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.
"You jest," Count Loid said cautiously, his eyes flickering around the room. Few dared to speak of Marquis William so freely, but Spark, with his powerful background, often ignored the usual rules.
As Spark greeted the guests who lined up to meet him, Zhao Shi couldn't help but admire his calm and commanding presence. This, Zhao Shi thought, was true nobility—grace under pressure, respect earned with every word and gesture.
Suddenly, Count Loid's voice cut through the noise. "Marquis Red William."
All eyes turned to the grand staircase. A man with crimson hair descended, his steps measured and commanding, drawing the attention of the entire hall.
Behind him, a woman in an elegant gown followed, her every movement exuding grace.
As the next heir to Duke Red, William had shown exceptional talent from a young age. His father had spared no effort or expense in raising him, and it had paid off.
William had awakened his powers at just eighteen, a rare feat in the empire.
As he reached the floor, murmurs of respect spread through the crowd. Guests greeted him with bows and curtsies, admiration and curiosity evident in their eyes. The atmosphere shifted, as it always did when he entered the room.
Noticing a passing servant, Spark waved them over. "A glass of wine."
Before the servant could hand him the glass, Yuna quickly pulled Spark aside.
"You can't," she said firmly.
"Just one," Spark insisted.
"No," she said, her voice unyielding.
Spark sighed and waved the servant away. Yuna knew all too well how even a little wine could make him start slurring his words, and at such a formal event, she couldn't risk it.
As they returned to the gathering, Marquis William approached, mingling with the guests.
William's position as heir to Duke Red placed him higher in rank than Spark, who was third in line for his own family.
"I've heard stories of Lord Spark's deeds on the battlefield," William said, his tone casual but with a hint of curiosity. "I wonder how much of it is true?"
"Rumors are just that—rumors," Spark replied with a slight smile. "There's not much I can do about them."
The tension in the air grew as the two nobles faced each other, their family legacies weighing heavily between them.
"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.