"Imperial princess?"
"That's right."
The very person who had driven Yuri to commit an unforgivable sin in his past life was standing right there.
Platinum-blonde hair and deep green eyes—the same appearance as in his memories.
Suddenly, their eyes met.
She looked at Yuri, narrowed her eyes, and gave a faint smile.
Yuri did not react.
In this life, he had no entanglements with Ekaterina.
But she stared at him as if she knew something.
Yuri closed his eyes and steadied himself.
This time, he wouldn't make the same mistake.
Never.
He composed himself, then opened his eyes again.
Ekaterina's smile had deepened.
***
Yuri, lost in thought, didn't even realize how much time had passed.
Georg was sitting beside Fiore, chatting.
Yuri couldn't tell which of his past actions had brought Georg to this place.
He wanted to dig for information somehow, but that woman was making it hard for him to stay calm.
Ekaterina.
She sat demurely, occasionally smiling kindly at nobles who came to speak with her.
But to Yuri, who knew her well, all of it felt detestable.
"Yuri."
"What?"
"Should I go talk to her?"
"Do whatever you want."
It seemed Joshua had fallen for Ekaterina.
"What should I say?"
"How would I know?"
"How old do you think she is?"
"She's the same age as me."
"Really? How do you know that?"
"I just do."
"She looks older than you though?"
"That's because she's mature."
He understood.
Yuri, too, had once been captivated by her for the same reason as Joshua in his past life. He knew better than anyone how that face could bewitch people.
"I can't take it anymore. I'm going."
Joshua stood up from his seat. Yuri let out a sigh.
"Do whatever you want."
"Just trust me."
"Trust you with what?"
"She'll be your sister-in-law someday."
"Sure."
"If I come back looking heartbroken, pour me a drink."
"I'll pour you some juice."
He'd probably come back smiling. Ekaterina liked to toy with people's hearts.
"Hmm…"
As Yuri looked around the ballroom, Cedric was dancing with a noble lady.
He was not only excellent in character and martial arts, but also kind-hearted enough to never turn down a noble's request.
He truly had the qualities of a virtuous ruler.
But what about himself?
Yuri, filled with complicated thoughts, glanced sideways at Ekaterina.
Their eyes met again.
Fortunately, Joshua stepped in and spoke to her, blocking her gaze.
"Damn it…"
Yuri decided not to care anymore. He turned his body away from her direction and reached for the refreshments laid out on the table.
"Would you like some more cookies?"
Suddenly, a familiar voice reached his ears. When he looked up, Ena was standing there with a bright smile.
Seeing her, Yuri felt his heart ease for some reason.
"Ena, you've worked hard."
"Not at all."
"Isn't it tough?"
"Not really. Cleaning up after someone every day is harder…"
"Enough. Just give me a lot."
"Okay~"
"Don't overdo it and get some rest."
"Have you finally realized my worth?"
"I've always known it."
"Oh my."
Shoving the cookies Ena gave him into his mouth, Yuri brushed away his distracting thoughts.
Even if a prince from the Empire came, even if he met Ekaterina, what would change?
Nothing had changed. No matter what happens, he could only do his best in each moment.
"I'll be going now."
"Thanks for the hard work."
Ena stacked the empty plates and walked toward the kitchen.
Yuri leaned back in his chair while sipping his drink.
Because of the unexpected guests, even staying still felt exhausting.
"Whew…"
Just as he sighed, someone approached him.
Yuri instinctively stood up.
"..."
Deep green eyes were staring down at him.
Georg Ibarra Granjay.
The second prince of the Empire.
The executor who wielded the Empire's military might on behalf of the Emperor.
The pressure of him riding in a black helmet and charging on horseback was still vivid in Yuri's mind.
Georg opened his mouth.
"You are…"
Yuri stood up and bowed in courtesy.
"Yuri Briol, third prince of Briol."
"I see. So you are…"
His eyes scanned Yuri from head to toe.
Yuri tried hard not to show any hostility.
Though it was the Emperor who had decided on war, it was this man who had executed it on the front lines. Yuri had even crossed swords with him.
"Indeed, you are Fiore's son."
"Excuse me?"
"Look at me."
At Georg's words, Yuri lifted his head and looked at his face.
...
And at that moment.
Yuri flinched and stepped back.
The tendrils of mana approaching him halted.
"You felt it."
Georg let out a chilling smile. His green eyes glistened like a snake's.
This wasn't the formal expression he'd worn until now—this was his real face.
"You said you're thirteen…"
Georg examined Yuri with interest for a while.
"A remarkable talent."
Then he turned around. His red cape fluttered, sending a breeze through Yuri's hair.
Yuri clenched his fists to suppress his trembling.
It was a threatening move for something done just to test him.
He thought Georg was still young, yet he was already that formidable.
What a revolting bastard.
"They're just the same, those siblings…"
He was grumbling when—
Clang!
A sharp shattering sound rang out.
It was a sound that should never be heard at a ball.
The entire hall fell silent.
When he turned his gaze, he was met with an utterly shocking sight.
"..."
A stain was spreading across Georg's red cloak.
In front of him, Ena was trembling.
"I'm sorry."
Spilling food on a royal, especially staining the imperial red cloth, was an unforgivable crime in the Empire.
"Oh dear…"
Georg's head tilted slightly as he turned his gaze to Yuri.
A faint smile played on his lips.
"This girl made a mistake, it seems."
Yuri understood immediately.
That bastard had provoked Ena on purpose.
"But what to do. In the Empire, imperial law is the highest of all…"
A sword swayed beneath his red cloak. In this venue, no one except Fiore was permitted to carry a sword—but the imperial prince was an exception.
"Execution would be the proper punishment…"
Georg bowed toward Fiore.
"I ask for the understanding of the King of Briol."
Fiore shook his head.
"Did you come to disrupt my ball?"
"Of course not."
"If you wish to see blood, do so on your own land."
"Your Majesty."
Georg, still bowed, lifted his eyes to look at Fiore.
"The Empire and Briol have always maintained a good relationship."
"You don't seem to think that way."
"The Imperial Family of the Empire and the Royal Family of Briol agreed to respect each other's authority, so long as it does not conflict."
"That we did."
"Do you remember what happened in Gatensha?"
"..."
Fiore had once personally beheaded a knight of the Empire.
And the Emperor had overlooked the matter without protest.
"It's the same now."
That past event had now come full circle.
Fiore pressed a hand to his forehead.
Now that the agreement had been brought up, the honor of the Imperial Family was at stake, and to stop this would be considered a challenge to the Empire.
"This is all to preserve peace between our nations."
Yuri felt déjà vu.
Peace.
They yielded one thing to protect it, and then the others demanded even more.
"I will uphold the honor of the Imperial Family."
Honor.
The honor of Briol and that of the Empire were not the same. To raise one, the other had to be brought low.
Georg drew his sword.
"I'm not doing this because I want to. Let's end it quickly. There won't be much blood."
The smooth lighting of the ballroom flowed along the white blade.
Ena's shoulders trembled.
Yuri looked up at the chandelier hanging overhead.
Above the sparkling lights, memories of his past life flashed by.
The safety of the kingdom and the life of a single girl had been weighed on a scale—and the result had been utterly one-sided.
Thoughts formed in his mind, then scattered again.
Ideals and reality.
Duty and circumstance.
Justification and force.
Those thoughts drifted until they came to a halt before the pitiful face of the dead.
'That is the oath of Briol.'
Yuri let out a short laugh.
He had forgotten for a moment. He was a sinner, and this life was a punishment. And yet, he had been scheming like a filthy rat?
From the beginning, he'd never been given a choice.
Yuri's voice echoed through the quiet ballroom.
"Your Highness."
The blade descending on Ena's neck halted.
"That girl is under my protection."
Georg turned around.
A smile was on his face. His eyes were saying, "Go on, try something."
Yuri smiled back and rose from his seat.
"So, her mistake is my mistake as well…"
Twisted expressions turned toward him.
It was amusing how everyone, wearing the same look, tried to stop him.
Yuri walked toward Georg.
"Your Highness is a great prince of the Empire, but I too, though lacking, am a prince of Briol. So I ask that you withdraw the summary execution and instead…"
Amidst the dazzling lights of the ballroom, he noticed another pair of deep green eyes.
Ekaterina was watching him.
That beautiful face reminded him of the misery of his past life.
"Grant us a trial by duel."
A wave of shock spread.
Insulting the Imperial Family was a grave crime, but it could not be applied directly to a prince of Briol. If punishment were to be enforced, a formal trial would be necessary.
And duels were a familiar method to the Empire.
The prideful Georg would not avoid such a provocation.
"Hahahahaha…"
Georg burst into laughter.
"You said your name was Yuri, third prince?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"May I call you Yuri?"
"Of course."
"Understood. Yuri."
He then turned to Fiore and made a request.
"Your Majesty, the third prince of Briol has made a legitimate objection, and I wish to accept it. Do I have your permission?"
Fiore let out a short sigh.
"Very well."
"Thank you."
Georg looked more pleased than he had all evening.
"I ought to take part in the duel myself, but for the dignity of the Imperial Family, I shall appoint a champion. I'll send the youngest among my personal guards, someone around your age."
It sounded like an act of generosity, but it was the opposite.
If there was a clear difference in skill, a one-sided result would follow based on one party's concession.
A duel between a seasoned prince famed for his military feats and a thirteen-year-old prince would clearly go that way.
But if they were more evenly matched, then anything could happen.
"Thank you for your leniency."
"The Empire is generous to brave warriors."
With that, Georg gave a courteous bow to Fiore.
"It seems I've spoiled the mood, Your Majesty. I shall take my leave."
"That would be appreciated."
"Ekaterina, you stay and enjoy yourself a while longer."
With a dissatisfied look, she shrugged her shoulders at him.
Georg laughed once more and left the ballroom.
A storm had passed.
The air was unsettled.
Yuri helped Ena to her feet.
"Ena. Get up."
"Your Highness…"
"Go and rest."
"Because of me…"
"Don't worry."
Ena looked at Yuri with eyes full of tangled emotions, then bowed deeply and left the hall with the support of the other maids.
Yuri clapped to lighten the atmosphere.
"Hey."
When he signaled the orchestra, they quickly resumed the music.
Just in case, he looked toward Ekaterina.
Unexpectedly, she only sat at a distance, staring at him without coming over to speak.
Was Ekaterina more cautious when she was younger?
"What am I even thinking?"
Yuri shook his head.
He had no regrets for what he'd done. If anything, he regretted not cutting off Georg's head then and there.
Without realizing it, he picked up a glass from the table, but someone stopped him.
"You shouldn't be drinking."
It was Ernando.
There was a strange gleam in his eyes.
"Here, have this instead."
"What is it?"
"Wine with no alcohol."
"What kind of wine is that?"
"A drink for children."
Ernando smiled lightly.
"A toast to the future of Briol?"
"No thanks."
Yuri gave a dry laugh and downed the glass Ernando had given him. It just tasted like juice.
"Why do you keep staring at me?"
"No reason."
Ernando's gaze was unsettling.
He was always like this, but today, his eyes sparkled more than usual.
Well, any decent person would've been moved by what had just happened.
"Ernando."
"Yes?"
"Don't fall for me."
"…Excuse me?"
His expression seemed to twist, but Yuri didn't care and raised another glass.
This time, it was real wine.
"A toast to me."