Maria von Hafestadt was entering the ball.

  With measured, deliberate steps, Maria descended the grand staircase, each step echoing softly in the hushed anticipation of the room. Her long, ebony hair was elegantly styled, pulled back to cascade over her shoulders like a dark waterfall, shimmering under the glow of the chandeliers. Her skin was as fair as snow, smooth and radiant.

  Yet it was her eyes that truly captivated them. Sharp and piercing like those of a predator, they left no room for anyone to underestimate her due to her beauty alone. There was a fierceness in her gaze, a silent declaration of her strength and authority.

  She wore an exquisite black gown embellished with intricate golden details, each thread woven with meticulous craftsmanship. The dress flowed gracefully around her, accentuating her poise and stature, a garment befitting the heir of Hafenstadt and its secretive governor.

  Jamie watched from his place near the edge of the ballroom, raising his wine glass to his lips as he observed the scene unfold. The murmurs of conversation around him faded into the background. Beside him, Thomas attempted to conceal his surprise and admiration at Maria's striking presence, but the awe in his eyes was hard to mask.

  As Maria moved gracefully through the gathering, she greeted her guests with a polite nod here, a graceful smile there. Her path through the grand hall seemed almost intentional, each step bringing her closer to where Jamie stood. On occasion, her eyes would meet his across the room; brief, curious glances.

  When she finally approached, a subtle hush fell over the surrounding guests. A circle of onlookers formed around them, not overtly impeding but close enough to observe the interaction. Some were merely curious about the connection between the enigmatic bard and the illustrious heiress. Others held more calculated interests, eager to witness how Maria would engage with the newcomer who had begun to stir the waters of Hafenstadt's underworld.

  Jamie recognized several faces in the crowd. Though they donned the attire of nobility and wealth, he knew them for what they were, figures whose dealings thrived in shadows. The manager of the clandestine fighting pits stood to one side, his shrewd eyes assessing. Nearby was a merchant notorious for trading in rare and forbidden monster parts, his fingers adorned with rings that caught the light with each subtle movement. Scattered among them were those who dealt in the darkest trade of all, the buying and selling of slaves.

  Out of all these, it was the slavers whom Jamie despised the most. Their very existence clashed with every principle he held. Slaves had no choice but to participate in the "game" that played out within the city's shadows. More abhorrent was the fact that the most valuable among their stock were often the children.

  However, this was not the time to show his disgust for this "race."

  On the contrary, his face held nothing but smiles, especially directed at the heiress of the Hafenstadt.

  ‘Did she send us to our deaths? Or was it someone else?’ Jamie was calculating as he evaluated her.

  "Well, well," Maria purred as she drew near, her tone laced with a subtle challenge. "It seems the newest magnate of Hafenstadt graces my humble ball."

  Her words seemed designed to belittle, but her expression remained inscrutable, a porcelain mask betraying no emotion.

  Jamie inclined his head politely. "Magnate? You flatter me, noble heiress," he replied, allowing a hint of humility to color his tone. "I am but a simple bard."

  Though his words appeared self-deprecating, the deliberate emphasis on "heiress" was a subtle barb, a reminder that she had yet to ascend fully to power. The nuance was not lost on Maria, whose eyes flickered momentarily, a spark of acknowledgment passing between them.

  "If not a magnate," she continued, her lips curving into a faint smile, "then perhaps the newest crime lord of Hafenstadt. What is it they're calling your gang?" She paused delicately. "Ah, the Musicians."

  "Musicians," Jamie echoed thoughtfully. "A name far more agreeable than 'magnate.'"

  He sipped casually from his wine, masking his satisfaction at being recognized as a leader within the city's underworld. "However," he added smoothly, "while my enterprises may skirt the edges of legality, it's worth noting that we are not criminals."

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  He emphasized the distinction carefully, aware of the need to maintain a veneer of respectability despite the dubious dealings of those around them.

  "Like all of us," Maria responded, her gaze drifting over the assembled guests. "Like all of us."

  She turned her attention to the bustling ballroom, watching as elegantly dressed couples danced across the polished floor. Around them, whispers fluttered among the nobility, a mix of curiosity and speculation directed at the short exchange.

  Thomas stood a few paces behind Jamie, his posture relaxed yet alert. His eyes scanned the crowd, ever vigilant, though his expression remained stoic.

  "Congratulations on establishing your company," Maria remarked after a moment, her tone lighter. "I hear you've managed to eliminate some trolls."

  Jamie met her gaze, a modest smile playing on his lips. "It was nothing," he said dismissively. "Merely a worthwhile exercise that served to increase our reputation."

  "Is that why you're already spreading word that you'll be recruiting more soldiers? Are you planning some kind of expansion?" Maria inquired, her tone casual yet edged with curiosity.

  Jamie met her gaze steadily, a polite smile on his lips. "Those are merely rumors," he replied smoothly. "We haven't officially opened recruitment yet, but we do intend to expand our team." He confirmed this without offering any specifics about timing or objectives.

  "In that case," Maria mused, a hint of challenge in her eyes, "we should converse after your expansion. Certain services could make use of your abilities. Perhaps you can catch some crumbs that fall from the table."

  "Forgive me, my lady," Jamie responded confidently, his voice steady. "But for the Golden Fiddle, crumbs aren't sufficient to satisfy us."

  "Bold," Maria remarked, her lips curving into a faint smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Perhaps too bold, but sometimes necessary. The vast majority of nobles could learn from your behavior." Though her words seemed complimentary, there was an undercurrent suggesting she was redirecting the rejection he had given her.

  "Very true," Jamie acknowledged, maintaining his composure.

  "In that case," Maria continued, her gaze sharpening, "before we sit down to discuss further, I will request some of your time to teach a class at our Imperial Academy of Hafenstadt." A subtle gleam flickered in her eyes. "You should receive the letter in the next few days."

  Jamie fought to mask his surprise, his mind racing. Initially, he felt a pang of disappointment. Such an invitation would be difficult to decline, and he had already been bold in refusing her minor business proposition. Yet, a spark of excitement ignited within him. He needed to recruit new talent, and perhaps the Academy was the perfect place. ‘Thomas was from there,’ he recalled.

  "It would be my pleasure," he said, bowing gracefully to accept the task.

  As Jamie straightened, a servant approached Maria, leaning in to whisper softly in her ear. "Excuse me," she said, her attention shifting. "I have no more time to waste. Our main guest has just arrived." With that, Maria turned and began ascending the grand staircase.

  Reaching the top, she tapped her crystal glass lightly with a silver spoon, the clear chime ringing through the hall and capturing everyone's attention. The murmur of conversations faded as guests turned their gazes toward her.

  "Tonight will not be an ordinary ball focused solely on promoting internal commerce," Maria announced, her voice carrying effortlessly across the room. "But also an opportunity to strengthen the ties between our two great Empires."

  A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd, guests exchanging curious glances and hushed speculations about what was to come.

  "Today, we take another step in bringing the Arkan Imperium closer to the Holy Elven Empire," she continued. "We have invited esteemed diplomats from our neighboring empire to join us in dialogue and celebration."

  At her words, the enormous main doors of the ballroom swung open with deliberate grandeur. A procession of elegantly dressed individuals entered, their bearing dignified and their attire a harmonious blend of silken fabrics and intricate embroidery. Leading the group was a figure who commanded immediate attention.

  "Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Vivi Hellreich, High Diplomat of the Holy Elven Empire." Maria's clear voice resonated throughout the grand ballroom, silencing the murmurs. All eyes shifted toward the towering double doors as they swung open with ceremonial grace.

  At the utterance of that name, Jamie's gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing as he strained to see through the sea of dignitaries and nobility.

  Emerging at the forefront of the elven delegation was a young woman who appeared to be of an age with Jamie, though her elven lineage bestowed upon her an ageless elegance. She moved with a grace that seemed almost ethereal, each step light and purposeful as if she floated rather than walked.

  "Well, well," Jay mused, his voice threading into Jamie's thoughts with amusement and surprise. The spectral cat floated lazily beside him. "Who would have imagined?"

  Jamie's breath caught in his throat by the surprise.

  Beside him, Thomas noticed the change. He had been standing silently, a steadfast sentinel amid the swirling elegance of the evening. His observant eyes missed little, and he saw how Jamie's usual composure wavered, if only for a moment.

  "Someone you know?" Thomas asked quietly, concern threading through his voice. His gaze followed Jamie's, landing upon the elven diplomat who now moved with her entourage into the heart of the gathering.

  Jamie exhaled slowly, forcing himself to regain control. "Yes," he acknowledged, his voice just audible over the renewed swell of conversations and music. "My ex-fiancée."

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