For the night’s ball, Ocean wore a deep black coat that fell neatly to his knees, trimmed with silver embroidery and lined with lighter accents along the cuffs and edges. The coat’s shoulders and chest carried subtle but intricate designs, giving it a commanding yet elegant air.

Beneath it, he wore a crisp, high-collared sapphire blue shirt with soft ruffles at the chest, fastened at the throat by a brooch of deep blue stone. A chain hung from it, holding the Ryujin family crest—a dragon concealed within flowing waves—its silver surface gleaming faintly in the candlelight.

His waist was cinched by a structured black belt-like corset, studded with silver buttons, giving sharpness to the outfit’s form. Straight black trousers completed the lower half, tucked seamlessly into polished boots.

To mask his identity, he wore a sleek black mask traced with faint blue wavy engravings, the patterns catching light whenever he moved. Against this, his aqua-blue eyes shone brighter, almost unnaturally sharp, while his equally aqua hair fell around his face in graceful waves, softening the otherwise commanding look.

For today’s ball, Ocean had decided to show up with Miri since she was crashing at his mansion along with Kai. It was make a huge impact in the beginning casting the kind of influence he wanted on his guests.

The guests mostly comprised of his allies and enemies, Ocean was looking forward to this ball. It was only in the early morning that he got the news that the head that was the last part of the curse was located. It was in one of the places that he had expected and now the last part of the corpse curse was being brought over.

Ocean had read the whole Grimoire and he knew that keeping the whole body in one place was dangerous but there was a way of cancelling the curse of all the parts were retrieved after casting the dark spell.

The maids and Enora who had helped Ocean get dressed eyed him one more time checking if everything was in place along with his mana devices and then smiled with satisfaction.

"It’s all done, Master." They all bowed and Ocean smiled.

"You all did a great job." Ocean said and the maids and Enora looked content.

"Let’s go now, shall we? I need to pick both Miri and my son." Ocean said.

Ocean stepped out of his room finding Lyall standing there, he bowed to Ocean.

"The guests have started arriving, Master." He informed him.

"Good, are Miri and Kai ready?" Ocean asked as he started moving towards Kai’s room.

"Young Master is, Her Majesty is still getting ready." He said as he walked a step behind Ocean and Ocean chuckled.

"I’m sure she would look the most beautiful woman among all tonight."

Lyall smiled a little, "Master would still attract most of the attention."

Ocean laughed, "That’s without a doubt."

Ocean stood in front of Kai’s room only for a minute before the doors opened and Kai stepped out dressed in a finely tailored blue tunic with wide, flowing sleeves, secured neatly at the collar with ornate clasps. The fabric fell smoothly, fitted at the waist with an intricate belt that matched the elegant designs at his cuffs. Draped across his shoulders was a long black cape, lined on the inside with a lighter shade, while the outer fabric bore delicate patterns along the hem. His trousers were slim and tucked neatly into high boots that folded slightly around his knees, giving him a composed yet refined appearance.

Though young, the attire lent Kai an air of maturity beyond his years—his striking blue hair and eyes only sharpened the regal impression. The blue tunic and black cape adorned with silver designs shimmered under the light, making him seem both noble and untouchable, as if he had stepped out of another realm.

"Master!" Kai beamed and Ocean smiled looking up and down at the young Dragon.

"You look dashing." Ocean said and Kai chuckled.

"You look really handsome too, Master." He said and Ocean smiled before he gave Kai his gloved hand.

"Shall we go then?" He asked and Kai smiled looking at Ocean’s hand.

Years ago, he hadn’t expected to step out of that darkness and pain but now, he was in a completely different world as a completely different- no rather as a chrysalis who had managed to break out of his cocoon and had finally managed to unfurl his wings. It was possible only because of the Dragon standing before him.

Kai smiled and took Ocean’s hand and they walked towards the guest room where Queen Miera- Miri was getting ready.

The two had to wait for some time and Ocean noticed Kai twiddling his thumbs while looking out of the window as the carriages kept pouring in nonstop. It wasn’t even evening yet and most of the guests were already here.

"Nervous?" Ocean asked and Kai shook his head.

Ocean resisted ruffling his hair as he knew Kai’s appearance should be immaculate before everyone.

"It’s fine if you are, you’re at your own home anyways." Ocean said and Kai looked up at him with a smile.

"Besides, I’m going to introduce you to the world as my son so, you can carry that pride, hm." Ocean smiled and Kai stared at him for a moment.

When he was in Denril at the Temple, he had seen many families, the parents would ask him to bless their child and he saw how the parents looked at their child with so much love int heir eyes. He often felt envious of the happy children and the families, wondering why he couldn’t have parents or a family of his own?

He had always thought that maybe that’s what his life was, pain, suffering and darkness. But then one night a storm blew through that darkness and what followed was a drizzle in the warm sunlight. He had nothing for himself before, no home, no family, not even a name. But now he had it all. And he thought of himself to be the happiest person alive just by being beside the person who had entered his life like that. The person or rather the Dragon who was the answer to his prayers.

A beautiful smile graced Kai’s features as he now looked up at the same person, he was always grateful. He opened his mouth to speak but just then the doors of the guest room opened but instead of Miri’s room, it was Davian’s room.

Davian was also well dressed up, he beamed as soon as he saw Ocean and Kai and walked up to them.

"Master, Kai. You two look really great." He said and Ocean chuckled.

"Yes, we do, you look pretty good yourself, Your Highness. It seems like you prepared yourself extra well, today. Is it for a special someone?" Ocean asked teasingly and Kai looked at both of them, amused.

Davian chuckled, shy, "Ah, well, you know who I dress up for Master."

Ocean shook his head, finding Davian’s shy face adorable, it tempted Ocean to tease him.

"Top sad though, the one you’ve dressed up for won’t be attending." Ocean said making Davian eyes go wide.

"What?!"

Ocean nodded, "Since there will be a lot of eyes today so, to avoid attracting some unnecessary flies we all thought it would be better for her to not attend today’s ball."

Davian visibly deflated, if Ocean had to imagine he could have pictures the perked up dog ears and tail of Davian to have drooping.

Ocean tilted his head with a smile and reached out patting his shoulder, "Don’t worry, focus on the impressing the lady you’re going to escort tonight."

Davian gave him a confused look.

"Escort who?"

Ocean smiled mischievously, "Ah, it’s a surprise. Don’t worry, she will find you before the ball starts so, look forward to it, hm."

Davian was about to press him for more information when the sound of the doors opening resounded and the trio looked at the beautiful woman who stepped out of the room.

Queen Miera was dressed in a breathtaking gothic ballgown of black and blue. The fitted bodice, adorned with lace and a single blue rose, flowed into layered skirts where dark lace veiled rich red fabric. A large blue rose rested at her hip, and long gloves emphasized her regal poise.

Her caramel-hued skin glowed against the dark tones, while her long black hair, crowned with sapphire studded rose shaped hairclips, framed her face. Her obsidian eyes, deep and commanding, completed the image of a sovereign who was both elegant and formidable.

She smiled gracefully as soon as she saw the three men, Davian and Kai bowed.

"Good evening, Your Majesty." Kai said.

"You look very beautiful, Your Majesty." Davian spoke.

The two straightened up and she nodded, "You two look pretty handsome yourself."

Her eyes then flitted over to Ocean who was simply looking at her with a smile.

"Aren’t you going to compliment me, Master?" She asked.

"Compliments would fall short on Your Majesty," Ocean said as he stepped ahead and bowed slightly taking her hand.

"You’ve grown into a fine young woman who has not only revived a country which had fallen into despair but also turned the dust into gold." He spoke in a low voice before he rested a soft kiss over her gloved knuckles.

When he straightened up, he noticed the pink hue dusted over her cheeks as she stared at him, stunned. She blinked and touched her cheeks while chuckling.

"Oh, why are you suddenly complimenting me like that, Master?!" She laughed turning back to her Miri self.

"It wasn’t possible without you." She said and Ocean chuckled.

"Well, now that we’ve come to this. I hope you are ready to upgrade." Ocean said and Miri looked at him confused.

"Upgrade?"

Ocean’s smile deepened as he stepped ahead leaning closer to her ear, his voice dropping lower than a whisper, "Upgrading to be an Empress, I meant."

Since Ocean had spoken so low, neither Davian, nor Kai were able to hear it and Miri looked at Ocean for a moment. Before she chuckled.

"That sounds exciting, I’ll look forward to it then." She said and Ocean gave her his hand.

"Great, then, for now, I hope you keep your hands off of my Prince tonight though." Ocean said and she chuckled placing her hand in his while Davian looked shocked and Kai was confused.

"No promises," Miri shrugged her shoulders making Ocean roll his eyes.

"You better, if you want him for the rest of your life, Miri." Ocean said and Miri hummed.

The two started walking with Kai and Davian following them.

"Is dancing allowed?" She asked.

"Only one."

"What?! At least make it three!"

"Two, no more than that." Ocean finalized.

"Oh, Master, come on!"