The entire area around the main hall was part of the brooch-hunting activity zone.

The nobles had searched for a long time without finding anything, and some had already given up, gathering at the entrance and whispering among themselves.

Celitia looked hurried as she ran toward the ballroom, naturally catching many people's attention.

That was the girl who danced the first dance with Princess Sophia...

As they processed this thought, someone had already rushed in front of Celitia, blocking her path.

It was one of Celitia's classmates, Calvin.

Calvin's suspicions flared: "Celitia, you wouldn't have gone looking for the brooch too, would you?"

"I didn't go looking," Celitia had no patience to deal with Calvin, "Move aside."

Calvin didn't believe her at all.

Looking at her hurried, anxious appearance, hadn't she already found the brooch and was rushing to see Her Majesty Marianne?

Moreover, Sophia and Celitia had always had a good relationship—even the first dance was with Celitia.

If Sophia wasn't satisfied with any of the nobles attending the ball and wanted to find someone as cover, wouldn't the probability of choosing Celitia to help be very high?

Thinking this, Calvin immediately became anxious.

"I know you're Princess Sophia's good friend, but at this point, don't come to stir things up!"

Calvin's voice was quite loud, "If you're still considering Princess Sophia's happiness, hurry up and hand over the brooch!"

"I said I didn't go looking for the brooch."

Celitia tried to go around him, but Calvin blocked her path in the direction she was heading.

Staring at Calvin, indescribable irritation rose again in Celitia's heart, an impulse surging from her chest that she could barely control.

"...!"

In that instant, Calvin felt sharp killing intent assault him head-on, piercing deep into his brain.

His heart began beating wildly, his breathing stopped, leaving only boundless fear to engulf him completely.

She wanted to kill him.

She really wanted to kill him...

Calvin stood in place, his mind blank, completely losing the ability to react.

A foul smell spread as he was actually scared into wetting himself.

Fortunately, the next moment, others surged over and pushed Calvin aside:

"What? Is the brooch here?"

"Where? Who found it?"

Calvin's body swayed as he collapsed to the ground.

With everyone's interruption, Celitia suddenly snapped back to her senses.

Just now she had wanted to snap Calvin's neck and had nearly actually done it.

Taking a long breath, Celitia reached out and pressed firmly against her chest.

This killing intent was extremely abnormal.

What on earth was happening...

"Everyone get out of the way!"

Ariel's voice rang out from behind. She stepped forward, dissatisfied as she swept her gaze over each person surrounding them.

Being stared at by the Saintess's intimidating eyes, everyone involuntarily stepped back in unison.

"So what if the brooch is on her? Are you planning to use force to snatch it?"

Ariel snorted coldly, "I'd like to see who dares do such a thing in front of me! Stop blocking the way here and scram!!"

The lioness was angry!

How could they dare touch Ariel's bad luck? Even if they got beaten by her, they'd have nowhere to seek justice.

The nobles scattered with a roar, clearing a straight path for Celitia.

Ariel unceremoniously kicked aside Calvin, who was still sitting on the ground in a daze, and turned to Celitia: "Let's go."

Awakened by Ariel, Celitia finally broke free from those uncontrollable emotions.

Without time to think about the reasons, she nodded to Ariel: "Thank you."

The two entered the ballroom one after the other in haste.

Meanwhile, a bit earlier, on the other side.

Meilenn and Berendil had accompanied Ileana outside. At this time, only three people remained in the VIP hall: Marianne, Sophia, and Charlotte, who had somehow already removed her disguise and returned.

Sophia waited and waited, but still didn't see Celitia coming to find her.

Celitia wouldn't really plan to refuse to the end, would she?

Despite having mentally prepared for various outcomes in advance, Sophia still couldn't help but panic at this moment.

Seeing Sophia so restless, Charlotte thought the opportunity had come.

"The ball is only halfway through," Charlotte suggested, "Why not go out and dance a few more pieces to relax?"

Sophia said reluctantly: "But I'm not really in the mood..."

"I'd also like to dance with you," Charlotte said with feigned sadness, "You already danced the first dance with Celitia. Won't you spare a little time for me?"

"This..."

With Charlotte speaking so directly, Sophia found it difficult to refuse her for the moment.

Marianne smiled: "Go ahead, Sophia. Don't just keep waiting like this—enjoy the ball."

Seeing even Marianne say this, Sophia hesitantly nodded: "Alright..."

Charlotte said in surprise: "Your Majesty Marianne, aren't you planning to go? This is your main event."

"You're right," Marianne laughed, elegantly standing up, "Then let's go together and enjoy the happy times."

Having persuaded both of them to leave with just a few words, a flash of light appeared in Charlotte's eyes.

Marianne led the way, Sophia followed closely, and Charlotte deliberately lagged behind, secretly taking out the black velvet box Bren had given her from her clothes and placing it on Sophia's seat.

Sophia danced two consecutive pieces outside but gradually lost interest.

She danced absent-mindedly, her gaze constantly searching everywhere for Celitia's figure.

However, she never managed to find her.

Where did Lily go...

Could she have already secretly left the ball...

This guess arising in her heart made Sophia completely dejected.

"You don't seem to have much energy," Charlotte asked, "Would you like to go eat something?"

Sophia shook her head: "Never mind, I'll just go back and rest."

Charlotte thought the timing was about right—if she delayed further, the ball would end, so she nodded.

In the VIP hall, those who had gone out to dance were gradually returning.

Marianne and Ileana sat together, talking about something.

Sophia's seat remained empty, but different from when she left, there was now a small black box on the seat.

"What's this?" Sophia couldn't help but speak up.

"It should be a gift from some admirer," Charlotte shrugged, deliberately saying, "Why not open it and see what surprise is inside?"

If it were really a gift from some admirer, Sophia might just smile and casually hand it to the maids to put away.

However, looking at that black velvet box, Sophia felt panic rising from deep in her heart.

This box was almost identical to the one she had used to hold the black swan brooch when giving it to Celitia.

Could it be... Lily had returned the brooch to her...

Sophia held her breath, picked up the box from the chair with trembling hands.

Just as she was about to open the lid, a voice suddenly came from the entrance:

"Sophia!"

It was Celitia, arriving just in time.