Adele's lively voice pulled Charles back to reality. She had sneaked over to sit beside him as the banquet progressed.

"Ah, it's just a coincidence!" Charles muttered, lowering his head and focusing intently on his meal, trying to suppress the growing unease within him.

Across from him sat Tina, her smile as radiant and unbothered as ever. Yet under the table, her silky legs were far from idle, casually resting on Charles' lap, one even attempting to edge further. Charles clenched his teeth, clamping her leg in place to prevent any escalation.

This woman is dangerous! he thought.

Charles didn’t understand why Tina had fixated on him, but he knew he couldn’t afford to give in to her provocations. Despite everything, he was a man of principles—or so he kept reminding himself.

The tension broke when a nobleman approached Tina.

"Miss Tina, may I have the honor of a dance?"

"Of course!" Tina replied smoothly, offering her hand to the boy and gracefully leaving the table.

Charles exhaled deeply. With Tina gone, he finally allowed himself a moment of peace to enjoy his meal.

He glanced toward the dance floor and saw Leia paired with Prince Winters. Winters’ movements were proper and gentlemanly, clearly mindful of decorum.

Charles couldn’t help but feel relief. Leia wasn’t his concern anymore—he just hoped she'd soon grow tired of him.

His attention returned to Winters. The prince had already danced with over a dozen ladies, each of them prominent young women from the six great blue-blooded houses. It didn’t take long for Charles to piece things together.

This banquet wasn’t merely a social event—it was a calculated move in the political chess game of the royal family.

Charles recalled the rumors whispered across the academy and beyond, about the imminent passing of King Lucifer VI. The fight for succession among his sons was already underway.

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The eldest prince commanded the Guardian Knights and had been making waves on the Warcraft Front. The second prince had turned to philanthropy, using his personal fortune to aid impoverished regions. And then there was Winters, still a student at Violet Academy, leveraging his position among the noble youths to strengthen his alliances.

It all made sense. Winters was laying the groundwork for his claim to the throne.

But what puzzled Charles was Duke West’s stance. If his family had chosen a side, why would they risk supporting Winters, the least established contender?

His musings were interrupted by a soft voice.

"Master Charles West, may I have this dance?"

He looked up to see a petite girl with striking red hair, her translucent skin glowing under the chandelier's light. Her delicate hands trembled slightly as she stretched them toward him.

Charles smiled, stood, and bowed. "Of course, my lady. May I have the honor of knowing your name?"

The girl led Charles to the dance floor before answering. "Lina Gironcel."

The name struck him. "Are you Angelina's sister?"

Lina giggled, her bright eyes gleaming mischievously. "Yes, Master Charles. Or should I say, my future brother-in-law?"

Charles suppressed a groan. Here we go again.

As they moved gracefully across the floor, her steps grew more confident, and her shyness melted away.

"You’re quite straightforward, Miss Lina," Charles remarked, supporting her with a steady hand.

Lina leaned closer, her lips hovering near his ear. "Then let me be direct—Master Charles, cherish your life."

The words were cryptic but carried a sharp weight. Charles stiffened but kept his expression composed as the music ended.

As they parted, Lina placed a finger to her lips in a silent gesture and disappeared into the crowd.

Charles returned to his seat, her words ringing in his mind.

"Charles West is my man. Whoever dares to touch him, I will kill them!"

The sudden outburst shattered the ambiance of the banquet. All eyes turned toward the door, where Tina stood, her fingers gripping the hair of a disheveled Issa Wilton. The girl’s pale, tear-streaked face begged for mercy, but Tina dragged her out like a discarded doll, leaving the room in stunned silence.

The doors slammed shut behind her.

The atmosphere turned cold, the nobles pretending nothing had happened as they resumed their meals. But Charles noticed the careful way older students shielded the younger ones from the scene, tacitly acknowledging the unspoken rules of power.

Leia was the next to rise. Her expression was as calm as ever, but her piercing gaze swept the room before she turned and left, her high heels echoing against the marble floor.

Charles stared at his half-finished plate, his appetite gone. The day had started with an air of grandeur, but now he felt like a pawn caught in a game far larger than himself.

One thing was clear: he needed to figure out his next move—fast.