Noblesse oblige

Part 18

Chapter 18

When Astrid finally entered the manor she was led to the ballroom. She could feel eyes on her person and as she walked she used her fan to hide part of her face while looking around at the people that had arrived and were chatting. It was the virtual whos-who of society as she spotted several madams who were well known for their gossip as well as their trendsetting, some well known Dragonpolo players. She knew her father wouldn't attend since he was still in bed due to the injuries his wife had inflicted and her mother cared not much for such social events.

One of the hosts of the party made themselves known nearly immediately after the usher announced her name to the ballroom. No sooner had the man finished speaking before her arm was taken by her aunt Hildegard.

"Astrid darling, I am so glad you could make it," Her aunt gushed as Astrid let her lead her around the room for now. "It's been so long,"

"Indeed it has aunt Hildegard," Astrid answered briskly. "How are you and your husband faring?" She then asked out of politeness. Hildegard's husband was her father's younger brother and Hildegard was actually his second wife. She was slightly younger than his first wife and if the rumors were to be believed her uncle had divorced his first wife as she was barren, unable to have children, and had then brought his mistress into the manor whom he later married. It was basically the social scandal of years past. Astrid had heard of it but as she was only a few years old when it had happened she was skeptical of the validity of it. Yet both ladies still lived in the manor and tongues wagged and faux sympathy spread that Mr. Hofferson just couldn't bear to throw his first wife out on the street after their divorce.

The facts were this; Her uncle had married twice, he hadn't taken Hildegard as a concubine at first which was odd, both ladies lived in relative peace together in the manor and all three were rather private. Astrid wasn't one to believe the rumors but even this arrangement seemed slightly off to her by Noble standards. She snapped out of her musings as her uncle approached. He was a fairly tall fellow, taller than his older brother actually but Astrid held her head high as he slightly towered over her.

"My dear niece," her uncle greeted her though she felt no warmth in his voice. "I am so happy you could join us this evening."

"Greetings uncle," Astrid said with a slight curtsy as was customary to greet a host. The curtsy wasn't as formal as one would use when greeting royalty but she used this opportunity to place her hand near her bosom and the square neckline of her gown, drawing attention to the black pearl necklace she had been given by Queen Valka. The supposedly subconscious gesture had the desired effect as she heard the intake of breath from her uncle. She hid a smirk as her game had begun. Pearls in general were coveted by Nobility as Berk was an island kingdom. The most coveted color amongst the pearls was black and since centuries past only the Queens and future Queens of Berk wore this color. It was seen as an unspoken rule, denoting status within society and here Astrid was all but literally screaming at the Nobles that saw her 'Those who mocked and belittled me for getting thrown in prison; WELL I'M BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!'

Astrid tucked a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear, revealing the black pearl earring that went with the necklace as she watched her uncle quickly recover. "First let me congratulate you on your engagement," Her uncle said and Astrid supposed he might be playing it safe, testing the waters a bit so to say. "Prince Hiccup is a lucky man to have you as a fiance,"

"And I am a lucky woman," Astrid smiled genuinely. She then looked around for a moment and frowned "So where is Aster?" She had yet to spot her cousin and he should be at the ball with his parents greeting the guests and schmoozing to make connections. "As the new heir to the family he should also be greeting these guests, should he not?"