Katarina wore a loving smile as she gazed at the center of the ballroom, her eyes locked on her daughter, who was dancing with Nicholas. Her heart warmed at the sight of the jovial smile on her daughter's face as she looked at Nicholas while they moved as one.

  "A drink, My Lady?"

  Katarina looked to her left, seeing a young butler holding a tray of golden goblets. She smiled and nodded at the butler, "Yes, thank you."

  The butler's cheeks turned a little red before he looked at the tray, "I have white wine, red wine, and water, My Lady."

  Katarina grinned before she tilted her head slightly, her lips pursed, "I'll take a white wine. Something sweet."

  The butler nodded before he grabbed a goblet and held it out toward her, "Here you are, My Lady."

  "Thank you," Katarina said kindly, taking the goblet. She took a drink and hummed, giving the butler a smile. "It's excellent."

  The butler nodded, "Have a good night, My Lady."

  "You as well," Katarina replied, watching as the butler walked away.

  "Should I be jealous?"

  Katarina turned and smiled at her husband as he approached her. "Jealous?"

  Lucian came to stand beside her and chuckled, "You have young men blushing and giving you drinks."

  Katarina chortled, shaking her head, "You know you're the only one I want fawning over me."

  "Easy enough to do," Lucian stated, his eyes traveling slowly down her frame. "Especially with how exquisite you look in that dress."

  Katarina grinned before leaning closer to her husband. "You should see me out of it."

  Lucian smirked as he, too, leaned closer to his wife. "Perhaps you can show me later."

  Katarina bit the corner of her lip, "I suppose I can acquiesce to that request."

  "Looking forward to it," Lucian hummed before he leaned forward and shared a soft kiss with his wife.

  They broke the kiss, and Katarina looked at Lucian curiously, "So, did you speak with Yenfra?"

  Lucian nodded, "Yeah. Everything is going smoothly. Nothing suspicious has popped up."

  "Good," Katarina said. "Maybe now you and Mathew can relax a little."

  Lucian looked across the ballroom, "I don't know about Mathew."

  Katarina raised a brow before she followed Lucian's gaze. She noticed him standing to the side of the ballroom, glaring. She followed his glare, and her lips curled, seeing Celine dancing with a brown-haired noble boy, who seemed to be about her age.

  Katarina chuckled, "He shouldn't be surprised that boys would want to dance with her. She looks beautiful."

  Lucian nodded, "That she does." His eyes shifted, falling on his daughter, watching as she danced with Nicholas. "So does Elianna."

  Katarina looked at her daughter and smiled warmly, "She looks so happy. I'm glad. She definitely needed this, after what happened with the cult."

  Lucian's jaw tightened, and his expression darkened, "When we get back to Tri-Union City, I'll have to speak with Raina about calling a meeting of the kings. I want their permission to have the Tri-Union troops stationed at the Outposts to start patrolling."

  Katarina looked at her husband, "You think they will accept?"

  "I'll persuade them," Lucian said, before looking at his wife. "These cultists need to be dealt with. They've been causing trouble for long enough."

  Katarina nodded, before her eyes fell, as she looked deep in thought, "With everything going on, maybe we shouldn't let Elianna go to field training with Nicholas."

  Lucian took a deep breath, "I've had second thoughts as well. But, I know she will be fine."

  Katarina looked at her husband, "You already spoke with him then?"

  Lucian nodded, "Yeah. He agreed to watch her. I know he'll keep her safe."

  "That I have no doubt." Katarina looked at her daughter and smiled. "That's all I want. For her to be safe."

  "You and me both," Lucian agreed.

  The musicians stopped playing, and there was a pause in everyone's dancing. Then, Katarina's brows raised, hearing them start to play a slow song. Her lips curled into a smirk as she watched her daughter with Nicholas. "Oh, this will be interesting."

  ***

  Elianna's chest was filled with warmth, her soft-looking lips curled into a soft smile as she moved along to the music with Nicholas. This was the fifth song they were dancing to, and she was not feeling tired at all. In fact, she thought she could stay here, with him, all night.

  The music was boisterous, setting the pace for them to move elegantly across the ballroom dance floor. She had gotten used to the movements and had become more fluid. She felt totally relaxed, except for the tingling in her side, as Nicholas' thumb made a circular motion on her waist.

  Staring into Nicholas' deep sea green eyes, she moved back and forth, side to side, to the sound of the music. But their movement slowed as the musicians slowly came to a stop. Elianna's heart dropped a little as the song stopped, but knew that another would be starting soon.

  "Do you want to dance to another song?" Elianna asked. "Or, take a break?"

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  Nicholas smiled at her, "I don't think another song will hurt."

  Elianna's chest warmed, and she smiled jovially as she nodded. But her smile faded slightly, hearing the musicians begin again, this time, with a much slower beat. She quickly looked around, seeing some dancers move off the dance floor, while others moved on. The dancers stepped closer together, with the males placing their hands on their partners' waist, while the females wrapped their arms around the males' necks.

  "O-Oh," Elianna swallowed hard, her heart beginning to beat fast. She looked at Nicholas, "We can sto—" Elianna's brows raised as Nicholas stepped up to her.

  Nicholas' cheeks were red, seeming to deepen by the second, "I'm okay with staying if you are."

  Elianna's stomach began to flutter with a swarm of butterflies. She was silent as she nodded. She began to raise her arms, but hesitated for a moment. She stood there, not knowing how close Nicholas wanted her to be to him, until her lips went partially agape as he placed his hands on her waist.

  Elianna mentally gasped, feeling Nicholas' hands on her waist, and while the dress material acted as a barrier between their skin, she still felt streaks of lightning flash through her from where he touched her. Her heart rate increased substantially, and her face turned hot as Nicholas pulled her closer. Her body turned molten as the tips of her breasts brushed against Nicholas' hard chest, pressing more into him with each breath she took.

  Placing her hands flat against Nicholas' chest, she could feel how fast his heart was beating. She kept eye contact with him as she brushed her hands up along his chest, to his clavicle, then his shoulders, as she snaked her arms around his neck. She watched as his cheeks became redder, and his lips went agape.

  Elianna felt as Nicholas began to move, and she moved with him, their movements slow. Her waist tingled with lightning, feeling Nicholas holding her with a light touch, his thumbs making that circular motion that left molten streaks in their wake.

  The fluttering sensation in Elianna's stomach only increased as they moved together, despite her constantly telling herself to calm down.

  "You really do look beautiful in this dress," Nicholas whispered.

  Elianna's brows raised, and all thoughts of telling herself to calm down were whisked away, like leaves in the wind.

  "As soon as I saw you enter the room," Nicholas continued, his voice a warm whisper. "I had thoughts of wanting to paint you." His hands began to travel downward, and Elianna's breath hitched, feeling his hands move against her hourglass frame, leaving electric streaks that shot through her. When his hands finally settled on her hips, her heart was practically jumping out of her chest. "To capture this moment and remember it forever."

  Elianna's throat felt dry. "I-I don't think I've ever seen you draw, or paint me."

  Nicholas' lips twitched as he remained silent, his thumbs making a circular motion on Elianna's hips.

  The air around Elianna grew very hot, and she found it more challenging to breathe. She continued to stare into Nicholas' sea-green eyes, thinking how beautiful they were. Then, when his eyes flicked to her lips, she thought her heart may have stopped. Thoughts of leaning upward toward Nicholas filled her mind, and she felt as Nicholas' and her movements slowed further. His eyes flicked back to hers, and they continued to stare at each other, with her barely realizing they had both stopped moving and were looking into each other's eyes.

  Elianna's heart and mind were racing, with several thoughts crossing her mind that made it feel like her face was about to melt off. Her hands began to slide down, moving over Nicholas' chiseled chest, feeling his hard muscles, and fast beating heart. Her hands began to grab the lapels of his jacket when the music around them came to a stop.

  Nicholas and Elianna both blinked before they looked around, seeing everyone begin to step back from their partners. They looked back at each other, suddenly becoming very conscious of how close they were, and their faces turned apple-red. They quickly stepped away from each other.

  Nicholas cleared his throat, scratching the back of his head, "T-That was a good dance."

  Elianna rubbed the back of her neck, "Y-Yeah."

  Nicholas let out a breath, "I need some water."

  "Same," Elianna said as she and Nicholas began to walk off the dance floor. "It's feeling hot."

  They walked off the dance floor and approached one of the butlers.

  "Two waters, please," Nicholas said.

  The butler looked in their direction and immediately went wide-eyed, "R-Right away, Your Highness and Lady."

  The butler grabbed a goblet, which he handed to Nicholas.

  Taking the goblet, Nicholas handed it over to Elianna.

  Elianna smiled, tucking some of her hair behind her ear, "Thank you."

  Nicholas returned her smile before looking back at the butler and taking another goblet. "Appreciate it."

  "Of course, Your Highness," The butler bowed before walking off.

  Nicholas turned to face Elianna, and they were silent as they both took greedy drinks from their goblets.

  "Well, you two looked good out there."

  Nicholas and Elianna looked toward the voice, and Nicholas smiled blissfully at the figure who approached, "Josephine!"

  Nicholas moved forward, taking Josephine into a warm hug, which she happily returned. As they broke the hug, Josephine hummed, smiling, as fingercombed some of his hair to the side, "Look at you. You look so handsome."

  Nicholas smiled, "Thanks."

  Josephine looked at Elianna before she approached her and took her into a hug, "And look at you. You look so beautiful, Elianna."

  "Thank you," Elianna said warmly, as they broke the hug. Elianna looked at Josephine, seeing her hair neatly tied back in a bun and her beautiful, long-sleeved emerald dress. "You look beautiful yourself."

  Josephine chuckled and gestured with her hand, "Thank you, dear. But compared to me, you truly sta—" Josphine stopped when her eyes flicked and settled on the tiara that was on Elianna's head. Her smile faded, and her eyes turned watery.

  Nicholas tilted his head slightly, "Josephine? Are you okay?"

  Josephine was silent as she stared at the tiara.

  "Josephine?" Elianna asked.

  Josephine's gaze flicked down and met Elianna's. "My dear," Josephine began, her voice sounding hoarse. "Where did you get that tiara?"

  "The tiara?" Elianna asked, as she raised her hand, and gently brushed the tips of her fingers along its frame.

  "My father gave it to her," Nicholas answered. "Why?"

  Josephine looked at the tiara again, before looking at Nicholas, "Do you not recognize it?"

  Nicholas raised a brow before he looked at the tiara and shrugged, "I mean, it definitely looks familiar. But, I can't place my finger on where I've seen it before."

  Josephine smiled warmly, "Nicholas." She reached out, gently taking his hand. "That was your mother's favorite tiara."

  Nicholas blinked, and Elianna went wide-eyed. Suddenly, the tiara felt incredibly heavy on her head.

  "I-It was..." Nicholas began, looking shocked. He slowly looked at the tiara on Elianna's head, his eyes turning watery. "That was my mother's?"

  Josephine nodded, "Yes. I would recognize it anywhere." She smiled, "She had the golden gem made to match the world stones, gifted by the divine."

  Elianna shook her head, "I-I didn't know."

  "Neither did I," Nicholas whispered. His brows furrowed, "But why?" He turned, looking at his father, who sat on his throne, "Why would he... I don't understand."

  Josephine chuckled, "It's hard to understand your father, sometimes, Nicholas."

  Elianna shook her head, "But if he was going to let someone wear it, shouldn't Tiffany wear it? I mean, it's her party."

  Nicholas' head whirled to her, "I'd much rather you wear it."

  Josephine smiled, "Plus, between us, it looks better on you."

  Elianna returned Josephine's smile as she gingerly touched the tiara with her fingers, "I'll take good care of it, I promise."

  Josephine chuckled, "I know you will, dear." She looked at the tiara, "It's just good to see it again."

  A plethora of voices suddenly caught their attention, and they looked toward the entrance of the ballroom. People standing around the entrance were whispering and pointing to an older man in an all-black suit with a black tie, with short, graying black hair, a full beard, and dark eyes.

  Josphine's brows raised, "Well, this is a surprise. I didn't expect Alastir Dennegard to be here."

  Nicholas' head snapped to Josephine, eyes wide, "W-What?" He swallowed hard, looking back at the man as he walked into the ballroom, looking around. "T-That's Alastir Dennegard?"

  Elianna looked at Nicholas curiously, seeing that he seemed excited and nervous, "Who is that?"

  Josephine looked at Elianna, "He is one of the four ninth-level magic users."

  Elianna's brows raised as she looked at Alastir, "He is?"

  Nicholas nodded, "Y-Yeah." He grinned, "He's also known as The Beserker."