NOVEL NEXT Chapter 50: Bishounen Prince Rian, in the house!
On the morning of the late-summer social ball, Ren Xiyang decided to shorten his hair. It was getting long since he last crisped it up, and he felt like a change.
With a bit of fire, his long, getting-curly-again hair turned to ashes, leaving behind short straight hair that would fit well into the modern-faux-medieval aesthetic that the Sedaverian nobility had. Then, he changed into some plain clothes that had no Rosewood emblems on them.
Ren Xiyang now looked like an unassuming background character. If he had run away at the beginning rather than pretend to be Ayden Rosewood, then he wouldn’t have to attend the late-summer social ball. But it was too late to regret now.
Kel’s eyes widened when she saw the earl that morning. With his short hair and casual clothing, he was such a cute boy! “My Lord, your new hairstyle looks very good,” she complimented.
“Thank you.” The feeling of the wind in Ren Xiyang’s newly short hair was an old familiar feeling. It reminded him of his previous life. It had been a momentous step to cut his hair short for the first time.
Because Rian was busy, Ren Xiyang went for a walk down the common Capital streets. Kel and Sir Allen Copper came along with him, both also in plain clothes.
Sir Allen Copper wanted to ‘protect the earl’. His real task was carrying all the earl’s purchases.
They went to the markets in the inner city first, before going to the outer city. In the inner city, Ren Xiyang bought some more hair-colour-changing charms and various books on common spells. In the outer city, Ren Xiyang acquired new spices, foods, and ingredients. They had lunch from the street food stalls in the outer city before returning to the Rosewood house to prepare for the evening’s event.
For Ren Xiyang, this meant first taking a nap. He’d need energy to get through socialising tonight.
While Ren Xiyang was resting in advance of the ball, Prince Rian was on his feet about the Imperial Palace. While his Imperial Mother ordered servants to set up the main halls, Rian had to coordinate the Imperial chefs with the new Angio chefs plucked from the Capital streets to produce the dining menu.
His brows pinched together in distress when the Imperial chefs and the Angio chefs started to raise their voices at each other. “If you don’t want to work together, maybe we should give up. But…but I had promised Earl Rosewood some Angio food and he came all the way to the Capital, and he would be disappointed—”
The servants who had seen the cold-faced Earl Rosewood didn’t think the earl would be sad—it was clearly Prince Rian who was sad! Even though Prince Rian’s expressions were not exaggerated, they could still tell his underlying emotions!
The Imperial chefs looked uneasily at each other. After all, it wasn’t just Prince Rian’s words they had to worry about—Prince Rian’s Royal Guards were also watching them!
“Your Highness, we will work hard to deliver the evening’s menu,” the head Imperial chief quickly said.
The Angio chefs were also very cognisant of the stern-faced Royal Guards. “Your Highness, it is an honour to cook for you, rest assured that the dishes will be delicious. We have prepared some samples as you requested, you can have a taste to check—”
Prince Rian’s expression brightened. He tasted the food and gave a smile. The Royal Guards looked less imposing and the chefs were relieved.
After that, the chefs worked honestly together with professional courtesy. (That may also have something to do with the prince—and his Royal Guards—frequently appearing just as they were about to argue about something…)
Rian was also in charge of arranging the sitting room and gardens that would be reserved for the children of the nobility, so that they may socialise together without adults looking over their shoulders. His brows lightly furrowed as he directed the servants around.
“Yes, just there—”
“No, that’s the wrong colour, go back and retrieve the correct pattern—”
When things were in place as he wanted, Prince Rian would smile happily, making the hard-working servants forgive him.
It was mid-afternoon by the time things were organised and only customary small tasks were left for the experienced servants.
“Rian, darling, you can go back to your rooms and prepare now,” Queen Mira said after she inspected and approved everything that Rian had been in charge of setting up.
“Yes, Imperial Mother.”
“And by the way, cut your hair shorter. It’s getting a bit too long,” Queen Mira added.
Rian felt a strong resistance in his heart. He wanted to grow his hair out longer like Ayden! But one didn’t talk back to the Queen, so Rian made a vague agreement and went back to his quarters.
One of his servants was waiting there, standing to attention. “Your Highness, I have some updates about Earl Rosewood,” she said.
“Oh? Start a bath for me,” Rian directed another servant.
“Your Highness, Earl Rosewood was seen walking around the Capital incognito this morning with two servants. He had shortened hair, and bought several items, including hair-colour changing charms, spices, books, food.”
Rian slowly turned back to the woman. “—How short?”
“In a short contemporary style. I can draw it if you wish, your Highness.”
“Yes, do so.” He turned to another servant in the room. “Call in my hairdresser immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Did Ayden want to surprise him? Well, he’ll be the one surprising Ayden! Cough, and it was also good to follow his mother’s orders, after all.
In the evening, the late summer sun gave off a warm glow through the windows of the main hall. Small magical lights floated in a fairy-like manner in the outdoor and indoor areas designed for the evening’s ball. A small orchestra quietly played music at the corner of the main hall.
Luxurious carriages lined up outside the Imperial Palace. Stoic butlers ushered nobles from where they disembarked to the event location.
Cassiopeia’s eyes were bright with anticipation. She wore a white dress with pink accents, perfectly matching her eyes and hair. She also had a beautiful gold necklace and cute little earrings.
She and her family were led to the main hall. This was the first time she had come to the Imperial Palace since she gained memories of her past life. It was so beautiful!
The servant at the door announced each of them. After entering through the doors, there was a moderately sized landing area that could function as a stage, followed by grand stairs leading down to the main floor of the hall itself.
The Schauss family was among the top powerful families aside from the Imperial Azure family. Upon being announced, many eyes in the room turned to them, with the lessor nobility giving them flattering smiles.
Cassiopeia stayed close to her mother, smiling shyly at the other nobles. Her mother introduced her to many important nobles. Cassiopeia courteously greeted them, smiling brightly when they praised her for her beauty.
Ren Xiyang’s face was cold as he entered the Imperial Palace. The Palace felt particularly sparkly and vividly coloured, and there were hundreds of different unpredictable heat sources in his field of detection.
As ordered by Rian, Ren Xiyang wore a white shirt with gold detail, a red gem ornament, a black vest, a black military-styled coat with red and gold accents, black trousers, and dark brown boots.
When his fake name was announced, Ren Xiyang reluctantly stepped through the doors and into the main hall. The array of hair colours and clothing colours were dazzling, as expected of a romantic fantasy novel. Multiple eyes immediately turned his way. There was a mixture of familiar and unfamiliar people. Regardless, Ren Xiyang didn’t want to talk to any of them—oh!
“Earl Rosewood, you’re here,” Florence Sage walked over, separating from Viscountess Sage.
Ren Xiyang brightened. “Hello, Lady Florence, how have you been?” he greeted.
“Good, and you, Earl Rosewood? Are you prepared for your duel with His Highness Prince Rian tomorrow?”
Ren Xiyang blinked. He had almost forgotten about that. “I’ll be fine,” he said, unconcerned. “I don’t know if you fight too, Lady Florence?”
Florence chuckled. “My Sage family are plant mages, combat is not our speciality.”
Ren Xiyang lowered his voice. “Really? Many plants could be used for combat purposes, like rose thorns. But then again, agriculture is much more useful.”
Florence laughed again. This little earl was really unusual for a fire mage. “You should have been born into my family then!”
“Specialised plant magic would be nice,” Ren Xiyang agreed seriously.
The other nobles glanced their way, making little notes in their heart.
Presently, Mage Hazelwood and Mage Aqua also came over to say hello. They had finished their work in the Rosewood fief and arrived in the Capital just in time to accompany their parents to the event, Baroness Hazelwood and Baron Aqua, respectively. As it turned out, Florence, Mage Hazelwood and Mage Aqua had all attended the Imperial Magical Academy at the same time, albeit Florence was a year younger than them.
Nobles continued to enter, gathering into various factions. There were almost a thousand noble families, most of them ranked as barons with relatively small land holdings. Though not all families came, there were still too many people for Ren Xiyang’s liking.
Eventually, Ren Xiyang noticed some familiar heat sources approaching the hall.
“Now, welcome to the Imperial Family!” the Imperial servants announced.
Everyone in the hall quietened. The door opened and the first person stepped through.
“Welcome to His Highness, Prince Alexius!”
Prince Alexius was dressed in a blue military-style coat and bright clean white trousers and boots. He walked in calmly and descended the stairs, nodding as various nobles greeted him. When he saw Ayden Rosewood, he quickly walked over, placing himself between Ayden and Florence.
“Good evening, your Highness,” Ren Xiyang and Florence greeted.
Alexius smiled brightly. “Hello, Lady Florence. Hello, Earl Rosewood!” Alexius looked at Ayden’s clothes and frowned. “Where did you get these clothes?”
“Your brother, Prince Rian, gave them to me,” Ren Xiyang said.
Alexius’s eyes widened. “Really?! That’s why—”
He was interrupted by the next announcement: “Welcome to His Highness, Prince Rian!”
The doors opened.
Eyes widened.
Delicate crystalline ice flowers emerged, distorting and blurring the prince’s outline, immediately capturing everyone’s attention. The flowers bloomed and turned and drifted through the air before disintegrating in a gentle shower of sparkling light that Prince Rian stepped through. His back was straight with slim legs wrapped in white trousers and white boots. He wore a white shirt with gold thread, a blue vest and a blue-and-white military-style coat with a long blue cape. The contrast between the delicate beauty of the ice flowers to the formality of the prince and the underlying great magical control was mesmerising.
Among the audience, Cassiopeia’s eyes grew very wide. Prince Rian was unexpectedly handsome and cute, and she was sure he’d grow up into a very handsome tall man. And the ice flowers! It was just like a shoujo manga, accenting Prince Rian’s beautiful features!
Prince Rian’s eyes swept across the hall—and was he looking at her for a moment there? Cassiopeia’s chest swelled in excitement.
Across the hall, Ren Xiyang’s lips twitched as Prince Rian’s eyes stopped on him. Was Prince Rian showing off to all the nobles or was he showing off to Ren Xiyang?
Meanwhile, Rian’s mouth immediately went sour when saw Florence Sage and
Alexius standing next to Ayden! At least Ayden’s eyes were on him. He wanted to get over there post-haste.However, the moment Rian descended the stairs, he was immediately surrounded by numerous nobles, all interested in the astounding magical display. Rian had to greet and smile at all these people. They only quietened down when Queen Mira and King Edric entered.
Both King Edric and Queen Mira wore rich blue capes and luxurious gold crowns. Their aura of magic subtly spread across the hall, even as Queen Mira smiled warmly.
“Welcome, all, to the Late Summer Ball,” King Edric said.
“Tonight, we enjoy the last warm nights of summer,” Queen Mira said. “Food will be served throughout the evening, and dancing will begin in two hours. Enjoy.”
Everyone clapped.
Now, with all important members now in the hall, the evening ball began in earnest. Music became more lively and Imperial servants came through the side doors with canapes and finger foods and drinks. The noise in the room increased, which made Ren Xiyang frown.
Florence Sage gave him a concerned look. “Is there a problem, Earl Rosewood?”
“Is there a quieter place?”
Alexius eagerly answered, “Ayden, my brother prepared an area for young people like us, those who haven’t attended the Imperial Magical Academy yet. It’s over there.”
Following Alexius’s gesture, Ren Xiyang could sense that there was indeed hardly anyone currently in that adjacent room.
“Then excuse me first.”
“I’m coming with you!” Alexius insisted.
Florence Sage wasn’t a child, so it wasn’t appropriate for her to follow. “Enjoy the rest of your evening Earl Rosewood, in case I don’t see you again tonight. Have a good evening, Your Highness.”
After goodbyes, Ren Xiyang and Prince Alexius headed into the large lounge room that was arranged for the children. They were the only ones there, aside from the quiet servants standing against the wall.
Alexius turned to Ayden. “You knew that my brother could do that, didn’t you?”
Ren Xiyang nodded. “Yes.”
Alexius sucked in a breath. He leaned in closer. “You can do it too, can’t you?”
“Kind of.”
Alexius’s eyes shone with eagerness. “Teach me!”
“It requires direct magic manipulation.”
Alexius was stunned. “Rian knows direct magic manipulation? Oh no…” His entire body deflated.
“Maybe someone could develop a new spell that produces the same outcome. I assume you know spells that produce ice shapes.”
Alexius perked up again. “Can you develop new spells?”
Ren Xiyang smiled wryly. “I wish I could, your Highness.”
Alexius deflated once more. If he had ears and a tail, they would be drooping.
Ren Xiyang felt uncomfortable. How was he supposed to coax a real-actual child?
Rian: *sparkle sparkle*
Welcome to trend-setter Rian~!
Also Rian: *gritted teeth* Is Ayden spending time with my little brother now?!!
More talk about Trash of the Count’s Family: it makes me want to include a little more political manoeuvring…(no promises haha)
But the cast is already so big, and it’s only going to keep getting bigger! It’s so hard to figure out different magic types with appropriate hair/eye colour combo and names!