Ocean told Davian to go out first in order to meet the person that he had to escort, he was reluctant but he also wondered who it was that he was supposed to escort.

Davian didn’t show up right at the ballroom but according to Ocean’s instructions he was told to go at the back of the mansion. But he didn’t see anyone there, he waited and looked around wondering if Ocean had pranked him or something when he felt the chill run down his spine and he whipped around to see a tall woman’s figure standing there.

She was dressed in a deep green gown with a structured bodice and heart shaped neckline. Her strong arms were covered in the long, wide sleeves with embroidered cuffs and broad gold embroidered belt at her waist. The skirt was voluminous including the vertical panels decorated with the gold stitching. The glinting blue pendant rested over her neck while the tear shaped earrings dangled from her ears.

The beautiful gown she wore shimmered under the light, its deep, vibrant color amplifying the brilliance of her sharp green eyes. Her fiery red hair, tied back neatly in a bun, glinted with golden accessories that gleamed like tiny crowns. Dahlia Montaire radiated the poise and strength of a woman who was not only a noble, but a mother whose authority no one could dare question.

Davian froze at the sight of her, his breath catching. Of all people, he hadn’t expected her here.

"M-Mother?!" he gasped.

Dahlia’s eyes narrowed, arms folding across her chest in a stance that brooked no excuses.

"It seems you do remember us after all," she said pointedly. The weight of her gaze was enough to make Davian glance away, clearing his throat nervously.

"Ah... That..."

Her tone sharpened like a blade. "How much time has it been since you returned from the war?"

"F-Five months," he admitted, shoulders hunching slightly.

"And may I ask," she continued, each word clipped with precision, "why you never returned home?"

Gone was the fearsome soldier known across battlefields as the Beast. In this moment, Davian looked no more than a boy cornered under his mother’s stern eye, fumbling for excuses.

"That... I... By the time I returned, winter had already set in and the Gates were closed so..."

"You could have gained entry regardless," Dahlia cut him off, her voice sharp as glass. "You knew that. And yet you chose to remain here—troubling Marquis Ocean, no less. You even had him escort you to Denril as your chaperone, when both your father and I would have gladly taken on that duty."

Davian winced, his head lowering like a child caught in mischief. "I-I’m sorry."

"Does that cut it?!" she thundered, the sheer force of her voice making him flinch as though he’d been struck.

A long silence stretched before Dahlia finally sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose and massaging her temples. Her anger ebbed, but her disappointment lingered, heavy and suffocating. When she stepped forward, the click of her heels echoed like judgment itself. Davian stiffened instinctively, bracing for what would come next.

She reached out and placed her hand over her shoulder.

"Lift your head." She said and he looked up at her.

Dahlia looked at her son, up and down. He had grown taller and more muscled from what she remembered. He looked more of a young man now. She hadn’t even realised and her son had grown up already.

Her hand moved to his cheek and she felt the strong features of his face under her palm. She smiled.

"My son is all grown up before we even got to know." She murmured and Davian felt the emotions behind her words.

He smiled touching her hand and she shook her head.

"Well, I wouldn’t have been able to come anyway, if not for Marquis Ocean."

"What do you mean, mother? Did Master call for you?" Davian asked and Dahlia sighed.

"Not directly, but there had been some issues up in North and Ocean’s people from Izkar showed up a couple of days ago and we got to know that the similar things have been happening here. He said it was related to a curse and upon Investigation we did find something bizzare. I just don’t understand how it came to Frosthail after the Gates were closed." Dahlia said and Davian’s eyes widened.

"Did you find the severed head in Frosthail?" He asked urgently and she lifted her eyes to his.

The look was enough to answer, Davian frowned deeply. He had been extra sensitive about his parents being in danger ever since the incident years ago and now there was another conspiracy going on behind their backs.

Dahlia noticed the grim look over her son’s face and patted his shoulder, "Don’t worry, it’s here now. Master Ocean said that he has a way of cancelling the curse so that it doesn’t affect anyone."

Davian didn’t look quite relieved and Dahlia smirked a little.

"I heard the Golden Serpent and her posse is going to be here tonight."

Davian noticed his mother’s tone and couldn’t help but mirror her smirk.

"Yes, it’s going to be fun." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The two entered the ball room together and the nobles who had gathered from the Esmertia and the rest of the nobility who wasn’t a part of Ocean’s side were shocked. Having the future Grand Duke wasn’t enough that now even the Grand Duchess had showed up.

Davian and Dahlia walked over and greeted everyone including Duke Aurelius, Marquis Fairisles and Rune.

Now only the the hosts and the royal family were left to arrive.

Kai felt perfectly fine until they stopped before the great double doors. The moment seemed to stretch, heavy and expectant. Ocean stood to his right, calm and composed, while Miri held his left hand firmly in hers. Ocean had insisted earlier that he would escort her, but Miri had shaken her head with quiet determination—she would walk in with Kai.

The boy’s small hand was cool against her palm, and she glanced down at him with a soft smile.

"Don’t be nervous," she whispered, her voice carrying a warmth that wrapped around him like a shield.

"You’re the star of today’s gathering," Ocean added smoothly from the other side. "That means you can do as you please... except drink."

Kai tilted his head up at the two of them, his bright eyes darting between their reassuring expressions. He inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly, trying to steady his racing heart.

"Ready?" Ocean asked, his gaze intent.

Kai nodded, silent but resolute.

"Miri, I’ll leave him in your care," Ocean said, stepping back a pace.

She squeezed Kai’s hand gently, her eyes softening. At that moment, the herald’s voice rang out, cutting through the hall like a bell:

"Make way for Her Majesty, the Queen of Mordino—Young Master Kai Ryujin—and Marquis Ocean Ryujin!"

The massive doors swung open. Ocean followed one step behind, watchful and composed, while Miri and Kai, hand in hand, walked forward to meet the world awaiting them.

The chattering crowd hushed at once as the great doors opened, every head turning toward the arriving guests. The Queen of Mordino’s presence in Ryujin had never been made public, and the revelation struck like a thunderclap. Faces froze mid-expression, mouths hanging open, fans paused mid-flutter—an unintentionally comical sight of disbelief and awe.

Miri walked forward with measured pride, her hand linked firmly with Kai’s. He tried to keep his shoulders squared, to hide the nervous tremor in his chest, and for a moment the silence pressed down heavily. Then, as recognition settled in, the crowd bowed low before Miri’s regal presence, their surprise melting into reverence.

Kai’s eyes flicked through the sea of strangers until they found Rune and the others, who offered him small, encouraging smiles. It steadied him, quieted the anxious flutter inside. He managed a smile in return as they reached the center of the grand ballroom. Ocean stood tall just behind them, a steady shadow of authority. At the cue of the musicians, the stringed melodies resumed, pulling the gathering back to motion as if nothing had been disrupted.

But the spell had already been broken. Stunned faces were quickly replaced by greedy, practiced smiles as nobles surged forward. Flattery, greetings, and introductions poured in like a tide, each one eager to curry favor with the Queen and her young companion. Miri and Kai bore the onslaught with quiet poise, while Ocean remained just behind, arms crossed, assessing how they handled the crowd.

It was then that Lady Dahlia and Davian stepped forward, parting the sea of sycophants, their presence immediately commanding attention as they moved toward Miri and Kai.

"It’s an honor to be in your presence again, Your Majesty." Dahlia curtsied.

"It’s really been quite a long time since I saw you, Commander. You seem to be doing well with your family." Miri smiled.

Dahlia chuckled, "I am, but I and my husband were planning to visit Mordino soon to meet you."

Miri then looked at Davian who stood beside Dahlia. They had been only been formally acquainted since Davian had charged at Mordino with his army helping Miri’s revolutionary army to overthrow the Tyrant’s rule. And after that she had met him in Denril, there was no such thing as closeness between them but just a sense of rivalry of sorts. As for rivalry for what, then it was regarding who was closest to Ocean.

"Master," Davian beamed as he stepped over to Ocean.

"How did you like my surprise, Your Highness?" Ocean asked.

"Shock would be a better word," Davian sighed and then frowned leaning over to Ocean.

"Besides, why didn’t you tell me that the head was in Frosthail?" He asked in a low voice.

"It was just as assumption, I had asked my sources from the royal palace of Sestia to check around Prince Eric’s room to see if the head was placed around there or something." Ocean responded in a low voice.

Some people were noticing the silent talk between Davian and Ocean while they were trying to get attention from the Queen of Mordino and the heir of Ryujin.

Ocean was also soon swamped with the guests but his eyes would often drift over to the doors awaiting the special guests who would entertain him for the night.