The orchestra continued playing beneath oceans of golden light.
Violins flowed softly through the grand hall while nobles moved gracefully across polished marble floors, their reflections stretching beneath crystal chandeliers like fragments of another world. Laughter drifted gently between conversations, mixing with the scent of expensive wine, perfume, candle wax, and blooming night flowers carried inward from the open balconies.
The feast had reached its most beautiful point.
And perhaps—
Its most dangerous.
Because now emotions had begun interfering with politics.
At the center of the ballroom—
Kel and Duchess Seraphine continued dancing beneath the warm chandelier glow.
The nobles surrounding them watched carefully while pretending not to stare. Some whispered behind crystal glasses. Others silently recalculated House Veil's importance again.
Because one thing had become impossible to ignore tonight.
Duchess Seraphine was genuinely interested in Heral.
Not merely curious.
Interested.
And in Southern politics—
That distinction could change entire territories.
Seraphine's emerald dress flowed elegantly around her as Kel guided her smoothly across the dance floor. Golden light shimmered against her pale skin while loose silver-blonde strands occasionally brushed against her shoulders with each graceful turn.
Outwardly—
She remained composed.
Elegant.
Untouchable.
But internally—
Her heartbeat had betrayed her several minutes ago already.
Every time Kel's hand tightened slightly against her waist during the dance…
Warmth spread through her chest unexpectedly.
And every time she met his calm eyes—
She found herself looking away first.
Something that almost never happened.
Sairen's voice echoed softly through the soul-link.
This time openly amused.
"…You broke the terrifying Duchess."
Kel remained calm externally.
"She is simply unaccustomed to uncertainty."
Far away—
At Scarder Lake—
Sairen laughed softly while silver mist drifted endlessly around her.
"…No."
A faint pause.
"…She likes you too much already."
Kel ignored that statement entirely.
Because currently—
His attention had already shifted elsewhere.
Toward the larger objective.
As the dance continued, his gaze briefly moved across the ballroom.
And immediately—
He spotted Landon.
Still dancing with Duke Altair's daughter.
The young noblewoman's crimson dress spun elegantly beneath the chandeliers while Landon maintained composed movements guiding her through the slow orchestral rhythm.
Unlike Seraphine—
The Duke's daughter appeared openly happier now.
Relaxed.
Comfortable.
The earlier restraint and nervousness had vanished completely.
And Landon himself—
Despite maintaining noble composure—
Looked significantly less tense than earlier political conversations.
Kel watched them quietly for several moments.
Then finally spoke softly toward Seraphine.
"Your Grace."
Seraphine slowly lifted her eyes toward him again.
Still avoiding prolonged eye contact instinctively.
"Yes?"
Kel's voice remained calm.
Gentle.
Almost regretful.
"May we leave the dance now?"
Seraphine blinked faintly.
A strange small disappointment appeared within her chest before she could stop it.
"…Already?"
The question escaped softer than intended.
Kel noticed immediately.
But pretended not to.
"I need to remind my lord…"
His gaze shifted subtly toward Landon.
"…that tonight is also a business gathering."
Seraphine followed his gaze.
And immediately saw Landon still dancing with Altair's daughter beneath the golden lights.
A faint amused smile appeared on her lips.
"…I see."
Kel continued calmly.
"If I do not stop him now…"
A slight trace of amusement entered his voice.
"…he may continue dancing until sunrise."
Seraphine softly laughed.
A real laugh again.
Smooth and elegant like flowing velvet.
"You are surprisingly strict toward him."
Kel answered immediately.
"Someone has to be."
Sairen's voice echoed instantly.
"…Says the man who caused this entire situation."
Kel ignored her completely.
Again.
The music gradually slowed toward the end of the current melody.
And eventually—
Kel guided Seraphine gently toward the edge of the ballroom.
The surrounding nobles subtly parted for them instinctively.
Still watching.
Still whispering.
As they stepped away from the center dance floor, several servants immediately approached respectfully.
Kel's expression shifted subtly now.
The warmth from earlier vanished.
And once again—
He became calm calculation hidden beneath politeness.
"Guide Her Grace…"
His voice remained composed.
"…and the honored Dukes to the second floor conference chamber."
The servants immediately bowed deeply.
"As you command, Mister Heral."
Nearby nobles subtly reacted hearing that.
Because the business discussions were finally beginning.
Kel continued smoothly.
"Also invite the selected noble representatives and merchant families previously listed by Lord Landon."
The attendants nodded quickly.
"And everyone else?"
One servant asked carefully.
Kel glanced briefly toward the still lively ballroom where music continued beneath endless chandeliers.
Nobles laughed.
Couples danced.
Wine flowed endlessly.
Then he answered calmly.
"Let them continue enjoying the party."
A faint pause followed.
"…The less important guests should remain entertained downstairs."
The servant immediately understood.
The true negotiations upstairs would not involve everyone.
Only those with actual value.
Exactly as planned.
Sairen's voice echoed softly.
"…You divide people naturally."
Kel's gaze remained fixed toward the ballroom.
"Every gathering already has divisions."
A brief pause.
"I merely make them visible."
Far away—
Sairen quietly wondered again how someone so young could think like this so naturally.
Meanwhile—
The ballroom itself had begun subtly shifting.
Experienced nobles immediately noticed movement among servants and high-ranking guests.
The important meeting was starting.
Which meant tonight's true purpose was finally approaching.
Duke Altair stood first from his seat near the ballroom edge, his massive military presence immediately drawing attention once more.
Duchess Seraphine gracefully followed beside him, expression calm once again despite the lingering warmth still hidden beneath her chest.
And finally—
Duke Kael Draven slowly rose from shadow near the far side of the hall.
The moment he moved—
The atmosphere tightened instinctively.
Even after years away from politics, his presence still carried frightening weight.
One by one—
Selected nobles quietly began leaving the ballroom guided by attendants toward the second floor.
Merchant lords.
Military Counts.
Influential aristocrats.
Those with value.
Those capable of contributing.
Those worth involving.
And below—
The rest continued dancing without fully understanding the scale of what was about to happen above them.
Kel watched all of it calmly for several moments.
Then finally—
He turned.
And walked back toward the center ballroom.
Toward Landon.
The orchestra shifted into another slow melody while Landon guided Duke Altair's daughter through another graceful turn beneath the chandeliers.
She smiled softly up at him.
Comfortable now.
Trusting.
And unfortunately for him—
Entirely unaware that his moment of peace was about to end.
Kel stopped several meters away.
Watching silently.
Then finally—
He spoke.
"My lord."
Landon instantly recognized the tone.
Not Heral.
Not friend.
Not companion.
Strategist.
Landon's expression shifted immediately despite still dancing.
And Kel calmly delivered the fatal sentence.
"The party phase has ended."
A slight pause followed.
"It is time to act like a lord again."