Chapter 268 - Sowing discord

Damon didn't rush after that moment of silent confirmation; instead, he allowed himself to blend back into the throng of guests as if he were just another bored nobleman seeking entertainment, adjusting his posture, expression, and even the rhythm of his breathing to perfectly align with his surroundings. He knew that, in that kind of game, haste meant error, and error, in that hall full of watchful eyes and hidden interests, meant exposure. Instead, he began to circulate slowly among the groups, shifting between interlocutors with fluid naturalness, like someone accustomed to that type of social interaction, absorbing names, titles, and subtle implicit rivalries that could be exploited with precision later.