A paper lying on Cale’s desk, the party invitation he was supposed to bring, was left behind by the owner, who was already close to the venue, as if it were that important. The carriage brought them through the streets of Roan Kingdom; the guards would know who Cale Henituse and his companion, Anna Schneitzel, were once they got out. The carriage stopped before an impressive castle, which Cale is familiar with due to his relationship with the Crown Prince. Ron opened the carriage door, allowing the red-haired male to step out and stand before the door facing the lady in the carriage. He held out his hand, Anna took it, holding his in hers gently as she stepped out.

Cobblestones crackled under the lady’s heels. Soft eyes met Cale’s the moment Anna tilted her head up. Words barely exchanged after they exited the carriage, and their steps synchronized naturally towards the familiar entrance.

Cale’s eyes caught sight of Roan Kingdom’s nobles, an unavoidable situation for political talks, something both Cale and Anna were quite used to. “Would it be so bad to wish you good luck with those nobles?” the lady’s voice under a whisper, for only Cale to hear her, “Conversing with them does drain my energy fairly quickly, a good luck charm is not bad.” Cale’s hand softly patted the lady’s back. “Good luck to you, too, Anna.”

Within the blink of an eye, Cale was already within the circle of politicians, putting on his best expression—or the lack thereof, for his energy drains when he sees people. This was exhausting, and it was the thought that lingered within his mind the whole time. Anna’s legs brought her around the venue. Soft taps of her heels gave her a sight of politicians licking those who are at the higher levels, a sight that is distasteful yet normalized in Kingdoms. The glint in her sharp eyes darted from one dish to another, as did the huddled few circles of people pouring in gossip. These are not the things Anna likes, but listening to the blazing rumors between the people is pretty enjoyable. Each uttered word slides into her ears without effort, so one of the people she sees, Duke Granike Orsena, who seemed to be an ally to everyone, is heard talking in poison about Cale.

Anna picked small portions of the dishes, the click-clack of her heels bringing her closer to Duke Granike Orsena flawlessly. Her lips turned to a small smile as she took in every word spat out with venom by the Duke.

With each dish and beverage Anna took, she learned more from one noble to another politician. When Cale arrives, he is surrounded by the same politicians, sitting on the couch with Ron standing close to the group.

Nonsense spewed off every politician absorbed into Cale’s head, and some might flow out when it is received with his ears. Thanks to Taylor’s close presence, Cale can respond to every nonsense without sighing.

Spending time with those people grips Cale’s energy tightly, and his gaze can’t stay in one place despite sipping delightful wine and enjoying the assortments. His eyes fell back to his companion at the feast, lined up with a few pieces of cheese and dried meat on her plate. Anna seemed to enjoy the party just fine. Cale smiled; there was no need to worry about her participating in the event.

Cale’s lips slipped word after word with other people, though his mind momentarily slipped to think of something else, and the slight daydream was broken by a new topic brought to the table. With His Highness leading their discussion, Cale observes more nonsense thrown at the Crown Prince. Poor Him. Each time the nobles spew random unrelated words, Cale felt his life reduced by another year and another.

If not for his gaze falling on Anna the second time, he would have been swallowed by the boredom caused by every scheme spilling out of nobles’ lips. Anna seemed beautiful, which brought Cale back from his trance. Her cheeks slightly flushed—perhaps it was the illusion to his eyes—and her slight smile as she took a bite of the dessert she took was surprisingly wretched his heart—a little. But Cale won’t admit that out loud.

His attention moved back to the tedious politicians, his back leaned against the sofa, before his posture returned to slightly upright when his eyes locked onto Anna, again. This time, his view of her was one of worry. The steps she made with her heels were quite unsteady-looking, and one could faintly hear the sigh Cale exhaled. To others' eyes, Anna doesn’t seem off-looking, but for those who know Anna, a glance could show how her calm and elegant demeanor isn’t at the sight. Though from Cale’s eyes, she is still mesmerizing.

“Where have you been?” the question, a rhetorical one, escaped Cale’s lips the first time the moment his lady came close, “What did you do?” his added question came softer than the previous one, accusatory tone are far from it, concern wrapped over the four worded question tightly.

How Anna looked when Cale gazed at her was almost like she was intoxicated. The latter’s eyes turned to the wine bottles and glasses on his table, back to the feast, mind reeling to get an understanding.

Anna stepped a few steps closer, yet still an arm's length away from Cale, her bright eyes turning slightly docile. “Eating.” Her voice was laced with her usual serene tone, yet flatter this time. The simple reply gave Cale a similar tone: “What have you been eating?” His gaze fell to Anna, to the feast laid out over the tables, and returned to Anna with concern after he finally understood.

Before his companion could reply, Cale’s additional words of worry became the turning wheel of that day, “Come and take a seat here.” That set of words didn’t get any reply from Anna, resulting in Cale’s eyebrows knitting from confusion. His words to address that moment died down once his companion’s legs moved towards him.

As she walked, every part of Anna’s brain conflicted; Cale should not tell her to sit when he is not pulling one out. Cale would do that every once in a while, and it became a routine. Anna’s brain kicked in to do the most logical thing when the routine was broken. To sit at that empty spot.

Cale slightly lifted his hip to move and make a spot for Anna, his hand already tapping the empty spot. “Over here—” the former’s words stopped when the latter, surprisingly, perched herself over Cale’s lap. Fabrics of red and black flowed down the former’s legs as Anna made herself comfortable.