Lady Celeste smiled graciously, her eyes shining with pride as she gazed at Young Lord Ethan. "Ethan, dear, are you enjoying the banquet?" she asked, her voice gentle.

Young Lord Ethan's face lit up with excitement. Before he could respond, Viscount Kauffman approached us, his eyes fixed on Young Lord Ethan. "Ah, what a lovely child! He's the spitting image of Duke Claude."

Lady Celeste chuckled. "Yes, he inherited his father's features. Ethan, show your courtesy to Uncle Kauffman."

Young Lord Ethan obliged, bowing politely. Viscount Kauffman patted his head, praising him. "You're a bright child, Young Lord. You'll be a magnet for the ladies with those looks."

The conversation was interrupted by Countess Kartessen's sudden approach. Her eyes, once icy, now shone with warmth as she gazed at Young Lord Ethan. "May I touch his face?" she asked Lady Celeste, her voice tinged with longing.

Lady Celeste hesitated briefly before nodding. "If Ethan doesn't mind."

Young Lord Ethan's response was confident. "Of course, I'm handsome, after all."

Countess Kartessen couldn't resist anymore, hurriedly touching Young Lord Ethan's face. "Who's the cute boy? You're so handsome, my lord."

Just then, Lady Celeste's brother, Lord Callisto, appeared, offering her a glass of wine. "Where's Duke Claude, sister?" he asked, his tone gentlemanly.

Lady Celeste skillfully dodged the question, citing the Duke's attendance at a cabinet meeting in the royal palace. Lord Callisto's response was laced with teasing, "I didn't expect Duke Claude to love you so much. He really conceived a child with you."

Before Lady Celeste could respond, a noble stumbled into her, the noble's clumsiness almost sending her tumbling down. But before she could fall, a pair of strong arms caught her, holding her steady.

She looked up to see the First Prince, his piercing blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "Duchess Celeste, I see you're as graceful as ever," he said, his voice low and smooth.

Lady Celeste's heart skipped a beat as she met his gaze, her response caught in her throat. The First Prince's eyes shifted to Young Lord Ethan, still being held by Countess Kartessen, and for a moment, Lady Celeste saw a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

"Perhaps we can discuss this further, Duchess?" the First Prince suggested, his voice low and smooth.

Lady Celeste nodded, unsure what the future held. The ballroom's atmosphere seemed to shift, the nobles' whispers growing louder, as if sensing the sudden change in the air.