Mess 196
by Cristae196.
Seraphie’s first ball was held at the close of a humid summer.
Though the festivities began in the rather early hours of the afternoon, the sky was already dusky.
The invited guests entered the Validus manor, feeling for themselves the shortening days and the subtly cooler air.
“Welcome.”
“Allow me to show you in. This way, please…”
“We hope you’ll remember to take home the gifts the Count has prepared for you when you leave.”
Because it was a charity ball, intended for the collection of donations, the attending nobles came dressed accordingly.
Their attire was subdued and dignified, minimizing any ostentatious jewelry.
That is, except for the ball Seraphie herself had prepared.
“Oh my.”
“This is wonderfully done.”
The Marquis and Marchioness of Castane, upon entering the ballroom, could not conceal their amazement.
The wide parlor and balcony had been opened, and even the garden outside was put to use as part of the venue.
Indoors, the softly glowing lights created an atmosphere both elegant and grave.
In contrast, the garden reception was its very opposite. Decorated with brilliant summer blossoms, the outdoor space glowed radiantly even in the dark.
The effect was thanks to the string of lights that trailed from the manor’s roof all the way to the garden trees.
And the fresh fragrance lingered gently in the air.
“What is this?”
The Marchioness of Castane, full of curiosity, approached the lights.
They looked for all the world like fruits of light strung along slender cords.
Hung diagonally from the high roof down into the garden, these decorations created a sense of security, almost like a transparent ceiling erected under the open sky.
Especially astonishing was the gentle brilliance: the lights were bright, yet not glaringly so. Nor did insects flock to them.
“They’re magical devices, made at Countess Validus’s suggestion.”
Batisa, who had come to the ball with her parents, answered with a proud air.
“Do you really know what you’re talking about, Batisa?”
“Of course! Seraphie and I are the closest of friends.”
Batisa puffed up a bit, her face still younger than most her age, drawing a smile from the Marquis and Marchioness.
“You’ve heard about the new ore being mined in Validus?”
“You mean the aluminum with the extremely high magic conductivity?”
“That’s right. These lights are magical devices made from that very material.”
Magical devices crafted from this highly magic-conductive aluminum absorbed the ambient mana in the air to emit light.
In other words, there was no longer a need to charge them continually with expensive magic stones.
Batisa’s concise explanation caught the ears not just of the Marquis and Marchioness, but also of others nearby.
“I don’t know all the details, but apparently they sprayed a scent that repels insects.”
“So that’s…”
The Marquis of Castane realized that the fresh, fragrant aroma he had noticed upon entering the ballroom was coming from the lights themselves.
As a result, not a single gnat or mosquito could be seen in the garden, even on a bright summer night.
Looking more closely, he noticed that the vibrant summer flowers placed throughout the venue were tied up together with herbs renowned for repelling pests.
‘A most impressive preparation.’
The Marquis surveyed the scene with a look of satisfaction.
He still vividly remembered the Seraphie he saw at the forced succession trial.
How could he ever forget the young noble who, despite her frail frame, commanded the assembly with sheer presence?
The struggle of that young noble, who had made her existence known to all, was not merely the tantrum of a child.
She had come crashing into the long-stagnant, rotten pond of noble society like a wild storm.
‘It is she who brings change to the world.’
Wherever her hand touched and her feet trod, chaos followed, but at its end, new transformations always emerged.
Once a gaunt girl who could not have received even the basic education required for survival, let alone social graces, she now stood at the very summit of the nobility.
Who would dare oppose her, or Validus?
‘Now the world will revolve around Validus.’
At last, the Marquis realized how poor his judgement of character had been.
That he had failed to recognize her true worth was nothing short of shameful, even embarrassing.
He was certain he was not alone; no doubt everyone present felt the same.
Not many were in attendance at the ball.
But it was plain to see just how carefully Seraphie had assembled the guest list, and exactly how far her influence now reached.
“Batisa.”
The Marquis called his daughter.
“What sort of friend is Countess Validus to you?”
“Father.”
Batisa answered with absolute sincerity.
“She saved my life.”
Batisa, too, existed in a world transformed by Seraphie.
“And she will change the world.”
Batisa wanted to watch that transformation up close.
On the brink of such great change, she knew that tonight’s ball would mark its first overture.
For Batisa, simply recognizing this ‘introduction’ to change was itself an extraordinary opportunity.
“…Very well.”
The Marquis watched his grown daughter with warm pride.
“Everyone.”
The clear chime of a teacup struck by a small spoon instantly gathered the room’s attention.
There stood the hostess: Countess Validus herself.
“Thank you so much for gracing this place with your presence. It is only with you here that this ball is truly complete.”
Seraphie wore a plain white dress, free of ornamentation.
Her only accessories were modest earrings and a ribbon necklace.
Her hair, simply bobbed and neatly brushed, was accented only by a single, unassuming pearl.
Instead, a narrow red ribbon was laced round her dress, bringing a touch of life to the otherwise unadorned ensemble.
“I hope that in your memories, my small tokens of hospitality will remain ever with you—as constant as the starlight that embellishes tonight’s sky.”
Lifting her skirt lightly with one hand, Seraphie bent her knees in a graceful curtsy.
“I hope you enjoy yourselves.”
The ball began.
“Countess Validus!”
Seraphie, moving about and exchanging greetings, brightened as she saw who approached.
“Your Highness, I am truly honored by your visit.”
“How could I not? Both the Emperor and Empress themselves have expressed the deepest affection for this event and wish it every success.”
“With the blessing of the Empire’s most august, tonight’s gathering shines all the brighter.”
Watching their warm exchange, the guests were reminded of the Imperial succession rivalry.
Recently, there had even been rumors that the Third Prince might vie for the throne.
“By the way, what are those lights outside? Magical devices?”
“They are custom-made magical devices I commissioned. They can be used almost indefinitely.”
“Almost indefinitely?”
At that, Ex’s eyes sparked as brightly as the magical lights.
“…Would it be possible to arrange a meeting soon?”
“I am always honored to meet Your Highness.”
“You really are…”
Ex paused, drawing a deep breath.
For some reason, emotion welled within his breast.
Thankfulness and guilt—for the woman before him; the pangs of longing, ever more frequent, for a brother gone.
‘If only my brother had lived…’
Seraphie would have been an even greater ally to him, who would surely have become a truly wise ruler.
But since that could never be, Ex was resolved—however lacking—to push his own abilities as far as possible.
“…You are too much for someone like me.”
Sensing something of Ex’s heart, Seraphie closed her eyes briefly and bowed her head.
“I, too, am graced beyond measure.”
“Come to think of it—where’s Lala?”
“…Were you that close?”
“She’s such a delightful friend. Ah, there she is.”
Ex soon spotted Pura among the crowd.
Clad in a blue uniform reminiscent of a knight, Pura had her bangs slicked back, her long hair tied neatly like a ponytail, and was surrounded by ladies.
She wore a smile, but looked decidedly uncomfortable.
“Popular, isn’t she?”
“She’s beautiful and handsome, after all.”
Confidently—as if it were the obvious answer—Ex strode off in that direction.
Overwhelmed by the attention of the lovely ladies, Pura quickly slipped behind Ex for cover.
Her using him as a human shield sent Ex into open laughter.
“…It’s going well, I see.”
Before she knew it, Orchis had approached and offered his arm.
He wore a black suit, the polar opposite of Seraphie’s white, but the red handkerchief on his chest matched her ribbon exactly.
Seraphie laid her hand on his arm and moved in close.
“We can’t let our guard down until the end, but so far, so good.”
“How much has been raised in donations?”
Seraphie, from behind her fan, let an impish smile curl her lips.
“Ten times what I expected.”
The invited guests wrote the amounts on blank checks and placed them in the donation box.
Once the doors of the manor were closed against further arrivals, Loony retired to another room to count the contributed funds.
The total far exceeded their initial expectations—tenfold, or more.
“Miss Loony must be beside herself.”
“It’s all just pie in the sky, really. Every bit of it is earmarked for pre-assigned expenses.”
“Indeed.”
Together, they mingled with the crowd.
To the elders whom she had come to know through the Council of Elders, Seraphie showed due deference and respect.
That the Empire’s greatest noble now sought out their wisdom in humility gave them deep satisfaction.
To the young, whom she’d befriended at the last Imperial ball, she was more lighthearted and open, showing genuine warmth.
‘Ah, my face aches…’
Her facial muscles were sore from smiling, but compared to all she’d endured, this was nothing to Seraphie—a task as easy as sipping cold soup.
After some time, Seraphie called the guests indoors.
“Dinner is served.”
Once seated, the doors opened, and dishes were brought in, freshly made and in sequence.
The meal began with appetizers to stimulate the palate, followed by gently simmered soups, fish sautéed in butter, juicy meat dishes, and concluded with salad, fragrant tea, and fruit.
Those with allergies had been quietly served their own separate dishes.
A flawless, perfect meal.
Afterward—
“Would anyone care for a stroll after supper?”
Seraphie led the guests somewhere special.
Though the night was dark, there was no need for lanterns; gleaming magical lights stretched all along the walk, cast in whites and yellows, here and there flickering red, lighting up the path through the darkness.
“Did you tint them with color?”
The Duchess of Phelicia showed interest.
“It’s more than just illumination; as you see, they can serve as decorative accents.”
Seraphie pointed toward the gardens.
The faces of those who saw it blossomed into delighted smiles.