He raised an eyebrow as Laverna lifted her hand, as if asking for his. He smiled, noticing this was the first time she'd ever reached out to him like that.
She was close now, very close, almost as if she were basking in his presence. Was it the effect of the Slave Crest?
A survival mechanism, playing her role without truly trusting him? Or did she genuinely want to be by his side, as a companion who deemed him worthy?
Questions swirled in his mind as she extended her hand to him. Regardless of the cause, this marked a turning point in their relationship.
She was beginning to rely on him, just as he had come to rely on her. Shin took her hand.
She didn't pull away. Instead, she moved closer, eventually clinging to his arm.
This was new, and happening quickly. Still, he didn't mind, so long as she was comfortable.
His natural scent seemed to calm Laverna, despite her racing heart. "Is this the effect of the crest?" she murmured under her breath.
As they walked down the hall, the scent of Moon Flower lingered in the air, Shin's scent, and it lulled her. She had to be careful.
The crest complicated things, but Shin's kindness was a complication all its own. Her body had been broken, her spirit crushed time and again.
The fear of tomorrow still lingered like a shadow over her heart. But something even more frightening began to bloom: hope.
Hope for a future. What that future looked like was still unclear, but the idea of living a normal life, of having a place to call her own, was powerful.
A home, one she could grow old in, whether alone... or with someone. 'Someone...', she thought.
They walked back inside for warmth, smiling side by side, with Laverna still clinging to Shin's arm. Their footsteps were soft as they opened the door. An usher awaited them, bowing her head politely.
"Lord and Lady Soma, please follow me to the Ballroom as per the Prince's request."
Prince? Shin blinked. He assumed she referred to the Guild Master, since his sister was Queen.
His eyebrow lifted as he heard the usher address Laverna with his surname. He didn't object; there were more pressing concerns.
"Lady Soma?" The title sounded strange to Laverna.
She'd only been called that a few times in her life. And now she bore Shin's last name.
Did she even have a last name of her own? She must have.
But when she searched for it, there was only emptiness. She could still picture her family, but not their names.
Confusion tugged at her, emotion slipping through the mental barrier she'd worked so hard to maintain. But she pushed it aside.
There would be time to think later. Shin and Laverna followed the usher toward the Ballroom.
As they approached, heads turned. Eyes watched them.
Whispers spread like wildfire. People murmured and gossiped, clueless about who they really were.
The usher led them forward, and once they reached the entrance, she whispered something to the crier, who nodded.
When their turn came, the crier's voice rang out clearly:
"Lord Shin Soma and Lady Laverna Soma. Royal Noble Adventurers and Elite Hunters of the Hunter's Guild!"
They stepped forward. Laverna snapped to attention, her nerves suddenly on edge.
Her heart raced as she looked over the crowd. She could hear the blood rushing in her ears.
Shin gently pulled her closer, and a small smile formed on her lips. Lifting her head, she walked with greater poise.
She could hear the whispers. The doubt.
The anger. The invisible daggers hurled in their direction.
But Shin's presence grounded her. With each step deeper into this den of well-dressed vipers, she held onto that calm.
The crowd parted for them. The King beckoned them forward.
Then a loud thump echoed through the hall, bringing instant silence. All eyes turned to the King.
Were they truly surrounded by snakes? She knew many nobles were corrupt.
The King and Queen sat on their thrones, acknowledging them with a nod. The King gestured for them to come closer.
People saw them as outsiders, savages from the far east. Shin didn't care.
His mind stayed focused on the task and Laverna. King Tristan raised a staff and tapped it twice.
The sharp ring of metal filled the hall. The music stopped.
The room quieted in anticipation. "Good evening, guests, nobles, and citizens. We hope you are enjoying the Royal Ball."
He paused, then stood. "Today marks our harvest day and the celebration of our kingdom. I may be King, but it is you, the people, who are the backbone of this land. Our ancestors watch over us today, and I remember well how far we've come. We've struggled, but through the efforts of everyone here, we stand strong."
He smiled and lifted his goblet. "Today, we celebrate another year of prosperity. As your King, I command you all, be merry, and enjoy yourselves. Cheers!"
A voice from the crowd shouted, "Cheers to King Tristan the Thirteenth! All hail the Kingdom!"
Cheers erupted throughout the hall. After the speech, the ballroom returned to life.
It was a typical royal speech, formal and somewhat dull, but she noted that he seemed to care for his people. Still, Shin's concern lingered in her thoughts.
If the kingdom was ruled by such people, that was cause for serious worry. Music resumed, but the murmurs only grew louder.
Some praised them for exposing the Lichtensteins. Others spread rumors or voiced their doubts.
Shin heard more of the latter, the negativity. The stares felt like needles.
He leaned down and whispered to Laverna, "Don't mind them, okay? I'm here."
He kept close, never letting her feel alone. He sensed her fear and anxiety but silently reassured her with every step.
Shin scanned the room, food, drink, and people. Eyes still followed them.
Women found Shin charming, drawn to his graceful presence even without a word. Men admired Laverna's beauty, her quiet awkwardness bringing out a charm she didn't even realize she had.
Shin chuckled softly, watching as others danced on the floor.
"You know," he said, leaning toward Laverna with a smirk, "for someone who used to flinch at the idea of a curtsy, you glide across this floor like you own it. Yuri would be proud—if she weren't probably hiding behind a curtain, grading your posture."
Laverna giggled, the sound soft and genuine, filled with a femininity she'd long buried beneath years of pain. "She probably is," she whispered, leaning closer. "You have no idea how many times she made me balance a book on my head while dodging her cane."
"Ah, yes, the infamous 'Book of Doom' technique. Ancient and brutal. Even I wouldn't survive that," Shin said, his eyes glinting with humor.
Laverna laughed again, this time covering her mouth in an attempt to quiet it, but the joy in her expression was unmistakable. In that moment, Shin didn't just see the girl who'd endured so much; he saw a young woman blooming, shaped by strength and grace earned through a month of grueling training.
He watched her carefully, marveling at her transformation. Beneath the silks and etiquette, the fierce kunoichi still remained, but now she carried herself with the poise of someone who truly belonged in this ballroom.
She noticed how the men around her seemed to watch her intently. A sinking feeling formed in her stomach as one gentleman took a long drink, clearly mustering the courage to approach.
A dashing, debonair man strode forward with practiced confidence, thinking he had a shot at winning her attention and perhaps even stealing her away from Shin. He stopped before her, extended his left hand with a courteous bow, and asked, "May I have this dance, my lady?"