[ILLUSTRATION]
The gathering of the nobles was a highly anticipated event for everyone in attendance. It was a time when members of the nobility could come together, show off their wealth and power, and make important connections that could benefit them in the future. For the theme, it was a chance to see and be seen, to impress and be impressed.
Some were there to promote their companies, while others were promoting their children and showing off their accomplishments. Still, others merely enjoyed the event and took in everything around them.
Normally, during the royal family's party, like the prince's birthday party, the main focus would be on him and the queen. However, on this particular day, most of the nobles gathered around one of the nobles who seemed to be taking center stage.
Earl Boldenville.
Clearly, this family was very conspicuous that day and managed to capture everyone's attention. As the gathering continued, it became clear that this noble was someone to be reckoned with, and many were vying for their favor and attention, even some prince came to him.
The earls took turns asking Earl Boldenville about the dress worn by Felicia. In front, they said they wanted to buy the dress for their children and wives, but in their hearts, they wanted to investigate and steal the idea.
However, many, especially girls, asked honestly how to get such a dress. The mass of people overwhelmed Reynold, and he couldn't even touch his food.
"That girl... how dare she overwhelm me like this," Reynold said as he looked at Felicia.
"Don't talk like that; this is an excellent thing for our family," said Ayde.
As his promise to Felicia, since Carla had shown good results, he had to promote it to the nobles, then give the capital to Carla later.
Carla stood near Reynold like an ordinary maid to listen to the nobles' arguments and match their tastes to the clothes she would make later.
Boldenville had intended to hide Carla as a designer in case anything happened to her. But that was probably impossible since her hair color explained everything.
On the prince's side, several men glanced at Alicia from afar to ask her to dance, but she was unapproachable. No single man was in the room who dared to ask Alicia to dance. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman who could literally expand the country. Men would feel low when they were with her, and there was no way they could control her.
As for Harald, he was busy moving from place to place to get food. He was trying to keep himself busy so that the girls would stop asking him to dance and the nobles would stop talking to him. Seeing him like that, Alicia approached him.
"My brother, Harald. Would you like to dance with me?"
Harald's face immediately turned gloomy, then he answered quickly.
"No, there's no way I want to. Everyone will keep looking at the two of us if you do."
"I insist; quick… accept my hand," Alicia said with a frightening smile.
Harald felt a sense of unease creep up his spine seeing his sister's smile broaden, a tell-tale sign that trouble wasn't far behind. She could be brutal when things didn't go her way, and Harald didn't want to risk facing her wrath. Without a word, he acquiesced and took his sister's outstretched hand, giving up for whatever was to come.
The two princes became dance partners. It was a rare thing for people to see back then. So they stopped talking and looked at the two of them.
'uh, everyone is looking at us; how sucks,' Harald thought.
"Sigh... what exactly do you want, little sister?" asked Harald.
"Brother, can you see the dark brown-haired knight to our southeast?" Alicia said. With his abilities as a secret soldier, Harald could glance almost 180 degrees without having to rotate his eyeballs. And he could see the person Alicia was referring to. It was Ivaylo who was in disguise.
"Yeah, what's wrong with him?" asked Harald.
"That person, wearing something that can hide their identity, Please keep an eye on him. He must be planning something, but it's strange; if I were him, I would be doing my plan while we were dancing. This means his goal is not for the princes or the people here. But why is he here?"
"Alright, I'll keep an eye on her. I will also mention this to Captain Fleur."
"Ah, I meant to say it myself earlier. But that's fine; you can tell her."
"Then, what about the other one? I could sense his murderous aura when we all arrived. Does he also have a connection with the person in disguise?" asked Harald.
"I don't know, but most likely not. My conclusion is that the boy has a grudge against one of us. And most likely Leofric. We should focus more on the man in disguise; I have a bad feeling."
"Alright."
.
.
.
Felicia had her first dance with Francis, after which she had two more with other nobles. She intended to stop at the second but had no choice. Right now, she had to promote the dress she was wearing.
'Allen, why is he dancing with Princess Margaret? It can't be Allen who asked her, right?'
At the third dance, she was no longer focused. In her head, she was only thinking about Allen, who she saw giving his hand to the princess.
After finishing the dance, Felicia immediately let go of her partner's hand and headed straight to Rachel's. She wanted to ask Allen about it immediately.
When she arrived at Rachel's, Rachel immediately gave her a handkerchief and asked her to sit down.
"Should I loosen your dress?" Rachel asked.
She would no longer need to dance if she loosened her dress now.
"No, I want to keep this on," said Felicia.
Felicia looked around, and since she didn't see Allen nearby, she thought he was still with the princess, but no, Princess Margaret was talking to the other nobles right now.
"Where's Allen?" asked Felicia.
"He went out for a while and said he wanted some fresh air."
"I see..."
'What is he doing? Doesn't he want to try dancing with me?' Felicia thought irritably.
After a few minutes, Allen didn't show up either; Felicia decided to go outside.
"Well, Lady, I'll report it to Mr. Reynold."
"No need; father will definitely approve; he is currently occupied with business matters."
"Do you intend to go alone?"
"Of course, don't follow me."
Felicia walked out
Rachel could not stop worrying that Felicia would be alone out there. She repeatedly assured herself that everything was safe. Plus, Rachel was sure that Felicia's intention of going out must be because of Allen, so she felt that this was an essential part of the development of their relationship.
The ballroom is located in the southeast of the palace, near the rose garden. That night, the outside of the palace was bright and beautiful. But none of the crystals were lit; the brightness of the night was caused by the two perfectly circular moons in the sky.
As Felicia strolled through the winding paths of the castle, she somehow could feel Allen was somewhere in the area. And then, just a short walk away, she spotted him. Her eyes fixed on the scene before her - Allen was standing by the fountain in the charming center of the rose garden.
Felicia could sense the gravity of the moment, and the way Allen looked at his right palm only heightened her intrigue. She wondered what he was doing there, why he had chosen that particular spot, and what thoughts were racing through his mind.
But as she approached him, all other thoughts lost their significance. There stood Allen, under the bright and silvery glow of the full moon, looking breathtaking. His black hair shone like a black diamond behind the moonlight, and his red eyes glimmered with an intensity that commanded Felicia's attention.
The entire scene looked like something out of a fairytale. The fountain was a gorgeous backdrop, and the moonlight reflected off of its surface, casting a soft luminescence onto Allen's face. And there he stood, almost like a prince from some mythical story, his whole being illuminated by the moon's soft light.
She felt a jolt of surprise and a wave of unfamiliarity. She had known Allen for quite some time now, but it was only at this moment that she felt how drawn she was to him. Every feature of Allen's face seemed more pronounced, more striking - his pretty but rough skin, quite a sharp jawline, and piercing, beautiful red eyes. She couldn't believe she had never noticed before how attractive he was.
As Felicia tried to approach him unnoticed, Allen, who had always been sharpening his sense of his surrounding, immediately picked up on her presence. He turned in her direction, and Felicia saw his face in the moonlight. Then, she saw the man he was - confident, strong, and mysterious. Her heart raced, and she couldn't help but feel a pull toward him. Whether it was his knight's suit, different hairstyle, or the moonlight that intensified his features, Felicia knew that Allen had captured her attention in a way that no one else had before.
No...
Maybe someone has attracted her like that before.
Maybe what made her heart race was not his appearance.
But the situation
It is similar to when she first met Waldo.