Those words caused Hal's lips to twitch.

"So, you mean to say that I have been recruited to what? Spy?" Hal asked.

Eva sighed,

"Not exactly. YOU were not recruited. I'm guessing the princess decided that you were too weak to go through the ordeals so she settled for having you join the selection and becoming a part of the Royal Academy.

We were only supposed to keep an eye out and once you were seen, report back to her so she could offer you assistance."

What kind of assistance?" Hal asked but it was Camira who answered,

"A sound cultivation technique, cultivation resources. Really, anything that would give you a fighting chance.

After all, should you attempt to be a student at the academy, you will be up against geniuses. The best of their sects." She said.

"The best of their sects. Does that mean...?" Hal began but Camira replied to his incomplete question,

"...that the best of the sects will only be a white-robed student? Yes, that is exactly what it means.

It is why no one dares to look down on any student of the royal academy no matter what robe they wear. The other robes are more like privileges and usually have nothing to do with superior strength.

That said, white-robed students still strive to become the best and that is signified by the best to robe of them all; The Green robe."

Hal eyed the sisters,

"Which robes were you?" He asked as Camira sat down with a stressful sigh while Eva chuckled,

"We were never students at the academy. We were never talented enough for that.

Now back to you. With your current strength, you are more than qualified to be recruited which is why it is so suspicious.

If the princess deemed that you were not strong enough for recruitment merely two months ago, how could you have possibly overcome all of that so soon?" She asked.

Hal smiled lightly,

"Perseverance" he said.

Camira snorted,

"Nonsense. It is much more likely that you are from the Dystopian continent and hid your cultivation before. Meeting the princess, I admit might have been a coincidence you did not plan." She said.

Hal sighed,

"I am not from the Dystopian continent and if you have the time to and patience, you can send word to Sapphire city and they will tell you who I am.

You have no reason to distrust me.

Also, your 'Princess' searched me the day we met and ascertained my age. If she did not find anything amiss, then I don't see why you even bother.

Don't tell me you actually hope to find something she missed."

The two looked uncomfortable.

Did they really hope to discount the Princess's assessment?

Not to mention that they could not bear to hold a candle to her strength, her age and expertise were beyond them as well.

Hal took advantage of the silence and the lapse to pat Eva's hand affectionately,

"It's okay. You don't have to look so worried." He said and stood up from his chair.

Eva looked confused,

"Why would we be worried?" She asked.

Hal shrugged but said nothing as he walked behind Camira's chair and placed his hands on the lady's shoulders.

It was as though it was magic touch as Camira felt all of the stress and ache she had been feeling as of recent suddenly relieve her.

"Ahhhhh"

She let out a long sigh of contentment while Hal rubbed and massaged her shoulder blades for a while before stopping,

"I thought you would be worried I would relay this all back to the 'Princess'. If that is the case, you don't have to worry.

I don't wish to be part of any recruitment and in four months, who knows? I might not even join the selection.

Just relax..." He said and gave Camira's shoulder a few more rubs before leaving it completely.

Camira's hands flew up and she held his hands down to her shoulder,

"That was nice. Don't stop" she said.

Hal made to pull his hand away,

"No I think I'd much rather leave" he said.

Camira held his hands,

"No, continue. I insist."

"You really like those words, Don't you?" Hal said and continued to rub her shoulders.

"Mmnnngghhh" Camira moaned and leaned back in her chair and more into Hal's hands.

Eva watched it all and could already feel herself getting flushed as the ache of arousal slowly set in.

...

Meanwhile...

The party continued and Baron Aaro continued to greet and converse with dignitaries with only a few of them asking where the Baroness was, politely of course.

Aaron evaded the question politely as well while directing their attention to political matters of the Barony and request their help to always keep his seat.

The most adamant of the dignitaries was Lady Penelope who did not particularly feel at ease with Hal being gone at the same time as the Baroness and her sister.

She worried that Hal was being punished at that moment and demanded the Baron tell her where his wife was.

"What is this really about? Is it that Blue-eyed young man?" The Baron eventually said in an exasperated tone.

Lady Penelope sneered,

"Glad you're catching up."

The Baron sighed heavily,

"Lady Penelope, I assure you that he is fine. There are just certain things we need to ask him. While I cannot assure you that he will return to the party, I can however tell you that he will be alright. So long as he has nothing to hide." He said.

Lady Penelope glared and walked away from him and back to her guard/escort.

At that time, Henrik returned to the party hall looking quite well other than the occasional stagger in his movements.

Soon, he was at his brother's side and groaned in annoyance when people with either pity or amusement in their gaze.

"Are you alright?" Aaro asked and Henrik nodded.

"Nothing wounded but my pride" hr said.

Aaro's eyes narrowed,

"Mind telling me what happened. You seemed to freeze in place."

Henrik frowned in concentration as though to remember what had happened but other than a Dark shadow of fear, there was nothing he could remember, and knowing that it must have been Hal's doing did not help matters at all.

Eventually, he shook his head,

"I'm as clueless as you are. Where is the little bastard anyway?"

The Baron smiled proudly and seemed to pull himself up as his handsome face lit up,

"Camira and Eva are interrogating him" he said.

Henrik turned towards his brother sharply,

"Why would you let Eva join in? She has a soft spot for him." He said which was kind of a stretch considering the duo only met the day before.

Aaro chuckled,

"That was all an act. Camira has filled me in. The Imperial Princess Tanya seems to be looking for him."

Henrik's eyes widened and Aaro nodded in satisfaction at his brother's reaction before adding,

"So as you can see, it's a big deal."

Henrik nodded.

That it was a big deal was an immense understatement. This was a humongous deal. The chain of command from imperial power to Barony was so far that people such as them were not as important as an ant in the presence of imperial pedigree.

"I'll keep watch. I won't let anyone get inside and interrupt." Henrik said and made to walk away when Aaro grabbed his arm,

"That includes Brother. You must not interrupt them."

Henrik nodded and was gone in seconds.