Chapter 358: Start Of The Grand Ball
When the sun finally set, the students all gathered in the grand hall where parties, concerts, and other events were held.
It was very easy to spot who the nobles and commoners were.
The nobles were dressed expensively and fashionably, while the commoners wore their uniforms.
But this wasn’t a problem for most students because they only came there for the chance to form connections with the people that they had set their sights on.
Charles, Nessia, and Renard sat at one table, people-watching as they ate.
They knew their place as commoners, so they were fine with just enjoying the good food and observing their friends and acquaintances.
Lotte was also at the party, talking to Latifa’s friends as her representative.
Latifa was watching the event through her Alter’s eyes as she rested on the bed in the clock tower.
She wasn’t really that good when it came to socializing, preferring to sleep instead of hanging out with anyone who wasn’t a part of her club.
Chuck, on the other hand, was busy talking to the ladies. Although he was a troublemaker, that didn’t change the fact that he was truly handsome, easygoing, and the son of a Duke to boot.
His brother, Caspian, looked much better after Eleanora had stopped drinking his blood.
He had already forgotten about Eleanora because the young lady had canceled their Master and Servant relationship.
She had made sure to create a fail-safe plan to prevent anyone from uncovering any information about her if they managed to capture and interrogate her subordinate.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself, Chuck."
The young man heard a familiar voice coming behind him and turned around.
"Good evening, Your High... wow!" Chuck wasn’t able to stop himself from gasping after seeing a dolled-up Princess Xenia.
The princess was wearing a red dress that complemented her long red hair, which was neatly but elaborately styled.
Her backless dress was not particularly daring, but the young man suddenly had the urge to throw his cape over her shoulders so that others wouldn’t be able to ogle at her!
Chuck had to use his willpower to forcefully shift his gaze to something else because he was truly captivated by her beauty.
That was a mistake.
His gaze then landed on Mary, who had also dressed up for the occasion.
Although her clothes weren’t as fancy as the princess’s, it still flattered her figure very much.
She was wearing a black cocktail dress with a frilly hem. She had picked it herself while shopping at a boutique in the city.
Even Chuck couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the maid, who usually sent withering glares his way whenever he got distracted by other beautiful ladies.
"Eight out of ten," Chuck muttered as he stared at Mary for several seconds without remembering to blink.
Instead of being annoyed or offended, Princess Xenia and Mary actually smiled a little. Chuck’s sincere amazement was really quite endearing.
Both of them felt that their preparations were worth it because the troublemaker’s reaction was priceless.
Suddenly, Chuck repeatedly tapped his cheeks as if trying his best to break free from the charming appeal of the two ladies who had managed to get his full attention.
After regaining his senses, he then coughed lightly to hide his embarrassment.
"Both of you look lovely," Chuck said with a polite smile. "But the temperature will surely drop as the night goes on. Your Highness, can I interest you in my cape?"
"Sometimes, I just feel bolder than usual," Princess Xenia replied.
Just as Chuck was about to respond, he saw someone that made him frown.
Seeing his reaction, Princess Xenia and Mary turned to see what had displeased him.
A handsome man, who seemed to be in his early twenties, had entered the grand hall through the main entrance and was now scanning the surroundings, looking for someone.
Anyone who didn’t know him would think of him as a very honest-looking man. But those who knew him understood that he wasn’t someone that people should mingle with if they had a choice.
He was none other than Victor Montclair, who had come to use this opportunity to meet the dignitaries of the Solara and Faelarun Academies.
After seeing Lady Celestria, who was wearing the ceremonial white dress of the Saintess, he didn’t hesitate to approach her.
"You look like you’ve eaten a fly," Mary commented, not missing an opportunity to take a dig at Chuck.
"I’d rather eat a fly than see that scum." Chuck clicked his tongue.
Among the members of Endless Horizon, he got along best with Alex and Vaan.
Charles was a good friend of his as well, but Charles was too honest and modest.
Vaan was mischievous by nature, so he and Chuck got along like they were partners in crime.
In short, Vaan’s enemy was Chuck’s enemy. Seeing Victor at the party made him worried for Vaan.
The Professors and the Headmaster were already there inside the hall, greeting the guests that had traveled from afar.
Several Elven dignitaries had also arrived and would serve as Prince Kaelen’s escorts as he returned to the Kingdom of Faelarun.
Aeris, Lapiz, and Prince Kaelen were currently having a chat with Prince Garen and Lady Celestria.
That was when Victor arrived to introduce himself to them and tried to strike up a conversation.
"His skin is as thick as Alex’s," Princess Xenia noted as she took two glasses of fruit juice from a server’s tray. "He really headed straight for foreign royalty."
"Nah, Alex’s skin is thicker," Chuck commented as he accepted a glass from her. "That guy can take a slap from an Ogre and still smile afterwards."
Princess Xenia almost choked on her drink, but fortunately she was able to force it down before making an embarrassing scene.
It was at that moment when another beautiful lady entered the hall, drawing almost everyone’s attention.
Her long blonde hair was in a princess style and she was wearing a lavender dress that seemed to flow like water as she walked into the grand hall.
Evangeline’s sun-kissed skin looked vibrant under the chandeliers, giving her a very young and healthy look.
She usually didn’t pay too much attention to how she was perceived, so although she was a beauty, many thought that she was unapproachable because she would exude this cold and "do-not-come-near-me" aura.
But now, seeing the hint of a smile on her face, the guys were unable to resist praising her in their hearts, believing that she was showing more of her true self.
"Nine out of ten..." Chuck muttered.
However, a second later, a pained groan escaped his lips as Princess Xenia pinched his waist in annoyance.
Had she waited even a fraction of a second more, Mary would have done it in her stead.
Clearly, they weren’t too happy with Chuck paying attention to another lady when both of them were around.
Eleanora entered the hall a few minutes later, looking like the dull girl that she had always pretended to be.
However, she couldn’t help but smirk and give herself a thumbs-up because she had done a good job in dressing up Evangeline.
’Hmph! My Lady is the most beautiful girl in the hall,’ Eleanora thought with pride. ’Even the Saintess and the Princesses here cannot compare to her when she is dressed up properly.’
When Evangeline had approached her for advice, Eleanora had wondered if it was for a boy.
When she’d asked who that boy was, Evangeline had only glared at her, prompting her to giggle and give up for the time being.
Even Victor, who was just talking with the Saintess, couldn’t help but stare at Evangeline as a thought rapidly took form in his head.
With a skin as thick as the thickest of Harmonia’s city walls, Victor smiled and excused himself before walking towards the beautiful lady, hoping to become her acquaintance.
As if waiting for that cue, a little bun entered the Grand Hall.
Dim Dim was wearing a cute tie that was wrapped around its body and carrying a little trumpet, which it played right beside the main door, as if announcing the arrival of someone.
Professor Rowan and the other Professors looked at the Dim Dim with curiosity.
However, Professor Arabella, the homeroom professor of Class C, suddenly felt anxious.
’I hope that Alex isn’t going to do something embarrassing!’ Professor Arabelle looked at the doorway with bated breath to see what her no-good-student was up to.