The carriage halted in front of a grand mansion, where a steady flow of guests streamed inside.
"So, this is the place they picked," Spark remarked as he stepped out, followed closely by Yuna and Zhao Shi.
Dressed in their finest, they entered the grand hall, filled with lively chatter and the clinking of glasses.
The chandeliers cast a soft, golden light, adding to the elegance of the gathering.
A man in his forties cleared his throat, capturing everyone's attention.
"Lord Dwight Spark," he announced, his voice echoing through the room.
Spark walked forward with calm authority, drawing the attention of every guest.
Yuna and Zhao Shi followed at a respectful distance.
Zhao Shi felt the weight of the eyes on him, but he hid his nerves behind a calm face. Yuna, however, seemed completely unfazed, her expression as aloof as ever.
As they moved through the room, a quiet murmur spread among the guests.
"Have we met before?" Spark asked, shaking hands with the man in his forties.
The man smiled wryly. "You jest."
Yuna leaned in, whispering softly. "That's Count Loid. We met him at the imperial palace."
"Ah, I must've forgotten," Spark admitted, scratching his head.
"Remembering my name is more than enough," Count Loid said graciously.
"Has the guest of honor arrived yet?" Spark asked casually.
"Prince William will be here soon," Count replied.
"What a show-off," Spark commented with a smirk.
"I'd like to test those rumors myself one day," William said, his eyes gleaming with challenge.
Spark shrugged, completely unbothered by the remark.
Sensing the need to shift the mood, William gestured to the woman beside him. "Lord Spark, this is my fiancée, Brice Julie."
Spark's expression softened into polite charm.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Brice," he said, extending his hand.
Lady Brice nodded gracefully, and Spark gently kissed the back of her hand. She curtsied, meeting his gaze with a polite smile.
Marquis William, noticing Spark's lingering look, raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong? You seem captivated by Julie's hand."
Spark's eyes twinkled with amusement as he straightened. "Nothing of concern. I was merely admiring how rare it is to meet such a graceful lady. Her beauty is truly remarkable."
As the party continued, the sound of the mansion's doors slamming open silenced the room. Heads turned as the grand doors, which had been closed moments ago, swung open with a bang.
A man strode in, his expression dark and menacing, the warmth of the room seemingly evaporating in his wake.
His presence was overwhelming, a stark contrast to the celebratory atmosphere. His sharp eyes scanned the room, searching.
Dressed in a black cloak adorned with silver patterns, he looked regal yet dangerous. Underneath, his armor glinted faintly in the chandelier's light, as if he had just come from battle.
Guests gasped and murmured, fear rippling through the crowd.
"Who dares to interrupt Marquis William's celebration?" someone whispered.
"Isn't that Lord Kieran?" another voice answered in hushed tones.
Lord Kieran, infamous for his ruthlessness, was feared throughout the empire. His sudden appearance sent shockwaves through the room.
William's brow furrowed as he watched the man approach, his grip tightening on Brice's arm, a subtle gesture of both protection and possession.
Spark, however, remained calm, a slight smirk on his lips.
"Things just got interesting," Spark muttered to himself, intrigued by the sudden turn of events.