Xavier's gaze moved to a piano.

- My lady, can I? Xavier's hand indicated the piano.

The gap already diminished between the two, it reduces even more.

Ingrid struggled to keep a serious face.

As soon as she saw Xavier's hand move, she turned to the indicated direction.

If someone, watching from the dark corner of the room could see the complete different picture of reality.

Ingrid saw the piano. But nothing in her report suggests that Xavier knew how to play the piano.

- My lady said she wanted to know my secrets. I will reveal one.

Xavier put a full, natural smile on the face, pointing to the piano.

Xavier sat in the chair. He opened the piano.

When, with a slight touch, the sound began to come out. Every note was easy. Every sound was different.

Everyone in the room started to be attracted to the music. It was new.

The song by Xavier was classical, Chopin - Nocturne.

Music captured the whole room. All eyes were on Xavier. However, Xavier was blindfolded. He was in his world.

Every touch remembered the past.

How at the age of 8 learned to play the first time.

The first time he killed a man. How he was wrong.

Everything was put, into music.

The piano, along with Xavier's clothes, created a fairytale picture. You could not take your eyes from him.

Ingrid was in the same place where Xavier left her.

She was caught, in the music.

Although the music was already part of the kingdom, it was the first time she used this song. It was sad.

After Xavier reached the last note, was applauded. The crowd was stunned. Everyone wondered how many things this man hid.

Xavier made a bow.

Through the wave of applause, returns to where he came from.

-My lady, next time I see you, you have to reveal a secret to me.

Ingrid was, still lost in her minds.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Still, when she looked up Xavier was in front of her, she delivered a wearing calm smile.

-I do not promise anything.

Xavier smiled.

- A promise or not. If My lady doesn't offer, My lady can't get it.

Xavier was helpless against Ingrid. With the necklace, the energy was useless to her. So is the power of the pact. It was like kryptonite for Superman.

However, that didn't suggest that Xavier is ineffective. Just needed to work harder.

Had to rely on him and the knowledge of his past life.

Is not the first time when he does business with strong women.

Now he knows who investigated him, and knows she's not the one who wants him dead. Not now at least.

Xavier and Ingrid spoke in a manner that seemed close to the others around.

It looked like two people flirting. Laughing and drinking.

Though, it was like a gigantic chess game, with words.

And Xavier loses. It wasn't because he isn't good at this game but didn't know the entire strategy of the enemy.

Frequently, the first person making a move is disadvantaged because they expose their strategy and lose the surprise effect of the counterattack.

Ingrid made the first move.

However, Xavier's logistics was down.

Logistics means having the right object in the right place, at the right time.

In other words, be prepared. And Xavier knew nothing about Ingrid.

If your enemies do not want to fight with you, they do it because it is against their interests or because you have misled them to believe it.

Ingrid was like that. Even if Xavier knows the strategy of the enemy, is not enough.

Ingrid wants something from Xavier. Or she thinks he has something that can be useful to her.

Xavier doesn't know what that is.

So do not go into battle with a strong opponent before you want it. Give yourself enough time because time is more important than the other resources at their disposal. Find out what she wants from you.

Refusing to engage in your enemy's fierce struggle, causing him to make hasty, stupid moves.

That was Xavier's plan. But he faces a formidable adversary.

She did not make any mistake.

Maybe just the information network?

Having access to a network of information, it was clear that Xavier couldn't be her enemy.

And here is the change of strategy.

You can lose battles during a war but eventually win.

Xavier will accept that he has lost this time. No matter how hard it is.

An ability to overcome losses without putting them to heart, to continue acting with perseverance until you are crowned, with total success.

Placing you on a different route, larger than possibly you would have expected, finally succeeding in achieving the wanted results.

That's what Xavier wants to do.

He can do this by widening his perspective and striving for a clear perception of reality.

Reality is cruel. But Xavier is not yet strong enough to fight. Not now.

Plus he still doesn't know if she is an opponent.

He would not want to. Only that necklace is enough to give him a lot of thought.

Of course, that does not mean that he will leave here without showing that he is not so easy to be played.

During the discussion, waltz-like music begins to occupy the room.

-My lady, dance?

Xavier's hand was stretched out.

-Of course, Prince Xavier.