The music began and it was time for the first dance, since the King and Queen were around so they took the dance floor first along with Miri and Kai since even she had the authority.

Ocean stood back and the three Underworld Lords who came in their nobles identities approached him.

"Young Master Kai is well taught, he didn’t only shut that arrogant Princeling up but he even gained an upperhand." Lord Snake aka Count Zachary Erkens spoke in a low voice while swirling the wine in his glass.

"I agree, it was far too entertaining. I couldn’t help but think it was all impeccably staged." Lord Devil aka Baron Sebastian Oberon said and took a sip of his wine.

"It’s just as we had expected of our Young Master. And with having the first dance with the Queen of Mordino it’s clear where Ryujin stands." Lord Hawke aka Count Wallace Nash said.

Ocean hummed as he crossed his arms over his chest and observed the people around, everyone were here. But strangely enough, he couldn’t find anyone who could be related to the dark magic.

He had assumed that at least he would find some traces of it from Katherine since according to his sources a suspicious woman dressed in full black had arrived at the palace to see her. Ocean had a hunch that Katherine was behind it all and this was what she had turned to to make her son the King. Well, if that was the case then, Ocean had no choice but to face it head on and use her own weakness against her. Ocean believed in the idea of eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth.

One would say that eye for an eye would make the whole world blind but it was only for those who were bad at math. If you take both of your enemy’s eyes you would have at least one of your eye while they would be at your mercy.

Ocean planned on retaliating using the same technique, if Katherine had dared to endanger Kai’s life then Ocean would make sure she would face the same agony of watching her son be in danger while she would be helpless.

"Master, why do you have that sinister smile on your face?" Count Oberon asked glancing at Ocean and he turned his eyes at the old man.

"I was just thinking of how I’ll have fun with the Golden Serpent in the near future, just imagining it made me happy." Ocean said.

"Master, there are ears everywhere." Count Hawke warned him and Ocean shrugged.

"Just wait till the end of this ball,"

The three Lords who were listening were intrigued now and Ocean walked over to Duke Aurelius and Rune.

After the first dance, more people poured onto the dance floor and Miri was approached by Prince Carlos.

"It would be my utmost honor to have your next dance, Your Majesty." He bowed before her presenting his hand.

People watched and Ocean rolled his eyes, he wanted to tell Carlos that he was barking up the wrong tree but it was more fun to just watch and enjoy the show.

Miri smiled, the expression was a mixture of a condescending look and grace.

"I’m sorry, Your Highness. But I had promised my dear friend Marquis Ocean that I would dance with him after I danced with Kai. Besides, I dance only with the men whom I ask to dance with me." She spoke loudly enough for the ones nearby to hear.

Ocean’s supporters had a hard time controlling their laughter and Miri turned without another glance at him making her way straight to Ocean.

She stood in front of Ocean who felt the glare of Carlos and Katherine while Miri smiled at him.

"Marquis, would you like to dance with me?" She asked reaching out to Ocean and he smiled.

"I’d love to, Your Majesty." Ocean said accepting her hand.

Ocean noticed as how Dahlia and Davian also danced along and he stood before Miri, his arm around her lean waist with her on his shoulder and her hand gently clasped in his.

"You should have a little mercy, Your Majesty. You break hearts and trample over them so ruthlessly that it almost makes one feel bad for even the ones who don’t deserve it." Ocean said and Miri laughed.

"Ah, why should I care about that? If they are approaching me then they should be prepared for that." She said and Ocean smiled shaking his head and she leaned in close to his ear.

"Also, you didn’t make me the Queen to be subservient to those who doesn’t deserve it, do you?" She whispered.

The ones around who noticed it stared at the two and Ocean laughed shaking his head and twirled her around making her skirt flow out beautiful before he gathered her in his arm.

"You, My Lady, are the boldest woman I know."

Miri smirked, "I’m honoured."

Ocean and Miri knew their conversation wouldn’t make sense to others since they were talking in low voices but their occasional laughter and the bold dance was enough to say that they were close.

"Anyways, I’m dancing with my little squirrel after this." She said and Ocean smiled.

"Go on," he said, "but if you want to be intimate then please do so where there are no eyes."

They parted for a moment Miri asked, "Is that even possible on your estate?"

"I’m sure, you’ll find a place." Ocean said and Miri smirked.

Ocean smiled pulling her close before sweeping her off her feet and carrying her in the air for a moment before gently placing her on her feet. Miri laughed.

The dance soon came to an end and Miri and Ocean bowed and curtsied to each other and Miri turned her head looking at Eric before she glanced at Ocean who simply shrugged his shoulders.

Ocean then walked over to Dahlia and Davian.

"You and Her Majesty are awfully close, Master." Dahlia said and Davian sighed leaning in to his mother’s side.

"He usually even addresses her with her nickname without any honorifics." He whispered and Dahlia laughed.

"That’s Marquis Ocean, he even has charmed Queen Miera. Oh well," she then turned to look at Miri.

"Looking at her all grown up like this, makes me feel so proud." Dahlia smiled and Ocean tilted his head glancing at Miri who stood in front of Eric.

"Of all the kids I’ve watched grow, she impresses me the most." Ocean admitted and Davian looked at him.

"What about me?!" He asked and Ocean chuckled.

"You’re also grown up well." Ocean said and Davian humphed, sulking.

Ocean only chuckled as he watched Miri who reached her hand out at Eric. He was talking to Rune and his other friends when Miri had walked up to him apart from Rune everyone else were shocked to have her appear like that.

"Woukd you like to have this dance with me, Prince Eric?" She asked.

A faint hue of pink dusted over Eric’s cheeks and Ocean couldn’t help but glance at Carlos who looked like he would explode of anger and Katherine who gripped her folding fan so tightly that Ocean thought he could see the cracks over it.

Eric bowed before Miri, "It’ll be an immense honour for me, Your Majesty."

Miri smiled and Eric held her hand gently. Everyone watched in shock as Eric and Miri walked to the dance floor.

Dahlia chuckled and Ocean glanced at her, "Didn’t expect this but I guess this is for the good."

Ocean hummed, "She’s the one who chooses stuff for herself after all."

"That reminds me of a certain someone who had started this trend in the capital a while ago." Dahlia said looking at Ocean.

"If I’m not wrong that was the young lady of Aurelius who had first began this idea of ladies themselves choosing the men they wanted to dance with." Davian flinched slightly and Dahlia and Ocean noticed, still Dahlia continued, "To achieve such a feat at her debutante no less, she and Her Majesty Miera would make good friends."

Ocean chuckled.

"Makes me pretty envious, so, even I shall ask the man I want to dance with instead of waiting for them to ask me." Dahlia said and Ocean cocked a brow with a smile while Davian looked at his mother.

"Mother, what-"

"Marquis Ocean, would you like to dance with me?" Dahlia asked and Ocean suppressed his laugh accepting Dahlia’s hand.

"It’s a pleasure to be picked by such a beautiful and strong lady, Your Grace." Ocean said and she chuckled.

Davian stared in shock as his mother and Ocean walked over to the dance floor. He sighed running his hand through his hair and then looked at the other Young Masters who had gathered over. Some were talking amongst themselves while others were dancing, he wasn’t particularly close to any of them. He had no friends apart from the ones directly involved with Ocean but even among them some avoided him.

Davian missed Reina. He wanted to dance with her.

He still sighed and then thought of Sol, he must be alone in his room right now. He wondered if he should go and see him but Ocean had warned that no one, not even the staff apart from Enora and Lyall should dare set their foot on the third floor.

Davian sighed, he turned his head looking at Kai who was talking to a young girl and Davian hummed wondering of the spring had come for Kai as well but then he noticed as how Kai was being rather shy. Davian chuckled and was about to make his way to him but Rune stepped in and Davian halted.

There was a strange feeling in his chest. He couldn’t help but look around him, there were some people who did approach him but he could see the greed clearly in their eyes and those who didn’t were unmistakably wary of him.

He sighed and thought of going out for a while but then he noticed something and frowned before walking towards the corridor that led to the stairs.

He saw the figure silently walking down the corridor slowly at first but then they picked pace and Davian scowled.

He followed the figure that went up the stairs unt they reached the third floor. The reason none were allowed on the third floor including the staff was because of the security devices installed to protect Sol.

The person stepped ahead and the sensors went off shooting arrows in the direction of the intruder. Davian cursed under his breath and grabbed the person’s wrist pulling them behind him as he grabbed the decorative sword from the wall to fend off the arrows that showered over them.

After the arrows were done, Davian turned around glaring at the intruder who was none other than Colette, the Princess of Sestia.

"I guess everyone including yourself were told that third floor was off limits." Davian sneered.

Colette stared at him for a moment before she blinked, "E-Everything on this land belongs to the King and I’m the Princess so-"

Suddenly the hostile energy blossomed behind Colette and two water slicers shot right from above her head and went past Davian’s shoulders.

"That still doesn’t give you the right to go around like this Princess." Davian and Colette both went still as the sound of metal clanging was heard behind Davian. Two large swords that were headed for them were now sliced and fallen on the ground.

"And Your Highness Davian, don’t just think that there’s only one spell here that can stop people from intruding." Ocean spoke grimly as he stepped ahead, his eyes blazing with concealed anger.