First Arc (King of Euphorion) – 49. Euphorion’s New Year Celebration

New Year’s celebrations finally began. Stars glittered in the clear night sky above Luminus City, people laughed and chatted at the City Square, while enjoying live music accompanied by some bite-side food and warm drinks that had been prepared by the castle for the civilians. Meanwhile, the atmosphere of the White Moon Castle's main hall was very vibrant, all guests danced to lively music in celebration. While some women cast glances at that young, unmarried king that sat on the throne. Every time the castle held a party, he always chose to skip the dance and stay seated on his throne to pay attention to his surroundings, making sure everything went smoothly. Dancing was one way to get closer to the opposite sex and a way to find out the synchronization between the couple by how much they step on each other's feet. That's why all the nobles who hadn't married yet never miss it.

Angel did his best to be relaxed as he heard the excited chatter of the crowd. Some of their conversations sounded vague but quite clear to him.
"Have you heard that the king is still unmarried because of waiting for Lady Belle to turn twenty-one-years-old? He doesn't even let another woman approach him."

"Really? Looks like he's really in love with Lady Belle."

'No, I've never had any feelings for her. I'm just being polite, how could you conclude without such clarity, 'he thought after hearing their chatter. But he couldn't say it since he sat on the throne and he didn't want to join them gossiping around.

"Lady Belle is very beautiful, she also has a high status and education. Of all the women in Euphorion, she is the most suitable to accompany the king." Those words accompanied by a nod from the others, but some noblewomen approached them with displeased expressions. He recognized them, even though he didn't clearly remember each of their names, since he had only met them a few days ago.

"I don't think the rumour is true. If it is true why did Chancellor Allan make the king meet with many noblewomen lately?"

'Yes! Thank you for helping me clear this rumour,' he thought.

"A few days ago the king looked so happy when he was having a chat with me."

'No, that day I was happy because my meeting was finished earlier than usual,' he thought with a frown.

One of the women laughed sarcastically.
"Chatting? When he met me he even kept smiling at me."

'It was just a formal smile. You were trying to be funny, at least I had to smile in response, 'he thought. He was quite confused as to why they would take on something different from his formality.

Another noblewoman came up to them with a confident smile and looked at them arrogantly.
"You know what? The king even held my hand at my meeting yesterday." Which was replied with displeased expressions mixed with a look of envy from the others

'You stumbled! I held your hand in reflex to prevent you from falling!' he thought in annoyance.

He sighed silently and turned his attention to the others as he didn't want to hear what they were talking about anymore. Then he noticed Lady Belle was surrounded by several nobles.
"Lady Belle, you didn't dance with anyone again this year. "

"I just don't have the mood to dance, " said Lady Belle with a smile.

"It seems that after His Majesty ascended to the throne you always refused to dance with anyone. Are you waiting for His Majesty to invite you to dance?"

"No, I have no special reason..." replied Lady Belle with blushing cheeks.

"His Majesty seems shy, I think you should make the first move."

Lady Belle just smiled in shyness in return.

Angel sighed tiredly.
'What an incredible wrong conclusion. I'm not shy but I don't want to. Thank you for giving Lady Belle the wrong impression,' he thought.

Lady Belle glanced at him and caught him watching her. Angel realized and quickly turned his gaze to the others to avoid misunderstanding, but Lady Belle thought differently.

'Has he been watching me? Maybe it's true that he is a shy man... When I first met him as a hunter he was always acting like this, no one could guess what he thought,' thought Lady Belle.

After the dance session was over, he descended from his throne and went around greeting the guests. Well, it was more suitable to say as looking for information than greeting. Because at the New Year's party many nobles from all over of Euphorion were there and he took this opportunity to find out the development or difficulties of their area.

Chancellor Allan glanced at Angel and realized he was talking to some nobles. Chancellor Allan sighed tiredly.
'His Majesty is using the party as an opportunity to gather the information again. Is there nothing I can do to get his mind out of his work?'
Then he suddenly remembered the rumours about Lady Belle and Angel, an idea crossed his mind.
'I know that His Majesty does not have any feelings for her, but at least I hope he can stop thinking about his work for a moment.'