The Archon's Ball (2)

"Do you know her?" Margherita asked curiously.

Ang held his wineglass, his gaze still fixed on the noblewoman's retreating figure. His tone was calm. "No. But she looks a lot like someone."

"Like who?" Margherita raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued.

"You wouldn't know her even if I told you." Ang shook his head and changed the subject without elaborating.

Margherita curled her lips but did not press him further.

Before long, several young nobles approached them, including quite a few well-dressed heirs with handsome features.

They all invited Margherita to dance, but she politely declined every one of them.

"Why aren't you dancing?" Ang asked knowingly as he watched the slowly turning crowd on the dance floor.

Margherita snorted, a trace of annoyance in her voice. "I'm wearing the Enchanted Armament you made me wear. What dance am I supposed to do?"

Ang shrugged and smiled innocently, offering no rebuttal.

Just then, Put Taylor, who had finished exchanging pleasantries, appeared before them again with a proper smile on his face.

"Count Ang, do you have time for a chat?" His tone was mild, though there was expectation in his eyes.

"Sure. We can talk here." Ang pointed at the empty seat beside him, looking entirely unconcerned with formalities.

Put had originally intended to invite him to the study for a detailed discussion. Seeing Ang's open manner, he could only sit down instead.

He adjusted his posture slightly and went straight to the point. "Count Ang, what do you think about the future development of the Archipelago Plane?"

"That's not something I should concern myself with," Ang replied without even looking up.

Put's expression stalled slightly, and the atmosphere became awkward for a moment.

His guards stood nearby, while Margherita gave Ang a faintly apologetic look.

She raised her hand