‘I should head back soon.’

With that thought, he scanned the ballroom absentmindedly. His gaze stopped at a staircase on one side of the floor. The small staircase leading to the second-floor lounge was just as crowded. Yet even amidst the chaos, Ruben’s eyes landed precisely on one person.

A butterfly mask, glittering like a galaxy under the light, adorned her face, complementing her gown, a soft yellow hue that shimmered with every move. Her elegantly styled red hair confirmed her identity before he even needed to think further. Ruben already knew who she was.

A fleeting glance was enough for his mind to blare loud warnings, demanding he look away immediately. Yet, just as he resolved to avert his gaze, Helia, looking elsewhere, turned her head directly toward him.

Though her eyes were hidden behind the mask, Ruben felt their gazes locked. It wasn’t just a feeling. She was looking straight at him as if aware of his presence.

They stood frozen in place for a moment, locked in each other’s eyes. The bustling world around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the two.

“……”

Ruben realized this was the first time he had encountered her in such a setting. Helia had always been present over the past ten years at the occasional royal banquets he attended. But never once had they exchanged glances—not even by accident. Ruben treated her like she didn’t exist, never turning his head toward her.

In truth, he had been well aware of her sidelong glances seeking him out in the past, which only made him more resolute in avoiding her. Yet, deep down, he knew. The more he tried to ignore her, the more acutely aware he was of her. He would register her every movement without turning his head, his entire focus on her even though they never made eye contact.

No matter where she was, no matter the disguise, Ruben would recognize her instantly. This self-awareness filled him with self-loathing, yet even now, he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.

At that moment, their private world was intruded upon. Someone jostled Helia as they passed by on the narrow staircase. She swayed, her balance faltering as she leaned forward. Ruben instinctively reached out, but the distance was too great.

When his eyes found her again in the crowd, she was already in someone else’s arms. Ruben stood frozen, speechless, as if paralyzed. He hadn’t even realized how urgently he had rushed through the throng to get there.

The last thing Helia had seen before losing her balance was Ruben’s momentarily startled expression. Despite his self-loathing, his nature compelled him to worry in such situations. She found it amusing. He was always so kind. That warmth, reminiscent of the gentle sun in May, kept her clinging to him.

‘It’s all your fault.’

The thought surfaced involuntarily, and a bitter smile tugged at her lips. She had pushed him away, yet she wished for him to turn back. What a wretched contradiction. Knowing full well that the end of this lingering hope would be ruined, she still clung to that light, unable to let go. No matter how vile her actions, his unwavering brightness had left her desperate.

“Are you all right?”

A soft, sweet voice broke her reverie.

Helia shifted her gaze from the distance. She found herself enveloped in the arms of a man. After witnessing her fall, a small crowd had gathered, concerned for her well-being. Helia stared coldly at the man who had caught her, not a hint of gratitude in her eyes.

It might have been hurtful, but the man simply smiled warmly.

“Please put me down.”

The man complied immediately at her request, gently setting her down with polite precision. As Helia brushed off her gown and adjusted her attire, she prepared to leave without a second glance at her rescuer. But his low, smooth voice halted her.

“Are you leaving just like that?”

“……”

“No word of thanks?”

Helia paused and turned back to face him. Though partially obscured by his mask, his smile remained as bright as ever. She pursed her lips, visibly displeased.

“Expecting gratitude for saving a lady? Have you discarded your sense of chivalry?”

Her blunt reply was laced with cold disdain. It wasn’t the anticipated response; his smile faltered slightly, perhaps out of disbelief.

But then he broke into hearty laughter. Helia’s frown deepened as his clear laughter filled the air. When he finally stopped, he spoke again, his tone playful yet sincere.

“I’m afraid my shortcomings are fully displayed in such a setting. Please, forgive me, my lady.”

“I shall forgive you. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

After staging a bizarre scene of forgiving the person who had saved her, Helia turned her back again without hesitation. However, she couldn’t move forward this time either. A man had appeared before her, blocking her path before she noticed his approach.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Since I’ve already been deemed unworthy, shouldn’t I at least get some reward to make it worth my while?”

“Not only do you lack chivalry, but it seems you’re also unfamiliar with shame.”

“Brazen impudence runs in the family, after all.”

Despite her harsh rebuke, the man’s lips remained curved in a perpetual smile as though he found something amusing. His tall, lean frame was clearly not one of a knight. Yet, the presence of well-toned muscles kept him from appearing entirely slender or fragile.

His unremarkable, tousled brown hair fell over his eyes, and combined with the mask he wore, his gaze was barely visible. However, his sharp nose and smiling lips, with their elegant contours, were striking enough to suggest he was handsome. Even without removing the mask, there was little doubt he hailed from a distinguished family.

“Since fate has brought us together like this,”

The man extended a hand toward her with impeccable politeness. Beneath the white glove, a glimpse of a refined wrist was visible.

“May I have the honor of a dance with you, my lady?”

Helia stared at the outstretched hand without a flicker of movement. Her gaze alone conveyed her refusal, but the undeterred man kept his hand extended. His proposal was light as a feather, yet his unwavering posture revealed a firm resolve not to retract his offer. Irritation surged within her.

If she had to dance anyway, she could finish it quickly. Helia grasped his hand. Her touch was deliberately cold.

“…”

Meanwhile, Ruben silently watched from a distance. Even amidst the masked crowd, his striking appearance had drawn people’s attention, but he showed no intention of averting his intense gaze. Those watching him naturally shifted their focus to Helia and the unknown man.

Holding hands and moving to the floor, the two appeared as harmonious as any dance partner. To an observer, Ruben resembled a man who had just lost his lover, but his expression showed no trace of anger or jealousy. It was inexplicable, and the spectators soon lost interest, returning to their own business. Even as their gazes drifted away, Ruben stood motionless, his face devoid of expression, his eyes empty of emotion.

As the man gracefully led Helia to the dance floor, she kept her eyes fixed ahead, not sparing him a glance. Unfortunately, the next tune was a sultry blues melody. The man expertly guided her into position, his arm firmly encircling her waist. As their hands connected and they began to step in sync, their bodies drew even closer. Despite this proximity, Helia’s gaze continued to avoid him.

“May I ask for your name?”

The man’s voice was smooth, his tone carrying an air of relaxed confidence. Yet, in a masquerade ball, asking for someone’s name was undoubtedly against the rules. Helia curtly declined.

“That would be inappropriate.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

His response was light, as though he had anticipated her rejection. Still, his unyielding cheer only made her more displeased.

“Aren’t you curious why I’d want to know your name?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“Why not?”

He was insufferably chatty. For the first time, Helia raised her head and met his gaze. Though his eyes were partially obscured by his disheveled hair, Helia paid them no mind.

“Because you mean nothing to me.”

It was the man, instead, who seemed momentarily captivated by her eyes. Illuminated by the ballroom’s light, her golden irises gleamed with an intensity reminiscent of staring directly into the sun. He instinctively wanted to avert his gaze, only to catch himself in surprise.

“That’s… quite a harsh statement.”

Despite his words, the smile never left his face. However, a faint glimmer of something new surfaced behind his mask—interest. Helia recognized it but remained indifferent. This dance would end as soon as the music stopped, and she had no intention of ever crossing paths with this man again. In that sense, masquerade balls were entirely practical. But the man, it seemed, was not content with that outcome.

“What if, after tonight, I find myself wanting to seek you out again?”

“Don’t.”

“Isn’t ending things after just one dance too cruel?”

“Every place has its own rules, which should be followed.”

Helia’s retort was sharp, laden with deeper meaning. The man’s expression shifted subtly once more. The smile that had dominated his face vanished, replaced by an intense gaze fixed squarely on Helia. She met his stare head-on, her expression unyielding and composed, leaving the man in an oddly contemplative mood.

“If you don’t want this to end as a fleeting connection for one night?”

“It’s just a single dance. Calling it a connection is too grand; it’s less than a brush of passing garments.”

“You speak more harshly than I, known as a libertine.”

The man chuckled softly and let his gaze sweep over Helia, scanning her thoroughly. His eyes carried an intent curiosity, probing her every detail.

“Seeing the luscious ruby-red hair of the lady before me reminds me of someone.”

“……”

“Of course, that person would never attend a ball like this.”

The man smiled faintly—a captivating smile that could enchant anyone, regardless of age or gender. But Helia remained unaffected. She showed no interest, maintaining a silent indifference that conveyed her lack of engagement with his words. Seeing this, the man merely smiled and refrained from continuing the conversation. The two carried on their dance gracefully. The tune was nearing its end.

As the waltz drew close, the man bowed elegantly, lifting her hand toward his face. He touched the back of her hand with a light kiss, lifting his eyes to meet hers in the process. Helia looked down at him and quietly spoke.

“If you’ve come to this foreign land secretly, it would be wise to leave quietly as well.”

The moment she finished, her hand slipped smoothly from his grasp. Her movement was so refined that the man did not perceive it as impolite.

The sole empire of the continent, Pteria, was ruled by the reigning emperor James Prekin. He had two sons and a daughter, including the crown prince, Cedric Prekin. Known for entering its third golden age, the imperial family was reputed for their exceptional talents in both civil and military matters.

Among them, Crown Prince Cedric was already recognized as a capable strategist, demonstrating his political prowess in various fields. While his swordsmanship was slightly less refined than that of his siblings, he still bore the lineage of Alexander Prekin, the first emperor and a legendary knight, rendering him an unmatched opponent in duels.

Alongside his commendable reputation, Cedric was famed for his extraordinary beauty. Those of royal blood were distinguished by their shining platinum hair and deep crimson eyes, symbols of their lineage. Even among them, Cedric’s beauty was especially revered. He was undoubtedly leagues beyond the man before her with his unruly dark brown hair. To compare the two would be an affront to the goddess who crafted Cedric’s features. Yet, no matter how he might dye his hair black or wear a wig, even if he were to adopt someone else’s eyes, he could not fool Helia.

‘Crown Prince Cedric Prekin.’

Though she could not fathom what business had brought him to a masquerade ball in a foreign land, she knew it was of no concern to her. Helia studied him intently. Now visibly unsettled by her earlier remark, the man stared openly at her. Ignoring his lingering gaze, she left the ballroom before he could recover and attempt to detain her.