[3rd Person POV]

The grand ball room of the royal palace, the grandest and largest ballroom in the kingdom where even packing hundreds of people inside would not make the room feel crowded in the slightest, had been the venue of the grand ball held on the last day of the Kingdom's Founding Festival since the start of its history.

The high, high ceiling and the surrounding walls were predominantly white in color, with golden decorations and nature-themed engravings as highlights. On the sides of the ballroom were large, high windows with curtains tied neatly on their side that lead to a balcony, where guests could have a breath of fresh air away from the party.

At the far end of the grand ballroom, a small set of staircases lead up to an elevated space with the golden symbol of the kingdom carved onto the wall behind it; a space for the ruler of the kingdom to make their words and presence known to the entire grand ball room.

The brilliantly polished marble floors of the royal palace's grand ballroom, reflecting the enormous crystal chandeliers - made of precious stones and crystals of all colors of the rainbow - hanging down from the tall ceiling, shined beautifully as if twinkling stars were embedded in its surface.

Yet, the glimmer of the floor still paled in comparison to the sparkle of the nobilities who had attended the grand ball in their greatest outfits.

In such a massive gathering, where even barons and viscounts would be able to see, and perhaps even mingle with individuals of high statures such as a marquis, duke, or even a member of the royal family, no members of nobilities would embarrass themselves and throw such a chance away by appearing only in a "decent" outfit.

Every single member of nobilities who have attended this grand ball had done their utmost to dress in the best outfit they could afford.

Even children were dressed in spectacular dresses and suits. After all, it was never too early for them to mingle in high society and forge relationships with other children from allied household, make new alliances from other households, or perhaps even gain a partner for a potential marriage in the future.

This was especially true this year.

The grand ball of this year's Kingdom's Founding Festival would be attended by the children who were well-known and had gained the reputation of being the future shining stars that will lead the kingdom into an even more prosperous future amongst the noble society.

The young lady of the ducal household Silium, Evelyn von Silium, who was well-known for her elegance, beauty, and intelligence.

The young master of the ducal household Varion, Keith von Varion, who had captured the hearts of many young ladies with his words, appearance, and brilliant mind.

The young daughter of the greatest magus in the kingdom who has the potential to become an even greater magus than her mother, Valerie von Magus.

The son of marquis Orythium, the rumored prodigy and apprentice to the greatest magus, Wilhelm von Orythium.

The prodigious young master and lady of the Raeven household and children of the strongest knight of the kingdom, Luke and Noir von Raeven.

The blooming flower of the noble society who had proven her worth, beauty, elegance, and intelligence to become a respected lady, Illya von Luminum.

The young master of the ducal household Lorya and son to the current prime minister of the kingdom who had displayed and proven his genius from such a young age, Lucas von Lorya.

The perfect crown prince and heir to the throne of the kingdom who have showed the disposition, bearing, intelligence, courage, and majesty worthy of the throne, his highness Alexus von Derium.

And finally, the brightest star of all. The most beautiful and unatainable flower of the kingdom with the intelligence, elegance, gracefulness, and pedigree of the highest degree, and the talent in magic and the spear acknowledged by the greatest magus and knight of the kingdom, Alterisa von Lorya.

Becoming a friend or even a lady in waiting to any one of these stars would become a blessing for any young child of nobility, especially if it was to the brightest star.

Despite having only debuted earlier in th eyear and appeared in a few tea parties, the young lady of Lorya had captured countless hearts. Many had sent a letter to express their interest and even request for her hands in marriage with their sons, and all had received a letter of apology and refusal.

Many families have also tried inviting the most beautiful flower of the kingdom to the tea parties hosted by the lady of the house, but the only ones she had ever attended were those hosted by the close friend of her mother, duchess Lorya.

Many were quite dissatisfied by it, but none could voice it. After all, no one could even begin to shake to authority and power of the ducal household Lorya who has great ties with many other ducal households and other high ranking members of nobility, including the royal family.

In the end, all they could do was pray in hopes they could see and maybe have a chance to meet her in a gathering. Just like this ball.

One rumor especially had enticed the noble ladies and made them anticipate meeting the young lady of Lorya even more than the noblemen who were trying to wed their sons with her.

"Have you heard that rumore? I heard lady Alterisa has made something that pleases her majesty the queen herself!"

"I heard it is a cosmetic product that enhances her majesty's beauty even more! I wonder what it is!"

"Is that true?! How amazing! As expected of the young lady from the venerable Lorya ducal household. To think such a young lady could create something that impresses her majesty!"

"Ah, I would truly love it if I could meet her and ask her about it!"

"If even the queen promotes it, I'm sure it is a magnificent product!"

"Ah, I've also heard of a rumor that the duke will create a shop in her name to sell all her creations! I can not wait for it to open! Let us buy it together~!"

"I agree! That would be wonderful!"

"Announcing the arrival of the ducal household Lorya!"

All eyes immediately turned towards the massive double-door entrance to the grand ballroom and widened in awe as gasps filled the space.

The very sight of the Duke and Duchess of Lorya together was enough to elicit awe and amaze from all. But with the addition of the genius and prodigious young master and the unattainable flower of the Lorya household, no one, not even the servers, could shift their attention away from them.

Their appearance and the charisma they exude had captured the eyes, hearts, and attention of everyone around them in an instant.

And even as they walked past them, no words could escape their lips as they all stare at them dazedly in awe.

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

[Alterisa's POV]

Wooow~ As expected of the largest ball of the year. This is amazing...

The lights... The decor... They're all so amazing...

Fufufufu~ I can definitely look forward to the desserts and pastries they serve here~!!!

I looked around subtly, trying to locate the dessert and pastry tables. But because of the crowd around us, I can't really find them.

I can't smell the sweet scent of the desserts and pastries because of all the perfumes, and I also can't look around more since I'm trying to be subtle and act elegantly.

Hah... I guess I could only wait before I go and find them...

Oh! Maybe I can ask Anne to search for them and report their locations back to me?

Hm... Nevermind. I'd rather have Anne by my side...

If some ignorant young master who doesn't know who's daughter I am approach me and become obnoxious, I need her to hold me back from making him a popsicle.

Umu. I'm not worried about myself. I've learned spearmanship and martial arts under the strongest knight and magic from the greatest magus in the kingdom. I could even defeat Luke right now if I decided to use the spells I've been experimenting with easily.

And if I could defeat the prodigious young swordsman, I doubt some snobby young master who's dumb enough to pick up girls obnoxiously in such a grand event like this would give me trouble. He'll be lucky if he only ended up having a cold.

"Risa. Look at that. You've capture the hearts of so many innocent boys~"

Lu-nii whispered and I looked around me.

"What? They're looking at mom, you know? Mom's charm is lethal to these kids! She has a woman's charm, while I'm still a kid. There's no way I could win against our Goddess of a mom!"

I whispered back.

Seriously. I'm still so flat... Flatter than I would've liked. I mean, I was flat as Akari, but with mom's genes, I really expected to have a bump right about now even though I haven't had my puberty yet.

Meanwhile, mom's basically rocking nuclear bombs on her chest. It's so destructive, especially since they're accentuated by her dress.

If it wasn't for dad's icy and deadly glares, I'm sure there'll be a lot of creepy nobleman who'll be ogling at her.

Moreover, mom's sooooooooooo beautiful. It makes more sense that these kids are entranced by her mature beauty and stare at her.

Look, one even got a nosebleed. There's no way this flat chest can make a boy have a nosebleed.

"...You know? Sometimes I'd become really curious about how your mind works."

"It's very fun in there, you know? There's only cute girls, delicious sweets, our family, my angelic friends, shampoo, magic, and trainings. It's fun."

"..."

"Enough about that. You're the one who's popular Lu-nii. Look, all the girls are shrieking at the sight of you! How cute~ They're all dressed so cutely too~ Ufufufu~"

"Isn't it because of father? Our father is a looker too, you know?"

"He is very handsome, yes, but his eyes are a bit too scary now. He's on his protective husband duty and swatting flies that comes too close to our dear mother. So little girls would be too scared to stare at him. The only reason why they're staring now is because of you, you stud~!"

"Ugh... Don't say that again, please. Hana saying it would feel nice, but it feels gross if its coming from you."

"Wha-! You-! Hmph!"

I pouted my cheeks and avert my gaze away.

I agree that Hana's seductiveness is several levels higher than mine, but there's no need to be that rude!

In that moment, I heard gasps and shrieks around us and I looked around confusedly.

What? What happened? Did Lu-nii blew a kiss to one of the girls?

No, he won't do something cringy like that.

"Hey, what happened?"

"...You happened."

"What?"

What is this guy talking about?

But just as I was about to ask him, mom and dad got our attention.

"Now then, let's go and greet the other ducal families. We'll definitely need to greet other lower ranked families who come up to us, but just leave everything to me and your mother. Just act as courteous as you can. Understood?"

"Yes, father."

"I understand, father."

"...Good."

Hm? Is it just me or did he sounded disappointed just now?

I looked at him and saw his eyes staring at me with sadness.

W-What did I do?!

"Ufufufu~ You don't need to be nervous, okay? Lucas did well last year and he just acted like he usually does in public. So just relax and calm down, and you will be fine, okay?"

"Yes, mother."

"Fufu~ And you can just call me mom like you usually do~ Call me mom, okay?"

Eh? Aren't I suppose to address mom and dad properly? Why is she telling me this now?

I-I really want to maintain my epic and elegant image but... U-Ugghhh... I-I can't stand against such adorable puppy eyes... M-Mom's puppy eyes are too dangerous!

"I-I understand, m-mom."

"Uhn~ That's great~!"

Ahh... And she immediately blooms into a flower. It's so unfair...

"T-Then, you should call me like usual as we-"

"We can't do that now, can we dear~? If you let your daughter call you with such an affectionate manner in such event, others might see your soft side and you won't be able to protect me~"

"Ugh!"

Dad looked at mom with clenched teeth as she giggled beautifully, covering her lips with her lithe fingers.

"...Fine. Then, it seems like I would need to give my wife an extra care tonight as an apology for worrying her this much."

"Ufufufu~ I wonder who will need an extra care after we're done~"

U-Uhmm... I-I dont' know what's going on, but I'll pretend not to hear anything!

I quickly averted my eyes away from the flirting married couple and we began mingling into the crowds and greeting families after families.







AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!