EP.13 12th Birthday Ball (2)
Bam-parara-bam~ Bababa bam-parara-bam~
"His Highness, Yuno Alexander Windrage von Balkan, the Third Prince, is entering. Please greet him with applause."
Tonight's ball was hosted by Count Stauffen, the chief steward of the imperial palace, indicating the event's grand scale.
Clap clap clap clap clap clap
Amid the loud applause, Yuno entered the banquet hall.
Responding to the cheers of many nobles, Yuno smiled and waved as he took his seat. Count Stauffen raised his glass.
"Today is the day His Highness Prince Yuno celebrates his 12th birthday and debuts on the social stage for the first time. In honor of the Third Prince's growth, let us all raise a toast."
As every guest raised their glass, the toast "For the prosperity of the Empire" rang out, and the palace was filled with enthusiastic shouts.
Yuno also raised his cocktail glass and cheered, then began greeting the many nobles who came to congratulate him.
"Hahaha, Your Highness, congratulations on growing up so splendidly and reaching your 12th birthday."
The first to approach Yuno was his maternal grandfather, Duke Windrage.
"Grandfather, thank you for coming and gracing the occasion. I am always grateful for all the help you give me."
Duke Windrage was the Empire's leading hawk, having earned his title through great achievements in the Battle of the Zenon Plains and gaining the honor of marrying his second daughter to the Emperor, making him a central figure in the Empire's military. However, his political power had waned somewhat due to frequent clashes with the Emperor, who opposed further expansion, but last year he regained prestige by successfully repelling an invasion from the Leon Kingdom into his domain until the central army arrived.
"Hahaha, what kind of grandfather would I be if I couldn't do at least that much? If you ever need anything for your training, this old man will always support you."
"Haha, that's more than enough, Grandfather. What you do now is already more than sufficient."
"Every time I see Your Highness working so hard at training alone, I am so proud. If only my son could be half as diligent as you."
'Ugh... here it comes. The self-pity and complaints about my uncle... If he starts talking about Uncle Kent, this could take a while...'
As Yuno expected, Duke Windrage sat down and began complaining about his son, and it went on for over ten minutes.
"That Kent, even though he turned twenty last month, cares for nothing but wine and women... I'm at my wit's end. My only son, born so late in life, turned out to be such a scoundrel my heart is breaking."
The duke drank in front of Yuno and glanced toward the back. When Yuno reflexively looked over, he saw his uncle Kent Windrage flirting shamelessly with all the noble ladies.
"Sigh~ Grandfather, perhaps you should put Uncle in the Windforce Knights as a trainee? If he suffers a bit, maybe he'll get his act together..."
The Windforce Knights, the order of the Windrage family, were second or third only to the Imperial Royal Guard in the Empire. Their discipline and training were strict, so Yuno was suggesting his uncle undergo the same kind of training he did.
"Do you think I haven't tried? As soon as I show any sign, he comes running, crying and begging, promising to change... My heart softens as I look at my youngest..."
"Haha... I'm sure he'll settle down soon, so don't worry too much. Since he's in line to inherit the Windrage family, I believe he'll change."
"Thank you for saying so, Your Highness. Lately, I hear he's started hanging out with the wrong crowd in the Second Prince's faction in the evenings, so... Sigh~"
Seeing his grandfather downing drinks in frustration, Yuno could only give a wry smile.
"There are good people around Prince Heinrich too, aren't there? Of course, their inclinations differ from yours, but they are still key figures in the Empire."
Bang!!
"Still!! To lead the Windrage family, one must always be at the front lines, leading the soldiers! With that attitude, he's not fit to inherit the dukedom!!"
Unable to contain his anger, Duke Windrage stood up and pointed at his son, shouting. Even in his sixties, his voice was so powerful that everyone's attention turned to Kent, and laughter broke out.
"Whoa, whoa... Grandfather, please calm down."
"Ah... I've shown an unseemly side of myself at Your Highness's celebration. I'll take my leave now, so you should enjoy yourself with the lovely ladies. You train so hard, you should relax and have some fun. Hahaha."
The duke patted Yuno's arm and shoulder, smiling in satisfaction at his grandson's well-developed body, then left, still glaring at his son and clicking his tongue.
"Uncle... Grandfather got a bit too excited after drinking, so don't take it to heart..."
Yuno tried to comfort the now-embarrassed Kent, but before he could finish, Kent grabbed the waist of a young noblewoman and left the hall.
"How rude!! How dare he leave when Your Highness is speaking!!"
"He already acts like he's the duke! He should be punished, Your Highness!"
"It's fine. Uncle seems to be feeling down. I don't want to make a fuss on my special day."
"What a merciful judgment, Your Highness."
There were plenty of nobles eager to grab even a scrap of power, and they crowded around Yuno, trying to curry favor, but Yuno had no desire to mingle with them and looked for a chance to escape.
At that moment, a loud trumpet sounded and Marquis Garcia's voice echoed through the hall as the music stopped.
"His Majesty Karl III, absolute ruler of the Empire and master of the Zenon Plains, enters with his consort, Empress Yuria, mother of the Empire, and the legitimate heir, Crown Prince Franz!"
All the nobles in the hall bowed deeply, and Yuno took the opportunity to slip away from the sycophants.
Karl III sat on the throne and tapped the floor with his staff, signaling everyone to rise. Yuno, who had come forward to pay his respects, also stood.
"Today is the twelfth birthday of my beloved third son, Yuno, who will become the royal family's steadfast shield. I thank all the nobles who have joined us and graced this event. For today, do not mind my presence let everyone celebrate Yuno's birthday and enjoy themselves. I hereby declare the Imperial Ball open!"
As soon as the Emperor finished, the palace musicians began playing again, and the festivities resumed.
A different dance tune played, and the young noble men and women paired up to dance on the stage, while many nobles clapped and watched the couples.
But the guest of honor, Yuno, sat alone drinking juice and watching the stage, so Crown Prince Franz approached him.
"Hahaha, Yuno, happy birthday! But hey! How can the guest of honor sit here alone? Don't you see all the girls up front staring at you?"
The Crown Prince playfully knocked Yuno on the head, urging him to dance with the noble ladies, but Yuno feigned pain and protested.
"Why are you pushing me, brother? You're here with the Crown Princess, but you're not dancing why pick on me?"
"You brat! Sassing your brother? Hahaha, as you know, my wife doesn't like these events. And..."
Franz almost blurted out that he and his wife weren't getting along lately, but held it back. The Crown Princess had a strong libido and often demanded intimacy, but with his weak body, he couldn't keep up. He also had a secret he couldn't tell even his wife, making his nights difficult.
Still, he cherished his younger brother and, pretending nothing was wrong, patted Yuno's head and congratulated him.
"I left your birthday present in your palace through your attendant. Check it later. Now go ask someone to dance. With so many beautiful girls here, how can you just sit still?"
After chatting a bit, the Crown Prince nudged Yuno toward the ladies, and unable to resist, Yuno stood and looked around the ballroom. As Franz said, many young ladies were sparkling with hope, waiting to be chosen.
"I heard the Third Prince is handsome, but the rumors don't do him justice... Wow..."
"Yeah... I know marrying him is a dream, but I'd love to date him even once~"
As the girls chatted about Yuno's looks, hoping he'd pick them, Yuno headed not toward them but somewhere unexpected.
"Mother, would you honor me with a dance? I would be grateful for the chance to dance with the mother of our nation."
Yuno walked up to the throne, confidently climbed the steps, and offered his hand to Empress Yuria.
The hall fell silent as everyone watched. Yuria, flustered by her son's request, didn't know what to do, but the Emperor burst out laughing and nudged her.
"Puahahaha, Empress~ Yuno wants to dance with you! His first dance partner is the Empress! Wonderful! My daughters run away when they see me, but look at this~"
"Y-Yuno, why don't you dance with one of those lovely girls? I'll pretend I didn't hear, so go back."
Yuria tried to gently turn Yuno away, but his body, now bigger and stronger than most knights, wouldn't budge.
"To me, Mom is still the prettiest. Even in this huge ballroom, I don't see anyone more beautiful, so I asked you to dance. Please, just one dance, Mom."
Moved by Yuno's earnest request, Yuria blushed and accepted.
As Yuria took her son's hand and descended from the throne, the Crown Prince began clapping, and all the nobles joined in. The Emperor smiled and signaled the musicians, who switched to a waltz.
"Mom."
As the sweet music played, Yuno and Yuria took each other's hands and began to dance gracefully to the rhythm.
Yuria, not having danced in so long, stumbled a bit, but Yuno's steady lead helped her regain her rhythm, and soon she was dancing skillfully, enjoying the dance with her son.
"Huhu, my son, aren't you a wonderful dancer? Not only do you train hard, but you've also practiced social dancing? I'm so proud of you~"
"Hehe, is there anything I can't do with my body? If it makes you happy, I can do anything."
Yuria smiled warmly at her son's words, but just then, as they danced closely, she felt Yuno's large member pressing against her lower body.
The suit she'd given Yuno as a birthday present was made of a material that clung to the skin, and his large member was clearly outlined. Yuria blushed and pressed herself even closer to hide it.
But the closer she got, the more she felt Yuno's manhood, and the heat of his body awakened desires in her that had lain dormant for over ten years.
'Ugh... this boy... already so big...'
Though she couldn't show it, Yuria's body was reacting, growing wetter as she felt Yuno's member.
'Ah... if my son could make me happy with his body... if he used that big cock to fill me...'
In Yuria's mind, Yuno was taking her forcefully with his huge member, and she was moaning as she accepted him deeply. Though her body was dancing, in her mind she was having sex with her son a fantasy that only ended when the dance did.
"Mom~ That was wonderful. Please dance with me at the next ball, too."
Yuno's words snapped Yuria back to reality.
"Y-yes, Yuno. I'm a bit tired, so I'll sit and rest for a while."
'Yuria, you crazy woman!! What are you thinking about your son?! Oh my, I must be insane!!'
Yuria, her legs weak, couldn't return to the throne. The Emperor, having watched the mother-son dance, quietly left, so Yuria sat at Yuno's table, fanning her flushed face and silently cursing herself.
"Hahaha, Your Majesty, you looked wonderful dancing with Yuno. You two are a perfect match! Hahaha."
"Hohoho, thank you, Crown Prince. I was so flustered when Yuno picked me as his first partner... You didn't put him up to it, did you?"
"Haha, of course not! Yuno just loves you that much. I'll take my leave now. With the guest of honor here, I shouldn't distract attention from him."
The Crown Prince bowed to Yuria and left. As Yuria sat back down, a breeze lifted her skirt and she realized her underwear was soaked.
'Did I really get this wet dancing with Yuno? I don't think I've ever been this wet, even with His Majesty... Oh my... crazy, crazy...'
As she berated herself, cheers erupted from the front.
"Yuno must have chosen a partner to dance with... but who...?"
Peeking up, Yuria saw that Yuno had asked Second Princess Isabella.
After chatting with her friends, Isabella was so happy to be asked by her brother that she forgot all princessly decorum and bounced up to take his hand and lead him to the stage.
'Wait... wasn't this Isabella's first dance too? She was famous for turning down every noble's request at her debut...'
The palace orchestra played an energetic dance for the young Isabella and Yuno, and the two danced enthusiastically on stage.
After a long, lively dance, they returned to Yuria's table for drinks and a break.
"Yuno, it's your social debut shouldn't you dance with some of the other girls, too?"
"Mom!! What are you saying? Are you going to let Yuno dance so close with those girls?"
"Of course! Yuno should experience romance, shouldn't he?"
"Absolutely not! Over my dead body!"
Watching her daughter, Yuria sighed, wondering how she'd ever let Yuno get married.