After the party there are only 5 people left in the hall of the Baron's Mansion
Baron Saint John : Why were you hiding Daniel and observing what is happening at the dining table it seems very suspicious , boy?
Daniel lowered his head, fingers clenched tightly at his sides.
Baroness Octavia: You disappeared the moment the guests arrived. Your mother was looking for you all the that time ..She was worried that she had to leave you alone by yourself coz she needs to look after the guests in the party
Aurelia stood a step behind her parents, her hands folded together. Her eyes kept darting toward Daniel, filled with unease.
Aurelia: Father… he didn't do anything wrong, did he?
The baron's gaze hardened slightly, but he did not answer his daughter. Instead, his eyes remained fixed on Daniel.
Baron Saint John : Speak. I won't ask twice.
Daniel took a slow breath, his voice coming out soft but steady.
Daniel: I didn't mean to cause trouble, my lord.
He hesitated, then continued.
Daniel: There were too many nobles. Important people. I… I was afraid I would stand out. So i choose to not to come ..but I really wanted to see Ms.
Aurelia's Dance with my own eyes ..she have been preparing for it from past seven days so I wanted to see ..the reaction of the people after witnessing her amazing and gorgeous dance performance..
(Listening to Daniel's reason to come even after he was afraid of being around so many nobles present here ..Made Aurelia so happy ..she dropped her head down coz if she looks up now everyone can see her red cheeks because of her blushing..)
Daniel continues after the dance I was kept observing the surroundings if everything is fine or not ..my intentions were rights but my method was wrong so I'm really sorry my lord
The baroness raised an eyebrow.
Baroness Elowen: Afraid of nobles ? For what, exactly? Did you forget Daniel we are also nobles ..do you afraid of us also
Daniel: No my lady The baron family treated Me and my mother like we are part of family that is why I was affraid Of embarrassing the household.
He finally lifted his eyes, though he did not dare meet theirs directly.
Daniel: I'm only the child of a housemaid. I didn't belong among Nobles wearing silk and gold and drinking wine. If I made a mistake… if I said something wrong… it would have ruined the night.
Aurelia's lips parted slightly, her worry deepens ..she felt every word Daniel just said and she can feel his emotions
Aurelia: Daniel…
Daniel: I thought it was better to stay hidden than risk bringing shame.
Silence followed.
Daniel's mother stood quietly near the wall, her expression unreadable. She neither interrupted nor defended him, cause her mind was not present there ..she was still thinking about the encounter with the King and She is afraid that king had recognised her and when Daniel told her before the party he doesn't have an intention of attending the party ..she felt relieved coz she never wanted the confrontation between him and his father but faith sometimes works against you ...King eyes already fallen on Daniel ..but thnx to his bleached hair King doesn't suspect anything..Or does he pretended to not care but suspect something..
The baron studied Daniel for a long moment.
Baron : You chose to disappear rather than be seen.
Daniel: Yes, my lord.
Daniel bowed deeply.
Daniel: I didn't want my presence to become a stain on your celebration.
Baron : Daniel thanx for thinking about this household first above your own desires but keep in mind Daniel you can never stain or embarrass our house hold..if a child's action can ruin someone's house hold then that house hold held no power or influence to begin with so Daniel next time don't hide around just join us as helping hand of your Mother and be her side..or you cancjust join like a normal kid
I really loved when you Rejected the king's Offer to join the table for your Mother sake that was very noble and courageous
Baroness: Yes Daniel Leslie must proud to have a caring Son like you and we are also very proud to have you
Aurelia: Daniel thankyou you came to see me ..i still haven't open the gift you gave me .. I'm going to my room and first thing I'm doing is opening your present Good night Daniel
Daniel : you too Miss Aurelia
BARON : Leslie take Daniel to his room and now we all can rest and thanx for making this party happen ..you have put lot of effort..you will have a reward by the end of this week and Daniel take care of your mother
Daniel: Yes my lord and Daniel went to his room with his mother..he can see Leslie is not talking..she is in her own world and Daniel knows Reasons of her worry so he chose not to ask her and went straight to his room
The dim candlelight flickered as Daniel leaned against the cold stone wall of his chamber. The echoes of laughter from the earlier party still lingered in his mind—but beneath them, something felt wrong. Too quiet. Too neat.
Daniel: Sensei, run a probability analysis. Count Sebastian Arclay didn't look like a man who accepts humiliation quietly.
Sensei: Acknowledged. Analyzing behavioral patterns, political standing, and historical response to provocation.
Daniel narrowed his eyes, recalling the Count's smile—polite, restrained, and utterly fake. And he was not raising the glass for the baron during King's Toast for the appreciation of the Baron's achievement
Daniel: He lost face in front of nobles, knights, and even the royal envoy. Men like him don't forgive that.
Sensei: Correct. Individuals with Count Sebastian Arclay's profile display a seventy-eight percent likelihood of retaliatory action within three to seven days.
Daniel: Hmph. Faster than I expected.
What kind of retaliation are we talking about? Direct confrontation or something dirtier?
Sensei: Direct confrontation probability: twelve percent. Indirect methods—assassination attempts, political framing, or proxy attacks—account for the remaining eighty-eight percent.
Daniel: So he'll attack the house hold from hiding
Sensei: A fitting description. Count Sebastian Arclay prefers deniability. Evidence suggests he will came up something which include lots of intell about the targets and move accordingly..so that no one gonna know where n when or what gonna hit them
Daniel's lips curled into a cold smile.
Daniel: Then he's already moving.
Sensei: That conclusion is logical. The party served as a catalyst. His resources, earth and water element magic army and his connection to Assassin's guild
..he must have started gathering information
Daniel: if we fought ..Can he touch me openly?
Sensei: Unlikely. However, allies, servants, or individuals within your sphere are vulnerable targets.
The air in the room seemed to grow heavier.
Daniel: who is according to you have a greater chance of being his prime target
Sensei: The baron less than 2% coz he should be left alive to feel the same humiliation he felt so he will be targeting someone closer to him .. Baroness around 20% chance .. Aurelia more than 75% chance.. Sebastian have witnessed himself the baron's love for his daughter..in addition to he saw Crown prince dancing with her which can be used by Baron to further deepen the bond between king and his houses .. Sebastian knows if he want to make Baron pay Aurelia is the key
Daniel suddenly felt the rage which can't be contained with in him
Daniel: sensei how can we prevent that bastard for doing anything to Aurelia
Sensei: you could have sent your undead Rats or even ants to Follow Sebastian Arclay after the party to keep an eye on him and to knows what he is planning
Daniel opened his eyes, crimson intent burning within them.
Daniel: I've always thinking about not using my Necromancy power at all made it so naturall for me to forget about it sensei you could have reminded me ..
Sensei: I can't suggest anything from my own will ..coz i don't have my own will
Daniel: —then let's put all the available undead creatures every part of the mansion and let's go hunt a bird tomorrow we will use undead bird for keeping eye on Aurelia all the time
Sensei: congratulations Outcome probability shifting in your favor.