Despite the dark atmosphere of the Kardos manor, the capital was bustling with excitement as the Prince's ball approached. While Antony and Aaron knew the truth, Sophia and Conrad were tense because of the Prince's attitude towards Oliver.

Ewen was perplexed.  He was preparing for Oliver to throw a tantrum and cry.  But to his disappointment, Oliver continued with his regular routines. The only difference was that he was now training with Antony and the Core soldiers in private.

With the vitality in the dragon's heart, Oliver was quickly reaching his peak condition. His body became sturdier during this time of intense training, and his thin body was starting to fill out with broad shoulders.  He was no longer the thin and sickly-looking man.

He donned his charcoal pants and dress shirt, then tied a silver cravat under his chin.  He sorted through his modest collection of jewels, picked out a purple diamond set in a silver brooch, and pinned it to his cravat.  He then slid his arms into a charcoal grey tailcoat with a subtle silver pattern.  He finished his look by pulling his hair up in a ponytail and tying it with a thin ribbon. 

He examined himself in the mirror and wanted to laugh at the strange appearance.  Before, he would dress up in jewels and frills, curl his hair, and wear powder.  But for thirty years, he only knew how to wear his armor.  He hadn't dressed up for a celebration in a long time, and now it was a strange feeling.

He walked out of his room to find Sarah waiting for him.  She let out a surprised gasp as she examined his outfit.

"Thoughts?" He asked.

She smiled happily. "Very handsome."

She leaned closer to him as they walked side by side.  "Are you feeling nervous today?"

Oliver shook his head. "No. I have looked forward to this day, honestly.  Nothing sounds better than freedom and going home." 

"When will you leave for Wynter?"

"Tomorrow if I could.  But my mother will probably make me stay for a couple of days."  He explained.  However, Sarah knew how he was looking forward to leaving.  Antony helped him send back most of his luggage in advance without arousing suspicions. 

He noticed that she looked discontented. He tilted his head briefly and smiled, knowing Sarah's character. "I'll have some soldiers escort me, but everyone there is a stranger to me. I would like a familiar face to join, if possible."

Sarah perked up and smiled. "Really?"

Oliver chuckled. "Would you like to accompany me?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "I'll pack things tonight, so I will not slow you down!"

As they made their way downstairs, he heard the exclaims of his family.  They complimented him ceaselessly, except for Ewen, who remained sullen.  He was upset that Oliver had not been acting as he had predicted, and now he took on the appearance of a beautiful and classy gentleman.  There were no traces of his previous flippant behaviors. 

Oliver ignored him and greeted everyone else. He followed his parents to their carriage and sat between Conrad and Ewen. He just felt ill at ease when sitting next to Ewen. To calm himself, he closed his eyes and controlled his breathing.

He didn't open his eyes until he heard the ambient chatter from the palace.  Their carriage door opened, and the sons climbed out and waited to the side for their father and mother to follow.

Aaron was first and held his hand out for Sophia.  He was usually a stern-looking man, but his eyes softened when he helped Sophia out of the carriage.  Oliver noticed every detail and couldn't help but appreciate the subtle gestures.

However, the warm feeling from before turned dark almost immediately as he gazed upon the familiar walls and spires.  His eyes swept over to the east and paused on a tall tower sitting alone. A chill crept into his bones as he recalled how he looked out that window to watch the moon while waiting for his death.

Conrad's hand landed on his shoulder lightly, waking him from his absent-mindedness.  "Oli? he called out softly.

Oliver tore his gaze away and smiled at Conrad. "Sorry.  I was distracted."

He continued walking and caught up to his parents.  Ewen glared at him but didn't say anything.  Conrad noticed his younger brother's dark gaze and nodded toward Oliver.  "Did something happen between you and Ewen?" 

Oliver's smile turned wry.  "Ah... we never really got along."

Conrad patted his shoulder. "He's still young.  Give him some time."

"Right," Oliver said with a tight jaw.  He doubted that he could prevent Ewen from betraying his family. 

He continued getting lost in his thoughts and didn't realize their arrival was announced until the pointed stares and rumbling whispers caught his attention.  He was used to drawing attention, but he was not used to the lack of respect.  His army revered him, but these people despised him.

He groaned inwardly for the long night that lay ahead of him.

In the end, he was bored out of his mind.

Ewen separated first to be with his friends from school.  Conrad and his parents had to socialize and greet the many fools who wanted to high their thighs.

Oliver chose to stay in the back and away from the crowd.  He leaned against a wall with his eyes closed and tried to meld himself into the background.  Unfortunately, he was too well known and not easily ignored.  Oliver sighed when he sensed serval people approaching him. 

He slowly opened his eyes and made eye contact with the group.  They were all people his age who pretended to be his friends.  Oliver held back a sneer as he saw the Sloan brothers as part of this group.

"Oli!  What funeral are you attending? I have never seen you so... unadorned." A woman in a pink gown and heavy makeup said.

The others all agreed, but Oliver noticed the flashes of hostility in their eyes.  He knew that they were targeting him. 

"It's comfortable." He said.

"I hope you didn't wear that at the crowning?" Another woman said with a scoff.

Oliver chuckled, aware that they knew that he didn't attend.  "Luckily, I didn't go."

"No? How could you not go?"

Oliver shrugged.  "It was the Crown Prince's request." 

He didn't care about them knowing the truth.  They could give him a hard time and claim that the Kardoses were unfavored, but these were minor nobles in society and could not hold much sway with the aristocratic backbone of the kingdom.  

It was the other ducal families he was concerned about.  If he handled tonight well, he could help protect the Kardos family from unnecessary shame. Nevertheless, he hated the political game. He would rather be on the battlefield.

"Aren't you worried about your position?" One of the women tried to taunt him.

"I'm either the Future Royal Consort or a Kardos. What do I need to fear?" He said as he pushed off the wall.

"You still need to be cautious." Another person chimed in, but this only made Oliver laugh.

"The only thing I'm worried about is the company I keep." He gave the Sloan brothers a cold glare, and they both stepped back with an ashamed look.

As he walked away, many noticed his demeanor. His strides were commanding, he held himself with pride, and his face was calm but cold. Not many felt they could approach him, so he was left alone.

He stopped a waiter, picked a glass of red wine from his tray, and thanked him with a nod. He swirled the alcohol and sipped the flavorful drink with a frown. He missed sharing a jug of ale with his soldiers around the bonfire. He almost laughed to himself, realizing that amidst a ball and luxury, he was longing for the battlefield.

He started to head towards the terrace to avoid the public eye when he heard several men debating in a corner. One man in the center leading the debate was Duke Reginald Holt from the southern region of Bierze.

"... No, if we use that formation, it still won't stop Red Wolf Bandits.  They continue to scatter when we get close and attack the trade routes in retribution." Duke Holt said with a sigh. 

Several Marquesses were next to him whom Oliver recognized as military men.  

They offered different suggestions and routes of attack, but Duke Holt continued to shut them down, having tried them all.  

Oliver remembered this particular problem from his previous life.  Antony had lamented that he never helped Duke Holt, who could no longer mitigate the damages caused by the Red Wolf Bandits. Ultimately, Duke Holt and his family were killed in their home because of these black-hearted bandits.  Their fief was destroyed, and the people fell to ruin.  Their political structure was utterly shaken, and Oliver suspected that because of this unbalanced power, Piers was able to suppress the Kardoses with little opposition.

He spent many nights with Antony, understanding what went wrong with the Red Wolf Bandits. While fighting the war, they found an opportunity to flush the bandits out and eradicate them.

He hesitated for a moment, aware of his personality and perception.  Still, he approached them. A couple of Marquesses paused and gave him a scornful look.

Oliver only nodded toward them and turned his attention to the Duke. "Do they normally disappear at the edge of the woods where it meets with the Camwood Cavern?"

Duke Holt didn't pay attention to who was speaking and nodded.  "That's right.  But they appear in different locations along the Camwood Cavern."

Oliver had studied this cavern deeply.  It was a vast chasm in the southwest region of their continent that stretched from Bierze and down through Abrorg. "So we can assume they have discovered a network of caves in the cavern."

Duke Holt jolted. "Caves?" He turned towards Oliver with surprise, but his gaze turned dark when he noticed it was Oliver.

However, Oliver ignored the look. "If I understand the reports correctly, they normally appear in three different locations in the Holt fief, making it hard to know where they will attack next... so that makes at least five locations..."

Duke Holt was surprised.  Oliver was accurate when he said that the bandits would appear in three locations, but his brow furrowed when he considered the last thing Oliver said. 

"Wait, how do you know this? What do you mean about five?" Duke Holt asked.

Oliver nodded.  "They have also attacked in Abrorg, primarily the Sunshard Tribe who travels along the cavern."

He went to a table and laid out the empty glasses and napkins, creating a makeshift map of Duke Holt's land.  Duke Holt's skepticism was curbed when he saw this because not many men could do this for different fiefs.  He was even further surprised when Oliver started replicating a piece of Abrorg. 

With a clear voice and no hesitation, he explained an attack plan, showing how Duke Holt could trap the bandits and cripple them.  He spoke with prestige, with no room for interruption. The surrounding people were astounded by how he explained his strategy and directed troops.  

Duke Holt couldn't help but feel like he was speaking to an old general.

"This could work." A couple of men muttered.  The area around the table was getting crowded with the military men.

"What do you think the success rate would be." Duke Holt asked with his arms crossed around his chest.  

Oliver picked up his wine glass and took a small sip as he thought about it. "With just your men, 60 percent."

Duke Holt sighed and rubbed his temples. "Well, we have had worse odds."

Oliver shook his head.  "If Marquess Smith and Marquess Renton help, you can raise those odds to 90 percent."  He pointed out two places on his makeshift map to show how they could attack more strategically.

Duke holt let out a shuddering breath and looked at Smith and Renton, who were nodding enthusiastically.

Oliver smiled a little. "You can almost guarantee your victory by speaking with the Sunshard Tribe.  They can call upon at least three other tribes and attack from the South."

"I wonder if they will cooperate." Duke Holt murmured.

Oliver remembered meeting with the remnants of the Sunshard Tribe in his last life.  They were fierce and bitter because bandits nearly annihilated their tribe. 

"Their animosity is no less than yours," Oliver said quietly.

Duke Holt finally shook himself out of his stupor and gave Oliver a thoughtful look. "How did you come up with this?"

Oliver smiled at him. "I had a good mentor."

Some were satisfied with this answer, knowing that General Antony was his uncle, but others could not believe it.  

These suspicious people decided to test Oliver with their own scenarios.

However, much to their dismay, Oliver patiently answered their questions with ease.  Their minds stirred, and they started to listen intently.  These old monsters loved conversations of war and strategy. The moment they find the opportunity to gain more insight, they would become as excitable as children.

Across the room, Sophia nervously patted Aaron's arm and pointed toward Oliver, who was surrounded by the politically powerful men. "Honey, should we fetch our Oliver?"

Aaron looked in that direction and found the atmosphere lively but not antagonistic, so he shook his head with a laugh. "He's no longer hiding himself."

Sophia was still nervous, so he lightly patted her hand. "Our son can handle this scenario." But he looked up at the balcony and saw some movement. "But we should free him from those old men because the royal family will appear soon."

Oliver noticed the same movement and glanced toward his father, who was starting to approach him. He smiled at the men.  "It seems like I need to join my family as it is almost time for the King and Crown Prince to appear."

Several men quickly shouted invites for tea and Oliver.  He nodded politely towards them as he started to break away.  However, he wasn't alone because Duke Holt walked with him.  He placed a hand on Oliver's shoulder.  "The rumors about you have turned out to be vicious lies."

Oliver chuckled.  "No, Your Grace.  I was a little willful and became a headache for my father."

Duke Holt stopped him and faced him. "These bandits have been more than a thorn in my side.  They are a real threat, and they have victimized my people.  I finally have a viable plan that can protect them.  Lord Oliver, if this works, you have saved countless lives."

"It is only a plan and there will always be a chance of failure," Oliver said lightly.  "A strategy is nothing but speculation; the soldier earns the victory."

Duke Holt laughed and patted his shoulder.  "Well said.  Nevertheless, you have my gratitude."

Aaron and Sophia had approached the pair, and Duke Holt was quick to greet the both of them. "I hope my son isn't giving you too hard of a time."

Duke Holt laughed happily. "Quite the opposite.  I only wish there was more time to continue our conversation.  I will send an invitation to your house sometime soon."

Before Oliver could accept, the ballroom erupted with the sound of fanfare, and the two doors over the balcony opened.