Iluna seemed as if she had really just come for a dance with Shard, and when Shard stepped out of the hedge maze, the seventeen-year-old girl was nowhere to be seen.
Shard knew that she was likely around Lake Schluch, but he couldn't risk being discovered by the Church by going there, so he gave up on looking for Iluna.
As the night deepened, Shard did not stay in the courtyard but returned inside the mansion, intending to retrieve his cat from the lounge.
At this time, the snow was still falling, but most of the guests had returned inside to continue the lively ball, and the topic of the first snow of the winter was still being discussed. The ball continued, and Shard walked along the edge of the hall, responding to greetings while walking forward, his mind still recalling the dance he just had.
