Hmm

Luna looked at my head with a perplexed expression.

Its not hereditary.

Is that so?

My father and grandfather both had thick hair.

Even though medicine hasnt advanced much in this world, some medical conjectures are possible.

People here are aware that if a certain disease appears in a family, other members are likely to develop it.

This includes hair loss.

So, did he shave his head on purpose?

Most likely.

Unless my father and uncle were half-brothers, it couldnt be attributed to baldness.

I wonder why he shaved it

Shaving one's head doesnt offer many advantages.

People are visually oriented, naturally drawn to neat and stylish appearances.

Not to say bald people are unattractive, but its not typically a favored look.

Being different has its pros and cons; it can attract ridicule, especially in social circles where a bald person is rare.

The most puzzling part is the rumor that hes sociable.

What kind of person could he be

Ah! Rudy!

Luna grabbed my sleeve.

Isnt that him?

She pointed towards a man with a shining bald head, dressed in a suit, and surrounded by a crowd.

He had a rotund belly, and not a single hair on his head.

Though its common for middle-aged men to gain weight, his appeared quite excessive.

Yet, I knew he was my uncle.

Despite his weight, his distinct facial features resembled those of the Astria family.

Be careful, Luna.

Yes!

I made my way through the crowd surrounding my uncle.

As I got closer, I could see him clearly.

From afar, his plump and bald appearance made me wonder if he was a corrupt noble.

However, up close, it was clear that my concerns were unfounded.

Despite an appearance that could seem shabby, his eyes were full of life.

Unlike the greedy eyes of corrupt nobles, his were sharp and clear, rare in middle-aged individuals.

Seeing him laugh heartily, I felt a sense of fondness for him.

Hello.

Ah, hello!

Luna and I approached my uncle and greeted him.

Hmm? And who is this young lady

Uncle, its a pleasure to meet you. I am Rudy Astria.

My uncles eyes widened upon hearing my words.

His gaze quickly sharpened.

Did you come here knowing who I am?

Are you not Yurik Astria, my uncle?

Yes. Thats correct.

His response to hearing my name was edged.

What brings you here? Do you have something specific to discuss?

I've come to greet my family. Isn't that reason enough?

I smiled, but Uncle's expression remained unimpressed.

I'm hardly your family, am I? Can a member ousted to the collateral branch really be considered part of the main family?

Though relegated to the collateral branch, we are still connected by blood, are we not?

I don't see it that way. The collateral branch is a separate family from the direct lineage. We've had no interactions, so it's as if we're strangers.

The surrounding peoples gaze fell on me.

The division of the Astria family into direct and collateral lines was well-known.

The Astria collateral branch is notably less esteemed than other families.

The Astrias have never supported them, and it's common in political circles to disregard the collateral branch.

Given the situation, it was only natural for people to view my visit to Uncle with skepticism.

Uncle, may we talk privately?

It seems our conversation has concluded, hasn't it?

I have much left to say.

I have nothing. I don't see any value in engaging with you. Besides, conversing with someone at the heart of politics would only tire me out.

Yurik, renowned in social circles, deliberately stayed out of politics.

He had no noble title and didn't work for the empire.

His life seemed rather aimless.

Such an existence might explain why he had many acquaintances.

Once involved in politics, one invariably makes enemies.

Yesterday's ally could be tomorrow's adversary.

Yurik, having stepped back from politics, was neither friend nor foe, making him approachable.

But his inner thoughts were different.

Don't you wish for revenge?

Uncle's eyes widened in surprise.

Will you continue living this way?

Not just Uncle, but also those around us, paused at my words.

Yurik Astria.

His story was well-known in political circles. Yurik, not lacking in ability or connections, lost to my father, Perrian.

Betrayed by nobles who had promised to support him, the tides quickly turned against him in the race for succession.

Before his capabilities could be fully assessed, the decision favored Perrian.

Yurik, who had prepared his whole life for this moment, was ousted without proper evaluation.

What makes you so confident to say such things?

We are family, aren't we?

I smiled.

Every Astria is filled with ambition, and Yurik was no exception.

According to Astina, Yurik Astria was waiting for an opportunity.

It could be a chance to seize power or to take revenge on those who thwarted his ascent.

Whatever it was, I was certain he could be of help to me.

Won't you consider helping me?

After the ball ended.

"Rudy... didn't you sound too confident? Maybe you could have been a bit gentler in your approach..."

Luna asked worriedly beside me.

"Perhaps showing confidence is better. Its like inviting someone to cross a narrow bridge; the proposer shaking in fear doesnt really help, does it?"

"Maybe..."

I too was not without concerns.

Uncles last words.

'Lets end this discussion here.'

It could be interpreted as a rejection.

Luna was probably worried because of that response.

But I hadnt given up hope.

There were many people around us.

Some were close to Uncle, but others could have their own hidden agendas.

So, I thought he was just delaying his answer.

Answering there and then would only serve to pass information to the enemy.

I had done what I needed to do, so all that was left was to return to the family estate and wait for a letter from Uncle.

If Uncle decided to help, things would proceed smoothly.

But even if he chose not to, I just had to do what was necessary.

I couldn't give up everything just because Uncle wouldnt help.

"...But I am still anxious."

"Huh?"

Luna looked puzzled at my muttering.

"It's nothing. More importantly, thank you. For helping me find Uncle."

"Ehehe, it was nothing. Youve helped me out much more."

Luna waved her hand dismissively and laughed, but I felt a sense of guilt inside.

I had brought her to the ball, only to have her spend all day looking for someone.

I looked at Luna.

She shone in the winter moonlight, wearing her white dress.

We came all dressed up only to end up searching for people.

I extended my hand to Luna.

"Huh?"

"Arent you a bit disappointed?"

"Umm... Yeah. It would have been better if we had a more positive outcome."

"Not that. I mean something else."

I caught Lunas hand.

"Arent you disappointed that we came to the ball and did nothing?"

"Wha, what?"

Luna looked bewildered as I firmly held her hand.

I led her.

"Where are we going?"

"Just follow me."

I moved with Luna towards the garden behind the ballroom.

"Wow..."

There, magical lights blended with the natural moonlight and fireflies, creating a mesmerizing scene.

I chose a spot in the center of the grassy area and let go of Luna's hand, then extended it again with a formal gesture.

"Miss Luna Railer, would you like to dance with me?"

As I spoke, Luna's eyes began to twinkle.

"Dance? Suddenly? No, no. I'm not good at dancing... Besides, here? All of a sudden?"

I just smiled and extended my hand.

Luna, flustered, looked at me, then bit her lip and blushed.

"Please, be gentle."

"What is this, a duel? Of course, I'll be gentle."

Seeing Luna shyly offer her hand made me chuckle.

"But, I really can't dance."

"It's okay. Neither can I."

Though I said that, I had learned a bit since dancing with Astina two years ago.

Not that I could dance at a professional level.

I only knew enough to make do.

I took Luna's hand and placed my other hand on her back.

Luna wrapped her arm around my waist and pressed close.

"Ah..."

Even just getting into position, Luna's face turned red.

I looked at her fondly and stepped forward.

Under the moonlight, we moved our feet in time with the sounds of the night.

We started off decently, but as we went on, our steps began to tangle.

Luna and I were like little children, clumsily stepping around.

"Ahaha..."

"I did say I wasn't very good."

"I know."

We danced with smiles on our faces.

It was an awkward dance, but that didn't matter.

For a moment, we put aside our worries and simply moved to the rhythm, entrusting ourselves to each other.

Deep into the night, when even the crickets had fallen silent, a bright light leaked from one room.

Inside, a blonde girl was present.

Rie Von Ristonia, the First Princess.

She fiddled with her pen while staring at a book.

Though Yuni had renounced her claim to the throne, making Rie the de facto heir, she didn't cease her studies.

Ascending to the throne was just one goal.

She needed to be well-prepared to govern the empire effectively.

Thus, there was no time to relax.

"This is tough..."

Rie furrowed her brow, struggling with her studies.

Knock, knock.

A knocking sound interrupted her, not from the door but the window.

Rie turned towards the sound.

'What could it be at this hour?'

As she spoke, the window opened, and a man entered.

"Greetings to the Empire's Sun."

"Do you have urgent news? You could have waited for the regular report."

Rie looked at the man.

He was in a black outfit, masked, with a serpent and sword emblem representing the Royal secret service.

"I came to discuss a matter with you."

Hearing this, Rie's eyes sharpened, and she adjusted her posture.

"Is it that urgent?"

"No, not urgent."

"Not urgent, but you need to tell me now?"

The man nodded and removed his mask.

"Today at the ball, I met young master Rudy."

The man was Wuying, who had met Rudy earlier that day.

Wuying was a member of the Royal secret service, and furthermore, he was its leader.

"Why was Rudy at the ball?"

"He was there with Lady Luna."

"What?"

"I saw them dancing together in the garden."

"What????"

"The atmosphere was quite pleasant."

At the mention of Rudy, Rie's face, which was ready to bloom into a smile, suddenly turned cold.

"Tell me more."