CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: THE BALL(2)

Odysseus entered quietly, his hands clasped behind his back. He studied Min-jae for a moment, then gave a satisfied nod.

"Perfect.." he said. "The master will be proud."

Min-jae turned his gaze toward the mirror again.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh.

The door creaked open.

Vanadis stepped in, holding Punz in his arms. He froze the moment his eyes landed on Min-jae.

For a heartbeat, his mind went blank.

Min-jae stood before the mirror in a gown of pale silver, the fabric smooth and soft, cinched neatly at the waist. His hair was pulled up, a few strands falling loosely against his face. He looked... breathtaking.

Vanadis blinked once, then again, trying to process what he was seeing. Even Punz tilted her head curiously, as if equally confused.

Her new pet was pretty! She found find more fish for it, so it can become prettier.

Now he understood why Meical wanted to protect this man. Anyone who looked at him twice might start thinking dangerous thoughts.

Min-jae turned slightly, catching Vanadis’s reflection in the mirror. "What?" he asked flatly.

"N-Nothing, my lord.." Vanadis said quickly, his voice a touch too high. "You look... different."

"That’s one way to put it.." Min-jae muttered, lowering his gaze to the gown.

He looked back at his reflection, frowning. This wasn’t the kind of attention he wanted.

He needed to avoid Radomir at all costs.

The man had an eye for beauty and a hunger for power; together, they made him unpredictable.

If things went well, Syris would catch Radomir’s interest instead. That was the plan and Min-jae had no intention of ruining it by showing up looking like this.

He’d have to stay close to Meical throughout the evening. The closer, the better.

If he could keep himself within reach of his husband, maybe no one would dare to see him as a potential candidate.

He took one last look in the mirror and sighed.

The gown shimmered beautifully under the light, its elegance undeniable.

Unfortunately, so was his reflection.

The royal castle was a hive of motion. Silk curtains were being hung across the high arched windows, gold tassels fastened to the corners with careful precision. Maids swept the marble floors until they gleamed like mirrors, while footmen moved along the grand staircase, polishing the gilded banisters.

From the ballroom came the sound of voices, decorators arguing quietly over flower arrangements and the placement of the chandeliers.

"Shift that candelabra three paces to the left.." one of them said, gesturing toward the center of the room. "His Majesty prefers perfect symmetry."

"The petals on the garlands are wilting already.." another complained, adjusting the white lilies at the pillar’s base. "If they die before the third day, we’ll have to replace everything."

In the corner, seamstresses worked swiftly, hands flying over pale fabrics as they mended the royal banners and checked for any flaws.

"It must be flawless.." their overseer reminded them. "The eyes of every noble house will be here."

Three days before the ball, the castle was already wrapped in gold and ivory.

Every corridor whispered of expectation, and even the guards standing at the gates carried themselves a little straighter than usual.

Inside the council chamber, Radomir sat with a court official, papers and scrolls spread before him on a long oak table.

The man bowed deeply before speaking. "Your Majesty, the preliminary list of confirmed attendees has arrived from the Ministry of Nobility."

Radomir gave a short nod. "Let’s see it."

The official stepped forward, unrolling a scroll. "As decreed by law, Your Majesty may view only the list of attendees who are not among the selection candidates. The names of the women eligible for the crown remain sealed until the day of the ball."

Radomir’s brow lifted faintly. "So even I am to be kept in ignorance."

The official hesitated. "It ensures impartiality, sire. The council insisted on fairness above all else."

Radomir leaned back slightly in his chair, resting his chin on his hand. "Fairness.." he repeated under his breath. "A king choosing a wife without knowing the faces beforehand. How quaint."

The man smiled nervously but said nothing.

"Proceed.." Radomir said at last.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The official began to read from the list. "Governor Meical Vukasin and his spouse, Chancellor Kaizar Amagi. The Duke of Arsen. Viscount Drune. General Kiram. Governor of North-Duke Lewin..."

Radomir’s gaze stilled. "Governor Meical’s spouse?"

"Yes, Your Majesty.." the official replied. "It seems the governor has chosen to bring his partner this year. From what the reports say, they rarely appear in public together. The household has been rather private since the marriage."

-_-

Radomir smiled, he could take Kaizar’s hand in marriage if things went his way, all he had to do was use the royal decree to break off their marriage and Kaizar would be his.

"Noted.." Radomir said quietly, though his fingers tapped once against the table’s edge.

He looked back down at the parchment, but his mind was elsewhere, turning, calculating, faintly curious.

"Continue with the list.." he ordered.

The man bowed and began to read again, but Radomir’s thoughts lingered on his newly formed plan.

Radomir’s eyes lingered on the list for a long moment before he finally leaned back in his chair. The faint sound of the wind against the stained-glass windows filled the pause.

"That will be all for today.." he said at last.

The court official, Lord Erden, a man with a careful smile and posture honed by years of service... bowed deeply. "Of course, Your Majesty. Shall I have the final confirmation sealed and archived?"

"Not yet.." Radomir replied. His gaze flicked briefly to the parchment again.

"When the ball concludes and a bride is chosen, ensure that those who were not selected receive proper gifts. Jewelry, fine fabric..something of value. Let no house leave feeling slighted."

Erden blinked in mild surprise but quickly nodded. "As you command, Your Majesty. I will prepare the compensation gifts in advance."

"Do so quietly.." Radomir said. "This is not charity, but courtesy."

"Yes, sire. I will see to it immediately.."

Radomir nodded, as he leaned against the chair.

"Oh, Lord Erden.."

-_-

What could this man possibly want from him now.

Erden stopped and turned around. "Do you need anything else. Sire?"

Radomir nodded "Veynar and Dorian that are held prisoners should be released before the ball. They’re unfortunate members of the court."