The night was young, bustling with rich laughter. Alongside that were glass cups clinking and mumblings from people having side talks.
Light from crystals lit up the ballroom.
Accenting the goldwares used to decorate the hall, and bringing life to the music that filled the room.
People were dressed in ball suits and gowns, adorned with jewelry that could change a layman's life.
The men looked splendid, while the women seduced the night.
"Baron Gaus, your mansion is as breathtaking as ever." A young woman said bashfully as she smiled at the man.
The two of them stood awfully close in a gazebo, a floor above the ground floor, overlooking those below.
"Lady Horra! You look as beautiful as I remembered." Guas smiled and held her hand. "Tell me, how do you find the refreshments?"
"Soothing to the taste, oh the wine. I don't think I've ever had this type of wine. Is this some type of new wine your brewery has come up with?"
"Hahaha! Lady Horra,"
"Please, just Horra," She interjected.
Gaus' smile widened. "This is one of our limited wines. One that has sat in the winery for more than a decade. I had to bring it out today because of our special guests."
"So only students from Ulha Academy are worthy of your special wines? That sounds like you're giving them special treatment."
"My apologies. I'll be sure to send a few bottles to your abode."
"Thank you, Baron. I'll be sure to make space in my room, for them… and you." She placed a flirtatious hand on his chest. "I hope to see you later."
With a wink, Lady Horra walked away, taking a different exit, giggling when she sighted Lady Porsh heading their way with a glare.
"I will soon have that whore's hands chopped and fed to the pigs." Porsh spat out.
Gaus chuckled.
"Her father will come for your head if you do that." He reached for her waist and pulled her torso a little too close to his crotch.
"Gaus, we're public." Porsh frowned.
"No, it's not as simple as that. We are at a ball, and we're about to dance."
"My husband has his people around."
"Oh please, when have we ever cared about them?" Gaus genuinely didn't care. His head was hot and he needed her touch to cool him down.
But Lady Porsh wasn't having it, pushing him back.
Her gaze unconsciously traveled down, looking at a young man, dark haired, who was dressed in white and gold garbs.
He raised the cup of wine to his lips and took a sip. The taste of the wine didn't seem to have settled with his tongue as the young man frowned at what was left in the cup before forcefully swallowing what was in his mouth.
"Is that one of them?" Porsh asked. Gesturing with her chin.
Baron Gaus turned to look, "Yes. That's one of the Strong Twelve of Ulha Academy. A peak Tidal Wave Knight in his late teens, amongst his peers, he should be ranked twelfth. If I'm not mistaken, that should be Eddy Lawfy, from the Lawfy Marquis family."
As though the young man was able to hear his name being called, he looked up at the Baron.
His eyes carried disdain and disgust towards the pair before he walked away mumbling insults underneath his breath.
Eddy was annoyed.
Baron Gaus chuckled while Lady Porsh felt the urge to teach the young man a lesson.
At the same time, another student looked up at where Eddy had glanced at, also carrying disdain in his eyes.
"These students' arrogance knows no bounds." Porsh cursed out.
"Pride of the kingdom, pampered by the King and other high ranking nobles. Of course they don't put us in their eyes. If it wasn't for the Royal Council posting their assignment in Agard, they wouldn't even be here." Gaus uttered.
He didn't seem to have taken offense from any of these students' reactions.
Or so it seemed. Baron Gaus's eyes carried a dangerous glint.
"What could be in Agard that would interest them so much. Surely our small side businesses haven't caught the eyes of the Council? Could it be that they want to explore Daze?" She wondered.
"There are bigger fishes to fry when it comes to side businesses in Ulha. Our little kiosks can't garner much attention. And even if they did, it would be Inspectors coming to deal with the matter, not students.
"As for why they were sent here… Agard is a can of worms, once one puts their hands in it, it most certainly would return with dirt."
Just then, another youngster walked underneath the gazebo. Behind him were other students in tow.
But they didn't catch as much attention as the person in front.
Strikingly red haired, with a face that many would die for.
He wasn't someone tall, but just enough to have women flocking around him.
His skin was fair, figure slim and dressed in black and red attire that further amplified his bearings.
It was almost as if a doll had walked into the room.
His presence carried an effortless confidence, the kind only born from power and pedigree.
Many female eyes followed this student, whether married, or older, many shamelessly looked.
Lady Porsh wasn't an exception in this too. Her gaze carried interest. If her eyes could burn through the young man's clothes, she would have already done so.
"That should be the seventh ranked. Ron El Salvador."
"What? El Salvador, isn't that the name of that Duke's family?" Porsh flinched and her interest immediately waned.
That's right, I should have figured that out. How many families in Ulha are born with such red hair? Lady Porsh thought.
Some things were just too hot to touch. Especially if they were from a Duke's lineage.
Gaus chuckled as he felt her reaction through his hand that had sneakily moved to grab her butt.
Even if you don't want to be afraid, you just can't help but be. That is after all, the child of a living Duke. Ah, so soft.
Guas's hand only lingered a few seconds before it lightly slapped away.
"Why did Maney ask us to try to build a relationship with these youngsters?" She frowned.
"Sir Maney isn't asking that we build a relationship per se. He wants us to just treat them well enough. Sowing good seeds in their hearts. These are kids that could very well be the future of Ulha. Besides, one of the Strong Twelve is a distant relative of mine. That's why I'm able to host this banquet today." Gaus flashed a proud smile as he said.
His gaze traveled to one of the entrances of the ballroom, catching a familiar face that had matured since the last time he saw it.
"Our young governor has also arrived. What do you think, Porsh, should we go ahead and greet him?"
Lady Porsh looked downstairs and saw an attractive young man waking in confidently with three men in tow.
"He has grown a bit." She muttered. "Sure, let's go greet the Governor."