51 Chapter 51: Yet Another Ball

"Young Master Kilian?"

Just then there was a knock on the door, and Jasper walked in after a short reply from Kilian.

"The king is hosting a ball tonight."

Kilian looked up confused at the news.

"It is for the many members of the nobles, who are to leave the capital soon for the frontline."

Kilian was still thinking of Rayden and lit up.

'He must be coming there then.'

"We were unable to reach you on your… venture... But we have prepared a set of clothes, in case you wish to go."

Jasper clapped and 3 maids came in with clothes.

"I will go."

Kilian's voice was resolute, and he grabbed his cane and got up to walk over and meet the maids.

One of the maids giggled when he approached, but not to make fun of him.

He saw the flushed cheeks and peeks, and it reminded him of Stella.

'Stella would be good to my mother.' He thought.

' I need to make sure she is assigned as her exclusive maid.'

It was in a way a reward to Stella because as the Lady's personal maid, she would have the highest status of all the maids in the residence. It will be a hefty pay increase as well, he thought.

It was the only thing he could do for her right now, but he knew he owed her far more.

'For now, it will at least establish her place with the servants, I just need to see when I can summon her from the North.'

He undressed, letting the worn clothes fall to the floor, and stood before the maids fully naked while letting them groom and dress him up.

He did not really care if it was proper or not, and they did not seem to mind at all. He was getting used to people staring and just ignored it.

His clothes were black and white, mostly white, with silver thread this time.

It was a small detail he had changed from the normal golden thread the nobles seemed to show off with elaborately embroidered details.

He preferred the more neat clean look with little details.

He wore the griffin medallion under the clothes and grabbed his cane.

"At least They won't be there."

He said it out loud, and a maid looked up curiously at his words but did not question them.

The door opened and this time Dante walked in, wearing a black and white outfit as well, but more black than white.

His broad muscular body filled out the fabric to the brim, as he was pushing the collar out at his neck.

"This is too tight."

His voice seemed annoyed but he soon gave up and looked at Kilian.

"We..match." He cleared his throat as soon as he said it and tried to look away from the stunning creature in front of him.

He should be used to this by now, but every time he saw Kilian, it made him reach out and grab him for himself, not letting anyone else place their eyes on him.

Dante held out his arm and Kilian took it, letting Dante escort him from the residence.

They were late.

The ball was already ongoing, and the announcement of their arrival was lost in the noise.

The hall was many times bigger than the one used for the Yule Ball at the Heathgrave mansion, and the number of noble people filled the space in all possible colors

The walls were decorated lavishly to the point Kilian just sighed at the taste of the king and nobles.

Everything seemed blinding, and he was soon swept up in the crowd of the many nobles present.

Dante was somewhere near, but he had lost sight of the flaming red hair, even if it normally stood out to him.

"You!"

Kilian's arm was pulled and was turned around to face the burly man who with a flushed red face had grabbed him.

"You are that useless son of Count Heathgrave!"

A few eyes had turned their way, and the hold on Kilian's arm tightened, making Kilian grimace in pain.

There were too many people around, and he tried to dull the anger that was rising in him. He could not easily use his power at the king's ball.

"What are you talking about, sir?"

Kilian smiled amiably, knowing the curious stares were all on him now.

Some did not know him, but a few people looked shocked, as they knew him from the War Council, and Kilian to them was a Valen, not a Heathgrave.

"That is Count Miga to you!"

Kilian kept smiling, though his eyes were staring back at the man.

'Why do I keep having to run into people like this?'

"You seduced my woman during the Yule ball!"

Kilian had to hold back a laugh.

"I did what?"

The accusation was ridiculous, but he did vaguely remember a lady that had come on to him during the Yule Ball, but he had forgotten her name.

"How dare someone like you, take what is not his!"

The grip was now really hurting Kilian, and his smile disappeared.

"Let go." Kilian spat out in contempt.

"How dare you..."

The man pulled Kilian closer, but Kilian did not wait for anyone to help him, and raised his cane, smacking it across the cheek of the man watching the condescending face turn into one of surprise.

The red flushed cheeks were now accompanied by a red bruise.

Two escort knights moved up beside the man, one unsheathing his sword looking at Kilian like he was simple prey.

"What do we have here?"

The voice came up behind Kilian who was standing up straight, leaning at the cane like he had not just attacked someone.

"He struck me! I want him removed from here!"

The man was rubbing his cheek, appalled by the pain it was giving him.

"I don't remember giving such orders."

This time the voice came from a man walking up behind Count Miga.

The life seemed to drain from the Count as the king walked up to him stating how the man had no business order for people to be removed from his ball.

Kilian nodded at the man, who again seemed to prioritize gold in his aestetics and choice of clothing.

He stood out like a sun.

"Young Master Valen, I am glad you made it to my ball, I hope your Mother is well?"

The king placed his hand on Kilian's shoulder, making the young man almost falter under the weight.

"Of course, your Majesty, I am here as any other to honor those who will fight for this country."

Kilian placed his face back into the fake smile and a chuckle escaped the king, only for Kilian to notice.

"My mother especially likes the gift Your grace sent me earlier."

Kilian made sure to mention his mother, to showcase that the king's kindness towards Kilian was also partly extended to Kilian's mother.

The many nobles around were all paying attention to the conversation between the young man and the king.

'This way, my mother won't easily get bullied.' He thought.

She would now have been mentioned in connection with the king and the favor her son had.

"I am glad to hear the Lady of the Archduke family is back where she belongs. I hope you will ignore this small altercation and continue to have a pleasant evening."

'Win!'

Kilian nodded as thanks, knowing that small statement was enough to kill any possible bad rumors about Ameria's sudden return to the Valen family.

"Your Majesty, I will make sure Kilian is properly taken care of from now on."

A tall man moved to stand in front of Kilian, the black hair was short and more messy than normal, and the clothes were golden and purple.

"Lord Rayden?"