Elain was surprised to see Matheu Everard standing close beside her.
She wondered if she should have just spilled the lemonade on herself despite the embarrassment it might bring, as in that case, she would have an excuse not to talk to Matheu.
She hadn't noticed him until now. She wondered if he had arrived not long ago and her not-so-keen eye had failed to spot him in the sea of people.
"It's nice to see you here," Matheu said.
Elain glanced around, and since they were at a far corner of the ballroom, partially hidden behind other guests, only a few noticed that the duke's son was there. Those who did couldn't help but stare and gossip.
"I saw you with the Blythmor family earlier. If you don't mind my prying, may I know how you are related to them?" Matheu asked in a cautious tone. "I did hear that Lord Blythmor and his wife, Lady Cynthia, had taken in a distant relative, but I never heard the lady's name before. Is that you?"
Being acquainted with a duke's son, especially someone with a reputation like Matheu's, wouldn't do Elain any good, but as fate had brought them to this point, she had no choice but to share details about herself.
Perhaps the man was simply being kind in greeting her, as they had seen each other in the street before. He was a kind man who didn't discriminate, after all.
"Yes, it is me," Elain replied with the calmest smile she could muster. Should her aunt see her talking with Matheu, she would surely receive a good scolding once they were home.
"I have also heard that your health has been somewhat delicate," he said, and there was a considerate look on his face, as if he were weighing his expression to see if she found the topic uncomfortable. "I assume you have been better, considering that you are attending a society event now."
She put on her practiced expression, calm despite the lies rolling off her tongue. "Indeed, it has been a bit better, though the physician has advised me not to be too vigorous."
"That's why you stay here in the corner, watching people dance instead of joining them."
"I am not fond of dancing anyway." A lie.
She wasn't a good dancer, that was for sure, but she loved watching people dance. And when she was alone, while music drifted down the stairs of the Blythmor mansion during soirées, she would dance on her own, pretending she was among the revelers.
"As am I," Matheu said with a kind smile.
Elain glanced at her lemonade, thinking of a good excuse to move away from Matheu.
"The boy was spared from Mr. Rouge's punishment."
Elain's eyes went back to meet Matheu's, realizing a second later that he was talking about the boy from Lilymist a few days ago.
She had been worried about what the boy might face after his detention at the Town Hall, but hearing from Matheu himself that the boy had been spared made her happy. In fact, it was the best news she had received since she lost her precious handkerchief. It only cemented her impression of Matheu as a good man.
"Thank you, Mr. Everard," she said, giving him a small bow, her eyes filled with gratitude.
In high society, it was rare to find a man like him who showed genuine care for the lower class. She could not help but appreciate his character even more.
"I only did what is right. Upon investigation, I found out it wasn't the boy who stole the meat, but another servant who wanted to pin the blame on him. I have sent him to Mr. Kig's apothecary, as he's been looking for young people to aid him. There's free lodging and food, which is good for the boy."
She nodded. Mr. Kig was an old man in the market near the Town Hall, and she had seen him before. The man was someone who treated people fairly. She believed the boy was now in good hands.
"Would you like me to get you some treats?" Matheu asked, glancing at the untouched lemonade in her hand. "Or another refreshment, if you don't find lemonade to your liking."
While the two seemingly had their own world, across the ballroom where Elain's eyes couldn't reach, Rafelius stood among a circle of businessmen.
They were busy telling him about something, but his gaze was directed elsewhere.
"With the plan of building a road from Ravenhill to Lewston, it would surely be easier to conduct trade! Surely, the king would not say no to it. What can you say, Mr. Greyford? Have you spoken to His Majesty? With your support, I trust the King won't be able to refuse."
An arm landed on the older man's shoulder, and he saw the second young master Greyford by his side, holding a wine glass with a smile.
"The current fees to ship our products are not an issue for us at all, Mr. Fischer. Why don't you beg the King yourself instead of letting my brother do it? After all, it will benefit you the most," Lark said with a charming smile as venomous as his words.
The older man laughed, but being too close to Lark, he couldn't hide the wariness in his eyes. "We are all businessmen here, aren't we? Having a road built between Ravenhill and Lewston would mean smaller fees, which means greater income for all of us. It would also do your business good, Mr. Greyford."
"Hm, if you put it that way, you do have a point," Lark said, smirking mischievously at the older man who obviously wanted to get away from his hold.
While he made the older man uncomfortable, he noticed his older brother's attention directed somewhere else.
The look in Rafelius's eyes was murderous, and Lark couldn't help but take interest.
Lark waved two fingers in the air, and the businessmen left, not caring if the action had annoyed them, as the gesture was no better than shooing away little pests. But as they were already aware of the nature of the Greyfords, they didn't dare show any negative reaction.
"She must be here. I smelled her scent," Lark said, taking Rafelius's side.
Rafelius looked at his brother darkly.
Lark rolled his eyes. "Oh, I didn't take note of it because it's anything special. How could I not recognize it when the scent is all over your study? I'm not a runt with a forgetful mind or dull senses."
"She is a Blythmor?" Lark asked, as he had seen earlier that the young woman Rafelius was staring at was with the Blythmor family. "I have never seen her before."