After the northern army returned, the Spring Martial Tournament continued in full swing.
Everywhere on the streets, people were discussing the grand event, arguing over which team or which contestant was the strongest.
Of course, quite a few were also debating which of the few female contestants was the prettiest or had the best figure.
This lively atmosphere would last until the tournament ended a month later.
During this period, the palace's Winter Feast banquet also arrived as scheduled.
On the evening of January 31st, Ron and Soren André were in a well-known clothing shop on Queen's Street, trying on the formal attire they had ordered in advance.
"So, have you picked your date?" Ron loosened the collar of his tailcoat, casually glancing at himself in the mirror as he asked Soren, who was striking poses in front of another mirror.
"Do I even have a choice? Who else could it be besides Penny? She's driving me crazy," Soren said irritably.
"Funny. When you were bragging to me about your 'achievements' in her bedroom, you didn't sound like this."
"That's a different matter." Soren waved his hand. "Enjoying the moment and breaking up peacefully should be two separate things. Why can't you people understand that?"
"You just want the benefits without paying the price—why dress it up so nicely?" Ron curled his lips. "Isn't that basically freeloading?"
"What are you talking about? I've invested equal time and energy into this relationship, too, alright?" Soren retorted. "Now she's the one clinging to me, begging me to stay and 'enjoy the meal,' but won't let me try another restaurant."
"Isn't that restricting my personal freedom?"
"That's just excessive possessiveness."
"…?" Ron stared at him speechlessly. Somehow, Soren had twisted the logic into this mess. "What about your Peria? Didn't you just get close to her a day or two ago? Not bringing her to the banquet?"
Soren sighed. "I invited her to dinner last night, but Penny caught me on the spot and ruined everything."
"I was this close to picking that flower last night… what a shame…"
"Damn it! I should never have gotten involved with Penny in the first place!"
"Heh." Ron chuckled at his misfortune. "Honestly, I think you need someone like Penny to keep you in check. At your pace—six or seven women a month—I'm genuinely worried you'll get drowned in spit one day."
"Tch." Soren shot him an annoyed look. "Why can't you people understand me?"
"A 'baby' is a baby, a 'darling' is a darling, a lover is a lover, a mistress is a mistress."
"A date is a date, a girlfriend is a girlfriend, a beloved is a beloved, a partner is a partner."
"You need to learn to distinguish between these roles!"
"What kind of nonsense logic is that?" Ron rolled his eyes and rubbed his forehead. "You've taken being a scumbag to a whole new level…"
"Hmph!" Soren lifted his chin proudly, as if it were an honor.
"Speaking of which, what about your date, Ron? That Miss Eileen? Or are you planning to hunt one down at the banquet?"
"Neither." Ron chuckled, adjusted his collar, and walked out of the shop toward another women's clothing store nearby. "I'm going to pick up my date."
Soren seemed to realize something, raising an eyebrow as he watched Ron leave. "You've got some nerve…"
At that moment, the voices of three girls drifted out from the nearby shop—
"Mia… d-don't touch…"
"Oh come on, you don't know how to wear it—I'm helping you~ hehe~."
"Princess Mia, please mind your manners…"
"Alright, alright, almost done—there!"
"Mm… this outfit… feels kind of strange…"
"Miss Nora, you look beautiful in it."
"…Really?"
"Of course! Come on, let's go—don't keep Ron waiting~."
Click. Click.
The sound of high heels echoed against the stone pavement.
Just as Ron reached the entrance, he saw Mia and Eileen supporting Nora as they walked out.
Eileen wore a black silk evening gown, revealing her fair arms and a hint of her delicate ankle. A small decorative hat adorned her head, complementing her wine-red hair and making her especially eye-catching.
Mia wore a white, fluffy princess dress—more conservative in style. Aside from her pale neck, no extra skin was exposed. Her light golden hair was elegantly pinned up, giving her a more mature look despite her youthful features.
And the one who truly caught Ron's eye was, of course, Nora walking carefully in the middle—
A sky-blue off-shoulder evening gown;
Smooth, delicate arms;
A slender waist that seemed to fit within one hand;
Soft, fair, and adorably rounded calves;
A translucent necklace resting against her collarbone;
Purple hair cascading over one shoulder in gentle curls;
A white, wide-brimmed hat atop her head;
A faint blush enhanced her already rosy cheeks;
Ron looked her up and down as she approached, a glimmer like starlight passing through his eyes. In the end, he could only say one word:
"Beautiful."
"Boss… you look very handsome today too…" Nora said softly, nervously rubbing her arm with her hand, still unaccustomed to the high heels on her feet.
"Hehe, Ron, I'll leave Nora to you~ Eileen and I will head off first," Mia said, letting go of Nora and pulling Eileen away, leaving the two alone.
Blushing, Nora tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Boss… is it really okay for me to attend the banquet with you?"
"I think it's perfectly fine." Ron stepped closer and offered his right arm with a smile. "Miss Nora, would you really let me, the Seventh Prince, attend without a date?"
Nora lowered her head, smiling shyly. She gently placed both hands on his arm and said softly, "If I embarrass myself, please don't blame me…"
"Mm, I won't blame you during the banquet," Ron said playfully. "I'll punish you after we get back."
"Ah?" Nora shrank slightly, playing along despite knowing it was a joke. "Th-then… how will you punish me?"
"Well…"
Ron looked at the setting sun on the horizon, pretending to think seriously. "Since you're asking so sincerely… how about I punish you by having you keep me company in bed tonight?"
"Mm!" Nora instinctively tightened her grip on his arm. Beneath the brim of her white hat, her face was already completely flushed, her body going a little weak. "B-Boss, don't joke like that…"
"I'm serious," Ron said with a teasing smile. "So you'd better behave tonight."
"I-I understand…"
Hand in hand, the two walked out of Queen's Street under the setting sun, then boarded a carriage heading toward the palace.