Finally, the night before the first national foundation day after the new King's ascension to the throne. It was a masquerade ball. The nobles and the delegation, guided by their servants, each wore masks and entered from different entrances. There were no exceptions, not even families or lovers. However, there was one exception. It was the royal couple who hosted the masquerade ball.
“It feels strange. Even if it’s just for a little while, I’m attending a masquerade ball without a mask.”
“You have to give a congratulatory speech and explain ‘that’ thing. But don’t be too disappointed, Your Majesty will be able to enjoy the ball after that.”
Thelma smiled as she straightened Sylvia's skirt. Sylvia shrugged her shoulders as she looked through the mirror.
“I still feel awkward when you say ‘Your Majesty’.”
“How can you be so similar to a married couple? His Majesty the King said something like that to Auston yesterday. He said he still hasn’t gotten used to the title.”
“Really?”
“Yes. But even though you both joke around, now you’re welcoming the delegation at such a fancy ball...”
Thelma's eyes suddenly filled with tears. Thelma was one of the people who had seen most closely how much Sylvia and Randall had been through. That was why, seeing them still being affectionate and strong, and even more radiant than before, made her heart swell. Her nose stung.
“I think this old woman can be confident enough. Both Your Majesty the Queen and His Majesty the King.”
...Thank you, Thelma.”
Sometimes, some feelings can be conveyed without words. Sylvia gently smiled at Thelma's heart, which she could feel without a single word of explanation, and patted her shoulder.
“But what do you think? Are they really that different from us?”
“...”
“I wish you could have an open-minded conversation at least once. That alone would change a lot.”
After Randall and Sylvia spoke up to that point, they came down from the stage. While they were talking to some of the delegates, people began to cautiously approach the demons one by one. Their eyes were filled with a bit of wariness and curiosity. However, soon after they started talking, the wariness disappeared and was replaced by admiration and favor. After the demons’ identities were revealed, the atmosphere of the ball became noticeably livelier. Randall and Sylvia were also surrounded by excited people and couldn’t leave for a while.
“Oh, my goodness. This is the first time my throat feels sore from talking so much.”
Sylvia eventually sneaked out of the ballroom. She had been talking to so many people that her voice was hoarse. As Sylvia was catching her breath and sipping water from a glass on the terrace, Knock knock. Someone knocked on the terrace door beyond the curtain. Sylvia responded without showing any sign of surprise as if she had been waiting for it.
“Come in.”
As soon as permission was granted, the terrace door opened. A nervous-looking man appeared through the gap in the curtains, holding a large bouquet of flowers in his arms.
'Ah.'
Who was he? Sylvia recognized him as the Prince of Radni, whom she had briefly encountered in the abandoned palace before, and looked at him with a puzzled look. She had felt someone's persistent gaze from the ballroom, so she had deliberately left Randall and escaped to the terrace. She had thought that he might have ill intentions toward her. Even in the dark, his face was clearly red. A bouquet of flowers.
‘...I didn’t expect this.’
Sylvia first greeted me with a polite smile and a slight nod of her head.
“What is it, Prince Trevan?”
“Huh. That, that name.”
Trevan's shoulders shot up at the sound of his name in Sylvia's voice. He covered his now red face with one hand and let out a groan. But Trevan quickly took a deep breath and calmed his expression. He tried not to shake his voice and met Sylvia's gaze with serious eyes. The words he had practiced more than ten times against Bourbon, who jumped up and down, asking if he was crazy, finally flowed from his lips.
“It was love at first sight, Your Majesty the Queen.”
“..."
“Some people might find this feeling light, but I’ve never felt this way before. I really like it.”
Sylvia stared intently at Trevan's face as he confessed to her. His blue eyes were extremely serious and filled with the passion of his youth. Just by looking at them, she knew that Trevan's words were not in vain. Sylvia knew that sometimes there were relationships that were truly fateful at first sight, so she didn't blame him. Instead, she bowed her head slightly indifferently. It was polite to respond sincerely to sincerity.
“I'm sorry.”
“...”
“I already have someone I love, and I will never love anyone else. That’s why I can’t accept your feelings.”
And just as Sylvia had expected, Trevan, who had heard her rejection, smiled calmly and nodded without showing any sign of disappointment. He was a man who knew how to respect the feelings of others. If his heartfelt confession had been rejected, it was also his job to sort it out.
“...Thank you for your detailed answer.”
“...”
“Oh, but can’t I leave the bouquet behind? It was a gift prepared for Your Majesty in the first place.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Then please rest comfortably. I will be leaving.”
Trevan bowed his head deeply, put on the mask he had taken off for the confession, and returned from the terrace. Even though it was short, the weight of his heart was not light. He bit his lips as he felt a tingling sensation at the tip of his nose.
'I thought it was okay.'
The first love he felt, and the rejection, were much more bitter than he had thought. It was when Trevan was hurriedly walking back to his room. Perhaps because he was in a hurry, his feet slipped on the shiny ballroom floor.
"Uh...!"
This is definitely going to fall. The moment he expected that and reflexively closed his eyes tightly, someone's hand grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"Are you okay?"
"Uh?"
Trevan opened his eyes in shock as his body stopped in midair. Then he saw a masked woman holding him. With the woman’s help, Trevan stood upright. He belatedly placed a hand on his chest and bowed his head.
“Sorry for the late greeting. Thanks for your help...”
“If you’d like, could you dance with me just once?”
"...Yes?"
Trevan blinked at the sudden words. The woman added, “Oh.”
“Don’t get me wrong. Some crazy guy has been talking nonsense since a while ago... Damn, here he comes again.”
“Haha! There you are!”
From afar, a man with a sly voice approached, waving his hand. The woman grabbed Trevan’s hand in a rush and hugged his waist, her eyes shining.
“I’m sorry. I don’t have time to wait for an answer. Just dance with me once.”
Trevan was dragged to the center of the ballroom in a daze. He danced with the woman, still a little confused.
'...What?'
Somehow, the sound of his heartbeat in her ears got faster. Trevan, who had been worrying, thought it was because he almost fell earlier, and brushed off his doubts. It was a thought he had because he still didn’t know that there are loves at first sight, but there are also loves that start without one noticing.
“It feels strange. Even if it’s just for a little while, I’m attending a masquerade ball without a mask.”
“You have to give a congratulatory speech and explain ‘that’ thing. But don’t be too disappointed, Your Majesty will be able to enjoy the ball after that.”
Thelma smiled as she straightened Sylvia's skirt. Sylvia shrugged her shoulders as she looked through the mirror.
“I still feel awkward when you say ‘Your Majesty’.”
“How can you be so similar to a married couple? His Majesty the King said something like that to Auston yesterday. He said he still hasn’t gotten used to the title.”
“Really?”
“Yes. But even though you both joke around, now you’re welcoming the delegation at such a fancy ball...”
Thelma's eyes suddenly filled with tears. Thelma was one of the people who had seen most closely how much Sylvia and Randall had been through. That was why, seeing them still being affectionate and strong, and even more radiant than before, made her heart swell. Her nose stung.
“I think this old woman can be confident enough. Both Your Majesty the Queen and His Majesty the King.”
...Thank you, Thelma.”
Sometimes, some feelings can be conveyed without words. Sylvia gently smiled at Thelma's heart, which she could feel without a single word of explanation, and patted her shoulder.
Knock knock.
Then there was a knock. Thelma smiled, wiping her slightly moist eyes with her fingertips.
“The preparations are complete, so you may go now. If I send Your Majesty the Queen any later, His Majesty the King may die of thirst.”
“Anyway, I can’t stop you.”
Sylvia shook her head and went out with a small laugh. Randall, dressed in a dignified manner like her, was waiting and quickly extended his hand. His eyes widened.
“You are as beautiful today as you always have been.”
Affection dripped from his green eyes. It was an expression so affectionate that even the servants who had been assisting the two since the Belfort Castle blushed. Sylvia smiled and took Randall’s hand. She followed him and opened her eyes gently.
“Your Majesty too.”
“...Did anyone tell you that I don’t like that title that much?”
“Let’s go now. If we keep going like this, the ball will end completely.”
Randall hesitated and asked again, but Sylvia pretended not to know and grabbed his hand. He shook his head and followed her with a deep sigh. The two soon stood in front of the entrance to the ballroom. The attendant announced their position loudly.
“His Majesty Randel de Maynard Belfort and Her Majesty Silvia de Florette Belfort!”
The door opened as the now somewhat familiar names rang in her ears. The people who had been enjoying the ball stepped aside to make way for the stage, bowing deeply. Randall and Sylvia walked along the path between the people, hand in hand. Every time they passed by, a gasp could be heard from the crowd.
'I thought it was just a rumor that the new King Belfort's wife was so beautiful.'
'Rather, I feel like the rumors don't reflect the reality.'
As the story about the appearance of the royal couple goes, the Kingdom of Elvares may be a more magnificent country than what they heard through rumors. The shoulders of the delegation that had been secretly underestimating Elvares stiffened with tension at the thought. Meanwhile, Randall and Sylvia climbed onto the stage. Randall looked around at the people and spoke in a serious voice.
“Everyone, raise your heads.”
A low, pleasantly-sounding voice that focused the listeners' attention filled the ballroom.
“The preparations are complete, so you may go now. If I send Your Majesty the Queen any later, His Majesty the King may die of thirst.”
“Anyway, I can’t stop you.”
Sylvia shook her head and went out with a small laugh. Randall, dressed in a dignified manner like her, was waiting and quickly extended his hand. His eyes widened.
“You are as beautiful today as you always have been.”
Affection dripped from his green eyes. It was an expression so affectionate that even the servants who had been assisting the two since the Belfort Castle blushed. Sylvia smiled and took Randall’s hand. She followed him and opened her eyes gently.
“Your Majesty too.”
“...Did anyone tell you that I don’t like that title that much?”
“Let’s go now. If we keep going like this, the ball will end completely.”
Randall hesitated and asked again, but Sylvia pretended not to know and grabbed his hand. He shook his head and followed her with a deep sigh. The two soon stood in front of the entrance to the ballroom. The attendant announced their position loudly.
“His Majesty Randel de Maynard Belfort and Her Majesty Silvia de Florette Belfort!”
The door opened as the now somewhat familiar names rang in her ears. The people who had been enjoying the ball stepped aside to make way for the stage, bowing deeply. Randall and Sylvia walked along the path between the people, hand in hand. Every time they passed by, a gasp could be heard from the crowd.
'I thought it was just a rumor that the new King Belfort's wife was so beautiful.'
'Rather, I feel like the rumors don't reflect the reality.'
As the story about the appearance of the royal couple goes, the Kingdom of Elvares may be a more magnificent country than what they heard through rumors. The shoulders of the delegation that had been secretly underestimating Elvares stiffened with tension at the thought. Meanwhile, Randall and Sylvia climbed onto the stage. Randall looked around at the people and spoke in a serious voice.
“Everyone, raise your heads.”
A low, pleasantly-sounding voice that focused the listeners' attention filled the ballroom.
“I am so happy that so many people have come to celebrate the slope of Elvares. I hope you enjoy your stay to the fullest.”
Randall said that and smiled brightly. There was a brief applause and Sylvia took a step forward. She opened her mouth with a smile on her face.
“And you may not have noticed, but some special guests are attending the ball today.”
Bam!
Randall said that and smiled brightly. There was a brief applause and Sylvia took a step forward. She opened her mouth with a smile on her face.
“And you may not have noticed, but some special guests are attending the ball today.”
Bam!
Sylvia snapped her fingers as she finished speaking. Then, a white light appeared around the bodies of some of the masked people. People backed away from them in surprise. One by one, those wrapped in white light took off their masks. As the light faded, their skin turned purple and their eyes turned red.
“Demon...?”
There were muffled gasps from those attending the ball. Especially those who had been dancing with the demons just a moment ago and looked at their partners with wide eyes. Sylvia explained with a smile.
“They drank a magic potion prepared in advance and attended the ball. Did anyone notice that they were demons before I said anything?”
“...”
People couldn't answer. It was natural. If the magic that changed the appearance of the demons hadn't been removed, they would have returned home without realizing that they were 'demons'. It didn't feel that uncomfortable. Sylvia's voice, different from Randalll's, but equally compelling to listen to, rang out softly.
“I know that there are still many people who have mistrust and anxiety about the peace treaty with the Demon Tribe.”
“...”
“Demon...?”
There were muffled gasps from those attending the ball. Especially those who had been dancing with the demons just a moment ago and looked at their partners with wide eyes. Sylvia explained with a smile.
“They drank a magic potion prepared in advance and attended the ball. Did anyone notice that they were demons before I said anything?”
“...”
People couldn't answer. It was natural. If the magic that changed the appearance of the demons hadn't been removed, they would have returned home without realizing that they were 'demons'. It didn't feel that uncomfortable. Sylvia's voice, different from Randalll's, but equally compelling to listen to, rang out softly.
“I know that there are still many people who have mistrust and anxiety about the peace treaty with the Demon Tribe.”
“...”
“But what do you think? Are they really that different from us?”
“...”
“I wish you could have an open-minded conversation at least once. That alone would change a lot.”
After Randall and Sylvia spoke up to that point, they came down from the stage. While they were talking to some of the delegates, people began to cautiously approach the demons one by one. Their eyes were filled with a bit of wariness and curiosity. However, soon after they started talking, the wariness disappeared and was replaced by admiration and favor. After the demons’ identities were revealed, the atmosphere of the ball became noticeably livelier. Randall and Sylvia were also surrounded by excited people and couldn’t leave for a while.
“Oh, my goodness. This is the first time my throat feels sore from talking so much.”
Sylvia eventually sneaked out of the ballroom. She had been talking to so many people that her voice was hoarse. As Sylvia was catching her breath and sipping water from a glass on the terrace, Knock knock. Someone knocked on the terrace door beyond the curtain. Sylvia responded without showing any sign of surprise as if she had been waiting for it.
“Come in.”
As soon as permission was granted, the terrace door opened. A nervous-looking man appeared through the gap in the curtains, holding a large bouquet of flowers in his arms.
'Ah.'
Who was he? Sylvia recognized him as the Prince of Radni, whom she had briefly encountered in the abandoned palace before, and looked at him with a puzzled look. She had felt someone's persistent gaze from the ballroom, so she had deliberately left Randall and escaped to the terrace. She had thought that he might have ill intentions toward her. Even in the dark, his face was clearly red. A bouquet of flowers.
‘...I didn’t expect this.’
Sylvia first greeted me with a polite smile and a slight nod of her head.
“What is it, Prince Trevan?”
“Huh. That, that name.”
Trevan's shoulders shot up at the sound of his name in Sylvia's voice. He covered his now red face with one hand and let out a groan. But Trevan quickly took a deep breath and calmed his expression. He tried not to shake his voice and met Sylvia's gaze with serious eyes. The words he had practiced more than ten times against Bourbon, who jumped up and down, asking if he was crazy, finally flowed from his lips.
“It was love at first sight, Your Majesty the Queen.”
“..."
“Some people might find this feeling light, but I’ve never felt this way before. I really like it.”
Sylvia stared intently at Trevan's face as he confessed to her. His blue eyes were extremely serious and filled with the passion of his youth. Just by looking at them, she knew that Trevan's words were not in vain. Sylvia knew that sometimes there were relationships that were truly fateful at first sight, so she didn't blame him. Instead, she bowed her head slightly indifferently. It was polite to respond sincerely to sincerity.
“I'm sorry.”
“...”
“I already have someone I love, and I will never love anyone else. That’s why I can’t accept your feelings.”
And just as Sylvia had expected, Trevan, who had heard her rejection, smiled calmly and nodded without showing any sign of disappointment. He was a man who knew how to respect the feelings of others. If his heartfelt confession had been rejected, it was also his job to sort it out.
“...Thank you for your detailed answer.”
“...”
“Oh, but can’t I leave the bouquet behind? It was a gift prepared for Your Majesty in the first place.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Then please rest comfortably. I will be leaving.”
Trevan bowed his head deeply, put on the mask he had taken off for the confession, and returned from the terrace. Even though it was short, the weight of his heart was not light. He bit his lips as he felt a tingling sensation at the tip of his nose.
'I thought it was okay.'
The first love he felt, and the rejection, were much more bitter than he had thought. It was when Trevan was hurriedly walking back to his room. Perhaps because he was in a hurry, his feet slipped on the shiny ballroom floor.
"Uh...!"
This is definitely going to fall. The moment he expected that and reflexively closed his eyes tightly, someone's hand grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"Are you okay?"
"Uh?"
Trevan opened his eyes in shock as his body stopped in midair. Then he saw a masked woman holding him. With the woman’s help, Trevan stood upright. He belatedly placed a hand on his chest and bowed his head.
“Sorry for the late greeting. Thanks for your help...”
“If you’d like, could you dance with me just once?”
"...Yes?"
Trevan blinked at the sudden words. The woman added, “Oh.”
“Don’t get me wrong. Some crazy guy has been talking nonsense since a while ago... Damn, here he comes again.”
“Haha! There you are!”
From afar, a man with a sly voice approached, waving his hand. The woman grabbed Trevan’s hand in a rush and hugged his waist, her eyes shining.
“I’m sorry. I don’t have time to wait for an answer. Just dance with me once.”
Trevan was dragged to the center of the ballroom in a daze. He danced with the woman, still a little confused.
'...What?'
Somehow, the sound of his heartbeat in her ears got faster. Trevan, who had been worrying, thought it was because he almost fell earlier, and brushed off his doubts. It was a thought he had because he still didn’t know that there are loves at first sight, but there are also loves that start without one noticing.
***
After that, Sylvia returned to her room for a while, changed her clothes, and put on a mask. Before entering the ballroom, she made a bet with Randall.
"After you finish what you have to do, won't you make a bet with me?"
"What's the bet?"
"Wearing wigs and masks, changing clothes, and returning to the ballroom, see who notices and approaches the other person first. The person who notices first will have their wish granted."
Intrigued, Sylvia accepted Randall's offer. Not only did she wear a golden wig to achieve perfection, she also magically changed her eye color to blue.
“...It feels somehow familiar.”
Sylvia, who was looking in the mirror, tilted her head, thinking that her disguised appearance somehow looked familiar, and then put on the mask, thinking that it must be an illusion. Even Randall wouldn't recognize her if she changed her eye color. Sylvia felt a little satisfied and headed to the ballroom.
'He hasn't come yet?'
She glanced around discreetly, pretending to adjust her skirt. There was still no one who looked like 'Randall'. Even so, she thought that Randall's preparation time wouldn't be longer than hers.
“...!”
Across the crowd, her eyes met with a man's.
'Ah.'
"After you finish what you have to do, won't you make a bet with me?"
"What's the bet?"
"Wearing wigs and masks, changing clothes, and returning to the ballroom, see who notices and approaches the other person first. The person who notices first will have their wish granted."
Intrigued, Sylvia accepted Randall's offer. Not only did she wear a golden wig to achieve perfection, she also magically changed her eye color to blue.
“...It feels somehow familiar.”
Sylvia, who was looking in the mirror, tilted her head, thinking that her disguised appearance somehow looked familiar, and then put on the mask, thinking that it must be an illusion. Even Randall wouldn't recognize her if she changed her eye color. Sylvia felt a little satisfied and headed to the ballroom.
'He hasn't come yet?'
She glanced around discreetly, pretending to adjust her skirt. There was still no one who looked like 'Randall'. Even so, she thought that Randall's preparation time wouldn't be longer than hers.
“...!”
Across the crowd, her eyes met with a man's.
'Ah.'
The moment she saw the other person's appearance, she felt her heart drop to the tips of her toes. She realized why she felt familiar with his disguised appearance only after seeing the other person. Sylvia laughed as if sighing. Randall was wearing a long black wig that reached down to his waist. Whether he had drunk Auston's magic potion or not, the eyes visible behind the mask were warm brown.
'It wasn't like they had planned it out in advance.'
Sylvia laughed in vain, realizing anew how meaningless this bet was between them. She took a step and approached Randall. Randall also approached her with steady steps. A sigh-like smile spread across his face.
“Is that you?”
“It’s you.”
“I guess I should call it a draw...?”
Sylvia let out a sly laugh. Randall nodded, smiled back, and held out his hand to her.
“I don’t think today is a good night to bet on something, so let’s just enjoy it.”
"Great."
Sylvia nodded willingly and shook hands with Randall. It's okay to be hurt. As time passes and flower petals, fallen leaves, and snow pile up, you can draw a new picture on top of them. Forever, together.
'It wasn't like they had planned it out in advance.'
Sylvia laughed in vain, realizing anew how meaningless this bet was between them. She took a step and approached Randall. Randall also approached her with steady steps. A sigh-like smile spread across his face.
“Is that you?”
“It’s you.”
“I guess I should call it a draw...?”
Sylvia let out a sly laugh. Randall nodded, smiled back, and held out his hand to her.
“I don’t think today is a good night to bet on something, so let’s just enjoy it.”
"Great."
Sylvia nodded willingly and shook hands with Randall. It's okay to be hurt. As time passes and flower petals, fallen leaves, and snow pile up, you can draw a new picture on top of them. Forever, together.
***
The next day. Sylvia ran out of the National Foundation Day luncheon after vomiting, and Randall followed her hurriedly. The two of them did not know that the news that Elvares had a successor spread very quickly and far and wide.
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