The banquet hall buzzed with activity, a lively scene that abruptly quieted as the musicians ceased their ballad. A fanfare of trumpets echoed through the grand space, drawing all attention to the enormous double doors at the back of the hall.

The nobles halted their conversations and lowered their heads in deference, among them Elysia, Tokei, and Farthington, who remained near the enigmatic Seraphina.

Through the doors strode King Kaelvryn Nieren, a commanding presence with sharp crimson hair and piercing blue eyes that methodically scanned the crowd. Behind him, Queen Trisha Nieren, poised and elegant with rare pink hair and striking green eyes, followed with an unchanging, composed expression, mirrored by their daughter, Crown Princess Thalina Nieren.

The royal family moved gracefully to their elevated thrones at the front of the hall. A herald stepped forward, his resonant voice effortlessly carrying across the silent room.

“His Majesty, King Kaelvryn Nieren, Her Majesty, Queen Trisha Nieren, and Crown Princess Thalina Nieren,” he proclaimed. “May the prosperity of Arden shine ever brighter under their rule.”

The nobles responded with measured applause, a carefully calculated display of respect devoid of excessive enthusiasm.

Elysia joined the clapping, though her hands trembled faintly. Even from a distance, the King’s formidable presence weighed heavily on her Especially after what Tokei had mentioned not that long ago. When his hawk-like gaze swept over the crowd and briefly met hers, she quickly averted her eyes, masking her unease with a carefully composed expression. A cold knot tightened in her stomach.

Behind her, Tokei observed the scene with a neutral demeanor, her sharp violet eyes taking in every detail. She noted how the King’s gaze lingered slightly longer on Elysia—a subtle gesture, yet conspicuous to those attuned to the evening’s subtleties.

Farthington, meanwhile, stood by the refreshment table with Seraphina, his earlier amusement fading. Her air of casual arrogance and cryptic remarks had been a tolerable distraction, but he now felt certain she was far more informed about the night’s underlying tensions than she let on. Which meant he could be dragged into something he would rather not be involved in.

“Our dear King appears to be in one of his... decisive moods,” Seraphina remarked softly, her golden-green eyes gleaming with intrigue. “I wonder who’ll feel the weight of it tonight.”

Farthington arched an eyebrow. “You seem surprisingly well-informed for someone who pretends to care so little.”

She offered a sly smirk but said nothing further, her attention returning to the royal family with an inscrutable glint in her gaze.

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The guests began going up to the king one by one. Each offered up their greetings for the evening, and now it was Elysia’s turn.

Elysia took a steadying breath as she stepped forward, her poise masking the nervous energy swirling within. Tokei followed a few paces behind, her sharp eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger or intrigue.

As Elysia approached the King, she curtsied deeply, her head bowed in respect. “Your Majesty,” she said, her voice steady and polite. “It is an honor to be in your presence this evening.”

King Kaelvryn’s piercing blue eyes bore into her, his lips curving into a faint, inscrutable smile. “Lady Luminastra,” he replied, his voice rich with authority. “It is good to see you representing your family tonight. I trust all is well in the March of Luminastra?”

Elysia nodded, keeping her expression serene. “Yes, Your Majesty. The people are thriving, and we remain ever loyal to the crown.”

A flicker of something unreadable crossed the King’s face, and for a moment, Elysia thought she saw the faintest hint of amusement—or was it disdain?—in his gaze.

“Loyalty,” he repeated, his tone almost thoughtful. “A virtue every noble should hold dear. Your family has always been... steadfast in its convictions.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Elysia’s heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression calm. “We strive to serve Arden to the best of our abilities, Your Majesty.”

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The King’s smile widened slightly, though it did nothing to soften his imposing presence. “Good. It is nobles like you who ensure the strength of our kingdom. Enjoy the evening, Lady Luminastra.”

Elysia curtsied again and turned to leave, feeling the weight of his gaze on her back until she returned to Tokei’s side.

“That was... tense,” Tokei murmured as they moved back into the crowd.

“He doesn’t trust my family,” Elysia replied quietly, her voice laced with frustration. “No matter what we do, it’s never enough to prove our loyalty.”

“Or maybe he sees your family as a threat,” Tokei suggested, her tone thoughtful. “Powerful, independent nobles likely aren’t a monarch’s favorite kind of subject.”

Elysia gave her a faint, humorless smile. “That’s putting it lightly.”

Tokei’s eyes flicked toward the dais, where the King was now addressing another noble. “Let’s keep our guard up. Something feels… off.”

Elysia nodded, “Agreed.”

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Time passed and before long the banquet was coming to a close. Even after a bit more snooping around and trying to get nobles close to the king to have some information slip, there were no more new developments in getting information.

“Where’s Farthington, we should be departing now,” Elysia asked Tokei in a hushed tone.

“I’m not exactly sure, but I believe I saw him with a woman that looked of high status. I already knew he was a narcissist, but I didn’t know he was a philanderer…”

“You should probably ask him about it, in case of a misunderstanding.”

“True. Ah, speak of the devil”

Farthington trudged his way toward the two of them, looking absolutely dreadful. “I can’t believe that woman held me hostage that entire time. Tch.”

Elysia raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “Held you hostage? What exactly did she do?”

Farthington sighed dramatically, straightening his slightly disheveled attire. “Oh, nothing too severe. Just casually declared me her fiancé for the evening to keep suitors off her back. I suppose I should be flattered, but her methods were... less than pleasant.”

Tokei crossed her arms, smirking. “So, the mighty Farthington was outmaneuvered by a noblewoman. I’ll admit, I’m curious who managed that feat.”

He scowled, muttering, “Seraphina Caliber. She’s relentless, cunning, and far too comfortable issuing threats.”

Elysia’s eyes widened slightly. “The Seraphina Caliber? Of the Caliber family?”

“Exactly the one,” Farthington grumbled. “If I ever see her again, it’ll be too soon.”

Tokei chuckled. “Well, at least you made an impression.”

Elysia shook her head, though her lips twitched with amusement. “As entertaining as this is, we should leave. We’ve learned all we can for now.”

The trio began to make their way toward the exit, weaving through the remaining guests. The grand hall had thinned considerably, but the guards stationed around the room remained vigilant.

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The ride back to the Luminastra estate was unusually serene. The night sky stretched wide and glittering above, offering a fleeting sense of tranquility. The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels and the soft rustling of trees outside created a peaceful ambiance.

Tokei leaned against the carriage window, her violet eyes fixed on the stars but her mind elsewhere. The Everhart twins’ conversation replayed in her head, their cryptic words refusing to settle. Across from her, Elysia sat quietly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

Farthington, however, was blissfully unaware of the tension in the carriage. His head lolled against the backrest, soft snores escaping him as he slept soundly. His earlier antics had given way to an almost childlike stillness, a stark contrast to his usual animated demeanor.

As the carriage rolled to a gentle stop in front of the estate, Tokei glanced at Farthington, unimpressed. “Great,” she muttered, stepping out first. Stretching briefly, she turned back to the carriage and leaned inside.

“Farthington, wake up,” she called, nudging his shoulder.

The man didn’t stir. Instead, his snores deepened, prompting an exasperated sigh from Tokei. Without hesitation, she grabbed him under the arms and hauled him out of the carriage, throwing him over her shoulder with ease.

Elysia stepped down after them, a small, amused smile breaking through her weariness. “I don’t think he’ll appreciate waking up like that.”

“Yeah, well, he should’ve thought about that before he fell asleep,” Tokei said with a sigh. “I’ll take him back to Emilia’s house. I need to tell Nanik what we found out tonight anyway. Hopefully, it’s enough to get us out of Arden.”

Elysia nodded, her silver hair catching the moonlight as she adjusted her cloak. “Thank you both for coming tonight. Be careful on your way back.”

Tokei’s expression softened. “You too, Elysia. Get some rest.” She turned and began walking toward the path leading to Emilia’s, Farthington still draped over her shoulder like a sack of grain.

As she disappeared into the distance, Elysia watched her for a moment longer before heading inside. The soft glow of lanterns lit her path as she entered the quiet halls of the estate, but the quiet felt almost suffocating for some reason...