Responding to the duke was quick, finding a date was even quicker. Mother had several potential candidates in mind, but honestly, there'd only really been one. After all, they'd been insisting that I have the same companion for almost every formal dinner for most of my young life, so having someone I knew for this event would be the best idea.

“This is so exciting, I can't believe you managed to get an invitation to the duke's residence? I've never met him of course, was waiting until my official introduction to society, but to meet him even earlier is such a treat!” Young lady Starshine enthused as our carriage rattled down the road.

“I'm glad you're willing to join me on such short notice, thank you for that.” I replied, having only had a few days from the arrival of the letter to tonight.

It wasn't a hollow apology either, for I knew I'd caused her no small amount of trouble. An invitation to one of our houses, not even the direct holder of a noble title was one thing, but to a duke's manor? That was a whole different story. The clothing required wasn't something either of us should have had lying around, nor would we have a use for it later. It also meant that we'd have to apply a whole new level of manners, with parents stringently going over those again. I'd not given her a gift alone, but also a tiresome chore, and one she'd needed to hurry to do.

“There's no need for an apology Percival, this is a chance of a lifetime.” Then again, she didn't seem at all displeased.

“Perhaps, but it was unexpected.”

“Mmm, true, however did you get such an invitation anyway? Not to offend, but we're both hardly the sort of person who'd get that sort of letter. Are you perhaps related to him?”

“Oh, no nothing like that, we just met awhile back through a mutual acquaintance. I really wasn't expecting to hear from him again, particularly not so soon.”

She gave me an appraising look, but since it was clear I didn't want to elaborate she didn't push. I appreciated that, there were already enough people in my life that were digging into my business at all hours and making things quite a pain. One person willing to give me my peace and privacy was more than welcome.

“How is your brother doing by the way? I haven't had the chance to see him in a couple of weeks, all things taken together,” I asked.

She giggled. “Oh it's been quite the event. When our parents found out some of the details they spent the better part of a week punishing him. They've even threatened to keep him from participating in some of the sword tourneys, though I doubt they'll follow through with that one.” Then her eyes narrowed. “Of course, you were there for the foolishness too.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Please don't, I've already had enough people in my life berate me, and I'm honestly not at all sorry.”

“Maybe if you were more sorry they'd stop berating you,” she said with a huff.

“A man must do what he must do.” I looked out of the window for a few moments in silence, before speaking again. “At any rate, we're here.”

The manor we were going to was massive, larger even than our off-season mansion back home and decked out with statues, fountains, and lights galore. The drive was smooth as we pulled in, the horses stopping just before the main entry.

Immediately I realized just how few people there were here for any kind of event. Surely the ducal house had mountains of friends or family they could invite, but for tonight there were almost no carriages about. That was odd, and it meant that this was to be a far more private affair than I'd expected.

As I helped Rowena down from the carriage her eyes were alight. She maintained her composure, as was expected, but it was plain to see that if she were allowed she'd be bouncing with joy. In this world of magic some places were far more magical, with decorations and power that would have stood up to anything my previous world had. I was told that in the past they were even more extreme, with displays of magic and power to wow all involved, but tradition locally dictated that such ostentatious things be limited to some extent.

We were announced moments later as we entered the house proper, with our host and hostess smiling and greeting us. The dinner, for all that is was, was much the same as any other. Sure, there were seating changes, more and better food items, and the room as a whole was far beyond what we were used to, but since there was a procedure to it all we knew exactly what to do. There was something to that, the fact that people could depend on manners to remain mostly the same, the rules to be stable.

Our conversation was light, kept so by the strictures of etiquette, but it was clear to me that this was no simple social call. The duke wanted something from me, and as he was keen to do so had called me to his home. Sure, he might have just asked me to come at a normal time, but that would have led to questions. Inviting a young man of noble blood who'd saved some innocent girl earlier in the year could be written off as mere curiosity about me. He even made sure to ask about the incident briefly, though seemed not to care too much when I relayed the story of our first encounter with one of the odd goblins.

Once dinner was over we all sat and chatted for a few moments before our host looked to me.

“Come young man, we'll retire to my smoking room and let the ladies to themselves for a bit, wouldn't want to bother them with the smell. I've even managed to acquire a bit of liquor from the mainland I think you'll enjoy.”

Rowena looked at me with a raised eyebrow and almost moved to speak, after all she knew I didn't smoke, and found it to be a rather disgusting habit.

“Don't worry dear, I'm sure my husband will bring him back safe and sound. Do you like pastries? Our chef has the most magnificent recipe that I'm sure you'll love,” the duchess said, taking her by the arm before she could interject. I had to appreciate their skill at tag-teaming us.

He led me down one hallway after another, not far from where we'd been, but far enough, and certainly not to the normal smoking room. The room we entered looked more like a sitting room, well stocked with chairs and a faint tinge of runes around the walls. My guess was something for privacy, but I wasn't a hundred percent sure.

He did actually pour me a small glass of some alcohol, and he was right, it was lovely, fruity and light without being overpoweringly sweet, floral almost. Both of us took a few sips as we found a pair of chairs.

“Apologies for all the cloak and dagger lad, but I didn't want to draw any more attention to you than we already have, things are moving.”

“How so?” I asked.

“Well, I'm not sure it's related to our local woes, but we found out who came to assassinate our archmage.”

“Who?”

“Elves.”