CPBF 40

Chapter: 40

They said this year’s Founding Festival banquet was more extravagant than ever before.

Perhaps because of that, the practice swords and protective gear that were usually stacked in the corners of the ballroom were nowhere to be seen.

With distinguished guests from foreign nations in attendance, the intention was clear: no sparring matches—only elegant dancing, a display of the dignity befitting the victorious empire.

The second part of the event, specially prepared by the imperial family for this occasion alone, followed the same line of thinking.

“Then, we shall begin the masquerade ball. The rules are—”

The moment the host finished speaking, the entire ballroom plunged into darkness.

In the pitch-black void where not a single ray of light reached, an unpleasant killing intent slithered around me like a snake coiling around its prey.

As expected… you came, Mona White.

A concealed presence drifted stealthily in front of my face.

No matter how much you try to hide it, I can feel it clearly.

Especially when it’s the same kind of aura as mine.

When a hand suddenly lunged for my mouth, I reacted instantly and seized it.

Instead of memories, mana surged through the point of contact.

“Ugh—!!”

“You’ve only ever fought head-on, haven’t you? Never tried assassination techniques. If you wanted to cover someone’s mouth, you should’ve approached from behind, not the front.”

It was knowledge I’d gained by throwing myself into battles with the mercenary corps.

I let out a cold smile.

“You’re stagnant.”

“……”

“I, on the other hand, am still growing.”

Living as Ilyllin, I’d learned many things—and I would continue to do so.

I had no choice now but to admit it.

That this life had become precious to me.

Even though I knew it was a feeling I had no right to hold.

Give me your body. I’ll kill you if you don’t.

The low voice of Isbino resurfaced in my mind, and fear washed over me once again.

But even as I shrank back, there was a desire that refused to break.

I don’t want to lose it.

This body.
The life I had lived.

The seven years I had lived in Ilyllin’s body.

That was undeniably my life—not Ilyllin’s.

“Alt Melhona.”

“—!!”

What does it feel like to fall victim to a spell you yourself created?

Because of the darkness, I couldn’t see Rafel’s face, so I could only imagine.

But since I am her origin, I know.

The confusion of a body moving by another’s will.
The humiliation of being bound by one’s own spell.

She must be drowning in despair.

“What was that? Did something happen?”

When the presence finally withdrew into the distance, my sister asked. I let out a quiet giggle in response.

“I’ll tell you later. For now, listen to the host. You can relax for a while—might as well aim for the prize money.”

“What? So something did just happen—”

“Shh.”

I gently covered my sister’s mouth.

Then I focused on the host’s ongoing explanation.

“—therefore, you simply need to identify them before the masquerade ends. With that, we wish all our esteemed guests the best of luck.”

Light flooded the ballroom once more.

Squinting against the brightness, I grumbled,

“What? It’s already over?”

“Want me to explain it to you?”

My sister mumbled through my hand. I released her and shook my head.

“No need. I remember everything.”

The masquerade hosted by the imperial family differs slightly from ordinary ones.

First, guests receive standard masks that cover only half the face.

However, the masks given to the imperial family are special—magical masks that alter height, build, voice, and even facial structure.

The guests must identify which of the many masked attendees are actually members of the imperial family.

Then, they must say the name aloud.

If they guess correctly, they receive an enormous sum as prize money.

The true beginning of The Crown Prince’s Lover starts with this masquerade ball.

There’s no way I’d forget the rules.

“So how many members of the imperial family are hiding?” I asked.

“His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness the Prince. Four in total.”

At least the knights were allowed to enjoy the second part, as long as they didn’t neglect their duties.

Which also meant we couldn’t move even a single step from our assigned positions—but fine. I’d just have to rely on my hawk-like observation.

“But you—what’s with that face? Is it because of what happened earlier? You look uneasy. Care to explain now?”

It seemed my unease had been visible even behind the mask.

I shook my head.

“It’s not because of that. Look over there. It’s already been dealt with.”

Where I pointed, Rafel was completely immobilized, blocked in by other knights.

“Captain—no, um—anonymous knight, sir. Why are you doing this? You of all people should know that once the masquerade starts, movement between the inside and outside is restricted—”

“You’re the one who said to punch anyone like that without mercy, Captain—no, anonymous knight!”

“Shut up! Can’t you all move? I need to find Melon right now!”

Anyone who heard that exchange would understand the situation.

Sure enough, my sister gave me a thumbs-up and patted my back.

“Well done. But then why do you still look like that? Still worried?”

“No… I don’t know. Why do I feel like this…?”

“Is your stomach upset?”

“Maybe.”

It felt like I was forgetting something important… or maybe it was just my imagination.

I couldn’t figure out the source of this unease at all.

“Ahh! He broke through!”

A loud commotion erupted from Rafel’s direction.

Broke through?

Just how strong is he? Breaking past that many knights?

…Wait.
Does that mean I’m that strong too?

“Stop the captain!”

“It’s ‘anonymous knight,’ you idiot!”

“Oh, right.”

“Is that really the issue right now? Stop him!”

“He’s that strong and fast—will chasing him even work? Wouldn’t it be better to lure him? With wine, perhaps?”

“Hey, rookie. Is the anonymous knight a dog? You think you can lure him with food?”

“Yeah. He’s not some dog who’d wag his tail over a bit of wine. Melon, on the other hand…”

“……”

“Hey! Bring the melon! Now!”

…Did I accidentally turn Rafel into someone obsessed with melons?

“Excuse me… aren’t you His Highness Prince Sebastian Haydn Avert?”

At those words, the brown-haired young man transformed into a black-haired boy.

Once his name was spoken, the magic woven into the mask was dispelled.

Damn. So close.

I’d sensed something vaguely familiar about him and was watching closely, wondering if it was my imagination.

I should’ve just blurted it out!

Now that the Emperor, Empress, and the Prince had all been revealed, only the Crown Prince remained.

I’d been scanning every guest around me with burning focus, but I couldn’t sense the Crown Prince at all.

It should’ve been easy—his presence is familiar.

So where is he hiding?

Maybe there are just too many people.

“Anonymous knight.”

A large, pale hand was suddenly extended toward me.

I’d been so focused on the far corner of the ballroom that I hadn’t noticed someone approach right in front of me.

Startled, I stepped back—and a knight in a black mask caught me by the waist.

“Would you honor me with a dance?”

Deep blue eyes stood out sharply behind the black mask.

His beauty was far too much to be hidden by a half-mask—it stabbed straight into my heart.

As a result, heat rushed up not just my back, but my face as well.

Thank goodness the mask hid it.

“……I am currently on guard duty.”

“If the vice-captain allows it, there is no issue.”

The lips beneath the mask curved into a smooth smile.

“No—it would not be permission, but an order. One you must obey.”

He extended his hand again, urging me.

…I must have completely lost my mind.

Why…
Why do I want to take that hand?

“You can’t.”

My sister grabbed my arm tightly.

The force made it clear: Get a hold of yourself.

“I’ve heard that even knights on duty are permitted a brief dance. Is that incorrect?”

“Well, that’s true, but—”

“If you wish to interfere, bring proper justification. And what you should be doing right now is not interference, but respecting her choice.”

A chill ran down my spine.

Do not interfere under the pretense of protection.
Simply respect the choice.

Those were the very words Sis had once offered Vin, who couldn’t resist the adults of Ortega.

The fact that he could now reach his own conclusions without help showed just how much he’d grown.

Whether my sister felt the same, or simply had nothing to say, she fell silent and stepped back.

Just as the knight in the black mask had said—she was respecting my choice.

Though she did glare at me as if to say, You’d better choose carefully. Got it?

“Now, choose. Anonymous knight. Will you take my hand… or not?”

Hmm. What should I do?

I know I should reject him—who knows if the Crown Prince is watching.

But somehow… I can’t bring myself to do it.

No. Honestly…

I don’t want to.

I just want to take his hand.

But if I want to survive, I should abandon this pointless desire…

Just as I was about to refuse—

“Oh ho ho! My, my. Sir Knight, are you not terribly oblivious? Why are you intruding on such a romantic moment?”

The anonymous guest who had been standing at a distance so as not to interfere—

No. Forget it. Let’s drop this.

The Marchioness laughed through her nose as she hurried over.

“Come now, you two anonymous knights. Off you go. I’ll take this one with me. Hurry now! What are you standing around for? Shoo!”

“Ah—!”

As the Marchioness dragged my sister away, shoving her along, I lost my balance—

—and ended up burying my head straight into Vin’s chest.