The Guardian Knight of Affection-Starved Young Ladies

84 – Dancing at the Ball (17)

085.

Was it because it was rare for Kallen to speak so firmly?

The young ladies waiting for an answer, and Laris, who was watching them with interest, seemed to understand.

If it was the Kallen they knew, there must be a reason for it.

Of course, they couldn’t dance together during the exact time of the ball.

“Then we just don’t end the ball. Instead, let’s have a ball where only we dance.”

Moreover, his proposal was irresistible.

He was asking while showing a side of himself they hadn’t seen before.

Suggesting a special ball just for them, different from others, there was no way not to be swayed.

Imagine it.

After the grand banquet of Dranus and the following ball ended.

When everyone was going back with good memories.

An unfinished ball.

A secret, the best ball that no one knows about.

Thinking of dancing with Kallen in such a place, it wasn’t a bad idea at all.

There are some things that I don’t like, but…

Still, the young ladies could understand a little.

Feeling that atmosphere, Kallen also bowed his head in relief.

Actually, this is purely a feeling.

To be precise… Yes, it was when Sinat confessed his true feelings.

Until then, if they were friends with a deeper relationship than family…

From that point on, there was a possibility of becoming something more than friends.

That brought a lot of worries to Kallen.

Kallen, who still hadn’t completely let go of those worries in his mind,

felt uncomfortable in this situation where he had to choose a dance partner surrounded by young ladies.

It was more of an intuition than a thought.

For some reason, it felt like an irreversible situation would occur if he chose someone at this moment.

He hadn’t forgotten Blamia’s advice either.

Kallen had two reasons why he couldn’t choose a partner.

Even if they hadn’t directly confessed their feelings like Sinat,

the occasional abnormal behavior from Eliana or Selacia was enough reason.

For that reason,

Kallen did not designate any young lady as his dance partner.

The young ladies also acknowledged it neatly and stepped back.

“…Shall we at least watch the ball?”

However, the awkward atmosphere could not be helped.

Because no one was chosen, the tense atmosphere relaxed.

Even though Kallen said this while looking at the center of the banquet hall to ease the atmosphere,

the young ladies did not seem to want to leave Kallen’s side.

As if a ball without Kallen was of no interest to them,

their gazes were entirely focused on Kallen.

“…Yes.”

Kallen said nothing more.

He picked up a few snacks that Selina had brought and fixed his gaze on the center of the banquet hall.

The well-matched young lords and ladies were harmonizing.

Watching them move their bodies cautiously, entrusting their hands to each other, naturally leads to imagining what will happen in a moment.

The young ladies around Kallen are all beauties who could be noticed for their looks alone.

I never thought I would dance a noble’s dance in my life, but thinking about dancing like that with such beautiful girls feels strange.

Can I do it well?

I don’t want to disappoint their expectations as much as they have cared.

Kallen thought so and focused on observing the dance.

Before he knew it, his gaze was grasping and learning the movements of the young lords, just as he did when he was on the brink of life and death.

*

After a long time had passed.

A time when it was almost impossible to continue the ball any longer.

Finally, the banquet that had continued for a week.

The ball that adorned its end came to a close.

Sinat finished the banquet as splendidly as when it started.

In front of all the eyes of the empire, she proved herself worthy of becoming the head of Dranus.

Her true power is still unknown.

But at least the vessel of the girl named Sinat seemed sufficient to contain the great name of Dranus.

Thus, the banquet celebrating the revival of Dranus ended successfully.

When the people who had filled the banquet hall gathered in the cathedral each returned to their places.

Only the candles barely illuminated the inside.

The shadows of those who had not yet left were flickering.

Compared to the grand and splendid banquet, it was insignificant.

But precisely because of that, it was more meaningful and tense.

Their own ball.

The time when everyone had left.

The silence filling the quiet banquet hall was theirs alone.

And in the middle of that banquet hall, five young ladies were holding their breath as if nervous.

There were six in number, but Laris was watching them from the side.

Opposite them, of course, was a boy.

A boy with dark eyes, who looked so well in his banquet attire, closed his eyes.

The young ladies quietly waited, only looking at his lips.

“`

The decision was solely his.

Even though he was confident, it was perfectly natural to feel nervous.

The statement that he was confident was not wrong.

In fact, the young ladies firmly believed that Kallen would choose them.

Until they saw him conversing amicably with other young ladies.

They believed in Kallen.

They believed in the precious memories they had built with Kallen.

Therefore, they were confident, but it turned out that confidence was not their exclusive property.

That fact created a small crack.

The crack soon spread into anxiety.

What if Kallen cherished memories with another young lady more than with them?

What if they couldn’t attend the ball they were so sure they would be chosen for?

Such thoughts created impatience.

And that soon led to other thoughts.

Just like Eliana and Selassie started to become conscious of each other.

The girls could finally see each other clearly.

And so, it came to this moment.

Kallen’s long-awaited lips twitched.

“The person I want to dance with is…”

Gulp.

The young ladies felt that moment stretch into eternity, swallowing dryly or twitching their hands.

Who could it be?

Would they have to watch him call another girl’s name?

As such thoughts surged.

“I can’t choose.”

Kallen chuckled softly.

In that unfamiliar situation, the young ladies were frozen, unable to move.

If the smile they saw earlier meant he wasn’t angry.

This time, it was a purely genuine smile.

A rare occurrence.

“`

Kallen rarely shows a bright expression or reveals his emotions clearly.

It would not be an exaggeration to say he never does.

Even the women of the North say he is cold.

Although he neither smiled brightly nor warmly.

That faint smile held significant meaning.

“If you can’t choose…”

It was Selassie who spoke up.

As a woman of the North, she had received a cold first impression from Kallen, so his smile touched her even more.

The faint smile directed at them.

Clearly different from before, undoubtedly his own warmth.

Selassie looked at Kallen with earnest eyes.

Kallen, who was looking at her, answered.

“Choose them all. All five.”

The young ladies could not understand.

Surely, they could not accept it, but they were at least prepared in their hearts.

No matter who Kallen chose, they were ready to nod in agreement.

But Kallen chose no one.

He simply gave a selfish and arrogant answer of choosing everyone.

“Kallen…!”

“Sinat.”

Kallen interrupted Sinat, who was about to say something.

“I can’t choose. Just as I can’t rank you, Eliana, and Selassie in order of importance.”

“…”

“And the same goes for Lady Daphnis and Lady Richessa. If I choose someone here, it will be hard for those not chosen to accept it.”

Kallen neither got angry nor put on a stern face.

He was simply stating his thoughts to Sinat, as if he were stating a fact.

“Considering I even asked to dance with you all at a ball filled with socialites and imperial figures. No matter who it is, this will leave a mark in some form. I don’t want Ecclesia to be divided because of me.”

It is indeed a deep thought.

Even without considering the feelings towards Kallen, this is quite an important matter.

Daphnis and Richessa are noble young ladies who have grown up without any lack since childhood.

Eliana, Selassia, and Sinat were girls who had something missing in their hearts since childhood.

For such girls, mustering up the courage only to be rejected could also become a matter of pride.

There might be no problem at all, but there is no guarantee that it won’t lead to feelings of inferiority or jealousy.

This naturally relates to Ecclesia as well.

From noble mtl dot com

Sinat, now the head of Dranus, must soar with the help of Ecclesia.

Eliana and Selassia, having a deep relationship enough to share their thoughts, might feel uncomfortable with Ecclesia, who is not chosen.

Daphnis and Liches did not have as long or deep a relationship as they did.

Still, when they conversed in Ecclesia or invited each other to dance like this, it wouldn’t be much different.

In short, it is like this.

Kallen does not want anyone to get hurt.

She doesn’t want to ignore the courage they showed, nor does she want to risk it turning into a matter of pride.

Therefore, she chose everyone.

Not just one person, but everyone.

The young ladies knew that Kallen’s words were considerate of them.

Eliana, Selassia, and Sinat were emotionally moved by Kallen’s very Kallen-like demeanor.

Daphnis and Liches, despite their cold appearance, were quite surprised by the warmth inside.

Kallen looked at Laris beside her.

Receiving her gaze, Laris smiled softly as if to say it was okay.

After that, a long silence flowed.

The five young ladies needed time to accept Kallen’s consideration.

Eventually, the young ladies exchanged glances and nodded.

“Thank you.”

“…Kallen.”

Eliana asked, meeting Kallen’s gaze.

“The order…”

“Let’s decide with a simple game.”

“A game…?”

“Extend your fingers at the same time, and the one who picks the same number as me goes first.”

A perfectly fair method.

Since it was purely based on luck, there was no room for Kallen’s feelings to intervene.

The young ladies were convinced by the perfect method.

Soon, Kallen, who had taken her stance, extended her fingers.

Thus, the order was quickly decided.

Kallen respectfully extended her hand to the girl chosen to go first.

Just like before.

The courtesy that the nobleman had shown to the young lady.

The girl hesitated for a moment before gently taking that hand.

In the banquet hall, where darkness had thickly settled,

The sound of quiet footsteps echoed.

There was no luxurious music.

Nor were there people to light up the place.

Yet, the midnight ball, repeated five times,

Painted a dance more beautiful than any other ball.