"I just feel that talking with you makes me very comfortable, so I unconsciously showed more concern."

Ileana's black pupils became even more profound, containing something indescribable.

"Moreover, everyone is a unique existence, so don't arbitrarily classify yourself as 'insignificant.'"

Ileana winked at Celitia, her voice gentle, "These are words someone once said, and I'm giving them to you."

Celitia awkwardly closed her mouth.

What a boomerang, coming back to hit herself.

She began to regret her decision to dance with Ileana.

If this dance piece hadn't ended yet, Celitia would have wanted to immediately push Ileana away and leave the dance floor on the spot.

Ileana's hand lightly rested on Celitia's waist, and using the rhythm of the dance, she suddenly applied force, pulling the girl into her embrace.

Her red lips approached Celitia's ear as Ileana whispered:

"The brooch everyone is searching for is on you, isn't it?"

In that instant, Celitia's entire body stiffened.

Why did Ileana know?

"Are you wondering why I know?" Ileana laughed softly, "I was just guessing casually, but your reaction gave me the answer."

Celitia was stunned for a moment, a trace of annoyance appearing in her eyes as she glared at Ileana.

"It really is a precious treasure. Keep it safe and don't lose it."

Ileana's lips drew even closer, wisps of warm breath swirling around Celitia's ear, almost kissing her cheek.

"It was a pleasure dancing with you, my dear little lily."

When the dance ended with its last note, amid the lingering echoes, Ileana finally released Celitia.

Elegantly bowing farewell to her, Ileana showed no attachment as she turned and walked into the crowd, disappearing in an instant.

Only Celitia remained standing in place, unable to let go for a long time.

Had Ileana suddenly come to invite her to dance just to confirm whether the brooch was on her?

But from Ileana's words, she seemed to have no intention of exposing this so-called "find the brooch" game.

Then what was the point of confirming it?

Surely it wasn't to understand Sophia's romantic situation?

Indeed, whether past or present, she could never understand what Ileana was thinking.

Celitia let out a long breath, shook her head, and temporarily put aside all her questions.

Just as she caught her breath, Celitia suddenly noticed quite a few people staring in her direction, whispering among themselves, seeming very interested in her.

An unknown girl whose first dance partner was Princess Sophia and second dance partner was Regent Ileana, both of whom had actively approached to invite her.

Even those who hadn't initially noticed Celitia couldn't help but take some interest in her now.

Seeing someone walking over, apparently wanting to invite her to dance, Celitia silently cursed and quickly retreated from the dance floor.

The banquet hall was also crowded and she'd inevitably be disturbed. Celitia thought she might as well pretend to be searching for the brooch and hurriedly left the main hall.

Walking into the long corridor, Celitia breathed a long sigh of relief, finally having a chance to recall the series of events that had just occurred.

Sophia inviting her to the first dance, Marianne's announced game, and Ileana's sudden appearance.

All of this left Celitia feeling completely at a loss.

After two dance pieces plus that brooch-hunting game, the ball's atmosphere had completely heated up.

A good while had passed—Sophia was probably waiting for her already.

Celitia understood Marianne and Sophia's intentions.

If she was willing to bring the brooch to find Sophia, they would immediately announce the game's end.

If she didn't go, it would be impossible for others to find the brooch, and the game would naturally fizzle out.

Sophia had essentially placed the choice in her hands.

This ball wasn't at all what they thought it was—held to find Sophia an engagement partner.

From beginning to end, it was all just for this grand confession, not hesitating to manipulate everyone.

Thinking of this, Celitia's emotions became even more complex.

This was too outrageous—how could Marianne allow Sophia to do such a thing?

Or perhaps this was originally Marianne's idea?

More crucially, Celitia didn't know whether she should bring the brooch to find Sophia.

While she was struggling with this dilemma, Celitia suddenly felt her left wrist becoming somewhat warm.

Celitia looked down at her wrist in surprise.

The mithril bracelet Florence had given her was emanating a faint deep red glow.

She remembered Florence saying that under normal circumstances, this bracelet was no different from ordinary jewelry.

Only when it came into contact with energy beyond conventional forces like magic and fighting spirit would the bracelet react.

And now, the mithril bracelet was actually showing a reaction—did this mean there might be mysterious energy fluctuations nearby?

Celitia raised her hand, tentatively extending it in various directions while observing the bracelet's reaction.

As she raised her hand toward the front, the faint deep red glow clearly brightened somewhat.

There really was a reaction!

Could those unknown mysterious forces actually exist?

But at this point, she could only trust Florence.

Moreover, for fluctuations to appear here—could someone at this ball be secretly plotting some conspiracy?

Besides her surprise, Celitia couldn't help but become alert.

After carefully observing her surroundings, Celitia didn't spot anyone else.

The royal palace interior was too large, and those searching for the brooch had long since scattered who knows where.

After thinking it over, Celitia made up her mind, holding up the bracelet and trying to head in the direction it indicated.

Following the long corridor deeper inside, after turning several corners, the light emanating from the bracelet gradually became brighter and brighter.

Faintly, Celitia heard the sound of two people conversing from the corridor not far ahead.

Using the tall potted plants placed at the corner, Celitia quickly hid in the shadows, lightened her breathing, and carefully distinguished the voices coming from deeper inside.

"Who are you?"

The first to speak was a female whose voice Celitia was very familiar with—it was actually Charlotte.

"Who are you?"

The other voice carried some fear and sounded male.

This voice also seemed somewhat familiar, but Celitia couldn't recall who it was.

If she could see the other person's face, she would immediately recognize that this male was the minor noble named Bren whom she had schemed against at the church a few days ago.