Chapter 20: Noble Affairs

Chapter 20: Noble Affairs

Despite his earlier enthusiasm, Ember found the celebratory ball to be painfully boring. They had spent two days preparing him, his sister teaching him how to dance, his mother dressing him up, and yet he still felt inadequate among the high-profile people. Perhaps it would have been different if they were with Cliff, but he had to leave them in order to entertain guests.

There were simply too many people that Ember didn’t recognise. At least the food was good, though his mother made dishes just as delectable every day.

Meanwhile, Rain seemed to be enjoying herself. She was at that age where dancing and socialising were of the highest importance to her. Ember had seen her dancing for over an hour, while he remained by his mother’s side, largely forgotten by the crowd.

Every now and then, one of his uncles or cousins would approach them, reminding them to remain on their best behaviour.

They didn’t even try to strike up a conversation with anyone, while Cliff remained occupied entertaining high-profile guests. Ember swore that if anyone else came to remind them one more time, he would punch them straight in their nuts.

The worst of them were those finely married women who came to greet them and only returned after adding some backhanded compliments or veiled insults.

If only he could smack their painted cheeks with a resounding slap.

I really need to work on my vocabulary, he let out a pained sigh. He had to learn to return those backhanded compliments to survive in this high society. Finally, he understood why his father was so against the ball.

Cliff came to check on them from time to time. Since it was his big occasion, Rosanna didn’t make a scene out of all the snide comments she had to endure. Honestly, Ember would have already told him, but she stopped him, explaining that it would only make it worse for Cliff.

The event was at its peak when, finally, the announcer heralded the arrival of House Oberon. Among the names, Ember recognised Lady Evelyn, Lord Jaime, and their apprentices.

He quickly spotted the Silver Mage walking alongside her brother, accompanied by several elder members of her clan. Her two young apprentices, Elin and Benny, went ahead, while Lord Jaime’s apprentice, Frin, trailed behind absentmindedly. They approached to congratulate his father, presenting flowers and ornate cases. The older folk broke into boisterous laughter for no particular reason. Well, his grandfather, Timber Blackstone, seemed to be much merrier tonight.

Members of the other two bloodline clans had also come to offer their congratulations.

Though there were ancient feuds between the three bloodline clans, they had endured for over three thousand years, coexisting within Seynhold with relative peace and restraint. Ember knew even less about the other two clans—Renin and Killjoy—than he did about Oberon. House Renin’s bloodline granted a berserking power and endurance, but all their clan members were also rumoured to be abysmal in mana skills.

On that note, Ember was glad he had no bloodline to rely on. For one good aspect, he wouldn’t want to cripple a whole set of skills.

House Killjoy, on the other hand, was as prominent as Oberon, being a family of healers and mages. Their clan was much smaller in size, though they more than made up for it by having four sizeable knight families under them. Their bloodline gift was also much more mysterious. Some said it was a high Life attunement, some claimed it was a Poison affinity, though most seemed to agree that they fuck their cousins. Anything to keep their lineage pure.

Although observing their noble demeanour and striking appearances, Ember found it difficult to believe the rumours entirely.

After finally extricating herself from the cluster of people surrounding her, Lady Evelyn made her way towards Ember and his mother.

“Good evening, Lady Evelyn,” Ember greeted. Looking at her satin black dress accentuating her graceful form, he felt he should compliment her, but the words failed him. He was autistic like that. Thankfully, such shortcomings in noble etiquette were expected at his age. Nobody would hold it against him.

“Why don’t you pair up with Elin and take the dance floor?” Lady Evelyn said after a brief exchange of pleasantries.

Neither Ember nor the girl in question seemed particularly interested. Ember managed to maintain a neutral expression, but the girl openly scowled at him, as if she would do anything but allow him to dance with her. Well, to her ten years of age, he might as well be a toddler.

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“I’m sorry,” Ember quickly said, saving himself from the awkwardness, “but I don’t know how to dance.”

It was almost a lie. Just a few days ago, he didn’t know how to dance. But Rain had given him a few lessons, and he found it to be no more difficult than practising sword stances. Thankfully, he was merely six years old, and nobody had yet asked to see his moves.

Getting her break, Elin swiftly slipped away to find another partner, clearly relieved to avoid dancing with him.

Lady Evelyn regarded him with interest. “You don’t know how to dance?” she said. “No, we can’t leave it at that.”

She extended her gloved hand towards him. “Let’s go, I’ll teach you how to move.”

Ember looked at her outstretched hand before lifting his gaze to her face, acutely aware of her beauty. He might have been in the body of a six-year-old, but he wasn’t impervious to charm.

He might have been blushing as she pulled him onto the dance floor. Ember was certain there were many bachelors who would kill for such an opportunity. Beyond her elegance and charm, Evelyn Oberon was also one of the most talented and powerful individuals. She had an almost certain chance of reaching Gold Class if she did not fall early. Hopefully, those lordlings on their high horses wouldn’t hold it against a child.

Under the scrutinising gazes of dozens, Ember moved stiffly as the woman explained the cadence.

“Don’t look at others. You are not performing to entertain others. Watch me and try to match my cadence.”

Lady Evelyn wasn’t as good at dance lessons as she was with mana. Both of them moved awkwardly as she had to bend her back to meet his small stature.

If that weren’t enough, several noble lords interrupted them, attempting to steal Lady Evelyn’s hand for a spin. But she ignored them, twirling Ember across the floor.