Pernas, in a fit of pique, brusquely batted Glen''s hand away, promptly set about smoothing her tresses, and then, fixing him with an indignant stare, exclaimed,


    "It is but a single day. How much of your time could it possibly commandeer?"


    "A day! In one day, I could achieve a plethora of tasks. You, young scamp, simply fail to fathom."


    Glen attempted to circumvent her and return to his research, yet the fair - haired maiden took a dainty step, still barring his way.


    "I am already seventeen! I am no child! Do come! Otherwise, the ball shall be bereft of all merriment!"


    Pernas exclaimed petulantly.


    "Do you truly believe my presence would render the ball entertaining? It is a ball, after all. I am no adept dancer, and apart from you, I am acquainted with none there. What could I possibly do?"


    "The ball is a veritable delight! You shall understand once you attend. And who is to say you shall know only me? Lila and the others shall also be there. This ball is being hosted by my mother to welcome a prominent figure passing through. There shall be a profusion of delicacies you have never tasted before. You shall surely rue it if you do not come!"


    The young girl''s countenance flushed slightly, a clear indication of her growing agitation.


    "But I truly..." Glen had scarcely uttered half his words when he beheld the proud fair - haired maiden''s eyes welling with glistening tears.


    This caused Glen to halt mid - sentence. He could only sigh and say, "Very well, I shall go and have a look. But I shall most assuredly leave before the conclusion."


    The fair - haired maiden rubbed her eyes and said, somewhat peevishly, "You are truly detestable! You only consented when I resorted to tears..."


    "You can scarcely hold me accountable for that..." Glen said as he took the invitation clutched tightly in her hand.


    Subsequently, Glen bade Night - Howl to escort Pernas back.


    He discovered that the young girl had actually made the journey here unaccompanied.


    No wonder Glen had noticed the soiled hem of her skirt upon their initial encounter.


    Glen perused the invitation with meticulous attention, then placed it upon the table and retreated to the basement to resume his research.


    ...


    Within the manor once belonging to Charnis.


    Lady Aniya was engaged in conversation with a lady of a foreign race, her skin a deep shade of azure.


    This manor had initially been sold to a wealthy merchant, yet upon learning of this, Lady Aniya acquired it for herself.


    Being of noble lineage, she procured it at a price commensurate with what the merchant had paid.


    Ordinarily, Lady Aniya would not have been in haste to purchase it, but upon learning that an old acquaintance from another realm was soon to pass through this region, she deemed it necessary to secure a venue of sufficient grandeur to receive this guest.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    This was a matter of noble decorum, not to be trifled with.


    The foreign - race lady conversing with her at present was Veronica, one of the envoys from the Realm of Frost in the northern ice - bound expanse.


    The Zeen Kingdom was the human realm closest to the Realm of Frost, and the two realms had enjoyed a century - long amicable relationship. Thus, Lady Aniya had the opportunity to meet Veronica and forge a deep and abiding friendship with her.


    They recounted their experiences of the years past, and the atmosphere was one of perfect congeniality.


    At that moment, a young blue - skinned boy, donning an inverted - trapezoid - shaped hat characteristic of their race, entered, leading an eight - or nine - year - old blue - skinned girl. Before reaching Veronica, he called out,


    "Veronica! Where is Pernas? Why is she not in the manor?"


    "She has likely gone out to play. Take your sister and amuse yourselves. I have much to discuss with Lady Aniya yet."


    Veronica waved her hand dismissively, disinclined to attend to the two children.


    The children merely acknowledged her and then exited the room once more.


    "Are they not your offspring?" Lady Aniya inquired, a hint of curiosity in her voice.


    When welcoming the envoy retinue, she had observed these two children trailing behind Veronica and had assumed they were her progeny.


    "No, they are the children of that fallen one," Veronica replied in a hushed tone.


    "The fallen one? Do you mean the Sky Knight who betrayed the Realm of Frost?" Lady Aniya seemed to recall, and she too lowered her voice.


    "Indeed. She was a most remarkable young woman, yet she unfortunately crossed paths with that despicable scoundrel, Chenosalk. Bewitched by him, she met a tragic end."


    At the mention of the name Chenosalk, Lady Aniya felt a fleeting tremor of dread.


    The bearer of this name was an exquisitely handsome man, rumored to possess the blood of the legendary succubus. He delighted in using his comely visage to ensnare women and further his own ends.


    Chenosalk had once ensnared a Sky Knight of the Realm of Frost, extracting from her a wealth of confidential intelligence about the realm.


    Once his objectives were achieved, he callously abandoned the Sky Knight, despite her being with child.


    Perhaps consumed by guilt, the Sky Knight chose to take her own life, leaving behind two helpless infants unable to fend for themselves.


    "But why did you take these two children under your wing? If they are indeed Chenosalk''s progeny, does that not mean they too carry the succubus blood? What if, in time, they turn into..."


    Lady Aniya did not need to finish her sentence; Veronica understood her unspoken misgivings.


    "To be quite candid with you, that fallen one was my pupil. I could not bear to watch her two children perish. Thus, I adopted them. Through my connections, I concealed their true lineage, stating merely that I found them in the wild. As for what they may become as they grow... I believe no one is born inherently malevolent."


    The fact that Veronica was willing to share such a closely - guarded secret with Lady Aniya was testament to the depth of her trust.


    "I hope you are right..."


    This was all Lady Aniya could say.


    In another chamber, two other members of the envoy delegation were in residence.


    A knight, resplendent in ice - blue armor, and a bearded elder, floating in mid - air.


    "I have heard there was once an incident of demon incursion here, yet I can find not a single vestige of it," the knight declared, brandishing his knightly sword.


    "Your old malady has resurfaced. Has this journey left you with a psychological scar, Knight of the Blue Heart?"


    The elder, floating aloft, seemingly in a state of meditation, remarked indifferently.


    "I daresay you too were incensed by the Dwarven King''s demeanor, were you not, Master Diviner? How such a brutish and unreasonable race has managed to endure to this day is beyond me. The King''s plan to forge an alliance with the Dwarven Realm is folly. If only the heavens would send me one or two demons to vent my ire! Otherwise, I fear I shall go mad!"


    "If the mere words of the Dwarves can drive you to madness, then indeed, words are the most lethal of weapons. It would seem your knightly spirit is yet imperfect," the elder''s tone remained placid.


    "Save for Veronica, I suspect the rest of you are merely feigning equanimity. I witnessed you on several occasions on the journey, on the verge of crushing your divination orb," the knight stated bluntly.


    This time, the elder did not deign to respond.


    The knight continued, "At the very least, we are now to meet the King of the Zeen Kingdom. That great monarch is far more affable. His words have a way of soothing the soul, and even the ministers speak with a certain elegance, unlike those infernal, noisy Dwarves!"