Harmonia Calendar 715, Thal 23 - Ashspire City, Elandor
Late Noon - The Ballroom
The ballroom was located beyond the gates near the estate.
A hall reserved for small gatherings.
From the outside, it looked plain, white stone walls clean and tall, but the moment I stepped inside, the space changed.
Light fell from a ceiling of glass, panes arched high overhead, catching the sun's light and scattering it across the polished stone floor.
The walls ran high and smooth, banners in noble house colors hung between lanterns.
The chamber stretched wide enough to hold a hundred without crowding. At the edges stood polished tables with silver trays of wine, sweets, and slices of fruit.
Musicians occupied a small space on the left, instruments weaving together in a soft rhythm, loud enough to keep the air alive but not to interrupt conversation.
Young nobles filled the floor in clusters, laughter rang too loud, layered with courtesies.
Girls in bright dresses moved through the hall, while boys made themselves taller than they were.
The air smelled of fresh-cut flowers from the vases at every corner, and shoes clicked on the marble floor.
It was all show.
A playground for children to practice before they become adults.
I made my rounds.
A bow here, a handshake there. A couple of safe jokes. Then a small trade of useful news.
It was always the same.
But my gaze never strayed far from my two headaches.
Near the service table, Theodora and Adonis sat, plates of cakes filled the table.
She bit one and pressed the rest to his lips, laughing, and when he tried to refuse, she only leaned closer, forcing the cake into his mouth.
She wiped his cheek with a napkin, and his protest melted into another laugh.
Their shoulders touched and stayed there.
I closed my eyes and lifted a hand to my temple.
They'd always been my headaches, but they grew worse over the last few months.
I let out a slow breath and opened my eyes, fixing my gaze on the two once more.
'Too close. Not scandal, not yet. But enough.'
My eyes shifted toward the people around them.
Servants pretended not to see, while nobles exchanged whispers, eyes flicking toward the pair.
'People see what they want to see.'
My eyes drifted across the hall.
Favian stood there, his back against the wall, posture loose.
Around him gathered a group of young men eager for favor, and young women vying for notice.
Their laughter rang too loud, their praise too eager.
But Favian's red eyes cut past them, fixed only on the pair by the service table.
His face wore no smile.
No warmth.
It didn't belong at a children's party.
'Bad. Very bad.'
***
Late Noon - The Ballroom
I leaned against the wall, posture loose, cup in hand.
Around me, young nobles, their voices laced with praise, eager to curry favor.
Praise came and went like the tide.
I barely heard it.
What I heard.
What I couldn't ignore were the whispers.
Their voices carried no matter how small they tried to make them.
"He awakened at twelve."
"The boy will be a name in a few years."
"Didn't the heir awaken at fourteen?"
"He still holds his position."
"Of course."
Heat rose beneath my skin.
I lifted the cup and gulped it down, feeling better.
My eyes closed, and I took a breath to calm myself before opening them again.
My gaze swept over the hall, toward the service table, and there—
He was.
Laughing, shoulders brushing with Theodora.
Every small move drew glances.
Every smile pulled another whisper.
'They forgot their place...and he forgot his.'
The pressure built, rising sharply in my chest.
Anger.
'Everything I had, I earned. Line by line, bow by bow, lie by lie. I forged myself into the heir they demanded. And he? He stumbled into luck, and they dared to call him a genius...a prodigy.'
I drank more wine, but the anger stayed.
I had to control it.
So I smiled, the mask that always worked.
And then my eyes found her.
Matilda Loubane.
A baron's daughter.
Fifteen, clear eyes, a pretty mouth, curves in all the right places.
She'd carried a crush for years.
I ignored it until now.
But not today.
Today, I need a distraction.
Something to remind me of who I am.
I need relief... and she will like the attention.
They always did.
I set my best smile on my face, smooth and dazzling, before crossing the floor.
***
Afternoon - The Ballroom
I stood with two noble daughters.
We talked about dresses and jewels, traded compliments and the latest whispers from the capital.
I felt a gaze on the back of my head, turned, and there he was.
Favian Ashspire.
The heir of House Ashspire.
He had that kind of effortless charm.
Short blond hair, styled neatly, caught the glow of the chandeliers. His red eyes found mine as he walked toward me.
A golden suit wrapped his frame, silver threads stitched into the cuffs and collar, glimmering each time the lightstones caught them.
My chest fluttered.
Handsome hardly seemed enough of a word for him.
Step.
He stopped a few steps away from me.
His bow was flawless, every angle precise, and his smile was bright, voice carrying warmth as he spoke to me.
"Lady Matilda."
I reached my hand out, and he gave it a small kiss.
"Lord Favian."
He asked after my embroidery. I asked about his swordplay.
Compliments passed, one for one.
It felt good to be finally seen by him.
A servant passed with a tray.
Favian plucked a glass and offered it to me.
I took it.
The drink was sweet, maybe too sweet.
The room swayed for a heartbeat after swallowing.
He gestured toward a room in the back, voice smooth.
"Come. The music is loud. There's a quieter room."