Silver deliers illuminating the hall, the rge windows dispying the beautiful sery of the night, the instruments creating harmonious melodies, and exquisite dishes arranged in an orderly manner. Such was the main hall.

  Be it sight, hearing, or whatever senses one uses, there was an aura of gaudiness no matter where oands. Not only the hall, the people ihe hall also wore simirly grandiose and gaudy clothing and accessories.

  In such a grand hall, there stood two young people who caught many of the other's attention. It was not only because of their ranks and aplishments, but because of their natural beauty. They are without a doubt amongst the best in terms of appearance amongst the partits.

  Those two people were her than Grey and Yuna, and currently, the both of them are...

  "It's Marquess Beldon." ［Vanessa］

  ""Eh?""

  ... in a state of mild fusion from Vanessa's ued statement. They couldn't help themselves but give a short and fused response.

  While it was true that many nobles had greeted them after the King's introduarquess Beldon didn't look like them. He wasn't waiting just for an idle chat and a merry greeting.

  Marquess Beldon had a serious and gloomy atmosphere looming upon him. It was as if he was in a serious predit that could turn his life for the worse if something was to g.

  "Beldon... A retive of my student,,,?" ［Yuna］

  "That's right. If I remember correctly, his son should be studying in the Royal Academy. I think his name was Gee." ［Vanessa］

  "Gee... The oh the bad attitude, right?" ［Grey］

  "Un. That's the one." ［Yuna］

  The student's name beiioned, Grey reminisced about their first day in the academy. He could still remember the face Geroge made when he saw Yuna freeze the training grounds. It was really pale.

  Gee was the reason why Grey became a little anxious. He was anxious about what Yuna would do if he were to piss her off. Thankfully, no such events occurred and their days as instructors went off without a hitch.

  If there was something notable about him, it was that his Beldon household had been involved with a member of Iblis. They were victims who were about to be used for Iblis' goals.

  Grey and Yuna couldn't help but wonder what Marquess Beldon wanted from them. They have heard from the Headmaster that he was a reasonable person, but they still didn't want to deal with it, especially if it was going to be troublesome.

  Grey, what do you think? ［Yuna］

  I don't know... It doesn't seem like he's bearing any ill i. ［Grey］

  Uuu... I just wao drink my juice. Is that too much to ask? ［Yuna］

  Now, now, don't get too upset. I'll make you some whe back. ［Grey］

  Really?! Yay～! Thank you, Grey! ［Yuna］

  Their expressions unging, Grey and Yuna engaged in a telepathiversation as they shared their opinions about Marquess Beldon who was still sitting quietly, waiting for their response.

  "Everyone, please have your drinks, Yuna and I will just have a chat with Marquess Beldon for a little bit." ［Grey］

  "We'll be ba a while." ［Yuna］

  "Thank you for the drinks, Grey and Yuna." ［Vanessa］

  "Yeah, thanks." ［Kris］

  After pg the gsses of drinks on top of the table, Yuna and Grey then slowly walked their way towards Marquess Beldon's table. The very moment the tter noticed their approach, he calmly stood up and...

  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Yhnesses, Archduke Grey, Archduchess Yuna, I am called Abraham, head of the Beldon Marquessal household. Pleased to make your acquaintance." ［Abraham］

  ... with his body slightly trembling, he greeted the two of them with a courteous and nervous bow. One could even notice his someale plexion as he was greeting Grey and Yuna.

  "As you know, my name is Grey, and this is my partner, Yuna. The pleasure is ours, Marquess Beldon." ［Grey］

  "We've heard things from His Majesty about you, it's good to finally meet you." ［Yuna］

  "The honor is mine." ［Abraham］

  In respoo Abraham's over the top courteous introdu, Grey and Yina also introduced themselves courteously and formally, apanied with a slight bow of the head by the end.

  Strangely enough, when Abraham heard the mention of the King, his plexion became a little bit worse and he was frozen for a moment. He tried his best not to show the two, but their eyes could clearly notice it.

  "Ah, how rude of me, please have a seat." ［Abraham］

  "Thank you." ［Grey］

  "Thank you." ［Yuna］

  Before Yuna and Grey could even move their seats, Marquess Beldo ahead of us and took it upon himself to move it for them, readying the chairs frey and Yuna's use.

  While it was true that there was nothing wrong with being courteous, Abraham was just too courteous that it was making both Grey and Yuna feel extremely puzzled and unfortable. Along with the fact that he was amongst the highest ranking nobles in Alfrio made things even worse!

  her Grey nor Yuna has a speck of uanding what was happening. Even though they felt like their stomachs were turning, they just remained calm and maintained a smile. They just wao go back to their table.

  "Five me for the sudden invitation, Yhnesses. I really wao talk about this when we are alone, but I don't think I'll have any other ce other than this time." ［Abraham］

  "No, you don't o apologize. We weren't doing anything of great importance, after all. Isn't that right, Yuna?" ［Grey］

  "Uー Y... Yes. We are free at the moment." ［Yuna］

  Yuna was about to answer with her usual "Un", when she suddenly remembered how tehe atmosphere was and decided to say "Yes" instead. She was trying to aally with the number of nobles around.

  'Cute...' ［Grey］

  Seeing Yuna trying to aal and fumble her words really made Grey extremely happy. If it wasn't for the situation they were currently in, he would have freely indulged in her ess already.

  "I am gd to hear that." ［Abraham］

  "Then, if I may ask, what might be the reason for your invitation? Is it anything urgent?" ［Grey］

  "Ah!" ［Abraham］

  As soon as Grey stated that question, Abraham abruptly stood up from his seat and bowed his head in a 90-degree position, making everyone in adjat tables jolt from surprise.

  "I would like to apologize for the rudeness of my son! I know this is impudent and unreasoo ask butー" ［Abraham］

  "Wait, wait, wait, wait! Marquess Beldon, please calm dow us talk about this more calmly, shall we?" ［Grey］

  "T-T-That's right! We're really gathering a lot of attentiht now!" ［Yuna］

  Because of Abraham's sudden outburst, all the eyes in the hall were suddenly turned upon them, and curious gazes came from all dires. The atmosphere quickly became as awkward as it could get.

  Luckily, Yuna and Grey were able to vince Abraham to calm down before the otion could get worse. But also because they were in haste, Grey and Yuna couldn't help themselves but switch back to causal nguage.

  After a few hand signals from them, signaling that everything was alright, as if nothing happehe crowd went back to what they were doing and they were once again back to their own versation.

  "I... I apologize for the sudden outbursts." ［Abraham］

  "No, it's alright, by the way, what were you talking about earlier again?" ［Grey］

  "You were sayinー Ahem... If I wasn't mistaken, you mentioned something about an apology, didn't you?" ［Yuna］

  Upon her sudden realization, Yuna the from informal back to formal nguage, and needless to say, it recious se frey's eyes. Her trying so hard made her cute if anything.

  "Ah, you don't have to use formal nguage with me, Yhnesses. Please feel free to verse in the way you are most fortable with. It would trouble me if you are unfortable during our versation." ［Abraham］

  "T... Thank you..." ［Yuna］

  Thankfully, Abraham was a siderate person. With his words, Yuna's shoulders and breathing rexed immediately. It was as if the tense mood was here to begin with.

  "Ahem... Then back to the topic... I would like to apologize for my son's impudence during your time in the Royal Academy. Words have reached me that he had insulted you during the first day, and as a noble, su attitude is uing for him. For that, I would like to apologize on his behalf. I am deeply sorry, Lrey, Lady Yuna, I hope you five him." ［Abraham］

  After his eborate and stiff apology, Abraham bowed his head towards us once again. His hands were trembling even harder than how it used to be and his face became paler as well.

  It was easy to uand why Abraham acted like that. He was fearing what the King had warned him about. The very thought of the kingdom being in danger because of his son's simple mistake weighed down heavily on his mind.

  her Grey nor Yuna held any grudge towards the Beldon household, but from Abraham's perspective, his son had offended people he shouldn't have. It was the reason he had been trembling ever since.

  "Umm... While he rideful and had a sharp tongue, after what he did during the first day, he hasn't really done anything else which could make me angry. He also didn't pin during our training, so I don't think the apology is needed. I think he would be a great knight if he ges his personality." ［Yuna］

  "Ah, that is..." ［Abraham］

  When Yuiohe st part of her statement, a dejected expression ainted over Abraham's face. He then revealed why Gee had turned out the way he is, clearing Grey and Yuna's doubts.

  Acc to him, it seems that a servant of his wife has been poisoning her wife with alchemy and curse magid it seems that it was because of how he sees his mother act that Gerew up to be that way.

  In addition to that, that servant nning to kill Abraham so that she take trol of the Beldon household with the Maress as her puppet in order to serve Iblis' goals.

  Luckily, the servant had already been apprehended. As for his wife, she is currently being rehabilitated with Gee as the servant had also retly started poisoning him for her future pns.

  While the King had mentioned what had happeo Grey and Yuna already, what Abraham had expined was more detailed. They could only sigh with how much atrocities Iblis had itted.

  Thankfully, the familiars have yet to report anything suspicious around the royal capital. They could only hope that everything will turn out well and no more disasters occur which could have more is.

  "It was because of my irresponsibility of watg over my household that this happened. I apologize for causing you trouble." ［Abraham］

  After his expnation, Abraham once again bowed his head befrey and Yuna. It made the tter wonder how much he had apologized to them already. They have already lost t.

  But rather than answer Abraham's apology, Grey and Yuna were stuck thinking about what herbs and ingredients were used in the said poison. There was only ohing which matched the effects Abraham described.

  "Marquess Beldon... The poison, did it perhaps use Rateras flower buds?" ［Grey］

  "H-How did you know?!" ［Abraham］

  "Wellm it's just that those effects matches that of Rateras'. Was I wrong?" ［Grey］

  Aremely shocked expression loomed over Abraham's face as he looked at Grey. After all, he had just found out about the ingredients used yet Grey already figured it out just by hearing about it.

  "N-No... You are correct, Yhness..." ［Abraham］

  "Mmm... To think they would resort to using that. How nasty..." ［Grey］

  "It's hard to cure as well. The ingredients are hard toー" ［Yuna］

  "A cure?! Did Yhness just mention a cure?!" ［Abraham］

  "Y-Yes...?" ［Yuna］

  Abraham made yet another outburst after hearing Yuna's words. He had been searg far and wide for such a thi had never found one. Even now he could only serve medie which lessens the effects of the poison.

  Without warning, Marquess Beldon once again bowed his head, surprising Grey and Yuna even more. His pride didn't matter anymore. He just wao get rid of the poison inside his son and wife's systems.

  "Yhness, please teach me about how to make the cure! I will do everything in my power to repay you no matter how much it takesー" ［Abraham］

  "a-Wait, please raise your head. People are looking at us again. We'll tell you the method so please!" ［Yuna］

  Once again, people looked at the three of them and once again, they shifted their attention away after Yuna's quitervention. Both Grey and Yuna were already tired from dealing with everything and wao go home.

  Getting a paper and pen from the servants, Grey and Yuna wrote down the ingredients and procedure in making the cure. They made sure to mention the exact amounts in order to prevent any mistakes.

  "Yhnesses... Words 't describe how grateful I am. I truly, truly, thank you. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to tell me." ［Abraham］

  "Then we'll be doing that wheime es. Anyway, it seems like the dance is about to begin. We'll be going back to our table now." ［Grey］

  "Ah, I apologize for taking so much of your precious time. I hope you still enjoy the party." ［Abraham］

  "Yeah, we will." ［Grey］

  "See you ime." ［Yuna］

  "Yes." ［Abraham］

  Having resolved the little situation with Abraham, Yuna and Grey headed back to their table, where they rexed themselves after dealing with a matter they had never expected to deal with in the first pce.

  "Ah... The ice already melted..." ［Yuna］

  A dejected expression loomed over Yuna as she looked at her drink, the ice was now gone aed with the drink. She didn't want to drink it anymore as it would have already been diluted with water.

  Yuna stared at her drink with eyes full of disappoi, when tally, the doors opened and the desserts were brought in by the waiters. One of which was the pudding they taught Carlton a few days ago.

  From deje, Yuna's mood immediately swung to a joyous ohe moment she withe desserts ing ihe hall. Her eyes were literally brimming with excitement. Her smile was very blinding.

  "What is that...?"

  "Is it a new dessert?"

  "It looks... iing..."

  But amongst the dishes that was brought out, one in particur stood out amongst the others, and it udding. It was a dessert that only a few people ihe hall have knowledge of.

  In spite of the fact that everyone was frozen in the fusion of what that peculiar dessert was, Yuna didn't pay any attention to them and just went ahead there to get a serving of pudding for herself.

  Following Yuna, the Royal Family then got their own servings of pudding as well, making everyone even more curious about it and prompting them to get ohemselves. Luckily, there was more than enough for everyoo enjoy.

  "Amazing～! It's really delectable!"

  "It's really sweet as well!"

  "What an amaziure!"

  "This dish is called pudding! It is created by one of our dear heroes, Archduke Grey, a really delectable dish indeed." ［Ernes］

  Hearing everyone's reas towards the pudding, the King 't help himself but annouhat Grey was the one who introduced the dish to them, making the crowd even more excited.

  The King looked so proud at his own words as if he was the one who made them, but Grey, who was the subject of the appuse, only felt embarrassed and unfortable from their reception.

  "Grey, I got one for you as well." ［Yuna］

  As nont as usual, Yuurned back to the table with another serving of pudding frey, which the tter really appreciated. After all, with how things are, he wouldn't be able to close to the table for pudding without nobles crowding over him.

  "Is it delicious?" ［Grey］

  "Un! But I still think that the ones you make are more delicious!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha, I'm happy to hear that." ［Grey］

  "Hehe..." ［Yuna］

  Although Grey didn't think that Yuna was lying with her praise for him, he was somewhat doubtful si was a first-rate chef he was being pared to. In spite of that, he was still very happy after hearing her words.

  While both Grey and Yuna would be usually embarrassed by the way they are ag right now in public, because the hall was riddled with couples, they didn't stand out that much.

  It wasn't long before music fully enveloped the whole hall and the people started to da was a time where Cedrid Veronica's brief dang lesson became a huge help. Grey and Yuna dao their hearts' tent.

  The deeper the night went, the merrier the hall became. It was only until the party was over that the number of people ihe hall slowly dwindled as they went home with smiles pstered over their faces.

  As for the guests of honor, they had a short talk with the royal family and other important figures first. After which, all of them the bae, free from the "responsibilities" they once had.

  "Well then, Grey, Yuna, this will be where we part ways." ［Kris］

  "Take care on the way home～!" ［Aria］

  "Yeah." ［Grey］

  "Un!" ［Yuna］

  Having said their goodbyes to one anrey and Yuna then parted ways with Kris and Aria and headed back towards the Aldridge Mansion, walking down the night streets.

  It was only at that time that they noticed how deep the night had really bee. trary to the party's lively and cheerful atmosphere, the streets were silent and serehey could evehe wily caressing their skin.

  "Haah... Fresh air～" ［Yuna］

  Yuna heaved a deep breath, enjoying the cool and fresh air, and enjoying the dim light ing from street lights and the stars above them. She then skipped to the rhythm of the night with a smile on her face.

  "So, how was the party? Did you enjoy it?" ［Grey］

  "Well, I 't say that I didn't enjoy it... but it sure was tiring. Especially with the case with Marquess Beldon, I really didn't expect it. But all in all, it was a fun experience." ［Yuna］

  "Then, do you want to attend one again if we have the ce?" ［Grey］

  "Ah... I might refrain from that offer for the time being..." ［Yuna］

  "Even if there are lots of delicious dishes present?" ［Grey］

  "Ugh..." ［Yuna］

  The moment Grey mentiohe word "dishes", Yuna's resolve quickly wavered. After all, it was one of the few things she had e the party.

  As Yuna was being troubled by Grey's question, Grey oher hand only chuckled as he tio observe the dy before him. His heart only raced faster the more he looked at her.

  Brought about by the perfect atmosphere, before he had noticed, Grey's body already moved on its own and he pressed his lips against Yuna's. It was so sudden that Yuna could not help but widen her eyes in shock.

  The light of the moonlight shone upon them like the spotlights on a stage and they are the actors. The chirping of the crickets along with the gentle rustling of the wind became the music to their ears as Grey showed affe towards his beloved.

  "Eh? Eh? W-why so suddenly?!" ［Yuna］

  "Well... That's a secret." ［Grey］

  "Eh?! Tell me! Tell me! Hey, Grey, tell me!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna pounded her fists against Grey's shoulders lightly, trying to squeeze out the reason why he kissed her so suddenly. All while trying to hide her embarrassed a red face.

  Too bad for her, there was no actual reason nor will there ever be ohat will suffice her. After all, Grey just wao kiss her at the spur of the moment. He had once again fallen in love with Yuna.

  CHAPTER 101 END