The guests began to arrive one after
another at the Claudion estate, where the family stood lined up in the reception hall, greeting each newcomer with warmth and smiles formal, yet carrying the polished grace of aristocracy. Countess Margaret stood beside her husband, count Claudion, with Amber and Rosalyn close at hand, while Peter moved among the arriving guests, his charming smile reflecting his usual charisma.
The first of the important guests entered:
the Duchess Eleanor de Maurier, an imposing lady in her late fifties, with sharp eyes and a commanding presence. She wore a deep violet gown and had a grand black feather fixed in her silvery hair. At her side walked her two granddaughters. Clara, a gentle faced young girl, and her sister Sara, who had grown accustomed since childhood to accompanying their grandmother wherever she went.
Margaret, with a warm smile, said:
"Duchess de Maurier! What an honor to have you with us this evening."
The Duchess replied in her dignified voice:
"I would never miss a Claudion gathering. How your children have grown and here is Amber, already a fine young lady."
Amber blushed shyly and bowed her head with respect.
After the Duchess came Sir Gregor van Hoff, a distinguished man in his forties who held a high position in the Kingdom's Trade Council. With him was his nephew, Alex, who looked as though he would rather be anywhere else than at a formal event.
Claudion greeted Sir Gregor warmly, clasping his hand with a smile:
"Welcome, Sir Gregor! It is a great honour to have you with us today, Sir."
Gregor answered with easy familiarity:
"The honor is mine. I came to renew an old friendship… and to watch these noble faces shine this evening."
The company moved further inside, while the servants tended to the guests' coats and guided them toward the grand hall, glittering with candlelight, crystal chandeliers, and white orchids.
Not long after, the Baron Hauser family entered. Baroness de Villar Hauser walked confidently at her husband's side, their only son following behind them Lucian, a tall young man in his late twenties, with sleek black hair cut short to emphasize his sharp, serious features. He wore a fine charcoal suit with a dark velvet tie.
Margaret exclaimed with delight:
"Baron and Baroness Hauser! We are honored by your presence tonight."
The Baroness returned a calm smile:
"It was only fitting that we attend, and we thank you most graciously for your kind invitation, my dear."
Then Baron Hauser, presenting his son, said:
"My son Lucian has just returned from the south, where he has been managing some of our affairs."
Claudion shook the young man's hand and patted his shoulder:
"And what sort of work kept you there, Lucian?"
Lucian replied quietly but with firm seriousness:
"We discovered a new iron mine in the south, and I personally oversaw the arrangements for its investment."
Claudion nodded in approval:
"A remarkable achievement! … Please, come inside, don't linger here."
The family entered the hall amid whispers of admiration, while several young ladies cast more than one glance at the handsome Lucian.
Inside, Kate sat at the grand table beside Amber. With them were Margaret, Duchess de Maurier and her granddaughter Clara, Baroness de Villar, and Rosalyn. Their conversation flowed quietly about the ball, the guests, the splendid decorations while the men remained standing, engaged in talk of trade and politics.
The Duchess turned to Rosalyn:
"I hear your grandmother's health is improving now?"
Rosalyn replied with gentle respect:
"Yes, thanks be to the gods, she is receiving excellent care. Thank you for asking, my lady."
Suddenly, the strains of music rose from the inner hall set aside for dancing. The arrangement was elegant, the tall candles reflecting in the glittering chandeliers above.
Peter, with a playful smile, said:
"What do you say, "shall we go and open the dance?"
Baron Hauser chuckled, glancing toward Claudion and the viscount:
"Dancing is for the young. We shall remain here, watching and laughing at them instead!"
Laughter rippled around the table. The baron cast a knowing glance toward Lucian, who caught the signal at once.
Peter moved to invite his wife Rosalyn , who feigned reluctance for a moment before laughing and accepting. Aaron slipped quietly toward the other side of the room, while Kate's eyes followed him her fingers still brushing nervously against the necklace at her throat.
Lucian looked to his mother; she smiled at him encouragingly. Then he turned his gaze directly on Amber.
With steady steps and a warm, courteous tone, he spoke:
"Miss Amber… may I have the honor of this dance?"
Amber hesitated, flustered, her eyes flicking toward Kate as if seeking support or escape. But before she could speak, Margaret's soft, coaxing voice urged her on:
"Go on, my dear. Enjoy yourself."
Amber managed a polite smile, rose, and shyly placed her hand in Lucian's. He led her toward the dance floor, where the first graceful steps began to match the tender rhythm of the music. One by one, the eyes of the hall turned upon them.
From afar, Kate watched with unease, worried for Amber so absorbed that she did not notice the pair of eyes fixed longingly upon her.
The dance floor soon filled with couples moving in elegant harmony, bodies gliding to the music as the chandeliers shimmered above them like constellations. Lucian's eyes never left Amber; the intensity of his gaze crossed the short distance between them with unmistakable seriousness.
Amber, however, avoided his eyes, staring instead at the floor or anywhere else.
Breaking the silence in his deep voice, Lucian said:
"My mother has told me about you, Miss Amber… and of your beauty. I did not believe it until I saw you myself."
Amber forced a shy smile and answered softly:
"Thank you for the compliment."
He laughed lightly.
"It is no compliment it is the truth. And those blue jewels of yours… they suit you. They bring out the color of your eyes."
Amber smiled once more, but this time quickly lowered her face, hoping to hide the sudden quickening of her heart. Uneasy thoughts pressed upon her: Rosalyn was right… No, it cannot be! I must tell Eric what is happening.
Meanwhile, Baron Hauser observed the scene closely. Leaning toward Count Claudion, he spoke in a low tone:
"What do you think about it?"
Claudion, somewhat distracted, asked:
"about what?"
The baron nodded toward the dancing pair:
"I mean the possibility of a match between Lucian and Amber… It would be an honor for us."
Claudion's eyes followed them for a moment. Then, after a pause, he replied with a diplomatic smile:
"We shall discuss it another time, Baron Hauser. For now, let us celebrate."
"As you wish," the baron said smoothly.
The music came to an end; the dancers' steps stilled as applause and smiles spread across the hall. Lucian leaned toward Amber, ready to begin some conversation, only for her to bow quickly and say:
"Excuse me I must return to the table."
She slipped away with graceful haste, as though escaping a battlefield.
Lucian exhaled, slid his hands into his pockets, and smiled faintly, watching her retreat.
"She is very shy indeed…" he murmured.