The grand ballroom of House Velcrest shimmered beneath golden crystal light.
Massive chandeliers illuminated the noble gathering while elegant music continued flowing softly through the enormous hall like calm winter wind drifting across frozen lakes.
Servants moved between guests carrying silver trays filled with wine and warm delicacies.
Noblewomen laughed gracefully behind jeweled fans.
Young heirs attempted displaying refinement they barely possessed.
Older nobles exchanged careful smiles hiding decades of calculation.
And slowly—
The gathering began transitioning toward formal seating arrangements.
Long banquet tables lined the massive hall while smaller circular tables filled the surrounding sections depending on household status and political importance.
Servants moved swiftly placing name cards and adjusting seating positions according to noble hierarchy.
Immediately—
The atmosphere subtly changed.
Because in noble society—
Where someone sat mattered.
Who sat beside whom mattered even more.
Alliances could strengthen over dinner.
Engagement discussions could begin over wine.
A single seating position could elevate or humiliate an entire household publicly.
And naturally—
The presence of two Rosenfeld heirs complicated everything.
Meanwhile—
Near the quieter crystal window section—
Kel remained standing calmly beside Aria while observing the unfolding chaos around the hall.
Several nobles had already seated themselves.
Others awkwardly searched for opportunities to relocate closer to influential households.
Servants whispered nervously.
Minor nobles attempted approaching stronger families.
Everything looked refined on the surface.
Yet beneath—
It resembled controlled desperation.
Aria softly exhaled afterward.
Then lightly nudged Kel's arm.
"Kel."
He glanced toward her calmly.
"What?"
"My heels are killing me."
Her voice carried slight irritation now.
"Move."
Kel blinked once.
Aria pointed toward nearby empty seating sections.
"Let's sit somewhere already."
Instead of moving—
Kel calmly looked across the hall again.
Then unexpectedly asked:
"Do you want to see magic, Aria?"
She stared at him blankly.
"…What now?"
Inside his mind—
Sairen immediately laughed.
"Oh no."
Kel ignored her.
Then calmly replied:
"Just wait."
Aria narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"For what?"
Kel's crimson eyes quietly scanned the nobles moving throughout the ballroom.
Then softly—
He answered:
"For entertainment."
Aria looked increasingly unconvinced.
Meanwhile—
Kel continued calmly.
"Watch carefully."
Another pause followed.
"Soon someone will exclusively secure seats for us."
Aria blinked once.
"…Who?"
Kel casually adjusted one glove afterward.
"The people who notice we're still standing."
Another pause.
"And the people desperate to connect themselves to House Rosenfeld."
Aria stared toward him silently.
Then slowly glanced across the hall herself.
And honestly—
The moment she truly observed—
She realized Kel was right.
Several nobles had already begun subtly noticing them.
Some whispered quietly.
Others glanced repeatedly.
Because the heir and daughter of House Rosenfeld still standing without seats created pressure naturally.
No noble wanted to appear disrespectful by ignoring them.
And simultaneously—
Many wanted the opportunity to appear helpful.
Meanwhile—
Aria softly sighed afterward.
"So we wait until then?"
Kel calmly shook his head.
"No."
He looked toward the elevated central section near the host family tables.
"Our actual seating arrangement is already with the host household."
Aria blinked again.
"Then why are we standing here?"
A faint almost invisible smile appeared near Kel's lips.
"Because it's interesting."
Inside his mind—
Sairen burst into laughter.
"You genuinely observe people like a researcher studying insects."
Kel internally replied calmly.
"People reveal themselves best when pressured socially."
The spirit sounded delighted.
"That answer somehow made you scarier."
Meanwhile—
Kel continued speaking softly beside Aria.
"Look over there."
Aria followed his gaze.
Near the eastern banquet section—
A lesser viscount family had already begun quietly arguing with servants.
One noblewoman repeatedly glanced toward Kel and Aria while whispering urgently toward her husband.
Then—
To Aria's disbelief—
The viscount actually approached another noble household requesting additional seats be rearranged.
Aria stared blankly.
"…No way."
Kel calmly took a sip from his untouched wine for the first time tonight.
"That family wants proximity."
Another pause.
"If they secure seats for us, they gain visibility."
Aria slowly processed the situation afterward.
And once she noticed one example—
Others became obvious too.
Another marquess household instructed servants to expand table arrangements nearby.
A young noble heir loudly offered his own table additional space despite clearly not having authority.
Even servants themselves began nervously adjusting placements.
All because two Rosenfeld heirs remained standing calmly near the crystal windows.
Meanwhile—
Kel quietly observed everything like silent entertainment.
Not mocking.
Not arrogant.
Simply observant.
Then softly—
He added:
"The truly desperate ones are easiest to identify."
Aria quietly asked:
"How?"
Kel calmly answered:
"Those willing to inconvenience others for our favor."
The young woman looked toward him thoughtfully.
And almost immediately—
Another example appeared.
A middle-aged nobleman actually approached a seated lesser family asking them to relocate entirely because "higher-ranking guests may require the space."
The lesser family looked visibly uncomfortable.
Meanwhile—
The nobleman repeatedly glanced toward Kel hoping to be noticed.
Aria frowned slightly afterward.
"That's cruel."
Kel calmly replied:
"No."
Another pause.
"It's politics."
Inside his mind—
Sairen quietly spoke.
"You sound disappointed."
Kel internally answered after brief silence.
"People abandon dignity too quickly for influence."
The spirit fell quiet briefly afterward.
Meanwhile—
Several more nobles gradually approached Kel and Aria directly now.
"Young Master Kel!"
One nobleman bowed politely.
"There's seating available near our section if you'd prefer—"
Before he finished—
Another noblewoman interrupted smoothly.
"Actually our household prepared more comfortable arrangements near the central side."
A third noble immediately joined.
"House Arden would be honored—"
Aria stared at the growing competition speechlessly.
Meanwhile—
Kel calmly answered each politely.
"Thank you."
"You're generous."
"I appreciate the offer."
Yet he accepted none.
And somehow—
That only increased their desperation further.
Inside his mind—
Sairen sounded endlessly entertained.
"You're baiting nobles unintentionally."
Kel internally replied:
"I haven't accepted anything."
"Exactly."
The spirit laughed.
"They're fighting for your acknowledgment now."
Meanwhile—
Aria quietly leaned slightly closer toward him afterward.
"You predicted all this exactly."
Kel answered simply:
"It was obvious."
The young woman stared toward him afterward.
And once again—
That strange realization surfaced.
Kel understood noble psychology frighteningly well.
Not because he enjoyed politics.
But because he observed people deeply.
Their fears.
Ambitions.
Insecurities.
Desires.
And once understood—
Their behavior became predictable to him.
Then suddenly—
A familiar voice interrupted the growing chaos.
"Why are the honored guests still standing?"
The Marquess of Velcrest himself approached personally now.
Several surrounding nobles instantly stiffened.
The Marquess looked genuinely startled.
"Young Master Kel, Lady Aria, your seats were already prepared beside the main family section."
Kel calmly bowed his head slightly.
"We did not wish to disturb the arrangements."
The Marquess immediately shook his head.
"Nonsense."
Then his sharp eyes briefly swept across the surrounding nobles attempting to offer seats earlier.
Instantly—
Several stepped back awkwardly.
Because now it became obvious:
The host family itself had already reserved prestigious seating.
Everyone else's desperate rearrangements suddenly looked embarrassingly excessive.
Meanwhile—
Kel quietly glanced toward Aria afterward.
A faint almost invisible amusement lingered near his expression.
Aria immediately narrowed her eyes.
"…You planned this."
Kel calmly replied:
"I merely observed."
Inside his mind—
Sairen laughed uncontrollably.
"He absolutely planned it."
The spirit continued laughing while Kel followed the Marquess toward the elevated banquet section beside Aria.
And throughout the grand hall—
Many nobles quietly realized something dangerous tonight.
The returned heir of House Rosenfeld did not dominate rooms loudly.
He simply stood still—
And watched others reveal themselves around him