Chapter 223 - The Duke and The Earl's 2nd Daughter

"Come out, stop hiding yourself." 

John looked around the room, it was quiet, so quiet that the only sound he could hear was the sound of the breeze as it entered through the open balcony. 

But there was nothing, not a single change in the air, nor did John notice anything different. 

"I know you're here." He said as he closed his eyes 

[Deprehendre] 

Nothing, the only presence he could feel in the room was his and Ariel's. As he faced her direction, he could see the colour of her magic power which remained white. 

John found it strange how even with the normal version of deprehendre, he couldn't feel what sort of aptitude she had. The reason for this was because whenever he would use deprehendre, he would be able to sense a persons aptitude for an element, whether it'd be fire or water. 

But now, her magic power didn't show any aptitude but simply the colour white, did this mean that her aptitude grew? Or did it mean that she lost it? 

"But that doesn't matter right now... What matters now is getting her a place to rest." John muttered as he crouched down 

He picked up Ariel and could feel the warmth of her small body through the dress as he did so. When he did, he placed his forehead on hers to check her temperature as both of his hands were occupied with carrying her. 

[She's burning up... Sana.] 

As he moved her to his back, he activated Sana on them to make it so that, the pain she was feeling would weaken 

"What do I..." 

John looked around once more before realising something 

"That's right, Master!" 

With Ariel on his back, John left the room and began heading back the same way he had come from. He made sure to keep furtim active so that no one would notice them. 

[I need to find Master and Sylvia... There's no point in staying any longer.] 

-------------------------- 

"Where... Why aren't there any safe places?" Serena asked 

The boy who John had left for her was asleep on her back and she hadn't a clue where to put him. 

As she stood in front of one of the rooms near the hallway, she could feel herself being watched. As she turned to the source, the feeling disappeared. 

Seeing this, Serena let out a sigh tightening her grip around the boy as he slept around her back. 

She then continued to walk, waiting for an opportunity to strike if anything happened. Despite being arrogant at times, she was a veteran adventurer and possessed high levels of magic combat power. 

"If you want to try something, just try it." She muttered 

Suddenly, the light in the main hall let out and a single light remained pointing at the top of the stair case in the main hall 

"Good afternoon everyone!" 

An old brown-haired man with a trimmed beard on his chin. His big frame was the result of training rather than simply eating along and he had the air of a friendly person around him. A man who appeared to be on his 50s or 60s 

A large smile was formed on his face as he made his announcement with a cup of wine on his hand. 

Beside him stood a man who appeared to be slightly younger than him. A normal frame yet it still looked trained, along with a sharp and keen air. 

He wore glasses on his face and had a shaved blonde beard around his mouth. A man who appeared to be in his 40s 

In front of the two men stood a young girl with long silky hair which reached her waist. Half of the hair was blonde while the other half was blue around the waist. 

She had a gentle air and m.a.t.u.r.e air around her as she maintained a smile on her face. 

"Thank you all for coming today, I'm sure I've kept you waiting long and I do apologise for that. There were a few inconveniences but we've dealt with them. More importantly, today is the day we introduce the earl's 2nd daughter. Keira Von Courtenay " 

Seeing this, most began clapping and stopped shortly after the brown haired man raised his hand 

"She has just turned 14 and has many respectable traits which even I admire about her. I hope you've all enjoyed so far, there are many things I'd like to say but I'd rather maintain my title as a man of few words." 

Many of the nobles laughed at his little Joke and in that moment. People began muttering amongst each other while Lydia, Zakaragi and Tiana quietly watched. 

"Dad, duke and sis..." Zakaragi muttered 

"Well then, are there any words you'd like to say?" The duke asked the young girl 

Hearing this, she nodded before clearing her throat to try and project her voice across the room, something the man next to her had just done. 

"Thank you all for coming, I hope you've enjoyed the event so far and continue to enjoy it! That is all." 

After she was finished, everyone began clapping, and the duke gave her the sign that she could go down the stairs. 

And as she did, music began playing in the background. It was gentle yet loud enough to be heard throughout the whole hall. 

He then asked her to dance and she quickly accepted. 

"It's like watching a play... I'm not sure how to feel about it since my sister is the main character..." Zakaragi muttered 

He then looked towards Tiana who looked really interested in the dance, but tried her to hide it. 

"Will you dance with me?" Zakaragi asked as he extended his arm