Ely stood in a corner and watched the party ongoing peacefully. Completely oblivious, or rather ignoring the peaks and stares she was getting from the guests, she stared at her brother. He was as dashing as he could be in the white suit and coupled with his calm smile, he attracted many opportunistic nobles who walked up to him with greed gleaming fervently in their eyes. Seated at his left hand was their father in his regal robes. He sat on a large throne made of precious rubies and could buy the lives of several prisoners of war. Well, that was not the focus now, after years of carrying the burden induced by the countless bloodshed and the arduous duty of serving a nation that numbered in millions. His back looked hunched, and his figure looked small and feeble. Compared to his straight and charismatic son, he looked more like an ill old man, not the wise king they all knew. Gossip could be said to be the tonic for the members of the upper echelon since they did nothing all day, and this was a juicy topic for the hungry masses. Murmurings and whispers echoed all around them, and they made it even more obvious by peeking at the King from time to time. Ah! This was why she had relinquished her seat and had decided to see from the worm's view. Her eyes wandered into the ballroom, aimlessly. The Dukes gave her a head bow when their eyes met, and the other nobles smiled and hastily bowed to show their nonexistent loyalty, but... one person didn't bow or show any of those carbon-copy smiles when their eyes met. He was among a few ladies who kept blushing furiously whenever he said or gesticulated. Pathetic! His black mesmerizing eyes fell into hers, pulling her like a raging storm. His eyebrows shot up a bit, and then he said something to the ladies, probably to excuse himself before he walked towards her. His steps were steady and full of confidence... Ely was not interested in the man in an intimate way. "No, never." She just saw him as an asset that would be good for the development of Elyptis. Well, her 'asset' was stopped once again on his way to her. She could see the uncovered annoyance brimming in his hypnotic eyes. She chuckled and then made her way toward her seat on the platform. She had been away for too long. On the royal platform, a man could be seen approaching it. He was clothed in aristocratic clothing and was lean and lanky. He had a scholarly appearance and he had green shifty eyes. "Long Live the King and the Crown Prince!" He praised with his head held low. His words caused a minuscule commotion in the ballroom but of course, no one dared to raise their voices to more than that of a whisper. "Minister Reggie. It's been ages since I saw your shadow in these walls." King Alfred spoke with a light smile hanging on his weathered lips, completely ignoring the words spoken by the shifty Minister. Reggie raised his eyes and smiled. It was a mocking smile that was craftily covered by a genuine smile. "I know that His Highness is busy which is..." His words were cut off by a sharp voice, the cutting tone of the voice made everyone shudder as they turned their heads to stare at the insanely brave...or foolish, however, you see it, the person who had dared to speak with such a tone. "Minister Reggie, are you sure that it is because his majesty is busy or something else?" Reggie also turned his head to watch even though he had an inkling of who it was, nevertheless, he still turned. His pupil contracted a bit when he confirmed to identity of the person. He turned his head a bit and stared at the right side of the platform. Ely walked forward with a calm smile, a sharp contrast to the tone she used earlier. Even though she seemed calm on the surface, she felt her hair tingling. 'What's with this brutal banality? Can't they look somewhere else? Hm, I guess they can't.' Ely shook off the thoughts and widened her smile even further. Her father showed no reaction, and her brother smiled...smiled? It looked more like an evil smirk than a smile, but no sooner had she looked at it than it looked completely normal. 'Was it her mind playing tricks on her?' She tilted her head a bit and focused on the people in front of her. "Father!" Ely bowed in greetings, to which her father responded with a nod. She stared at Reggie for a bit and then ascended the platform and took her seat at her father's left side. "Of course, Princess Ely, it is exactly because of the King's busy schedule that I always coop myself up in my house," Reggie responded with a calm smile while his shifty eyes pierced her. It was as though he wanted to strip her naked with his eyes only. "What are you talking about?" Ely asked with her head tilted and a look of confusion on her face. Reggie lost his composure for a minute there, and he forced a smile on his face, but his eyes betrayed a dangerous gleam of light. Silveria stood amongst the crowd and chuckled, making everyone turn to look at him strangely, but he didn't care. He had always been strange... "It was an answer to your earlier question, Princess Ely." The words were spoken through gritted teeth, and he specially emphasized the last two words, much to Ely's amusement. Philip cracked up at the sight of this, and King Alfred also joined in. "You do know how to make the atmosphere lively, Ely." Ely frowned a bit at his words. This was the first time Philip had ever called her by her name. She turned her head slightly and stared at him, hoping it was some kind of code or anything, but it wasn't. Silveria stared at the duo, and his sinister smirk widened. "I guess I don't have to do much. She will come on her own." His smirk remained on his face as he rose. "Princess Ely, may I have this dance?" Philip's eyes darkened a few shades, and there was a hint of a murderous rage hidden in his pale blue eyes.