VCAM 47

Chapter 47

“Shadows at the Ball”
[ Kai and Rutia’s Summer Vacation Arc, Part 16 ]

After the shocking engagement announcement and Rutia’s bold declaration, the ballroom was overflowing with joy and celebration.
The orchestra struck up a triumphant melody, nobles raised their glasses with bright smiles, and the atmosphere was filled with a sense that the kingdom’s future had suddenly turned radiant.

“Man… this is somethin’ else.”
At the edge of the hall, Kai wiped the sweat from his brow and sighed deeply.
“I’m just a teacher, y’know? How’d I end up dragged into a national event like this…?”

“You weren’t dragged in,” came a confident reply beside him.
“You’re at the center of it all.”

It was Rutia, her arm firmly wrapped around his as always, looking quite pleased with herself.

“I don’t recall ever wantin’ to be at the center though…” Kai muttered helplessly.

◆◇◆

Meanwhile, behind the ballroom—
In a dimly lit corridor, a few masked nobles had gathered in secret.

“This is madness… This will weaken the bond between the royal family and the duke’s house.”
“Lady Rutia joining herself with some foreign commoner… utterly unacceptable.”
“A backlash will come. It’s only a matter of time. We must act before then…”

Their whispers were quiet, but their words carried seeds of unrest—
Seeds that would one day ignite.

◆◇◆

Back in the ballroom,
The orchestra shifted into a new melody—the time for the formal dance had arrived.

Prince Leon and Philia stepped to the center of the floor and began to dance gracefully.

“His Highness and Lady Philia… what a sight to behold.”
“So poised—truly the image of our future king and queen.”

Admiring voices spread among the guests.

And just beside them—

“Husband dear, shall we dance as well?”
“W-Wait! I told ya, I can’t dance worth a lick!”
“You danced wonderfully earlier. Don’t worry—I’ll lead.”
“That weren’t dancin’! I was just bein’ swung around like a rag doll!”

Rutia ignored his protests and pulled Kai into the circle of dancers.

The result—

Rutia in her vivid red gown, Kai in a black tailcoat.
Philia in serene blue, Leon in regal black.

The two couples dancing side by side became the very image of the evening’s perfection.
A collective sigh of admiration rose from the crowd.

“Such flawless pairs…”
“It’s as if destiny itself arranged them.”

Kai, however, was breaking into a cold sweat as he struggled to keep up with the steps.

(They can call it ideal all they want… but I ain’t no ideal anything! I’m just a math teacher!)

When the dance ended, Rutia beamed and once again linked her arm through his, gazing up at him dreamily.

“That was wonderful, my dear husband.”
“I was just tryin’ not to trip…”

Their banter drew laughter from the guests, followed by another round of cheerful applause.

◆◇◆

Meanwhile—
In the shadows, the masked nobles whispered once more.

“At this rate, the kingdom’s balance will collapse…”
“We cannot allow that foreign man to gain influence.”
“We’ll act soon. That man—Kai Cross—must be dealt with before it’s too late…”

The dark glint in their eyes went unnoticed.
Kai remained blissfully unaware of the danger looming over him.

Amid blessings and schemes,
the night of the grand ball deepened—
shimmering with beauty, yet tainted with a quiet, growing unease.