Chapter 04
“Why am I trembling?”
Songb kept glancing at the mirror in the imperial ballroom’s waiting room.
“Nervous?”
Belia approached her.
The two girls, both dressed to perfection, were reflected in the mirror.
Songb, in a fluttering cream-colored dress, stood in contrast to Belia, who wore a calm navy-blue gown.
“Belia, I think you’ll be this year’s Belle of the Ball. I haven’t seen Lady Dalton yet, but… honestly.”
Songb said with admiration.
Belia smiled brightly at her flushed face.
“Really?”
Even to herself, she looked beautiful.
The daring dark navy dress that revealed her shoulders and collarbone sparkled toward the hem as if starlight had been scattered across the night sky.
They were all diamonds.
The dress design was worth every coin.
Henri from the Feltrom Salon had put in even more effort toward the end. Though a merchant, he was a designer to the bone.
With his sense of style added, the result was a masterpiece.
When Belia had first worn the dress, Henri, the salon staff, and Sue had all stared at her blankly, as if a goddess had descended.
“Do you like the earrings?”
“Of course! How much were these? Really, you should’ve seen my mom’s face…”
Songb kept fidgeting with the dress and accessories Belia had gifted her.
Belia had already prepared them, saying they were ready, even though Songb kept refusing out of modesty—knowing her family could barely afford a dress.
“Still… Isn’t this too much for a baron’s daughter?”
Songb looked at Belia nervously.
“What does it matter? Just do what you want. You only get one sweet sixteen ball. Why? Worried about gossip?”
“Yeah… but you’re right. When else will I get to wear something like this? It’s great. I’m lucky to have a friend like you.”
Songb beamed and tried to get used to her reflection.
Belia had prepared all this remembering how Songb had secretly cried after her last debutante ball—and seeing her so happy now made it worth it.
Just then, fanfare sounded.
“Looks like it’s time!”
Belia and Songb began to move.
It was time for the sixteen-year-olds to make their grand entrance.
After winning the continental war for supremacy centuries ago, the Lenin Empire had long enjoyed its golden age as the only empire on the continent.
Its vast territory fueled agricultural prosperity, and post-war trade had led to thriving commerce, enriching the lives of its citizens.
This was the heart of that empire—the imperial palace.
Inside a hall adorned with gold, luxurious chandeliers sparkled over countless precious ornaments.
The hall was filled with nobles of the Lenin Empire.
Just as grand as the hall were the nobles, dressed in splendor, each showing off their unique beauty.
There were dresses that looked to cost a fortune.
And the one who stood out the most among them was Soph Arpedi.
“Oh my, that dress…”
Her vibrant orange hair gleamed in gentle waves.
The off-shoulder dress accentuated her figure, hugging her waist elegantly.
“That design… I’ve never seen it before.”
“Neither have I.”
Her beauty stood out among the women wearing more conservative dresses that covered the neck.
Not only the ladies, but even the dignified noblemen sneaked glances at her.
In the middle of it all, Soph was engaged in conversation with her husband, the marquis.
“Belia?”
“Yes. That once quiet girl—who knows what came over her… Beautiful, isn’t she?”
Soph smiled shyly at her husband.
The marquis, flustered, gently pulled her closer.
“But isn’t it a bit too revealing?”
“I only wore things like this when I was single… But isn’t it lovely?”
Soph smiled in satisfaction.
Before the party started, the expressions of the ladies in the powder room who had once belittled her for being from a viscount’s family—priceless.
All thanks to her daughter.
She’d hesitated at first, but once she wore what her daughter suggested, she truly sparkled.
“You look beautiful.”
“You think so too? But someone even lovelier is about to walk in.”
Soph raised her hand and pointed to the door.
At that moment, a grand fanfare sounded and the double doors opened.
The stars of tonight’s ball began filing in, lined up in perfect order.
“Look at the ceiling.”
At Songb’s words, Belia looked up.
“It’s blinding.”
Belia shrugged and looked forward again.
Lines of young noblemen and noblewomen began pouring into the ballroom.
Everyone at the party turned to watch the evening’s debutantes.
“As expected, Lady Dalton.”
All eyes turned to the young lady leading the procession.
As the woman expected to be the next crown princess, she was beautiful and exuded grace.
Her red dress practically declared her status as future royalty.
Even other noble ladies blushed while looking at her, not just the young men.
Then the crowd’s attention shifted.
“Oh my…”
Among the young ladies in wide-skirted dresses, one stood out dramatically.
The jewels on her gown sparkled under the chandeliers.
“Is that Lady Belia…?”
A noblewoman whose presence had always been so faint it was barely noticeable—yet now she captivated the entire ballroom in an instant.
Tucking a strand of her long hair behind her ear, Belia offered a subtle smile.
Faces turned red across the room.
“Lady Belia doesn’t have a betrothed, does she?”
“The Arpedi family…”
As whispers rippled through the room, Belia shrugged.
“What’s this? You hate being stared at like that.”
“So what? It’s fun.”
Belia laughed at Songb’s comment. She didn’t mind it.
She recalled the years she’d spent merely surviving—never able to enjoy even small pleasures like this—and now she smiled widely, savoring the attention.
“You’re unbelievable!”
Songb laughed at her amusing friend.
“Songb, look over there.”
Belia pointed.
“Huh?”
Songb followed her finger and froze.
Belia smiled at her blushing friend.
“Embarrassed?”
“You—! What’s gotten into you lately?!”
Songb whispered harshly, turning away.
Belia just grinned and looked toward the one and only heir of the Duke of Tebel—Songb’s secret crush.
His gaze lingered on Songb for a moment.
“Two years older, her first love…”
While calculating silently in her head, the debutante procession came to an end.
The imperial family must have been absent, as the chamberlain stepped forward to deliver the Emperor’s words.
“Mother!”
Belia hugged Soph tightly.
“My goodness, you…”
Soph laughed softly at her daughter’s unusually affectionate behavior and gently stroked her hair.
“How do we look? We’re a matching set!”
Belia twirled with a grin.
“Beautiful. My daughter.”
Soph smiled warmly. The marquis watched the affectionate pair from a step away.
Nearby nobles looked at the mother and daughter in similarly styled dresses.
The tailoring was perfect for both.
The two dresses spoke volumes about the Arpedi family’s wealth.
Trying to appear indifferent, the nobles subtly began calculating.
If they married their child to her, wouldn’t they become in-laws with the Arpedi marquisate?
“Mother, I’ll be off now.”
Belia said with a wistful expression.
She had only stopped by briefly—now it was time to join her age group.
It was an unspoken rule that the young nobles should socialize amongst themselves at the ball.
After giving a quick glance at those who used to mock her mother, Belia turned away.
The ones who once belittled the viscount’s daughter now sparkled with envy at the sight of her gown.
Their envy showed they understood the astronomical value of the dress.
With a satisfied smile, Belia turned to head back to Songb.
Just then—
“Th-The Tower Master is entering!”
The doorman’s voice rang out, startled.
The ballroom was instantly thrown into chaos.
“The Tower Master? Why would he…?”
Belia looked toward the entrance as murmurs filled the air.
The double doors opened, and through them strode the Tower Master—wearing his robe, as if the ball meant nothing to him.
The Lenin Empire was situated on the continent of Kanemea.
The continent consisted of the Empire, a Holy State, eight kingdoms, and numerous city-states.
At the center, on the eastern side, sat the Lenin Empire and the Holy State; the other eight kingdoms were spread across the west.
In the middle of all this was a neutral zone and the Magic Tower, born of ancient wars.
The Tower governed all magic use across the continent.
Ancient magic had been used solely as a weapon, unlike the more practical spells of the modern age.
Even dark magic and curses were used freely, killing many during the old wars.
So after the war ended, dark magic was banned throughout the continent, and the Tower became the organization to strictly manage not only dark magic but all forms of magic.
The master of the Tower—the Tower Master—was the one who ruled over it all.
The Tower Master was selected for having the most powerful magical energy, granting them authority over all magicians within the Tower.
The current Tower Master, Carlton, had shocked the world with his beauty and young age.
Declared a genius early on, he was courted by both the Empire and various kingdoms. And those who met him gave him another nickname:
“The Red-Eyed Lunatic.”
