Evening fell over Silverhaven with the weight of silken stars and golden laughter.
Within one of the grand mansions nestled close to the palace, white marble pillars gleaming under torchlight, lanterns swayed and crystal chandeliers bathed the ballroom in amber glow. The Yukishiro estate, proud and pristine, echoed with the soft rustle of noble gowns and polite murmurs as Silverhaven's elite gathered.
Hinagiku stood near one of the balconies, her pale white kimono shimmering subtly in the candlelight, embroidered with lavender blossoms. Her hair had been done up in elaborate twists with ornaments of silver and white jade.
She looked beautiful.
But her eyes were distant.
Sebas, ever the composed butler, stood nearby as Hina's father, Lord Harunobu Yukishiro, made his rounds through the guests, viscountesses, merchant lords, and knight-commanders all in attendance.
The night was flawless.
Except for the pit deep in Hina's stomach.
Music played gently in the background, soft flutes and koto strings, while silver trays of delicacies floated between the guests like spirits.
Then, as Lord Yukishiro stepped onto the raised dais in the center of the room and clapped once, the music faded.
"Honored guests," he said with warmth and pride,
Lord Yukishiro: I thank you all for attending this banquet. Tonight is not merely a gathering of esteemed peers, but also a celebration. A union."
Hina's stomach tightened.
Lord Yukishiro: My daughter, Hinagiku, is to be wed,
Lord Yukishiro continued, and scattered gasps and applause rippled across the crowd.
Lord Yukishiro: To a nobleman from the western territories, a strong ally to our family, and a pillar of support to the Kingdom."
Murmurs of speculation began.
Hina lowered her gaze. Her fingers tightened at her side.
Lord Yukishiro smiled proudly.
Lord Yukishiro: I shall announce her fiancé's name in just a moment.
Suddenly, just as he took a breath to continue, the great doors of the banquet hall opened.
A hush swept the room like a winter breeze.
A man stepped inside.
Clad in midnight blue noblewear with silver-lined trim, he walked with calm authority, each step like the striking of a bell. His tunic bore a violet dragon insignia across the back, majestic, elegant, and unmistakable.
The emblem of the House of Everis.
Gasps erupted.
A lady dropped her fan. A noble lord nearly choked on his wine.
Even Lord Yukishiro froze mid-sentence.
The man's black hair swept behind him in a tied tail, and his deep crimson eyes swept across the room with quiet confidence. At his hip, no weapon, yet none dared challenge his presence.
"Who… who is that?" someone whispered.
"The Violet Dragon…"
"That emblem, wasn't that gifted only by the King himself?"
"House Everis… the royal allies..."
Lord Yukishiro stepped forward slowly, eyes wide. "You…"
Red stopped before the dais and bowed slightly.
Red: Forgive my intrusion,
Red said calmly, his voice deep and velvety,
Red: but I could not ignore a noble celebration without extending my own respects."
"Y-You wear the emblem of House Everis," Yukishiro stammered.
Red met his gaze evenly.
Red: Yes, bestowed by the King himself.
Murmurs exploded again, speculation, awe, suspicion.
Yukishiro glanced at his daughter, whose eyes were equally wide, though for very different reasons.
"May I ask what brings you to my humble estate, Lord…?" Yukishiro prompted.
"I go by Red," he answered simply.
Someone gasped. "The Black Blade?"
"The slayer of the Goblin King?"
"The one rumored to have fought beside the White Storm Party?"
Red raised a hand slightly, and the murmurs fell.
Red: I come only to observe, But I must confess, upon hearing rumors of this engagement, I found myself… concerned.
Lord Yukishiro stiffened. "Concerned?"
Red nodded.
Red: It is a delicate arrangement, of course. I respect that. But I believe an engagement should not only serve the Kingdom, it should respect the will of the one it concerns most.
His eyes flicked to Hina.
The crowd turned to her, all eyes now fixed.
Hina swallowed hard.
Red turned back to Yukishiro.
Red: I do not mean to disrupt your honor or insult your judgment, Lord Yukishiro. I merely… wished to attend and speak if needed.
Lord Yukishiro: You understand,
Yukishiro said slowly, voice measured,
Lord Yukishiro: that cancelling this arrangement now would reflect poorly on both families involved.
Red: I understand, And I do not seek to shame either.
Lord Yukishiro: Then what solution do you propose?
Red hesitated. "Only that there may yet be another way"
"There is," Hina said suddenly, her voice clear and unwavering.
All heads snapped to her.
She stepped forward from the balcony and descended the stairs to the central floor.
Her father looked alarmed. "Hina?"
Hina: If it's shame you're worried about, Father… then let there be no shame.
She turned to face the crowd.
Hina: I am already engaged.
Gasps exploded again. Yukishiro nearly dropped his goblet.
Lord Yukishiro: Wh-What? To whom!?
Hina stepped closer to Red.
A beat of silence.
Then, calmly, and with cheeks burning, she said:
Hina: To Lord Red.
The room froze.
Red blinked.
He looked at Hina. Then at her father. Then back at her.
Silence.
Then:
Red:…What?
Hina turned to him with a polite, pleading smile. "Play along. Please."
Red remained silent.
His mind, a fortress of composure and strategy, had been broken.
"I thought it better this way," Hina whispered quickly.
Hina: He can't oppose the Violet Dragon's backing. No one can. And you're the only one I trust.
The silence stretched.
Everyone was watching.
Finally, Red… chuckled.
Just once.
He turned to Lord Yukishiro, who stood there gaping like a man struck by divine lightning.
Red: I… see, It would seem the decision has been made.
More gasps.
Lord Yukishiro blinked. Then cleared his throat loudly.
Lord Yukishiro: I… well. I… This is quite the surprise.
"A better match, I think," one noble whispered nearby.
"Far more influential."
"Far more handsome," giggled a young lady.
Yukishiro coughed.
Lord Yukishiro: Well… in light of this development… I suppose the banquet shall shift its focus!
The musicians hesitantly resumed playing, and murmurs of speculation, admiration, and new gossip swirled across the ballroom like storm clouds.
Hina stepped beside Red and leaned toward him, still smiling.
Hina:…You're not mad?
Red chuckled again. "I'm mostly stunned."
Hina: You'll help me, then?
He glanced down at her.
Red: You know this changes everything, right?
"I'm counting on it," she said, her smile mischievous.
He sighed. "This better be worth it."
Hina: It is," she said with a spark in her eyes.
Across the ballroom, Lord Kenzairu Arakashi, previously prepared to be introduced stormed out through the side door in frustration.
And thus, with grace and a bold declaration, Hinagiku Yukishiro rewrote her fate in a single breath.
And Red, the man who once walked alone, now found himself entangled in politics, rumors… and something far more chaotic:
An engagement he hadn't expected.