On Thursday evening, Earl Hall's ball was the first to arrive. Abner met the expectations of the New Party legislators and arrived on time with Xio.
Xio naturally became the "star" of the ball, surrounded by many eager legislators and nobles.
Abner, who had originally thought he was merely a "tool," was personally received by Earl Hall instead.
The two had a pleasant conversation, thoroughly exchanging views on everything from their collaborative film and television projects to the kingdom's current situation. They verbally reached several major agreements involving substantial funds. Only when the first dance began did they stop talking, each finding a partner and stepping onto the dance floor.
By then, through Earl Hall's various hints and business concessions, Abner had already understood his motives beyond winning over someone close to the Empress.
It turned out that after Intis joined the war, Earl Hall had developed concerns about the Loen Kingdom's future and had quietly begun arranging a way out.
Although Abner was a Loen noble and had now become someone close to the Empress, making it seem as though he was already bound to Loen... that was not actually the case.
As Earl Hall knew, Abner Braine was a favored one of the Earth Mother Goddess. Even if Feysac truly occupied Loen, his title would not be stripped away.
Furthermore, Abner had close ties with both the Sari Family and the Soren Family of Intis. Should Loen fall in the future, Viscount Beldan would be the ideal intermediary, naturally making him worth cultivating.
Better yet, establishing a good relationship with Abner now would not be seen as treason, would not draw scrutiny from the intelligence departments, and would not invite misunderstandings from the churches.
Having understood Earl Hall's thoughts, Abner might have looked down on this sort of