The Inner Circle | A Midnight Quartet

Chapter 3 | Miles Perry

Miles tugs on the stiff vest he's wearing. It would probably classify as the fanciest thing he's ever worn. Not that it's his suit, anyways. He has about the same build as the oldest prince, Alastair, so the gentleman offered it to Miles for the night. Neither of them would consider each other friends, but they get along nicely and Miles can always count on a good sparring match with the royal for his training. Their matches together are one of the only times the status gap between them disappears. In the courtyard, they are simply opponents, battling for a win and nothing more.

Currently, he is doing exactly what he should be doing according to his job: standing in the shadows behind Alastair in case he needs anything. King Irving stands at the top of the stairs as trumpets sound around them. His firstborn son is placed to his right, and with the number of golden chains that are hanging off both of their suits, Miles could easily imagine making a leash for the King to hold onto Alastair with. Both of the Princes of Derowen are treated like dogs, loved by their father when needed, disregarded when they are seen as bothersome. Yes, a leash would be very fitting, Miles thinks as Irving urges Alastair to smile at his subjects. Together, they look down on the people below them on the ballroom floor, two powerful men practically sneering at the highly ranked people of the kingdom.

A small cough urges Miles' attention to his left, where a scrawny boy is hidden in the shadows by him. Florence, is his name, if Miles remembers correctly. He's the runner-boy for the King and always looks terrified of everything and everyone around him. He clutches a letter in his hand, looking nervously at the King. Typically, Carmen is also standing up beside them, being another person that gets no recognition when they are just there to help the royals. Ernest, the middle child, must be running late, making Carmen absent as well. Now that he thinks about it, neither the Queen nor the Princess are present either.

"Good evening!" King Irving's voice carries throughout the huge room, gathering everyone's attention. He has a strange ability to make every conversation feel extremely intimate and personal, whether that be in a group setting or just one on one with someone. Maybe that's how he has the entire kingdom wrapped around his cruel finger. The thought is fleeting as the King continues talking. "I am glad to see everyone already mingling and enjoying their time here tonight! I'm sure that tonight will be very memorable. Royal events like this ball always find a way to bring our kingdom together in unity and camaraderie." He takes a sip from his chalice, lifting it in front of him. "Let us all celebrate tonight. Now, drink and be merry! "

Resounding chuckles ripple through the lords and ladies gathered as they each take a drink of their wine. The father and son clink their glasses together and a few drops of bright red liquid sloshes out of the rims, falling onto the pristine tiles. Miles' eyes fixate on it as Florence rushes to clean it up. A chill creeps up Miles' spine and he shivers. . The moment passes as more trumpets sound and Miles backs even farther into the wall, letting the Queen pass by him in her huge gown. She winks at him in acknowledgment as every hair on his body stands up. He proudly ignores her regality by continuing to stare straight ahead. Irena walks behind her mother as the Royal Announcer proclaims their late arrival. Miles barely hears it, though, as his heart speeds up and jumps into his throat, not allowing him to breathe.

Aspen doesn't look at him as she comes to stand inches beside him. Darcy smiles at him before standing to Aspen's right. They can't talk without ruining the illusion of not being there, but that doesn't mean they can't stare at each other. She finally acknowledges his presence by glancing up. They both scan each other's outfits and Aspen's face twists into a beautiful smile as she compares the green of her dress to the color of his suit. Even his cream undershirt matches with the details of her gown. Miles notices the same things too, wanting just to say something to her. Something thought-provoking, something romantic, something to sweep her off her feet and never be put down because they are together and that's all they need. But instead, they remain trapped in their duties, pretending to be nonexistent in the shadows.

The Queen turns her head to the side slightly, somehow indicating for Aspen to come closer. Odessa takes a step back as Aspen slides forward into the light. She whips out a fan from who knows where to cover her mouth as she speaks to Aspen. The young beauty's jaw tightens with every new word while Odessa's eyebrows lift in triumph and a smug smile finds its way onto her painted lips. Miles can't hear what they are saying, but he knows it's not something pleasant. His whole body stiffens and he can feel Darcy move closer to him in a calming gesture. It's not a secret in their friend group that he lets his temper get the best of him every once in a while, especially when it comes around to people he cares deeply about. They all try their best to help him out but Aspen typically has to be the one to calm him down each time.

Odessa's eyes flash to Miles' as Aspen turns around to walk back into the corner. A revolting grin makes Miles want to slap the Queen for being so odd and terrible, but he manages to push the feeling down to the bottom of his stomach to linger there. He barely catches the hushed words coming out of Aspen as the royal turns back to stand beside her husband again.

"She dismissed us to go do whatever we want for the next few hours during the ball. Let's get out of here." Miles wraps a protective arm around her waist as the three of them slip out of the doors undetected.

Darcy leads the way as Aspen clings to Miles, both of them walking casually through the dim hallway. Miles realizes that Carmen isn't with them which would explain why Darcy is constantly looking around. They arrive in a sitting room that's not too far away from all the action in the ballroom. The room is tall and a full wall is made out of floor-to-ceiling windows, letting loads of moonlight spill in.

"How romantic," Aspen breathes as she looks at the dusty chairs and open floor space. She looks over her shoulder at the boy holding her hand, her eyes twinkling with mischief and excitement. Miles lifts up their joined-together arms and gently twirls her a few times before pulling her close to his body. They can hear the music of the party float through the air and Darcy quietly hums along as she moves little tables out of the way of the main area.

They slightly sway side to side to the slow waltz. "Words can't describe how beautiful you look tonight." Miles mumbles the words into the top of her hair, knowing Aspen can still hear his muffled words.

"Margaret told me that you would wear something to match me; I didn't realize that it would be your entire suit."

"That is just like you, to skirt around my compliment by saying something else. But yes, Alastair figured that I could wear something nicer than just my work clothes for tonight. Green isn't his color anyways."

"Well it sure is your color. It makes your eyes even brighter."

One of Miles' hands comes up from Aspen's back to trace over the scrape by her ear. "Do I want to know what happened here, or what she said to you up on the balcony?" He doesn't need to specify who they are talking about.

"I'm not exactly sure how the scrape got there. And no, our conversation was not important." She avoids making eye contact with him. He lifts up her chin to make her look at him. His brain fights over what to say next, so he just says the first thing that makes actual sense.

"You'll always be important to me."

"Wow, that was random," She giggles, tucking her head underneath his chin.

"It's true, though."

Darcy sighs from somewhere behind Miles as the door creaks open. "There you are!" All three pairs of eyes look at the newcomer and Aspen's eyes don't miss Darcy subconsciously smoothing out the fancy dress around her hips.

Carmen looks around, lingering on the couple already on the makeshift dance floor. A smile lights up his face as he stares at Darcy. "Glad to see I was missed." He holds up champagne glasses and a bottle of sparkling water. "Let's get this party started!"