When we walked back in from the balcony, I had to hide my surprise. Much more time had passed than I thought, the performance had just ended when we opened the door and people began standing up to greet their friends and acquaintances.
We entered at the worst possible moment, everyone immediately looked at us. There wasn’t a single person who didn’t turn their head when the doors sounded, and the noise from the performance disappeared at the exact same time, a terrible coincidence.
“We’ve entered at the worst possible moment.” I tell Lully.
When I turn to look at her, she looks as if nothing happened. Her years of experience at these events allow her to move like a fish in water. I feel more like a bird thrown from a cliff and learning how to fly, I know I can do it, I just don’t know how.
“Invite me to dance, they’ll think we entered because of the dance and other couples will feel encouraged to join in. We can sit down once the dance floor is full and nobody will notice.” Even though I can hear her voice clearly, I haven’t seen her lips move.
“Do you really think we’ll go unnoticed even among so many people?” My voice contains obvious doubt. At the same time, I make the typical formal dance invitation used at these kinds of events.
“Obviously it’s impossible for someone like you or me not to stand out. I’m only hoping people focus on something else and don’t all pay attention to us when we return to our tables.” She accepts my invitation gracefully.
The dance proceeds without any problems, exactly as she predicted. People quickly became encouraged after seeing us in the middle of the dance floor and many couples began surrounding us. Escaping that circle was much easier than I expected.
When I reach my table, I can see all kinds of dishes and drinks from a distance. My mouth waters just looking at how delicious everything appears, this is my favorite part of these events.
None of the dishes disappointed, every single one was delicious. Right now I’m simply sitting here enjoying the musical performance and watching people have fun. Nobody has approached me so far, I don’t know if it’s because everyone noticed I was outside with Lully, because they know my identity, or because I offended them by the way I eat. Perhaps all three.
“I see you’re not very popular, well, maybe with one person.” I hear a voice behind me.
I’m genuinely surprised, and a little frightened that I couldn’t sense her. I lowered the range of my Personal World and my senses aren’t as active as usual because I don’t want to intrude on the private lives of the other guests, but this person entered my range without being detected in the slightest.
“Lady Mirtha, it’s a pleasure to have you come to my table.” It’s the first time that has happened to me with a ruby-rank individual. Just to confirm, I push my ability to its maximum. Now I can sense her presence, it’s just... strange. It’s difficult to focus my attention on her.
“You know? I like being treated formally, it makes me feel powerful, it makes me feel that all my efforts over many years were worthwhile, but it feels different with you.” When she reaches the chair beside me, I stand and help her sit down.
“What makes you feel that way, Lady Mirtha? Does my lack of formality make you uncomfortable?” I ask with genuine curiosity. I’m being formal, but I could obviously be much more formal.
“No, it’s the exact opposite. I want us to become closer, to drop the formalities and speak as friends.” She stares at me. “It’s not every day someone gets the chance to be friends with a person who will turn the world upside down.” She jokes.
“I’m not as special as you think.” Many powerful and extraordinary people participated in the tournament, they’ll continue improving over time until they reach new limits if they don’t die along the way. “By the way, who else is interested in me? Nobody has come to speak with me.”
“Yes, yes, yes, whatever you say.” She waves her hand elegantly from side to side. “Isn’t it obvious? You missed about an hour of the opening ceremony talking with someone and then arrived at your table only to keep talking about her.” Her smile makes me feel slightly intimidated.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Lully? We’re something like friends now, it was quite fun talking with her. Sorry for missing the ceremony, I completely lost track of time.” I end with an awkward smile, ceremonies are rather important for nobles.
“What a shame, it seems you’ll only be friends. If I had met you when I was younger, I wouldn’t have let you go and I certainly wouldn’t have shared you with anyone.” The look in her eyes sends a chill down my spine, she isn’t lying. “Don’t worry, I personally gave the order not to interrupt after hearing my daughter laugh so naturally.”
“Oh! So the Imra I felt entering my structure belonged to you.” I did feel someone gently trying to enter, but they disappeared after a few seconds. It seemed strange.
“Yes, I wanted to spy on your techniques for seducing women. I refuse to believe it’s a coincidence that you became engaged to four beautiful, intelligent, and powerful women. Simply managing to make Princess Brendu fall in love with you deserves academic study.” She takes a gentle sip of wine.
“I thought my daughter would join that exclusive group, but for now you only seem like friends. I don’t know whether that’s good or bad.” She takes another sip and begins thinking.
I genuinely think Mirtha is drunk or very close to it, I only doubt it because her movements remain so perfect and refined. How can she speak this way without feeling embarrassed? Years of experience?
“I doubt you or Lully’s father would agree with that. From the beginning it was destined to be impossible.” I don’t want to mention the girls, I don’t know how they would react to that news. Would they tie me to one of them so I could never wander off alone again?
She presses a finger against her lips while thinking. Watching her behave like that makes me doubt her age, she could easily pass as Lully’s older sister rather than her mother. Most of Lully’s facial features come directly from her, except for her hair and eye color.
“I don’t know... she’s had a difficult life, as you’ve probably noticed. She never lacked anything, but she never had freedom. I don’t regret training her so rigorously, she can see the benefits of it now. It’s just that sometimes when I look at her, it’s like looking at a little bird trapped in a cage inside a house. Even if it’s comfortable most of the time, sometimes it still wants to fly freely.” I follow Mirtha’s gaze toward Lully.
Lully is moving with practiced elegance, every gesture and action is perfect. She doesn’t make the slightest mistake and everything flows naturally.
“I don’t know if I’d have the courage to interfere in her life if she truly wants to loosen up a little. Her father might create certain problems, but I could handle them somehow. I’m not too worried, she’ll eventually return to the world where she belongs. Perhaps she’ll even feel more comfortable after experiencing a little freedom.” Mirtha taps the table gently with her fingers in a perfect rhythm.
“If you ever want to give her some fresh air, send her to my territory. I promise nobody will touch a single hair on her head.” I make the suggestion, I already promised Lully I would do my best to give her a little freedom.
Mirtha stares at me from head to toe, her eyes examining every centimeter of my body. Her gaze repeatedly stops on my face, so many seconds pass that it becomes a little uncomfortable.
“You’re allowed to touch more than a hair.” Mirtha replies jokingly.
“Let’s stop with the jokes, we’re only friends.” I rest my arm on the table and my head on my hand.
“For now. Nobody knows what might happen in the future.” I can feel the sarcasm and teasing behind her words.
We continue talking about various topics for nearly an hour. She creates a dome around us to silence our conversation, and at some point she begins criticizing small things or making sarcastic comments about certain people.
Our conversation feels like that of two friends, not two complete strangers. I call that the miracle of alcohol, people always loosen up a little after drinking more than usual, and today is no exception.
I look at the table covered in wine bottles. For a moment I thought it had become a competition. I would bring out one of the best wines from my collection, then she would do the same, and so on. I even questioned why I have so much alcohol instead of more useful things inside my dimensional bracelet, but that thought disappeared instantly.
“Thank you, Maki, that was quite relaxing. Being able to talk about other people like this is something I can’t do with many people, and the fact that you have no interest in the entertainment world helps a lot.” She nudges me lightly with her elbow.
“You say that as if you didn’t put me through far more tests before trusting me.” I roll my eyes. She forced me to lower the defenses around my Imra to verify whether my words were genuine or merely a façade. I felt completely naked in front of her.
“So... are you leaving tomorrow or the day after? That’s quite soon. The governor isn’t in the territory at the moment, take the opportunity to explore the city a little and enjoy your stay.” Mirtha rises gracefully. “Don’t forget our lunch tomorrow.” She winks at me before returning to her table.
“She’s a walking bomb, what a dangerous woman. I’ve never seen you so defenseless or vulnerable, her intelligence is equal to her beauty and figure.” Glia comments.
“You said it yourself. If she were twenty years younger, this could have become a problem.” I reply.