After sending her son to have a breather, Marina slumped her heavy shoulder and exhaled sharply. She felt quite tired from holding one's own appearance and behaviour in this kind of place as a noble lady, and it felt like suffocating her.
She looked to her side and saw Ryan was having a conversation with Duke Frost for the Dungeon that was still gnawed at their minds.
Of course, as a former adventurer, Marina also perked her ears a bit, but now her weary mind came first.
Marina twirled the glass in her fingers and placed the tips on her lips to savor the sweet taste of the wine seeping through her throat and moistening her barren throat.
When she glanced at the side, she witnessed Lady Silvia, her shoulders slumped, as she walked toward her place. A passionate gaze followed her from behind, coming from the other noble boys.
It couldn't be helped; Lady Silvia's beauty was considered superb in the entire Kingdom; even Marina, as a girl, had to admit it with a bitter taste in her mouth.
"Lady Silvia, thank you for your hard work".
"Lady Marina".
Silvia's expression brightened upon answering Marina's greeting. Her gaze swept aside, searching for a certain figure.
Marina wryly smiled and softly said, "I'm sorry, Lady Silvia. Jin was currently outside, searching for an air."
"Oh, I see".
The girl's expression changed significantly from vibrant to wilt in an instant, knowing the boy was absent. Marina covers her lips, holding the desire to chuckle, seeing her endearing expression.
As the atmosphere in the room shifted, the band began to change the tune into a gentle one. Many nobles who came with a partner stepped forward into the middle and began to dance gracefully.
The people opened more rooms for more people to walk into the middle with their partner or some boy who was lucky enough to be accepted by a lady they took fancy, trying to show their capabilities.
Silvia was renowned in the Kingdom. She received a lot of attention, but people seemed hesitant to approach her, seeing her status and lofty demeanour.
When all eyes focused on her, Silvia briskly walked toward her father and tugged his sleeves. "Father, can I take a breather for a while".
Her father shifted his attention to the side and noticed her reluctance to attend the ball dance. "Sure, you may go. Spread your wings out there".
"Thank you, Father". Silvia's face beamed, spreading her lips in joy.
"Lady Marina, could you take her with you?".
Out of nowhere, as her name was mentioned, Marina's face tightened, and she turned to Silvia, whose face loosened in a pleasant mood. Silvia stood before the woman and took her hand with a gentle clasp.
"Lady Marina, I will be in your favor".
The woman's eyes darted elsewhere before she settled on her husband. "Can I?".
Lord Ryan's expression broke into a gentle smile, and he spoke, "Go ahead, take some rest".
After the two men permitted them, Silvia gently lowered her head and dragged Lady Marina in her arms outside.
Behind her, the woman's eye widened in shock, but she abruptly curved into a beautiful smile, seeing the girl's forceful attitude.
They moved their legs, leaving the bustling place that was heavy with desire mixed with a tiny bit of lust in courting a lady they admired.
When the two reached the balcony, the cold wind that passed by chilled their heated minds. The pleasant melody that echoed inside resonated with the rustling leaves, making them dance in the open.
From this point on, Silvia broke her frosty character, spread her arm and puffed her lungs to take in more oxygen to refresh her weary mind.
"Huff, that was tiring." Silvia exhaled sharply and turned to Lady Marina. "Lady Marina, I'm sorry for dragging you to this."
Silvia lowered her gaze; heat started to gather on her cheek, and she realized her childish behavior.
However, the woman smiled helplessly and shook her head in relief, "There's no need to lower yourself, Lady Silvia."
"I myself wanted to take some rest after that stifling atmosphere," Marina said, grasping Silvia's shoulder and straightening her posture.
"I see". Silvia exchanged glances for a second before both giggled and covered their spreading lips.
"Lady Marina, did Jin come to the balcony?".
"Yes, I saw him go toward this place, but" Marina scanned her surroundings. The place was quiet, with no sign of soul. "Is he perhaps wandering through the garden?"
"Let's go search for him?". Silvia curled her finger in a tight fist, pumping her spirit in search of the missing boy.
Lady Marina blinked. Her sharp blue eyes stared at Silvia briefly before she was amused and chuckled. "My pleasure; this is also a good change of pace."
"Thank you".
They descended the stairs and stepped into the vast garden, which welcomed them with gentle shakes. Fallen leaves swam around the atmosphere as if trying to impress the arriving guests.
Silvia and Marina exchanged some conversation about flowers, and Marina shared some of her experience and knowledge when adventuring.
"Hee, so what was the flower's name?".
Silvia tilted her head to the side, wanting to hear more about Lady Marina's adventuring tale. Her pale and delicate fingers trace along the swaying white flower in the garden.
"It was Moonlight Lily. It has silver leaves that would bloom regardless of weather, and some even called an Eternal Lily for it would never wilt. Not until all the mana in the world disappears".
"Have you ever seen it?".
Lady Marina showed a cramped expression, and when she scratched her cheek, Silvia's lips parted in a bright smile: 'Fufu, they were indeed family'.
"I'm sorry, Lady Silvia, but the flowers mentioned only bloom in extreme places such as the North Continent, which I have not even explored with my former party".
Silvia stopped in her tracks and stared at the flower before her. "North Continent".
As the name implies, it was a piece of big land that appeared on the north of the world map. Silvia once read in the book that the place was a freezing hell; no living things could survive in that extreme place.
The land itself was covered in ice and snow, away from the grace of the holy light of the sun. It was a land of death.
"Um, excuse me?".
A sweet, enchanting sound broke Silvia and Marina's harmonious vibes as they turned to the source and found Finne Magna, followed by her guard Victor, wearing formal outfits.
"We meet again, Mother". Victor's lips curved with furrowed brows, making Silvia and Marina's expressions tighten in wary.
"Victor". Lady Marina's soft voice drowned in the tense atmosphere between them. She still couldn't forget the earlier event when Victor let out his emotion, 'What happened to you, Victor? My son?'.
"Finne Magna and Victor Midnight, right? What sort of business do you have with me?".
Silvia straightened her posture and lifted her face high, showing her integrity as someone who stood above them.
The two from Magna's faction exchanged glances before they lowered their heads, lips curled in frustration.
"We apologized earlier when my subordinate acted rude toward you. We were truly sorry!".
"Please have mercy".
Finne and Victor's sudden declaration halted Silvia's thoughts momentarily. She snapped from her daze and glared toward the two, her azure eyes gleaming under the starry night, exhaling all the lingering frustration in her heart.
"Raise your head".
Slowly following Slvia's order, the two lifted their faces and stared at the distant expression on Silvia's face. From her gaze alone, they could feel a frosty blade tapping around their neck, sending a grave chill down their spine.
"It's not me you should apologize to, but to Jin".
"Yes, we are aware of that, but it doesn't disclose the behaviour that incited your wrath, so, as a token of apology, we will give you this".
Finne and Victor move as one when he takes out a rectangular wooden box. Its polished surface gives the item a sophisticated look despite its simple design.
When Finne opened the lid, Silvia's eyes widened, seeing a pair of pendants with crafted jewels on its head glittering under the dark knight.
She saw Finne take the one that had crystal blue jewels on it and present it with both hands.
"This might be superficial, but I hope we can form a good relationship from here on".
Silvia exhaled. This kind of behaviour was rather common in the world of the noble. People exchanged pleasantries while hiding something sinister inside their smiley masks, trying to buy a relationship with expensive gifts, like what happened now.
Her stomach was full as she heard all of those stories from her father, who stood amongst other nobles.
However, not all nobles have that kind of practice in mind. Silvia is also aware of that fact, and the proof of that is the Viscount Midnight Family, whose relationship with her father bonded through some event in the past, which connects them now with no pleasantries, only good bonds that are worth keeping for life.
Silvia bit her lips, hands clenched into tight fists, but she gulped her frustration and exhaled sharply.
"Very well, I will receive it".
She took the pendant from the girl. Its weight settled on her palm, light yet suppressing the emotion in her heart: 'I don't like it at all.'
The magna faction breathed a sigh of relief, seeing their gift landed on Silvia's hand. They turned to the other one, the pendant with a tiny red jewel still resting in its place.
Finne grasped her left wrist and placed her hand on her tummy, "Um, did Lady Silvia know where Victor's younger brother is?".
"No, we were in the process of finding him. Lady Marina said he was taking a rest from the party and wandering around the garden". Silvia's firm tone stitched the magna faction's lips. However, he could still trace a faint anger from the man beside Finne.
'What is that man's problem? Aren't they siblings?'. Silvia uttered, but her inquiry seemed to resonate well with Marina, whose face was shrouded in deep sorrow.
"Can we follow your steps?". A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead as Finne asked hesitantly.
"Do as you will". Silvia briefly exchanged looks with Lady Marina, and seeing her nod in agreement, her legs moved to explore the garden, "Let's move everyone".
Unbeknownst to her, the pendant in her hand began to emit a bright light. A grey magic circle emerged beneath her feet as it glowed in an ominous light. "What is this?".
"Lady Silvia". Marina cried out Silvia's name and tried to reach the girl's arm.
"Silvia!".
However, a familiar voice shattered the sudden predicament that happened to her.
Silvia shifted to the side and watched Jin's frown face, getting closer to her as the glow on the magic circle intensified.
'No, don't come closer!'. Her subconscious detected the hidden danger within the circle, but her lips were stitched.
Invisible fear grasped her whole body.
She felt a warm touch on her arm holding the pendant and saw Jin's eyes were clear, never leaving her distorted vision, as if telling her, 'I'll be with you'.
"Jin!? " Silvia's vision was distorted before her body glowed, and together with Jin she disappeared from the garden, leaving the other people speechless and mouth agape.