"I'd love to!"
Noble spun to see a woman in a chartreuse gown take the hand of a man in a smartly tailored suit. He led her away to the next room, where the music of an orchestra filled the air.
'For a moment, I thought he was asking me!'
Noble shook her head. She looked amazing, but anyone who saw the ring on her finger would know better than to make a pass at her.
Only an idiot would try to hit on a married woman at a party, especially a party full of Awakened. For all anyone knew, her spouse could be a Saint who could bash open their skull just by thinking.
'Actually, I could do that. Any of these antiques would put a nice little dent in someone's head with my telekinesis and weight of doubt.'
A small smile came to Noble's face. No, why was she smiling while imagining what she could do to someone who hit on her?!
'That's the trauma talking...I am sure.' Noble shook away the thought. Too many unwanted advances would do that to a person. Fantasizing about how to get rid of those who paid too much attention was an unfortunate byproduct.
Thankfully, she could feel that no one around her had those intentions towards her just now. That was a relief.
After filling a cupful of punch, Noble followed in the couple's footsteps into the ballroom. Just because Noble didn't plan to dance didn't mean she couldn't enjoy the music and festivities.
Finding a place along the wall, the professor watched the scene.
The band was led by a tall gentleman with dark hair and a stylishly tailored suit. Noble recognized him as the famous trumpet player who had won dozens of awards for his skill.
'How did they get Nasrak? Very impressive. Wait until Fort hears about this!'
A moment later, the orchestra paused, allowing Nasrak to lift the golden instrument from his conductor's stand. The trumpet's melody was pure and sublime. The flawless tune made Noble want to tap her feet–if only she could touch the ground. She had to settle for watching the dancers instead.
The music was just the perfect tempo for pairs who wanted to show their skills. Spins and other moves, for which Noble did not know the proper name, were being displayed by those brave enough to try them.
Noble smiled and raised her glass to any couple that got close enough to notice her. It wasn't as fun to watch as a duel, but some of the same rules applied.
'Always know exactly where you are and don't mess up your footwork. Both in dancing and dueling, one misstep can land you in a world of trouble.'
Noble smirked. Stepping on someone's foot would not get a person stuck with a sword, most likely. However, a lady's angry glare could pierce a man's soul like no blade ever could.
'All the more reason to step lightly.'
The dance completed, and another began almost immediately. Some people changed partners while others held tightly to their chosen companion without ever casting their glance aside.
'I miss Fort.' Noble knew this would happen. She would just have to make him dance with her when she got home on the following day. That was something to look forward to.
Instead of rubbing elbows and making connections, Noble settled into watching the people around her.
'I had no idea that there would be so many Legacies.'
It made some sense. This was an annual gala honoring people for their contributions to research and humanity. It would make sense that some of those contributors would be from the Great and Lesser Clans.
Fighting wasn't the only thing the Clans were accomplished at doing. Legacies contributed to advancements in several fields. Unlike her, they had actually done the work, too. They should be honored.
The longer Noble stood there, the more people she recognized from her years teaching in the Academy or her government work. While she wouldn't consider herself close to any of these people, she did notice that her Kingdom Crafter attribute connected her to a few who had given her fond memories of the past.
Noble felt her feet floating back and forth to the music. Ah, how she ached to dance. If anyone but their elderly host Ambrose asked her to dance, she would have declined, though, and she doubted the great-grandfather had much inclination to trip the light fantastic.
'I'll have to find some other form of entertainment or risk dancing by myself.'
Just then, Noble noticed a well-known member of the Aegis Rose Clan.
'Master Tristan!' Noble hid her face behind her cup as he passed, unwilling to find out how much had reached him about her interactions with Sleeper Keth. That was not a conversation that she wanted to have tonight.
Tristan wasn't looking at her anyway.
"Where is she?" He whispered angrily to his companion. "Clara shouldn't have sneaked out like this."
"Master Tristan," the man beside him pursed his lips. "We have no proof that she is here. Even if she is, it's just a dance. We weren't even invited."
Tristan tilted up his chin. "Our Clan was invited to celebrate achievements. I have every right to be here as much as he does. How dare you suggest otherwise?"
'Seriously, that Clan is in sore need of humbling.' Noble wasn't about to be the one to do it, though, at least not here in this expensive gown.
Ignoring whatever reason the other man was trying to instill, Tristan continued to scan the dancers. "She's here. I know it!"
Tristan locked onto a young brunette woman who was giggling in the arms of a tall Awakened with long black hair. His expression darkened.
"Clara!"
The girl turned, and Noble noted the same sharp features as the man who had called her name. Clara's face turned deathly pale.
"Brother? What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here? This meeting was expressly forbidden." Tristan marched over, and Clara placed her body between her brother and the man she was with.
"It's my life," Clara objected.
"Let her make her own choices." The man with her stood taller.
"Y-you— How dare you!"
Noble wished she had some popcorn. Was there any on the table of refreshments? She didn't think so.
Even if there were, the professor would never get there and back again before the action was through.
Other dancers on the floor began to notice the commotion and slowed to give the group a wide berth. Not even Nasrak's playing could urge them to come within three meters of the confrontation.
The young lover's comment caused Tristan to burn with anger. His cheeks flushed, and for a moment, he looked apoplectic.
"Awakened Aaryav, when you asked to bring Clara here, I strictly forbade it. And yet here you are, having brought her here anyway, you scoundrel! I can only assume your intentions are impure. I will not let the lady, my sister, be deflowered by the likes of you!" Tristan balled his fists.
Now it was Clara's turn to be mortified. "It's not like that. Brother, you read too much into things. It's just a dance!"
"That's what I sai—" the man with Tristan grunted as gloves were forced into his hands.
"Stand aside, Clara. I need to teach this boy a lesson." Tristan squared his shoulders. "I will remind you of your place, and when I do, you will never so much as lay eyes on Clara ever again."
But before he could forcibly pull his sister aside, another group entered the ballroom. The other guests parted the way, allowing a dark, handsome figure to step into the scene.
"I represent the boy, and you will not lay a hand on him."
Tristan looked up, and the fire in his eyes grew white hot.
"You?! Then this is all your fault!"
Noble's heart sank.
'Uh oh…'
The fun was over.