Ezra’s eyes narrowed slightly the moment Cyrus noticed him.

Even from across the ballroom, he caught the brief change in Cyrus’ expression.

The distraction lasted only a heartbeat.

Still...

It was enough for Cyrus to almost miss a step during the dance.

"Sir Cyrus?"

The young lady dancing with him looked up with concern. Her hands remained gently resting in his as they continued moving with the rhythm of the music.

"Is something wrong?"

Cyrus immediately recovered his composure.

"It’s nothing."

He smiled awkwardly.

"I’m simply not very good at dancing."

The girl blinked before shaking her head.

"No, Sir Cyrus. I think you’re doing very well."

A slightly brighter smile appeared on Cyrus’ face.

"You really think so?"

"Of course."

She answered without hesitation.

"Thank you."

He politely inclined his head before guiding her into another smooth turn.

Outwardly...

His smile remained warm and gentlemanly.

Inside...

His thoughts were completely different.

She’s probably wondering how she can get close to Ravenor through me.

The thought crossed his mind so naturally that he almost laughed to himself.

Everyone always wants something.

Even so...

None of those thoughts appeared on his face.

He continued dancing with calm elegance, making sure not to reveal what was running through his mind.

As for Ravenor...

Cyrus casually shifted his gaze across the dance floor.

His stepbrother was dancing with the very first young lady who had successfully passed the interview Sasha personally held for him.

Coincidentally...

The girl dancing with Cyrus had also been Sasha’s very first choice from the group selected for him.

The two brothers exchanged a brief glance.

Almost at the exact same moment...

Both quietly sighed.

Neither needed to say a word.

They already knew what the other was thinking.

That shameless, money-loving stepsister...

Because of Sasha’s ridiculous matchmaking scheme...

They still had several more partners waiting for them before the evening ended.

Not far away...

Sasha stood comfortably near the edge of the ballroom with both hands clasped behind her back.

A mischievous smile slowly spread across her face as she watched her two stepbrothers continue dancing.

She looked completely satisfied with herself.

Every now and then, she quietly nodded, as though admiring the results of her own hard work.

Seeing the reluctant expressions they occasionally tried to hide only made her smile even wider.

Meanwhile...

Ezra quietly walked toward the side of the ballroom where several other students had chosen to remain spectators instead of joining the current dance.

Unlike many formal balls...

Tonight’s welcome celebration had been divided into three separate dance sessions.

The dance currently taking place...

Was the First Core.

After its conclusion...

Everyone would be given a thirty-minute break to rest before the Second Core officially began.

Following that...

The Third Core would serve as the final dance of the evening and formally close the Royal Academy’s welcoming ball.

Each dance session itself would last two full hours.

The arrangement allowed students who wished to dance with multiple partners enough time to do so without exhausting themselves too quickly.

As the performance continued...

Time quietly slipped away.

Forty-five minutes into the First Core...

The partner rotation naturally began.

The orchestra never stopped playing.

Guided by Selena’s flawless leadership, the melody continued flowing through the ballroom with the same elegant rhythm.

One pair after another politely exchanged partners according to the schedule arranged for the evening.

The entire transition happened so smoothly that the music never felt interrupted.

Veda had already completed his first dance with Linda.

When the first fifteen minutes ended, he politely thanked her before changing partners.

His next dance belonged to Tracy.

Another fifteen minutes passed.

The music continued.

The dancers rotated once more.

This time...

Veda found himself dancing with a young noble lady from a Count family.

He adjusted effortlessly to each new partner.

His movements remained composed and natural regardless of who stood opposite him.

Elsewhere...

Cyrus followed the same schedule.

Every fifteen minutes...

A different young lady stepped forward to become his next dance partner.

By the time the first hour had passed...

He could already feel the fatigue building beneath his calm expression.

His legs remained steady.

His posture remained elegant.

His smile never disappeared.

Only Cyrus himself knew how exhausted he was becoming.

How many more...?

He silently asked himself.

Unfortunately...

The answer was still quite a few.

The music continued filling the Grand Ballroom.

Elegant dresses swayed with every turn.

Leather shoes glided across the polished marble floor.

Laughter occasionally mixed with the orchestra’s melody before disappearing beneath the sound of violins and pianos.

Students who weren’t dancing quietly gathered around the edges of the ballroom, watching friends, chatting among themselves, or enjoying desserts served by the attendants.

Before anyone realized it...

Nearly two hours had already passed.

Selena sensed the approaching end long before the dancers did.

Her fingers gently shifted across the piano keys.

Without disrupting the melody...

She gradually guided the orchestra into a slower, softer rhythm.

The lively music gently settled.

Every transition felt natural.

No note sounded forced.

It was as though the melody itself understood that the First Core had reached its conclusion.

The dancers instinctively slowed their movements.

One final turn.

One final step.

Then...

The last note echoed gently throughout the hall.

Selena slowly lifted her hands away from the piano.

Silence lasted only a heartbeat.

Clap!

Clap!

Clap!

The applause erupted throughout the Grand Ballroom.

Students applauded with genuine admiration.

Many wore satisfied smiles after enjoying both the dance and the performance.

Selena slowly stood from the piano bench.

A thin layer of perspiration rested upon her forehead, while a few strands of hair lightly clung to her skin.

Playing continuously for two hours while leading an entire orchestra had naturally demanded both concentration and stamina.

She quietly took a deep breath.

Then another.

Her breathing gradually steadied.

Only after regaining her composure did, she turn toward the audience.

A graceful smile returned to her face.

With flawless etiquette...

She gently lifted the sides of her dress and offered everyone an elegant bow.

The applause only grew louder.

"Amazing!"

"Lady Selena!"

"That performance was so beautiful!"

Praise echoed from different corners of the ballroom.

Many non-noble students openly called her name.

Some young nobles even nodded in appreciation.

One young non-noble boy who had just finished dancing looked toward his partner with an excited smile.

"I have to admit...Having someone this talented in our year is incredible."

His partner smiled while continuing to applaud.

"I was thinking the same thing. The entire performance felt wonderful."

Selena slowly turned away from the audience.

Instead of accepting all the praise for herself...

She faced the orchestra behind her.

Without hesitation...

She offered them another respectful bow.

"You were all amazing."

Her voice remained as gentle as ever.

The conductor quickly shook his head.

"Please don’t say that, Lady Selena."

"You’re embarrassing us."

The orchestra members nodded one after another.

"He’s right."

"We simply followed your lead."

Selena couldn’t help letting out a soft laugh.

She covered her mouth politely before smiling at everyone.

"Thank you everyone."

Her sincere gratitude made several orchestra members smile in return.

The atmosphere between them remained warm and respectful as the First Core of the welcoming ball officially came to an end.

The applause had barely begun to settle when several familiar young ladies hurried toward Selena.

They had clearly been waiting for the performance to end.

Without needing a single instruction, each of them naturally stepped into her assigned role, as though they had rehearsed the routine countless times before.

One girl carried a neatly folded white hand towel.

Another carefully held a ceramic plate with a slice of dessert already prepared for Selena.

A third girl approached with a chilled drink in both hands, condensation slowly rolling down the side of the glass.

The fourth and fifth girls each carried elegant folding fans, while the sixth held a small crystal bottle of perfume.

Their movements were orderly.

No one spoke over another.

Each girl simply did what she had come to do.

Selena smiled gently at the orchestra before leaving.

She raised one hand in a graceful farewell.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Several orchestra members smiled and waved back.

"It was an honor performing with you, Lady Selena."

"Can’t wait to play together again. For the Second core"

Selena nodded lightly before allowing the girls to escort her away from the stage.

As they walked...

The first girl carefully unfolded the white towel and gently dabbed the thin beads of sweat from Selena’s forehead and cheeks.

Every movement was slow and delicate.

She was careful not to disturb Selena’s makeup or the neat arrangement of her hair.

At the same time...

The two girls holding fans stood on either side of Selena, creating a steady breeze that gradually cooled the warmth lingering from her two-hour performance.

The refreshing airflow gently lifted a few loose strands of her hair.

Only after the perspiration had been cleaned away did Selena accept the chilled drink from the third girl.

She lifted the glass with both hands and took several small sips.

The cool drink soothed her throat almost immediately after the long performance.

Once she finished drinking...

She handed the glass back before accepting the ceramic plate of dessert.

Using the small fork placed neatly beside it, she took a modest bite.

She neither hurried nor slowed her pace.

Everything about her remained graceful.

Even something as simple as eating dessert seemed refined in the eyes of those watching her.

The last girl quietly uncorked the crystal perfume bottle.

With practiced movements, she lightly sprayed a delicate fragrance around Selena’s shoulders and dress.

The pleasant floral scent quickly replaced any trace of perspiration left from her performance.

Selena smiled softly.

"Thank you, everyone."

"It wasn’t anything."

One of the girls smiled brightly.

"It is our duty to take care of Lady Selena."

The others nodded one after another.

After finishing her dessert...

Selena slowly flexed her fingers.

She stretched them gently before pressing each fingertip against the opposite hand.

Playing the piano continuously for two hours had placed considerable strain on her hands.

With another performance waiting during the Second Core...

She quietly warmed her fingers back up, making sure they remained loose and responsive.

The break wasn’t only for her.

Throughout the Grand Ballroom...

Students also began using the thirty-minute interval to recover their energy.

Some accepted chilled drinks from the servants.

Others gathered around the dessert tables.

Several noble ladies chatted cheerfully while enjoying slices of cake.

Groups of young gentlemen laughed among themselves as they discussed the dances from the First Core.

The servants moved efficiently between the students, replacing empty trays with fresh desserts and refilling drinks without disturbing the lively atmosphere.

Before long...

The ballroom was once again filled with conversations, laughter, and the soft clinking of glasses.

Among all that activity...

Ezra remained exactly where he had been.

He leaned comfortably against one of the marble pillars near the dessert tables, quietly holding a ceramic plate in one hand.

On it rested a slice of vanilla cake covered with smooth vanilla icing.

He slowly cut off another small piece before placing it into his mouth.

His attention wasn’t on the conversations surrounding him.

He simply enjoyed the quiet moment while the others rested.

"Is vanilla your favorite flavor?"

A familiar dry voice reached him from the front.

Ezra lifted his black eyes.

Vera had somehow appeared without him noticing.

Yet again.

She stopped beside him before leaning her shoulder lightly against the same marble wall.

Her own ceramic plate rested comfortably in one hand.

A slice of red velvet cake sat neatly upon it.

Ezra looked back at his cake.

"No."

He answered honestly.

"But I don’t eat chocolate cake."

His reply was as plain as ever.

Vera glanced down at the cake on her own plate.

"We’ll be taking the floor during the Second Core."

She said it as though she were reminding him of the weather.

Her expression remained perfectly calm.

"I can’t wait to see your dance skills."

Ezra slowly turned his head toward her.

The corner of his mouth moved ever so slightly.

"Like the young lord would say..."

His voice carried the faintest trace of sarcasm while his eyes darted to where Veda was for only a second, before it went back to his vanilla cake.

"You don’t look particularly excited."

Vera quietly looked back at him.

For several seconds...

She simply stared.

Then...

"Ehnnn..."

A thoughtful sound escaped her lips.

She slowly raised her fork and pointed it toward Ezra.

"You’re now playing sarcasm with me?"

She tilted her head ever so slightly.

"I believe... that’s what people call growth."

Her tone remained completely flat.

"Isn’t that right... Ezra Ashenlocke?"

Ezra calmly looked at the fork aimed in his direction before meeting her eyes again.

"I suppose."

He replied without denying it.

Vera lowered the fork back onto her plate.

With an effortless movement, she neatly sliced off a small piece of the red velvet cake.

The cake remained perfectly intact despite the clean cut.

She lifted the bite with her fork.

Without saying another word...

She casually held it toward Ezra.

"Do you want some?"

There wasn’t the slightest embarrassment on her face.

Nor did she appear to think there was anything unusual about the gesture.

Ezra looked at the piece of cake for only a brief moment.

Then...

Without hesitation...

He leaned forward.

The piece of red velvet cake disappeared into his mouth in one clean bite.

Vera’s eyes twitched almost imperceptibly.

It was such a tiny reaction that anyone else would have missed it.

Even the hand holding the fork froze for a fraction of a second.

Ezra calmly finished chewing before swallowing unbothered.

After a brief moment of consideration, he looked back at Vera.

"I think...I prefer the red velvet...more than the vanilla."

Ezra spoke as plainly as ever, as though he hadn’t just done something that left nearly everyone within sight completely stunned.

He simply stood there, holding his ceramic plate as if tasting someone else’s cake with the same fork was the most ordinary thing in the world.

Around them...

The students froze.

Several pairs of eyes widened.

Others blinked repeatedly, almost questioning whether they had imagined what they had just witnessed.

One noble boy slowly rubbed his own eyes in pure disbelief.

A young lady beside him quietly covered her mouth.

Even a few servants standing behind the dessert tables exchanged bewildered glances.

Did...

Did he really just...?

The same question echoed through countless minds at the same time.

Nobody dared to say it aloud.

The atmosphere around Ezra and Vera became strangely quiet despite the lively ballroom surrounding them.

Even Vera herself wasn’t completely prepared for what had just happened.

Her fork remained suspended in the air for the briefest moment.

She looked at Ezra.

Then at the now-empty fork.

Then back at Ezra again.

The tiny twitch at the corner of her eyes was the only sign that she had been genuinely caught off guard.

For someone who rarely showed much emotion...

That reaction alone was enough to reveal how unexpected Ezra’s action had been.

"Vera..."

Ezra calmly called her name.

"Yes."

Her reply came a little slower than usual.

The slight hesitation barely lasted an instant before she naturally returned to her usual composed expression.

It was as though the brief surprise had never existed.

Ezra glanced toward the center of the ballroom.

"The Second Core is starting."

He raised one hand slightly, pointing toward the students who had already begun gathering around the dance floor.

Vera followed his gaze.

"I follow wherever you go."

She answered in her usual dry tone.

There wasn’t any hesitation in her voice.

Nor did she sound embarrassed by what had happened moments earlier.

It was simply another statement of fact.

The two quietly walked toward one of the collection tables positioned around the ballroom.

Several butlers stood neatly behind it.

Students who wished to continue eating their desserts after dancing could leave their ceramic plates there.

If any cake or dessert remained unfinished...

The butlers would carefully wrap the plate before attaching a small name tag bearing the owner’s name.

That way...

The students could simply return after dancing and continue enjoying their desserts without worrying about leaving it in the open.

Ezra placed his half-finished vanilla cake onto the table.

Vera also calmly did the same with her red velvet cake.

One of the butlers immediately stepped forward.

"Mr. Ezra. Lady Vera."

He politely bowed.

"We’ll keep them safe until your return."

Ezra simply nodded once.

Vera replied with a small nod of her own before the two turned toward the ballroom once again.

The Second Core had officially begun.

Compared to the First Core...

This dance attracted even more attention.

Many of the influential nobles who had spent the earlier session observing or resting now began making their way toward the center of the ballroom.

Among them...

Fatima stepped onto the dance floor together with her step brother, Starke.

The two naturally assumed their positions as brother and sister.

Quite a few students looked at them with puzzled expressions.

Whispers quietly spread throughout the ballroom.

"They’re dancing together?"

"I thought Lady Fatima would choose someone else."

"Didn’t several noble heirs ask her already?"

One young lady quietly smiled.

"Knowing Lady Fatima... I’m honestly not surprised."

"She’s always been impossible to approach."

Another student nodded.

"Exactly."

"If dancing with her own brother keeps troublesome admirers away... then it actually sounds like something she’d do."

The brief curiosity quickly disappeared.

Everyone simply accepted the explanation and moved on.

Not far away...

Another pair immediately attracted even greater attention.

Princess Stella gracefully stepped onto the dance floor.

Standing opposite her...

Was Veda.

The moment the two appeared together, countless eyes immediately gathered upon them.

Students couldn’t help whispering among themselves.

"The Third Princess... and Sir Veda."

"They look surprisingly good together."

Elsewhere...

Prince Tristin quietly extended his hand toward Grace Evergrey.

Grace accepted with her usual elegance.

The two exchanged proper greetings before taking their positions.

Nearby...

Gareth also stepped onto the floor.

During the First Core, he had danced with Paige.

Now...

Standing opposite him was Lyra.

The partner rotation continued exactly as planned.

Sasha cheerfully walked toward Prince Charles.

The Fourth Prince sighed helplessly the moment he saw her approaching.

Sasha only smiled more brightly.

She looked completely pleased with herself.

Meanwhile...

Maxwell calmly guided Cherry toward the dance floor.

Cherry still looked thoroughly frightened.

Her small hands nervously clutched the back of Maxwell’s formal coat.

Even after reaching the dance floor...

She refused to let go.

"I... I don’t want to do this, Sir Maxwell..."

Her voice trembled noticeably.

Even her legs shook slightly beneath her elegant dress.

Maxwell couldn’t help letting out a small laugh.

"Now...Now...Cherry."

He looked at her with a gentle smile.

"No one is paying attention to us. And even if they are... nothing will happen."

Cherry immediately puffed her cheeks.

"You’re so mean... How can you laugh at me?"

She looked as though she might cry at any moment.

Maxwell’s smile softened.

"I’m sorry."

Without making the movement seem awkward...

He gently adjusted his grip around her hands.

"You don’t have to be nervous. I’m here."

Cherry slowly raised her eyes.

She found herself staring directly into Maxwell’s gentle smile.

Her face instantly turned bright red.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Almost unconsciously...

Her fingers tightened around his hands.

Seeing that she had calmed down slightly...

Maxwell gently led her toward the center of the ballroom.

Nearby...

Cyrus returned to the dance floor once again.

So did Ravenor.

This time...

Ravenor’s partner was Willow.

Felix calmly adjusted the cuff of his sleeve before stepping forward.

Desmond followed shortly after, wearing the same innocent smile he always carried, as though the confrontation from earlier had never happened.

Basil and the remaining high-status nobles also entered the dance floor one after another.

Little by little...

The Second Core became filled with many of Britannia’s most outstanding young nobles.

Then...

Ezra and Vera quietly stepped onto the ballroom floor together.

The moment they appeared...

It felt as though an invisible switch had been flipped.

Conversations gradually softened.

One after another...

Heads turned toward them.

Students who had been speaking quietly with friends found themselves looking over almost instinctively.

Many eyes carried admiration.

Some admired Vera.

Others admired Ezra.

Some simply appreciated how striking the pair looked standing side by side.

Of course...

Not every gaze was filled with goodwill.

Among the countless pairs of eyes...

Many carried unmistakable jealousy.

Some looked at Vera with envy.

Others...

Directed every bit of that jealousy toward Ezra.

To them...

The boy standing beside one of Britannia’s Flowers looked far too fortunate.

Yet...

Neither Ezra nor Vera paid any attention to the countless gazes following their every step as they calmly walked toward the center of the dance floor.