Chapter 182: A Dance With The Enemy
The grand doors of the ballroom swung open, drawing the guests’ attention. They quickly gathered around, eager to catch a glimpse of the commotion.
Standing at a distance, Anna strained her neck to get a better view. However, her shorter stature hindered her vision, and she struggled to see beyond the crowd to discern the arrival of the new guests.
A wave of relief washed over the attendees as Lord James’s voice reverberated through the air, soothing the previously cautious atmosphere.
"It’s all right! There was just a misunderstanding. Everyone, please welcome His Excellency Lord Brone Morro and his men," he announced.
The tension that had gripped the room began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of calm and acceptance. The guests bowed respectfully, and the ladies curtsied, extending gestures of respect towards the Bargesians. Brone’s proud smile mirrored the gratitude he felt towards the warm reception.
As the minister took the opportunity to introduce the Ardel’s ambassador to the other guests who had yet to meet him, Brone approached Lord James with a polite request.
"Lord James, since this is the celebration for the newly declared concubine of His Highness, the Grand Duke of Gerhard, would you kindly introduce me to them? I have not had the pleasure of meeting the esteemed couple before," he inquired courteously.
"Of course!" the minister exclaimed, his gaze scanning the room in search of Kyren, but the grand duke was nowhere to be found.
"I don’t see His Highness... Perhaps he has stepped out for a moment. But, ah... there’s Lady Raychard! Let’s go and meet her!" Lord James’s smile widened as he noticed Anna conversing with Meredith and Sylvia.
Across the ballroom, Anna leaned in and asked her friends, her tone slightly muffled by the music emanating from the nearby orchestra, "Who just arrived? I couldn’t catch the name announced by Lord James."
Sylvia shrugged, her brows furrowed in uncertainty. "I’m not sure."