After Brandon left, Helen leaned forward slightly, her gaze passing through the dance floor to Ang. She suddenly asked, "Are you Baron Ang, the one rumored all over Fortress of Will to have taken advantage of the Empire?"
Ang paused, an awkward smile appearing on his face. Then he answered lightly, "If there was an officer named Ang among those who took part in the Tasmania Continent offensive, then that was probably me."
Helen raised an eyebrow, apparently unsatisfied with that answer. "Then did you really take advantage of the Empire?"
Ang smiled faintly and asked in return, "Do you think I took advantage of the Empire?"
Helen glanced at him, not expecting him to toss the question back at her. After a moment of silence, she shrugged lightly. "That's what everyone says."
Ang looked at Helen, his gaze darkening slightly as though he were weighing her words. "Did Lord Brandon arrange for you to keep me company?" he asked.
Helen hesitated, her eyes flickering for a moment before she finally nodded. There seemed to be a trace of uncertainty in her eyes.
"Did Lord Brandon also arrange for you to do anything in particular?" Ang pressed.
Helen spoke bluntly. "Uncle said you don't have a wife yet, so he wanted to see whether I might take a liking to you."
Ang burst out laughing, his laughter relaxed and natural. He found it rather amusing. "Haha, so that's how it is." He waved a hand, as though the pressure had suddenly vanished.
Helen rolled her eyes awkwardly and changed the subject. "Do you know any friends at this ball? Female friends, for example?"
Ang raised an eyebrow, then looked in the direction she indicated. Several Noble Ladies were dancing elegantly with young nobles in formal attire, their conversation punctuated by