A Beast's Tale

Chapter 80

 Every ball was the same to me. I took up my position on one side of the room, and a line of people formed before me. Most were members of my faction. Clavis or Nokto handled the small talk and anything that didn't require my attention, and I dealt with the rest. Reports, requests, questions of diplomacy, economic matters—I preferred to postpone faction business until affairs such as this, when I could attend to it all at once and be done with it. When the line ended and the first strains from the orchestra filled the room, I left.

Not tonight.

Making myself available earlier in the day meant the line was shorter than usual. I still wouldn't partake in the dancing when the music began, even though the woman standing at my side probably expected me to dance at least once with her. Arianna wore a pink ballgown that complimented her light tan and her figure, with a few golden ringlets pulled from her updo to brush her shoulders. She had been nervous when she approached me, and that did not change as the minutes passed. Being accustomed to brash, tyrannical characters like Silvio could not prepare her for my cold, intimidating demeanor. She did an admirable job of hiding her anxiety, though, and she didn't interfere with my work. She simply watched. If I had any intention of following through with the engagement, her poise would have been a point in her favor.

An engagement was not out of the question. I had seven available brothers, after all, and marriage to any of them would strengthen our alliance with Benitoite just as well as a marriage to me. It would be better for her to marry someone she could befriend, who would show her some affection, even if love did not develop between them. I couldn't give her that. I had eyes for one woman alone, and it was becoming increasingly obvious to me that there were no alternatives. Sariel and I had to thwart Ivetta's arranged marriage to Gilbert. I needed her to be mine.

Ivetta was doing her best to remain unobtrusive, as any servant should, and failing. Instead of taking a drink from the tray she carried and ignoring her, people were speaking with her. There were glances in my direction. I could imagine some of the probing questions and offhand comments she received. Her position as my maid made her an object of curiosity, and the elegance of her movements did not suit her maid's uniform. I'd noticed it before, and it was even more apparent here, interposed between servants and noblewomen. Shoulders back, spine straight, steps light—she only needed to hold her head up more. It was easy to envision her in a ballgown, smiling and chatting with other noblewomen as she sipped champagne.

I had the dress designed less than an hour into the ball. Dark green, a shade darker than her eyes. Straps over the shoulders set wide apart, almost off the shoulder, with short sleeves of a gauzy material the same shade as the main dress. Wide neckline, low-cut but with several layers of gauzy material arranged at the center of her bust, blossoming up over her chest like a rose for modesty. Full, floor-length skirt, composed of multiple layers of the main material, intermixed with gauzy green.

I'd have to sketch it later.

"Chevalier," Yves said, walking up to me with his haughty expression in full play. "I need to speak with you. Privately." He looked down his nose at Arianna and crossed his arms over his chest. I had the distinct impression that I was about to receive a lecture, and I knew the reason.

"I'll keep the lady company," Clavis volunteered with a cheery smile. He held out his arm to Arianna. "Chev is about as much fun at parties as a wet blanket. Let's see... Luke! Allow me to introduce you to my dear baby brother..."

I followed Yves to a quiet area while Clavis dragged an uncomfortable-looking Arianna toward an even more uncomfortable-looking Luke, who wore crisp white pants, a long white coat edged with black and gold, and a pair of white dress gloves. He needed a haircut and better posture if he wanted to pass as anything more than a commoner playing at prince.