As soon as Nero’s glance followed the departing Andrey, Sylvana, and Brunne Melor. As the music became louder, everyone realized festive battles won’t happen. Specific music played during waltz could mean only one thing, they will move right to the next part of the celebration. This was Duke’s way of announcing his desires. Hence, nobles and guests just exchanged glances before smiles appeared on them as they moved to choose their dancing pairs.

While, more people chose their partners, and moved to the center of the Hall, which was already clean. At this moment, Nero noticed a familiar female face. It was Clara - his maid. She looked beautiful and differed from nearby women thanks to her charm. Besides her black dress, which outlined her fit body and outlined all her strong sides, easily attracted the attention of the nearby young men.

Nero saw how several of them approached his maid and started talking to her. Soon, she and her partner- the young noble youth departed to join other pairs. While they passed by the Nero, their glances met while Clara lowered her glance, pointing at the youth’s hand she was touching.

That was a hint, and of course, Nero noticed that. His maid just reminded him to choose a dancing partner. Since it was his debut; he needed to leave a certain impression on the public. If there were no festive battles, the dancing period was the only chance he could use. Sometimes, a good impression of others is stronger than even talent or own power. Hence, wasting no time, Nero turned and noticed the one he would invite for dancing.

Aleona Tirel was standing next to her brother and small Zig, watching after departing figures of Eris and John, who formed a pair. But, though they were partners, their glances looked into the different directions toward the first and third faction groups where their love interests were now.

Of course, Nero saw that and noted not to forget about it. You never know which small details could be useful in the future. But, for now, a smile appeared on his lips as he approached a person he talked to the most about this celebration. Standing in front of a slightly elder girl, Nero lowered his head and put his arm on his heart.

“Lady Aleona, will you honor me?” asked Nero, repeating the usual way of dancing invitation, and watching after her right hand.

Aleona just put on a smile as she stretched her right hand a little, showing her agreement. Almost immediately, a smile appeared on Nero’s lips as he left his kiss on her palm before he took her hand and joined other pairs.

George and Zig only exchanged understanding smiles. Though they were young, they all had a certain experience, it wasn’t their first time taking part in similar events. Of course, they noticed how small sparks appeared between these two youths. Especially George, who knew that his sister never liked to talk too much. Just this time alone, when she and Nero spent all this time talking, was enough for him to make a certain deduction. Anyway, he had no opposition to Nero. Though he was slightly younger than his sister, such small things were never important, compared with the long life strong and talented could live.

...

..

.

When Nero and his lady joined the rest of the pairs in the column, the music changed, starting waltz. Violins and other musical instruments started playing. As usual, Duke Gatsby and duchess Eluna opened the dancing part of the celebration, dancing with the most respected guests of their house while others had to watch after them.

While Baron kept looking in the direction of the Count Melor, curious about his plan, a certain female figure approached him with a smile on her lips. Moving his glance at her, Baron saw a middle-aged lady, dressed in an ordinary green dress with Richstein insignia on it. This was Arthur’s grandmother, countess Ravenna, the one who controlled the Richstein household after the death of her husband.

“Greetings, general,” said Countess Ravenna with clear anger in her tone as she approached him.

“Countess,” said Baron with a slight dumbfounding in his voice.

Though they both knew each other through Arthur, they rarely talked face to face. In fact, it was the first time they exchanged such a phrase in a decade. Of course, her anger also confused Baron. But he also remembered to which household this woman in front of him belonged. To the Richstein family - one of the few magic households specialized in mind magic. You could never know what such type of people wanted from you. Though he had several artifacts protecting his thoughts, the Richstein family was a unique one with a certain reputation among mind mages. Hence, Baron sobered up his mind not to spill anything important to the person in front of him.

“Don’t worry, general. Your small secrets have no value for me,” said Ravenna, making Baron furrow his brows, looking at the woman in front of him.

Though she just offended him, Baron had a weird feeling because he saw her eyes. There was no hostility and hate inside them. Even her anger looked weird for him as if he wasn’t the one on who she showed it. Besides, he never offended her, her grandson was his adjutant, there was no reason to destroy their relations. Hence, only one thought appeared in his mind. The thought that she wanted to tell him something telling nothing, something related to him and her or someone.

“That’s right, general,” said Ravenna. “My grandson is young and might make mistakes. A trust to untrustworthy person was one of them.”

Though those words sounded offending to others, Baron released a short laugh in his heart because those words were about anyone except for his adjutant. Arthur had a strong instinct which was never wrong with choosing his allies. Hence, Baron already realized what this countess wanted from him. An understanding gleam appeared in his eyes as the veins on his forehead started twitching and he tightly gripped his fists.

“Watch after your words, countess,” said Baron with anger in his voice while a certain thought appeared in his mind as he kept looking at her.

‘You want to meet secretly?’

Ravenna just looked at him with contempt while a slight smile appeared on her lips, showing that Baron was right.

“Don’t take offense, Baron. This is just the truth. My grandson helped you and your grandson while you just stood there, watching. He put his life at risk for you, while you betrayed him? Do you think it’s easy to use the descendent of the Richstein family?” asked Ravenna as she narrowed her eyes as if she looked at someone she hated deeply. Surrounding nobles and guests also paid attention to their exchange. They all knew what happened today, and how Arthur Avalon helped Baron Claus only to end up shut in the prison. Almost immediately, several potential scenes flashed through their eyes where Baron makes a deal with a young and inexperienced youth only to betray him later. Now, understanding gleams flashed through their eyes as they watched how a grudge between the Claus and Richstein households formed. Such shows were always much more interesting for the clever than watching after two dancing pairs at the center. They already strained their minds, thinking about how to use this grudge to get benefits for themselves.

“You went too far, countess,” said Baron Claus, also made an angered and offended expression on his face to help Countess in this farce.

“I don’t think so, Baron. You owe me a debt of suffering, and I will take it. Richstein household never forgets about a grudge,” said Ravenna with a mocking and threatening manner as she turned and left while her face paled a bit. Only Baron knew why that happened because Ravenna’s voice resounded in his head.

‘The hunting village, I will wait for you there.’

When Countess Ravenna finished her words and left, nearby nobles exchanged glances, realizing that another piece of news just appeared. They all heard their conversation and could make certain deductions. Hence, before Ravenna even disappeared from Baron’s eyes, several nobles already left in different directions.

...

..

.

Brunne Melor and Sylvana stood near the unconscious Andrey Claus and watched how physicians and alchemists finished their job and sewed up the wound. Thanks to Arthur Avalon, Andrey lost something important today. Though he still had an organ, it became useless because there was no petrol for it. Besides, his opponent knew well what he wanted and left no chances for Andrey’s recovery, totally breaking everything there. Alchemists and physicians could only diminish his pain and stop the blood loss. Hence, only help from the Holy Church branch could help him. Only the strong Great Priest or even stronger light magic-user could regrow things he lost.

When everyone else left the chambers, leaving only Sylvana and Brunne behind, a woman’s face made a total change as she no longer looked sad, but smirked and looked at her husband.

“You are totally useless, now,” said Sylvana with no trace of pity for her husband before she turned at Brunne, noticing his smirk.

“What will happen to him?” asked Sylvana as if she was talking about someone else, not about her husband.

“Hmm... I don’t know. My father will decide his fate,” said Brunne as he turned and looked at Sylvana with no trace of surprise at her behavior.

Sylvana only approached Brunne and started playing with her fingers on his chest without taking her eyes off the youth in front of her.

“Will you help him?” asked Sylvana.

“You want that?” asked Brunne with a slight smile on her lips, watching after the vixen in front of him.

Sylvana only shook her head when she heard him.

“No need. He was useless before. Hence, nothing changed for me now. I am just curious about what will happen to him. Anyway, he was my husband, and this is the biggest thing I can do for him,” said Sylvana with a charming smile on her lips while Brunne released a short laugh before he tightly gripped her face with one hand and embraced her with another.

“Don’t worry, Sylvi. Even if he dies, I will keep you to myself,” said Brunne with a smile on his lips before he pushed the woman onto the wide bed. A certain pleasure flashed through his mind when he realized what he was about to do on the second part of the bed, right next to her husband.

Sylvana also felt similar delight, only using more female techniques to charm and inflame her lover. With a hot and long kiss, their secret passion started.

...

..

.

When Duke and the duchess finished dancing with the two most respected guests, they returned to their places. The music started again, and now one pair after another started entering the center of the hall, holding hands.

There were old, young, even small children among that crowd of dancing people. However, as soon as the waltz started, four certain figures attracted the biggest attention. They were Mark, Alice, Philip, and Kleo Avalon. Scions of Duke Gatsby now caught the biggest attention of the public. The four of them looked perfect. They were beautiful, strong and elegant, young and healthy. Even their partners looked much better than everyone else. Besides, their dancing movements looked much more complex than the dancing of other pairs, it looked more passionate. In short, just as the waltz started, those four already captured many young boys’ and girls’ hearts with just one dance.

Aleona, who was with Nero, also noticed how those four just stole all the attention on themselves and furrowed her brows in dissatisfaction. Nero only put a slight smile on his lips when he saw that. Though he wasn’t experienced with girls just like his old friend Collins; he had certain ideas about what his partner was thinking about.

“Don’t pay attention to them,” said Nero with a smile on his lips as he slightly increased his pace, returning Aleona to their dancing.

Just that alone was enough to remind her where she was, and Aleona also smiled, looking at Nero. She slowed down before realizing that it was Nero’s first time, dancing in such a celebration. Hence, she didn’t want to cause problems for him because of her dancing skills. But now, when he increased the pace and looked with an encouraging smile at her, Aleona threw away her previous thoughts as a certain gleam appeared in her eyes.

“You are right. No need to distract from our dancing,” said Aleona with a smile on her lips while she also increased her pace, following Nero. Since he was the one to provoke her, she will use this chance to enjoy herself. Dancing waltz was her hobby, and since Nero asked for that himself, she won’t feel guilty after he asks for mercy.

...

..

.

Several hours later.

When Brunne Melor finally returned, the dancing was already approaching its end. Many guests were already exhausted, drunk, and relaxed. Only the young ones still kept dancing in the center of the hall, while the elders talked and waited for the next part of the celebration - the auction.

“I already wanted to send someone after you,” said Count Melor with irony when his son appeared in front of him.

Brunne only widened his smile at his words, understanding that his father knew him well.

“I know what you want to ask. I will consider Andrey’s fate when we will return to the county. Even though he destroyed some plans, he created more problems in exchange,” said Count Melor with a slight smile when he turned and looked at Baron Claus, who was now talking about something with Baron Tirel.

Brunne only made a dumbfounded expression without understanding what his father meant with those words and made him shake his head.

“Son, the auction will start soon. I and a few more nobles will depart. I hope you won’t be so absent-minded when I return. A woman is a woman, nothing new or special. While a rare resource might help not only you but the whole family,” said Count Melor as he narrowed his eyes and looked at Brunne.

“I get it, father,” said Brunne as he lowered his head.

“Good. You know what we need. But, don’t offend any of the four factions. The Melor household is neutral. Don’t provoke them,” said Count Melor while his son once again nodded before he patted him on the shoulders and left.

...

..

.

As soon as the music finished, both Nero and Aleona were covered in sweat. Now, Nero realized how much more he still needed to learn from lady Elora. Though he could easily dance and keep up with Aleona in terms of stamina, their skills were different. Following the first ten minutes, it was the harsh truth he learned when their roles changed and he became the one to follow while his partner increased her pace like crazy, following the music.

Hence, Nero now looked at his partner with slight fear because he never expected such roller coasters each time the music changed. But, though it was hard, Nero enjoyed it because it felt as if they were the only ones dancing there.

When they already wanted to return to their table, they noticed how Baron Claus and Tirel were calling them, waving hands. Hence, it didn’t take long for the boy and the girl to approach their relatives.

As soon as they approached them, Nero once again kissed Aleona’s palm before releasing her hand and approaching his grandfather. Aleona also moved to her father. Soon, they both were busy whispering with their elders.

“What happened?” asked Nero while Baron looked at him with approval and patted him on his shoulders.

“Good choice. This girl is much better than many others,” said Baron, while a small blush appeared on his face. Baron released a short laugh before he calmed down and gave something to Nero.

“What is that?” asked Nero with a dumbfounded expression on his face as he looked into the small ring his grandfather gave him.

“For the auction. There are five hundred thousand coins. Enjoy, you deserved that,” said Baron while Nero strangely looked at his always strict and serious grandfather before he realized the reason behind this sudden kindness. Baron smelled of alcohol and his eyes were cloudy. But Nero just couldn’t lose such a chance.

“Thank you, my Lord,” said Nero as he made a half-bow and quickly took the ring, hiding it into his bracelet while Baron only smiled and patted him on the shoulder before he turned and looked at the baron Tirel.

“Let’s go,” said Baron Claus, leaving Nero and Aleona behind while many servants already finished preparing the auction room when a loud sound of the opening doors resounded across the hall and a young female appeared in the hall.

“Dear guests, the auction is about to start. Please take your seats,” said the female in the charming clothes before she turned and disappeared while many nobles stood up, following her. The next part, and the most interesting one, was about to begin.