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Chapter 50
It was a rumbling. Or not. It was just the best way Ezabel could describe the ongoing chatter around her. Not that she hated it. In fact, she practically welcomed it. The voices and their variety of conversation were the only things to stop her from focusing solely on her palm. She had taken the glove off of her right hand, half expecting a brutal redness or even sweat. But, as she looked, her hand was as normal as could be. From her pale skin to the creases of her hand, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. No longer was there an uncomfortable warmth that emanated from it. It was cold and the air only made it bite worse.
At the very least, it was one less thing to be concerned over for now. Especially because of the situation Ezabel now found herself in. The opening ceremony had gone by quicker than anticipated. Atalanta made a spectacle of the candidates and gave the people a brilliant, magic filled beginning to the festival. However, Ezabel’s concern for her team had dulled her own experience quite a bit. She could not think of much aside from the very fact that her fate now relied on cooperating in full with a group of candidates that were far from her preferred companions; namely Gilford and Kieran.
She stood awkwardly against a wall. Rather, she stood as close to it as she could since there was a ridiculous amount of rich decor that stood between them. There were shining tables and vases. Flowers and paintings. Each surely had a unique story that needed to be told, but of course, they were not the focus of the evening. Rather, it was the candidates. More specifically, the sponsored candidates. - They had come like a batch of art into the Citadel’s ballroom. Its ceilings soared ahead as expected of the keep. But, in its entirety, the ballroom was relatively narrow. It was like a long hall flanked by two rows of thick, stone pillars on each side.
Between them were placed tables upon tables of food and drink, all of which had their own batch of people hovering around their respective offerings. Courtesy of a string ensemble on the far side of the ballroom, music hovered lazily in the air. - Ezabel felt entirely out of place, even with her uniform on. Like the other candidates, she wore the Order’s white regalia. It was a uniform that did well to stand in with the rest of the place. Yet, her eyes could not help but dance between the far more luxurious garb’s of the gathering’s more affluent members.
It was well and clear that they were all of noble blood. There was a distinct way that they all spoke; with lifted chins and downturned gazes. Ezabel watched them with equal parts curiosity and apprehension. A crowd like this was to be expected for such a place. And, despite the nervousness, she sought to meet it with an open mind. It was a world she knew very little about, which left her fairly uncertain of how to approach it. - They were all clearly beyond her in society. Was it necessary to bow to each person she met? Would it be troublesome to mention her lowborn background? Whatever was needed, she would have to figure it out soon. Her stomach was beginning to grumble.
“Doing okay there?”
Ezabel perked up at once. A smile found itself on her lips before she had even realized. Leonora appeared before her. She came through the crowd, wary of bumping shoulders with others as she held within her hands, two skinny glasses.
“You know, no matter how far away you think you are from all this, I can guarantee that these people are still judging you.”, Leonora added.
“R-really?”, Ezbael immediately stood up straight, as if the abrupt correction of her posture would make her less of a sight.
“Of course they are. But, don’t be nervous. This is just a gimmick so that they can show off the candidates they have sponsored. - Where is Dani?”
“She’s in there somewhere. She was getting hungry and went on ahead. - I should also probably get something to eat.”, Ezabel’s cheeks flushed as she cradled her stomach.
“Before you do that, why don’t you have some of this first? It’ll calm your nerves.”
Leonora extended her arm and placed a glass gently in Ezabel’s hand. It had a familiar scent. One that she perked a brow at.
“Don’t worry, it’s not alcohol. I don’t think that would help you with all this.”
“Wait, is the amai berry juice?”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“Yeah, how did you know?”
Ezabel brought the edge of the glass to her lips and carefully sipped. Her eyes closed at its brisk and refreshing touch. More bearable than medicine and far more refreshing than water itself.
“Soren brought some for me too, earlier in the day.”
“Isn’t that nice of him.”, Leonora shifted her brows and took a sip from her own glass. “Well, I’m glad you like it. It’s way too sweet for me.”
“That’s funny. He said the same thing.”, Ezabel averted her gaze. “S-speaking of which, do you know where Soren is? A-and Leland too! - I thought I should find them first so I can ask them about all this.”
Ezabel gestured toward the entirety of the ballroom with a simple turn of her head. And, despite that, Leonora knew well and true that she was really referring to the trials. Understandably, this was a heavy time on her shoulders. It did not take much effort on Leonora’s part to understand that Ezabel was chasing something alongside her brothers. The trials were her way of making it to them. Even if they had not spoken of such a thought even once, she could recognize the hope in her eyes.
“I’m sure they are in here somewhere. I haven’t seen Soren since the ceremony. As for Leland, he’s either found himself a quiet corner or he’s about ready to anger a few nobles.”
“W-why would he do that?”
“It’s fun for him. I usually stay away so that it only makes him look bad.”
They shared a subtle laugh. Leonora had every intention of keeping Ezabel company throughout the evening. Afterall, who could be entirely comfortable in a room like this? There was not a friend in sight and the leftovers were daunting to approach.
“Miss Leonora?”, a keeper soon called. To which, Leonora’s smile quickly washed away. He came through the gathering and bowed his head over so slightly.
“Yes?”
“Your presence has been requested by the High King, please follow me this way.”
Ezabel’s eyes went wide at the very mention of the king. She was not even aware that he was in the same room. It was an all too overwhelming implication that made the gravity of the entire gathering all the more potent. - Yet, surprise came when she saw a look of calm upon Leonora’s face. It did not shake her and it did not seem out of the ordinary. There was true poise.
“I see. - Ezabel, will you be okay without me?”
She could only nod in response. The words she had in mind could not quite come out at the moment for fear of fumbling.
“Okay then, if you need me, don’t be afraid to come find me.”, Leonora smiled. “Don’t let your drink go to waste.”
With that, Leonora stepped away and disappeared through the gathering after the keeper. It would be a lie to say that Ezabel no longer felt any concern for herself then. But, she did her best to gather her courage. - With a single, deep breath, she took her first step towards the crowd. There was a strange aroma. One that was supposed to be pleasing, yet it was a cloud of mingled perfume and food. Still, she had never experienced such a thing before.
Upon the table closest to her was a large helping of sliced meat. Neighboring it was a plentiful array of fruits and other small bites that were plated in tiers. As soon as they were picked, there would be someone to replenish them. It was almost as if the tables never emptied. That was a fortunate thing for Ezabel as her stomach once again groaned. Regrettably, she had no idea where in the Citadel she could find dinner. That reason alone made up the larger portion of her being here. She would never admit to not having a choice either way. All sponsored candidates were required to show their faces here.
She went onto her tiptoes when she arrived behind two taller individuals. Their shoulders were close together like a wall. So much so, that her eyes could only narrowly see over the top of them. From that ‘vantage point’ the ballroom opened up before her. It seemed that most of those in attendance had shifted away and carried their business off of the center floor. The tables of food and drink had also been placed around its perimeter. Within was a passing party of people who danced and laughed along with the music that soon grew in tempo.
The elegance of the whole thing was clear at once. They all weaved across the floor just as well as they weaved within each other’s arms. It even seemed fun. Ezabel’s lips parted in awe. From the way their feet moved in unison to the care they took in turning every direction, she found it to be incredibly artful. On a typical day, anything of the sort would immediately incite a sensation of inadequacy within her. However, while it was not a priority, this was something she hoped to be a part of in the back of her mind.
Of course, nothing could be done on an empty stomach. So, her slim frame quickly wormed its way through the mess until she found herself at the table. There was a stack of pristine, white plates. It was almost a shame to dirty them, but there was no time to think of such. Her fingers flew immediately towards them before plucking a fruit pastry from the middle tier of a serving stand. It only took a single bite for the tartness to find its way into her cheeks. She loved every moment of it.
Her shoulders shrugged tight and her eyes shut themselves to enjoy the treat. She nearly squealed at the sensation. How lucky was she to be able to dine on such a high caliber collection of food all night? - Her attention went immediately to the centerpiece; it was a wide plate that bore a heavy batch of thinly sliced ham. The aroma reached her nose at the very same moment. Sweet, salty, and hot. Not a second later did she spin a silver fork between her fingers. With it, she took herself a piece and sliced it with the side of the utensil upon her plate.
Frankly, many others around did much of the same. So, there was no need to feel self-conscious. Why then, did she feel a strange stir in her chest? It was as if someone was staring at her with intent. Her eyes lifted from her plate and turned in place. They hovered for a moment, then shifted from one side to the other. And then, in between the sameness of the ballroom crowd, her gaze fell against a familiar sight.
Across the way and against a pillar, Soren stood upright. He was clad in the cloak of the Order, under which most of his silhouette was hidden. But, his face was unmistakable. It smiled and even chuckled a bit as he looked Ezabel’s way. - She blinked. Then she blinked again. Only then realizing that she still had a bite of food in her mouth. Her first instinct was to swallow so that she could greet him, which was reasonable. Too bad she forgot to chew.
A tightness came swiftly around her throat. She returned the fork and plate sloppily to the table; they rattled aloud and drew the attention of those around her. They turned just in time to watch her begin to choke.
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