The grand ballroom continued buzzing with music and noble conversation—
until the main entrance doors opened once again.
Several nobles instinctively turned toward the sound.
Then the entire atmosphere shifted slightly.
Vinson entered first alongside his son, Leo.
And beside them—
walked Mia.
Instantly—
eyes followed her across the ballroom.
Whispers spread almost immediately among nearby nobles.
"…That's her?"
"The black dragon…"
"She looks younger than I expected…"
"No wonder the reports were confused…"
Even nobles from foreign kingdoms stared openly now.
Because the contrast was difficult to process.
A young-looking girl in an elegant black dress.
Beautiful enough to stand out effortlessly.
Yet carrying the presence of something clearly not human.
The obsidian necklace resting against her chest only added to the mysterious atmosphere surrounding her.
Mia immediately noticed the staring.
And internally?
…Yep.
This is exactly why I preferred sleeping in barns.
Leo leaned slightly closer while trying not to laugh.
"You're causing emotional damage again."
Mia elbow Leo.
"Quiet."
Across the ballroom—
Princess Selene had already noticed her arrival.
Golden eyes quietly studied Mia for a brief moment.
Carefully.
Then Selene smiled faintly before gracefully approaching.
Several nearby nobles immediately became more attentive.
Even General Aerys subtly watched from the distance while holding his wine glass.
Selene stopped before Mia elegantly.
"You must be Mia."
Her tone remained warm and polite.
"I have heard quite a lot about you."
Mia blinked once.
Still slightly unused to noble conversations.
"…Mm."
A small pause.
"…Thanks?"
Leo nearly lost composure beside her.
Selene's smile widened slightly in amusement.
"Oh."
She lightly touched her chest.
"Where are my manners?"
Then she inclined her head gracefully.
"My name is Selene."
"I am from the Kingdom of Norvoss."
Her golden eyes met Mia's blue ones directly.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you…"
A faint pause followed.
"…Lady Dark Flame."
Meanwhile from across the ballroom—
Ebruhan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Because Selene's approach looked polite.
Friendly even.
But he knew better.
Princess Selene did not approach people without reason.
Mia shifted slightly beneath the attention surrounding them before giving a small nod.
"…Nice to meet you too, Princess."
Despite answering calmly outwardly—
internally?
…Damn.
This woman is absurdly beautiful.
Mia had seen celebrities in her previous world.
Models. Actors. Internet idols.
But Princess Selene somehow carried a completely different kind of presence.
Not just beauty.
Control.
Confidence.
The kind of elegance that made entire rooms unconsciously pay attention when she moved.
Which honestly felt a little unfair.
Selene smiled gently at Mia's response.
Then her gaze subtly examined her again.
Not rudely.
Carefully.
"It is rare," Selene said smoothly, "to see a dragon this young already acting as a battle dragon."
Several nearby nobles listened carefully now.
Because that wasn't merely casual conversation.
Mia noticed it too.
Still—
she answered honestly.
"Well…"
She awkwardly scratched her cheek slightly.
"…It was kinda my choice, sooo… yeah."
Leo immediately looked like he was fighting for his life not to laugh beside her.
The difference between Selene's refined elegance and Mia's casual dragon energy was almost painful.
Surprisingly though—
Selene didn't look offended at all.
If anything—
she seemed amused.
"How unusual."
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly with interest.
"Most young dragons are heavily protected."
Mia immediately thought of:
Abyss training
getting blasted through mountains
Ebruhan nearly dying
Varkryth existing
And internally concluded:
…My life has been the opposite of protected.
Across the ballroom, Ebruhan quietly watched the conversation while remaining beside the king.
His posture stayed relaxed.
But his attention never left Selene for long.
Before the conversation could continue further, Vinson stepped forward politely.
"Excuse us, Princess."
His tone remained respectful.
Careful.
Because regardless of appearances—
standing before them was still royalty from Kingdom of Norvoss.
Princess Selene smiled gracefully and inclined her head slightly.
"Of course."
"Please enjoy the evening."
Vinson nodded once before guiding Mia and Leo further into the ballroom.
As they walked away, Mia quietly leaned toward Leo.
"…Why does talking to nobles feel like sword fighting?"
Leo whispered back instantly.
"Because it is."
Meanwhile Selene calmly watched them leave for a brief moment.
Thoughtful.
Interested.
Then—
another noble figure approached her.
A young prince from a smaller foreign kingdom.
Well dressed.
Confident.
And very visibly attempting to seize an opportunity.
He bowed elegantly before extending one hand.
"Princess Selene."
A practiced smile formed on his face.
"May I have the honor of dancing with you tonight?"
Nearby nobles subtly paid attention immediately.
Because Selene had become one of the center points of the ballroom ever since arriving.
The prince clearly understood that.
Selene looked at the offered hand for exactly one second.
Then smiled politely.
"I would refuse."
Silence.
The prince froze slightly.
Several nearby nobles almost choked on their drinks.
Because she hadn't:
hesitated
softened the rejection
pretended consideration
Just:
denied.
Politely. Directly. Instantly.
The prince forced an awkward laugh.
"…I see."
Selene's smile remained elegant.
"I did not attend tonight for dancing."
Translation?
Everyone nearby immediately understood.
She came for observation.
The prince retreated with wounded pride shortly afterward while pretending dignity still existed.
Meanwhile from across the ballroom—
Aerys quietly took another sip of wine like this outcome had been completely predictable.
After putting some distance between themselves and Princess Selene, Mia finally spoke quietly.
"…Why does everyone look so nervous around her?"
She glanced back toward Selene, who was currently speaking calmly with another noble as though nothing unusual was happening.
"She seemed polite."
Vinson looked toward her for a moment.
Then sighed lightly.
"That is because you do not fully know who she is yet."
Mia blinked.
Vinson's expression became more serious afterward.
"The Kingdom of Norvoss is not simply powerful."
"It is expanding."
"Rapidly."
As he spoke, Mia noticed several foreign nobles occasionally glancing toward Selene with carefully hidden tension.
Vinson continued quietly.
"Over the last few years, multiple kingdoms have fallen under Norvoss conquest."
"Some surrendered."
"Others resisted."
"And lost."
Leo folded his arms slightly beside them.
"The scary part isn't just their military strength," he added.
"It's how efficient they are."
Vinson nodded once.
"Princess Selene herself is considered one of the kingdom's greatest strategic minds."
Mia looked surprised immediately.
"…Really?"
Vinson gave a small grim smile.
"She predicts wars several steps ahead."
"She studies alliances, terrain, economics, supply routes…"
"She rarely acts without preparation."
Mia slowly looked back toward Selene again.
The elegant princess laughed softly at something another noble said.
Completely calm.
Completely graceful.
And somehow—
that became more unsettling after hearing all this.
Vinson lowered his voice slightly afterward.
"Some kingdoms fell before realizing they were already trapped."
That sentence made Mia pause.
Because that didn't sound like brute-force conquest anymore.
That sounded calculated.
Then Vinson's gaze shifted elsewhere within the ballroom.
Toward a certain man calmly drinking wine near one of the pillars.
General Aerys.
Even while standing casually—
he still carried enough presence that nearby nobles unconsciously kept distance from him.
Vinson pointed subtly.
"And that man…"
"…is General Aerys."
Mia looked toward him curiously.
"The highest-ranking military commander of Norvoss."
"He has survived more battlefields than most men survive winters."
Leo quietly added:
"Academy instructors talk about him sometimes."
Vinson nodded again.
"They say he once held a fortress against overwhelming numbers for days."
"And another time…"
"…he continued commanding after being severely wounded."
Mia blinked slowly.
"…What?"
Vinson's gaze narrowed slightly.
"Many kingdoms fear Princess Selene's mind."
Then he glanced toward Aerys again.
"But soldiers…"
"…fear the man carrying out those plans."
At that exact moment—
Aerys casually noticed them looking.
Their eyes briefly met.
And despite standing inside a ballroom full of music and nobles—
Mia suddenly understood something instinctively.
That man was dangerous.
As the royal ball continued beneath the golden glow of chandeliers, the atmosphere gradually softened once more.
Music flowed through the grand hall.
Nobles resumed conversations.
Wine glasses clinked gently across the ballroom while dancers moved elegantly across polished marble floors.
Then—
the music slowly lowered.
Attention shifted toward the royal platform.
King Cedric rose from his seat calmly, his presence immediately drawing the focus of the entire hall.
Even foreign nobles quieted respectfully.
Beside him, Ebruhan remained standing watchfully near the throne, golden eyes still scanning the ballroom despite the peaceful atmosphere.
King Cedric lifted his glass slightly.
"It is an honor," he began warmly, his voice carrying clearly throughout the massive hall, "to welcome everyone who attended this beautiful gathering tonight."
Several nobles raised their glasses respectfully.
Cedric's gaze slowly swept across the ballroom.
Toward allied kingdoms.
Foreign representatives.
Visiting nobles.
And briefly—
toward the delegation of Kingdom of Norvoss.
"May the bonds between our nations continue to grow."
"May trust remain strong."
"May loyalty endure."
"And may friendship outlast conflict."
The speech sounded noble and sincere on the surface.
But many experienced rulers and diplomats understood what he was truly saying.
Peace.
Stability.
Unity.
A subtle reminder directed toward every kingdom present.
Especially those expanding through conquest.
Across the ballroom, Princess Selene listened quietly while holding her wine glass elegantly.
Her expression remained calm.
Unreadable.
Meanwhile General Aerys stood silently nearby like an unmoving fortress.
Several nobles applauded after the king's speech.
Soon the ballroom filled with applause and raised glasses once more.
"To His Majesty!"
"To peace!"
"To Lumeris!"
Yet beneath the celebration—
political tension still quietly lingered beneath the music like an unseen blade.
The royal ball continued beneath shimmering golden lights as music and conversation blended together across the massive ballroom.
Laughter echoed softly.
Wine flowed endlessly.
Dancers moved gracefully across polished marble while nobles discussed politics hidden beneath smiles and compliments.
Near one of the towering palace windows, Princess Selene stepped beside General Aerys, who still held a wine glass calmly in one hand.
Even in formal attire—
the general still looked like he belonged on a battlefield.
Selene glanced toward the ballroom with faint amusement.
"Such a wonderful gathering, isn't it, General?"
Her golden eyes shimmered beneath the chandelier light.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
Aerys took a slow sip before answering.
"As much as a soldier can enjoy this kind of event, my princess."
Selene smiled slightly.
"So not at all?"
"I did not say that."
His tone remained calm as always.
"We are simply inside foreign territory…"
His sharp gaze swept subtly across the ballroom.
"…surrounded by foreign people."
Selene gave a soft laugh.
"And yet…"
She looked toward him sideways.
"You still follow me everywhere without trusting others."
Aerys answered immediately.
"It is my life's duty to ensure no harm reaches you, Princess."
No hesitation.
No dramatics.
Just absolute certainty.
Selene's smile softened faintly at that response before her attention drifted elsewhere across the ballroom.
Toward Mia.
Currently—
the young black dragon looked completely overwhelmed.
Several foreign nobles had surrounded her with endless questions..
Mia looked one question away from mentally escaping through a window.
"…Can dragons eat spicy food, or gems?"
"…How large are black dragons usually?"
"…Is it true dragon eyes glow during battle?"
Mia internally:
I miss barns.
Nearby, Leo was visibly trying not to laugh while occasionally rescuing her from conversations.
Princess Selene continued watching the ballroom quietly.
More specifically—
she watched the two dragons within it.
One standing proudly near the throne like a guardian watching over the kingdom.
The other awkwardly trapped in noble conversations while internally suffering.
An amusing contrast.
Selene swirled the wine gently inside her glass before speaking.
"What do you think of the two dragons, General?"
Beside her, General Aerys remained silent for a brief moment.
His sharp eyes moved first toward Ebruhan.
Then toward Mia.
Only afterward did he answer.
"To my knowledge?"
His voice stayed calm and measured.
"I would never underestimate dragons."
"Regardless of how they appear."
Selene glanced toward him slightly.
Aerys continued.
"The blue dragon is experienced."
"A veteran."
"His awareness has not dropped even once since we entered this palace."
Indeed—
even while standing motionless near the throne, Ebruhan's gaze continuously monitored:
exits
guards
nobles
movements
Aerys noticed all of it.
Then his attention shifted toward Mia again.
"And the black dragon…"
A slight pause followed.
"…is still developing."
Selene listened carefully.
"But," Aerys added calmly, "young dragons are often the most unpredictable."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Especially black dragons."
Across the ballroom, Mia accidentally made another noble flinch by answering a question too honestly.
"…Well one time I pierced the red dragon shield and make him angry....."
Several nobles stared in awe.
"How interesting," Selene murmured softly.
Aerys remained expressionless.
But inwardly—
he agreed.
Princess Selene continued observing the ballroom quietly as music echoed through the palace hall.
Elegant nobles.
Foreign dignitaries.
Guards stationed carefully around entrances.
And dragons watching over everything like living fortresses.
On the surface—
Kingdom of Lumeris looked strong.
Stable.
Safe.
Selene took another slow sip of wine.
Then spoke softly enough that only General Aerys could hear.
"Such a wonderful kingdom."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"And yet…"
Her golden eyes slowly drifted across the ballroom again.
"…I can already see flaws."
Aerys turned his gaze toward her immediately.
"…Princess?"
Selene's expression remained calm.
Almost thoughtful.
"Their military strength is impressive."
"Their alliances are respectable."
"The dragons alone discourage most invasions."
Her gaze briefly lingered on Ebruhan.
"Especially him."
Then she looked elsewhere.
Toward the nobles.
The servants.
The conversations.
"Their weakness," she murmured softly, "is comfort."
Aerys listened silently.
Selene continued:
"They have enjoyed stability for too long."
"Too much trust."
"Too much peace."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"People grow slower when they believe danger is distant."
Meanwhile across the ballroom, several nobles laughed freely while speaking with foreign guests.
Completely unaware they were being analyzed like battlefield formations.
Selene's gaze then drifted toward Mia again.
"The young black dragon is emotionally attached to this kingdom."
"Which is both strength…"
A small pause followed.
"…and weakness."
Aerys finally spoke carefully.
"You are already studying invasion paths."
Selene smiled faintly.
"I study everything."
Then her gaze shifted toward the palace architecture itself.
Entrances.
Guard rotations.
Noble behavior.
Political atmosphere.
Even servant movement patterns.
To most people?
It looked like a princess casually enjoying a royal ball.
To Aerys?
She was already mapping the kingdom in her head.
General Aerys remained standing calmly beside Princess Selene while the royal ball continued around them.
Music echoed softly.
Laughter drifted through the hall.
Yet their corner of the ballroom felt strangely separate from the celebration itself.
Aerys looked toward Selene briefly before lowering his head slightly.
"I would never doubt your judgment, Princess."
Simple words.
But spoken with absolute sincerity.
Selene glanced toward him with faint amusement.
"That loyal?"
Aerys answered immediately.
"You were raised to lead Norvoss."
"And I was raised to ensure that leadership survives."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
No flattery either.
Just conviction forged through years of service and war.
Selene's golden eyes softened slightly for a brief moment.
Rare.
Because very few people around her spoke with such direct honesty.
Most feared her.
Others admired her.
But Aerys?
He simply trusted her.
Completely.
Princess Selene gently swirled the wine in her glass before glancing sideways toward General Aerys.
"Is there truly nothing you enjoy more than quietly drinking wine, General?"
A faint teasing smile appeared on her lips.
"Come now. Relax a little."
"The food here is excellent."
Aerys remained silent briefly.
Then surprisingly—
he answered.
"…There is one thing."
Selene raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh?"
Aerys' gaze shifted across the ballroom.
Toward Ebruhan, who still stood near the royal platform observing the gathering carefully.
"I would like to speak with Ebruhan."
Selene looked mildly interested now.
Aerys continued calmly.
"It has been quite some time since I last spoke with another truly great warrior."
That answer alone said a lot
Selene's smile deepened faintly.
"I believe I can arrange that."
Without hesitation, she began walking toward King Cedric.
Immediately nearby guards stiffened instinctively as she approached the royal platform.
Even politely—
the Princess of Norvoss moving directly toward the king naturally caused tension.
But Cedric calmly raised one hand slightly.
Stand down.
The guards obeyed immediately.
Selene gave a graceful bow of her head.
"Your Majesty."
Cedric nodded courteously.
"Princess Selene."
"My general," she said smoothly, "has expressed interest in speaking with your protector."
Her golden eyes briefly shifted toward Ebruhan.
"It seems warriors occasionally understand one another better away from politics."
The king studied her quietly for a moment.
Then finally nodded.
"…Very well."
Beside him, Ebruhan's eyes narrowed slightly.
But after a brief silence—
he stepped forward.
Across the ballroom, Aerys approached calmly.
The two men stopped before one another.
One dragon.
One human.
And despite their differences—
the pressure both carried felt strangely similar.
Aerys spoke first.
"Perhaps somewhere quieter?"
His eyes briefly moved toward the crowded ballroom.
"It is rather loud here for conversation."
Ebruhan studied him carefully.
Then nodded once.
"…Very well then."
Before leaving, Aerys glanced once toward Selene.
No words exchanged.
Yet she immediately understood.
Selene gave a small nod in return.
Permission.
Trust.
Acknowledgment.
Then—
Aerys and Ebruhan walked together out of the grand ballroom under countless watching eyes.
Several nobles visibly grew nervous seeing:
Lumeris' protector
Norvoss' greatest general
leaving together alone.
Meanwhile outside the palace halls, cool night air greeted them as Ebruhan led Aerys toward the royal gardens.
Moonlight bathed the royal gardens in pale silver as the distant sounds of the ballroom faded behind them.
Only the soft flow of fountains and the quiet rustling of night wind remained.
Ebruhan walked calmly along the stone path, his hands behind his back while General Aerys followed beside him.
Neither spoke immediately.
Two experienced warriors rarely rushed conversations.
Finally, Ebruhan broke the silence first.
"What exactly is your reason for wanting to speak with me, Aerys?"
His golden eyes shifted slightly toward the general.
"Surely this is not merely casual conversation."
Aerys gave a faint nod.
"Correct."
The general's gaze drifted briefly toward the moonlit gardens ahead.
"…Curiosity."
Ebruhan remained silent, allowing him to continue.
Aerys folded his arms calmly.
"I have heard much about you over the years."
"The Great Protector of Lumeris."
"The blue dragon who guards an entire kingdom."
"The warrior who survived countless battles."
His eyes shifted toward Ebruhan directly now.
"And the dragon whose loyalty to his kingdom became legendary."
Ebruhan's expression barely changed.
But internally?
He understood immediately.
This was not admiration.
This was evaluation.
Aerys continued calmly.
"Stories about warriors are often exaggerated."
"But yours…"
A brief pause followed.
"…were strangely consistent."
The fountain water echoed softly nearby.
Ebruhan gave a faint exhale through his nose.
"That almost sounds like praise."
Aerys answered immediately.
"It is respect."
Ebruhan glanced toward him briefly afterward.
"…Most humans fear dragons."
Aerys looked ahead calmly.
"Most humans have never stood near one long enough to understand them."
That answer actually made Ebruhan slightly interested now.
Because fear usually came first with humans.
Not observation.
The blue dragon studied Aerys more carefully under the moonlight.
The calm posture.
Measured breathing.
Controlled awareness.
This man truly had battlefield experience.
Not noble fantasies of war.
Real war.
Finally, Ebruhan spoke again...