You were more than certain that you have not left a single guest unacknowledged tonight. Everything was going so well — the food was up to everyone’s liking, the musicians were orchestrating a beautiful melody, and the atmosphere was simply enchanting. For tonight’s banquet, as this empire’s future Emperor, favor and power was inevitably in your grasp.

“May I greet the Glory of this Empire, the Prince,” An unfamiliar voice spoke out from behind you. As you whisk to look, you were promptly faced with a flamboyant man. He wore a half mask that covered the upper part of his eyes, a small smile adorning his face. His clothes, although adorned with gold linings, became quite a complimentary design to his emerald clothing. “You don’t seem like a stranger to my presence, that glare on your face is quite intense.”

It was him, the notorious thief.

“Oh, don’t worry too much, your highness.” He gave a slight bow, his lips curling up into a mischievous smirk. You weren’t certain if he was trying to taunt you or whatnot. “I didn’t come here to steal. Call it browsing if you will. People often wear their most prized jewelry to flaunt their wealth in banquets, it’s only natural I’ll want to take a look as well.”