Ocean and Davian returned after a few minutes with Ocean looking his usual self but Davian’s face was flushed and he walked with same hand same leg moving together like a mechanical soldier who had forgotten walking.

Miri and Roan’s eyes sparkled as they watched them. The same thought popping in their heads that even Dahlia noticed.

Something definitely happened between them.

Ocean sat on one side of Miri while Davian sat on her other side holding his left cheek.

"What’s wrong, Davian?" Miri asked with a teasing tone, he didn’t say anything as he further turned his head away from her.

"Why is your cheek all red?" Miri leaned further in while Dahlia cleared her throat standing before them.

"Master Ocean, you didn’t hit my son, did you?" She asked.

Ocean opened his mouth as he turned his head to tell her he didn’t when he paused.

The gown Dahlia wore was breathtaking.

Deep, velvety red formed the base of the dress, rich and commanding like spilled wine under candlelight. The bodice was structured, sculpted to frame her shoulders with quiet authority, the neckline elegantly cut but strong, not delicate, not fragile.

Over it flowed layers of emerald green fabric draped asymmetrically from the waist, cascading down in dramatic ruffles like forest shadows over embers. The green deepened toward the hem, edged subtly in gold thread that caught the light in restrained flashes.

The contrast was striking.

Not soft, neither gentle. But like a statement.

The red of her hair burned brighter against the gown’s depth, and her sharp green eyes seemed almost luminous, cutting through the room with effortless command.

She did not look like someone attending a ball.

She looked like someone arriving to claim it.

Ocean took one look and sighed.

"Miri," he said flatly, "this is your doing, isn’t it?"

Miri turned to him with feigned innocence. "What?"

"This dress," Ocean gestured toward Dahlia. "You suggested it."

Miri beamed. "How’d you know?"

Ocean didn’t answer immediately.

He studied Dahlia again.

The boldness of the red.

The dominance of the emerald.

The deliberate contrast.

Lady Dahlia was no ornamental Grand Duchess.

She was a strategist.

A commander.

A woman who had led men twice her size into battle and returned without trembling even after she had lost an arm and eye during the war in Mordino.

This gown didn’t soften her.

It amplified her.

"It’s too intentional," Ocean said finally. "The red asserts authority. The green sharpens it. It makes her look less like nobility attending a celebration and more like nobility issuing a challenge."

Dahlia’s lips curved slowly.

"And is that a problem?"

Ocean’s eyes met hers evenly.

"No," he said. "It suits you."

Davian finally lowered his hand slightly, glancing at his mother.

Miri leaned back, clearly satisfied. "I thought so too."

Ocean narrowed his eyes faintly. "You wanted her to dominate the ballroom."

"Of course," Miri replied lightly. "Why would I settle for anything less?"

"As for your earlier question," Ocean started, "I’ve never hurt Prince Davian and never will."

Roan crossed his arms, thoroughly entertained while Dahlia stood taller, if that were even possible.

In that gown, she didn’t look like she would accompany anyone. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

She looked like the kind of woman who would choose whether to grant someone the honor of standing beside her.

"Now, His Grace would need just the matching outfit." Ocean said and Madam Flora beamed.

"We already have a matching outfit for this." She said and Miri shrugged with a smile.

"Master!" Ocean looked at Brielle who stepped forward holding the skirts of her dress in her hands and then twirled with a giggle making the skirts flare.

The sapphire-blue gown draped elegantly over her frame, the off-shoulder neckline softening her silhouette just as he had suggested. Fine silver embroidery traced the bodice and hem in delicate patterns, catching the light with every movement, while the layered skirt revealed pale inner ruffles beneath. Her curly strawberry-blonde hair framed her glowing face, and her rosy pink eyes shimmered with excitement.

"How do I look?"

Ocean gave her a measured glance before nodding once. "It’s perfect."

And Brielle’s smile answered for her.

Celestia who had already decided on a gown sat calmly in an armchair.

"Now, shall we see my dress?" Miri announced.

Ocean cocked a brow, "Did you already select one?"

She shrugged, "It caught my eye. I’ll change you can tell me what you think."

Ocean hummed, "All right."

Miri then got off of her seat and then walked over the the curtains along with an excited looking Madam Flora. Dahlia and Brielle changed behind the other curtains and Davian scooted closer to Ocean.

Celestia who stared at Ocean ended up asking, "May-May I ask you something, Marquis Ocean?"

Ocean turned his head looking at Celestia.

"Sure, Miss Celestia."

Celestia looked hesitant but she spoke, "You said that your son is at Marquis Fairisles’s estate."

Ocean nodded and she continued, "I heard that Miss Reina also stays there..."

Ocean’s eyebrows twitched a little and even Davian leaned ahead listening while Roan grew a little cautious watching between her and Ocean.

"She does."

Celestia grew silent for a moment and Ocean saw the cogs moving in her head. She would be having numerous questions again now.

"Is it because you’re curious as to why Miss Reina is chosen to be Marquis Fairisles’s heiress?" Ocean prompted to keep her from going in any other direction.

Celestia blinked, "Yes. I mean... I was just wondering... It has been quite some time that I saw her at Aurelius mansion and since I can’t go to Marquis Fairisles’s mansion so, I was just wondering how she is doing."

Ocean smiled and asked, "Did Marquis Fairisles ask you to not visit his mansion?"

"No, but..."

Ocean chuckled, "Is it because he’s intimidating?"

Celestia smiled sheepishly and Ocean continued, "He just looks scary, you don’t have to worry about how he’ll react when you do visit his place."

Celestia watched as Ocean smiled and then heard his aide clear his throat. Ocean’s eyes shifted as he looked at him.

Something silent seemed to exchange and then Ocean’s eyes found herself again. Celestia blinked suddenly feeling as if the air around him had changed.

"But you might have to let him know in advance," Ocean said, "Marquis Fairisles may not be that scary but he is a strict when it comes to appointments."

Celestia nodded and then leaned in asking, "You are quite close to Miss Reina and her family."

A small smile graced Ocean’s features and Celestia noticed as how his eyes glinted a little and for a moment, another image coincided in her head. She had seen these eyes before on another person.

"Well, Duke and Marquis have been helping me out since the day I arrived in Sestia so, we are close."

Celestia couldn’t help but feel her thoughts running as she recalled Reina’s eyes clearly. They were the exact same as Ocean’s.

How come two people had such unique set of eyes? Unless they are...

Suddenly there was the sound of the curtains flipping and Ocean turned, his eyes going wide momentarily before he sighed.

Miri had finished changing.

The room grew quiet as everyone including the female attendants stared at her.

The ivory gown flowed smoothly along her figure, soft green accents winding across the fabric like delicate vines. The draped sleeves slipped low on her arms, revealing her shoulders in a way that was elegant yet undeniably bold. The silhouette was fluid, sensual without being loud- every movement of hers making the fabric shift like silk over water.

Her thick black hair fell in dark waves down her back, and her black eyes held that steady, knowing intensity. She didn’t look delicate.

She looked dangerous.

She smirked watching Ocean and gave a slow twirl.

"What do you think?"

Ocean shook his head before he propped his elbow over the armrest of the couch and placed his chin in his palm as he smiled.

"My dear, is it always necessary for you to arrive at balls and make sure everybody knows who’s the Queen?"

Miri smiled, giving a shrug, "I am a Queen."

Ocean chuckled and felt Davian’s stared boring holes into the side of his face and Ocean avoided looking at him.

Madam Flora cleared his throat and threw her hands gesturing at the gown.

"This is our newest Spring dress collection, Master. It captures not on the purity of the lady but also the delicate vine design that show as how hope grows after a cold winter!"

Ocean listened to Madam Flora as she proudly introduced her newest creation and he nodded before glancing at Miri again.

"You look stunning." He said and Miri beamed.

"I expected more but I guess I won’t be getting any more." Her eyes drifted over to Davian and then she looked at Celestia.

"I’ll go change."

Ocean looked at Madam Flora who smiled, "I know, Master. The outfit to accompany this dress has already been prepared. Please have Young Master Kai visit us soon so that we can have it fitted."

Ocean nodded, "Fine."