Saturday night, eight o 'clock.
Klein took two and a half minutes to arrive at Member of Parliament Macht's house at 39 Böklund Street in his luxurious carriage.
Looking at the gurgling water reflecting the lights in the fountain, he buttoned his tailcoat as he alighted the carriage and slowly walked to the front door.
Richardson held a bottle of beautifully packaged Southville red wine and followed closely behind his employer.
After entering, Klein immediately saw Member of Parliament Maury Macht and his wife, Ma 'am Riana, coming to welcome him.
The former was wearing an olive-green army officer's uniform with an orange-red sash. There were a few medals hanging on his chest — in Rouen, active or retired military officers liked to wear their military uniforms at balls.
The latter was wearing a yellow dress with a ruffled collar. It was adorned with rare and exquisite lace, making her look different from an unmarried lady. However, she similarly revealed her fair neck and shoulders.
Klein took the bottle of Southville red wine from his valet, Richardson, and handed it to Macht before bowing.
"Sorry, I'm a few minutes late."
This was actually a common situation at Rouen banquets. Guests would rather be a certain amount of time late than arrive early. This was because the host might still be busy making the final preparations for the banquet. It wasn't a suitable time to entertain guests. Of course, lateness had to be limited to less than ten minutes.
If Wahana hadn't specially taught him such things, Klein would've politely arrived earlier.
"It's fine. The ball hasn't officially begun." Macht glanced at the Southville red wine in his hand and handed it to his valet as he nodded with a smile.
In Rouen's high society, one had to give the host a small gift when attending a banquet hosted by the host for the first time. Amongst them, alcoholic beverages were the most popular, but one had to remember to choose something locally produced for the first time.
After exchanging greetings with the host, Klein looked at Ma 'am Riana and saw her raise her right hand slightly. Hence, he took a step forward, held her hand, and bent down to kiss it.
"Your radiance illuminates the entire ball."
Before the start of the banquet, complimenting the host was one of the rare occasions in Rouen where there was no need to be reserved. Unlike Intis, the kissing of the hand in Rouen required the ladies to express their approval first before the men could proceed. Otherwise, it would be considered a serious breach of etiquette.
"So is your arrival," Lady Riana replied with a smile.
Then, the couple led Dawn Dantès through the porch and into the hall. The melodious melody was already echoing in the hall.
After taking a few steps forward, Maury Macht pointed at a girl in a sky-blue dress.
"My daughter, Hazel."
Klein then looked at the girl, and his pupils suddenly contracted!
He knew this girl!
To be more precise, he had seen the image of this person before!
When he asked Arrodes where he could obtain a mystical item that could steal the Beyonder powers of others, the magic mirror showed a scene of an arrogant girl loitering in the sewers. And this was none other than Hazel Macht, a lady with wavy, black-green hair and dark brown eyes!
She has a mystical item that corresponds to a Fire Thief? With her family background, why would she loiter in the sewers? Was that a fortuitous encounter of hers? Was she searching for or waiting for something in the sewers? Has she already become a Beyonder? How did she become a Beyonder? Is there a parasitic grandpa in her body? Could that grandpa be able to sense the gray fog's aura like Blasphemer Amon? Draped in Dawn Dantès's "skin," Klein instantly thought of many questions, but he pressed his chest and bowed without batting an eyelid.
"Good evening, Miss Hazel."
During this process, he secretly swept his gaze at Hazel Macht's face and discovered that the girl had a calm expression. Her eyes were arrogant as she politely replied with a smile.
"Good evening, Mr. Dantès."
She doesn't have any abnormal reactions, which means that she's unable to sense the gray fog's aura … As for if she has a parasitic grandpa, I can't be sure for now. I'll have to continue observing … Klein propped his body up and took a glass of pale golden champagne from a waiter's tray. He then began conversing with Member of Parliament Maury Macht.
"I never expected you to be a major, Member of Parliament."
This was obvious from Macht's epaulette.
If he was a colonel, Klein would suspect that this gentleman was also a Beyonder, but it was hard to say if he was a major.
"Haha, that's nothing. There are too many opportunities to make meritorious contributions in East Balam," Maury Macht replied humbly. "Of course, the climate there isn't something people can get used to. I've been suggesting to the upper echelons of the army to design a special military uniform for East and West Balam. We'll eliminate the traditional dark colors; otherwise, the officers will feel like they're beef on a grill."
As for the soldiers, they were mostly dressed in red and white.
"Yes, the climate there is completely different from back home. Even Desi Bay isn't that hot." Klein casually mentioned that he had been to the Southern Continent and that he had been to either East or West Balam, confirming the hunting experience he had mentioned a few days ago.
After exchanging pleasantries for a few minutes, Macht apologized and walked to the staircase with his wife, Riana. When they reached the second floor, he raised a glass of red wine and said, "Everyone, thank you for attending this ball.
"Thank you all for attending this ball. First of all, let us praise the gods, for they are the source of all beauty."
He and Lady Riana immediately tapped their chests four times and began to praise the goddess in a low voice. The guests also used their own corresponding methods to praise the gods they believed in.
Macht continued raising his cup without putting it down as he continued with a smile, "That's right.
"Secondly, praise the kingdom. It is the cornerstone of stability."
"Praise the kingdom." Klein raised his glass of champagne and said to the guests around him.
Following that, Macht surveyed the area and asked in a humorous manner,
"Finally, what shall we praise?"
With a thought, Klein laughed heartily.
"Praise the improvement of Baekeland's air."
Macht was taken aback as he couldn't help but smile.
"Very good, this is a good suggestion.
"Let us praise the improvement of Baekeland's air. This is a symbol of a better life for us. Cheers!"
Tackling air pollution had always been his political philosophy as a Member of Parliament. He had always pushed for the enactment of the corresponding bills on various occasions, and he had played quite a role in improving the environment. Therefore, praising the improvement of Baekeland's air was equivalent to praising him. Furthermore, it was more implicit and open.
The guests responded enthusiastically as they downed the alcoholic beverages in their hands.
Right on the heels of that, Macht held Ma 'am Riana's hand and went down to the main hall on the first floor. They began the opening dance to a gentle melody.
The men present began searching for the first dance partner they wanted to invite. As for Klein, he took another glass of champagne and leisurely sized up the guests.
Eh, Ma 'am Mary is here as well … He swept his gaze and discovered a familiar face: the major shareholder of the Coim Company, a person worth tens of thousands of pounds. Ma' am Mary, who had once hired Sherlock Moriarty to catch an adulterer.
She's a member of the National Atmospheric Pollution Council, so it's normal for her to be close to a Member of Parliament who supports this matter … Klein didn't attempt to invite her for a dance because he was now Dawn Dantès. He didn't know any ladies outside the Main Street.
He retracted his gaze and looked elsewhere. He saw Hazel Macht holding a glass of white wine as she stood by the side. She wore a slightly distant smile as she watched the men lock onto their partners and prepare to invite them for a dance.
This lady was actually quite good-looking. She was elegant and beautiful, and she should've been the star of the ball. Everyone would vie to invite her for a dance, but her haughty attitude that seemed to be condescending made the men who had cast their gazes at her change their targets.
I've seen such looks from certain Beyonders. They believe that they're no longer mortals. When facing ordinary people, they have a strong sense of superiority … Heh heh, this means that Miss Hazel is likely a Beyonder … That's right. If she's not a Beyonder, why would she dare to loiter in the sewers … She's from the Marauder pathway? However, how can she act as a Marauder and a Swindler with such an arrogant look? It's hard to imagine … Seeing that the couple's opening dance was coming to an end, Klein began to seriously consider which lady he should invite.
Dawn Dantès is in his forties. It's not appropriate to invite a girl for his first dance, unless it's a confirmed junior. As for the first dance of the ladies, it's likely for their husbands … Hmm, I should invite someone I'm familiar with or the host of the ball … Klein swept his gaze across the dance floor and only found a lady Dawn Dantès was familiar with. She was his etiquette teacher, Wahana.
Invite her? No, she should already know about the help I've provided in secret. If I were to invite her for the first dance at this point in time, it would easily cause her to misunderstand. It might even affect the relationship between her and her husband. It might also bring unnecessary trouble to Dawn Dantès's identity … I'm not the emperor who likes the wives of good people. No, he likes everything. In short, I should avoid arousing suspicion … As Klein moved his gaze, he heard the music change. It went from soft and gentle to light and lively.
This was a popular piece of music from the countryside in the middle of Rouen. It was loved by nobles and was often used to accompany the first dance.
As the melody changed, the men began walking towards the ladies or madams they had chosen. As for Klein, he noticed that no one approached Hazel Macht.
She's one of the hosts of the ball … Furthermore, I can observe her up close … Heh heh, if she's really a Beyonder from the Marauder pathway, that means that the gray fog has a certain degree of "convergence" towards Seer pathways … With a warm smile, Klein unhurriedly walked towards the proud girl.
"Miss Hazel, may I invite you for a dance?" Dawn Dantès, who had white sideburns, bowed in a standard manner.
Hazel glanced at him and fell silent for a few seconds.
"It would be my honor."
She extended her hand.
Klein politely held her hand as they entered the dance floor. They began dancing a brisk and lively dance to the melody.
Glancing at her beautiful but expressionless face, Klein smiled in a probing manner.
"I noticed that many young gentlemen wish to invite you for a dance, but they failed to muster the courage."
Hazel looked up slightly and swept her gaze.
"Mr. Dantès, this isn't a polite topic."
"…" Klein choked, unsure of how to continue.
。 Divine Emperor of the Nine Heavens
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