last met?" Frank's voice, tinged with a warmth that held a hint

revealing nothing of her true feelings. It irked me that Frank addressed her

audacity that would have shocked any observer, she retorted, her words sharp as a dagg

s maid granted her liberties most could only dream of, an

's voice, calm but firm, filled the space.

Frank. Laura, however, though inwardly supportive of Aqua's daring spirit, couldn't let the bre

ilence over further entanglement, letting Aqua's indignant huff dissipate in

Her gaze swept across the room, seeking out the figure of David, the object of her keen interest. As her eyes f

through the onlooking crowd, their curiosity piqued by the

teps carried her towards me, each stride confident and purposeful, the smile on her face a beacon of genuine ple

of beauty that graced the county's landscape. But what truly set her apart was a fact that echoed through the halls of Zeh Nation l

s seventeenth year, an event to mark her status as the young miss of the illustrious Filla Family. It should

the dishes, a sinister hand aiming to snuff out lives and sow chaos among the high-ranking officials in attendance. The plot was no

njamin, renowned for astute business acumen; the Medu, holders of a storied history of knowledge; the Zepha, masters of i

reservoir of knowledge was vast, our understanding deep enough to unravel the plot. Just as the cake was

bite. Slowly, the cake lost its mystic aura, revealing the insidious nature of the plot. The poison, cunning in its design, was revealed to be a sinister curse that sapped its victim's magic, leaving them defens

ateful event, Laura found herself ensnared by my memory. Her heart quickened with each

lur, leaving only me in sharp focus. This did not escape Frank's discerning eye; his once-neutral expression

umes. "Indeed, Miss Laura. I trust you've been well," I replied, my voice carrying a note of wa

wing like a gentle stream, sending ripples of imagination through the male guests. The room seemed to come alive with

iration, a rare sentiment from her. Her eyes held a glimmer of pride,

started? We haven't got all day." His tone had shifted, a clear sign of his unease with Laura's eas

g across the assembled guests before she gracefully moved to the forefront. I observed

charm. While I held no romantic sentiment towards Laura, I couldn't deny her enchanting al

--

on. "I welcome everyone to my tea party. I have the privilege of rep

ating among the four clans. This year, it was the

attendee, her mastery surpassed all present. She had activated her Martial Soul two years prior, a fe

n revealed to the world abruptly, announced just a day after her birthday b

sudden, announced a day after her birthday ba

th chatter after Laur

to be invited

et start

e theme of

g to sample

er to inject a lively spirit into the gathering. Others, more well-informed, approached the occas

ion and anticipation as guest

ank would awaken," mused one,

owess; it's likely to be an animal,"

? It will likely be an elemental sport: Earth or

bout David?" inquired a fourth, d

yant Eyes or Overbearing Soul," declared another

nly ever had two martial souls," pondered

both?" queried yet another, cu

as if cautioning against entertai

u'll find in our little Dendoc County,"

eanwhile, an elderly man wheeled a medium-sized contraption into the hall. It stood half as tall as a grown man an

ugh the crowd as an aged butler from the Filla family ushered in the aw