WebNovels

Chapter 10 - Banquet

Harmonia Calendar 715, Thal 24 - Ashspire Estate, Elandor

Afternoon - Grand Hall

The sun shone through the painted windows, staining the stone in shades of red and grey. Yet the chandeliers above already burned with lightstones, their glow scattering across the hall.

Above, on the vaulted ceiling, a mural stretched wide. The Ashspire banner painted in black and deep crimson, the crest stark and unyielding.

I stood at the high table and let my gaze sweep down. The hall spread open, a polished floor gleaming like a mirror, left bare at its center for the dance. Around it, the tables curved in a ring, silver trays of wine and sweets set neatly on top.

Columns flanked the edges, rising toward the painted ceiling, decorated with flowers and banners. Servants moved between them. Music drifted softly from behind the columns, just enough to smooth the air without drawing attention.

I stepped down from the high table, boots hitting the stone with measured steps. I walked the line between tables, exchanging handshakes and greetings as a host must.

My mind drifted to last night.

'Favian's plan stands.'

The thought came, and I felt its weight. One word from me and the plan falls. Another, and it rises.

'Stop it now.'

My conscience whispered once.

I did not move.

I made a bargain with myself.

'If the Duke is open for a match, I end it. If not, I let it run. A marriage tie is worth more than an heir. And a trained heir is worth more than a talented child.'

Thud. 

At the far end of the hall, a servant climbed the stairs. He struck his staff against the stone.

The sound broke my thoughts.

'He arrived.'

The servant's voice rang loudly across the hall.

"His Grace, Grand Duke Evan Valmontis."

The name silenced the air. Music stopped. Conversations halted. Bows fell like a wave as the doors swung wide.

The Grand Duke entered as though the hall already belonged to him. His silver hair was slicked back, green eyes sharp and measuring. A white suit framed his broad build, every stitch a statement of wealth and order.

At his side walked Selene, white-gold hair, a pale dress, and blue-green eyes sweeping the hall.

I moved to greet them, my steps steady.

I bowed, my voice smooth and controlled.

"Your Grace. Welcome to Ashspire."

***

Afternoon - Floor

The hall buzzed with voices, laughter weaving through the music that came from the hidden musicians. 

I stayed at the edges where the crowd thinned. Step by step, I worked the floor. A bow here, a nod there. Compliments traded like coins. One safe joke. Two pieces of real talk. 

A baron's son talked about tutors, and a merchant's daughter wished for a new dress. One boy retold me the same joke he had tried last month. I laughed again. I hated myself for it.

I excused myself with a smile and let my steps drift toward the pastry tables.

Halfway there, my feet halted.

At the corner table, Theodora and Adonis had claimed their own small world. He reached for a pastry, and she caught his wrist. Instead of scolding, she pressed it to his lips. He tried to resist, but she made refusal impossible.

I rubbed at my temple, the ache kept growing.

'They are playing house again…'

I sighed and let my gaze drift behind them. Across the hall toward the high table. Father sat at its center, his face unreadable.

'I will be watching.' 

 

***

Afternoon - Lady's Row

The row of cushioned chairs curved along the edge of the hall, reserved for noble ladies who preferred their gossip seated rather than standing. 

I sat among them, posture straight, cup in my hands.

A lady to my right leaned closer, her voice warm.

"Your lace is lovely, my lady."

I smoothed the sleeve of my gown, forcing a smile to my lips.

"You are too kind. My daughter's hand is better than mine now."

We smiled, polite and shallow. A few more words passed, names and pleasantries exchanged, but my throat felt tight.

Behind every word, I still heard Anton's voice.

Their voices blurred around me, and memory took over.

'The boy will take the blame.'

The way he hadn't looked at me when he said it. The way his tone had been final. I could not change his mind. I never could. And so, like always, I had walked away. Fled. The only thing I seemed to know how to do.

My thoughts broke, and my gaze slipped past the ladies, past the pillars, and the flow of servants. I searched for him.

Adonis.

He stood with Theodora near the pastry table, his posture too stiff, chin tucked too low. She reached up to correct him, tugging at his shoulders like a wife fussing over her husband.

The sight brought a small smile to my lips.

But it broke my heart just as quickly, knowing Anton would blame him, and I could do nothing to stop it.

My fingers tightened on the cup

'I am sorry, my dear.'

 

***

Afternoon - Pastry Table

The pastry table was near the eastern wall, silver trays stacked high with sugared fruits and sweet cakes. 

I stood there with Adonis, a cup in his hand and crumbs at the corner of his mouth. He thought he looked calm. 

He didn't.

I nudged his arm, voice low.

"Stand straight. You lean when you drink."

He frowned, shifting his shoulders.

"I am not leaning."

A smirk tugged at my lips. My elbow pressed lightly against his side.

"You are. And keep the cup low. Don't grip it like a soldier."

He lowered the cup awkwardly.

I couldn't take it anymore and reached up without asking. I tugged his collar straight, and when he tried to swat my hand away, I caught his cheek instead, brushing away the crumbs.

'Better.'

He gave up, letting my hands work, and muttered, eyes darting toward the nobles.

"What if I say something wrong?" 

My hands fell back to my sides, chin lifting.

"Then I'll say something worse."

The words had just left me when a servant stepped close.

"Master Adonis. The Marquis requests you greet Lady Selene."

My smile stayed, but my stomach twisted. I forced a light tone.

"Go. Be boring."

He nodded his head.

"Yes, Dori."

Heat shot to my face. I hissed at him.

"Don't call me that."

He laughed and slipped away through the crowd, leaving me with the pastries and the ache in my chest.

***

 

Late Afternoon - Entry Aisle

The servant guided me forward, each step heavy with the weight of watching eyes. Murmurs thinned as we neared the high table, and I felt the air shift.

The Marquis stood, his cold eyes fixed on me. His chin tilting ever so slightly toward the figures at his side.

The Grand Duke.

He stood with a stillness that carried more weight than motion ever could. Silver hair caught under the chandelier's light, gleaming like steel. His green eyes landed on me and held me there, unblinking.

Broad shoulders filled his white suit, its fabric lined with silver threads. The hall itself seemed smaller around him.

My chest tightened. It felt like standing before a wall.

I bowed low, forcing my voice steady as I spoke.

"I greet your Grace."

The Grand Duke's gaze lingered a moment longer before he gave a single nod.

Straightening, I let my eyes flick toward the Marquis. He tilted his chin, guiding me onward.

My gaze followed the tilt.

And then I saw her.

Selene.

She stood a step behind the Grand Duke, close enough to mark her place.

 

White-gold hair cascaded down her shoulders in loose waves, catching the chandelier's glow until it shimmered like threads of light. Her eyes were striking, green laced with blue and a faint ring of gold around the iris, like sunlight burning at the edge of dawn.

Selene was smaller than me, yet tall for twelve. She wore a pale white dress embroidered with golden lines, the pattern of a rising sun.

Her face still held a trace of youth in the cheeks, soft enough to remind me she was my age, even as she stood like a grown lady.

I swallowed, heat rising to my ears.

She wasn't pretty like Theodora. She was…beautiful.

And when her gaze found mine, something stirred inside me. A pull, as if I had seen her before. The dull throb of the headache returned, and with it the shimmer of visions.

Not now.

I forced it down, my gaze steady.

I stepped to the side, closer to her. My back straightened, chin lowered in a practiced bow. One arm folded at my waist, the other extended forward. 

"Lady Selene."

Her voice came calm and clear, her hand rising with practiced grace.

"Lord Adonis."

Her fingers touched mine, cool and soft. I bent, pressing a careful kiss to the back of her hand.

A breath steadied me before I lifted my head again, my voice measured.

"Would you grant me a dance?"

Her lips curved faintly, the smallest smile.

"You may."

I glanced sideways toward the Marquis. His slight nod gave approval.

Her hand was still in mine. I turned, guiding her step by step down the stairs, the hall's eyes followed us as we joined the slow circle.

My right hand settled at her waist, light but firm. My left laced with hers, steadying us both.

Theodora's voice echoed in my head, sharp and teasing.

'You're not holding a sword, but a lady!'

Selene's eyes flicked down. A faint furrow touched her brow before she looked back at me.

Her voice was calm.

"The hand belongs to the back. The waist is for lovers."

'Lovers?'

It took a moment before the words landed, and heat shot to my face. My words stumbled out fast.

"My sister told me this was the proper form."

Her head tilted slightly, eyes gleaming.

"Then did you fall for me at first sight?"

I shook my head, stammering.

"No…not yet."

Her smile widened, bright and playful.

"Then why is your hand still on my waist?"

I jerked it back, mortified.

But she caught my wrist with surprising quickness, guiding my hand gently to her back. Her voice softened into command.

"Count. One, two, three."

I obeyed, whispering under my breath.

"One, two, three."

We moved. My steps faltered, a slip on the polished floor. Selene's laugh chimed, light and quick, but not cruel. I adjusted, and on the next turn, my footing held.

Her question came lightly, as her eyes studied me.

"Your first dance?"

I let out a breath, keeping my gaze steady.

"If you don't count lessons…yes."

Her smile softened.

"You are better than you think."

I shook my head faintly.

"I still slipped."

Her chuckle came softly.

"We all do."

The song ended, the circle dissolved. I released her hand, bowed once more, voice quiet but sincere.

"Thank you for the dance and...lesson."

Her eyes glimmered as she inclined her head, a small smile on her lips.

"You are welcome."

***

Late Afternoon - High Table

I sat beneath the Ashspire banner, its black and red spread wide behind me.

Beside me sat Evan, his presence filling the space as much as the banner did.

I raised my cup slightly, voice even.

"Your routes held strong this season."

Evan inclined his head, his words crisp.

"The guilds stayed on schedule."

I leaned back, letting the weight of the hall's noise fall away.

"Winter comes. Are your depots stocked?"

His reply came without hesitation.

"They are. Grain and salt are in place. Timber is already moving to the passes."

I gave a single nod, satisfied.

'Proper talk. The kind that keeps men alive.'

I let a pause fall, then shifted the conversation.

"We plan to raise iron shipments next month. Can your docks take it?"

He traced a finger along the rim of his cup before answering.

"They can. Send notice a fortnight ahead, and I will shift barges."

I nodded my head in acknowledgment.

My gaze shifted to the floor, where two children turned with the circle.

Adonis and Selene.

He held his ground better than I expected. Stiff, but steady.

Selene moved with ease, composure already etched into each step.

I spoke, words light.

"Lady Selene has grown. She will be a beauty when she is older."

Evan's gaze softened as it turned toward her. A rare smile tugged at his mouth.

"She already is."

I set my cup down and pressed further.

"Adonis as well. Awakened at twelve. Luck, or perhaps favor."

Silence stretched for a moment. 

I made the next step, light as dust.

"In time…perhaps there is room to talk."

Evan's reply came without pause, his voice calm, polite, but final.

"Selene will choose. It's our promise. I won't place my hand on that matter."

'So, it's decided.'

Cold ran through my spine. I lifted my cup to my lips. My eyes left Evan, drifting across the hall toward the pillar at the far side.

Favian stood there, waiting. His eyes caught mine.

I gave a single nod.

'Go.'

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