Meanwhile, in the imperial palace located at the center of the empire’s capital in Alcadania, a grand ball was in full swing.

The majestic sound of music performed by the empire’s finest orchestra and vocalists for the Grand Saint spread throughout the entire palace along the palace courtyard.

Not only in the imperial palace, but in various corners of the capital where people knew about the ball, numerous large and small celebratory gatherings for the Grand Saint were being held.

The ballroom was connected by a series of large, overlapping halls, with the interior becoming more lavish as one got closer to the Emperor.

As Grand Saint Ivy, surrounded by priests, stepped into the entrance of the ballroom with her face veiled, the third-class nobles in the outermost hall bowed to her.

“Oh my.”

“I think this is the most beautiful Saint we’ve ever had.”

“I heard her healing power is immense.”

Whispers from the ladies reached Ivy’s ears through their bowed heads.

Ivy’s small red lips, hidden behind the veil, curled up slightly in pleasure.

Ivy continued to walk forward.

As she entered the next hall, there were second-class and first-class nobles. They too couldn’t help but admire her. After bowing deeply to show proper respect, they didn’t forget to offer words of blessing.

“The most noble person in the empire has arrived.”

“We bless the new Grand Saint.”

“Blessings upon you.”

Ivy savored the blessings directed at her with satisfaction.

And finally, she headed towards the innermost part of the hall, an unbelievably splendid space.

It was a ballroom where large crystal chandeliers hung in rows, the walls shone with gold, and the floor gleamed with silver marble. Ivy entered the place where the highest-ranking noble families, the Emperor, and the dukes were gathered.

The priests who had guided her along the long red carpet to the front of the Emperor finally stepped back, and Ivy slowly lifted her veil to reveal her face.

“I greet Your Majesty Emperor Julius, the sun of the blessed land of Alcadania.”

After first bowing her head to the Emperor, Ivy turned slightly and greeted in exactly the same manner.

“I greet Your Majesty Empress Henzela, the moon of the blessed land of Alcadania.”

The Emperor and Empress welcomed Ivy’s greeting more warmly than anyone else.

“We bless the Grand Saint.”

There had been numerous sacrifices over the years until a Grand Saint appeared.

Even now, there were still sacrifices, but the Saint’s healing power for the ability knights suffering from pain was the empire’s salvation.

After all, monsters appeared endlessly, and they had to fight against them without end.

The ball began pleasantly amidst mutual blessings.

Numerous gifts piled up near the lavender velvet sofa prepared for Ivy, and precious jewels were still being delivered there. Crown Prince Killian approached Ivy.

“I greet Grand Saint Ivy.”

Seeing Killian approach, Ivy stood up, gathering the skirts of her dress, and responded with a bright smile.

“I greet Crown Prince Killian, the star of the empire.”

After exchanging greetings, Killian stepped closer to Ivy.

“Not bad.”

Killian touched Ivy’s cheek lightly, shielding the view from others with his back.

“Was I okay? I practiced a lot to receive praise from you, Killian.”

Ivy blushed lovingly and smiled, seeming to find his playfulness amusing.

“The dress suits you well.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Killian. This is the first time I’ve worn such an expensive and beautiful dress in my life.”

Ivy twirled once in place as if to show off.

The sky-blue dress Killian had sent shone brilliantly under the lights, enhancing her appearance even more.

Even her brown hair, which she usually didn’t like, looked pretty with several diamond pins stuck in it – modest yet glamorous. As Hillstain had said before, it was as if there was no one more beautiful than her in this ballroom.

Watching her satisfaction with her appearance, Killian said playfully,

“Surely. How much could this mere dress cost?”

“But it’s the most expensive dress I own? I liked it the most.”

“You’re not hiding the ones Hillstain or Dante sent out of consideration for me, are you?”

“No. Really! Truly, the dress you sent was the most beautiful, Your Highness.”

Ivy spoke with round eyes and a pouty expression, as if frustrated that her sincerity wasn’t getting through.

And she hastily added,

“Ah… Of course, I didn’t like it because of the price… Well, I liked that too, but…”

It was Ivy trying to make excuses with an incredibly innocent face.

Killian cupped Ivy’s cheek with his hand and gently stroked her lips with his thumb.

“I’m just joking.”

“You believe me, right?”

“Who here wouldn’t believe your words? And this mere dress. You can have as many as you want from now on. Even more expensive and beautiful ones, if you wish.”

“I’m satisfied even now. I’m truly happy.”

“I see. But it’s okay to be greedy, Ivy. You’re more than worthy of it.”

Ivy smiled with the most lovable face in the world.

As if Killian was her everything. As if she would give him her all.

And then, the hall began to stir.

People’s gazes, especially those of young ladies and women, all focused on one spot.

Edan, in a neat uniform that was neither excessive nor lacking, was entering the center of the red carpet.

“Look over there! It’s Prince Edan!”

“Oh my. He’s so handsome.”

“Look at that blonde hair and fair skin… He’s so beautiful.”

The murmuring voices of the women reached Ivy’s ears.

Seeing Edan’s brilliant blonde hair and appearance for the first time, Ivy’s eyes widened and sparkled.

Like the eyes of a greedy person coveting an extremely expensive diamond.

Though he was receiving everyone’s attention at once, Edan reached the Emperor’s presence with a relaxed and confident demeanor, as if he had no interest in anyone in the world or as if the attention directed at him was of no consequence.

“It’s been a while since I greeted you, Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Empress Henzela, Killian’s birth mother, silently turned her head.

And she naturally moved away with her maids, slipping in among the duchesses.

“……”

Even while witnessing this scene before his eyes, Edan’s expression didn’t change, and his eyebrows didn’t even twitch.

He looked as if he was already more than accustomed to it.

On the other hand, Emperor Julius, after clearing his throat a couple of times, rose from his seat and approached Edan.

He grasped the hand of his second son as if to comfort him.

“You’ve come, my son.”

As Emperor Julius’s hand grasped one of Edan’s, Edan responded to his father in a dry tone.

“Yes, Father. Thank you.”

Edan was an illegitimate child born to the Emperor’s mistress.

Even though Killian had already been born at that time, the Emperor had a son with his mistress, saying he wanted more heirs.

Edan’s birth mother was quite an ambitious woman. Although she was a mistress, she wanted to place her son on the throne of the Crown Prince while she was alive. Because of this, she tried to engage in a full-fledged succession battle with the Empress, and as a result, Edan had to bear the full brunt of the Empress’s hatred from the time he was an infant.

However, a few years later, Edan’s birth mother died helplessly, unable to overcome her weak body. The Empress, as if she had been waiting for this, spoke to the Emperor and sent Edan to the farthest corner of the castle.

Just enough to confirm whether he was alive or dead, very deep inside. With only one knight assigned to him.

But a problem arose.

In the year Killian manifested his ability, Edan manifested his ability despite being younger than Killian.

And with a power far stronger than Killian’s.

The son of the mistress, whose mere existence was unpleasant to see, had finally become the only threat to her own son, the Crown Prince. Empress Henzela couldn’t help but hate Edan.

So even though Edan was enduring her hatred and following the Emperor’s orders diligently, she would hate him for the rest of her life.

“I thought you wouldn’t be able to come today.”

The Emperor gestured to a maid to personally fill Edan’s glass with wine.

“Thank you.”

“Are you feeling alright? Was the Saint’s potion effective?”

Last night, an enormous number of monsters suddenly swarmed in from the north.

Due to the unexpected situation, the ability knights in the north quickly fell as they overused their powers, and Edan too had to pour out several times more power than usual, resulting in severe side effects.

From the Emperor’s perspective, who knew this through reports, Edan’s appearance, which he thought impossible, was all the more welcome. Though Edan didn’t seem to feel the same way.

“It’s thanks to the medicine Your Majesty bestowed upon me.”

Edan gave the Emperor a polite answer with a smile sculpted like a statue.

The Emperor turned Edan’s shoulder himself as if to give him a great gift even now, and pointed to Ivy Violet.

“Go to Grand Saint Ivy and receive her blessing. According to Killian, she possesses healing power incomparably stronger than the previous Saint.”

“Is that so.”

Edan’s eyes flickered with light for the first time as he looked at Ivy and Killian.

Without hesitation, Edan put down his glass and walked towards Ivy and Killian.

“Brother, it’s been a while.”

Killian frowned at Edan’s greeting.

It was a look as if he was looking at an unwelcome guest who had come to a place he shouldn’t have.

Although Killian was openly showing his displeasure as if he didn’t even want to exchange words, Edan paid no mind and lifted his smooth lips to continue speaking.

“I would like to receive the Saint’s blessing, if that’s alright.”

“You’re not asking thinking I’ll give you permission, are you?”

Edan chuckled.

“Of course, I think so, but Father already gave permission. Or should I ask the Emperor to get permission from you, the Crown Prince, again?”

The Grand Saint’s blessing requires the Emperor’s permission. Preventing Edan, who had already received the Emperor’s permission, from receiving the blessing would mean Killian was obstructing the Emperor’s orders. It also doesn’t make sense for the Emperor to seek permission from the Crown Prince for such matters.

Killian’s eyes crinkled at being hit right on the mark.

In contrast, Edan tilted his head with a relaxed and leisurely expression, and his hair naturally swayed.

The golden decor and lights of the ballroom illuminated Edan’s hair even more brilliantly.

Like a Crown Prince befitting the title of the empire’s star, despite being an illegitimate child.