The handsome young man stood at the doorway, his eyes devoid of anger and hatred, only an extreme cold calmness.
The beautiful princess stood on one side of the dance floor, her gaze equally calm, yet deep in her eyes there was a hint of surprise.
And just as the two quietly stared at each other, the other people present also noticed this situation, and the vast banquet hall gradually fell silent.
Everyone was waiting for these two to speak.
Even those nobles who harbored hostility towards Herbert wanted to know how the two would face each other after the turbulence of that incident.
How would their relationship change?
But before they could see a resolution... their waiting was interrupted.
"Are you going in or not? If not, don't block the way!"
Valentina's anxious and impatient voice shattered the silence, ruining the special atmosphere completely.
"I'm really in a hurry, don't stop me!"
Actually, Miss Hungry Dragon wasn't being rude or unaware of the seemingly special situation at hand.
But she really couldn't hold it any longer.
She really couldn't take it...
So fragrant!
So very fragrant!
The aroma was truly irresistible——
Since arriving here, she had smelled that irresistible fragrance of food rising straight to her head!
Various aromas slapped her face like a palm, questioning her why she hadn't come to eat them yet?
As a Giant Dragon who had been hungry for a long time, how could she withstand such a test?
She had long been famished!
Couldn't hold back any longer.
And Herbert, whose emotions had been disrupted, smiled helplessly and gestured, "Alright, alright, go eat, just be careful not to choke."
Whoosh——
Upon receiving permission, Valentina didn't need further guidance from Herbert and dashed to the dining table at such speed that she almost knocked a startled lady off her balance.
Valentina didn't care about others' reactions, completely ignoring the astonishment and retreat around her, and quickly reached for the food on the table.
(Chew chew chew chew chew chew)
That whole roast pig took less than three bites; in under ten seconds, it was reduced to a skeleton at an astonishing speed.
As for why she didn't eat the bones like in the Disciplinary Hall... Who eats bones when there's meat!!?
She's not stupid!
(Chew chew chew chew chew chew)
Valentina was inhaling rapidly, startling everyone with her voracious demon-like eating style, while Herbert's gaze swept across the entire hall, capturing everyone's reaction.
Shock, doubt, curiosity, hostility, jealousy... fear.
His calm gaze lingered on those fearful and uneasy figures before he withdrew his eyes.
He could understand most of the gazes... but fear, heh.
What exactly are you afraid of?
Herbert smiled pleasantly, ignoring those people, walking straight through the crowd that automatically parted before him, and approached Philia.
He looked down at the beautiful girl he remembered, and with a casual smile, said, "Long time no see, Philia. I'm a bit late, but congratulations on coming of age."
Philia also seemed surprised by his calm demeanor, and after a momentary pause, nodded: "Herbert... indeed, we haven't seen each other for a long time. I'm really glad to see you're well."
"Hehe, thank you."
She hesitantly looked at the young man who should have been familiar but couldn't associate the person in front of her with the figure in her memory.
His appearance hadn't changed, but his aura had transformed dramatically.
The elegant melancholy of the past was gone, replaced by a sharp confidence that was hard to overlook.
In the past, he drew attention just by his looks and demeanor alone.
But now, Herbert seemed even more captivating than before, exuding a unique charm that was irresistible.
What exactly happened to him?
While Philia was in a daze, Herbert extended his hand to her, smiling:
"As the protagonist of this ball, how can you just stand here watching and not join in the dance yourself?"
"Miss, may I have this dance with you?"
Philia snapped back to reality, looked at him, displayed a perfect smile, and placed her delicate hand into his broad palm.
"...Of course."
Thus, with no more words between them, they walked hand in hand to the center of the dance floor.
The crowd watching showed a variety of expressions, full of questions, not knowing what had transpired between these two.
This...
They just started dancing like that?
Are you two really reconciled?
They didn't understand, but they were greatly shocked.
The court musicians, unaware of the details of the drama, only saw that the princess had entered the dance floor and began playing once more.
As the music began, the others in the room regained their composure, whispering to those around them.
This was big news!
No one expected to witness such an event today.
[White Dove] is back!
And he didn't seem affected at all, contrary to the rumors of his decline.
Not only did he attend the princess's ball, but also brought back a very, very hungry nun!
Just as the dance was about to begin, Philia's movements suddenly appeared a bit rigid.
!!?
She was staring intently at the chest of that particularly hungry and peculiar nun – there, a brooch she was very familiar with.
As the waltz started, she naturally followed the rhythm, guided by Herbert's lead in a spin.
But even while spinning, her gaze remained fixed on Valentina.
Glaring intensely!
Noticing her reaction, Herbert asked with a smile, "What's wrong? Is there something about her?"
"She... is she from the Albert Family?"
"Not at all."
She's not.
"Then... that brooch?"
"Oh, it's mine, I gave it to her."
Philia spun, leaped... eyes wide open, following Valentina with a gaze as if unlocked, watching her finish one table and move to the next.
She noticed more details— the Ring of Suffering was also on that nun's body!
Philia was very familiar with this magical artifact because she personally selected it and handed it to the Duke of Silver Wings.
Philia narrowed her eyes, feeling a very subtle sensation in her heart.
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This sourness, awkwardness... annoyance?
Why am I angry?
She frowned, trying to grasp these unprecedented emotions, and just as she was about to look away, she was completely stunned.
And...
Why is that nun wearing a wedding ring!!?
Instinctively, she turned to look at Herbert's hand, and upon confirming he wasn't wearing a ring, she sighed in relief, then froze on the spot.
Why did I just feel relieved?
I clearly...
Philia suddenly fell silent.
After pondering for a long time with her head down, she finally asked softly, "Aren't you going to ask anything?"
After observing all her reactions, Herbert smiled meaningfully, softly saying, "At this point, does that question even matter?"
Herbert held her waist, pulling her into his embrace with the dance steps, their chests pressed together.
In body, their hearts were very close.
But in spirit, they were incredibly distant.
Herbert lowered his head, whispered into Philia's ear:
"You know very well..."
"It hasn't mattered for a long time."