Chapter 51
A man appeared on the hall's third-floor balcony.
Brilliant silver hair and clear blue eyes.
A handsome man of striking features, dressed in a uniform blending white and blue.
Aither Argenvalt.
The Empire's first prince and the main male lead of [Lady Maker].
He was one of the key figures Leon had seen after possessing this world, following Lenoa.
Honestly, I had hoped not to meet him.
Leon liked this character quite a lot, so part of him wanted to see him, but unfortunately, not now.
Aither was the kind of hero who defeated the villain Lenoa and brought about the happy ending.
In the story, Lenoa took a liking to Aither, but Aither was utterly devoted to the heroine.
When Aither didn't accept her advances, Lenoa did all kinds of cruel things to the heroine.
It didn't stop at simple bullying; she even used black magic to cast a curse, only to be discovered by Aither.
And then, through his efforts, he uncovered that the Edelhaid family was dealing in black magic.
In other words, she played the role of the heroine's helper, greatly contributing to the destruction of the Edelhaid family.
That meant Aither was the single most dangerous person for the current Leon. Best not to get involved with him.
Leon hadn't wanted to come to the banquet at all, but with his master Lenoa so firm about it, he had no choice.
The nobles filling the hall held their breath, gazing up at the third-floor balcony.
They waited for the day's main figure to speak.
Under everyone's gaze, Aither finally opened his mouth.
"Nobles who stand as the steadfast pillars of the Empire."
His voice was as clear as his bright blue eyes.
"Tonight, beneath the name of the Imperial Family, is a blessed occasion in which the young nobles who will shoulder the Empire's future come of age in full."
A gentle smile and a courteous tone.
Yet beneath it lay a firm dignity that was not easily approached.
"On behalf of the Imperial Family, I offer my deepest praise and welcome to the noble ladies and young lords who have taken their first step into society."
Aither paused for a moment. He moved his head and swept his gaze across every corner of the banquet hall.
"As of this coming-of-age ceremony, as one who speaks on behalf of the Imperial Family, I wish to announce one important decision."
Aither spoke with a resolute expression, having erased his smile.
"This coming spring, I intend to formally enroll in the Imperial Academy."
There it was.
Leon swallowed that internally.
In contrast, Aither's announcement sent a buzz through the entire hall.
Aither remained calm and continued speaking without being swept up by the atmosphere.
"As an imperial scion, if I am to govern the Empire properly, I must reach the people's lives from the closest possible place and understand them. Therefore, I will cast aside the privilege of status and learn at the same level as everyone else."
"......"
"The academy is a noble place of learning. There, rank and status will be transcended, and nobles and commoners alike will be judged only by wisdom and ability."
Aither's blue eyes swept past the many young talents gathered below the balcony.
"So if among you who will lead the bright future of the Empire there is anyone who wishes to join this meaningful journey, you are most welcome. In the coming new semester, I would like to stand beside you in the hall of learning, stripped of the trappings of rank, and discuss tomorrow together."
Idealistic sophistry.
At the same time, it was the prologue that ran through the world of [Lady Maker].
Depending on how much effort users put into raising their characters, the height the protagonist could reach would change.
The Imperial Academy was the stage for such a game.
A place of learning whose doors were open to anyone who thirsted for knowledge, regardless of rank.
But that was only a façade put forward on the surface.
High-ranking nobles at the center of power never set foot there.
That was because if a family held immense wealth and power, they could simply bring the Empire's best educators to their manor and receive private, top-tier instruction.
There was no reason to stay in the same space as lowly commoners or petty lower nobles.
And yet the prince himself had declared that he would enroll in the academy.
A noble act of willingly laying aside the privileges he could rightfully enjoy, and moving forward side by side with commoners.
Pure, unblemished idealism and the spirit of sacrifice that put it into practice.
"No wonder the heroines fall for him."
Even to a man, he looked cool; what about women?
Even the young ladies here were already sparkling with excitement like girls who had fallen in love.
"Lenoa..."
Leon rolled his eyes and glanced sideways. Lenoa was also looking up at Aither.
The key was how Lenoa would react to seeing Aither.
He decided to test the waters.
"Your Highness the prince just made an incredible statement."
"Yeah. I was pretty surprised."
"And he's really handsome, too."
"Is he?"
"Don't you feel anything?"
"Not really."
"Really? Don't you have thoughts like wanting to make him yours even if you had to kill every woman at his side?"
At Leon's needlessly specific question, Lenoa turned her head.
"What kind of question is that?"
"No, I was just honestly curious."
"If you're going to keep spouting nonsense, should I send you outside?"
"No, I should stay beside the young lady and protect her."
"Then keep your mouth shut. You're distracting me."
"Yep."
Leon obediently closed his mouth.
What is this?
Leon had expected Lenoa to fall for Aither at first sight or something, but her reaction was extremely flat.
Does she just not have any interest in Aither to begin with?
It was the kind of gaze you might give a pebble lying by the roadside.
He had thought that someone as intent on a rags-to-riches leap as Lenoa would naturally take an interest in him....
Aither lifted the hand holding his glass.
"I've spoken long enough. For tonight, set etiquette and status aside for a moment and enjoy yourselves to the fullest. I hope the Empire's future will be as brilliant as your dazzling prospects."
The moment his ringing toast ended, the music once again filled the hall in a lively rhythm.
The nobles burst into applause all at once.
The prince disappeared beyond the balcony. People eagerly began talking about his statement.
"What should we do? Shouldn't our family send a child to the academy too?"
"Of course. His Highness has personally come here, so where is there a better opportunity to forge a connection with the Imperial Family than this?"
It didn't take long for even those who hated mixing with commoners to decide that they, too, would enroll in the academy.
The prince will enroll in the academy.
This wasn't something you could just brush off with a casual no.
A prince.
And not just any prince.
He was the person closest to the throne of the next emperor.
Being able to speak with him in the same space was practically a political lifeline, no different from securing a place in the future Imperial Family's inner circle.
"It's obvious that many children of noble houses will flock to the academy to win His Highness's favor."
"If we don't attend, we'll fall behind in building connections in society."
"And if a hostile family and His Highness were to form a good relationship..."
It was all Aither's scheme.
He had packaged it as a voluntary invitation, but in reality it was bait thrown after grasping the habits of nobles who feared being left behind.
So they would have no choice but to come to the academy.
Of course, Leon's impressions, as someone who had been possessed from the outside, were a little different from everyone else's.
It was a game setting meant to make it seem plausible for a prince and nobles to study in the same place as commoners.
Still, seeing the scene he had only ever watched in the game in person felt fresh.
This must be why people pay good money for 4D.
"His Highness really isn't ordinary."
"If he weren't, he couldn't have made the decision to enter the academy."
"How is it? Has your opinion changed a little now? Don't you want to make him yours, even if you have to kill every woman around him?"
"Come here. I'll kill you first."
"Just kidding."
It was while Leon was exchanging trivial remarks with Lenoa.
"Excuse me for interrupting your conversation."
Before they knew it, Aither had come down into the hall and approached the two of them.
Leon and Lenoa bowed at the same time.
"We greet Prince Aither."
"From looking down at you earlier, I became interested in the two of you, so I came over right away. The young lady of Edelhaid and the rumored slave knight."
"It is only an honor that Your Highness the prince knows someone as lowly as me."
Leon, despite having the prince right in front of him, did not act flustered.
Thanks to the three years he'd spent with Lenoa. There was no one more frightening than her in this world.
Even if he faced the emperor in private, he was no longer afraid.
"Please don't be so humble. I heard you selected a knight purely by merit, without being bound by status, and it was a fine story the Imperial Family would also like to learn from. Isn't that right, young lady?"
Aither's blue eyes naturally turned toward Lenoa.
"I'm sure the young lady played a major role in bringing him this far. I envy that eye for talent."
"I am at a loss for words at such undeserved praise. I merely took in someone suited to be used and kept him by my side."
"How could it be as easy as you make it sound? His Majesty praised it as well, so you may take pride in it."
Lenoa still had her head bowed. Aither smiled faintly and went on.
"Then let's stop with the pleasantries here. Both of you, raise your heads. There's no need to be so stiff on a day of celebration like this, is there?"
Aither suddenly switched to a lighter, more casual tone.
Leon and Lenoa carefully raised their heads.
"I've been stuck in the capital, so I'm really thirsty for news of Edelhaid. Your family is so closed off, after all."
"My apologies."
"Right. And how has Brother Cassius been doing?"
"That is..."
"Don't feel pressured. I have known your brother since we were children. If you're here in his place, then he must be busy to the point of frenzy with affairs in the territory."
It was a friendly, casual tone, as if asking after an old friend's private affairs.
It was a relaxed, easygoing attitude, as if dealing with an old friend.
"As you said, the young master is busy taking care of the safety of the territory, so I came in his stead."
"I see. Brother, really. To think he had such a beautiful younger sibling and never once mentioned it. He must treasure you quite a bit."
"......"
"I'd like to talk more, but there are so many people looking for me. Will you be coming to the academy too, young lady?"
"I think I'll need to return to the family and discuss it."
"I do hope you come. I'd like to have a proper conversation with you. And..."
Aither's gaze turned to Leon.
"You too."
"Unfortunately, he is a slave."
"If we don't make distinctions by status, then what does it matter if he's a slave? Don't refuse. I'll grant it in my name."
"I will also return to the family and discuss it."
"Yes. It was a pleasant meeting. I'll be going now."
Aither walked away with his attendants. He passed by Lenoa's side.
"Ah."
Then he stopped, as if he'd forgotten something.
"Is that bracelet uncomfortable?"
"The bracelet... do you mean this?"
"The scholars put a lot of effort into making it this time. Edelhaid is a famous house of mages, so I wanted to hear some feedback. Would you tell me honestly?"
Lenoa looked at the bracelet.
"It interferes with the flow of mana, so I can't even think of using magic."
"Is that so? Then what if a wicked witch wore it?"
"Not to mention a witch—even a great mage would be no different from a child if they wore this."
"I see... If Edelhaid says so, then its performance must be certain. Thank you. I hope we get to meet again."
Soon enough, Aither had moved completely away. He began speaking with other nobles.
"Phew..."
Even Lenoa seemed to find a face-to-face meeting with the prince difficult, as she let out a small sigh.
"Are you all right?"
"Yeah. No problem. I was just a little tense."
"Tense? You mean because of Prince Aither...?"
-Thwack!
"Oof!"
Lenoa jabbed Leon's shin with the tip of her shoe.
"That's your punishment for teasing your master. Take it graciously."
"Ugh."
Leon bent over and rubbed his shin.
Lenoa looked down at him pityingly, then glanced at Aither mingling with the crowd.
Aither Argenvalt.
The Empire's prince.
He really was a dazzling person. More than anyone else at this banquet.
If it had been the Lenoa of the past, she might have gladly risked her life to cling to him and monopolize him.
No, she definitely would have.
Because he was the most certain lifeline that could pull her out of the cage called Edelhaid.
That would have been the perfect ascent and salvation Lenoa had so desperately craved.
But in Lenoa's green eyes as she looked at Aither now, there was no desire, no thirst at all.
While surprised at herself, she knew better than anyone else the reason why.
"......"
Lenoa's gaze slipped from the prince's profile to her slave, who was making pained noises.
Aither's brilliance was a spotless greenhouse light handed to him from birth.
He hadn't earned it himself; he had simply been lucky enough to be born that way.
But Leon was different.
It was a light he had seized in the miserable depths below, drenched in blood and rolling in the mud.
That rough brilliance, unblunted even with death right before his eyes, could not possibly be compared with some greenhouse light.
In Lenoa's eyes, the light possessed by a mere slave looked far more dazzling than that of the Empire's prince.
Now that she had already grasped a being that was her own, by her own hand, and for her own sake, she no longer desired someone else's blind light.
Lenoa quietly lifted the corners of her lips where no one could see.
"Let's head back for now. Vivi will start complaining if we drag this out any longer."