The Return Of The Exiled Villain-Chapter 168: Seven Stars Ball (III)

The king stopped in front of Gloria and gave her a courteous nod, just deep enough to show respect without lowering himself too far.

"Headmistress Gloria," he said warmly.

"It has been some time. I trust the academy continues to stand strong under your care."

"Your Majesty honors me. Gloria Academy thrives, thanks to the empire’s continued support." Gloria inclined her head in return, elegant and calm.

The king smiled faintly.

"I would expect nothing less. The recent intake has been... impressive. Word of it has reached even the inner court."

"They are rough around the edges," Gloria replied lightly, "but they are growing fast. Several will soon become pillars of the empire, if guided properly."

The king nodded, pleased by her expectations.

"That is good to hear. Especially in times like these."

He leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice.

"The northern borders remain quiet for now, but tensions beneath the surface remain. And the southern trade routes..." He paused, then shook his head.

"We will speak of such matters another time."

"Of course," Gloria replied lighly.

"Tonight is not for burdens."

The king chuckled under his breath.

"Indeed."

Throughout the entire exchange, the king never once looked at Gray.

Not even by accident.

Gray noticed this and did not care at all.

He calmly reached for a nearby tray, took a glass of deep red wine, and lifted it to his lips.

A slow sip.

"...Decent," he muttered to himself.

While Gloria and the king continued speaking in hushed tones, Gray turned away without ceremony and walked toward one of the catering corners lining the hall.

Servants bowed as he passed, but he ignored them, eyes already on the spread of food laid out before him.

Roasted meats, warm bread, glazed fruit, and rich sauces filled the tables.

He picked a plate, placed a few pieces of food on it without much thought, and leaned casually against a pillar near the wall.

’...The D’Aurélion Family didn’t arrive yet? Are they not coming?’ He wondered lightly, but quickly shook his head as he looked at his suit.

There was no way Alina would prepare this suit for him and not come.

’Mhm...’

Gray’s eyes suddenly locked onto the king as he saw him laughing with Gloria, but his body language was gradually becoming clearer.

He definitely liked Gloria.

He was making small, close gestures to touch her hands briefly, or even to get closer to her... if initially there was a distance of one meter between them, now... it was only 70 centimetres.

’...Strangely, neither his wife nor his children came. Is it because of Gloria...?’ Gray chucked to himself.

If that is truly the reason, this king would be the biggest joke of the continent.

BWOOOOOO!

Suddenly, the sound of the trumpets roared again, louder than before, cutting straight through the noise of the hall.

Heads turned at once toward the massive doors.

The announcer’s voice rang out once again.

"Hearken, noble lords and honored ladies of the realm. By ancient blood and ducal oath, the eldest daughter of House D’Aurélion now enters this hall. Lady Alina D’Aurélion."

The doors opened, and she stepped inside.

Her platinum hair flowed down her back, catching the light with every step, and her violet eyes held a sharp clarity that made people instinctively look away.

She wore a black gown, elegant and severe, its cut perfect and precise, hugging her figure before falling smoothly to the floor.

Thin silver lines traced the edges of the dress, subtle but refined, matching the small silver detail on Gray’s sleeve as if the two outfits had been made together.

"That’s Alina D’Aurélion..."

"She really came in person."

"They weren’t exaggerating... she’s flawless."

"A true genius."

Gray lifted his gaze fully, his expression finally changing a little. The pressure rolling off her body was impossible to miss.

’...The only person to ever skip the Gloria Academy’s training... huh. His eyes locked onto her figure.

His big sister was a true monster, as it was even she who taught his current sword art. Around her... There were many rumours that maybe Gray didn’t think would be true.

But now, he could confirm them.

The youngest person to reach the Emperor Realm... not to mention that her power was at the peak-stage of it.

His fingers tightened slightly around his glass.

So the rumors were indeed true.

Even Gloria, the strongest mage of the world, had only reached that realm in her forties, yet Alina stood there now, at twenty-one, carrying that same level of power.

’...A monster indeed.’

Alina’s eyes swept across the hall without interest, passing over nobles, dukes, and titled guests alike.

Then her gaze stopped... on Gray’s figure, who was also looking at her with calm eyes.

Her lips instantly curled up as she walked straight toward him, her heels tapping softly against the marble floor.

"Mhm... who did Miss Alina get interested in?"

The guests around instatnly felt curious as they looked in the direction of where Alina was heading, and seeing that unique black hair and black eyes... they instantly recognized him.

"Gray Vireux? He’s also attending this ball?!"

"The disgrace of the D’Aurélion family..."

"Psst! Don’t you realize that their outfits match? Maybe they still have a relationship, and talking bad about him can cost your life!"

The whispers instantly disappeared as they realized that same fact.

Looking at the incoming Alina, he calmly took another bite of food and a slow sip of wine, watching her approach without the slightest tension in his posture.

She stopped right in front of him, close enough that polite distance no longer mattered.

For a brief moment, they simply looked at each other.

Then Alina smiled.

"You finally learned how to dress properly."

Gray didn’t answer right away. He calmly set his glass down on the table beside him and lifted his eyes to meet hers.

"I just wore what you gave me," he replied instantly.

Her violet eyes widened slightly, softening into crescent shapes before she quickly hid them.

Without saying a word, she reached for a toothpick from the table, speared one of the pieces of meat on Gray’s plate, and took a casual bite, as if the plate had always been hers.

Only then did she speak.

"I have no idea what you’re talking about," she said lightly.

A servant appeared at her side, and she accepted a glass of wine with practiced ease, swirling it once before taking a small sip.

Gray watched her for a second, then clicked his tongue.

"A Great Grandmaster attendant isn’t enough to follow me around without being noticed," he said plainly. There was no accusation in his tone, just a statement of fact.

"Mhm..." Alina hummed, completely unbothered.

She tilted her head slightly, thinking, then looked back at him with mild curiosity.

"Then would someone at the King Realm be enough?" she asked, as if discussing the weather.

Gray exhaled through his nose, his eyes narrowing lightly.

"...Mayhaps."

Alina’s lips curved into a faint, satisfied smile.

Around them, the music flowed smoothly, laughter and polite chatter filling the grand hall, until... the music started slowing down.

A clear voice echoed across the ballroom, steady and formal.

"Honored guests, lords and ladies of the realm. By tradition of the Seven Stars Ball, the first dance of the night shall now begin."

Conversations faded as people turned their attention forward.

"All attendees are to take the floor with their assigned partners. Only after the first dance may one request the hand of another."

A soft murmur spread as nobles began moving, offering arms, exchanging practiced smiles.

Gray’s eyes turned almost on instinct.

He looked toward Gloria and immediately frowned.

The king stood in front of her, his hand already extended, his posture polite yet firm. Gloria looked momentarily surprised, then smiled politely and accepted, placing her hand in his.

"Tsk," Gray clicked his tongue softly.

"Pffft..."

Beside him, Alina let out a quiet laugh, clearly entertained.

"Did your partner get stolen?" she teased, her eyes glinting.

Gray didn’t bother looking at her.

"She was the one who invited me," he replied flatly. "If she forgets proper etiquette, that’s on her. And besides... that’s the king."

Alina laughed again, this time a little more openly.

"Fair enough."

Then she turned toward him, her expression shifting just slightly, turning more composed, and strangely excited.

"Well then," she spoke lightly, extending her hand towards him.

"Shall we dance?"

Gray finally turned to look at her.

His gaze lingered for a second longer than before, taking in her calm smile, her steady eyes, and the way the black of her dress matched his own.

"...Fine," he replied.

And he reached for her hand.

Rustle...

The moment his fingers touched hers, she tightened her grip and pulled him forward without warning.

Gray was forced to take a step, then another, as she dragged him straight toward the center of the ballroom.

"Alina..." he started, but she didn’t even look back.

"Relax," she stated calmly.

The floor was already filling with couples, gowns, and coats moving in smooth circles under the warm lights.

The music swelled, slow and elegant, setting the rhythm.

Alina finally stopped and turned to face him, still holding his hand.

"Try not to look so stiff," she added, a faint smile on her lips.

Gray exhaled through his nose, clearly annoyed, but he adjusted his posture anyway, placing his free hand at her waist like someone who had done this countless times before.

"Don’t step on my feet," he muttered.

She laughed softly at his words.

"No promises."