Turning
chapter-500

Duke Diarca, Kiolle's father, was a nobleman to his very core. It was easy to imagine how Yuder Aile, who brazenly broke all established rules while standing at the center of this chaotic scene, would appear in his eyes.

Duke Diarca was generous to capable subordinates who knew their place, but he was not merciful enough to extend that courtesy to those who opposed him.

Ordinarily, whether the audacious man engaging in shameless acts with Duke Peletta lived or died by his father's hand would have nothing to do with Kiolle. He might have even applauded from the sidelines.

But for Kiolle at this moment... he was bound like a chain by an oath.

'Surely he’s not causing all this trouble just to later ask for my help? If the exchange of information was just bait, and he lured me here today for that...!'

Even if he had witnessed a scene so revolting, shocking, and baffling, Kiolle was also in danger if he sensed Yuder's peril and didn’t assist. It was madness.

Suddenly, a low voice reached Kiolle's ears, as he was trembling with clenched fists.

"Was his name Yuder Aile?"

For a moment, Kiolle thought his thoughts had been read and lifted his head. The one who had spoken was Crown Prince Katchian, who sat alone on a high chair at the top of the stairs. The nobles who had surrounded him had, at some point, dispersed.

Calming his racing heart, Kiolle managed to find his composure and opened his mouth.

"I apologize. I didn't hear you properly. What did you say?"

"That man over there, dancing with Duke Peletta. His name is Yuder Aile, is it not?"

Though it could have been a rhetorical question, a reply came back. However, the Crown Prince’s eyes were not focused on Kiolle but were fixed at the center of the dancing crowd.

"Yes, I've heard as much."

Adding 'I've heard as much' was Kiolle’s desperate attempt to avoid any possible association with Yuder Aile. Naturally, the Crown Prince paid no attention to this petty resistance and continued speaking.

"I have seen that man before."

"Pardon?"

"It was during the Harvest Festival. I had personally asked the Duke to investigate him for displaying remarkable abilities, but heard nothing significant. I had forgotten about him until now, but seeing him today brings it all back. At first, I thought he looked different, but yes... it is undoubtedly him. Definitely..."

That the Crown Prince had seen Yuder Aile before and had even shown interest was news to Kiolle. But what did it matter now? Kiolle couldn’t fathom why the usually indifferent Crown Prince was bringing this up and felt exceedingly uneasy.

Finally, Katchian turned his head toward Kiolle, who had been shifting his eyes nervously without either calling out to the Crown Prince or responding.

"Do you know anything about that man?"

"You mean, about him?"

Unknowingly, Kiolle's voice came out edged. While he feared he had displayed his discomfort too obviously, to Kiolle's relief, his tone seemed only to imply a noble's incredulity at the suggestion of knowing a commoner.

Crown Prince Katchian curled his lips in a faint smile and added further explanation.

"The Imperial Knights and the Cavalry share the same grounds, don't they? I seem to remember hearing that you were rather furious for a while about being insulted by a commoner from the Cavalry when you were in the Imperial Knights... Given that man's abilities, you may have heard some rumors as you came and went."

And so, the web of intrigue thickened.

Kiolle clenched his teeth, recalling the time when he first encountered Yuder Aile and how he had been humiliated. That's right, there was that incident. If he had banished him back then, he wouldn't be in this uncomfortable situation now. A long-suppressed anger surged anew.

'To say I don't know him at all would look suspicious... Damn it! Why do I have to consider all this while answering?'

"Well, as you mentioned, I've heard some rumors in passing. They say the assistant of the Cavalry Commander is quite... capable. I wouldn't know for sure, I have no interest in the matter of commoner."

The words scarcely left his lips, as he found it difficult to praise Yuder Aile in this situation. Nonetheless, Crown Prince Katchian seemed to be satisfied with the explanation and nodded his head.

"Indeed, a capable assistant. It means he wasn't selected just to be discarded."

"..."

"I heard earlier that Duke Diarca's side was planning to send a gift to the Cavalry to celebrate today's event. Were you aware?"

The subject changed abruptly. Kiolle furrowed his brows and responded with a questioning, "Excuse me?"

"Didn't you know? A gift fitting for one who excels in slaying monsters."

A cold, subdued laughter flickered in the Crown Prince's eyes, reminiscent of a cat. Just then, a mix of emotions swelled in the hall, filling the air with applause and exclamations. Kiolle turned to see that the first dance had ended. Through the crowd, he glimpsed the back of Yuder Aile, swathed in Duke Peletta's red fabric as he completed the final move of the dance.

As Duke Peletta whispered something into Yuder Aile's ear and chuckled, a faint smile appeared on Yuder's face. Kiolle felt a slight shock at this entirely different expression. Then he was struck by the realization that he was shocked in the first place.

Because of this, he missed the last mumbled words from the Crown Prince, who was also quietly watching the scene.

"I wonder how he will receive that gift. Whether the old duke's intuition will prove correct, or if it will be like that time..."

So close to saying, 'or he'll smash it to pieces.'

The first dance required the participation of everyone in the Cavalry. But starting from the second dance, only those who wished to participate could come forth. Yuder decided not to join the second dance and withdrew to the center of the hall. The nobles around him backed away as if they had seen a monster, a sight that amused him.

'Being treated like a lowly, slightly dangerous insect, as in my previous life, is far worse than this.'

The controversy between the First and Second Genders would undoubtedly flare up due to today's events. Everyone would soon know exactly what the Second Gender was. Simultaneously, it would become public knowledge that Kishiar and Yuder were not merely using each other for amusement or reputation in the West.

Dancing at a party was never a solo endeavor.

The fact that they had practiced a dance never before performed in a formal setting was the best proof that both harbored the same purpose and shared the same intentions.

Even if rumors related to homosexuality followed, they wouldn't follow the same trajectory as in his previous life. Revealing Yuder Aile as not merely an ordinary Awakener but an Omega presented the perfect opportunity to shift perceptions about the Second Gender. That he was accompanied by Kishiar, who was both of imperial blood and an Alpha, was nothing short of appropriate.

From the beginning, Yuder never thought that everything would get better. However, now that a single dance had given him a 'fresh start' entirely different from his previous life, he was certain he would encounter a future unlike any before.

With that, Yuder's purpose for this dance had been completely fulfilled.

"One of the most splendid moments in life has just passed," Kishiar softly whispered, standing beside Yuder.

"Did you enjoy it?"

"Yes."

"Me too."

Gently responding, Kishiar smoothed out the sash around Yuder's formal attire. A nearby man in noble garb backed away a little, choking back a strangled sound.

Just then, a servant, who seemed to have been waiting for the opportunity, approached Kishiar with an incredibly enigmatic expression and bowed.

"Your Grace, Duke Peletta, my apologies... His Majesty the Emperor wishes to speak with you. It's a very urgent matter, so you must go immediately."

"I see. Understood. I'll go now."

With a face that seemed to say he knew why he was being summoned, Kishiar obediently responded. He turned his head and gave Yuder a smile.

"Hmm... so far, everything has gone as expected. I'll go and appease His Majesties for a bit; you can handle the rest."

"Leave it to me."

"Good."

Kishiar, who seemed like he was about to say more, nodded and turned away. Yuder sensed that the unspoken words were a caution to 'be careful.'

As soon as Kishiar disappeared, countless gazes converged on Yuder, who was now left alone. The glares were so intense they felt like they would tear him apart and leave not a trace behind if looks could have teeth and claws.

"Sir Yuder Aile. Or should I now call you Baron? Do you know who I am?"

Among them, a man with a seemingly painted smile and an imposing demeanor approached Yuder. Yuder glanced briefly at Duke Diarca sitting behind the man before shaking his head.

"No."