Dwayne Dantès quickly fell into conversation with several elegant guests, drawing light laughter from them now and then. Hazel, still reluctant to leave the sea adventure stories behind, stopped, changed direction, and silently headed back to her place at the edge of the dance floor.
Two young guests seemed ready to ask her to dance, but her suddenly cold gaze robbed them of the courage.
No experience or knowledge to speak of, no powerful Beyonder Abilities, just their parents' protection... Hazel silently labeled them as voices from the conversation behind her reached her ears:
"...We killed a fishman together, and the captain invited us to dine on the Moonlit Deck. We ate raw fish cheek and crispy fried Fish Fillet."
"...Trier's Underground Catacombs are practically the size of a city. The entrance says, 'Ahead lies the Death Empire.' You have to carry a White Candle to be allowed in."
"...The councilor has said many times that he wants to suggest changing the uniforms of the Balam troops. Light colors, irregular patterns to confuse the eye. Their current dark uniforms make them look like roast beef. He got the idea from a battle he fought..."
Hazel pressed her lips together. She had suddenly lost interest in the ball, and the negative effects of the Mystical Item she carried were gradually taking hold, leaving her increasingly irritable. After a moment, the young woman set down her wineglass, skirted the guests gathering for the next dance, and climbed the stairs with hurried steps toward her bedroom on the third floor.
"Why did Miss Hazel leave in such a hurry? Wasn't this ball more or less held for her by the councilor?"
Angel held Vincent's shoulder at a polite distance as they danced to the lively music, but her gaze was not on