Was… he supposed to say something? Kazuki stalled in his mind. He remembers his mother saying something on the lines of that, but that wasn’t exactly related to this. The train ride was silent. Neither uttered a word.

And before long, they were at their destination: the entrance hall of the Ball Palace… Still stank of wealth.

He looked around him, seeing dozens of people, wearing brooches with refined tastes. Attendants lined the room. And here he was… The Contract-Breaker.

“Thanks…” Kazuki could hear Eliza trail off.

His brain didn’t absorb the information. What was there to thank him for? He bleeds for the oath, not for her, trailed his thoughts.

“Kaz?” she called out his name. His attention snapped back to her

“Hmm?”

He kept his eyes in front as Eliza tugged at him with a smile. “You’re tired, aren’t you, you should have rested up when we were on the cruise,” she said, her smile turning to a concerned stare, those eyes looked too similar… too similar.

Does he? He thought he always looked tired.

“I’ll be fine,” Kazuki said, ignoring her concerns. They entered a massive congregation hall, filled with food, tables, chairs and holographic banners. They played the largest of the dynasties present. The Four Greats were included.

Two drones hovered down to Eliza and Kazuki. ‘PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH YOUR LUGGAGE. MISS… CELESTE-DELMARA. MISTER… GEMINORUM-RYZAKU. WE WILL BRING THEM TO YOUR ROOMS.’

Kazuki did not remember this being a thing. His dead face thinned for a moment as he looked at the drones, GemDev was written in small writing along the rim of their large scanning eyes.

“Oh? They do this now?” Eliza asked. She handed her luggage to the drone in front of her. It bounced down for a moment, before repelling back upwards. “Thanks.”

‘SALUTATIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.’ The drone beeped and booped.

He dithered. Maybe he was being paranoid, but he preferred to be sceptical. Eliza’s drone hovered away, leaving only Kazuki’s. He looked up as even more drones were leaving, with luggage.

He caught a glimpse of the largest banners above. Tatsuo-Ryzaku, Fer-Charelota, Ílize and the Feonars. Hmm.

Eliza poked at him before he could finish his thought. “Come on… you’re attracting attention,” she said, her face slightly red as Kazuki looked around. A few glances were given towards him. Kazuki shoved the luggage into the drone’s steel probing arms.

It then shot up, and away. “Sorry,” Kazuki said.

“Please, don’t be. Though, what were you looking at anyways?” she asked.

Kazuki glanced up at the banners again. “Nothing,” he said. “Was just looking around.”

Eliza nodded, as she peered down the hall, towards an emptied staircase, as someone emerged from up above.

He ignored what was going on… No. He was just distracted by the flying drones, aimlessly looking up at them.

The lights were slowly killed, dimming the whole room. Whispers and murmurs loomed within the crowd. Kazuki still didn’t care. He was still looking up at the drones, as Eliza tugged onto him.

“It’s starting,” she whispered into his ear, standing ever so slightly taller from her heels.

Oh, it is, he thought. He glanced up towards the stairs, as a man wearing a marble white frock coat, adorned with gold, came into view. He wore a bright expression, along with a pale, golden cloak. Underneath his coat was a simple tunic, adorned with decorations and achievements - with a brooch akin to the blazing space-rings of Kasté, on a golden flower.

It shone bright pink, complimenting the mosaic of colours. Dark, curly auburn hair with a small, subtle stubble. His shining pink eyes were hidden behind a pair of sunglasses, tinted with holographic icons.

“The Marquis,” Kazuki said to Eliza. “Show-off.”

“Don’t judge a book by its cover…” Eliza shook her head at him as drones started to hover by, passing everyone a glass of wine

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Kazuki noted that they had small bow-ties.

Eliza grabbed two from a plate passing by, gesturing to Kazuki.

Snatching it from her, he downed it immediately. Wait… no. He shouldn’t have done that, he thought. He felt all tingly now.

“Ugh… but judging books by their covers is the basis for my threat detection,” explained Kazuki. “It’s how I can predict bad things happening. Though that might just be the phoenix rubbing off its embers onto me.”

Eliza looked surprised at him as she looked at the empty glass of wine. “Oh… well, it seems like you liked the alcohol, can you detect how strong alcohol is?” she asked

Kazuki shook his head. “My body’s regenerative adaptability is countered by fermentation and ethanol.”

“What?” she asked, furrowing her brow at him.

“Nevermind…”

The drones were providing everyone in the room with a complimentary glass of wine.

Up above, on the floors above, Kazuki could see the glimpses of journalists and reporters. They were ready to catch any gossip about the galaxy’s wealthy elite. Kazuki wondered whether they’ll be another fifty bullshit magazine articles on how to climb up to their position, all filled with lies.

Imperial Knights and Squires were also present, eyes pouring into the crowd for any sign of trouble. They have a job to do, he has one as well.

“Tch.”

The Marquis clicked his white layered boots, attracting all attention with his booming voice.

“You know… I had a whole speech prepared for this. But, now that I’m here, I feel like there’s no need for that,” said the Marquis Gilbera Fer-Charelota, raising a cup. His voice was pompous. His accent thick. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Ball Palace, made a few renovations for the place, thought it was getting a bit too dull for us al. That’s not my only surprise! I see new brooches amongst us.”

Kazuki could see people glance around in near-darkness, as Fer-Charelota continued, “And I see old faces as well! But no matter, to all of you, especially those newly minted brooches to our organisation: I wish you all a stay for this year’s Solar Dassant.”

He raised his cup, as he drank.

Everyone did the same. Except for Kazuki, of course. He had already drunken his… His eyes wandered about.

“There’s some new houses,” he said, as the lights kicked back on, and the talking started. “I already count fifteen.”

The entire room was now alive with movement. The doors leading further into the venue were opened. The event has officially begun. The investigation is a go.

“Well, you must expect that there are some that are able to climb the ladder far enough,” Eliza commented, as she slowly sipped on her glass. She finished it, before it was taken away by a serving drone.

“Maybe…” Kazuki said. “This is getting a bit crowded. I’ll go ahead to our room.”

Eliza nodded, “Wait… then what will I do?” She pointed at herself.

Kazuki nodded at her shoulder as Eliza twisted around in her red dress. Yeah… maybe he should have complimented that… At least that’s what his mother would say.

Now that he finally sees her properly in the bright lights… she looked too similar to Victoria. He gripped his left hand, feeling it shake slightly. Fight off, Kazuki thought.

And standing beside Eliza was none other than Chloé, dressed in a white suit. “Hey, don’t think you two can escape to your rooms just yet! You’re both late!” She grinned with a glance to the two of them.

Snarky as always…

”She’s at fault,” Kazuki commented.

“Huh? Wait, no… It was him! He’s the reason why we’re late,” Eliza tried to explain to Chloé.

Chloé finger gunned Eliza, looking her up and down. Eliza did the same, mimicking her actions. She had her Theonari age markings repainted beneath her eyes.

She the looked down at her clothes, matching her bright eyes and Feonar-Theonari peachy blonde hair. “Hey, nice suit!” Eliza remarked, with an equally bright face.

“Yeah!” Chloé said. “And you! Seems like Kaz’s been splashing out on you…” Chloé gave a smug expression to Kazuki. He gave her a dead-pan response.

Eliza chuckled, covering her face somewhat. “Kaz, you didn’t spend that much on it, right?”

“The expenses have been sent to my household,” Kazuki remarked. He placed his hands in his pockets. “Don’t worry about the cost.”

“Well, you can eye-ball the cost, right?” asked Chloé, smirking.

Eliza slowly turned to Kazuki. Her eyes asked the same question

He couldn’t get an exact estimate, but gave it his best shot. “Two hundred thousand standardis.”

Her jaw dropped. Chloé’s face brightened as she laughed. “Two hundred thousand?!”

“That’s some people’s yearly wages!” Eliza remarked, gasping in surprise. “How…” Eliza started to pinch the edges of her dress, wondering just why its expensive.

“Master Chyari made it. Highest quality in the galaxy.”

Chloé raised an eyebrow. “He’s not just an urban legend amongst the elite?”

Kazuki nodded, before turning away. “Anyways… You get a start, Liz. I’ll catch up.”

“Huh?” Eliza blurted out, as Chloé nodded, dragging Eliza away with her superior strength. “Oh? Alright! See you later!” She waved back at him, before disappearing into the crowd, leaving Kazuki alone. He stood along, as people passed by, giving the Contract-Breaker awkward stares. He kept his eyes planted forward. His mere presence here was an offence to all and himself.

A small gap was building between him and those around. They wanted to avoid him. He knew.

Maybe Eliza was right. He should cool off for a little bit. Hopefully, nothing detracts him from this simple goal, he thought. Chloé will keep an eye on Eliza.