Maria frowned as she watched the girl approach her, she was of similar age to Maria and she appeared to be drunk. However Maria could see the clearness in her purple eyes. She held back a frown, holding the smile on her face. As she got close she suddenly tripped, Maria sidestepped the splashing wine and caught the girl's hand. She then helped her to her feet, a forced smile appeared on the girl's face.

"Oh my, that could have been bad, you should be more careful Miss." Maria spoke with an annoyance hidden behind kindness. "My name is Maria Macuroll may I hear your name."

"Ah, how clumsy of me yes, my name is Charlotte Percival. It's a pleasure to meet you Maria. Though I must ask, why choose such repulsive company?" Charlotte returned the etiquette while also placing a jab at Clara.

"She's my chosen attendant and she's very good at her job. Why should I go with a lesser attendant simply because they're human?" Maria questioned in a neutral voice. Charlotte made an annoyed expression before smiling once more as she brushed her brunette hair behind her ear, likely a nervous reflex.

"Of course, there are types of quality other than looks I guess. How kind of you." Charlotte then bowed lightly, "well I bid you well I have many new faces to meet. Have an enjoyable night." And with that she was gone and Maria finally let out a sigh.

"Ha, I see you're already getting attention Maria how fun." David laughed as he stepped through the ball room doors. Though he quickly passed her by and soon was mingling with the big nobles.

Maria frowned as she watched him leave, but quickly returned her smile as Clara nudged her shoulder. They both headed towards the banquet table, she began making a plate for Clara and herself. The ball room had a large empty space in the center but along the edges, ornate marble pillars held up the ceiling. She soon found herself leaning against one of those pillars watching the party move.

"Aren't we gonna socialize my lady?" Clara asked suddenly causing Maria to sigh.

"I have no benefits to gain from these people, at least none that I can see. I'm too busy rebuilding to start forming relationships. I'm barely handling my connection to David, but that's probably just my inexperience." Maria replied as she placed a tiny cake in her mouth. "hmm." She smiled softly at the delicious taste. "Here, try this Clara." Maria offered a cake to her friend.

"Enjoying the food?" A voice spoke up, Maria turned to see a group of three approaching her. There was an older boy, an older girl and a younger girl. "Hello my name is Shin Alderman, this is Alisha Reinold and Juliette Claremonde. We're border lords like you, in fact my father knew yours. They were. . . Business partners I think." The boy named Shin spoke up. "Though I heard there was a disagreement and it couldn't be resolved. . . I'm sorry for your loss."

"It's fine, at some point that man stopped being my father. He was sullying the Macuroll name so I stopped him." Maria replied, their was a small bit of guilt in her voice contrary to her words.

"Haa, you're pretty cool Maria, I could never take over my family. My older brother will be doing that, I'll be happy just to find a nice man to marry." Alisha spoke up with a look of admiration aimed at Maria. She was the younger girl, the older girl crossed her arms while glaring at Clara.

"Why did you bring that creature to this event, it's like you're trying to make a bad impression." Juliette spoke while looking down on Clara.

"Clara is my personal attendant she goes everywhere I go." Maria replied, locking eyes with Juliette, that gaze held a challenge. Juliette backed down.

"Apologies, you both look splendid. The blue and purple are wonderful. And the way you've matched the highlights with your hair colors is masterful. Gold and silver, how pretty." Juliette switched to flattery almost immediately.

"Thank you." Maria and Clara both courtesied while thanking her.

"Have you heard about the Percival family incident?" Shin suddenly asked Maria with curiosity.

"Huh? Um no sorry I've been very busy and haven't had time to catch up on news." Maria replied, though she couldn't help her curiosity as the name had just recently come up. Young Charlotte who'd greeted her very passionately was a Percival.

"Oh, well listen to this. Apparently the church denounced them as heretics! The Church and the Percival family had a disagreement and the Church brought down the hammer." Shin told her with a bit of excitement. Nobles sure love to gossip huh, she thought.

"Wait, can they even do that without evidence, isn't the Percival family the King's Shield? They're one of the most powerful family's on the kingdom." Maria replied with confusion.

"Not anymore. They're basically just barely above our level now." Shin replied with a thin smile. "How sad, really they didn't deserve such treatment." Shin's tone and expression didn't match his words he seemed quite happy.

"Oh, yeah that's quite a fall." Maria acknowledged, though she mostly lost interest as she realized they were just badmouthing the nobles above them.

It was around that moment that music began to play and most the nobles moved towards the center of the ball room to dance, Shin held out his hand to Maria. She frowned and looked back at Clara, but before she could say anything Alisha stepped up beside Clara and smiled at Maria. "Go dance, I'm not feeling up to it so I'll just stay here with your lovely attendant." Alisha spoke up while grabbing Clara's hand which caused her to flinch. "Hey Claaaara have you tried this. Hmmm?" Maria sighed and let herself be taken to the center as Clara began getting a full course on all the noble desserts she'd never eaten before.

"Lady Maria, don't worry, the only thing Alisha loves more than food is sharing it with someone new. And a word of advice, you show to much care to her, the nobles beneath you or on your level may react favorably to that in order to not upset you. But, as you're well aware, the nobles above will target her if they think she's important to you." Shin warned her as they started dancing, he was good, managing to make up for her mistakes.

"Yes I know, I've practiced my manners quite a lot since I was young. But this is my first gathering, and I'm worried about my friend. So I'm being a little more expressive than I mean." Maria replied a bit too honestly.

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"Lady Maria I won't claim to understand your views on the beasts. However I think it's important for those of us on the same rung to be at least on friendly terms. So let's be allies at least." He spoke with a smile as the song ended and before she could respond she was switching partners.

"Hello again Lady Maria." David smiled as the music picked up again. "How's the ball been so far?"

"The food is nice." Maria replied with disinterest.

"Haha, yes, the food in the capital it's far fancier isn't it. But the countryside we're from has it's own charm I think." David smiled warmly. "Are you worried about your home, and your people?"

"I can't help it, that disaster happened and I couldn't stay. I couldn't disobey the crown." Maria replied in agreement.

"Yeah I understand, that's one of the things I like about you. Not many nobles here worry about their people like you." He spoke warmly while holding her eyes, and even as she grew distracted and began to mess up the dance even step on his toes he simply corrected and kept talking. "In your mind you know everything at home will be ok in time. And most nobles would be fine with that, but your heart aches for the people that were hurt by this event. That's commendable Maria." Maria sighed, she blushed and at that moment the song died down and a voice spoke up.

Maria was pulled with the flow once again, the many pairs in the room separated and gathered in the center. Maria felt someone grab her hand and she turned to see Clara, Alisha was right next to her. Relief cleared the stress from Maria's heart as she turned her attention to the other side of the room. Opposite from the doors she entered from was a second set of doors and they opened. Two royal knights stepped through followed by a royal attendant, he activated a magic item in his hand and began to speak.

"Quiet please everyone, the main guest has arrived. Please revel in the absolute beauty of the first princess, Her Royal Highness Annabelle Goldman!" The attendant then stepped aside as the two knights took up posts on either side of the doorway. The sound of clicking heels echoed out as a young woman stepped into the open. She wore a beautiful gold, blue, and white dress. On her head she wore a golden crown embedded with diamonds.

Maria was on alert as she watched the Princess enter, and she was stunned as the Princess locked eyes with her and smiled. At least that what it looked like, Maria talked herself out of that thought as she was one in a crowd and the princess was probably just smiling at the crowd. All the big nobles began to approach her and she disappeared into the high society social circle. Maria sighed as the lower nobles dispersed and began to get food and drink wine. Opposite the banquet table there were several sets of glass doors that led into a garden area. Maria took Clara and headed out from the ball room. The nobles would mingle for awhile and then dance a few more songs. The princess would likely give a speech and then everyone would go home. Though ceremonies and private gatherings and parties will continue for several days Maria knew she had no part in those. The princess had no reason to have interest in her so even her rudeness of stepping away likely wouldn't even be noticed.

The cool afternoon air greeted them, Maria felt herself relax for the first time all night. She leaned against the railing of the deck, looking down at the garden. Clara leaned against her shoulder as she took a deep breath of air.

"The air feels so thick in there." Clara exclaimed in exasperation. "Alisha was nice for a noble. And I never would have dreamed of eating food made for the royal palace."

"That's good, the open party will be over tonight. We'll probably stay in the capital a few more days though." Maria replied, glancing at Clara from the side. "It's rare to get to see the capital so we should sightsee while we're here." Silence fell as both girls enjoyed the quiet garden, suddenly that quiet was broken though.

"Oh, you're out here. Party too much for you?" A familiar voice caused Maria to turn. Charlotte Percival, she was smiling at them but her eyes held arrogance and disdain.

"I simply didn't want a second round of dance, besides the princess wouldn't miss such a low noble stepping out for some air. Isn't that right, Percival?" Maria replied with a similar smile.

"Yeah, that's true." Charlotte could barely contain her scowl as she approached the two. "I hope you can manage the territory your late father left behind. He died so suddenly and you seem to have strong differences in opinions. Are you capable of managing everything while trying to tear down everything your father built."

"How dare you, you have no idea what Maria's been-" Clara suddenly explained but stopped as Maria slapped her cheek.

"Clara, be quiet." Maria scolded her, then turned to Charlotte who was smiling. "A heretic shouldn't take such a haughty attitude with a proper noble, don't you think." Maria's voice was icy cold.

"Oh my, already at each other's throats huh, how wonderful." A voice spoke up.

"Yes yes, look brother they're so upset isn't that great." A female voice spoke up.

Two young kids were standing a little ways away, Maria frowned, they were dressed like nobles. Though they were quite young and Maria didn't think any nobles that young would be invited.

Charlotte frowned and stepped forward, "Who are you two, what noble-"

"Maria, be careful, I didn't sense their approach." Clara spoke up causing Maria to almost immediately draw her sword.

"Miss Charlotte, please step back." Maria spoke authoritatively, and Charlotte jumped at the change in tone, she stepped back in confusion. "Clara, protect her."

"Yes Maria." Clara stepped in front of Charlotte as Maria stepped towards the two children. The boy and girl hardened their gazes.

"Damn, this is the problem with beasts."

"Yeah too perceptive, but no need to worry, they're nothing compared to Lilly." The young boy mentioned a familiar name. Clara suddenly moved forward, throwing her hand out as her claws extended.

Clang

A flash of sparks showered Charlotte and she stepped back in fear. Suddenly the boy was in front of her attacking with a dagger.

"Hah, beautiful reflexes that's amazing. But there's two of us and as soon as we take out your master, you will bleed."

The young girl drew a rapier from her belt and pointed it at Maria.

"Hey now, brother this might be fun. You said this girl was trained by the hero right. I wonder who's swordplay shines brighter?" Without further words she launched herself at Maria, with a quick thrust.

Maria pulled her sword up and sidestepped while parrying, she stepped forward and slashed. The girl was quicker though and leaned to the side, barely avoiding the attack. "Talk about boiling the blood. That feels nice."

Before she could react the girl was on the offensive again and Maria winced as the blade sliced her leg. She quickly swung her own sword with an attempt to punish her opponent for her attack, but the girl was too fast. Maria could barely keep her eye on the sword as it moved. It was soon slicing through her other leg.

"Hey, we're not here to kill you Maria, so why don't you sit this one out. Hmm? We simply need Charlotte to die that's all." The girl spoke quietly as she slipped past Maria's defenses and stabbed her rapier through Maria's thigh.

"Agh, damn." Maria gritted her teeth as the blade was yanked out. Maria fell to one knee panting in pain as blood pooled beneath her.

"Maria!" Clara exclaimed as she blocked another strike from the boy, he was fast and she was barely keeping up by leaning on her instincts. Clara watched as the girl flicked the blood from her blade and began walking towards her. Maria suddenly turned and swung, a look of surprise passed the girl's face as she stepped to the side, but not fast enough. The young female assassin looked at the blood dripping from her leg, Light injury compared to Maria's, but intense fury filled her eyes and she spun around and whipped her blade across Maria's face before she could even react.

Blood dripped from the cut across her face, she seemed stunned and unable to react as the blade plunged into her chest. "The fuck is wrong with you, these clothes are custom made you bitch." The girl was angry as she ripped her sword out, letting Maria fall to the side. Neither attack was fatal however blood loss was always fatal. Clara felt dread set in as she prepared to face both of them.