At that time, he stood by the pillar in the banquet hall.

As a soldier of little importance, his role was simply to stand by the pillar, acting as yet another support. Even if he could do more, he had no intention to, nor was there any need for it.

Standing still like a statue, not even feeling boredom, he heard the sound of applause. His deep blue eyes briefly turned to the source of the sound. He intended to glance and then look away, as usual. However.

His gaze fell upon the young princess. She had half of her platinum blonde curly hair braided and tied back, while the rest flowed down neatly, topped with a thin golden crown. Beneath her long sky-blue cape, the hem of her white dress swayed. A bracelet of blue aquamarine adorned her slender wrist, visible through her soft sleeves.

The princess walked with a smile amidst the applause and congratulations. Her eyes curved into crescents, and a small dimple appeared beside her wide-open pink lips. Her smiling figure shone like a lone star in the night banquet hall.

He stood by the pillar, watching the princess’s retreating figure and her fluttering dress.

The princess walked gracefully across the banquet hall. She ascended to a spot surrounded by white pillars adorned with green plants and flowers, where a white instrument was placed.

As the princess climbed the steps to stand before the small keyboard instrument, she seemed far from him. Unconsciously, he stepped forward, maneuvering around others who blocked his view. He moved to a position where he could see the princess better.

Standing beside the open white instrument, the princess, with the help of a knight and a maid, sat down. She then unfastened the aquamarine bracelet from her wrist and placed it on the instrument.

With a clatter, the sound of the jewels and silver chain meeting the instrument’s cold surface echoed. To his ears, the sound was unusually loud, despite being at a distance where it was nearly inaudible.

Inside the open lid of the ivory-adorned instrument, the blue aquamarine’s color reflected, leaving a trace like a water stain. Seeing that trace stirred a ripple in his heart.

The princess placed her white hands on the keys. The loose sleeves fell back, revealing her slender wrists. Her small, delicate fingers, like those carved from porcelain, danced across the white keys. The gentle movement resembled a butterfly’s fluttering wings.

The music played by the princess sounded to him not just like the notes of an instrument, but like the melody of her body in motion. His mouth went dry. He wanted to step forward a little more. However,

“You.”

He stopped in his tracks. A knight in armor blocked his path.

“What are you doing? Stay at your post.”

The knight spoke sternly, turning his head as if he weren’t worth any more of his time. He stared blankly at the knight’s back—the knight who obstructed him, the people standing ahead, and the banquet hall he shouldn’t cross.

He slowly retreated to his original position, the place a mere soldier with no special background or notable title was meant to guard. Next to the pillar on the very edge of the banquet hall—a spot not even lit by torches.

The music ended. The princess stood up, and the people applauded. After re-fastening her bracelet, the smiling princess’s gaze did not reach him.

He stood still, observing the people in front of him and the princess standing so far away. Along with that splendid scene, he felt completely detached from it, wearing clothes no different from those of other soldiers over chainmail and a worn-out helmet.

At that moment, he suddenly realized that in this state, he couldn’t get any closer. As he was now, he couldn’t reach the radiant princess or catch her gaze, no matter how intently he watched.

If he could reach that place, would the noble princess’s gaze ever fall on him?

He thought, without taking his eyes off the princess.

If the princess saw him and spoke to him, what kind of gaze would she have? What kind of voice would she use?

It might be impossible now, and perhaps even unnecessary. Yet somehow, he wanted to make it happen. He wanted to meet the princess’s gaze. He wanted to exchange words and have a conversation with her.

Like a lone star embedded in the deep blue night, the princess’s presence lodged itself in his heart. She illuminated the blue darkness that no other star could brighten.

He looked at where he stood.

He was now standing again by the pillar in the banquet hall. As an insignificant soldier, he only had to stand like a pillar. Even if he could do more, he thought he didn’t need to.

“But.”

His thoughts changed. He decided to rise to a place that was neither given nor allowed to him. He had no desires and needed nothing, but now he did.

He wanted to move out of the darkness where even moonlight didn’t fall and reach the princess, who shone like a star.