“The princess?”
“Yes.”
There she stood—the very person who, in his past life, had driven Yuri to commit an unforgivable sin.
Her platinum hair and deep green eyes were exactly as he remembered.
Their gazes met suddenly.
She looked at Yuri, narrowed her eyes slightly, and gave a faint smile.
Yuri didn’t respond.
In this life, he had no ties whatsoever to Ekaterina.
Yet she stared at him as if she knew something.
Yuri closed his eyes, steadying himself.
This time, he would not make the same mistake.
Never.
He gathered his resolve and opened his eyes again.
Ekaterina’s smile had deepened.
Lost in thought, Yuri didn’t notice how time slipped by.
Georg sat beside Fiore, chatting quietly.
Yuri couldn’t tell which of the changes he’d made had brought Georg here.
He wanted to gather information somehow, but the presence of that woman made it nearly impossible to stay calm.
Ekaterina.
She sat demurely, occasionally smiling sweetly at nobles who approached her.
But Yuri, who knew her well, found all her actions disgustingly insincere.
“Yuri.”
“What?”
“Should I go talk to her?”
“Do as you like.”
Joshua seemed smitten with Ekaterina.
“What will you say?”
“How should I know?”
“How old is she?”
“Same age as me.”
“Really? How do you know?”
“Just do.”
“She looks older than me.”
“That’s because she’s mature for her age.”
Yuri understood.
In his past life, he’d been captivated by her for the same reason as Joshua. He knew better than anyone how dangerously enchanting that face could be.
“I can’t help it. I’m going.”
Joshua stood up. Yuri sighed.
“Do as you like.”
“Just trust me.”
“Trust what?”
“She’ll be your sister-in-law someday.”
“Sure.”
“If you come back looking sad, I’ll pour you a drink.”
“I’ll pour juice.”
Joshua would probably return grinning. Ekaterina toyed with people’s hearts like a master.
“Hmm…”
Looking around the ballroom, Yuri saw Cedric dancing with a noble lady.
Not only was he noble in character and skill, but his kindness made him unable to refuse any noble’s request.
He truly had the makings of a great ruler.
And what about himself?
Yuri’s feelings grew complicated as he glanced sideways at Ekaterina.
Their eyes met again.
Fortunately, Joshua approached and started talking to her, blocking her gaze.
“Damn…”
Yuri decided not to let it bother him anymore. He turned away from her direction and reached for the refreshments.
“Would you like some more cookies?”
A familiar voice caught his attention. Looking up, Ena stood there, smiling brightly.
Seeing her brought an unexpected sense of comfort.
“Ena. You’ve been working hard.”
“Not at all.”
“Tiring?”
“No. It’s harder to clean up after everyone every day…”
“Enough. Give me plenty.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Don’t overdo it. Take a break.”
“Finally realizing my worth?”
“I always knew.”
“Oh my.”
As Yuri popped a cookie into his mouth, he shook off his distracting thoughts.
What difference did it make if a prince from the Empire came, or if he met Ekaterina?
Nothing had changed. No matter what happened, he would give his best every moment.
“I’m going now.”
“Take care.”
Ena gathered the empty plates and headed back to the kitchen.
Yuri sipped his drink and leaned back in his chair.
Unexpected guests made him feel tired even when doing nothing.
“Phew…”
As he sighed, someone approached.
Yuri instinctively straightened.
“…”
Deep green eyes looked down at him.
Georg Ivarna Granzayen.
Second prince of the Empire.
The executor who wielded the Empire’s military power on the Emperor’s behalf.
The intimidating presence he’d once felt when he rode in black armor was still vivid.
Georg spoke.
“You are…”
Yuri stood and bowed respectfully.
“I am Yuri Briol, third prince of Briol.”
“I see. So you are…”
His eyes scanned Yuri from head to toe.
Yuri tried not to show hostility.
Though the Emperor had ordered the war, it was this man who had carried out the battles on the front lines. They had even crossed swords before.
“Indeed, the son of Fiore.”
“Huh?”
“Look at me.”
At Georg’s command, Yuri lifted his head to meet his gaze.
…
At that moment,
Yuri flinched and stepped back.
The mana tendrils creeping toward him halted.
“Did you feel it?”
Georg smiled coldly. His green eyes gleamed like a serpent’s.
This was no longer the formal expression he’d shown before—it was his true face.
“You said you were thirteen…”
Georg studied Yuri with interest for a long moment.
“Remarkable talent.”
Then he turned away. His crimson cloak billowed, scattering Yuri’s hair.
Yuri clenched his fists, trying to calm his trembling.
That test had been threatening.
He was supposed to be young, but was he already this formidable?
What a detestable bastard.
“Brother and sister are just the same…”
He muttered under his breath.
Then—
Clang!
A sharp crashing sound echoed through the ballroom.
A noise no one should have made here.
The entire hall fell silent.
Turning his gaze, Yuri saw a truly embarrassing scene.
…
A stain spread across Georg’s red cloak.
Ena trembled before him.
“I’m sorry.”
Spilling food on a royal was unforgivable in the Empire—especially staining the symbol of the royal family’s crimson cloth.
“This is…”
Georg tilted his head and looked at Yuri.
A faint smile played on his lips.
“This child made a mistake.”
Yuri knew.
He had deliberately provoked Ena.
“But what can be done? Imperial law is the highest authority…”
A sword shimmered from beneath the red cloak. No one but Fiore was allowed to carry a blade here, but the Empire’s prince was an exception.
“The punishment should be death by execution…”
Georg bowed to Fiore.
“Your Majesty, I ask your understanding.”
Fiore shook his head.
“Have you come to disrupt my ball?”
“Of course not.”
“If you want blood, do it on your own land.”
“Your Majesty.”
Georg kept his bow but raised his eyes to meet Fiore’s.
“The Empire and Briol have always maintained good relations.”
“You don’t seem to think so.”
“The Imperial and Briol royal families agreed to respect each other’s authority within non-conflicting boundaries.”
“That’s right.”
“Do you remember the Gatencha incident?”
“…”
Fiore had once personally beheaded an Imperial knight.
Yet the Emperor had overlooked it without complaint.
“This is no different.”
The past had come back to haunt them.
Fiore pressed his palm to his forehead.
Mentioning the treaty meant the honor of the royal family was at stake, and opposing it would be a challenge to the Empire.
“To preserve peace between our nations.”
Yuri felt déjà vu.
Peace.
To protect it, one sacrifice was made. Then they demanded more.
“To uphold the honor of the royal family.”
Honor.
The honor of Briol and the Empire were not the same. To raise one, the other had to fall.
Georg drew his sword.
“I do not wish this either. Let us end it quickly. There won’t be much blood.”
The ballroom lights gleamed smoothly along the white blade.
Ena’s shoulders shook.
Yuri looked up at the chandelier hanging overhead.
Above the sparkling lights, memories from his past life flashed by.
The kingdom’s safety and a young girl’s life had been weighed on a scale that tipped absurdly.
Countless thoughts swirled and scattered in his mind.
Ideal and reality.
Duty and circumstance.
Justice and force.
His wandering thoughts finally stopped before the tragic face of the dead.
‘That is Briol’s vow.’
Yuri laughed bitterly.
He’d forgotten for a moment. He was a sinner, and this life was his punishment. Yet here he was, scheming like a rat.
He had never been given a choice.
Yuri’s voice rang out through the silent ballroom.
“Your Majesty.”
The blade poised at Ena’s throat froze.
“That child is under my protection.”
Georg turned.
A smile lingered on his face. His eyes said: Go ahead, try whatever you can.
Yuri smiled back and stood.
“Then her mistake is mine as well…”
Distorted faces turned toward him.
It was amusing how everyone wore the same expression, trying to stop him.
Yuri stepped forward toward Georg.
“Your Highness, you are a prince of a great empire, and I am but a humble prince of Briol. Please consider this and withdraw the immediate sentence. Instead…”
Amid the glittering lights of the ballroom, he sensed another pair of deep green eyes.
Ekaterina was watching him.
That beautiful face reminded him of the misery from his past life.
“Grant us a trial by combat.”
A ripple spread through the crowd.
Treason against the royal family was a grave crime, but it could not be applied directly to a prince of Briol. If punishment was to be given, it must come through trial.
And trial by combat was a method familiar to the Empire.
Proud Georg would not avoid such a provocation.
“Hahaha…”
Georg burst into laughter.
“Yuri, was it? Third prince.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“May I call you Yuri?”
“Of course.”
“Very well, Yuri.”
He turned to Fiore.
“Your Majesty, the third prince of Briol has raised a legitimate objection. I accept it. Is that agreeable to you?”
Fiore let out a short sigh.
“Fine.”
“Thank you.”
Georg looked like he was enjoying himself more than at any other point today.
“I’ll have to fight personally, but to preserve the dignity of the royal family, I’ll send a champion instead. I’ll choose the youngest recruit from the royal guard—someone your age. Keep that in mind.”
Though it sounded like a gesture of goodwill, it was quite the opposite.
When the skill gap is clear, a compromise leads to a more moderate outcome.
If it were a duel between a seasoned prince famed for his military prowess and a ten-year-old prince, that would have been the case.
But when both sides are evenly matched, anything can happen.
“I appreciate your leniency.”
“The empire is generous to brave warriors.”
With that, Georg bowed to Fiore.
“Looks like I spoiled the mood. Your Majesty, I’ll take my leave.”
“Thanks for that.”
“Yekaterina, you should enjoy yourself a bit more.”
She shrugged at him with a hint of displeasure.
Georg laughed aloud once more before leaving the ballroom.
The storm had passed.
The atmosphere was tense.
Yuri helped Ena to her feet.
“Ena. Get up.”
“Prince…”
“Go rest.”
“Because of me…”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Ena looked at Yuri with eyes full of mixed emotions, then bowed her head and, supported by the other attendants, left the room.
Yuri clapped his hands to lighten the mood.
“Hey.”
He signaled the orchestra, and they quickly picked up the music.
He glanced at Yekaterina, just in case.
Contrary to his expectations, she remained seated where she was, staring intently but not approaching or speaking.
Was young Yekaterina more cautious back then?
“What are you thinking about?”
Yuri shook his head.
He had no regrets about what had just happened. If anything, he was frustrated he hadn’t been able to cut Georg down immediately.
Unconsciously, he reached for the glass on the table, but someone stopped him.
“You shouldn’t be drinking.”
It was Hernando.
His eyes flickered with a strange light.
“Instead, have this.”
“What is it?”
“Non-alcoholic wine.”
“What kind of wine is that?”
“It’s for children.”
Hernando smiled warmly.
“Shall we toast to Briol’s future?”
“No thanks.”
Yuri smirked but downed the glass in one go. It tasted just like juice.
“Why are you staring?”
“Just… watching.”
Hernando’s gaze felt heavy.
He always looked at him like that, but today his eyes seemed especially sharp.
Well, any decent person would be impressed by what just happened.
“Hernando.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t fall for me.”
“Huh?”
His expression twisted slightly, but Yuri didn’t care and raised his glass again.
This time, it was real wine.
“Toast to me.”