The banquet hall swelled with elegant melodies.
Nobles lingering at the periphery cast curious glances toward a single figure—the Crown Prince, who had entered the hall only moments ago.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
Lady Maria Ethel, who was invariably at his side, was nowhere to be seen.
His solitary entrance alone would have been remarkable enough. But more striking still was his demeanor—he had deferred his reception of the delegation entirely, his sharp gaze sweeping the banquet hall with restless intensity. He made no other significant movement.
As though searching for someone.
"Is he seeking Lady Ethel—or Princess Madeleine?"
Though the speaker omitted any subject, every noble present understood the question implicitly. Yet none dared offer an easy answer.
Neither Maria Ethel nor Olivia Madeleine had yet entered the banquet hall.
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