CHAPTER 519: ’THE ONLY KINGDOM THAT MATTERED.’

Florian was already exhausted.

The weight of his silk garments and jeweled crown seemed to drag on his shoulders as much as the expectations placed upon him.

And the worst part was—the ball hadn’t even truly begun. This was still the opening ceremony, just the tedious introductions of the first few kingdoms.

He forced a polite smile as yet another family approached, his body moving on instinct—smile, nod, accept, repeat. ’God, I’m not even halfway through and I already want to crawl under a table.’

After Alexandria’s kingdom, Sanctus Regnum, the next delegation stepped forward: the Cogsworth family of the Ingenium Realm.

They were precisely what Florian expected—stiff-backed, bespectacled nobles who looked like they spent more time bent over drafting tables than enjoying fresh air.

Known across the continent for their ingenuity and brilliance, they carried gifts that reflected their kingdom’s pride.

First, a crystal orb glimmering faintly with stored light—an invention capable of recording both speech and images. "With Concordia’s crystals and our mana stones, Your Highness, it can capture what the eye sees and the ear hears," the king, Regulus Cogsworth explained, his tone dry but proud.

Then came the masterpiece: a clockwork timepiece, small enough to rest on a desk, its inner gears ticking with unnerving precision. "This device never errs," the man continued, "not by hour, not even by minute. A gift centuries ahead of its time."

Florian accepted both with the same polite smile, though his eyes glazed over.

’Amazing. But I cannot understand a single word he said.’

There were more trinkets, more baubles, but his fatigue blurred them all together. He simply nodded along.

The next kingdom was easier on the eyes—Eleganza Dominion, represented by the Couturé family.

Camilla’s family.

A burst of color and fragrance followed their entrance. Silks in shades Florian had never seen before were laid before him—cloth so fine they shimmered under the chandeliers, some imported from distant, exotic kingdoms.

Drizelous practically bounced in his seat, his booming voice carrying across the hall. "Marvelous! Absolutely marvelous!"

Florian’s lips twitched. ’Of course he’s excited about fabric. He’ll probably have me fitted for a dozen new outfits by sunrise.’

Eleganza Dominion’s reputation was clear—they were the masters of fashion, and their gifts reflected it.

Then came the Prospera Dominion, Scarlett’s family.

The Opulenti royals entered with the pomp of people who knew exactly how rich they were—and wanted everyone else to know too.

Prospera was the second most powerful and wealthy dominion after Concordia, and they flaunted it shamelessly.

Jewelry that sparkled like captured stars was piled high; chests of rare fruits and exotic plants followed; custom-tailored garments embroidered with gold thread were presented with a flourish. The procession seemed endless.

’If they give me any more, I’ll need another palace just to store it all.’

Finally—mercifully—the last delegation entered: the Coralcrest family of the Aquaterra Dominion.

Their gifts carried the salt of the sea. Boxes of glittering pearls and sea-stone jewels were laid out like treasure dredged from a mermaid’s chest. But what caught Florian’s attention wasn’t the gems.

It was the food.

Platters of glistening seafood—lobsters, crabs, fish dressed in spices unfamiliar to Concordia—were offered up, their aroma drifting tantalizingly across the hall.

Florian’s tired façade cracked ever so slightly as he reached out. "Thank you," he said, and for once his gratitude wasn’t just formal.

’Finally. Something good.’

"You seem exhausted already." Heinz’s voice was low, almost a whisper, but close enough that Florian felt the warm brush of breath against his ear.

The king leaned in lazily, strands of his long black hair slipping forward and tickling Florian’s cheek.

Florian’s lips curved into a faint smile, though his body screamed for rest. "Not that much," he lied smoothly.

Heinz chuckled, deep and amused. "Despite knowing I know the truth, you still lie to me. Oh, how your mind works..." His crimson eyes turned to Florian, sharp and probing. "I do not understand."

Florian tilted his head, his patience stretched thin. "I could say the same to you, Your Majesty." His words weren’t sharp, but they carried weight.

Heinz had been unpredictable since the start of the evening—sometimes kind, sometimes passive-aggressive, sometimes outright hostile. Florian was tired of guessing which side of the man would appear next.

Truly, it wasn’t the guests or the endless gifts that drained him. It was Heinz.

The king’s lips curved upward. "I feel like there’s nothing to misunderstand when it comes to me. I am the picture of honesty."

Florian actually snorted, unable to help himself. "Who knew you could joke this much," he muttered. He wasn’t in the mood to act coy anymore. At this point, he knew Heinz wouldn’t cut him down for speaking too freely.

Heinz leaned back, satisfied, his golden eyes never leaving Florian’s face. "It’s worth doing from time to time," he said softly, "if I could see you smile like that."

Florian froze.

The noise of the hall dulled in his ears, the laughter and chatter fading to background static. He turned his head slowly, his eyes catching Heinz’s smile—calm, genuine, almost... tender.

’Ah, seriously.’

His thoughts tangled as warmth rushed unbidden to his cheeks. ’What is with him tonight?’ His chest tightened with an unfamiliar flutter, and it made him restless, vulnerable.

He didn’t like it. Not one bit.

But Heinz had caught him off guard again, and this time the king didn’t look like he was playing a game.

Florian shifted, his lips parting, but nothing came out. Heinz’s voice cut into the silence, teasing, smooth. "Why so quiet?"

"Your Majesty, you—"

"Presenting!"

The herald’s booming voice rang through the ballroom, startling them both. Florian’s head snapped forward, Heinz’s following a moment later.

The crowd stirred with anticipation, the air in the hall tightening. Florian straightened in his seat, heart thumping harder than before.

Right.

How could he forget?

There was only one kingdom left. The one that mattered above all others.

"The final guests of this evening have arrived, and quite the special guests." The herald’s voice swelled, echoing through the golden chamber.

Florian’s breath caught.

"The royal family from which His Highness, Prince Florian, hails... the most esteemed Floramatria Kingdom."

The tall double doors creaked open with deliberate slowness, the golden handles gleaming under the chandelier light. Shadows stretched across the polished marble floor before figures began to emerge.

Florian’s eyes widened as his throat went dry.

"The fierce and mighty family," the herald proclaimed, "the ever so regal..."

They came into view—an entourage of proud figures draped in flowing garments of rich, deep hues of purple and green. Their presence was like a tide crashing into the room. Women, many women, sharp-eyed and elegant, their bearing commanding respect without a word.

A few men walked among them, but even they seemed overshadowed by the presence of the women who led the way.

Florian’s stomach twisted. He knew those faces. He knew those steps.

"...The Thornfield Family."