Sophomore Ball II

"We're making quite an impression, aren't we?" Rachel said with a light tug on my arm, her lips curving into a satisfied smile. She hummed softly, clearly enjoying the attention we were drawing.

Of course we were. It wasn't every day someone walked into a ballroom with three princesses at their side.

Polygamy still existed in this world, sure, but seeing someone walk with three princesses hanging off their arms? That was bound to raise some eyebrows. Even I couldn't help but find the situation a little… surreal.

'Even I'm impressed by this,' I thought to myself, trying to hide the slight amusement tugging at the corners of my mouth.

In the novel, this kind of thing didn't really happen until the second year, when Lucifer managed to form his own harem during the Inter-Academy Festival. Cecilia, Rachel, and Seraphina eventually flocked to his side. It was a slow build-up, with tensions rising and feelings blossoming, not this—whatever this was.

I wouldn't call this a real harem. Not yet.

There were still too many unknowns. About them, about me. Especially me.

The truth was, I still didn't fully know who I was in this world, or how everything fit together. Until I figured that out, until I understood my place and what I wanted, I wouldn't allow myself to fully accept their affection. It wouldn't be fair to them, and it wouldn't be fair to myself.

'But it would be fun to just enjoy this for now, right?' I thought, casting a glance at the girls beside me. The teasing spark in Cecilia's eyes, the determined glint in Rachel's gaze, and the quiet contentment in Seraphina's expression—it felt nice, even if a little overwhelming.

I shook the thought off and focused back on the present. The ballroom was alive with whispers, subtle glances, and hushed conversations. It wasn't just our entrance making waves; it was the undercurrent of anticipation in the air, the feeling that something big was coming.

The Sophomore Ball wasn't just about dancing and pleasantries. It was a stage, a battlefield of social maneuvering, and everyone was vying for attention, alliances, and influence. And here I was, walking into the thick of it, with not one, but three princesses.

"Don't look so stiff," Cecilia teased, her arm slipping through mine as she leaned in closer. "This is supposed to be fun."

"I know," I said with a smile, though I was still acutely aware of the dozens of eyes on us.

Seraphina, always more reserved, remained silent but glanced at me with a reassuring nod, her expression calm as ever. I appreciated that. I needed some calm right now.

As we moved further into the ballroom, a space began to clear for us, the sea of students parting instinctively. It felt like the room itself was bending to our presence.

'All of this… because of a ball,' I mused, shaking my head slightly. 'What kind of chaos is going to unfold tonight?'

I caught sight of familiar faces—Lucifer's usual entourage, a few professors mingling near the edges, and then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a group of sophomores near the back, clearly bristling with jealousy. Luke Orden's face, in particular, was hard to miss.

And there it was—envy. It was the same wherever I looked. But envy could easily turn into something more dangerous if left unchecked. I'd have to watch my back tonight.

It was disheartening, to say the least.

In the novel, Luke Orden had kicked Arthur out of Class 1-A. But honestly, he didn't play a significant role in the grand scheme of things. He was simply too weak, too irrelevant to shape the major events. Just another character in the background, a name to fill the space.

But after getting closer to him, I realized something.

Or rather, I suppose it was Rachel who forced me to accept reality.

These people… they weren't just characters.

I had looked down on Luke's crush on Rachel. Dismissed it as something inconsequential because, in my mind, he was merely an extra, and extras never win the affection of the "female leads." In stories like these, extras didn't matter. They were just there to fill the scene, to make the world feel populated.

But then… wasn't that the same thing I had told myself? The same thing that had kept me from acknowledging my own growing affection for them? I had buried it all, convinced that Lucifer, the protagonist, the hero, had the 'right' to them. That he was destined to be with Rachel, with Cecilia, with Seraphina. Because that's how it went in the story.

I was judging people—everyone around me—by the roles they were supposed to play in this world. Characters slotted neatly into categories: love interests, side characters, villains. People with fixed paths, unchangeable fates. It was how I kept myself distant, how I justified my actions.

That was disgusting.

They weren't characters, and I wasn't a side character either. This was real. These feelings, these relationships—they were real. Not something dictated by plotlines or predetermined roles. They were living, breathing people with their own hopes, fears, and desires. And that included Luke.

I could see it clearly now, the longing in his eyes whenever Rachel was near. I had dismissed it before, ignored it because I thought he wasn't 'important enough.' But that wasn't fair to him. It wasn't fair to any of us.

I couldn't keep thinking like that anymore. Not if I wanted to protect them, to care for them the way I truly wanted to. I had to stop hiding behind that outdated mindset, the one that said I wasn't supposed to be here, that I was only filling a role.

I turned to look at Rachel, who was chatting with Seraphina and Cecilia beside me, oblivious to the turmoil in my head. I realized that I had been holding back not just from them, but from myself.

It wasn't just about roles in some story. It was about what I wanted and what they wanted.

I wasn't going to let envy, self-doubt, or the ghosts of a story dictate what happened next.

The night was just beginning.

As we entered the grand ballroom, the atmosphere was electric. Lights glimmered across the massive chandeliers, casting a soft, ethereal glow over the crowd. Music played softly in the background, but all around us, whispers were growing louder.

I could feel the weight of every gaze on us as we walked deeper into the room, the three girls on my arms turning heads at every step.

But I wasn't paying attention to them anymore. My focus shifted to the familiar faces of Class A gathered in a small, but clearly distinct, group toward the far corner of the room.

Ian Viserion was the first to notice me, and his lips curled into an amused grin as he saw the entourage I brought with me. His blue eyes sparkled mischievously as he sauntered over, hands casually stuffed in his pockets.

"Well, well, Arthur," Ian said, his tone light but teasing. "I see you didn't come here alone. Or, should I say, you didn't come here with just one person." His grin widened as he eyed Rachel, Seraphina, and Cecilia. "You always manage to surprise."

I raised an eyebrow, trying to act as nonchalant as possible. "You're one to talk, Ian. I seem to recall you had quite the entourage at the last event too."

He chuckled, unfazed. "Ah, but I don't have three princesses on my arm, do I? Seems like you've made quite the impression." He winked, casting a playful glance at the girls, who were still chatting among themselves.

Seraphina, who had overheard the conversation, narrowed her eyes at Ian. "You're one to talk, Prince Ian," she said, teasing him right back. "If I recall correctly, you had plenty of girls vying for your attention last year."

"Touché, Princess," Ian replied with a smirk, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "But this isn't about me, is it?" He leaned in toward me, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "So, Arthur… which one of them is your actual date?"

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. "Really, Ian?"

His grin only widened. "Oh, come on, I'm just curious. It's not every day we see this kind of situation, even for someone as talented as you." He clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Besides, everyone's already wondering. Might as well address the elephant in the room."

I glanced at the girls, all of whom were now smiling softly, clearly aware of the situation. They weren't uncomfortable—they knew exactly what Ian was trying to stir up.

"I don't play favorites," I replied, half-joking, half-serious. "They're all my dates for tonight. Why pick one?"

Ian let out a hearty laugh, throwing his head back. "Well played, Nightingale. Well played." He gave me a sly look. "But I'm betting it won't stay that way forever."

He turned and winked at Rachel, who simply raised an eyebrow and smirked at him, unbothered. Cecilia rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, while Seraphina just shook her head in amusement.

Ian was about to say something else when Jin Ashbluff sauntered over, his usual serious demeanor softened by the lively atmosphere. "Ian, stop harassing Arthur," he said with a small smile, though there was an edge of warning in his voice.

Ian grinned. "Harassing? Please. I'm just having some fun."

"I'm sure you are," Jin said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But we have bigger things to discuss tonight than Arthur's choice of company."

As the conversation drifted toward more serious topics, I felt a small nudge on my arm. Rachel, who had remained mostly quiet during Ian's teasing, leaned closer and whispered, "You handled that well."

I smiled at her. "Thanks, though I'm sure I'll be hearing about it all night."

She giggled softly. "Well, maybe you deserve it. You did bring all of us as your dates, after all."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Guess I can't argue with that."

Just as the conversation with Ian and Jin began to settle, I noticed a shift in the atmosphere—subtle, but unmistakable. The soft chatter around us seemed to quiet down, and I turned my gaze toward the entrance, knowing immediately who had arrived.

Lucifer Windward.

His presence, as always, was commanding. Dressed in a sharp, tailored suit that somehow managed to be both understated and regal, he carried himself with the ease of someone who knew exactly how much power he held. His black hair gleamed under the ballroom's lights, and his verdant eyes swept across the room, assessing everything in an instant.

And then, they landed on me.

A small smile curled at the edge of his lips as he began to make his way over, his steps unhurried but purposeful. It didn't take long before he stood right in front of us, his eyes flicking between the girls on my arms and then meeting mine.

"Arthur," he greeted, his voice as calm and measured as ever. "You've certainly made an entrance tonight."

I shrugged, trying to play it off casually. "You know me. Always trying to leave an impression."

Lucifer's eyes glinted with amusement as he looked at Rachel, Cecilia, and Seraphina. "Impression is one word for it," he said. "But I didn't think you'd bring all of them."

"Why not?" I replied with a raised eyebrow. "I don't see a rule against it."

"True," Lucifer said, his smile widening slightly. "But it's rare for anyone to pull it off."

He briefly turned his gaze to Rachel, almost causing me to furrow my brows. It was quick, almost to the point of being unnoticeable but I was able to keep up with it.

Lucifer's gaze returned to mine, and for a moment, I thought he might say something more. But instead, he simply smiled—a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "We'll have to catch up later, Arthur. There's much to discuss."

"Of course," I said, meeting his gaze evenly.

He gave a small nod, then turned and began to walk away, his presence lingering long after he had moved across the room.

Rachel squeezed my arm gently, drawing my attention back to her. "Don't worry about it tonight," she said softly. "This is supposed to be a celebration, remember?"

I gave her a small smile, grateful for the distraction. "You're right," I said, though the lingering tension in my chest didn't fully dissipate.