TSMMT Ch 47

The Ball of Tali

[Lady 1] "I am speaking of Lady Brienne. My goodness, they say she will enter the Ball of Tali."

[Lady 2] "What? She hasn't even made her debut in high society yet!"

Inside the Duke's castle, young ladies who had already made their debut in high society played a card game. During the snowy winter, when outdoor activities were impossible, the ladies gathered together for small amusements.

In one corner of the lounge, some guests drank tea. Lady Levian sat right next to the card players, sipping tea while listening closely to their conversation. Unlike the rather bleak winter of the Lodbrog Kingdom, which lacked festivals, Panborough offered many exciting events. Saruvia smiled and joined the conversation.

[Saruvia] "Oh, I am looking forward to seeing Lady Brienne participate! She must be so cute!"

Saruvia laughed brightly.

Because Dianna had not formally debuted, she lacked close friends. Consequently, whenever she entered a room like this, a tense energy filled the air.

[Saruvia] "Foreigners can participate, so can a young lady who hasn't debuted yet join as well?"

Unlike the quiet, reserved Dianna, Saruvia was warm and open. Furthermore, as a foreigner, she posed no threat to the local noble ladies, unlike Lady Brienne. Saruvia was also beautiful. Thanks to these traits, she quickly integrated into their circle.

[Lady 1] "Foreigners are fine."

[Lady 2] "Even though it's a dance contest, I don't know if it's proper for someone who hasn't even debuted in high society to join the Ball of Tali."

The ladies nodded in agreement. Even though the contest differed from a typical ball, Dianna was still too young to debut. A surprising number of people resented her, the only young lady serving as the princess's lady-in-waiting.

[Lady 1] "I would prefer it if you won instead, Lady Levian."

One of the ladies spoke. Since Lady Brienne was entering the Ball of Tali hosted by Duke Brienne, the winner appeared obvious to everyone.

[Saruvia] "But I still haven't learned the dance of Tali properly."

[Lady 1] "Oh, really, Lady Levian? Rumors say you are the flower of Lodbrog. They say you excel at dancing once you learn it."

[Saruvia] "You flatter me. I must be careful not to disrespect the culture of Panborough."

Saruvia smiled. Her humble attitude and respect for their culture softened the expressions of the noble ladies.

[Lady 1] "Even a foreigner tries this hard to show respect."

[Lady 2] "Exactly."

Everyone understood the unspoken words. Every lady in the room held deep resentment toward Dianna.

[Lady 1] "Well, Lady Brienne is certainly dedicated."

[Lady 2] "True. She visits the royal palace every single day."

Familiar grievances filled the room.

Saruvia rolled her eyes and smiled. A poisonous flower bloomed on her beautiful face. She was a cunning person who took pleasure in creating a common enemy and watching that enemy struggle. Every ounce of attention in this place belonged to her.

[Lady 1] "Ah. So, do you intend to take that slave with you?"

At the lady's question, Levian spoke gently.

[Saruvia] "Poor thing. He even tried to end his own life because he refused to leave his master."

Saruvia narrowed her eyes. The memory of the slave's cold stare surfaced. He possessed a handsome face, pitch-black hair, and beautifully tanned, wheat-colored skin.

Saruvia recalled her conversation with the Duke. When she humbly claimed she couldn't accept a slave who had tried to commit suicide, the Duke had stared at her for a long time before whispering secretly.

[Duke] "Then how about we offer him as a prize if you win the Ball of Tali?"

Hearing the quiet offer, she giggled, pretending to be completely innocent.

[Saruvia] "But Lady Brienne is bound to win."

[Duke] "I don't hand victories blindly to my daughter simply because she participates."

He spoke firmly. His expression carried absolute reliability.

If Saruvia took the slave, she intended to bind and gag him first. Then, she would train him to look only at her.

I am entirely curious to see what kind of expression that proud lady will make when her slave is stolen from her. Entirely.

She smiled like a bright, poisonous flower.

Saruvia Levian despised Dianna Brienne from the moment they first met. In truth, this hatred stemmed from the envy the Lodbrog Kingdom harbored toward Panborough.

The Lodbrog Kingdom lacked resources, suffered frequent monster attacks, and valued nothing but brute strength. Its people envied the magnificent culture of the Panborough Kingdom—the fertile lands, the thriving arts, and the grand festivals.

Unlike Lodbrog, where civil wars among dukes carrying the founding king's blood repeatedly overthrew the dynasty, Panborough was a land of nobles ruled by a royal lineage descending from ancient times.

Beginning with Grand Duke Blake establishing an academy modeled after Panborough's capital to develop their culture, the Lodbrog Kingdom began copying everything Panborough did. To an outsider, the two neighboring nations looked identical.

Yet closer inspection revealed vast differences, starting with these very festivals.

Saruvia initially believed the event required only elegant dancing, but participants had to portray the Goddess of Winter, and everyone praised the best dancer as that year's Tali. She envied this culture deeply. For that reason, she had practiced the dance of Tali. Furthermore, the winner secured continuous attendance at royal palace balls.

In truth, Saruvia's arrival here was utterly intentional. The social circle of Panborough moved to the duchy for the winter. This was not a foreign royal palace with a high barrier to entry, but the castle of a fellow duke.

The opportunity was perfect. Saruvia was searching for a suitable husband. The Lodbrog Kingdom possessed only old princes, whereas Panborough had two young ones. Becoming a princess would be a glorious achievement.

For that reason, Dianna's presence irritated Saruvia even more. Perhaps it was the arrogance of the hosting family, but she detested how Dianna made no effort to become close with her. It was equally annoying that everyone spoke of her, and Saruvia despised the fact that Dianna was a leading candidate to become the prince's bride.

Saruvia knew well that the locals treated her kindly only because she was a guest.

Even Ferdinand, who was completely infatuated with Saruvia, occasionally spoke of Dianna and worried about her. As for Philip, it was even worse. He sought Dianna out at every opportunity. Whenever Dianna arrived, Philip focused his gaze entirely on her.

Saruvia's stunning beauty and social charm meant nothing to Philip. Unlike Ferdinand, Philip possessed a handsome face, which was why Saruvia put effort into winning him over, but all her efforts proved useless.

Dianna Brienne. What made a thirteen-year-old child so special? It was hilarious to see everyone lose their composure just because a young girl acted mature.

Dianna must find me irritating as well. That is why she glares at me with that pathetic expression.

They were bound to clash from birth.

Regardless, Saruvia intended to enter the Ball of Tali and prove her worth, showing everyone that the Panborough Kingdom was nothing special. Using a victory at the Ball of Tali as an excuse, she would visit the royal palace continuously throughout the year.

Dreaming of sweet glory, Saruvia entered the Ball of Tali.

Guests packed the hall where the blue flames of purification blazed. Because this event focused on the dance of Tali rather than a standard banquet, a platform stood near the flames.

How strange.

Why did these noble ladies stand on such a stage? They considered actors and dancers to be lowborn professionals, so why participate?

Saruvia couldn't understand the distinction, but she enjoyed the fact that a platform elevated her above others.

Soon, the ball commenced. Duke Brienne stepped forward to deliver the opening address. Saruvia always thought that despite his handsome face, the Duke possessed a gloomy appearance. His face also looked familiar.

Where have I seen him before?

As she narrowed her eyes, the Duke concluded the speech.

[Duke] "Here are the judges who will choose today's Tali!"

[Crowd] "Oh my!"

The crowd gasped. Every single one of them was a priest dressed in white. Among the group wearing robes embroidered with golden dragons, a long-haired man with glasses stood in the center.

[Crowd] "It's Lord Krond!"

[Crowd] "Lord Rob is here too!"

[Crowd] "Good heavens, even Lord Akra is present!"

The nobles shouted in sheer delight. Duke Brienne smiled, well aware of the crowd's reaction.

[Duke] "Out of a father's ambition, I have reluctantly allowed my daughter to participate in this ball. However, the evaluation must be fair. Therefore, I have requested the assistance of these highly esteemed priests."

He bowed toward the priests who stepped forward with a gentle expression. Observing his deep display of respect, Saruvia recognized their extraordinary status.

[Saruvia] "Who are those gentlemen?"

Philip, who stood nearby, answered her question.

[Philip] "They are priests. Then again, the Lodbrog Kingdom might be unfamiliar with them. You might not know this, Lady Levian, but our nation neighbors the Holy Kingdom, so our faith is deeply rooted. Priests usually judge the festival of Tali to ensure absolute fairness. The priests who arrived today are famous for being highly esteemed, fair, and upright."

[Saruvia] "……."

[Philip] "Inviting such men... I know exactly whose idea this was."

Philip smiled as he spoke. Saruvia narrowed her eyes at his expression, studying the priests.

The Lodbrog Kingdom maintained poor relations with the Holy Kingdom. The founding king of Lodbrog had slain a dragon—the creature these people revered as the Messenger of God.

[Saruvia] "It seems……"

[Philip] "Ah, don't worry. You won't receive a low score just because your religion differs. Those men are far above such trivial matters."

He spoke to reassure her.

Saruvia looked toward Duke Brienne. It appeared he truly meant his words about maintaining fairness.

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