Nestled on the picturesque western outskirts of the capital, the Divalo Manor was a beacon of elegance, bustling with energy as a parade of beautifully decorated carriages rolled up to its grand entrance. Noblewomen of every rank and fortune stepped gracefully from their luxurious vehicles, their eborate gowns shimmering in the midday sun. The air was alive with a delightful symphony of ughter and animated conversation, weaving a vibrant tapestry of excitement around the sprawling estate.

  The manor itself rose prominently, its four stories adorned with a pristine coat of white paint that gleamed against the backdrop of a deep blue trim, while a ste roof crowned it like a noble's hat. Surrounding this architectural gem was an enchanting garden, bursting with a riot of colors from meticulously arranged flowerbeds, their petals swaying gently in the breeze. The air was thick with the intoxicating scent of blooming jasmine and roses, intermingling with the sounds of a lively string quartet that echoed from within the manor’s elegantly appointed rooms.

  Yet, beneath the surface of this joyous gathering, a tension simmered. In the dim shadows of the Duke's study, Aric sat, a silent observer amidst the celebration. His eyes, sharp with intent, tracked the arrival of each carriage, knowing all too well the weight of this day for his wife. She was about to wield her influence over the Ladies of the Court, poised to sabotage their nephew’s impending marriage to that Dark Elf—a union he deemed perilous to his ambitions. Behind the facade of ughter and celebration, Aric’s heart beat steadily with the knowledge that conflict lurked just beneath the day’s veneer.

  The Duke sat alone in the darkness, the only illumination spilling through a partially drawn window, casting a silvery glow on a cubed artifact he was absently twirling—no rger than a child's wooden building block.

  Aric had bored tirelessly to undermine both his brother, the king, and his nephew, driven by a burning desire for revenge. Lately, however, the Dark Elf had turned the tables on him. Her golems had unearthed his hidden vaults within Baron Alistair Dravenhart's nds, absconding with millions in gold and sying several of his mercenaries, known as the Raven Knights. Now gripped by fear, he found himself forced to relocate all his hidden treasures from the Divalo Domain to a new, precarious hideout in Eder Hills. It was a gamble—risking all his resources in a single location—but he felt he had little choice; he was cornered and rendered nearly powerless against Rya, unable to strike her directly without sacrificing his fragile leverage among the nobility. Aric loathed to admit it, but this Dark Elf was proving to be a formidable strategist in the deadly game of thrones.

  "My lord, my little spiders have told me that the Queen is on her way with the Dark Elf. Are you sure we shouldn't try to poison her or try to assassinate her? I have the perfect men for the—"

  “No, Baliel…” Aric muttered under his breath, his gaze fixed on the horizon beyond the window. He slipped the cubed artifact into the depths of his coat pocket, feeling its weight settle like a secret.

  The butler, ever poised, straightened himself and gave a deep bow. “As you wish, your lordship. Should you reconsider, I shall be here, awaiting your command.”

  With a slight turn, Aric gnced over his shoulder, his expression resolute. “Ensure my wife has every resource she requires. And I want someone discreetly following the Dark Elf.”

  Baliel inclined his head again, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. “It will be done, my lord.”

  With a subtle wave of his hand, the butler exited the room, the door clicking shut behind him. Aric returned his attention to the gathering guests coming through the gates to his manor. But beyond the walls of his estate, there were other eyes and ears of that foul Dark Elf. Her golems loomed in the streets of the capital, observing his movements and reporting back to her. At first, he was able to use his cubed artifact, called the Sorcerer's Syer, to disrupt the mana that fueled them, effectively killing them. But she began to send more and more of them.

  It was only when he destroyed three of them in one day, thinking that was all she had, that he realized his mistake. Because the next morning, dozens more appeared. It was at that point when he understood what her game was, and he fell for it like an idiot. She was testing his limits on how many times he could power the artifact with his mana vein before he had to rest.

  What first gave him hope now filled him with dread. He couldn't stop her from watching his every move. She was cunning, toying with him like a cat toying with its prey. He had been careless and underestimated her and almost paid the price.

  He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. The Dark Elf was an unpredictable, ruthless enemy, and he had no doubt she would eventually come after him. That's if he throws away the st of his leverage. If the nobility sees him as an enemy of the state, then she would come for him. He was sure of that.

  "I must find a way to counteract her golems..." He sighed, running a gloved hand through his gray hair. He had a few tricks up his sleeves, but he needed to be smart. He needed to be patient. As long as he finds a way to break up her retionship is all he needed to do. And it would come in due time.

  Aric took a deep breath and adjusted the pels of his coat. His fingers brushed the artifact, and the faint hum of mana tickled his skin. He was tempted to use it once more, just to send a message, but he refrained. His veins had been growing sore and achy each time he overused it. By his estimate, he could use the Sorcerer's Syer ten times before he would need an hour's rest before he could use it again. And if he had to use it more than ten times, then he would be flirting with Mana Exhaustion.

  Never in his life did he think that he would be the one who was the hunted and not the hunter. It was infuriating to think about. But this is how things were, and he had to deal with it.

  'She'll grow bored soon enough...' He thought, looking at the crowd of nobles mingling. '...and then I will take back what's mine.'

  A servant walked into the room, carrying a tray with a cup and saucer. He approached Aric and held out the tray. Aric picked up the steaming cup and breathed in the earthy aroma of the tea.

  "Thank you," he said, nodding at the servant.

  He took a sip and savored the warm liquid. His gaze swept across the courtyard through his window. At that moment, he spotted the Queen's carriage, along with three other carriages, being escorted by hundreds of Royal Knights. It sickened him to know that he couldn't prevent his Sister-in-w from bringing all her Knights who would be trying to snoop around his home.

  'Stay focused, Aric... Nothing on the premises can implicate me. This is only my daughter's coming-of-age party and nothing more.' He told himself.

  He watched as Hilda's carriage was the first to pull up to the main doors of his estate.

  The foreign Princess came out of her carriage, fnked by a couple of Royal Guards. She looked like she was trying to appear more feminine and mature than when she had first arrived. Her dress was her usual shade of white, but it had golden trim, and her red hair was done up in an intricate bun, making her stand out even more.

  Aric's eyes narrowed as he watched her. Something about her had been nagging him for the past month. He hoped she would try to be bold in flirting with Quinus, but that prudish zealot doesn't know the first thing about seducing a man.

  The other carriages pulled up and a stream of noble women stepped out. It was the Fairchild sisters along with the other dies who were invited to this party.

  "The damn, Baroness should have sided with—no... Keep your voice low. The elves might hear me," Aric said, as he wished he could use his spherical artifact that creates a silence barrier. But with so many guests here, it would have looked too suspicious if he started using artifacts without a proper expnation.

  The next carriage had Lady Tayna Dule coming out with that Wolfkin mutt and the old Dwarven woman.

  'Tsk!... Subhuman filth, why are you even here? Shouldn't you be at the back of the line with the rest of the dirty peasants?' Aric thought as he felt himself wanting to kick them out.

  The st carriage, adorned with the intricate Royal crest, glided to a stop. As the door swung open, a strikingly beautiful figure emerged. The Elven Princess, Yuliana, with her long, flowing hair resembling the gentle hues of a forest in spring, stepped out gracefully. Her piercing emerald green eyes, sharp and vigint, scanned the surroundings with an air of authority and care. She was on high alert, ensuring that the area was secure for her youngest daughter, Eine, who followed closely behind. The duo approached the grand, towering wooden doors that loomed ahead, their ancient carvings telling stories of a time long past.

  Inside the study, the Duke grimaced as he peered through the ornate window. "Dammit! They are multiplying! Where did that younger elf come from? Baliel's spies have been scking off," he muttered under his breath, frustration cing his tone.

  Meanwhile, Eine walked alongside her mother, a bright smile illuminating her face. Despite the flutter of nervous butterflies dancing in her stomach, she felt an unexpected sense of calm wash over her. This was her first noble party, yet she felt as though she belonged there, as if fate had woven her into this tapestry of elegance and intrigue. The stares of the onlookers bore no weight on her shoulders; instead, she embraced the attention with quiet confidence.

  Duke Aric stood up from his leather chair and moved closer to the window as he waited to see the two women he was dreading the most to come out of the Royal Carriage.

  'Come out already, you damn she-devils! I know you are trying to—'

  Out came Nieren, who looked regal in her red dress, and her long golden hair flowed down her back. She wasn't enjoying her attire now that her Prince wasn't around. But she didn't compin, as Rya would do something to embarrass her if she did. The Elf took a breath and waited for her sister and the Queen to come out of the carriage.

  'Toying with me are you! HA! You're coming into my mansion and you think you can make me feel fear!? I can't wait to see your face when I destroy all you hold dear!' Aric was grinding his teeth at this point, thinking about his pns and how they would come to fruition.

  ***

  Rya and Rianna were sitting in the Royal Carriage with Nieren and a dozen Royal Knights waiting for them outside. They were all wearing their best attire, even Rianna. The Queen was dressed in a gorgeous, elegant green dress accentuated with intricate gold embroidery, and her long bck hair was adorned with a delicate, floral tiara. She looked like a goddess, especially after her mana rush episode, which made her look ten years younger. As for Rya, she was wearing a stunning bck and red gown accentuated with rubies and other precious gems, and her long, silky ptinum hair cascaded down her back in soft waves. She was breathtakingly beautiful, and she knew it. The only thing that was bugging her was her bck corset, which was tight against her belly. Luckily, her bck shawl was hiding it well.

  Rianna was staring at Rya with a curious look. She was waiting for Rya to leave the carriage before her as it was customary for the Royals to come out st. But Rya just held out her hand while tilting her ear up as if she was trying to listen to something that the Queen couldn't hear. Rianna looked outside, but all she could see were the Royal Knights standing around the carriage with the manor's servents in the distance.

  "Something bothering you?"

  Rya raised her pointer finger to her lips and made a quiet, shushing noise. Rianna didn't know what to make of it, but she patiently waited for the Dark Elf to do whatever she needed to do.

  Rya's ears started twitching as she heard the satisfying sounds of a man grinding his teeth in the distance.

  'Is that you, Aric?... You've grown impatient, haven't you?'

  The Dark Elf smirked as she heard the cracking of a tooth, followed by Aric cursing under his breath as he walked away from the third-story window of his study.

  With that, Rya smiled and nodded her head. Rianna raised a brow at the Dark Elf's behavior. "Why are you smiling? What did you hear?"

  Rya looked over at the Queen. "Hm. The Duke—Your brother-in-w was hiding in his study, waiting to gre down at us, and his frustrations got the best of him. He accidentally broke a tooth."

  Rianna's face shifted into amusement. "He was waiting for us?"

  "Yes, he was... and I think he was lost in a diluted daydream about ruining us. Or maybe imagining our demise? Who knows, but he really waited to see us leave the carriage st. I could hear the sound of his teeth grinding from here."

  Rianna couldn't help but smirk. The more she was around Rya, the more she loved her style. She was very direct and didn't seem to care much for formalities or manners. The Dark Elf had her own unique way of doing things, and Rianna was happy to let her take the lead. Rianna was also intrigued by how Rya had figured out where Aric was hiding and what he was doing. That kind of detail and precision was something that most people didn't possess.

  "So?... Do we just stay here for the rest of the party, Princess Rya? It is your choice," Rianna said sarcastically.

  Rya gave the Queen a mischievous smile. "Hmm, I think we've made them wait long enough."

  And with that, the two left the carriage and entered the Manor.