Just as Glen was on the verge of speaking, a maid entered and announced in a slightly elevated voice, "Esteemed guests, the ball is on the verge of commencing. Lady Aniya requests that you proceed to the grand hall of the central main building."
"Go inform mother that we shall be there momentarily," Pernas replied.
The maid executed a curtsy and then departed.
"Come along, children," Veronica said, relinquishing her scrutiny of Glen and summoning the group.
The party then made their way, chatting merrily, towards the so - called ball venue in the main building.
The din of the crowd gradually grew louder in their ears.
As they traversed a rather dim corridor, the vista of the ball hall unfurled before their eyes.
Nobles attired in resplendent finery were engaged in convivial toasts, conversing in a melodious, cadenced manner, sharing anecdotes among themselves.
Glen and the group of adolescents were led to a less - populated area, seemingly specially designated by Lady Aniya for her daughter and her daughter''s companions.
"Lila, you are to sit beside me. And Terke, bring your sister and seat yourselves on my other side! Bock! You gentlemen are to be seated over there!"
Pernas directed the group with the air of a young hostess.
There were several round tables draped with white cloths on the scene, upon which were arrayed some confections and items resembling chess and cards.
Lila and the others evinced little surprise upon beholding them, presumably having encountered such things on previous occasions.
"Pernas, Nasyia isn''t coming over. She''s gone to speak with that Mr. Glen," the blue - skinned young boy Terke indicated the men''s table and informed the fair - haired lady.
The latter cast a glance in that direction.
At that moment, the blue - skinned young girl had placed her hands on the edge of the table, which reached up to her eyes, and was engaged in conversation with Glen.
"Very well. Let her be," Pernas said, waving her hand dismissively.
"Then I shall go too," Terke murmured softly and promptly trotted towards the men''s table.
What irked Pernas even more was that Bonnie had paid no heed to her arrangements and had long since made her way over.
"Really..." The fair - haired lady was left speechless.
Lila, who was nearby, proposed, "Perhaps we should simply form one table. After all, our numbers are not great."
"But this game cannot accommodate so many participants..." Pernas wavered.
Lila, discerning her friend''s hesitation, continued, "Then we can take turns. It is quite unproblematic."
In the end, Pernas chose to heed her friend''s counsel.
Glen paid little heed to the commotion beside him. He was engrossed in conversation with the blue - skinned young girl.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Initially, the young girl had abruptly leaned over beside him and inquired cutely, "Are you Glen?"
"Yes, I am."
"I am Nasyia. I am six years of age."
"Oh, I am twenty - two."
"You can compose stories. How remarkable!"
"Do you favor my stories?"
"Yes, I do!"
"But it appears you have not perused my stories yet?"
"I have! Behold! These are the stories you penned!"
"Oh, then do tell me which story within you like the most?"
"Hmm..."
"Allow me to read one to you."
"Very well!"
...
At the heart of the ball, all the members of the Frost Kingdom''s diplomatic mission had arrived. They donned the magnificent ceremonial garb of their nation and danced with the nobles who had extended invitations.
This was a familiar routine to them, and thus they handled it with aplomb.
Only The Elder, who appeared to be of advanced years, was accorded the privilege of sitting alone on one side, observing his companions'' performances.
Even Veronica, on such an occasion, was compelled by courtesy to respond to the noblemen who came to invite her to dance.
Each time this occurred, The Elder would experience a sense of satisfaction, and his mood would inexplicably brighten.
Taking a delicate sip of fruit wine, he directed his gaze towards the knight bearing the title "Blue Heart", with whom he frequently engaged in banter.
At this moment, the knight had removed his armor, revealing his handsome, virile visage. Clad in fine raiment, he was even more charismatic.
However, when a noble lady, to weigh two or three hundred pounds, approached to invite him to dance and Blue Heart had no choice but to accept, the blue-skinned The Elder nearly erupted into laughter.
I must surely inquire about his impressions upon our return... With such a thought in mind, The Elder''s gaze casually swept elsewhere.
Endowed with excellent eyesight, he espied the children in the distance.
Noticing that the children seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves while playing some unknown game, The Elder''s gaze lingered for a few seconds.
I''ve heard that the young lady endured a harrowing abduction. It is truly remarkable that she can maintain such a demeanor. However, one can discern a nascent maturity in her. When she reaches full maturity, she may well become as resilient as her mother...
The Elder nodded and withdrew his gaze.
Yet, in the instant of withdrawal, he had an illusion. He seemed to have glimpsed a familiar visage just now.
He turned his gaze once more towards Pernas'' direction, and his eyes alighted upon the countenance of a young man who was conversing with Nasyia.
The sense of familiarity had emanated from this very face.
Who is this? Why does he bear a resemblance to Chenosalk? … The Elder was taken aback.
The Elder had indeed encountered that ill - reputed individual rumored to possess succubus blood. Although the visage he beheld now was far from the peerless beauty of Chenosalk, certain facial features were strikingly similar.
The Elder was also cognizant of the identities of the two children adopted by Veronica. He concurred with Veronica''s stance and thus elected to keep it a shared secret.
Since Chenosalk had fair skin, at first glance, the two children scarcely resembled their father in appearance.
But the face he beheld now indeed seemed more likely to be of blood relation to Chenosalk.
As for why Veronica had failed to notice this upon first seeing Glen, it was because Veronica had never laid eyes on Chenosalk.
By the time she learned of what had befallen her student, all had already come to an end.
At this juncture, the more The Elder pondered, the more restless he became. Thus, he rose to his feet and made his way towards Glen.
...
Glen stretched in his seat. He had partaken in several games with these adolescents, experiencing both victory and defeat.
Of course, he was in control of the outcomes.
It was a game of chance with exceedingly simple rules yet offering a modicum of amusement.
Upon losing, one was required to approach a lady or a gentleman and invite them to dance, and the others were thoroughly enjoying themselves.
When Glen lost for the first time, he ascended and randomly selected a lady, then performed a dance that was truly cringe - worthy.
It was of the sort that would make an onlooker feel so mortified that they would wish to disappear, rather than evoke laughter.
This left his dance partner flushed with anger, on the verge of tears. She then fled into the crowd, never to be seen again.
Pernas and the others were thoroughly embarrassed by Glen''s performance. Consequently, upon subsequent losses, Glen was spared the need to invite someone to dance and was permitted to simply sit aside.
This delighted the two blue - skinned children, who entreated Glen to continue regaling them with stories.
Now Glen refrained from participating in their games. He held the storybook and recited in a leisurely tone.
Just as he was midway through the story, a voice emanated from the side:
"What game are you engaged in? It appears rather intriguing."