Alex and Vanessa spent the two hours in silence inside the carriage.
Alex had no desire to speak, and Vanessa had no idea how to break the ice without making it painfully awkward.So they simply remained quiet the entire way.
When they finally arrived, Alex stepped out first and offered her a hand, maintaining his façade as her aide.
They entered the venue and were immediately swallowed by a wave of sound and attention.
"Now entering, the princess of the kingdom, Vanessa Morningstar!" the gatekeeper announced.
A round of applause followed. Vanessa moved forward to greet everyone one by one.
'Good,' Alex thought. 'I'm out of the spotlight.'
He silently slipped to the side and blended with the edge of the hall. With nothing better to do, he extended his senses and listened.
Many nobles chatted about trivial things, but a few conversations caught his attention.
"Did you hear about the trial? They only gave that nobleman house arrest even though he tortured people and killed several others. It's unbelievable!" a woman said.
"Yeah, I heard. Honestly, that special operations group is interesting. I'd surrender some privacy if it meant increasing safety," a man replied.
Alex agreed with their logic. At least someone in this hall had sense.
Meanwhile, Vanessa continued greeting nobles left and right. She didn't particularly enjoy parties, but as the sole child of the Morningstars, it was an unavoidable duty.
"Hello, princess. A pleasure to see you again," Vynn Verrendale said.
"Hello, Vynn Verrendale. Happy birthday." Vanessa said, and Marina stepped in and handed him a neatly wrapped box.
"Princess, what's this new group that has become the talk of the capital?" he asked.
"It was formed to accelerate investigations related to crimes committed by nobles," Vanessa explained. "The previous process took far too long, and by the time anyone was apprehended, they had already committed numerous offenses."
"Do you think the group is necessary?" she then asked.
"I assume it is, since you created it," Vynn replied politely.
Vanessa forced a smile. He was telling her what he thought she wanted to hear.
"Then I won't keep you. Many guests are waiting to congratulate you."
"Yes, thank you for coming, princess," Vynn said, hiding his disappointment.
From the corner of her eye, Vanessa noticed Alex leaning against a wall, eyes closed, clearly uninterested in the event. She intended to approach him and drag him into a few conversations, but every time she tried to move, another noble stepped into her path.
She exchanged pleasantries again and again, all of them painfully stale.
'I could say mass murder is beneficial and they'd nod along,' she thought dryly.
Before she could reach Alex, three loud clanks echoed through the room. The crowd turned toward the staircase, where Vynn's parents stood.
"Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen," Mr. Verrendale said, "thank you for coming to my son's seventieth birthday. We are glad to receive all of you and hope that you spend a happy and fun evening on this day," Mr. Verrendale said.
"And with this, we officially begin the ball!"
Music started, and the chatter resumed.
Vanessa resumed her slow, interrupted march toward Alex. Eventually, she reached him, still standing in the same place, eyes half-closed in boredom.
"Hello. What are you doing?" she asked.
"Nothing. Meditating," Alex responded without opening his eyes.
"How are you finding the party?"
"I can't wait to leave," Alex replied bluntly
"Come on, it can't be that bad," Vanessa said
"Vanessa, look around. I'm from a completely different world. I have nothing to talk about with them, and they have nothing meaningful to say to me. And honestly, this is a waste of my time. I could be helping someone or making potions. Instead, I'm stuck here listening to people complain about their luxurious inconveniences."
"Alex," Vanessa said gently, "perhaps it's time for you to know that you can't help everyone. If you try to carry the whole world, it will crush you. You need balance. Fight when you must. Heal when you need to. You've been fighting for so long, so I think it's well-deserved to have a little fun from time to time
Alex looked thoughtful. "I'll think about it."
"So," Vanessa said, "do you know how to dance?"
"I do, it was a mandatory lesson back at my orphanage, in case a noble family adopted us," Alex replied. In fact, he was one of the better dancers, thanks to his obsession with trying to look good to be adopted.
"Then would you dance with me?" she asked with a hopeful smile.
"I refuse."
"Why?"
"Because it's bothersome."
"You still have to do at least one dance with me. You're my aide," she insisted.
Before Alex could respond, Vynn appeared behind her.
"Princess, may I have the honor of dancing with you?"
"Go on. Mingle with your people. I'm taking a breather," Alex said, heading toward the balcony.
Vanessa sighed and accepted Vynn's invitation. He led her to the center of the dance floor, though she quickly realized he had zero intention of leading. As usual, she took the initiative.
'Boring,' she thought, but she endured it. He was the host—he was the one person she couldn't reject.
After the dance, she was approached by Mr. and Ms. Verrendale.
"Princess, are you enjoying the celebration?" Mr. Verrendale asked.
"Hello, and yes, it's lively and full of energy," She replied, an answer she told every host.
"How are your parents? Is your father still on the frontier?" Ms. Verrendale asked.
"Yes. He has been stationed there for years, and my mother is always busy at the castle."
After a few more exchanges, Selene Verrendale suddenly asked, "Princess… are you still single?"
Vanessa immediately sensed the direction. "Yes, but I am in no rush to find a partner."
"And what do you think of my son, Vynn?"
"He seems nice and well-mannered, I guess ladies approach him every day," She said. This was yet another of her commonly said answers.
"Princess, forgive my bluntness," Selene said, lowering her voice, "but you are nearly fifty and still a maiden, correct? Would you perhaps consider marrying my son? He is distinguished—top ten at the magic university, excellent reputation, many connections—"
'Disgusting,' Vanessa thought. 'What kind of man needs his mother to arrange his marriage? At least approach me yourself.'
"I appreciate your concern," Vanessa said politely, "but the Morningstars do not believe in arranged marriage. Every queen since our matriarch had only one partner in her life, and I intend to follow that tradition."
She excused herself quickly. The conversation reminded her of speaking with Susan disguised as a commoner—Susan had been more eloquent in selling Alex that it made all of what Selene said look like garbage, and with fewer words.
As she scanned the room, she noticed Alex stepping in from the balcony, walking toward her.
"Princess," he said.
"Hm?"
"May I have a dance?" Alex asked, his expression flat as ever.
Vanessa froze—stunned. She never expected him to approach her.
Much less to ask that.