Aikyo stood victorious.

  The banners of Zankoku had burned to ash, their once-feared warriors scattered, slain, or bent to the will of their conquerors. The war was over.

  Yet, the price of victory was written in blood.

  The walls of Aikyo bore the scars of endless sieges. The land, once green and fertile, still carried the scent of fire and steel. The echoes of war lingered, even in silence. The people had suffered, had endured the unrelenting cruelty of the Zankoku invaders, had fought with their very last breath.

  And yet, they had survived.

  The Satō sisters, who had once been mere royal heirs, now stood as the warriors who had delivered Aikyo’s salvation. Hana, with her unshakable resolve and impossible power. Hime, the ever-calculating strategist, her mind shaping victory from the shadows. And Haruka, the fiery blade that had carved through the battlefield, her twin swords glistening with the vengeance of the fallen.

  It was over.

  And now, another nightmare was upon them.

  Aikyo’s people rejoiced. The formal ball—the grand Victory Celebration of Aikyo—had been announced. It was meant to be a night of revelry, of honor, of basking in the long-awaited peace.

  But for Haruka, it was a nightmare unlike any battlefield.

  She had faced warriors ten times her size, had dodged arrows in the heat of battle, had slain commanders of Zankoku with a smirk on her lips.

  But this—this was a different kind of war.

  A war of etiquette.

  A war of dresses, noble dances, and courtly formalities.

  A war… she was completely unprepared for.

  The Formal Victory Ball of Aikyo—Aikyo’s greatest nightmare for one Haruka Satō.

  Haruka knew she had fought in countless battles, survived brutal training, and even faced legendary warriors. But nothing—absolutely nothing—had prepared her for this.

  Sitting stiffly in a grand hall filled with noblewomen, scholars, and etiquette instructors, she stared at the massive book in front of her.

  "The Noblewoman’s Guide to Elegance and Decorum."

  Haruka grimaced. "This is torture."

  Across from her, Hana sat gracefully, adjusting her sleeves. Unlike Haruka, she effortlessly embodied the refined elegance of royalty. She sipped her tea with practiced ease, her posture perfect.

  "Hime-nee," Haruka groaned, slumping in her chair. "Do I really have to do this?"

  Hime, standing nearby with her arms crossed, gave her a sharp look. "Yes."

  Haruka sighed dramatically. "But I’m a warrior, not some delicate lady who—"

  "You are an royal princess," Hime interrupted, her voice calm yet unyielding. "And as of this festival, you will be formally introduced as the heir to the Aikyo kingdom."

  Haruka groaned again. "Can’t I just… skip the formal part and go straight to the festival?"

  "No." Hime’s one-word answer made Haruka shiver.

  Hana, ever the peacemaker, gently patted Haruka’s hand. "Come on, Haruka. It’s just for one night. You can survive that, right?"

  Haruka narrowed her eyes. "Hana-nee I’ve been stabbed twice and smiled through it. This is different."

  Hime raised an eyebrow. "You would rather be stabbed than wear a dress?"

  Haruka thought about it. "...Maybe."

  Hime closed her eyes for a brief moment before taking a deep breath. "Enough stalling. We’re starting with proper walking posture."

  She gestured toward the long hall, where a polished marble floor reflected the golden light of the chandeliers.

  "Walk from one end to the other without slouching, stomping, or looking like you’re ready to charge into battle."

  Haruka grumbled under her breath but stood up. She took a step.Then another.

  Then– She tripped on her own long sleeves, face planting straight into the floor. Hime sighed. Hana winced sympathetically.

  "...This is going to take a while," Hime muttered.

  The training continued for hours. Haruka suffered through the entire training with Hime yelling at her.

  Posture training (Stop slouching, Haruka!).

  Walking lessons (You are not stomping into battle—step lightly!).

  Dancing practice (NO, you cannot lead like it’s a sparring match!)

  By the end of the afternoon, she had had enough. When the attendants arrived with her formal dress, she snapped.

  "NOPE. I’M DONE." She bolted from the room.

  Hana gasped. "Haruka!"

  Hime rubbed her temples. "...Why does she insist on making everything difficult?"

  A maid peeked into the room nervously. "Should we—?"

  Hime stood up calmly. "I’ll handle this."

  And thus— The Great Imperial Chase began. Haruka dashed through the palace halls. She dodged servants trying to stop her. She even tried to climb out of a window.

  But—Hime was faster. In one graceful, swift movement, Hime grabbed the back of Haruka’s collar and yanked her back inside.

  "Enough," Hime said, her voice carrying the weight of absolute authority.

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  Haruka struggled. "LET ME GO!"

  Hime tightened her grip. "No."

  Hana finally caught up, panting. "Haruka, please. Just one night. You can do this."

  Haruka whined. "I HATE THIS."

  Hime dragged her back inside effortlessly. "You’ll live."

  Haruka crossed her arms, sulking. "I hate both of you."

  Hime patted her head. "No, you don’t. Now get dressed."

  With Haruka grumbling, The Transformation of a Reluctant Warrior begins. Haruka stood in front of the mirror, arms crossed, scowling.

  She was fully dressed. A deep crimson and black silk robe embroidered with gold. A delicate silver hairpin holding her tied-up hair in place. A refined, regal air that did not match her usual wild presence.

  Hana, sitting nearby, clasped her hands together excitedly. "Haruka, you look amazing!"

  Haruka glared. "I feel ridiculous."

  Hime walked up beside her, observing with an unreadable expression.

  Haruka waited for the teasing.

  Instead— Hime smiled slightly. "You look like a true princess."

  Haruka froze. "...You’re serious?"

  Hime tilted her head. "Of course."

  Haruka shifted uncomfortably. "...Weird."

  Hime patted her shoulder. "You’ll get used to it. Now, let’s go. The ball is starting."

  Haruka sighed deeply. "Here we go…"

  —

  The Grand Announcement

  The ballroom shimmered with golden light, the chandeliers casting a soft glow over the assembled nobles, officials, and foreign dignitaries. The murmurs of the crowd fell into hushed anticipation as the royal attendants signaled the arrival of their rulers.

  Then—The great royal doors swung open.

  A herald stepped forward, his voice ringing through the hall.

  "Presenting Their Highnesses, the Royal Princesses of Aikyo!"

  The crowd stood in reverence as the three sisters entered, each exuding a presence of power and grace.

  Hime, the eldest—a figure of poised authority, moving with effortless control.

  Hana, the middle sister—gentle yet commanding, warm yet undeniably regal.

  Haruka, the youngest—known as the wild warrior, but tonight, she carried herself with practiced dignity.

  The guests bowed deeply as the sisters stepped onto the grand balcony overlooking the ballroom.

  Hime raised a hand. Silence fell. She spoke first, her voice clear and steady.

  "Honored guests, nobles, and friends—tonight, we celebrate the unity and prosperity of Aikyo."

  She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room.

  "Our kingdom stands strong not only through might but through wisdom, diplomacy, and the will of our people. Let tonight be a reminder of the bonds we have forged and the strength we carry together."

  The guests murmured in admiration.

  Then— Hana stepped forward, her voice softer but no less powerful.

  "In times of uncertainty, we have always endured. Through hardship, we have found strength. And in our differences, we have found unity. May this evening serve as both a celebration and a promise—that Aikyo will continue to flourish, guided by our shared purpose and unwavering resolve."

  A warm round of applause followed. Finally—All eyes turned to Haruka. The nobles were already preparing to be amused or horrified. After all, Haruka was a warrior, not a speaker.

  But then— Haruka straightened her posture, placed a hand on her sword’s hilt, and began speaking.

  "Aikyo has always been a land of strength. But strength is not only measured by the sword or the battlefield, True strength is found in the loyalty of its people. The trust between its leaders. The ability to rise after every fall."

  The nobles blinked in surprise. The room, which had expected an informal and reckless speech, was now completely silent.

  Haruka continued.

  "We are warriors, scholars, rulers, and citizens. But before all of that—we are one kingdom. And tonight, we do not celebrate just power or prosperity, but the spirit of Aikyo itself."

  A beat of stunned silence. Then—The room erupted into applause. Haruka exhaled slowly. Hime nodded approvingly. Hana smiled proudly.

  Meanwhile, the nobles whispered in astonishment.

  "That was… eloquent."

  "I never expected her to speak like that."

  "Perhaps we’ve underestimated Princess Haruka..."

  Haruka smirked slightly. "Maybe next time, don’t assume things."

  With the speech finished, the ball officially began.

  ---

  In the ball Haruka had expected the worst. Awkward conversations? Fancy speeches? Being stared at like an exotic beast?

  But— What she hadn’t expected was how naturally she fell into place. She greeted nobles without growling. She accepted compliments without rolling her eyes. She even held a full conversation without scaring anyone.

  Hime watched her from a distance, nodding slightly. "...She’s doing well," Hime murmured.

  Hana smiled. "She’s stronger than she thinks."

  Haruka, however, was dying inside. "This is torture. This is pain. Someone save me."

  Then— A noble approached her. "Princess Haruka," he said, bowing. "May I have this dance?"

  Haruka stiffened and she stared at the noble. The noble waited, smiling politely. Haruka turned slightly to her sisters, eyes screaming for help. But it turns out they betrayed her. Hana looked encouraging. Hime looked expectant. Neither of them would save her.

  Haruka forced a tight-lipped smile."...I don’t dance."

  The noble chuckled. "Surely a warrior of your caliber can handle one waltz?"

  Haruka felt trapped. "If I refuse, it’ll be a scandal. If I agree, I’ll die of embarrassment."

  She turned to Hime one last time. Hime raised an eyebrow. "Haruka," she said, her voice firm. "Dance."

  Haruka gritted her teeth "...Fine.”

  The music swelled. The noble led her onto the dance floor. Haruka was sweating more than she had in actual battles.

  "Okay, okay. Just move your feet. It’s like sparring. Just with… less stabbing." Haruka said to herself

  The noble placed a hand on her waist. Haruka instinctively grabbed his wrist. He winced. "Uh, Princess, you’re gripping too hard."

  Haruka loosened her grip. "...Right. Sorry."

  The dance began. Step forward. Step back. Turn gracefully. Haruka was actually doing it.

  "I’M NOT FAILING!"

  Then—The noble spun her. Haruka panicked.She stepped wrong—And accidentally kicked the noble’s shin. HARD. The noble collapsed instantly. The music stopped. The entire ballroom went silent.

  Haruka froze. "Oh no."

  The Aftermath of the incident even though The noble was fine. (Mostly.) The dance was ruined. (Absolutely.) And Haruka wanted to die.

  Haruka turned to Hime and Hana. Hana was covering her mouth, eyes wide. Hime was pinching the bridge of her nose.

  "...Haruka," Hime sighed.

  Haruka raised her hands in defense. "HE MOVED TOO FAST."

  Hime closed her eyes. "...Just sit down."

  Haruka fled to the nearest table, burying her face in her hands.

  Hana patted her back. "Well… it wasn’t that bad."

  Haruka groaned. "I want to leave."

  Hime sat down beside her. "You made an impact," she said dryly.

  Haruka glared at her. "I hate you both."

  and after that Haruka still had to stay and endure herself until the Ball concluded. but one thing that is certain in Haruka’s mind “I hate these things” but she knows deep down that this is her role as the royal princess. She and her sister already pour all they have to defeat Zankoku and it’s time for them to celebrate. No matter how ridiculous she felt about this ball she will endure it.

  For now. Just for now.

  Hi Kryssa Here! if you enjoy the story or have any suggestion, question, theories, and favorite moments please let me know in the comment section!

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  I Hope you enjoy the story!