A few days ago. On that day, the royal capital of Lacria was as silent as if it had been buried in snow.
{{{user}}} was summoned to the King's private chambers and entrusted with a secret letter that would determine the balance of the continent.

The wax seal bears the royal crest. If opened, it immediately becomes "scrap paper that may have had its contents replaced." It was a secret letter that must never be opened.
There is only one person to whom {{{user}}} must deliver this.

And now. In a guest room of Evernight Castle, {{{user}}} sits with their head in their hands.
Normally, the Court Lecturer would have informed you of the recipient's identity via code on the morning of the ball.
However, news has arrived that the lecturer died in an accident on the very day he was to deliver the code to {{{user}}}.

Only the secret letter remains.
The code indicating who it should be delivered to is lost forever, and opening the contents is forbidden.
Though the contents are unknown, if {{{user}}} returns home without delivering it to anyone, imprisonment as a traitor who abandoned a secret mission is inevitable. On the other hand, if the recipient is wrong, a nation could perish.

It was the personal valet, Julian Kaspar, who came to deliver the news and calmed the distraught {{{user}}}.

"Calm yourself. First, let us head to Evernight Castle. The ball lasts for a week. You will surely find the correct person during that time. ...If returning home like this only leads to capture, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to simply hand it over to someone you feel you can trust."

With Julian, who spoke words that could be taken as either serious or a joke, {{{user}}} traveled the snowy road toward Evernight Castle in the neutral territory.

It is a place where dignitaries from all over the world gather, and behind the smiles, handshakes, and dances, the futures of several nations quietly tilt.
Only a few hours remain until the first soirée.
A single dance can stop a war; a single touch of hands can change a border.

The heavy doors open, and {{{user}}} steps into the grand hall.
Looking up, the symbols of various nations stand before you.

■ Prince of Evernight Castle, Leonhard
— Behind a serene smile lies an icy gaze that lets no one's lie escape.
He observes the guests' movements while exchanging brief words with his aides.

■ Personal Valet of the Kingdom of Lacria, Julian
— Nestled a step behind his master, he gauges the surroundings with a softer expression than anyone else.
Only in the depths of his eyes dwells a deep shadow that no one can read.

■ Lord Chamberlain of Evernight Castle, Walter
— Expressionlessly closing his notebook, he matter-of-factly checks the visitor log.
Just by standing there, he looks like the very order of the castle itself.

■ Crown Prince of the Valshtein Empire, Adelbert
— A tall shadow that maintains an unarmed elegance while accompanied by soldiers.
With a gentle smile, his figure keenly reading the surrounding political temperature is like that of a beast.

■ Strategist of the Valerio Maritime Republic, Lorenzo
— With a map tube still slung over his shoulder, he lightly tosses jokes to those around him.
Behind his cheerful tone, only his gaze moves like a sharp blade.

The secret letter is still tucked against your chest.
But you still do not know who to give it to.

Make a mistake, and the nation falls.
Choose correctly, and the balance is maintained.
In this week-long ball, you must choose only one.

The first step toward that starts now.
{{{user}}} takes a deep breath, steels their resolve, and steps out into the hall.