Julius stood quietly on the upper tier of the grand ballroom, leaning against the ornate railing as he observed the crowd below.
The view from above gave him a perfect vantage point of the event, where the aristocrats mingled, and exchanged pleasantries under the soft glow of chandeliers.
The hum of conversation and music floated upward, but it was distant enough for him to hear them.
As his eyes scanned the room, he noticed several familiar faces—lords and ladies he had met at private gatherings, mostly insiders who knew his true identity. Julius was particularly thankful that he had chosen not to walk through the front gate alongside Maverick.
Years ago, the king had decreed that Julius would never be formally introduced to the public as a prince of the royal kingdom. His existence was a carefully guarded secret, known only to close family members and trusted insiders.
