Once inside, he saw the hall was already filled with many nobles, forming groups and talking while holding drinks. Watching the Duchess enter, many of them bowed to her.
The Duchess even gave a small speech, welcoming the guests.
The gathering was mostly for Ignivar and the branch families of Ignivar. There were also a few other noble families present.
The biggest reason for holding this gathering on this day was Arista's return.
His eyes scanned the crowd until he noticed a familiar figure near the staircase. He didn't know why, but he felt she was familiar. And his guess was right.
Lady Arista Ignivar, his elder stepsister or half-blood sister. Her skin tone was a little tanned. She was tall, with a fit body.
Bathed in the palace's golden glow, her crimson gown flowed like living fire, hugging every curve with an elegance that left nothing crude, only sublime. Her bosom was like Aeliana's big and round-shaped, making any man want to reach out and hold them. Gold shimmered at her throat and wrists, framing her like royalty. No, like something beyond that. Divine. Her hair, a fierce red color, was pinned with delicate precision, the curls cascading just enough to soften the sharpness in her violet gaze.
'Damned it! There are other noble women here as well, but only my family's women are the most beautiful and attractive ones here.' Azael shook his head tiredly.
How could fate be so cruel, for making him transmigrate into this family?
Arista, who was talking to Liana, looked in the direction of Azael and Aeliana. A smile formed on her face the moment she saw them. She strode toward them elegantly.
Arista's heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she approached, her crimson gown flowing behind her like a trail of flame. The murmurs in the hall seemed to quiet for a moment. Such was her presence.
"Mother," she greeted first, bowing her head slightly with a graceful smile. "You look stunning as always. Duchess Aeliana of Ignivar truly knows how to silence a room."
Aeliana's lips curved faintly, a rare smile on her expressionless face. "Flattery won't win you anything, Arista."
Arista chuckled lightly. "Oh, but it wasn't flattery, Mother. Merely the truth. The nobles were already staring the moment you entered the hall."
Liana rolled her eyes. "They were staring at you too, big sister. Half the men here forgot they brought their wives, just because of you."
"Liana." Aeliana's voice carried a warning edge again.
Liana just grinned, pretending innocence.
Azael stood a few steps back, observing quietly. From what he had read about the Valemont family, Arista was a prodigy. She was strong, confident, and respected among nobles and knights alike. The complete opposite of the frail young man he had replaced.
And now, as her gaze shifted toward him, he could feel the pressure of her presence. Sharp yet refined, like the edge of a well-forged blade.
"So, you finally decided to come out of your room," she said, crossing her arms lightly. Her tone wasn't mocking, but it carried a teasing weight, like an older sibling trying to provoke a reaction.
Azael smiled faintly. "It seems I had no choice. Otherwise, I'd be accused of dishonoring the family name."
Arista raised a brow. "Oh? You've grown a tongue. The last time I saw you, you couldn't even look me in the eye. I don't know if you were afraid or shy back then."
"Maybe I finally learned how to stand properly. Also, I can't remain in my room when my dear sister came back from a mission after a long time," Azael replied calmly, meeting her gaze.
That made her pause. The hall was noisy, but between them, there was a quiet tension. Never had Azael talked to her like that, or come to see her. His dear sister.
Aeliana watched the exchange with mild surprise, though she didn't comment.
Arista's lips slowly curved into a smirk. "You've changed, Azael."
"Change is inevitable," he said, his tone casual but confident. "I can't keep disappointing my dearest sister forever."
She chuckled softly. "That's quite a thing coming from someone who used to faint after a few minutes of practice."
Azael shrugged. "Maybe I'm full of surprises now. By the way, you truly look beautiful tonight."
Arista heard him clearly. She stepped closer, the faint scent of her perfume brushing against him. Warm and sharp, like crimson wine. "Well then, I'll be looking forward to seeing those surprises, little brother."
Her voice dropped slightly at the end. Not threatening, but challenging, as if she were testing the new version of the man before her.
She tilted her head slightly and smiled. "Also, thank you for the compliment. You look quite handsome yourself."
"I'll make sure not to disappoint," Azael replied, his violet eyes steady.
In reality, he was trying his best not to look at her cleavage.
He really wanted to, but he simply could not.
It was actually cruel.
For a brief moment, her gaze softened. Then she smiled, raised her hand, and patted his head gently like that of a kid. "Good. I'd love to see the new Azael in action then."
With that, she turned and joined a group of nobles near the center of the hall, her red gown catching the light like fire as she walked.
Azael was stunned. She literally patted his head like a kid in this hall.
Aeliana looked at Azael for a moment longer. "You handled that better than I expected." There was a little amusement in her tone as she saw Azael's shocked expression.
He came out of his trance, then turned to the Duchess.
Azael gave a small smirk. "I've been practicing my conversations lately."
"Hmm." She looked more amused. "Just remember, words can charm or destroy things in many ways. Be careful which ones you use."
As she moved to greet other nobles, Azael exhaled slowly. The atmosphere of the gathering pressed down on him. Elegance, politics, and hidden blades behind every smile.
'So this is the world of nobles,' he thought, glancing at the glittering crowd. 'Pretty on the surface, poisonous underneath. Though my family looks much kinder than I thought. This is really hard, to act like a proper noble.'
He walked toward the drink table, pouring himself a glass of crimson wine. The liquid shimmered like blood under the chandelier light.
He took a slow sip, his eyes scanning the hall once more. At Aeliana speaking gracefully among dukes and viscounts, at Liana laughing mischievously with a group of young nobles, and at Arista standing near the balcony, commanding attention with every gesture.
A faint smile played on his lips.
'Interesting family I've been born into.'
He stood there while admiring the beautiful ladies in the hall.