Percy stood at the edge of the grand ballroom, the flickering candlelight reflecting off the polished marble floor and illuminating the extravagant decorations that adorned every corner. His siblings danced and laughed among the guests, their joy only heightening the tension in his chest. He had never been fond of these lavish gatherings, preferring the solitude of his workshop, where the hum of machinery and the scent of grease were far more comforting than the clamor of aristocratic chatter. As another waltz began, Percy glanced at the intricate clock on the wall, its gears ticking away the seconds, wishing he could slip away unnoticed into the quiet embrace of his inventions instead of feigning interest in the endless parade of shallow conversations and forced smiles.