The moonlight that night was exceptionally clear. The royal villa nestled on a mountain, located north of Kandium, the capital of Karileum, was brightly illuminated. The party, serving as the eve of the hunting tournament attended by nobles from various regions and members of the imperial family, was unfolding in spectacular fashion. However, the expression on Ruth’s face, seated in a room at the far end of the villa’s second floor under strict guard by the Imperial Knights and the capital’s soldiers, was far from cheerful.

“…Sigh…”

Staring at the clothing box before him, Ruth let out a deep sigh. He repeatedly pulled out the clothes one by one only to throw them back onto the table. After a moment, he gazed at the faintly glowing candle in the room, sighed again, and leaned back deeply into the chair.

What troubled Ruth wasn’t the clothes themselves but someone he had met after receiving them.

Ail had handed him the clothes just the day before, during the afternoon. Having finished his final checks for the hunting tournament, Ruth was unexpectedly summoned by Ail. Feeling uneasy after his earlier conversation with Kamiel, Ruth entered Ail’s room, only to frown at the sight of the servant holding out a clothing box.

“What is this?”

Anxiously thinking Kamiel might have said something, Ruth asked as he looked at the formal uniform made of elegant fabric in subdued tones.

“It’s clothing, as you can see.”

Ail, having dismissed the servant with a wave, shed his earlier amicable demeanor and spoke bluntly with his usual impassive expression.

“There are rumors about you and me breaking off. It wouldn’t hurt to make a public appearance together at least once.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow evening—at the ball marking the start of the festival.”

Ruth was already aware of the event. However, that occasion was meant for Ail to attend with his fiancée, Erita.

“What about Erita?”

“She injured her leg and can’t attend—or so they say. Whether it’s a real injury or just an excuse, I’m not sure.”

As expected, Ruth sighed. For three years, Erita had continuously used illness as an excuse to avoid official appearances with Ail. Still, even without her presence, Ruth had an obligation as a knight to guard the ballroom.

“I’m tasked with security.”

“Your hand can hardly hold a sword right now, can it?”

“I oversee the entire order. I can’t neglect the security of an event hosting members of the imperial family and noble heirs.”

“Leave it to your deputy.”

“It’s a responsibility I must handle myself.”

“It’s an order. Attend with me.”

“I refuse.”

“You don’t have the right to refuse.”

Ail’s firm tone, leaving no room for negotiation, made Ruth frown.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Why? Do I need to repeat myself?”

“You’ve never ordered me to attend an official event before. You know I loathe such occasions. Why insist now? I don’t even know how to dance.”

“Perhaps I want to embarrass you in front of everyone? Would that satisfy you?”

Ail’s twisted response made Ruth suppress his irritation and ask again.

“I know that’s not the real reason. Is there something you need to show off?”

“Indeed. Rumors of us breaking off have attracted pesky insects. It’s time to put an end to that.”

“The rumors aren’t what’s drawing attention; it’s your behavior, Your Highness. If you exercised restraint, there would be no pests swarming around.”

Ruth’s mature admonishment made Ail’s golden eyes flash with sharpness.

“I haven’t even undergone the coming-of-age ceremony yet. Stop pretending you have the freedom to defy me. Wear those clothes and attend the ball tomorrow.”

Reinforcing his command, Ail glanced at the clothing box, prompting Ruth to look down at it and ask once more.

“…Is this truly necessary?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“…Understood.”

Reluctantly, Ruth picked up the clothing box just as a knock came from the door. A familiar voice—Meril’s—announced, “Lady Salina Astro has arrived.”

Hearing Salina’s name, Ruth turned to Ail with a startled expression. Ail, however, simply smiled as if he had been waiting for this.

“Your brother forced me into an awkward dinner. Care to join us? I don’t mind.”

“Just the two of you?”

Curious about when Salina and Ail had grown close enough to dine together, Ruth couldn’t help but ask. Ail chuckled.

“Yes. Sometimes it’s nice to have dinner with a beautiful woman. Far better than dining with men. And Salina is among the best of the best.”

The comment stung Ruth unexpectedly. It felt like a sharp jab to his chest—or more accurately, his heart. Thinking something might be wrong with him, Ruth decided he needed to leave quickly.

“Thank you, but I’ll decline. I still have work to finish.”

Keeping his tone neutral, Ruth gave a polite farewell and walked toward the door. Crossing the room, he held the box in his right arm and reached for the door with his left. As he opened it, a strong floral perfume wafted in. The scent was sweet and soft, brushing his nose and catching him off guard.

Looking ahead, Ruth saw Salina standing there, her long, dark hair cascading down and wearing a light, yellow dress made of delicate fabric. Having recently completed her coming-of-age ceremony, she exuded a sensual and mature charm.

Ruth found himself momentarily captivated by her stunning appearance but quickly averted his gaze as she stared directly at him.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has. By the way, is that a gift from His Highness?”

Salina offered a faint smile, but Ruth felt a chill. Her eyes didn’t reflect her smile at all.

“His Highness is waiting for you. Please go in.”

Bowing again, Ruth excused himself and hurried past her toward his office. But even after returning, the lingering scent of her perfume wouldn’t leave him, making him feel like he was losing his mind.

Not understanding why he felt this way, Ruth spent the rest of the day troubled. Now, he sat alone in the farthest room of the royal villa, staring at the clothes.

It was time to prepare. The event was drawing near. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to move. He didn’t want to attend the ball, especially knowing Salina would be there. The thought of her cold gaze and sweet yet suffocating perfume made him dread stepping into the ballroom.

As Ruth pondered an escape, a knock at the door startled him. Before he could respond, the door opened, and Ail’s servant Meril entered, accompanied by two women.

“What is it?” Ruth asked, rising from his seat.

“His Majesty instructed me to assist you with your preparations.”

While Ruth was still flustered, Meril quietly delivered the message and approached with the two women, stepping closer to Ruth.

“Quickly, put on your clothes,” Meril prompted.

“…Alright,” Ruth replied, clicking his tongue internally. Despite his irritation, he began changing into the outfit before him. It was clear that Ail had anticipated Ruth’s attempt to sneak away and had sent Meril in advance. This thought irked Ruth, as the suffocating sense of being cornered from all sides grew unbearable. Ail already knew Ruth would ultimately attend the ball, yet still employed such measures, which Ruth felt were unnecessary.

After dismissing the women, Ruth finished dressing and called them back in. One woman adjusted the details of his outfit, while the other gently combed his hair. Standing still and letting the women work, Ruth heard the door creak open behind him. He tried to turn his head to see who had entered, but the woman combing his hair held him steady, preventing any movement.

Initially, Ruth assumed Ail had entered. However, since neither Meril nor the women paused their actions, it seemed to be someone else. Deciding it wasn’t worth worrying about, Ruth remained where he was. Yet as the woman stepped back after finishing with his hair, Ruth felt something cold encircle his neck.

“Ah…”

Startled by the unfamiliar sensation, Ruth started to turn, but a quiet voice whispered in his ear.

“Shh.”

The soft, low tone of a man’s voice made Ruth freeze, his shoulders tensing. Confused as to why Ail had entered yet none of the attendants stopped what they were doing, Ruth felt the warmth of the man’s presence fade behind him.

“The necklace suits you well,” Ail said sweetly, his voice laced with affection, as though speaking to a lover. Ruth, now blushing, quickly averted his eyes before his reddened face betrayed him. Looking down at his chest, Ruth saw a silver pendant in the shape of a crescent moon dangling from a long chain.

“This is…” Ruth began.

“A token of reconciliation. Leave us,” Ail commanded, sitting in the chair Ruth had vacated earlier. Meril and the women exited the room without protest.

Ruth stared blankly, his gaze fixed on the intricate necklace. The silver moon pendant, adorned with a golden gemstone, was clearly an exquisite item, its craftsmanship so delicate even Ruth, untrained in such matters, could recognize its value. Bewildered as to why Ail would gift him something so precious, Ruth looked at Ail, who shrugged casually.

“It’s inappropriate to attend a ball without an accessory. Wearing this will help preserve my reputation,” Ail explained.

“…I’ll return it after the ball,” Ruth responded.

“No need. Give it back after this charade is over. It’s something my mother passed down to me.”

Startled by the significance of the necklace, Ruth hastily attempted to remove it. If it was an heirloom from Ail’s mother, it must hold great sentimental value. Ruth felt it was wrong to wear something so personal.

“If it’s that meaningful, I don’t think I should wear it,” Ruth protested.

“It’s just an object. Assigning meaning to items is something overly sentimental people do when they don’t know how to manage their emotions. I’m not that sentimental. It’s merely something my mother treasured, so I’m using it for show.”

“But…” Ruth began again, still uneasy.

“Keep it on. It’s almost time to leave,” Ail interrupted, rising to his feet to cut off further argument. Standing next to Ruth, he extended his hand.

Not understanding the gesture, Ruth tilted his head in confusion. Ail clicked his tongue in frustration.

“Are you always this clueless?”

“Excuse me?” Ruth asked, thinking Ail wanted the necklace back. As Ruth reached for the chain again, Ail grabbed his right hand to stop him.

“You’re seriously oblivious. Haven’t you ever attended a ball before? Or at least learned basic etiquette?”

Bewildered by Ail’s exasperation, Ruth confessed honestly.

“To be honest… I haven’t.”

“Wasn’t it part of your knight training?”

“I usually slept through those lessons.”

Ail burst into laughter at Ruth’s candid answer.

“You’re something else,” Ail remarked with a smirk. As Ruth looked up, puzzled by Ail’s amusement, Ail took Ruth’s bandaged right hand and guided it to rest on his left arm.

“This is the basic posture for entering a ballroom. If you’re alone, it doesn’t matter. But if you’re escorting someone, you enter like this.”

“Ah, I see,” Ruth nodded obediently, catching on.

Ail couldn’t help but feel a mix of disbelief and amusement. While Ruth’s lack of knowledge was astounding—even commoners knew such basics—Ail found Ruth’s compliance refreshing. For a moment, Ail simply stared at Ruth, studying his face. Sensing Ail’s gaze, Ruth looked up impatiently.

“Shall we go?” Ail said, leading the way.