The approaching young man wore a suit similar to Leon's, though in a grey colour scheme, accented with touches of gold that matched the tone of his blonde hair.
"Lord Leon," he said as he got close, and Leon responded with a polite smile.
"Good evening, Lord Jonathon. It's been a while."
"Yes indeed, it's been a while," the young man, Jonathon Doyle, replied. "I received word of your attendance rather late."
Leon exhaled softly, casting a glance at those around them who were clearly straining to listen in on his conversation with Jonathon, before replying, "I initially thought I'd be unable to attend this year as I was held up in Asteau. However, matters concluded far sooner than expected, so I was free to come, but as a result, my notice arrived late. I hope you'll forgive that small blunder."
Jonathon immediately waved his hands at Leon's words. "No, no, don't worry about it, Lord Leon. Your presence is very much welcome."
After that, Jonathon turned his gaze to Camellya, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.
"The Lady is…?"
He trailed off there, and at that, Leon immediately gestured and spoke.
"Ah, yes, please meet my associate, Lady Camellya Seradain. Lady Camellya, Baron Jonathon Doyle."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Baron," Camellya said with a light curtsy.
Jonathan returned her greeting with a polite smile, his curiosity toward her as clear as day.
After going through the possible questions he could ask, he chose the most polite and least intrusive one, but before he could speak, a butler quickly hurried up to him.
"My Lord, there is a matter that requires your presence."
Jonathon's words caught in his throat, and he turned a cold gaze toward the butler who had interrupted him. However, he quickly noticed the crest displayed on the screen of the smartwatch the butler wore and instantly understood that it was indeed something that required his attention.
The Heir of a Duchy had arrived, after all.
He turned back toward Leon with a regretful look.
"I would have very much liked to speak with you longer, Lord Leon. Unfortunately, as host of tonight's event, I must attend to my duties."
"Don't worry about it, Lord Jonathon," Leon replied, waving his hand lightly in response. "The night is still young. We'll have plenty of chances to talk."
He shook Jonathon's hand once more, after which the man quickly headed toward the entrance.
Leon then turned to Camellya, taking her empty glass and placing it on the tray of a passing waiter.
"Now then, do you want to stand around and be bombarded with questions from everyone watching us like hawks, or would you rather avoid them with a dance?" he said, extending his hand toward her.
Naturally, Camellya chose the latter without hesitation.
"Both sound like hell, but the second option sounds like a much higher level of hell."
Leon chuckled at her response as he led her toward the edge of the dance floor, and upon noticing them, the conductor of the orchestra immediately gave a signal, and the volume of the ambient music began to gradually rise.
◇ ◇ ◇
While Leon and Camellya gradually became the centre of the ballroom, outside, Jonathon was greeting the young woman who entered through the mansion's wide-open doors with a light bow.
"Good evening, Lady Louise."
He extended his hand toward her, which she accepted, and after pressing a light kiss to the back of her palm, he spoke.
"The Doyle estate is honoured by your presence, Lady Louise. I hope your journey here was comfortable."
"Yes, thank you," Louise responded, her hand brushing some of her glossy black hair behind her ear, revealing gold-encrusted earrings that caught the light.
She was on the taller side for a young woman her age, with a slim build, shoulder-length black hair, and brown eyes that matched the tone of her skin.
The dark blue dress she wore had a straight neckline and long sleeves ending at her wrists, the waist fitted before flowing into a floor-length skirt with a slight trailing hem.
"Would you like to enter the hall? The party is already in full swing," Jonathon said, gesturing toward the closed ballroom doors.
Louise, however, shook her head lightly.
"No, I was a bit busy before coming here, so I'm fairly tired. I'd like to rest for a bit before I—"
Her words were interrupted by a ping from the phone in her purse, and when she glanced at her watch synced with it, the message that appeared on the display made her eyes widen.
The woman's gaze snapped up to Jonathon as she asked, "Leon is here?"
"Ah, yes. Lord Leon is present. He arrived not long ago."
Hearing Jonathon's response, Louise swiped across her watch screen, dismissing the notification before speaking again.
"I changed my mind. I'll enter the ballroom now."
"Well then, may I accompany you inside?" Jonathon asked.
Louise took his extended hand in response, and Jonathon immediately shot a glance toward the chamberlain, who had already activated his microphone and begun the announcement.
[Representing House Bauer, Countess Louise Bauer!]
As the doors opened and the two stepped in, Louise's eyes immediately scanned the hall for the figure she wanted to see, spotting him within seconds at the centre of the dance floor.
'Wait, the dance floor?'
Louise blinked in surprise at the realisation, and just then, the target of her gaze turned around, and she caught sight of the face of the woman with him.
"Who is she?" Louise asked, and Jonathon, instantly tracing her gaze toward the dance floor, quickly answered.
"I'm afraid I don't know anything besides her name. I only just heard that when you arrived."
"Is that so…?"
Louise studied the dancing pair in silence for a moment before letting go of Jonathon's hand.
"Thank you for your assistance."
With those words, she immediately began walking toward the centre of the dance floor, her steps timed in such a manner that she arrived before Leon and Camellya right as the music came to a stop.
In those few seconds before the next song started, Louise raised a hand and called out.
"Well, hello there."
"? Louise?!"
Leon immediately let go of Camellya's hands and spread his arms with a bright smile, and Louise, her lips curling up lightly, accepted his hug.
"Good to see you, my dear," Leon said, patting her back lightly before pulling away, and Louise responded with a much brighter smile.
"Good to see you too, Leon. How are you doing?"
"Better than ever before, in more ways than one."
Leon snapped his fingers right after speaking, releasing a short spark of lightning, and seeing the purple colour, Louise's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wait, that…!"
She quickly caught herself and lowered her tone before asking, "Your skill evolved?!"
"Not exactly an evolution, per se," Leon replied. "It's more like it's revealing its real power now that my health is better. I'll tell you all about it later."
Louise nodded once, then turned her gaze to Camellya, who stood beside Leon, a curious expression appearing on her face as she asked, "And who's the fair lady accompanying you today?"
"Haha. Why'd you say it like that?"
"Well, how else would I say it?" Louise asked back with a shrug, and Leon just chuckled before introducing the two ladies.
"This is Lady Camellya Seradain, an associate of mine," Leon said, gesturing lightly toward Camellya. "Camellya, this is Countess Louise Bauer."
Camellya, perfectly concealing the emotions she felt at the sight of Louise behind a calm smile, offered a small, polite nod.
"A pleasure to meet you, Countess."
"The pleasure is mine," Louise replied, studying Camellya for a moment before looking back to Leon.
"There's so much buzz about you two online. I even got tagged in a couple of posts."
"Do well to notify me of the title Camellya gets called by the most," Leon immediately replied, then glanced at Camellya and asked, "Wanna raise the stakes to 50 bucks?"
"You wish," Camellya instantly retorted, earning a laugh from Leon.
Louise slightly narrowed her eyes at the interaction, but only for a moment before quickly returning her expression to normal.
"What stakes are you talking about?"
"Ah, well, you see. Camellya and I have this bet…"
As Leon explained his bet with Camellya to Louise, Camellya silently studied the woman, scanning her from head to toe.
Though this was their first meeting, Camellya already knew of Louise, and she had taken note of her, factoring her into several of her future plans.
After all, in both Deity Rising and its DLC, Raviaz's Revenge, the character 'Louise Bauer' had been the only one who could reasonably be considered Leon's 'love interest'.