The violins sang.
Abraham moved with quiet precision — his steps measured, effortless, guided by instinct born of forgotten courts and long-buried lives.
The girl before him — Vanessa Flower — was every bit her name.
Silver hair draped in gentle curls, accented by a single, blood-red rose. and her crimson dress with gold and red rose petals layered on it. When she turned around moving her legs precisely, light reflected exactly where she wants and rose scent perfume followed her like worshippers.
Abraham's hand met hers again, her touch cool, deliberate. The air between them was poised — not romantic, but dangerous, like two blades dancing in velvet.
He studied her quietly. Her bearing, the faint tilt of her chin, the way the crowd's whispers softened when she smiled — all spoke of high birth.
Definitely noble… maybe too noble.
She noticed his gaze and smiled. "You seem curious."
"I'd say observant," Abraham replied, his tone mild.
"Then let me satisfy that curiosity."
She dipped gracefully as the waltz turned. "Vanessa Flower — from the Royal Family of Flower."
Abraham's brow arched. "Flower family… from the Fereg Country, if I'm not mistaken?"
Her eyes glimmered, impressed. "You're well-informed for someone who doesn't attend noble balls often."
He gave a faint, sardonic smile. "I read about who can get me killed. Helps with survival."
Vanessa Chortled softly. "Then you must already know what the Flower family is."
He nodded. "One of the administrative noble families, ruling Fereg — under the Celestial Hurricane Empire."
Her eyes brightened. "Precisely. Most people confuse us with the Sect-Bow authorities — but our family governs. We rule land, people, economy. The Sect Bow nobles, like your Valence hosts, connect the Five Empires through their academies. They're the string that ties the world together, but we " she smiled softly the smile displayed that higher authority should look down on lower, "we are the ones holding the blade that can cut the string."
Abraham's steps didn't falter, but his mind turned sharply.
So she's from the administrative line — a ruling family, not just an academy controller. Fourth highest noble authority… daughter of the Prime Minister of Fereg.
That meant power. Influence. Access to resources few could dream of.
He forced his voice even. "Quite the introduction, Princess."
Her lips curved. "You catch on fast. But please Vanessa will do."
The waltz slowed, each spin brushing them closer. Her perfume, wild roses touched with frost lingered as she leaned slightly, her voice lowering so that only he could hear.
"You fight well," she said. "The forest battle — word of it reached even the Fereg court. You faced something most knights wouldn't approach."
Abraham didn't reply. His expression stayed calm, but inside, his thoughts twisted like smoke.
So even the outer empires are watching now.
"Don't look so tense," she added, smiling again. "This is a ball, not an interrogation."
"I'm just wondering," he said finally, "why a royal daughter from Fereg is attending a Valence family event in another empire. Doesn't seem… casual."
Vanessa's eyes glimmered like Spiritual Stone under light. "You'll find that nothing among nobles ever is."
They turned again — her gown unfurling like a crimson tide, the chandeliers catching on every shimmer of her silk train.
Abraham's mind wandered as he followed the steps flawlessly, his voice silent but his thoughts loud:
The daughter of a Prime Minister… fourth in noble hierarchy. Third, if one discounts the Vouchen Blood line. If I married her, I mean she's the one who approach to me, So she have to be interest in me… Marrying a administration authority daughter I don't have to worry about gold, artifacts, or training resources again.
He breathed in softly through his nose.
'But that's greed talking in mind, isn't it? To sell myself for power, not in hell.'
Their dance neared its end. The music softened into a final, lilting note.
Vanessa looked up at him — that calm, noble smile never breaking. "You move well. Were you trained?"
"Life trains everyone," he said simply.
She studied him — her violet eyes flickering with a strange warmth, or perhaps curiosity. "Then, life must like you very much."
He didn't replied.
As the applause rose around them, Vanessa curtsied — perfectly measured, perfectly poised — and turned to leave.
Before she leave, she glanced back once give a sideway look towards Abraham, her glorious silver hair catching the candlelight.
"Abraham," she said softly. "Try not to disappear after tonight. The Flower family doesn't forget those who interest them."
And with that, she vanished into the shimmer of the ballroom crowd.
Abraham stood still, watching the golden light fade from the floor, his hands lowering to his sides.
Great, he thought dryly. Now I've got a princess watching me. And no money to even buy proper breakfast tomorrow.
He sighed, cursing his fate for not being a noble like all of those people here.
"Hell," he muttered under his breath, "I'm too broke to think rationally"