- Caydel’s perspective upon entering the ball -

The debutante ball was filled with students and other nobles that came to observe their actions. Regardless of how crucial this ball was to some others, my appearance wasn’t exactly necessary. This ball was for students to make beneficial acquaintances. I have already taken advantage of the opening ceremony for the academy, so it was meaningless for me to converse with anyone. On the other hand, any public ball Elisabeth attended, I chose to go to as well. It was an unspoken agreement between us.

With Viktoria by my side, I felt more than uneasy. A few days before, she was trying to coax me into accompanying her to the ball. If it had been a few years ago, I might have given in to her the moment she asked, being awfully young and naive, but this time felt ominous. I felt like I was being played into a fool.

Viktoria has always declined my offers of attending balls together. Never had she ever taken the opportunity to personally ask me. Her reasoning was that I had Elisabeth to go to the ball with. She also said that I should respect my engagement with Duke Carabell’s daughter as long as I am engaged with her. And so, I listened to her for multiple years. It came to a point where I was the one rejecting her for every event and choosing to take Elisabeth instead. When I’d tell her this, she would give me her most radiant smile and nod understandingly.

I always loved that part about her, but that same part of her made my heart ache, and I wished that she’d be more selfish and yell at me for having to neglect her.

As toddlers, we always spent time together, playing house, running around in the garden, and studying the basics of the basics. She easily absorbed topics faster than I did, so I let her tutor me from time to time. As we grew into teenagers, I thought only a little would change. I thought she would let me visit her more often, but she didn’t. All I saw was how she started to morph into someone remarkable, and the fact that I wasn’t able to be a part of that change made me feel isolated. She was the only lady and friend I would willfully surround myself with. It was unlike how my father, King Therin of Whitensen, forced me to spend time with Elisabeth.

And to my surprise, she told me quite frankly, “Delly, I’d rather you not come near me nor associate with me.” When I reached out to touch her wonderfully shiny and golden hair, she slapped my hand away. I retracted it, rubbing the sore mark. “Have you forgotten? The general nobles are making us into an imaginary couple worth threatening the Carabell duchy. My father doesn’t need more trouble as it is, he is only a marquess. Elisabeth’s father is a duke. You and I are just friends, and you know that as well as I do. I don’t want misunderstandings, so let’s keep a distance for a while.”

I wanted to say something in return, but I knew she was right. Because I knew she was right, I avoided her the best I could. From afar, I witnessed how she became more charming. Her silky hair grew to her hips, her face became more mature, and she definitely became taller, though I was sure it was due to the high slippers she was forced to wear. One part that never changed was that determined look in her eyes when she told me she was going to be the best scholar in the entire academy.

The Lancasters quickly rose to power, becoming the second duchy in all of Whitensen. I thought, perhaps, this would mean I could spend more time talking to her. Instead, this indicated that she had all the methods at her disposal to ignore me without consequence. I tried my best to pretend as if I hadn’t a care in the world what she did, but in reality, it was like I was being torn apart from inside my mind.

The decision kept nagging at me. Disrespect Viktoria’s wishes and visit her or do as she asked and spend time with Elisabeth, who you’ve gathered, is the most irritable girl you’ve ever met.

Earlier in the week, Viktoria approached me and asked me, “Delly, would you like to go to the debutante with me?” I wanted to turn around and scoop her into my arms.

Instead, guilt welled up in my heart. And so, I declined the offer once, and again when she asked the second time. Until finally, I gave into my desires and said, “Just this once.” Seeing that smile spread across her face and reach her amethyst eyes made my heart flutter, but I couldn’t let her know how long I had wanted to hear that from her. I wanted to be more than the innocent child I was, so I remained composed and grinned cheekily to myself when she turned away.

I let Viktoria loop her arm into mine, and we proceeded through the doors. “His Highness, Prince Caydel Regulus Whitensen, the crown prince of Whitensen, has arrived! As well as his partner, Lady Viktoria Estella Lancaster, the first daughter of the Lancaster duchy, has arrived!” I overlooked the bowing and curtsying crowd, glancing over those that I recognized and identifying who was unfamiliar.

I would like to see this view beside Viktoria every time we attend balls.

It was a passing thought, a passing thought that quickly vanished when I laid my eyes upon two guests. One was a lady with her hair into waves tied back with a bun and dressed in a light blue tulle gown, and the other, dressed in a glittering golden dress and her hair into a meticulous updo.

It couldn’t be...

Both of them didn’t seem like people I had known, but as I descended down the steps with Viktoria, the picture of them became distinct. It was when I was right in front of them that I realized they were both glaring at me as if I was shit. A set of dark eyes followed me with despise paired with a set of evergreen eyes that watched me with furiousness. On both sides of the steps, I felt the criticism of the two ladies.

It was Teresa, the right-hand maid of the infamous Elisabeth Madeline Carabell, and Elisabeth Madeline Carabell herself.

The moment we stepped down, the ballroom musicians started playing my favorite classical pieces. It was as if they expected me to dance them with Viktoria. However, I knew my limits, if I had gone any further, the king would soon have my head donned on his wall. I’ve done what I said I would, I attended the ball with Viktoria. Now, I’m going to find Elisabeth and⎯

“Your Highness, won’t you dance with me?” Viktoria asked me so sweetly. Her arm was still looped with mine, and I was beginning to think that she had lost her mind. Never has she ever asked me that. She’d always remind me that the gentlemen had to ask ladies to dance first, and never the other way around. She was an elegant young lady with old-fashioned manners. Viktoria always respected ballroom etiquette, so hearing her say this set off warnings in my mind.

“No, didn’t you tell me that you’d rather keep a distance between you and me?” I questioned her. “Why are you suddenly asking me to stay around you? You’re not making any sense.”

She hugged me tighter, running her fingers up and down my arm, and my body only tensed. “Oh, come on, won’t you dance with me?” This was when I tore her off of me, repulsed by the shameless way she touched me. “Prince Caydel,” she cooed. Suddenly, the goal of finding Elisabeth was vivid in my mind. It was like I couldn’t stand to be near the one girl who was consistently on my mind. I didn’t understand myself, but I knew that I didn’t like what was happening.

I didn’t want to look back and see her upset, but then I heard the following question: “Prince Caydel, why are you refusing to dance with me?” I shot around and looked her straight in her nauseously mesmerizing eyes.

“You’re not acting like yourself! That’s why!” I exclaimed, trying to keep my voice lowered. I was already frustrated with her.

Why was she acting like she cared about me now? Why was she teasing me? Why is she going against every single one of her own principles?

This was not the Viktoria I knew, she never acted like this towards me. I didn’t want to be around someone who acted like any other noble lady in Whitensen. Without realizing it, I was using Elisabeth as my only excuse for refusing Viktoria, and I loathed Elisabeth more than anything else in the world. The realization made the whole picture clearer.

Something I hate more than Elisabeth, as unbelievable as it sounds, is seeing Viktoria act like Elisabeth.

I navigated through the crowd desperately. I ended up sitting in one of the lounge rooms after failing to find that despicable Carabell lady. She was nowhere to be found, and it was one more thing I didn’t understand. To think that the people around me are always changing without letting me take a break. I wanted life to move slower, to let me digest what I struggled to before it moved on.

Life doesn’t work that way.

I had a change in thought. Right then and there, I refreshed my mind and elected to have a different outlook.

Maybe I should find Garrod, let him tell me about what stupid gossips he had overheard. In the back of my mind, I wanted to ask him about his relationship with Princess Talissa from Lotte. Perhaps, he could give me some decent advice about how to fix this scrambled mess in my mind.

I knew his weaknesses inside out, and although his most apparent flaw was his love for Talissa, I wanted to learn how he managed to keep his thoughts in check. Then again, that knight nearly tore up Patrick the other day over his one love. On second thought, it’s not like Patrick didn’t deserve it. I couldn’t care less for my lazy brother. Dead or alive, he’s just the same.

I cast aside the memory of that incident.

Garrod could still help me despite his anger issues.

The mere idea made me aggressively facepalm.

Agh, that’s like saying a broken lock could still keep the jewels safe.

I started off with a positive mindset, but it was to no avail. I could not find either of the two people I wanted to find, so I sat there in bitter silence. The lounge was eerily quiet. No one was bothering me nor nagging me about anything. Forty-six minutes had already elapsed since the opening of the debutante ball.

What could be fun in speaking with a bunch of nobles with ulterior motives?

Ultimately, I decided that speaking with a bunch of nobles with ulterior motives was better than sitting here and thinking so much that my head started to hurt. As soon as I stepped out of the lounge, I caught my eyes on two ladies, and in the corner of my eye, I saw Garrod keeping watch over them.

Did something happen?

The question was drowned by the rage that reverberated in my mind, and I stormed over to Elisabeth.