"Greetings to the great suns of the empire," Lukas said out loud.

I don't know if I should laugh from how unenthusiastic he sounded, as if this all ball situation is boring him. He sure sound like he's dragged here against his will.

Still, you got to respect the monarchs, Lukas. This is not the time for being such a lousy man!

To my surprise, both the Emperor and the Empress weren't offended at all. Though I could see Ezekiel's smiling face looking a shade lighter than before. My brother was displeased obviously, because he's a devoted knight. Then there's Janus who was shooting sharp knives on Lukas's back.

The others were even shocked from his behavior, even the Emperor's retainers were clearing their throats. Lukas had just arrived and he's already stirring trouble.

.

Honestly...

"Glad to have you here, Duke Agera. I hope you'll enjoy your stay," the Emperor stated with a warm smile.

It's like a father appeasing his son or something. This is so strange...

"Thank you, Your Majesty," was his response and went straight to the table where the alcohol are in.

There was a buzz of course but the orchestra started playing their music again to drive away the awkwardness.

"Ah, that's the infamous duke," Gwen whispered in awe.

"Agera... That sounds familiar," Kai murmured.

I looked at them and saw Kai staring at Lukas who was currently downing a glass of wine over there, with furrowed brows. Lost, however, looked a little troubled for reasons I don't know.

"Are you both okay?" I asked just in case.

I am their older sister so I am responsible for their enjoyment, not. I mean, I want them to have fun.

"I'm okay Nadia!" Kai answered while Lost nodded in agreement.

Okay then...

I glued my eyes to Estelle who was still in the company of some women. She looked like she's not enjoying it and kept glancing to an open gap between the group.

'Poor her...'

She must be frustrated right now. I kind of relate to her a bit, that was what I felt when I had my first palace ball. I got smothered with ladies who were all chattering nonstop throughout the whole night.

I then looked back to my eyecandies and saw them all banned together.

"Hey, hey. Do you see that spectacular view?" Some woman at the table from our right, uttered.

"They all looked good!" One joined in while gushing.

'Mhmm... They all are.'

My long time wish had just came true. The four of them were standing side by side like one big harmony of a luxurious painting.

I could die happy by just staring at that extraordinary sight.

Ezekiel and Lukas looked really close with each other, even though I couldn't possibly hear what they were talking about, but I could tell from their body language.

I squinted at the four of them and sighed. Blinding. All of them are blinding.

Rosenthal sure is blessed with beautiful people...

Thank the heavens for such a precious sight!

Hehehe now, give me that spicy drama. Come on guys, do your thing!

I grabbed another glass of wine and propped myself, preparing for the upcoming spectacle that would happen later. I am prepared to stare at them for the whole night. Come at me!

--**

Hmm... How many glass of wine did I have? I can't remember but I sure feel a little dizzy. There was a buzzing noise in my head too and my eyes looked a little blurry, especially the sides.

Someone touched me on my shoulder. I looked at them and saw Bea looking at me with worried eyes. Wait, when did Gwen disappear? When did everyone at our table go?

"You should stop drinking more, Nadia," Bea murmured and grabbed the glass on my hand.

That's probably right, huh. I think if I continued drinking I will end up drunk at the end of the night.

Heh. This is all because of them.

These damn people... They are not doing anything! Nothing at all!

I vigilantly watched them all night, waiting for something, some sign, or just a clue in general. I kept glancing back and forth to the two groups that I felt like my eyes would turn white and fall off of their sockets.

Due to that, I lost count on how many refills I had. I didn't even notice that only Bea and I are the only ones who remained on our table.

Where could the rest be? I don't know!

This is boring! Estelle doesn't look like she's even going to try and approach the male leads, and the latter were also the same!

Somehow, Lukas had disappeared to somewhere or he could have gone home because of boredom. Janus is also missing. He could have skedaddled back to his tower, who knows.

Nathan is with dad, and Ezekiel is talking with the nobles.

Is this all? Is this really all? Why am I here then?

I should have just snucked out and went to the plaza...

"Maybe you should get fresh air," Bea suggested.

Yes. Fresh air. I need that.

"I'll be back," I told her this which she answered with a nod.

While on my way outside, I saw Estelle saying something to the group with her before escaping at the left part of the hall. I wanted to follow her but my vision was spinning like crazy so nevermind.

It's not as if I'm going to see an interesting sight anyway.

'Hmmm... but where did Estelle went to when she left the ball in the novel? Ah, my head hurts...'

Ignoring all the advances of some people, I successfully got outside the palace. My lungs greedily took in the cold air which immediately lessened the buzzing in my head.

The moon is on it's peak, it's probably way past midnight right now, I can't tell. I was on the east side of the garden and stayed there for a while until my mind cleared up.

I then leaned forward on the stone fence and sighed.

This wasn't going as planned. How disappointing.

All because I went and messed up the story, now the future has changed. Aaaahhhhh....

I grumbled a bit more before deciding to go back inside and pester my dad to go home or something. As I turned, something caught my eye. Or was it someone?

I squinted and saw two figures nearby.

Yep, definitely someone. I was about to ignore it when I recognized who they were.

"Noah and... Rosamunde?" I whispered and crouched at one bush.

They were both sitting side by side a fountain and laughing at that. They looked like they are really happy.

Wow, when did these two...?

"Hmmm..."

I didn't know they are that close with one another...

I peeked again and saw Noah showing something to Rosamunde who was smiling widely. Quite shocking, I tell you.

I mean, that Rosa?

It looked interesting and I really want to hear what they're both talking about, but that could end up nasty. They might notice that I was lurking around and listening to them.

I better ask Noah about this the next time I see him...