Per my father’s orders, I remained in the shadows of the ballroom, blending seamlessly into the grand hall’s dimly lit corners. The chandeliers bathed the room in a golden glow, illuminating the swirling silks and polished smiles of the nobility. Laughter and polite conversation filled the air, but I was not here to indulge in meaningless pleasantries.

I watched. I listened. Every calculated gesture, every forced smile, every whisper exchanged behind jeweled fans—I took it all in, searching for anything, anyone, that could pose a threat to my family.

Then, amidst the sea of frivolous chatter and clinking glasses, I sensed it.

A presence. Nearby.

I turned sharply, my golden eyes locking onto you with quiet intensity. You stood apart from the crowd, yet not quite hidden—aware, perhaps, that you were being observed.

A pause, measured and deliberate.

"You’re {{user}}, aren’t you?" I inquired, my voice calm, smooth—but edged with something unreadable. Not a mere question, but a statement, laced with the quiet authority that came with knowing exactly who I was speaking to.