In a distant world called Onores, the kingdom of Thyse has declared war against the empire of Veridia in the second winter of 363 ED. The war has been going on for ten years now.
To tighten the bond between powerful individuals in society, the Empire occasionally hosted parties for them. They host these gatherings not only to network between the nobles but to also remind them of their status and their rulers.
However, for Luke, the whole ordeal could not be any more pain in his arse. Being the second son of Duke Sterling was hard enough—constantly having to meet his father's expectations. To eat, act and dump like a noble, he was forced into learning higher etiquette from a young age.
"Do I have to go?" he asked the maid. "We can send my brother instead of me."
"You know how it is," the black haired woman answered. "It's a noble gathering. Your father and brother have other matters that need attention. The sterlings will lose face without a representative. You must go."
Despite her reliable words, Luke felt unsure. Unlike other nobles his age, he saw the world differently.
He was comfortable in not having to deal with heavy responsibilities and preferred not having to meet and socialise. As long as he had a peaceful and slow life he dreamed somewhere else; he couldn't care about anything else.
Other than money, there really was no benefit among these things.
The maid Anna recognised his expression. He considered this an annoying task and was thinking of ways to avoid it. She smiled while breaking the news to him.
"The lady is coming with you," she said. "I suggest you to be in your best behaviour
'What!? Bloody hell, seriously? Talk about the worst timing.' he cursed inwardly about his situation.
"Mother is coming…" he muttered in a low voice, the dread he felt swallowing his thoughts.
Almost on que, the maid finished preparing his dress. "The carriage will be waiting for you at the gate, young master. May the one be with you."
All Luke could do was sigh and bear with this. '... let's get this over with,' he thought, picking up the attire for the gathering.
***
The gathering was in the mansion of Earl Aurelcrest, the lord in charge of finance in the royal court. The occasion wasn't anything that great. The Aurelcrest hosted parties just because they had the money. The lord was especially popular for flaunting wealth unlike others.
'That's why father hates him,' Luke thought, his eyes unfocused on the windows of the carriage. 'And avoids sending big brother to his parties.'
But it will look bad if he turns down an invite, so he doesn't and focuses on Luke to take his place. 'Don't make an enemy when you don't have to, as father would say.'
The mansion was nothing less than a luxurious palace. As anything one can imagine in a party hosted by nobles, it was a grand occasion. It was a dazzling showcase of opulence, formality and tradition
"I hear the seastones are also coming tonight," mother said, glancing toward Luke in the opposite direction. "You should enjoy these things while you can."
Luke cannot relax for a moment sitting in the same carriage as her. She would judge his every behaviour whenever she was around–just like his father, she was strict about the demeanor of nobles. If one has higher blood, he should act like it; was her slogan.
It was decided without Luke's consent that the daughter of Seastone would tie with Sterlings in the coming spring. Of course, it was a political marriage to strengthen their influence.
'She talks as if she actually cares about me,' he rolled back his eyes. There are things he could say now, which he holds back most of the time, but he stopped because it's annoying to deal with what comes after.
Like any typical rich family, the situation in his house is… well, complicated.
"We're here, my lady," said the coachman, stopping the carriage.
'Yup. No point in thinking too much about this,' he thought, getting out of the carriage. 'Let's get this over with.'
***
Extravagant carriages roll down to a stop in the large palace. The majestic stairways leading up to the entrance. At the doorway, maids and butlers welcome each guest, announcing their presence.
"Lady Nova Sterling and Luke Sterling of Alanar are here."
"Please enjoy your visit."
The large hall on the first floor was filled to the brim. There was excitement, music and champagne around everyone. Luke felt out of place. His was the only sour expression among the people.
Nova knew he hated these things. Yet she expects him to wear a mask nonetheless. It's how the game is played here, after all.
"If it isn't the duchess of the north." a voice came beside him.
The host tonight, Hidan Aurelcrest, was approaching from the side, a few of nobles accompanying him. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"The pleasure is all mine," Nova replied with a smile. If Luke didn't imagine it, that smile looked menacing —the kind you see when a butcher sees a meat.
'Ah, great,' Luke thought, sighing internally, 'we just came into the dungeon and the final boss is already here. He knows mother hates that title, but said it without hesitation.'
It's common in politics to taunt without intent. But actually pulling it off is totally different things. Playing mind games is a daily event for these people. Not even an hour passed since Luke came, and he already felt like barfing.
"I don't want to get in your way," Luke said, intervening. "I should probably go meet my friends."
"Ara, you don't say. Though don't forget to greet your fiancee as well."
"Yes. Thank you."
For an ordinary person, this would seem like he was bailing on his mother to have fun. But he was getting out of the way before a massacre happened.
'If she was anyone other than her, I might have been a little worried.' Especially since he doesn't know anything about politics. Luke was keen on avoiding annoying things. 'But I know better to stay out of her way.'
And, unlike what he said, he was never here to enjoy this place. He picked up a glass and intended to stay on the sidelines until the end of the night. 'No one needs to know I was here.'
He never had any friends in the first place. So, it was better this way. However, it didn't go the way he planned,
"Finally , I found you!"
He didn't have to turn around this time to know who it was. 'Heavens must have cursed me tonight.'
"Hey, there Natalie. You look lovely as—"
"Dont 'hey there' me! I was looking all over for you. Father said you will be attending here tonight. Why did you come late? And why didn't you answer my letter."
The answer to both of them was he never wanted to. But he can't say that aloud.
"A, a lot of things happened," he said in a goofy smile, infuriating the other person.
In his defence, he wasn't good at lying either. He just did not want to deal with annoying things.
The blue haired beauty that approached him was Natalie Seastone. And yes, she was the one he was meant to marry.
If he ignored her straightforward attitude, she was, without a doubt, a great catch for a man. They've known each other for years now, but that hardly made Luke immune to her acts.
'She is talented in swords and magic, academics and etiquette. If I'm not wrong, she already has many admirers in the academy. She is brash in her approaches, true. But that only adds to her charm. It doesn't take a genius to see she is too good for me.'
"What? You're not joining others in the main hall?"
"I'm fine here, thank you very much," Luke said, taking another sip from his glass.
"You don't change huh?"
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Like his mother, Natalie was also one of the very few who knew his real nature. like how Luke wanted to be excluded from the luxurious responsibilities of money and power.
'hmm…'
Though, for tonight, he thought this was all he would have to deal with.
"Hey! Watch out!" natalie screamed.
The window he was standing next to, suddenly broke down with all its glass and shattered toward him. His face reflected in the shards of glass, falling through the air.
"Huh?"
In a series, all the windows broke down–stones being tossed inwards. Men in black clothes entered in a flash.
All sounds of gossip and music immediately came to a halt. Among them, a single voice echoes loudly.
"Everyone! Get on your knees or we'll kill you!"
===