TYBMB 28

Chapter 28: How to Become the Star of the Ball

It seemed the situation of Hernant holding me in his arms was quite irritating to the Captain.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be glaring so intensely at Hernant’s arm.

Well, it made sense—after all, I, one of his subordinates, was clinging tightly to someone like Hernant, practically an enemy. Of course, he wouldn’t like it.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable because of that, I shifted my shoulders slightly, trying to shake off Hernant’s hand—but he didn’t let go.

The Captain, who had remained silent for a while, finally opened his mouth.

“It’s definitely unfamiliar. I’ve fought alongside Yulia for nearly a year now, back to back, but it’s the first time I’ve seen her dressed so beautifully.”

At that moment, Hernant’s grip around my shoulders tightened.

It seemed the Captain’s words had stirred Hernant’s twisted possessiveness.

The Captain, unaware of this, shifted his gaze from Hernant to me.

“You look wonderful today, Yulia.”

“Thank you. You look very dashing yourself, Captain. Truly.”

It wasn’t just flattery, so I emphasized that I meant it sincerely.

The Captain’s lips parted slightly, as if he was about to say something.

But before he could respond, Hernant interrupted our conversation again.

“Only the three of us chatting is killing the mood. Shouldn’t the ball begin soon?”

Hernant then summoned an attendant and gave him an order. The attendant quickly ran to the orchestra to relay it.

The orchestra immediately stopped their gentle background music and began playing a lively tune suited for dancing.

Hernant naturally extended his hand toward me.

“It’s time to show off the dance skills you’ve honed through practice.”

I had known that the Emperor and his partner were supposed to open the ball, so without surprise, I placed my hand in his.

Hernant carefully and gently led me to the center of the floor.

The other nobles quickly cleared the space for us, and we stood alone at the center of the empty stage.

With a gentle touch, Hernant wrapped his hand around my waist and whispered,

“No need to be nervous. Just dance naturally.”

“I only get nervous when I’m fighting monsters.”

“Bold answer.”

We began moving in sync with the music.

Following the prescribed steps, we danced.

My voluminous dress swirled like waves with every step.

At those moments, I could hear gasps and exclamations from the watching crowd.

When I stole a glance around, I saw that everyone was intently focused on us, looking somewhat surprised.

Thankfully, it didn’t seem like we were boring them.

Is the Captain watching me too?

I suddenly wondered what kind of expression he had on his face.

I tried to find his face among the nobles—when Hernant leaned in and whispered in my ear,

“Stop looking at others and focus on me.”

At his demand, I finally turned my gaze to Hernant.

Unlike me, who kept glancing at the audience, his eyes had been fixed on me the whole time.

Martin stood in a shadowy corner of the ballroom, watching Yulia.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

The ice-blue gem earrings dangling from her ears drew attention to her pale neck.

That slender neck, always hidden by rough shirts and stray hair, was now showing its full beauty.

So much so that it stirred primal desire deep inside him.

Martin recalled what Simon had flippantly said before the ball:

<“That woman in a dress? I can’t even imagine it. It’s going to look awful. She’s spent all her time fighting in the rift—how would she even have time to care about appearances?”>

Though Martin had harshly scolded Simon for going too far, he couldn’t fully refute him.

Unlike other noblewomen who had polished their looks since childhood, Yulia had spent her life inhaling toxic fumes in the rift, fighting monsters.

Her body, her skin—rougher than a typical noblewoman’s. He expected her in a dress to look awkward.

But the moment he saw the fully dressed-up Yulia, he realized how wrong he had been.

She wore the dress perfectly.

Even if you placed any other noblewoman beside her, Yulia would have stolen all attention.

Even Simon, who had mocked her, was now gawking at her, mouth agape, completely absorbed in her dancing.

Though he had followed Martin to serve him, he had entirely forgotten his duty.

Martin felt a strange irritation seeing Simon so mesmerized.

“Stop staring like an idiot and go get some champagne.”

“Huh? Oh, yes, sir!”

Though Martin succeeded in cutting off Simon’s gaze, he couldn’t stop the stares of others.

Why do those looks feel so unpleasant? Why does he want to throw Hernant off of her right now?

While chewing over those feelings, Martin continued watching Yulia intently.

The music was nearing its end.

I silently prayed for it to be over soon.

Having to stay pressed against Hernant for this long was painful.

Then Hernant suddenly spoke.

“Such a shame. The music’s ending soon. Want to go one more round?”

“…No. Others are waiting for their turn to dance. I’d rather not hog the floor.”

“You’re surprisingly considerate of those beneath you. Well, if you’re unwilling, I suppose there’s no helping it… But I do have one favor.”

“A favor?”

Hernant’s arm around my waist tightened a little more.

Pulling me closer, he whispered near my ear.

“Use your Ability here.”

“…What? My Ability…?”

“After the song ends, use your power to make white snow fall above us. Wouldn’t that be great? Everyone would love it.”

“…”

The Ability is a divine gift granted to humans out of pity.

A sacred power given so weak humans could resist monsters.

To use that power just to create some snow…?

I felt a bit humiliated and shook my head.

“I’m afraid not. The Ability is dangerous. It shouldn’t be used carelessly.”

“Then I won’t let go of you.”

“…Pardon? You won’t let go…?”

I asked in disbelief, and Hernant pulled me even closer.

So close that it became difficult to continue dancing. Then he whispered again, softly,

“I’ll keep holding you tight, even after the song ends.”

“…”

“No matter how much you beg me, I won’t let go. Until the ball ends.”

I glared at him, thinking this was ridiculous, but as always, he returned my stare with a playful smile.

As if he’d done nothing wrong.

I sighed deeply and had no choice but to surrender.

“…Fine. But just this once.”

“Thanks. You’re always so good at doing what I ask.”

“That wasn’t a request—it was a threat.”

Even though I snapped at him, Hernant only responded with his usual smug grin.

Soon, the music ended.

Hernant signaled me with his eyes, and I focused deeply, activating my Ability.

I really had to concentrate.

Even though Hernant asked like it was no big deal, making it snow indoors was an extremely difficult technique.

I couldn’t just recklessly unleash my power like when fighting monsters.

By drawing only a small amount of power and dispersing it evenly through the air, tiny ice crystals would form—that was snow.

If I used even a bit too much force, those crystals would grow larger and become hail.

Dropping hail on people’s heads would be a disaster, so I focused all my mind on adjusting my power.

Thankfully, it worked.

“It’s snowing!”

Some noblewoman shouted first, pointing to the sky.

Others quickly noticed the falling snowflakes, and the hall soon filled with gasps and cheers.

“Real snow? But we’re indoors… how…?”

“Ah! It’s the Ability! Lady Schnestern used her ice power!!”

“It’s magical! So beautiful and enchanting!”

Hernant had been right.

People were overjoyed by the snow falling indoors.

Watching them enjoy it, Hernant winked at me and whispered,

“See? I told you they’d love it.”

“I’m glad it worked, but if I had made a mistake, we’d have had hail crashing down on everyone’s heads.”

“But you didn’t make a mistake, did you?”

“…”

I was left speechless and quickly stepped off the dance floor.

I had danced enough—no need to stay any longer.

As I turned and walked away, Hernant called out.

“I said it before, but I’ll say it again. Thanks for doing me the favor, Yulia.”

I didn’t respond this time either.

I just walked faster to leave the floor behind.

Though Hernant had been my partner, we didn’t need to stick together the whole night.

After our dance, he mingled with others, and I had plenty of people to meet too.

The first I encountered was Johannes.

“Big sis! Your dancing was amazing! And the snow at the end too!”

He praised me as he approached—with a familiar young lady beside him.

It was a face I knew well.

The young lady, Lady Adelheid, bowed her head toward me.

“It’s truly an honor to meet you. I’ve been so excited for days just thinking about this moment. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself—I’m Adelheid von Frangberck… and I’m officially dating Sir Johannes.”

Receiving her greeting, I felt a fleeting bitterness.

The reason was simple.

Adelheid… this sweet young lady—I already knew the misfortune that awaited her.