Pier's sophisticated smile along with his dazzling appearance made people stop in their tracks. Everyone who saw Pier had their mouths agape as the young master was led by the knights of the famous household. Pier who wore a three-piece suit was a sight to behold.

Raphael held his breath at the sight. He knew Pier was good looking but he never knew the young master had more room to improve because he already excelled in that area. Pier walked towards the door of the Royal Banquet. His perfectly combed black hair and his pale skin shone elegantly under the moonlight. His straight and elegant posture made him look more beautiful than ever.

Raphael's instincts told him to move and greet the young master who was walking towards the door. The young duke followed his mind and walked towards Pier. He felt his heart beat faster as he neared him.

When Raphael reached Pier, he smiled. He did not know why he felt this but right now, what he wanted to do the most was accompany Pier.

Raphael's smile was definitely handsome. Pier thought that it was a rare opportunity for him to see a person with a high-status smile at him handsomely. Pier smiled at him in return and greeted him.

"Greetings, Sir Raphael," he said as he bowed his head slightly. Raphael chuckled at Pier's sly actions but greeted him back nevertheless.

"Greetings, Pier. You look extraordinary tonight." Raphael could not say that the young master was beautiful even though that was what he actually thought because it might sound weird to the latter. But Pier, no, Eliam, who never had any experience in regard with relationships would never even think of anything weird if Raphael did compliment him that he was beautiful because he thought that the body he just transferred to was beautiful as well.

"Thanks, you look handsome as always, Raph." Raphael suddenly felt his face heating up. He did not know what caused such an embarrassing reaction. Was it Pier's compliment about him being handsome or what is because Pier called him again by his nickname?

Raphael scratched the back of his neck before giving Pier his hand.

"Thank you, Pier. Shall I escort you inside?" He asked Pier who was tilting his head as if he found the thing amusing

'Ever since we became friends again, he had been escorting me a lot.' Pier simply grabbed Raphael's hand and started walking towards the doors of the palace.

"I am no lady to be escorted, Raphael but as I will take your request for I cannot leave a gentleman like you hanging. Oh, imagine what the others would say if I decline such an honorable request." Pier feigned hurt as he said those and the words actually stung Raphael's feelings a little bit. The incident of rumors going around after Pier broke off their engagement was brought back up in his memories and he felt his heart become heavy.

Pier noticed the sudden change in Raphael's mood. His smile looked forced all of a sudden.

'Did I say something wrong? Was that an unwarranted joke?' Pier asked himself. He did not know what was wrong with what he said and even he found it funny but decided to comfort the successor of the Sentinio Duchy anyway.

"Raph, are you good? Your expression doesn't seem to be well." He patted Raphael's arms. Raphael was definitely taller than Pier, he was a noble who was very tall for his age.

"I am fine, Pier. You do not need to worry about me." Raphael smiled at Pier and assured him that everything was good. Pier doubted his response but decided to not dwell on the matter anymore. As the two walked together, people were whispering to one another as well.

Surely, rumors about Raphael and Pier's relationship would start circulating tomorrow. When they reached the palace doors, a knight opened the door for them and Pier gasped at what greeted him.

Inside the palace were finely decorated interiors. Multiple chandeliers were hanging above the walls and lights were adorned around the palace. The golden designs that could be seen around were elegant to look at and the orchestra was playing some mild music. People of different statuses were mingling with each other in hopes to look for new business partners and make connections.

When Pier and Raphael entered the palace, multiple gazes were directed upon them. People who saw the successor of the Sentinio Duchy and the infamous young master come together gasped in awe at the sight, especially Pier who was wearing an all-black three-piece suit that matched Raphael's white suit adorned with gold embroideries.

People cannot help but notice the suit Pier was wearing. It was their first time seeing such a design and it looked beautiful. The way the suit was made was eye-catching enough that some nobles have started to wonder where Pier had gotten such a design.

"Greetings, young master and Sir Raphael!" A lady approached both of them and bowed respectfully. It was Vivian Morata, who was the tailor of Pier's designed suit.

"Greetings, Lady Morata," Raphael greeted the lady back without much thought. He did not know Vivian well enough but simply out of courtesy he greeted the noble.

"Greetings, Lady Vivian! You look beautiful!" Pier exclaimed and the nobles who heard it raised their eyebrows in suspicion at the exchange of the two noble individuals.

Raphael also raised his eyebrows a little bit at the exchange between the two. It was as if they were close friends for a very long time with how they conversed.

"Thank you, young master. However, the young master is the most beautiful person at tonight's event! The suit you have designed was the best thing that I have tailored!" She was sporting a very huge smile as if she was a child who had seen something incredible for the first time. Nobles who heard that Pier was the designer of the beautiful suit he was wearing gasped once more.

Pier smirked inwardly.

'It's going according to plan.' Outside, his elegant and sophisticated smile was very charming and a lot of noble ladies were swooning at the young master. Raphael moved closer to Pier without even knowing why.

"Did I just hear it correctly, Pier? The designer of the suit you are wearing right now was you?" He asked with astonishment. Pier felt iffy about the sudden loss of distance between him and Raphael but he did not mind. Raphael's calming scent was being emitted by the noble and he liked that.

"Yes, Sir Raphael. However, I only procured the design and Lady Vivian right here was the one who materialized the drawings," He said giving Vivian the spotlight. Vivian felt her cheeks heat up at the compliment of the young master her family was about to support if their plan would ever blow up. She smiled at Raphael who looked at her with a gaze she did not know the meaning behind but it was not of animosity nor anger.

Raphael on the other hand who had his gaze on Vivian was very curious at the moment. The Pier he knew did not like to socialize. He was devoted to the crown prince and never took time to meet the nobles of his age or making any connections.

'But it seems like he had connections and a friend, to begin with.' Raphael thought that it was normal. The sudden change that occurred with Pier might have been the catalyst for the series of events happening. He came up with the conclusion that maybe because Pier had changed, he now started making friends. He was happy with that.

"That's wonderful, Young Master! I am actually interested in your designs and Lady Morata's tailoring." Vivian's ears perked up at the statement Raphael just said. The person with one of the highest positions was interested in her works! She was overflowing with happiness at the series of fortunate events.

"Then I shall send you the samples of Young master Pier's designs and the actual material of my works, Sir Raphael," she said with a wide smile. Raphael nodded at her while also smiling and the nobles who heard the conversation thought of the possibilities coming. The suit Pier was wearing right now was indeed very unique and exquisite. It was their first time seeing such designs and they sensed that with Raphael getting interested in Vivian's work, it would become successful.

Pier already knew what was running in the noble's minds right now. He was starting to feel excited with the flow of things. Soon, he will start achieving one of his goals.

But what everyone was focused more on was how different the young master from the Belmiunde household acted. It seems like they were seeing an entirely different person right now. The young master, who, after entering the palace doors would immediately search for the crown prince, no longer did such an embarrassing thing but was now talking about business with the Sentinio Duchy and the Morata Countdom - two powerful houses in their designated status.

Nobles were all in awe at the actions Pier was taking. He no longer wore extremely bright colors that would outshine everyone and suits that badly matched but was now wearing an all-black attire that perfectly complemented his pale skin and his silver crest. Pier looked like he was a member of the royal family himself.

Smiling wider, Pier already knew the looks people were giving him. He also knew that whispers have started going around the palace, especially to the servants who have seen him before his entrance into the royal palace.

"Greetings to the future sun of the kingdom, His Highness the Crown Prince." Pier heard a noble say from a distance and he turned his head towards the direction where he heard it. Prince Asher, who wore a royal blue suit was walking in their direction. A pair of arms held the Crown Prince's right arm and her copper blonde hair was neatly tied in a bun and was adorned with pieces of expensive-looking ornaments. It was Elena Scotch, the only daughter of Marquis Scotch.

Her elegant strides matched those of Asher's. They looked like the main couple and everyone's eyes were on them. Pier was amazed after seeing Elena for the first time personally. The memories he saw in the original Pier's mind made him in awe of the lady's elegance but actually seeing her in person made him astonished even more. She was indeed beautiful. Her copper blonde hair suited her pearl-like skin and her green dress swayed beautifully as they both walked towards the direction where the three nobles were standing.

It was different from Pier's memory. Seeing Elena himself was indeed amazing for Eliam. When they both reached Pier's place, the three of them bowed toward Asher.

"Greetings, the future sun of the kingdom, His Highness the Crown Prince," they all said in unison before straightening their posture and greeting Elena.

"Greetings, Lady Elena. You look beautiful as ever. Lady Elena sure is the perfect match for His Highness," Pier complimented the Lady.

People around them were shocked at the behavior Pier displayed. They thought that he would run to the Crown Prince once more and make the Lady feel out of place but no, instead he complimented her with such high regards.

"T-Thank you, Young Master Pier," she stuttered, unable to process the scene that just unfolded in her eyes. She held Asher's arms tighter and Pier saw the millisecond look she gave him.

'Huh?' Bewildered, Pier could not believe what he just witnessed.

'Did she just give me a mocking look?' He gasped inwardly. Such lady whom he truthfully complimented sent him a mocking glare as she tightened her grip on Asher's arms.

'She's looking down on Pier right now.' He could feel it. Even though the Lady looked elegant right now, he could feel that she was looking down on Pier. Yes, on the actual Pier. But it was Eliam who was here right now and he was starting to feel excited with the unfolding of events.

'Interesting...' He smiled. His sophisticated smile made both the Crown Prince and Elena's eyes widen.

"Of course, Lady Elena. No one could definitely rival my lady's beauty in the entirety of the kingdom," He continued complimenting her more and he saw the faint shake of Elena's hands. It was so faint that no one would notice it but Pier did.

He turned towards the Crown Prince and gave him a compliment as well.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is as handsome and dignified as ever, too!" Pier was enjoying the small reactions he was getting from Elena. He did not think that the lady whom he wanted to be wedded with Asher so that everything would be in peace was actually an antagonist in Pier's life.

'She's trying to provoke me,' Pier thought as he noticed the way Elena would noticeably cling to Asher more. However, such methods did not even bring out the slightest of the reactions she was hoping for from the young master.

"Thank you, Young Master Pier. You look good tonight as well," Asher complimented him back. Pier smiled gratefully at him but Asher had a prolonged gaze on the individual in front of them. He was in disbelief.

'Hmm?' Asher observed Pier for a few seconds. The Pier he had seen right now was definitely not the one he had seen in the previous years. The latter did not try to cling himself to the Crown Prince nor did he make any actions that made Elena uncomfortable

'Something has definitely changed.' Asher was still staring at Pier when another voice called Pier's name.

"Young master!" It was the voice of a child. Pier looked at the source of the voice and saw Prince Nicholas running towards him. Pier smiled warmly at the small child as he lowered his head and greeted the young prince.

"Greetings to His highness, Prince Nicholas," Pier said and Nicholas hugged him. His small body was like a small bundle of happiness for Eliam who missed his brother dearly back in his previous life. Pier carried Nicholas in his arms and the child had a reddened face as he was carried.

"Prince Nicholas, please do not overexert yourself too much!" Elena tried talking to the small prince but Nicholas did not even spare her a glance as he was too busy admiring Pier's beautiful face.

"You came!" He said excitedly after being mesmerized by Pier. Pier simply patted the child's head and nodded

"Of course, how could I not attend when his highness would also be here," he said playfully and Nicholas' face reddened once more. He hid his face on Pier's shoulder as he was too shy with Pier's words

Asher, who was staring at the exchange of the two had another look of disbelief in his eyes. He thought that the young master actually keeping his promise to not bother him anymore was a surprise but the closeness between his younger sibling and Pier was further than that.

"You both knew each other?" He asked Pier. Pier smiled at him and looked at Nicholas warmly like it was his child.

"Yes, your highness. Prince Nicholas allowed me to be his friend," he said and Nicholas let out a small sound

"No! You will be m-" But before they could hear what Nicholas had to say, they heard another voice.

"Greetings, Young Master Pier." Suddenly, a voice greeted Pier from behind. He turned his head to look at the source of the voice and saw a person with golden hair. It was the same person he had met when he visited the royal palace to practice.

"Greetings, Prince Faustino." Pier bowed respectfully to the man who just greeted him. Faust, who had his gaze on Pier for a few seconds then smiled warmly. His golden blonde hair was eye-catching enough which would always put him in the spotlight. That was the most noticeable characteristic of a royal from the Empire. They had golden blonde hair.

Prince Faust was wearing a purple suit adorned with silver embroideries. It suited his short golden hair so much as well as his physique that Pier was mesmerized for a second. Purple was also the representation of a royal family from the empire.

"The young master's design of his suit looks incredible," He commented as he checked the suit Pier was wearing. Pier blushed at the compliment. It felt different being complimented by another royalty. He smiled at Faust and thanked him.

"It's my honor that his highness had complimented me." He said and Faust laughed at Pier's words. Everyone present at the royal palace had their mouths open. They could not believe what they were just seeing right now. The young master who was a hot topic of the banquet was talking in a friendly manner with royalty from the Empire!

Asher's eyes widened as he stared at the two. What did he miss? What happened during those weeks that Pier had not bothered him? Why does suddenly he become friends with his younger brother and the second prince of the empire?

"Ah, pardon my manners. It's good to see you tonight, Prince Asher," Faust greeted Asher who was staring at them. Pier could feel the questioning gaze he got from Asher but decided not to comment on it.

"It is fine, Prince Faustino. I did not know that you are friends with Young Master Pier," he said. It was a statement demanding an explanation and Faust simply smiled at that.

"Yes, I became friends with the young master when I accidentally met him two days ago," He said and looked at Pier once more who had an embarrassed look. Faust simply smiled at Pier who also smiled at him and Asher

"Prince Faustino is right, your highness. He was very kind for allowing me to be friends with him." Pier and Faust did not mention anything about being friends when they first met at the throne room two days ago but the prince had claimed to be one with him and so he simply went along with it.

"Greetings, Prince Faustino," both Vivian and Raphael greeted the prince from the Empire as well.

"Greetings, honorable nobles. I believe that you are young master Pier's friends?" He said and the two looked at each other before nodding enthusiastically.

"I am Raphael Sentinio from the Senitnio Duchy, it is my utmost pleasure to have met with the second prince of the Empire" Raphael bowed with respect. Vivian did the same.

"I am Vivian Morata from the Morata Countdom. It is also my pleasure to have been given the chance to meet with the second prince." Pier just stared at the two. Things were getting interesting as it progresses. He then felt the small boy in his arms wiggle.

"I don't like him," Nicholas quietly said. Luckily no one heard that but only Pier. Pier was almost about to laugh at the pouting face of the young prince.

'Maybe because Prince Faustino interrupted him earlier?' Pier patted Nicholas's head and the boy shrank back in his arms as if it was the most comfortable place.

"It's my pleasure to meet both of you, Sir Raphael and Lady Vivian. Meeting young master Pier's friends is also a great pleasure of mine." Prince Faust said before looking back at Pier who was patting the young boy's head.