiced every word countless times.

The male host smiled.

"Because..."

He deliberately paused.

Several students instinctively looked toward the center of the ballroom.

The female host continued with a bright smile.

"Now..."

She allowed the anticipation to linger for just another second.

"...it’s time to truly dance."

The two hosts smiled at one another before naturally stepping into a ballroom dance posture.

With one synchronized movement, they bowed together.

The students immediately responded with cheerful applause.

"Oh!"

The female host suddenly lifted one finger as though she had just remembered something important.

"Before we begin..."

She looked toward the stage at the far end of the ballroom.

"We would also like to introduce tonight’s lead musician."

The male host smiled.

"The Flower of Music... Our very own... Lady Selena Galehart."

The moment Selena’s name was announced...

Applause echoed throughout the Grand Ballroom.

Students from every corner enthusiastically clapped their hands.

Many nobles smiled as they looked toward the stage.

Several Non-Nobles from far places in Britannia who had only heard stories about Selena’s talent also turned with obvious curiosity.

Selena gracefully walked toward the grand piano waiting beneath the soft lights.

She acknowledged everyone with a gentle wave and her usual elegant smile.

Every step she took remained calm and refined.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of nervousness on her face.

Instead...

She carried herself with the quiet confidence of someone completely at home before an audience.

When she finally reached the piano...

She slowly sat down.

For a brief moment...

Her fingers hovered above the polished black and white keys.

She quietly studied them.

Then she lifted her eyes toward the orchestra waiting several meters away.

Although she had never rehearsed with this orchestra before...

Not even once...

Her expression remained completely relaxed.

She showed no concern whatsoever.

The orchestra members quietly watched her.

Several of them had already heard countless stories about Lady Selena’s talent.

Tonight...

They were about to witness it firsthand.

Selena slowly raised one elegant hand.

That single movement was enough.

The orchestra members immediately straightened their posture.

Violinists gently adjusted their instruments.

The cellists rested their bows in position.

The pianist accompanying her quietly placed both hands above the keys.

Every musician fixed their eyes on Selena.

Without a single spoken command...

She naturally became the conductor.

Across the ballroom...

Students gradually found their dance partners.

Gentlemen politely extended their hands.

Their Ladies answered with graceful smiles.

One pair after another stepped onto the center of the ballroom until the polished dance floor slowly filled with elegant gowns and finely tailored suits.

Around them...

The remaining students politely moved aside, leaving enough room for everyone to dance comfortably.

The ballroom gradually became quieter.

Everyone waited.

Not a single note had been played yet.

Selena simply kept her hand raised.

The anticipation slowly built throughout the hall.

No one spoke.

No one wished to interrupt the silence.

Then...

Selena gently lowered her hand.

The orchestra immediately began.

The opening melody flowed softly through the ballroom.

Gentle and elegant.

Almost delicate.

It was the perfect tempo for the opening greeting of a formal ballroom dance.

Following the rhythm...

Every gentleman respectfully bowed toward his partner.

Each lady answered with her own graceful courtesy before extending her hand.

Only then did the gentlemen gently take their ladies’ hands.

As the first measures continued...

The music slowly became livelier.

Not dramatically.

Only enough for the dancers to naturally transition into their first steps.

The couples began moving together.

Their polished shoes glided smoothly across the marble floor.

Elegant gowns gently swayed with every turn.

The ballroom slowly transformed into a sea of graceful movements.

Nickolas wore a bright smile throughout the dance.

One hand rested respectfully around his partner’s waist while the other gently held hers.

The two moved together surprisingly well, drawing a few approving glances from nearby students.

Even while dancing...

Nickolas couldn’t resist looking toward Ezra.

His smug expression quietly returned.

He noticed Ezra still hadn’t entered the dance floor.

Instead...

Ezra remained among the small number of students simply watching the performance.

See?

Nickolas thought proudly.

Some people are just meant to admire from the sidelines.

Not far away...

Veda danced together with Linda.

Compared to Nickolas...

His movements appeared more natural.

Linda, however...

Could barely maintain eye contact.

Every time their faces drew close during the dance...

Her cheeks immediately became a deeper shade of red.

She quickly looked away.

Only for her eyes to drift back toward Veda again moments later.

The cycle repeated itself throughout the dance.

Veda noticed her reactions.

A small smile quietly appeared on his face.

He pretended not to notice.

Little by little...

More students joined the dance floor.

The ballroom became increasingly lively.

Pairs gracefully moved around one another while carefully following the rhythm set by the orchestra.

Those who weren’t dancing quietly stepped farther toward the edges of the hall, creating enough space for the growing number of couples.

Some watched with admiration.

Others quietly discussed whose dancing looked the most elegant.

A few younger students even copied certain dance steps while laughing among themselves.

Ezra quietly observed everything for another moment.

Then...

He turned away from the dance floor.

The desserts suddenly seemed far more interesting.

He calmly walked back toward the buffet tables where several attendants continued serving pastries, cakes, fruits, and sweets.

After waiting patiently in line...

He stood before the serving station.

It was at that very moment...

Selena finally joined the orchestra herself.

Until now...

She had only been guiding them.

Now...

Her fingers gently descended onto the piano keys.

The first note she played blended seamlessly into the orchestra’s melody.

There wasn’t the slightest hesitation.

Nor was there any feeling that she had joined halfway through the performance.

Instead...

It felt as though she had been part of the music from the very beginning.

Even though she had never rehearsed with them...

The harmony sounded flawless.

The orchestra instinctively adjusted around her rhythm.

Their performance immediately rose to another level.

The melody became richer.

Warmer.

More complete.

The dancers felt the change almost instantly.

Without realizing it...

Their movements naturally became more fluid.

Every turn looked more graceful.

Every step carried greater confidence.

Even those simply watching found themselves captivated by the music.

Some unconsciously smiled.

Others quietly closed their eyes for a brief moment, allowing themselves to enjoy the performance.

The atmosphere inside the Grand Ballroom grew even more enchanting beneath the moonlight pouring through the windows.

Students watched their friends dance.

Many admired the elegant movements of the kingdom’s young nobles.

Others simply allowed themselves to become immersed in the beautiful melody filling the hall.

Standing quietly before the dessert station...

Ezra patiently waited for his plate to be served.

As his eyes casually wandered across the ballroom...

They suddenly settled on a familiar figure among the dancers.

A certain noble...

Still wearing his signature earplugs.