Chapter 20: Noble Affairs
Despite his earlier enthusiasm, Ember found the celebratory ball to be painfully boring. They had spent two days preparing him, his sister teaching him how to dance, his mother dressing him up, and yet he still felt inadequate among the high-profile people. Perhaps it would have been different if they were with Cliff, but he had to leave them in order to entertain guests.
There were simply too many people that Ember didn't recognise. At least the food was good, though his mother made dishes just as delectable every day.
Meanwhile, Rain seemed to be enjoying herself. She was at that age where dancing and socialising were of the highest importance to her. Ember had seen her dancing for over an hour, while he remained by his mother’s side, largely forgotten by the crowd.
Every now and then, one of his uncles or cousins would approach them, reminding them to remain on their best behaviour.
They didn’t even try to strike up a conversation with anyone, while Cliff remained occupied entertaining high-profile guests. Ember swore that if anyone else came to remind them one more time, he would punch them straight in their nuts.
The worst of them were those finely married women who came to greet them and only returned after adding some backhanded compliments or veiled insults.
If only he could smack their painted cheeks with a resounding slap.
I really need to work on my vocabulary, he let out a pained sigh. He had to learn to return those backhanded compliments to survive in this high society. Finally, he understood why his father was so against the ball.
Cliff came to check on them from time to time. Since it was his big occasion, Rosanna didn’t make a scene out of all the snide comments she had to endure. Honestly, Ember would have already told him, but she stopped him, explaining that it would only make it worse for Cliff.
The event was at its peak when, finally, the announcer heralded the arrival of House Oberon. Among the names, Ember recognised Lady Evelyn, Lord Jaime, and their apprentices.
He quickly spotted the Silver Mage walking alongside her brother, accompanied by several elder members of her clan. Her two young apprentices, Elin and Benny, went ahead, while Lord Jaime’s apprentice, Frin, trailed behind absentmindedly. They approached to congratulate his father, presenting flowers and ornate cases. The older folk broke into boisterous laughter for no particular reason. Well, his grandfather, Timber Blackstone, seemed to be much merrier tonight.
Members of the other two bloodline clans had also come to offer their congratulations.
Though there were ancient feuds between the three bloodline clans, they had endured for over three thousand years, coexisting within Seynhold with relative peace and restraint. Ember knew even less about the other two clans—Renin and Killjoy—than he did about Oberon. House Renin’s bloodline granted a berserking power and endurance, but all their clan members were also rumoured to be abysmal in mana skills.
On that note, Ember was glad he had no bloodline to rely on. For one good aspect, he wouldn’t want to cripple a whole set of skills.
House Killjoy, on the other hand, was as prominent as Oberon, being a family of healers and mages. Their clan was much smaller in size, though they more than made up for it by having four sizeable knight families under them. Their bloodline gift was also much more mysterious. Some said it was a high Life attunement, some claimed it was a Poison affinity, though most seemed to agree that they fuck their cousins. Anything to keep their lineage pure.
Although observing their noble demeanour and striking appearances, Ember found it difficult to believe the rumours entirely.
After finally extricating herself from the cluster of people surrounding her, Lady Evelyn made her way towards Ember and his mother.
“Good evening, Lady Evelyn,” Ember greeted. Looking at her satin black dress accentuating her graceful form, he felt he should compliment her, but the words failed him. He was autistic like that. Thankfully, such shortcomings in noble etiquette were expected at his age. Nobody would hold it against him.
“Why don’t you pair up with Elin and take the dance floor?” Lady Evelyn said after a brief exchange of pleasantries.
Neither Ember nor the girl in question seemed particularly interested. Ember managed to maintain a neutral expression, but the girl openly scowled at him, as if she would do anything but allow him to dance with her. Well, to her ten years of age, he might as well be a toddler.
“I’m sorry,” Ember quickly said, saving himself from the awkwardness, “but I don’t know how to dance.”
It was almost a lie. Just a few days ago, he didn’t know how to dance. But Rain had given him a few lessons, and he found it to be no more difficult than practising sword stances. Thankfully, he was merely six years old, and nobody had yet asked to see his moves.
Getting her break, Elin swiftly slipped away to find another partner, clearly relieved to avoid dancing with him.
Lady Evelyn regarded him with interest. “You don’t know how to dance?” she said. “No, we can’t leave it at that.”
She extended her gloved hand towards him. “Let’s go, I’ll teach you how to move.”
Ember looked at her outstretched hand before lifting his gaze to her face, acutely aware of her beauty. He might have been in the body of a six-year-old, but he wasn’t impervious to charm.
He might have been blushing as she pulled him onto the dance floor. Ember was certain there were many bachelors who would kill for such an opportunity. Beyond her elegance and charm, Evelyn Oberon was also one of the most talented and powerful individuals. She had an almost certain chance of reaching Gold Class if she did not fall early. Hopefully, those lordlings on their high horses wouldn’t hold it against a child.
Under the scrutinising gazes of dozens, Ember moved stiffly as the woman explained the cadence.
“Don’t look at others. You are not performing to entertain others. Watch me and try to match my cadence.”
Lady Evelyn wasn’t as good at dance lessons as she was with mana. Both of them moved awkwardly as she had to bend her back to meet his small stature.
If that weren’t enough, several noble lords interrupted them, attempting to steal Lady Evelyn’s hand for a spin. But she ignored them, twirling Ember across the floor.
Meanwhile, his parents had also joined the dance floor, their movements far more relaxed compared to the brisk rhythm the Silver Mage guided him through.
Ember was finally freed when Lord Jaime arrived to escort her away. He felt no disappointment. If anything, it was a relief. That brief time in the spotlight had drained him completely.
Rain was still dancing, changing into a new partner. She had already gone through half a dozen partners that night, her expression already stiffened from maintaining a constant smile.
Since his father’s advancement to Silver Class, many sought to establish connections with their family, and unfortunately, Rain turned out to be the prime subject for that. At fourteen, she might not be of marriageable age, but here, in high society, it was about the age they paired up boys and girls through an engagement.
He did feel bad for her, but there was no way he could help her shoo away all the suitors. So he helped himself to a plate of pastries and orange juice. He had had enough movement for the day.
Ember had only just relaxed when Rain excused herself from the dance and pulled him back onto the floor.
“Just move with me for a bit,” she said, her expression ashen. “I need a break from all those uppity boys.”
Ember studied her expression and felt a twinge of sympathy. “Well, you look tired.”
“Say something I don’t know,” Rain said with an exasperated sigh.
“Did you know there are planets out there that aren’t geocentric?”
“What?” She arched her eyebrows in confusion.
“You asked for something you don’t know, and I delivered.”
His sister shook her head. “You know you can be as annoying as those conceited lordlings, but in a more dorky way. Please save that for later.”
Ember snorted. They moved around the floor aimlessly for about ten minutes before another youth approached Rain.
It was someone they both recognised. Frin Oberon, a cousin of Lady Evelyn. Though not from the direct line, he was Lord Jaime’s unofficial apprentice. Not to mention, his accomplishment in the Trial had significantly increased his status.
Refusing him would be impolite. Fortunately, Rain was at least somewhat acquainted with him. Moreover, he seemed socially inept like Ember, though as they twirled, Rain seemed to genuinely enjoy his company, laughing at his jokes.
Ember returned to his plate of pastries and drinks, watching the party die down.
It was well past his usual bedtime when the guests began to disperse from the grand hall. A few minutes later, Rosanna came to collect them, pulling Rain along with her. Her expression or makeup was far from immaculate.
“Shouldn’t we wait for Dad?” Ember asked.
Rosanna glanced around and paused, her face unreadable.
“Did something happen?” he whispered to Rain, who merely shrugged.
“I will go call him,” Ember said, slipping away before his mother could stop him.
Only the members of House Blackstone remained in the hall. From Aunt Zephyr, he learned that his father was entertaining guests in the garden. He headed there straightaway, only to find him in the midst of a heated argument with his grandfather.
“You do not understand, even to this day,” Cliff barked through clenched teeth. “You are making the same mistake you made with me.”
“How can you say it’s a mistake? You did not even meet the boy,” Timber Blackstone returned in a level tone. “And did you even ask for your girl’s opinion? It could be a great opportunity for her.”
“Do not argue that you are doing this for Rain or me, because we all know the only one you ever cared about is yourself alone.”
“You!” Timber Blackstone roared. “After all I did for the family, is this what I get in return? Do you know how hard I tried to bring you all to this position? Do you understand what I have paid to help you after your grand self-destruction?”
“I do understand.”
“You understand shit!”
Cliff eyed his father, whose face was red with anger. Through a breathing exercise, he calmed down. “If you had genuinely,” he said in a flat tone, “genuinely thought about my family and my little girl, father, you wouldn’t have ambushed me with Baron Oberon for an engagement.”
“I still have no idea why you are angry about it.” Timber paused in incredulity. The very idea that he had done something wrong seemed incomprehensible to him. “After the shenanigans you pulled, it is the only way I can mend your relationship with the Oberons. They even agreed to secure you the position of Captain of the Northern Guards. Besides, do you think your daughter could get any better than a fine youth from House Oberon?”
“That is not for you to decide.”