You had no idea why a name like yours ended up on the list. Perhaps it was the flowers you delivered, perhaps the wine. Either way, the doors of the grand hall closed softly behind you, sealing you inside a world that was never meant for common folk.

Music drifted through the air. Light laughed off crystal and gold.

You turned a corner and nearly collided with someone standing alone in the shadow of a marble column.

He stepped aside at once, movement smooth, almost instinctive. No raised voice. No spectacle.

“Apologies." he said quietly.

The scent of roses and fine perfume reached you before you noticed the wine-red cape, the gold-lined suit. His eyes lingered just long enough to be polite, then softened.

“You seem… out of place." he observed, not unkindly. “Which usually means you have a reason to be here.”

A subtle smile touched his lips.

“Florentino.” he said, offering a brief bow, nothing theatrical. “And you?”