By the time their carriage rolled up the winding road to the Hakuen manor, the sun had already sunk below the horizon.

Lanterns lined the stone path like a river of gold, each one flickering in rhythm with the music echoing faintly from the courtyard ahead. The manor loomed beyond the trees—tall, bright, alive with laughter and chatter that spilled into the night.

Ludger leaned slightly toward the window, brow furrowed. “It’s… loud.”

“It’s a party,” Viola said from across the seat, lips curving into a grin. “What did you expect, a funeral?”

“I was hoping for something in between,” Ludger muttered.

The carriage slowed as they neared the main entrance, joining a long line of other guests disembarking from far more ornate vehicles. The night air buzzed with perfume, laughter, and the faint crackle of magic lights drifting above the walkway.

The Hakuen guards moved with polished efficiency, directing guests and checking invitations while liveried servants rushed to greet each new arrival.

And there were many.

Dozens of carriages gleamed under the moonlight, each bearing the crest of a noble house—some familiar, most not. Lions, hawks, serpents, roses. The kind of company that usually didn’t travel this far south unless politics were involved.

Arslan was the first to notice. “Emblems from all over the Empire,” he murmured. “East, north, even a few from the capital.”

Harold let out a low whistle. “Quite the turnout for a fifteen-year-old.”

“It’s not just a birthday,” Viola said quietly. “Turning fifteen means you’re officially an adult. For nobles, that’s when the real games begin.”

Elaine, holding one of the twins in her arms, smiled softly. “So it’s a coming-of-age celebration.”

“Indeed,” Viola said. “And Lucius Hakuen isn’t just any noble’s son—he’s heir to one of the wealthiest trade families in the Empire. Everyone wants to be seen here.”

Ludger exhaled through his nose. “Fantastic. Nothing like a crowd of nobles pretending to care about each other.”

“Try not to sound too excited,” Arslan said dryly.

Their carriage stopped near the front steps. Outside, the manor’s façade blazed with light—crystal chandeliers hanging from the balconies, mana lamps hovering midair like fireflies. Music drifted from inside—strings, soft percussion, laughter.

Attendants stepped forward to open their carriage doors. Ludger stepped out first, adjusting his dark green coat, the gold trim catching the light. Viola followed, radiant in her own deep-blue dress. Elaine emerged next, wearing the crimson dress Viola had lent her—elegant and simple, drawing more than a few admiring glances from nearby guests.

Arslan descended last, looking every bit the seasoned officer in his formal on duty attire. Even Kharnek managed to look respectable in his black coat, though the faint smirk on his face betrayed how little he cared for appearances.

As they stood at the foot of the grand staircase, Ludger looked over the endless parade of guests. Some were already entering the ballroom; others lingered outside, chatting under the lanterns. The scene shimmered with wealth—silks, gemstones, gilded swords worn for display, not battle.

“Feels like half the Empire showed up,” Ludger murmured.

“More like a quarter,” Viola said, scanning the crowd. “But the self important quarter.”

Lucius’s birthday celebration wasn’t just an event—it was a statement. A gathering of power, wealth, and influence converging in one place, under one roof.

And as Ludger looked toward the open doors of the ballroom, where light and laughter poured into the night, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that this wasn’t just a party.

It was a stage. And every noble here was already playing their part.

Viola led the group toward the mansion, walking with that easy, confident stride that nobles were seemingly born with. Her posture alone carved a path through the crowd—chin high, back straight, the Torvares crest on her shoulder glinting under the lamplight.

The others followed behind her, and though they drew glances, the reactions were mixed.

It wasn’t hard to see why.

Arslan’s uniform, though immaculate, had the hardened edge of a soldier’s attire rather than a noble’s refinement. Elaine’s crimson dress was simple compared to the embroidered silks around her, though her composure made her seem no less dignified. and Ludger—well, Ludger looked exactly like someone who hated being there.

Whispers rippled through the guests as they passed.

“Who’s that boy with Lady Torvares?”

“Those aren’t minor retainers, are they?”

“No—wait. Isn’t that the lionsguard family?”

And then the recognition hit a few of them.

“That’s him,” someone murmured. “The Vice Guildmaster from Lionfang. The boy from the capital tournament—‘The Silent Duelist.’”

Ludger kept walking, pretending not to hear. He could feel their eyes follow him—curious, cautious, impressed, or just plain nosy. It wasn’t fear this time, but it wasn’t comfort either.

Beside him, Harold chuckled lowly. “Looks like you’re famous again, Ludger.”

“Yeah,” Ludger muttered, keeping his eyes ahead. “My favorite kind of attention—unwanted.”

As the group neared the grand doors of the manor, Ludger’s eyes wandered over the balconies and torchlit terraces above. He was scanning the shadows, instinctively searching for movement—specifically, for one person.

Luna.

She should have been around. No noble gathering this large would slip by without her slinking through it. But he didn’t see her—not among the servants, not in the upper corridors, not anywhere.

Typical.

She was probably already inside, blending in or watching them from some corner no one else could see.

Ludger sighed through his nose. “Figures.”

He wondered—not for the first time—how she did it. How she could disappear so completely, even when surrounded by light and people.

If I could learn that, he thought, maybe I’d finally get a quiet day in my life.

The thought lingered longer than he expected.

He’d already unlocked his Assassin class years ago, mostly out of necessity. It gave him stealth, mobility, and a handful of dirty tricks he rarely used. But lately… he’d been thinking about pushing it further.

To vanish like Luna. To slip in and out of danger before anyone even realized he’d been there.

Of course, there was the other side of that coin.

He grimaced slightly. Right. The “infamous prodigy” of Lionfang turns into a professional stalker. That’ll help the reputation.

Still, the idea had its appeal.

Not for the spying or the shadows—just the quiet. The freedom to move unseen, unheard. To act without the weight of a thousand eyes trying to measure him.

Maybe that was why Luna preferred the dark corners of rooms like this one. The light was always too loud.

“Something on your mind?” Viola asked suddenly, glancing back at him as they reached the doors.

Ludger blinked out of his thoughts. “Just wondering if I could learn to disappear like Luna.”

Viola smirked. “You? Disappear? Please. You walk into a room and make half of it nervous.”

“Exactly why it’d be nice,” he said.

She laughed softly and pushed the doors open. “Sorry, Vice Guildmaster. You’re stuck in the spotlight tonight.”

The warm light of the ballroom spilled over them as they entered—music, laughter, a swirl of perfume and color.

Ludger sighed under his breath. “Of course I am.”

The ballroom was packed shoulder to shoulder—dozens of nobles drifting in shimmering clusters, servants weaving between them with trays of wine and glowing fruit. Music poured from a small ensemble near the stairs, the strings light and elegant, almost enough to mask the constant buzz of conversation and laughter.

The Lionsguard-Torvares group stayed close, eventually claiming a small corner of the room near one of the tall windows. It wasn’t much—just enough space to breathe without brushing against silk sleeves and jeweled capes every second.

The twins squirmed in Elaine’s arms, their little faces tightening at the noise and bright lights. Arash’s eyes darted between the crowd, while Elle moved as if she tried to cover her ears with both hands..

Ludger crouched beside them, resting a steady hand on each of their heads. “Easy. It’s just noise,” he said softly. “Annoying, but harmless.”

They blinked at him, wide-eyed. He smiled faintly—just enough to reassure them. Within moments, their small bodies relaxed again, the tension fading.

Elaine gave him a gentle look. “As always, you’re good with them.”

Before he could answer, movement from the crowd drew their attention. A group of nobles approached—young men and women dressed in pastel silks and silver-threaded coats, each with that polished air of effortless arrogance that only old money could breed.

At their front was a tall blond youth with a grin that never reached his eyes. He raised a glass toward Viola. “Lady Torvares. I thought that was you.”

“Lord Berrand,” Viola greeted smoothly, her voice composed. “It’s been a while.”

They exchanged a few formalities—surface-level smiles, empty compliments, and soft laughter—but not one of them spared a glance toward the rest of her group.

Arslan, Elaine, Ludger, and the others—they may as well have been furniture.

Even the twins earned no notice, though Elle’s tiny hand reached curiously toward one of the noblewomen’s jeweled bracelets before Elaine gently pulled her back.

The nobles kept their attention fixed solely on Viola, speaking as though no one else existed in the same space.

If this had been three years ago, they’d be bleeding already.

Ludger could tell by the faint twitch of Viola’s jaw and the small pulse of mana that shimmered at her wrist. The old Viola would’ve shattered that polite smile into pieces and maybe a few noses too.

But she’d grown.

Diplomacy had sanded down her edges—a little. Enough that she smiled, her voice as smooth as silk while her eyes glinted like frost.

“It’s kind of you all to greet me,” she said pleasantly. “Though it seems your manners are as selective as ever.”

The nobles froze for half a breath before forcing laughter, pretending not to catch the edge in her words.

“Oh, you know how things are,” Berrand said, gesturing vaguely toward the crowd. “So many faces tonight—easy to overlook a few.”

“Of course,” Viola said, her tone honey-sweet. “Though I hear overlooking things is a bit of a tradition among your circle.”

Ludger hid his grin behind a cough. Arslan didn’t even bother to hide his amusement.

After a few more strained exchanges, the nobles excused themselves, muttering something about greetings to make. Viola’s polite smile stayed in place until they were well out of earshot.

Then she exhaled through her nose, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Still the same empty chatter.”

“Diplomatic,” Ludger said lightly. “Didn’t even break a glass this time. Or a nose.”

She gave him a sidelong look. “Keep talking and I might reconsider.”

He smirked faintly. “Fair.”

As the crowd swirled around them again—music, laughter, and the faint clink of glasses—Ludger leaned against the wall, letting his eyes drift toward the upper balconies.

Eventually, the flow of chatter shifted, the air in the manor turning heavier with expectation. Heads turned toward the grand staircase as Lucius Hakuen finally appeared.

He cut a striking figure—formal coat of dark sapphire trimmed in silver, a thin chain of crystal at his collar catching the candlelight. For someone newly fifteen, he carried himself with the calm precision of someone trained since birth to rule.

As he descended, a line of servants and nobles moved to greet him—bows, curtsies, polite congratulations. But Lucius didn’t linger long with any of them. He smiled, exchanged a few words, then turned his gaze toward the far corner where Viola’s group stood.

And instead of continuing his circle through the crowd, he headed straight for them.

That alone drew whispers.

The boy who would soon be Earl Hakuen passing over high-ranking guests to greet a foreign noblewoman and her company? Unusual, to say the least.

Lucius didn’t seem to care. He approached with an easy smile, lifting a hand in greeting. “Lady Viola, I’m glad you could make it.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Viola said, returning the smile with just enough polish to make it noble-perfect. “The chance of dragging those who didn’t want to come with me.”

Lucius’s eyes then moved to Elaine, softening with polite warmth. “And Lady Elaien—thank you for coming as well. It’s an honor.”

Elaine inclined her head gracefully. “The honor’s ours, Lord Hakuen.”

“Only thanks to the work of my people,” Lucius replied smoothly, then turned to Ludger. “And you. I’m grateful you agreed to attend.”

Ludger raised a brow. “I didn’t think either.”

They spoke for a while—longer than anyone expected. Even as other guests waited for a turn to offer their congratulations, Lucius stayed with their group, asking about Lionfang, about House Torvares, even about the twins, who had become the quiet center of attention by simply being adorable.

Every minute he spent with them drew more curious stares. Conversations faltered, then resumed in hushed tones.

By the time Lucius finally moved on, half the ballroom had heard the name Ludger.

Ludger didn’t notice right away—he was too busy trying not to look uncomfortable—but the ripple effect was obvious. Heads turned, whispers spread, and more than a few noble girls snuck subtle glances his way.

Arslan, of course, noticed immediately.

He leaned over with a grin that was far too smug for a man his age. “Careful, Luds. You’re getting popular. Don’t go chasing the skirts of noble girls just because they’re staring.”

Ludger didn’t miss a beat. “Relax. I wouldn’t be as reckless as you.”

That earned him a snort from Harold and Selene and a cough that suspiciously sounded like a laugh from Viola. Elaine tried to hide her smile behind her glass.

Arslan clicked his tongue. “You’ve got your mother’s sharp tongue.”

“Better that than your luck with women,” Ludger said evenly.

“Watch it.”

Lucius eventually moved on, greeting the rest of his guests, leaving the group in the faint wake of noble whispers. The music swelled again, filling the lull.

Ludger folded his arms, gaze following the young lord through the crowd. “So,” he said after a moment, “what’s his actual rank? Seems like everyone treats him like royalty.”

Viola turned toward him, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “His family controls three coastal cities and the trade routes around them. Once he succeeds his father, he’ll become an Earl. That’s one step below a Marquis.”

Ludger let out a low whistle. “So that explains all the bowing.”

Viola nodded, pride flickering in her eyes. “And for the record, my grandfather was granted the title of Viscount last month. House Torvares has finally climbed.”

“Congratulations,” Elaine said with genuine warmth.

“Thank you,” Viola said, her smile turning fierce. “It means we’re finally being recognized for stabilizing the north.”

Harold chuckled quietly. “Titles are nice and all, but they don’t make the monsters go away.”

Ludger smirked. “Or the nobles.”

That earned a few quiet laughs from the group before the music changed again—something slower, smoother, signaling the start of the first dance.

Lucius was already stepping into the center of the ballroom, where his name and rank mattered most.

And Ludger? He was perfectly content to stay in the corner, pretending the crowd didn’t exist—at least until fate, or Viola, decided otherwise.

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