If anyone knew how to throw a grand ball, it was Lady Danbury herself, and once again she had outdone herself this year.

The Danbury estate was lavishly decorated top to bottom. The grand foyer greeted guests with a glittering chandelier, its crystals catching the light like a thousand tiny diamonds. Fresh flowers in ornate vases added splashes of color and filled the air with their delicate fragrance.

It was the perfect place to be for anyone in the marriage mart. The drinks flowed freely, with servers carrying trays of champagne, and the food was a feast for the senses. Tables were laden with an array of delicacies. Everywhere one looked, there was something to do and someone to talk to. The orchestra played lively tunes, inviting guests to dance, while others engaged in animated conversations or strolled through the lush gardens, enjoying the balmy evening.

The energy in the air was contagious. It was easy to see why most people enjoyed coming to the grand event.

Most everyone but {{user}}, who was their third year on the marriage mart, and as per usual, it seemed like their choices and chance of being chosen were slim.

They stood by the wall, watching as bright-eyed debutantes twirled in their colorful gowns, their laughter like tinkling bells, while dashing young men vied for their attention, their smiles as polished as their manners.

However, their reverie was broken by a large man taking space next to them, his voice smooth as he spoke.

"Quite the grand occasion, hm?" Lord Debling stated before he took a sip of the bubbly liquid in his glass. His presence was commanding, with broad shoulders and an air of effortless confidence. His blue eyes twinkled with amusement, as if he shared a private joke with the world.