The Portal

II 2.10 Pain

Noa had spent the day in meetings. A suspicious situation at one of the borders demanded his attention and action needed to be taken. At the end of the afternoon, he had found the men he trusted who had gone out to search for the masked men who had attacked Miss Maël and Mr. Yezekael, but they failed to bring any information. No masked men had been seen in any of the nearby regions.

The lack of answers about this attack disturbed him. It was after 8 pm when he finally made it down to Joshua's dinner. He was an hour late, but his friends knew him well enough to know it wasn't a habit. When he reached the hall, he soon saw Christine. It was impossible not to see her. She was laughing beside her cousin Liam, engaged in lively conversation, a glass of wine in hand. She wore a flowing bright red gown that made her skin glow.

Mateo and Baldric greeted him and the three got into a exhausting discussion about expectations for the season and tactics for evading matchmakers. Noa noticed that Christine was looking at him often and realized, with surprise, that he was enjoying this game. He decided he would keep distance just to see how she would approach him. Christine wasn't the least bit discreet, and Noa knew that was what she wanted, but it would all fade away if he went to her. No, he was curious to know how she would reach him using the few means allowed for a respectable lady. There weren't many possibilities for a young woman to approach a nobleman, and he wanted to know how Christine would solve this dilemma. To make it even more difficult, he sat down with Baldric and Mateo for a game of cards.

Joshua's dinners earlier in the year were a group tradition. They were usually informal and consisted of lots of food, drink and the same old people. However, this year they had the addition of Serena, Bryanna and Chris, as well as Délia Blake, widow of Joshua's cousin, with whom he was talking behind the bar.

Daria Ainsley joined the group, so Baldric's random talk about avoiding marriage was cut short. Noa enjoyed the company of Daria, one of the few women in Shailaja who felt comfortable with him. In fact, as a freshman, he still considered her a girl.

- Mr. Rukmini, it's your turn - Daria called, looking up mischievously.

Mateo was obviously distracted by the sight of Christine who had now joined Joshua and Delia at the bar.

- Of course - he replied absently, making a not-so-smart move.

- I am sorry to say that you are wasting your time, Mr. Rukmini.

- Oh, really? And how would you know that, Miss Ainsley? – provoked Mateo.

They never discussed women in front of other ladies, but there was no need to debate anything in front of Daria Ainsley. Her sharp gaze took in everything.

- You are especially perverse tonight, Mr. Rariff. Will you wait until when to pay attention to the girl?

Noa smiled. Daria knew him well. He was thinking of an answer when she abruptly changed the subject.

- Oh great! I see that Miss Maël decided to join us! - The young woman opened a sincere smile. – I'll say hello. Wait for my turn. - And left.

- Oh, now they'll be chattering, and we won't be able to play - snorted Baldric. - Why did we even invite Daria? She's not even old enough to participate in anything.

The three laughed, but they knew Baldric was joking. Everyone loved Daria's company and held her in high esteem. As they waited for her return, Joshua approached Noa and sat down beside him.

- I realize you've decided to invite her.

- Yes, I don't like the feeling that she is isolated here - Noa replied.

- Miss Ainsley said that almost none of the freshmen talk to her.

- It was to be expected - commented Mateo.