After dancing with Prince Faust, Pier was about to go back to his seat as he was tired but a person wearing a white suit with gold embroideries blocked his way

"Can the young master dance with me as well?" Pier scrunched up his eyebrows at the person. It was Raphael. He was curious as to why the future duke would want to dance with him - Raphael never danced with Pier before.

He was already feeling a little bit tired from the dance with the prince from the empire but he did not want to leave Raphael hanging in mid-air with his hand reaching out to him. Pier sighed internally but still grabbed Raphael's hand anyway.

"Sir Raphael better lead this dance, too," Pier grumbled. Raphael laughed at the distorted face of the young master and led him to the middle of the banquet hall where he and the prince danced. However, this time, other nobles were with them dancing.

"As you wish, young master." He said as he slowly brought the back of Pier's hands in his lips and kissed it. Surprised by the sudden action, Pier flinched and retracted his hand. He was blushing uncontrollably at what Raphael had just done.

"S-Sir Raphael..." He muttered lowly. Raphael scratched the back of his head as he suddenly felt embarrassed with what he did as well but still placed his hand on Pier's waist and the latter placed his hands hesitantly on Raphael's shoulders.

"Don't pull those kinds of things again, Raph," Pier said as he felt embarrassment creep up his entire body.

'Holy crap why did he do that? Is he nuts?' Kissing another person's hands, especially when dancing is counted as a sign of affection for the individual. At least that's what Eliam knows based on Pier's memory as the original owner of the body he was residing in would always have daydreams about how the Crown Prince of the kingdom would kiss his hand as they danced.

Raphael doing that was definitely the first time.

'Ah, maybe he just wants to show his affection for Pier as a friend.' But no matter how he tries to think that way, there was always a thought that lingers at the back of his mind.

'Did he like the original Pier before?' Eliam was perplexed at the bizarre thought he had

"Sorry, I simply acted on impulse," Raphael said before slyly smiling and swaying along with the music. He did not bother anymore with his thoughts about Raphael and the original Pier. This time, Pier learned more from his dance with Prince Faust that's why he was able to keep up with Raphael's movements. Raphael smiled at Pier who was focused on following his steps.

"You're doing well, Pier," Raphael whispered in his ear as he hugged him closer. Pier who had his focus on his steps did not notice such actions but replied to Raphael by whispering as well.

"I'm trying my best," He said with eyes full of sincerity. Raphael only stared at Pier. He looks like he's taking a knight's exam with seriousness.

'He looks beautiful too.' Raphael had been thinking since he saw Pier get down the carriage earlier that he was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Before, all he felt with Pier was disinterest and sometimes, annoyance when Pier would continuously cling to Asher when they meet. Yet the person right now is far too different from the Pier that he had witnessed in the past month.

Pier never bothered the Crown Prince anymore and instead focused more on himself. He was able to sense the feeling of familiarity with Pier again just like when they were kids. Pier once more became the person he had been when he was younger. A bright, excellent, and worthy of respect individual.

Asher, who was at a distance watched them. Pier and Raphael were so close with each other that at a point the heavy feeling he had after the performance became somewhat bigger.

"Oh my, look at those two in the middle," A noblewoman commented while looking in Pier and Raphael's direction. They were both smiling when Raphael got closer and seemed to like to kiss Pier's cheeks.

Nobles who saw the scenario let out audible gasps. They were all surprised by how the two looked.

"Duke Callisto, I heard you were looking for suitable marriage prospects for Raphael," King Henry said as he sipped on wine. Raphael's father, Duke Callisto agreed.

"Yes, your majesty. I have been looking for young noble ladies for Raphael to get married to. I am no longer young and soon he will inherit the Duchy," he said. His hair is similar to Raphael's color of hair as well.

The king laughed at Duke Callisto's statement and watched the two dance more in the middle of the banquet hall.

"What happened to the engagement between those two?" He said as he pointed at the middle

Duke Callisto sighed as he also looked in the direction where Pier and Raphael were dancing. He recalled all the memories that he had during the engagement process with the Belmiunde household.

"They were engaged, your majesty. However, both the young master and Raphael did not have any interest in each other. As much as I wanted Raphael to inherit the duchy, as a father, I would also want him to find his own happiness where he can have someone whom he treasures are by his side and lead the duchy together. The engagement was broken off as they both had their own interests." Duke Callisto explained. He was definitely a good father who wants his son to be happy with who he chooses.

However, the king thought otherwise.

"But it seems like Raphael is interested this time." The three, including Asher, gazed at the dancing pair in the middle. Raphael's tall frame was enclosing Pier's shorter one with his arms in a very affectionate manner while Pier was looking at his feet from time to time.

"Ah, it seems like Raphael's indeed interested" The two high-ranking individuals talked about Raphael's obvious interest in the young master. Asher only listened to them, he was having a hard time thinking properly about the feelings he was having.

"Raphael was interested in that? He did not even show any of those in the previous years." He heard Elena say beside him. His eyebrows scrunched up at the statement Elena had just said.

"Please be careful with how you address the young master, Lady Elena, he is still the successor of our sworn household." Asher reprimanded her. His insides were starting to boil with an unpleasant feeling after hearing Elena call Pier 'that'. He immediately showed an intimidating aura that Elena suddenly found uncomfortable. Disrespecting a member of their sworn household was the same as disrespecting the royal family.

"A-Ah, forgive me, your highness..." Elena bowed. She looked pitiful that any man would come and console her but Asher did not even spare her another glance after telling her to be careful with her words.

Asher clenched his fists with the unknown feeling. What was it? Was he angry because someone addressed the successor of their sworn household? yes, that was probably it. He would not want Pier's name to be tarnished with any slanders anymore. As he settled his feelings, a small part of it came back after seeing Raphael and Pier dancing.

---

After their dance, Pier and Raphael bowed to each other before returning to their seats. Pier was sweating quite a bit after the exhausting dance with the prince of the empire and Raphael.

"That was a graceful dance, young master!" Vivian greeted them. Pier smiled at her and nodded. All of the vigor he had at first were suddenly disappearing.

Nobles were dancing, talking, and making connections. Pier was starting to get tired more and more as hours passed by.

After the Royal Banquet had ended, Pier was on the carriage that he had brought after making his grand entrance. He yawned once more as he smiled. The small light orbs that give light to the path that they were taking shone brightly.

---

"Greetings, Duke Callisto!" The young noble bowed as a sign of respect. Duke Callisto smiled at him before ushering him inside the Duchy.

"You must have been cold, Pier. Please come inside and the servants will bring you your necessities." The duke said and Pier followed him. Servants from the Duchy all spared Pier a glance before going back to their work. It had been three days since Pier had his performance at the Royal Banquet and his name became the biggest topic of the news and gossip the day later.

News about the young master's majestic performance as well as his dance with both the prince of the empire and the successor of the Sentinio Duchy became the most talked about part of the said event.

"Is that the young master?"

"Yes, but the young master seems different from the last time I saw him in the duchy."

"Wow, the young master really looks like a handsome character from a novel!"

Whispers from the servants of the Duchy continued to circulate as more and more of them saw Pier walking behind the Duke.

"Raphael had been fretting over the young master's visit so much that he did not even sleep." Duke Callisto said as he laughed a little bit. Pier had a somewhat amazed expression as he listened to the duke's statement.

'He did not sleep?' Pier's suspicion of Raphael's possible liking towards the original Pier had been lingering in his thoughts for quite some time now. What if Raphael actually liked Pier from the start?

No, that's impossible. Raphael never cared about Pier in all of Pier's memories. He only stood by and watched as people ridiculed the original Pier and he never even showed signs of liking him when Pier would cling to the crown prince.

'So, what's with him lately?' Things were running in Pier's thoughts but he discarded them soon once he entered the garden of the Duchy.

Flowers and plants of all kinds were present and servants were tending them ceaselessly. It was like the garden at the King's Sun Palace but the latter was more prestigious - even though the garden of the Sun Palace seems more luxurious, the Sentinio Duchy was not far behind from it.

"Pier!" He turned his head and saw Raphael almost running towards him. His tall frame makes him stand out from the rest of the individuals present in the place.

Pier waved his hand at Raphael and the successor of the duchy greeted him with a smiling face.

"Welcome to the Duchy, Pier. It has been so long since you last visited." Raphael's smile was still on his face and Pier simply nodded at him. He was reminded once more of Pier's actions in the past.

"Thank you for the invitation, Raphael." He said and directed his gaze on the building that was in the middle of the garden.

"No, thank you for coming here." Raphael was indeed grateful that Pier had responded to his countless invitations in the past months. At first, all he intended was to talk things out between them and at least form a non-aggressive relationship where hostility will not be an issue but right now, he was at his happiest that Pier had responded.

Raphael led the young master towards the small resting place in the middle of the garden. The pathway that was well taken care of made Pier a little bit nostalgic of the place even though Eliam hadn't been there himself.

Inside the resting place, a large table was in the center with multiple chairs surrounding it. Different kinds of pastries and other refreshments were on top. Pier suddenly craved the sweets that were displayed in the center.

"Pier, I would like to thank you again for accepting my invitation despite your busy schedule." It was partially true for Pier. He had been practicing his magic in the previous days after the Royal Banquet and he actually made time to come in the Duchy.

"It's my pleasure to have been invited as well, Raphael. I missed coming in the Duchy" Pier smiled as he looked around as if reminiscing the memories he had with this place. Raphael stared at Pier's wandering eye.

He once more felt the calmness Pier was giving off. He did not even feel this in the previous months but ever since Raphael met Pier at the garden of the Sun Palace, the young master's demeanor had changed and Raphael was actually feeling a new sort of emotion every time he looks at the young master.

He cleared his throat and nervously adjusted the collar of his suit

"Pier..." Pier focused his eyes on Raphael.

"Hmm?" He tilted his head. Raphael immediately thought of a puppy the way Pier tilts his head

"I would like to formally apologize for my actions in the past events. I have been neglectful of the young master's circumstances even though I am involved. As the successor of the Sentinio Duchy, I have to secure the stability of the people involved with me." Raphael said with straightforwardness and sincerity. Pier liked that.

Pier may have become friends with Raphael once more but sometimes, he still held a little bit of animosity towards the young noble when he remembers how Raphael left Pier hanging in the air when he needed the latter the most.

Pier smiled at him and nodded his head.

"I understand, Sir Raphael. I accept your apology" Raphael smiled brightly at Pier's response and the conversation between the two friends flowed naturally.