In a lavish manor adorned with rich tapestries and flickering candlelight, a grand banquet was underway. The air was thick with the scents of roasted meats and sweet pastries, mingling with the soft strains of music that filled the hall. One by one, foreign guests entered, their elaborate garments whispering against the polished floor as they took their seats.
This opulent estate belonged to Baron Senda, a noble lord of the region. Though he was a man of considerable means, his power paled in comparison to that of Baron Ethan, whose vast territory overshadowed Senda's own shrinking lands. The ongoing war had taken its toll, causing Senda's realm to diminish visibly, and whispers of decline had begun to circulate.
Yet, despite his waning influence, Senda was still a legitimate lord, and his invitation to Reggie was a gesture of respect, as well as a strategic attempt to forge alliances. The two baronies had long-standing ties; their territories were neighboring, and intermarriages between their families had created a bond that was almost familial. In fact, Reggie's wife was none other than the daughter of Baron Senda.
Reggie moved through the hall with a confident air, acknowledging guests with nods and smiles. Following closely behind him was Harry, his attendant for the evening. Harry scanned the room, noting the ornate decorations and the mingling guests. Although he was there to serve, he felt more like an outsider in this lavish setting.
While some might have found the atmosphere stifling or tedious, Harry was indifferent. Crowds had never been his preference. He felt a slight sense of discomfort but didn't outright resent being present. His instincts told him that such gatherings were not where he thrived.
As the festivities commenced, a procession of dancers entered the hall, moving gracefully to the rhythm of the music. Each dancer, carefully selected and trained by Baron Senda, exuded beauty and poise, their movements designed to captivate the audience.
Harry observed the scene with a critical eye. While some guests engaged in light conversation, their hands resting gently on the shoulders of the female dancers, others seemed more hurried, their impatience palpable as they slipped away into the shadows, dragging their chosen companions with them.
Sitting quietly, Harry frowned slightly, his heightened senses picking up on the undercurrents of the evening. He could hear the soft murmur of conversations, the occasional burst of laughter, and beneath it all, the subtle sounds of heavier breathing, an undercurrent of excitement and anticipation that hung in the air.
What struck him most, however, was the group of women not far away. Most guests had arrived with their own companions, and the dynamics in the room were charged with a mix of power and desire. It was a world that both intrigued and unsettled him, the spectacle of it all a reminder of the stark differences between his life and the lives of these nobles.
As Harry's gaze flickered from one interaction to another, he felt a growing awareness of the roles being played around him. He was here as a mere attendant, but the world of privilege and expectation was unfolding in vivid colors all around him, each guest weaving their own narrative in the grand tapestry of the evening.
Some guests arrived at the banquet with their wives, while others brought their daughters, but to Harry's astonishment, none of them seemed to react as their husbands and fathers slipped away to mingle with the female dancers. Laughter and lively conversation flowed around him, as if the unfolding scenes of flirtation were completely normal. The atmosphere here was shockingly open, and Harry couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, feeling a mix of disbelief and discomfort.
Amid the chatter, Reggie's voice cut through, calling out to him. "Harry! Come here!"
Harry straightened up and made his way through the crowd, the eyes of numerous guests following him as he approached Reggie and Baron Senda, who stood deep in conversation.
"This is Harry?" Baron Senda said, studying him with keen interest. After a moment's appraisal, he nodded slowly. "Yes, a very promising young man indeed."
Reggie beamed, pride evident in his voice. "I believe in him, Baron. He's capable, and I trust he'll make a good impression."
Baron Senda's expression shifted slightly. "I'm just offering you a chance, Reggie. Ultimately, it will be up to Alice to decide." He turned his gaze back to Harry, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Harry, get ready," Reggie said, his tone playful yet serious. "Miss Alice is waiting for you in her room." He shot Harry a conspiratorial wink, clearly expecting something more than just a casual meeting.
Harry's heart sank. Initially, he had felt a flicker of anticipation about what this evening might hold, but now it became clear: they were setting him up for a blind date. Unwilling to show his reluctance, he took a deep breath. "Alright," he replied, his voice steady. "Let's see how this goes."
With that, he followed a servant through the ornate corridors of the manor until they reached a beautifully decorated room. Inside, a young woman was waiting. She appeared delicate and elegant, dressed in a flowing white gown that accentuated her figure. Yet, something was amiss; her eyes were slightly red, as if she had been crying, and she sat with a detached expression, glaring at Harry as he entered.
"Mr. Harry, you will be alone with Miss Alice now," the attendant announced, a smile plastered on his face as he added, "I hope you enjoy this time." He shot Harry an encouraging wink before quietly slipping out of the room, leaving the two of them in an almost oppressive silence.
The tension in the air was palpable. Harry shifted on his feet, unsure of how to break the ice. But before he could muster any words, Alice spoke, her voice cold and unwavering.
"Just give up," she said, her gaze piercing through him. "There's no way I will marry you."
Her straightforwardness caught Harry off guard, and he blinked in surprise. "I—" he started, but she cut him off, her expression unreadable.
"You don't understand. This isn't a choice for me," she continued, her tone laced with bitterness. "You're just another pawn in this game."
"What kind of script is this?" Harry thought, his brow furrowing in disbelief. At that moment, his hand instinctively moved toward the hilt of his sword, nearly drawing it out. Yet, recognizing that this was Baron Senda's territory and that the woman before him was his daughter, he hesitated, suppressing the urge to lash out.
Instead, he shook his head, dismissing her words entirely. Ignoring the tension in the air, he walked over to a quiet corner and began to practice his Aura Techniques in silence.
Alice was taken aback. She had expected a fiery confrontation or some intense reaction, but this? He was simply ignoring her. "Hey!" she finally exclaimed, frustration creeping into her voice. "What's your name?"
Silence.
Harry remained undeterred, his eyes closed as he focused on his practice. His mastery of the Knight's Aura Technique allowed him to harness the energy within his body even while sitting still, a perfect opportunity to hone his skills amidst the chaos.
"Do you have a lover?" Alice pressed, a hint of desperation in her tone. "Don't you care about being forced into a marriage you don't want?"
After a moment, as if considering her words, she continued hesitantly, "If that's the case… could you help me?"
"Help you?" Harry opened his eyes and turned to face her, intrigued. "What's in it for me?"
He pieced together the implications from her earlier mumbling and suddenly saw the bigger picture. "You're in love with someone, but your father, Mr. Senda, doesn't approve. You're looking for a way to escape, aren't you?"
Alice hesitated, her eyes searching his face for understanding. Finally, she nodded. "Yes."
"Interesting." A smile broke across Harry's face, the corners of his lips curling up. "I can help you. But what's in it for me?"
He stepped closer, his demeanor shifting, his gaze sharp and penetrating as if he were peering into her very soul. Alice felt a flicker of panic as she instinctively took a step back, caught off guard by his intensity. Yet, recognizing her precarious position, she steadied herself, determination hardening her resolve. "As long as you're willing to help me, I can give you anything!"
In a moment of boldness, she moved her hands to unbutton her dress. The fabric fell away in an instant, leaving her standing bare before him, a striking figure against the backdrop of the room.
Now it was Harry's turn to be stunned. His mind raced as he processed the unexpected turn of events, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension and possibilities.