Evercrag Palace, Night
Soft music drifted from the orchestra in the center of the great hall. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a warm glow onto the carved stone walls. Nobles filled the room—glittering gowns, long suits, and polite conversation mixed with light laughter.
Near the entrance, Damian stood with Liam, Rin, and Tessa. That night, he wasn't wearing his usual Zephyrus uniform. He wore a navy coat with the Kade family's signature silver embroidery. His icy-blue hair was tied back in a half-tie, giving him a more mature and composed appearance.
Tessa, standing beside him, studied him for a long moment before finally saying softly, "You... look different."
Damian turned his head, smiling faintly. "For better or worse?"
Tessa quickly looked away, her cheeks flushed. "I'm just saying...you look more like a real noble."
Rin, standing slightly behind them, also smiled slightly. "I wasn't even sure it was you, Damian."
Damian laughed softly. "Well, it can't be helped. In a place like this, if I act as relaxed as I do at the academy, my family might be looked down upon."
Liam looked around the room, which was decorated with gold ornaments and royal crests. "This place is completely different from Zephyrus," he said quietly.
Damian nodded, looking at the guests dancing on the white marble floor. "Yes. The world of nobility always has its own way of showing who is the most powerful."
The music quickened, filling the hall with a warm, cheerful rhythm. Guests began dancing on the polished white marble floor. Colorful dresses and suits swirled to the beat, while polite conversation mixed with light laughter throughout the room.
Amidst the crowd, a girl in a light blue dress stepped forward. Her pale blonde hair reflected the light of the crystal chandelier, and her eyes were a clear, icy blue. As she passed, everyone in the hall bowed respectfully.
Rin whispered, "Is that… Princess from Evercrag?"
Liam nodded. "Princess Elenore. It's her birthday."
Princess Elenore walked gracefully toward Damian and stopped in front of him with a polite smile. "Sir Damian Kade, is it? I've heard a lot about your family from Father."
Damian bowed respectfully. "You're too kind, Princess. Just call me Damian. I'm just the son of Darius Kade, a person who hasn't done much for Frostvale. Perhaps you're referring to my father, a soldier who helped end the war long ago."
Elenore smiled softly. "Your humility is typical of the Kade family. But I wonder… are you as strong as your father?"
Damian stared at him for a moment, then smiled faintly. "I don't know. I've never defeated Father, so maybe not yet."
Small chuckles rang around them. Some of the noble girls standing nearby began whispering.
"Is he really Damian Kade of Frostvale?"
"He looks so much like his father, up close…"
"And that look—oh my…"
Tessa, standing next to Damian, just rolled her eyes. "Why is everyone suddenly such a fan of yours?"
Damian turned to her with a mischievous smile. "Maybe it's because I'm Damian Kade… hehehe."
Tessa snorted loudly and looked away. "Hmph."
Liam, watching from behind, just sighed. "Looks like our journey in Evercrag will be a long one," he muttered softly, making Rin stifle a laugh.
Meanwhile, the music changed again—and the evening party at Evercrag Palace was just beginning.
A Few Minutes Later....
Music and conversation filled the great hall. Damian was talking to several young nobles who seemed impressed by his relaxed yet polite manner. However, on the other side of the room, a group of well-dressed boys were whispering to each other with annoyed expressions.
"Damn," one of them muttered, glancing at Damian. "Since he arrived, all the girls haven't even glanced at us."
Another snorted. "Must be because of that name 'Kade.' The son of the great hero from Frostvale, huh?"
One of them stepped forward, a sneer on his face. "Sir Damian, I heard you attend Zephyrus Academy, huh?" he asked in a mock-friendly tone. "Is the rumor that you're one of the strongest students at the best school in the world true? Or… just a rumor?"
Damian maintained his polite smile. "I'm not as great as they say," he replied calmly. "But if you really want to know, we can find out after the party is over."
The boy chuckled, his tone dismissive. "You're quite brave… for someone just a kid from Frostvale."
Before Damian could answer, a deep voice sounded from behind him. "Frostvale?"
Liam stepped forward with a flat expression and a firm tone. "That mouth of yours seems like it's never felt fear, huh?"
The room fell silent. Several of the guests around them immediately turned their heads. Liam crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at the young man.
"Do you know who he is?" he said, pointing at Damian. "That's Damian Kade, son of Darius Kade—a hero from Frostvale who saved more than one kingdom! A child of the Kade family can't compare to those palace brats who've never set foot in the outside world!"
Several nobles immediately started whispering, the atmosphere growing tense. Damian quickly patted Liam's shoulder and pulled him back slightly. "Come on, Liam. We're not at the academy."
Liam snorted softly. "I'm just stating the facts."
Damian looked at him with a tired but amused expression. "Facts, yes… but your tone sounds like you're ready to fight at a noble's birthday party."
Rin, who was standing nearby, almost laughed, but quickly covered her mouth. Tessa sighed and slapped her forehead. "I… don't know whether to be ashamed or proud."
Damian just smiled slightly, trying to ignore the stares from the guests who were still watching them. "Well… at least we're not fighting tonight," he said quietly.
Rin held back another laugh, and even Tessa couldn't help but smile faintly.
The End of the Feast
The music gradually slowed, giving way to a soft melody, signaling the end of the event. The guests began to bid farewell, some exiting the great hall with satisfied smiles on their faces.
Among the crowd, Princess Elenore walked up to Damian and his friends, her light blue dress swaying lightly in the crystal chandelier.
"It was a pleasure meeting you all," she said politely. "Especially you, Damian. I hope you can come to Evercrag more often."
Damian bowed politely. "Thank you, Princess. I will always remember the warmth of Evercrag."
Elenore smiled slightly before walking away, leaving Damian and his team in the middle of the deserted hall. Beside her, Tessa stared at the princess's back with an expression that was hard to describe—somewhere between annoyance and confusion.
Rin turned to Damian with a small smile. "You seemed… different earlier. More composed, elegant, even your voice has changed."
Damian shrugged casually. "I just remembered my mother's etiquette lesson. She said that when dealing with royalty, smile and don't cause trouble."
Tessa glanced at him sarcastically, but her cheeks flushed slightly. "You idiot," she muttered under her breath.
Liam laughed out loud. "But let's face it, Master Damian was cool, wasn't he?"
Rin and Tessa both fell silent. Rin looked down, pretending to be busy fixing her hair, while Tessa quickly looked away.
Liam chuckled in satisfaction. "Heh, I thought so."
Damian just smiled, staring out at the emptying hall. The last of the music stopped, leaving a warm silence between them.
That night, the Evercrag nobles' party ended peacefully. But for Tessa and Rin, one thing had changed—for the first time, they saw a side of Damian Kade they had never seen before.