Since I hadn’t decided to attend it at first so, I didn’t have a list of the attendees of this ball, although it was neglectful from my side to not know about the people who were going to be here, I guess this was a good kind of coincidence.
Miri grinned as she looked at .
"Why are you wearing a mask though?" She asked reaching out to touch my mask but I held her wrist gently.
"It’s to keep my face a secret, Miri." I said and she bead.
"So, you’re still on it. I have been hearing about the things that you have been doing and I wanted to see you for so long." She said before he held my hand in both of hers, "Besides, I sent you so many letters and even invited you for my debutante why didn’t you co?"
"I’m sorry," I smiled, "I was really busy."
"You’re always busy." She pouted.
I chuckled, "I’m really sorry, Miri. But you gave quite a shock here, I didn’t expect to see you here."
She grinned, "Well, I had to co to celebrate the peace treaty of Sestia and Denril. Besides, I knew you would have been a catalyst for the war to end so, I thought if I couldn’t run into here then I’ll just hitch a ride with one of the Sestia’s Princes and crash at your house."
I couldn’t help but laugh a bit at Miri being so carefree and the light gasp behind made turn slightly to look at Eric who was still there.
"Hm? This is the first Prince of Sestia, isn’t it?" She spoke looking at him and I looked at the two of them.
"Ah, yes, this is His Highness Eric and Your Highness this is Her Majesty, Miera, Queen of Mordino." I introduce and Eric’s eyes widened.
"Q-Queen?" He gasped and she smiled.
"It’s a pleasure to et you, Your Highness." She said and he stepped ahead.
"It’s an honor for , Your Majesty." He said before he reached his hand out, Miri placed her hand in his and he rested a gentle kiss over her knuckles.
Co to think of it, they were close in age and se was already a Queen while Eric was the future King. This was the best kind of support that Eric could have for the future.
"Say, Master? Are you going to drink? I’m dying to catch up!" Miri said as she wrapped her arms around one of mine.
"I don’t drink, Miri." I said and she cocked her brow before she leaned in close to my ear.
"You also had your debutante too, right? So, why not?" She asked.
Well, she did know that I led a double life of being Ocean and Reina. That was the reason why she was close enough to .
"Miri... I-"
"Oh, my! Who’s that?" She suddenly gasped looking at Sol who had walked up beside Eric.
She looked between both of them before she tilted her head, "I didn’t know the First Prince had a son."
I nearly burst out laughing while Eric’s face turned red, Sol narrowed his eyes a bit before he walked over to pinching the hem of my coat in his little, chubby fingers.
"Miri, this one is not his son, he’s with ." I said placing my hand over his head.
"What? But you aren’t even that old? Who’s his father?!" She gasped and Eric looked at bit confused before she covered her mouth.
"I-I an... H-How could you have a son? And why didn’t I know of this?" She corrected herself.
"He’s not my biological son, but I’m planning on adopting him." I said and she observed us before she leaned in to take a closer look at Sol.
"He’s really cute though," she spoke and then asked, "Shall I take him with ?"
Sol instinctively clung to and I chuckled, "Sorry, but you can’t."
"Too bad, then I guess I’ll take you, Master." She said smiling at and I chuckled.
"Oh, my! Are we calling dibs already?" A different voice spoke up and we all turned to see a figure walking from the other side.
His long silvery-white hair danced in the breeze, glinting like threads of moonlight. But it was his calm blue eyes that truly held still—piercing, unreadable, and focused solely on . There was sothing different about him now, sothing deeper. The aura he carried had shifted—more composed, more commanding, as though he had walked through storms and returned forged anew.
He was dressed in flowing red robes embroidered with intricate gold patterns that coiled like dragons along the sleeves and hems. The inner lining flashed crimson when he moved, a subtle, ominous flare beneath the elegance. The fabric hugged his fra in all the right places, regal yet relaxed, while a sash knotted at his waist anchored the layers together in a warrior’s grace. Gold clasps glead at his collar and cuffs, and the high-cut boots he wore bore quiet authority with every step.
"Oh, boy, it’s been a while, Zale. How are you? I didn’t expect to see even you here." I spoke and he smiled.
"It has indeed been a long ti, Lord Dragon." he said as he approached us with an air of grace.
"Zale? You an, Zale Turquoise, the King of Nelius kingdom?" Miri equipped and Eric gasped again looking at both of us.
"Yes, and you must be Your Majesty Miera of Mordino." He said and she smiled.
"Yes, I see that we both know Master." She said.
Zale bead while I looked at Eric. It was a bonus that there were two monarchs here at the sa ti and both being close to had an advantage for Eric. If he was close to them as well then, his side would grow even stronger.
"I was aning to have a eting with you but since you didn’t respond to my letter when I inford you of my coronation ceremony, I thought you might still be mad at ." He smiled sheepishly and I smiled back.
"I’m not mad at you, I was just busy during the ti of your coronation that I couldn’t co."
"But you could have at least responded to my letter, I thought you wouldn’t see ever again." He said and lowered his head.
"Now, now, don’t be so down. I knew you would be able to gain the throne after the blockage of your power was removed. And it just so happened, didn’t it?"
"It wouldn’t have been possible if not for you though... I understand that I was foolish... but I would have been really happy if you would have responded." He said.
"That’s Master’s habit," another voice popped up, "He’ll ghost you even when he cares about you."
Davian walked up to us casually and greeted the two monarchs without a hint of nervousness.
"I’m not even surprised that you two know Master." Davian bead.
"However could I forget the Lord Dragon who saved my life." Zale said and Davian’s eyebrows twitched.
"Address him as Master, it’s a secret that he’s a Dragon." Davian equipped making Zale’s lips go into o shape.
"I’m sorry for not addressing you properly," he apologized and I sighed.
"It’s fine just... don’t let it slip." I said waving my hand.
Zale’s eyes then went over to Sol and I plucked him up into my arms for the better view of everyone.
"And, this is Sol, my soon-to-be adoptive son." I said making Sol glare at .
Zale’s eyebrows twitched as he stepped ahead closer to us, his hand reaching out to Sol.
"He’s..." Zale spoke but before he could touch Sol, Sol slapped his hand away.
"Zale," I spoke and Zale blinked before he looked at with a tensed expression.
"Master..."
He noticed. Well, no wonder he noticed, he had gone through the demonic possession himself and knew of the elent. Hell, he had summoned a demon himself so, he would sense it at a glance.
"But... he’s so small..."
I cocked a brow at him and he pulled his hand back looking guilty as if I had slapped him.
"I’m sorry," he said and I sighed.
Others observed us curiously before I sensed another presence walking towards us. It was my Grandfather, Marquis Desmond Fairisles.
"I’m not surprised to see you with so of the most important guests of today’s ball, Marquis Ocean." He spoke and I smiled.
His eyebrows twitched a bit when he saw carrying Sol but didn’t ask anything right away.
"You all should head inside before the people start coming out to seek you." He said and Zale excused himself first.
"Now that we’ve t, let’s spend so more ti with each other often, Master. I’ll go to Sestia with you!" Miri said and before I could explain her that she couldn’t possibly co with she skipped away.
Now, it were myself, Sol, Eric, Davian and my Grandfather.
"May I have a word with you, Marquis?" My grandfather said and then looked at the two n and the child.
"In private."
The two Princes glanced at before Davian spoke up, "I’ll leave for now, Master. Please have a dance with when you return."
I didn’t answer him as he smiled gesturing to hand him Sol. Sol reluctantly let Davian carry him and then they walked away. Eric looked once at Grandfather who gave him a nod and he too took his leave.
After it was clear that we were alone Grandfather sighed.
"Why didn’t you tell that you were coming as well?"
"I’m sorry, Davian asked to be his chaperone since no one else was available and well... I also wanted to see the celebration for my brother and his friends’ efforts." I answered.
"Let’s take a walk, while we talk." He said and I nodded before we turned and started to walk.
"Who is that child?" Grandfather asked, "I could sense so dark mana from him."
"He’s a Dragon like Kai, as for the dark mana... he’s cursed."
My words made Grandfather half for a mont before he started walking again.
"So, you are going to cure him of his curse?" He asked and I pondered over it for a while before I explained to him about how we found Sol.
Grandfather was bewildered at the end, demanding, "Why didn’t you tell about it?"
"You were already busy with other stuff and I didn’t want to worry you with this. I am still looking into who could have done it."
"And what about Kai? How could you leave him alone after that?"
"He has so bad mories with Denril and refused to co along so, I had to leave him behind. But I’ve made preparations for his safety so, I’m sure he’ll be fine."
Grandfather looked anxious and worried, I placed my hand over his arm.
"I’m worried too," I admitted, "the things seem like they would be even more dangerous from now. There’s a lot of things to do."
Grandfather stopped and turned to face .
"I have told you ti and again, Reina." He said, "That you could rely on us when things get too much."
I smiled, "And I’m doing so, Grandfather. I’m not doing it all on my own. I have asked for help."
It was true. I had the help of my people to look after the aspects that I couldn’t pay attention to and I was glad that I had so many reliable people on my side.
Grandfather seed to be convinced when I said that as he reached out and placed his hand over my head patting it gently.
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