VI. Unexpected Meeting

As the sun rises in the morning, its brilliant rays penetrate the windows, illuminating the hallways and emphasizing the intricate carvings within. In this luminosity, even the motes of dust become visible as they dance in the air.

Meanwhile, outside in the garden, I engage in my daily physical training with Kev. Currently, he is instructing me in the art of swordplay and defensive stances. Within minutes, I find myself perspiring profusely, tightly clutching a similar weapon as we dedicate ourselves to this training regimen.

AH! In a sudden moment, I experienced a jarring impact to my abdomen from kev.

It caught me off guard, causing me to momentarily lose my balance and almost tumble onto the sandy ground.

"your footwork is sloppy, be faster, expect the opponent's next move." Kev said as he raises his sword at me. 

Fortunately, my body possesses a certain capacity for learning new things, which comes in handy especially since I have spent the majority of my life confined withing the walls of my home.

This lifestyle is not particularly conducive to embracing radical changes. Given the choice, I would much prefer to retreat to the comforting presence of shelves filled with books. 

What truly surprises me at the moment is my newfound affinity for reading, which has become a regular part of my routing despite my previous lack of interest.

Even engaging in online reading was never really my cup of tea back in my world. This transformation in my reading habits could possibly be attributed to my true interests finally manifesting themselves through tangible actions.

"Agh!, got it…" I almost puke my breakfast after that blow.

As we engaged in our intense battle, our attention was suddenly diverted when the massive gates swung open.

The sound of rusty metal being moved reverberated through the air, creating a resounding clank as the gates revealed two knights standing guard.

In a striking display of opulence, a majestic carriage adorned with elaborate carvings and intricate details made its entrance, radiating with a mesmerizing golden aura.

Perched atop the carriage was a rather unusual figure – a wagoner donning a formal tuxedo and a distinguished top hat. But what caught my attention was the face of this enigmatic figure – a fluffy black, light brown, and white cat face with long whiskers that gracefully swayed with the gentle breeze. 

The sight exuded an air of elegance and refinement- an embodiment of a truly distinguished gentleman.

Their arrival caught our attention. 

Coming to a stop right in front of the grand mansion, the unmistakable figure of a man dressed in an immaculate white suit stepped out, leaning lightly on a sleek black cane.

Kev and I found ourselves momentarily distracted by the spectacle, despite our relatively distant vantage point from the road leading to the mansion. From this distance, we could still clearly observe the unfolding scene. 

A group of maids and butlers hurriedly emerged from the imposing main entrance, forming a perfectly aligned formation to welcome the arriving man. It was evident that he carried an air of authority and experience, his visibly aged appearance lending credence to his significance.

As he gracefully made his way inside, the assembly of staff members, displaying the utmost respect, simultaneously bowed in unison. It was apparent that this individual held a position of great importance within the premises.

---

In the afternoon, Kev and I received a surprise summons to a private meeting room, which caught me off guard as I had no prior knowledge of its arrangement.

Celesty had been conversing with a man moments before we entered the room. The peculiar cat face sporting a top hat sits next to him. Seated on the other side of the table, we found ourselves next to Celesty. 

---

A couple of nights ago, an anonymous sender delivered an envelope to the man, stained with what appeared to be blood. Inside the envelope, was an intriguing invitation to an upcoming ball, accompanied by a button pin displaying the emblem of Celesty's prestigious family.

The annual ball invitations are typically dispatched one week before the event takes place. At present, it is still too early to send out the invitations.

Additionally, the presence of a button bearing the crest of Celesty's family on the envelope raises concerns about the possibility of her being targeted for assassination.

However, it is also conceivable that the invitation could be from the king himself.

Amidst these uncertainties, the question arises as to why this event would be announced in the first place. As I contemplate the situation, it dawns on me whether this is indeed an assassination attempt or something altogether. 

"I appreciate the warning but I believe I could handle this on my own, and it would be best not to overthink all of this," Celesty said.

"What I said wasn't sympathy, If it weren't for the king's orders and your family's taboo, I would've never told you. Again, we're still unsure who's the target. Even if it's a trap, it would be the worst place to put on where it's fully guarded." The man points at the opened envelope.

The king's orders, so he knew all of this already? And he still orders for the ball to continue? This is Suicide!

"This is a suicide," Celesty said calmly. "Even if he has other plans, this is still risking too much. The trap is too obvious already, it would be best not to continue the party." Celesty said.

"Would be best to use this to lure out the problem, don't you think? The king has already moved his pieces and this is an order. For once, stop being a delinquent from such simple orders," The man in white said.

"Being a bait isn't so simple, and at the same time, I have other things at hand," Celesty replied

For a moment, it went silent. The man in the white suit looked at me briefly.

"An outworlder working for you? This is the first time you've taken someone in. did you finally develop your own character?" the man said.

"Working with me." Celesty recorrects him.

"He has abilities, doesn't he? The same abilities as your family. How fascinating to see that an outworlder with no relation to your family would have the same abilities as you have." The man said.

"It isn't uncommon to see someone else have the same abilities as ours," Celesty said

"But to be an outworlder is… You've seen his kind, it's as if luck were always on their side, a protagonist amid secondary characters. Unless his different. Now I wonder how you will do in this world." The man in the suit looked at me right after what he said.

"Well then, see you at the party Celesty." The man in suit stood from his chair and went out of the room, the cat face then followed him.