Lukas observed the host for the first time.

Count Hark was imposing.

Tall, almost as tall as Clavor, but with broader shoulders. Dark hair streaked with gray, combed back neatly. Gray eyes, cold as steel, swept across the hall with the discipline of a military commander.

His smile was rare. But when it appeared, it was always directed toward his young daughter.

Lady Elara. The birthday girl.

She wore a light blue dress adorned with small silver flowers embroidered along the hem and cuffs. Her brown hair had been carefully styled into two side braids, tied with blue ribbons.

She held her father’s hand tightly. She seemed nervous. But happy.

Her brown eyes wandered around the hall, over the people and the gifts. Her mouth opened slightly whenever she saw something that caught her attention, a beautiful dress, a sparkling piece of jewelry, a child around her age.

Before Lukas could observe her any longer...

The herald announced once again.

"Marquis Seredin Volkar, representative of the Kingdom of Elaris!"

Another silence spread through the hall.

The man who entered had long black hair tied behind his head in a low ponytail. He wore dark green robes decorated with silver embroidery, leaves, stars, and symbols Lukas did not recognize.

His eyes were light green, shining like emeralds beneath the light.

His family accompanied him: a wife with red hair and brown eyes and three young children, all bearing their father’s dark hair.

The Volkar family crest depicted a great tree surrounded by stars upon a dark green field.

"Elaris," Aurora commented quietly.

"A kingdom famous for its scholars and mages. They say the libraries of Elaris are the largest on the continent."

Lukas felt his curiosity deepen even further. People from other kingdoms. Other cultures. Other histories. All gathered within that same hall.

"It’s incredible..." he murmured.

Judite nodded vigorously.

"I want to talk to everyone."

"Not everyone," Aurora corrected immediately.

Judite pouted. Lukas held back a laugh.

The doors continued to open. New announcements echoed through the hall. More families arrived. More alliances were reinforced. More opportunities emerged.

Meanwhile, Lukas observed. Learned. Tried to understand how that aristocratic world functioned.

For the first time since he had been reborn... he felt that he was witnessing something truly important.

Not merely a celebration. But a gathering of influence. A silent demonstration of power. And at the same time...

The celebration of a five-year-old girl’s birthday.

The music grew slightly louder. Servants distributed fresh drinks. Laughter began filling the atmosphere.

Lukas looked around. At Clavor, speaking with other nobles. At Aurora, exchanging polite greetings. At Judite, swinging her feet beneath the table, unable to contain her excitement for the small children’s tournament.

Then his gaze returned to Lady Elara. The young noble smiled as she received congratulations.

Completely unaware of the political alliances, discreet negotiations, and games of influence unfolding around her.

At that moment... she was simply a child celebrating her own birthday.

Lukas smiled.

Perhaps that was the most beautiful part of that night. Even amidst the grandeur of the nobility...

There was still room for something simple. A family gathered together. Friends in attendance.

And the genuine happiness of a little girl welcoming important guests to celebrate another year of her life.

...

The music continued to fill the grand hall.

Gentle strings blended with the delicate sound of flutes, creating an elegant atmosphere that seemed to envelop all those present like an invisible blanket. The notes echoed between the stone columns, rose toward the crystal chandeliers, and danced among the tapestries hanging on the walls.

Servants moved silently among the guests, offering colorful beverages in crystal glasses, ruby-red wines, golden white wines, berry juices for the children, and small portions of carefully prepared appetizers: smoked salmon canapés, miniature mushroom pies, and meat skewers with sweet-and-sour sauce.

Lukas observed everything.

The tapestries hanging between the stone columns depicted scenes from historical battles, knights confronting beasts, armies marching across bridges, castles under siege. The colors remained vibrant, the details meticulous, while dark stains along the edges hinted at their advanced age.

The enormous crystal chandeliers suspended from the lofty ceiling reflected candlelight into thousands of tiny sparkling points, creating patterns that shifted with the movement of the air throughout the hall.

The crests of noble families embroidered upon banners descending from the walls formed a mosaic of colors and symbols, eagles, wolves, lions, trees, mountains, swords, and stars.

Everything seemed to have stepped directly out of the books he had been reading over the past few months.

"Lord Dmond!"

A middle-aged man approached, dressed in refined garments shaded in wine red and gold.

His smile was cordial, but his small dark eyes scanned the room with the shrewdness of someone evaluating opportunities.

Clavor rose to his feet.

"Baron Esten."

The two exchanged a firm, professional handshake.

"These are my children. Lukas and Judite."

The man turned his attention toward the children.

"So this is young Lukas? I’ve already heard some interesting remarks about you."

Lukas inclined his head slightly.

"It is a pleasure to meet you."

The baron seemed surprised.

"Quite well-mannered."

Judite performed an exaggerated curtsy, arms spread wide and head lowered as though greeting a king.

"And I’m Judite!"

The man laughed.

"Charming."

Not long afterward, another family approached. Then another. And yet another.

Lukas quickly realized that this was one of the celebration’s true purposes.

Connections. Introductions. Relationships.

The adults spoke about travel, the roads had become dangerous lately, with bandits attacking caravans, commerce, the price of ore had risen while textiles had become cheaper, military training, the young son of a certain viscount had been accepted into the Royal Academy of Rhyne, and recent events within the kingdom, the king was ill, some claimed, while others insisted it was merely a cold.

The children were introduced to one another. Like tiny seeds planted to blossom years later.

"This is my son, Arlen."

"My daughter, Cecilia."

"Young Theo, come greet the children of House Dmond."

Lukas responded politely to everyone. But gradually... he began losing interest.

"My father said I’ll get a horse when I turn seven."

"I have a collection of precious gemstones."

"My governess doesn’t let me eat pies before dinner."

Lukas maintained his courteous smile. Internally, however...

’I was reading about serpents capable of inducing hallucinations.’

’Why would I care about shiny rocks?’

A blonde-haired girl approached him.

"What’s your favorite game?"

Lukas remained silent for a few seconds.

"Reading about magical beasts."

The girl blinked.

"Oh."

She moved away shortly afterward.