The announcement hit the room like thunderclap. Every noble turned to catch a glimpse of the emperor's mate, but Damian's subtle smile hinted that they would be disappointed. Gabriel felt a sense of anticipation, a quickening of breath as the court shifted uncomfortably. Nobody knew who it was. Not yet.
Damian let the silence hang for just a moment longer, enjoying the tension he had created. Then, with a calculated flick of his hand, he resumed, his voice lower and more deliberate. "Enjoy the celebration!" As Damian spoke, the chandelier shone brighter than before, highlighting the rich decorations, and servers swarmed to take care of the guests.
The murmurs that followed were immediate, whispers of confusion, speculation, and surprise filling the hall like an infectious wave.
Gabriel, who had been quietly observing, let out a quiet, humorless chuckle. Damian had achieved his goal of creating chaos, speculation, and, ultimately, distraction. A masterful misdirection. The emperor had effectively thrown the court into disarray by concealing his mate's identity, leaving the nobles, hungry for information and power, scrambling for scraps of knowledge.
–
Damian moved slowly and deliberately away from the grandeur of the ballroom, his smooth movements followed by the heavy material of his robe. The whispers of the court still clung to the air, but he paid them no mind. He had already secured their attention, and now it was time to retreat to his balcony towering over the hall.
The balcony was his refuge, a place where he could see everything and nothing all at once. The distant twinkle of the stars outside the palace windows looked almost poetic from here, their cool light contrasting with the warm glow of the ballroom. It was a place where Damian could feel detached from the chaos of the night while remaining fully aware of everything that was going on below.
Astana was the first to follow, his tall frame effortlessly passing through the door behind Damian, his expression unreadable as always. He was proud that he reached the ball without dying from the work Damian constantly threw at him. Fortunately, after the ball, he would organize a civil examination to hire additional personnel for the imperial office.
The news had already spread, and his family was overjoyed that their youngest son was in such a prominent position for his age. Astana would be appointed Chief Secretary by Damian; he was torn between celebrating and fleeing the job.
Maximilian came in next, a sly grin curling on his lips as he took in the tension in the room. "Quite the performance back there, Damian. "You have really got them worked up," he teased, approaching the balcony rim to watch the crowd below dance and talk.
Damian's lips twitched, a faint smirk appearing. He didn't immediately turn around to meet Max's gaze. "I'm sure the court will enjoy the suspense. Let them squirm. It is more entertaining than giving them answers."
Maximilian approached, hands clasped behind his back, leaning against the balcony railing. "Oh, I know you enjoy making them sweat. But to be honest, I did not expect you to leave them hanging like that. You must be feeling particularly devious tonight."
Damian's smile deepened, though there was a glint in his eyes that Max couldn't quite decipher. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said with feigned innocence. "What could be more entertaining than making them speculate?"
Max raised an eyebrow, his voice teasing. "Is that what you call it? Or are you simply enjoying the chaos?"
Damian turned slightly, his eyes flickering over Max's face, amusement dancing in his gaze. "Call it whatever you want. It's a distraction. A well-placed one."
Max's grin widened. "You've got them chasing shadows now. The question is, Who's the lucky one?" His tone shifted slightly, more curious now. "Are you going to leave them wondering for long? Or is it all part of your bigger plan?"
Damian's eyes narrowed just enough to show the hint of seriousness behind the playful façade. "Does it matter who it is right now? I've already thrown the court into disarray. That's what matters."
Astana observed silently, his sharp gaze flicking between the two men. He knew how Max liked to push buttons and how Damian rarely let anything get under his skin. But tonight was different.
Maximilian leaned in slightly, his voice taking on a serious tone. "I can't help but wonder, though. What if someone gets too bold? You know how the court is. They'll test your patience, Damian."
Damian's smile returned, though it was colder now, more calculating. "Let them. The louder they are, the quicker they'll expose themselves. If anyone dares to overstep, they'll be dealt with swiftly."
Edward entered last, his calm demeanor never wavering despite the tension in the room. The elder butler's sharp eyes swept the balcony with a practiced gaze, ever the watchful guardian of the emperor's secrets. The captain of the guard followed quietly behind Edward, his posture alert.
Damian straightened, his gaze sweeping the balcony for a moment before returning to the others. "Enough of this chatter. Enjoy the silence. Let them wonder. We have to deal with George before them."
"Your men found something, didn't they?" Max asked while turning his back to the room. George was there for sure, but he was slippery and he couldn't reach him at all.
Astana was in charge of the report; he considered intervening and disclosing what had been discovered, but the Emperor's expression kept him silent.
Damian's gaze hardened as he leaned slightly against the balcony railing; his eyes were on Gabriel and his two male friends, his fingers tapping lightly against the cool stone. "We've confirmed it. George has been playing a dangerous game, and his strings are being pulled by someone else." His voice dropped, and his brow furrowed as he noticed the man with dark, curly hair easily touching Gabriel's shoulder. He continued slowly as if to keep the revelation between the small group of them "It's not just his odd behavior—it's magic. Someone has a hold over him."