Chapter 138: Debut

“Ye’ve got this,” Kat whispered to Rosalyn.

The Druid hadn’t let go of a vice-like grip on Kat and Ann’s hands since they’d helped her down. Her head was locked looking straight forward, and Ann could feel nerves radiating off her.

“Mhm!” she said through clenched teeth.

“Rosalyn, it’s just this one moment, then we can find a place off to the side to hide while you relax,” Ann said, squeezing the ebony hand in hers.

“Mhm!” Rosalyn said back again.

Ann sighed and gave Kat a look. Neither of them was getting through to their girlfriend, and she was a wreck. All that excitement and jitters had solidified into terror.

“Let’s get this over with,” Ann said, gritting her own teeth and putting on a smile. Truth be told, she was buzzing with nerves as well. She was just better at playing them off.

The manor they arrived at was a massive building, partially set into the mountain itself, much like the palace. The front facade was high and pointed, with sweeping arches and columns. As Ann regarded it, she found similarities to Notre Dame with the large round stained glass window set in the front of the central peak. Lights danced merrily around the steeples like fireflies, changing colours as they went. Nothing seemed attached to them, and they never flitted lower than fifty feet above the ground.

Around them, a parade of wealth and import was unloaded from various carriages streaming through iron gates. Ann had to force herself from gawking at the glittering dresses and sleek suits worn by every man and woman in attendance. Even their coachmen were dressed in what she’d call garish displays of wealth.

“Did I underdress?” Ann whispered to Kat.

“Nae. Ye’re gorgeous. Rich snobs don’t know how tae reel it in,” Kat grumbled.

“Aren’t you richer than all of them?”

“Aye, an’ I know better. Remember, I hate all o’ this?”

“Understanding why.”

“Your highnesses, and guests,” the doorman bowed low, the tails of his coat flying out behind him. “No coats this evening? Very well, please make your way to the grand doors, and you will be announced. Pray, have a majestic evening.”

“Hoookay,” Ann whispered. “That level of pompous. Got it.”

“I’m gonna break my teeth,” Rosalyn grumbled, jaw still locked.

“Want me to soothe that a little?” Ann asked.

“Please?”

Ann happily cast Stoke the Flames and evoked calm in Rosalyn. The woman responded gradually, her hands loosening and her jaw relaxing slightly. It said something that she still looked incredibly tense.

“Where the hell are Bren and Lucia?” Rosalyn asked through her teeth, attempting a smile.

“Right here,” Bren said.

Rosalyn yelped and turned, dragging Kat and Ann with her.

There Bren was, dressed in a slick set of black pants and a white shirt that hugged his chest flatteringly. Shining shoes clicked as he strode the last few paces between the two parties. His dirty-blonde hair in a stylish wave. He looked freshly shaven as his trim jawline worked in what Ann thought might be frustration.

The frustration became evident as Lucia stalked up next to him. She was in a very similar outfit, with black pants hugging her thighs and calves, as well as her own shining moccasin style shoes showing a bit of her ankles and feet after where her pants ended. Her shirt was the main point of interest, and Ann could already see people staring. Zabel had fulfilled the Thrundol’s requests with apparent enthusiasm. Up her right arm, green and golden vines were embroidered into white cloth, binding her arm with the Life Debt she’d sworn to Bren. On her left, the tailor had done a perfect job of extending the black text of Bren’s oath to Lucia, plain words for all to read. With it so perfectly replicated, Lucia had chosen to keep her sleeves rolled up to the middle of her forearms, showing off the real tattoos meeting the embroidery work. Tonight, Lucia looked every bit the fierce huntress she was, with her hair slicked back and tied into a ponytail, her sharp green face cut an even more imposing sight upon whomever she looked at.

“Many eyes,” she grumbled.

“You do realise that is the purpose of this? Right? I have only explained it several times.”

“Can feel frustration. Won’t ask,” Lucia shrugged.

“Thank you. You three look stunning. That dress is incredible, Katlyn,” Bren said with a dazzling smile.

Ann took a second. She was so used to Bren not trying to look good that this version of him was throwing her for a loop. She caught Lucia’s rapidly scanning eyes locking onto him several times as well. A quick glance told her Lucia was far from the only one as well.

“You look hot as Hell,” Ann returned.

“Aye. Turnin’ heads as always,” Kat laughed, tapping Bren’s shoulder with her sleeved hand. “Ye’re lookin’ slick as well, Lucia. Those sleeves are a hell o’ a statement.”

“Thanks,” Lucia said simply.

“Alright,” Junia said, dress swishing as she rushed up to them. “We’re next. Places, places. Rosalyn, you will be fine, darling. I will be going first, then the three women, then Bren and Lucia.”

“Together?” Bren asked. “That will make a statement.”

“As if those sleeves on your date do not already.”

“Not date!”

“Then go in separately, but make your choices quickly. It is my turn.” With that, Junia turned and strode through the doors as they opened. Muffled through the thick oaken doors, Ann could hear her being announced.

“Well, we’re together, so that makes this easier. Seriously, Rosalyn. Like some wise penguins from my time said, just smile and wave,” Ann said, squeezing the Druid’s hand.

“What’s a penguin?”

The doors opened, and they were thrust through into the main hall.

A sparkling crystal chandelier dominated the view from the second floor entrance they stood at. Dozens upon dozens of strands of glittering stone twisted and twirled, throwing dancing lights across the wide room beneath.

A central space was cleared off to allow for dancing, Ann noted, just as she’d read up on. To the left would be the tables for refreshments and socialising, while the rightwould have tables and alcoves for those who needed a break from standing. At the far end of the room was the high table, set with several seats of increasing decoration as they neared the centre chair. That would be where they were to be seated when not dancing or otherwise occupied. While Kat’s station all but demanded that they have seats of prominence, Junia would hold the highest chair, while their host, Kris, would hold the second. While it hadn’t been explicitly discussed, Ann’s study had made her certain they’d be to the right of Kris, while Bren and Lucia would be to the left of Junia. Seats, of course, could be exchanged when desired, but there was some tradition in these specific places being reserved.

One thing Ann noticed very quickly was the quiet in the room as they entered. Everyone already present was staring at them with keen interest and their names hadn’t even been called. To that point, a portly man with a cane stepped up before them, slammed the sceptre into the floor with a magically enhanced knocking sound, and cleared his throat.

“Tonight we welcome her highness Princess Katlyn Farragher, third princess of the royal family. Attending her are Annita Kronforst, Lupine Warrior, and Rosalyn Losenska, Ovine Druid.”

The room stared in silence as the three made a simple bow, then turned to the stairs on the right to descend toward the main floor. Slowly, polite applause rippled through the nobility.

Ann’s senses were overloaded as a hundred whispered conversations kicked up. Instinctively, she filtered the noise and focused on listening to Kat and Rosalyn’s steps beside her. Looking over, she found Rosalyn with a plastered on a grin that did not at all look disarming, and Kat with a sour expression. Even with that look, she still looked stunning in her dress.

They touched the main floor and were surprisingly given plenty of room to make their way. Instead, they turned and looked back up to find Lucia and Bren being presented.

“Bren Hedera, son of the Hedera Engineers. Scholar, socialite, and healer. Accompanying him is Lucia Simorgh, Huntress and Warrior.”

Both waved, and the crowd gasped as Lucia’s sleeve pattern flashed with the Life Debt marking. Ann was going to be the centre of attention, but she now understood she would not be the main scandal tonight.

Shortly, the party reunited in a circle on the floor.

“Awful,” Lucia grumbled. “Did you see fear?”

“They do not understand the reason for your sleeve, Lucia. Give them time, but some still will not see it as a positive. Speaking of, if people start causing trouble about it, I would be unsurprised if a demand for a duel is proposed. Would you be my first, Kat?”

Kat grinned toothily back at her all-but-brother. “Ye bet yer arse.”

“No ruining your dress,” Ann chided.

“Ah, this is shitty fightin’ that goes tae touches fer honour. Nothin’ll ruin my frilly nonsense.”

“Sleek nonsense,” Rosalyn corrected her. She spied an attendant and flagged them down. “Does this have alcohol?”

“Yes, ma’am. Fine wine from the vineyards of southern Thalten,” she explained.

“How strong is it?”

“Well, not the strongest. If you are looking for liquid courage, I suggest the bar,” the server advised.

Rosalyn thanked her, then rejoined the group. “I’m going to the bar. I can’t do this completely sober I feel like my heart is about to explode. Kat, please help!”

“Alright, I’ll help ye out. Ye ok without us fer a min, Ann?”

“Go get her some drink. Bring me back some wine, yeah?” Ann said.

“Can do.”

“Well, I see some friends I must speak with. Care to join, Lucia?” Bren asked.

“Fine,” the surly Thrundol nodded.

And just like that, Ann was left alone on the floor of the ballroom. She fidgeted with the bottom of her dress rubbing against her fur, cursing slightly at herself for not having shed that bit.

Taking a step back, she scanned faces. Faces were useless to her, since all she had were names, but she was looking for something specific. Soon, she caught the look of intrigue from a group further into the crowd. It wasn’t a direct invitation, but it was as good as she was going to get. It was a group of two men and two women, and all seemed to be discussing her intently.

Time to see if all this studying pays off, Ann sighed to herself, then walked toward the group. As she approached, she put a little more sway into her hips, really playing up her sensuality. Now was not a time for subtlety. Tonight, she needed to be paid attention to.

“Mind if I join you?” Ann asked politely, flashing a grin to the gathering.

“Ah, of course, Lady Kronforst,” one man said. He was Thrundol, dressed in a neatly pressed three-piece suit with a splash of red across his chest. “We were just discussing your presence, actually.”

“I’m afraid you all have me at a disadvantage,” Ann laughed airily. “You know my name, but I don’t know any of yours.”

“Apologies,” the same man said. “Gerald O’mearas, at your service. This is my good friend, Peter Milnes, Lady Calida Hislop, and the Equine is Lady Nyx McCaffrey.”

“A bit redundant, but Annita Kronforst,” Ann said, nodding to the group. She recognised a couple of their names. Gerald was from the mining group aligned with the traditionalist faction, while Calida belonged to an expansionist family focused on foreign trade. Neither house was openly at odds, so it wasn’t a surprise to see them in close talks.

“So we have heard,” Nyx sniffed. “A ruffian hitched up to the barbarian princess? Such a scandal you have caused, Lady Kronforst.” She said it like an insult, but the twinkle in her eye made Ann second guess that assumption.

“Kat is far from a barbarian. Complete sweetheart under all those muscles,” Ann said. “While I’m a bit rough around the edges, I’m just getting my bearings in this kingdom.”

“Yes,” Peter cut in. “We heard you were from a foreign land. Care to tell us more?”

“Well, it was far north. There’s an isolated tribe of Lupine that are a bit more wolf than other Vulhardrin. We kept to ourselves and I made the choice to explore.”

“More Warped, you mean?” Calida asked. “There have been rumours about you, Lady Kronforst. That your shape is a harbinger. An omen of dark times. Personally, I think it nonsense, but I am a single noblewoman.”

“No, no. Not Warped,” Ann shook her head. “Just more, um, like me? I dunno. It’s hard to explain.”

“Understandable, dear lady,” Gerald chuckled. “This world is full of mysteries unknown to all. Dear Calida keeps trying to convince me to expand my horizons and travel. See the world.”

“You really should. Being stuck in one place stagnates the mind,” Calida grumbled. “But with all that coal in your brains, you wouldn’t know better.”

“Things are good where I am, thank you,” Gerald chuckled, his tusks bobbing with his lower jaw. “What say you, Lady Kronforst?”

“Well, exploring sure is rewarding. It’s how I got to come here and be talking with you. How I found Kat and Rosalyn, Bren and Lucia. It’s how I figured out I was good at fighting and took up mercenary work.”

“Ugh, mercenary work,” Peter groaned. “If people wanted to fight, they should just sign up with the military. Serve the kingdom properly under supervision of the crown. I truly believe this system is broken.”

“I appreciate how it works,” Ann said. “It gives those who don’t do well with superiors or hierarchy, but are good at fighting, a way to contribute.”

“An age-old argument for the institution,” Peter sighed. “You are new to our politics, Lady Kronforst, but this is something that comes up often. Almost as often as the expansion and retention policies.”

“Or the new trade agreements negotiated by Princess Junia,” Nyx said.

“Or which piece of armour Queen Orlana is wearing to each event,” Celida giggled. “How are we to model fashion when the queen herself never adheres to a consistent style? If my tailors need to make a dress that works with a breastplate, shoulder armour, greaves, and sabatons separately, I pity their hands.”

Ann took a mental step back as the group began discussing the latest fashion trends. Nyx and Gerald joined in, arguing that the fluidity of fashion is what made things interesting. Peter seemed disinterested in the topic and was glancing elsewhere in the room when focus from his companions left his person.

“A gorget is not a replacement for a cravat!” Nyx insisted. “I don’t care that Queen Orlana wore one with her suit during the last ball. She gets away with it because she’s so powerful no one will disparage the failing.”

Ann stepped in. “Now, normally I would agree, but with some of the enchantments I’ve seen, couldn’t that be pulled off? If it’s flexible and under the suit, it’d just look like a sparkly neck decoration, no?”

“That may be true,” Celida piped up. “The issue is the entire outfit needs to be arranged around that single piece. If anyone is to attempt such a style, it would be incredibly expensive. Thousands of gold for each outfit with each piece of armour.”

“Not to mention the armour itself,” Nyx said. “I don’t care overly much for the stuff, but hers is always shining with magic. My family’s coffers would quake in fear at funding one of those pieces. An instant heirloom for generations.”

The other three nodded in agreement. Even Peter seemed to check back in when things turned to the queen’s armour.

“She’s quite the influence on socialite fashion, isn’t she?” Ann asked.

“Both her and King Kremdol,” Nyx said. “Junia and Somnal less so, and Katlyn has her own group that prefers her style. Oh, Annita, you have to tell me. Was it you who got her into that dress? I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so done up before.”

“Guilty,” Ann said with a giggle. “Junia helped put a bit of pressure on her, as well.”

“Gossipin’ about me already?” Kat’s husky voice cut in. “I just left ye tae get a drink. Here, by the way. Good tae see ye again, Nyx, Peter, Gerald, Caldia.” Kat’s voice cooled significantly when she addressed Caldia.

“Your highness,” the group bowed. “And who is this lovely woman on your arm?”

“Ah, me girlfriend, Rosalyn. Ye knew that, though. Don’t act like ye haven’t gotten info from brokers, Nyx. I know better.”

“Sharp as always, even with your blunt attitude and actions,” Nyx said, grinning. “I am well aware of Lady Losenska. Your display in the court hearings a few days past were the talk of the court. Disarming the defence so deftly was truly a master stroke. I must offer my praise.”

Rosalyn, currently clutching a glass of a dark liquid Ann had no doubts was incredibly alcoholic, nodded back. “I, um, thank you. I didn’t really mean to but he just asked questions and I told him the truth and then everyone looked really surprised and he looked frustrated. Then that was it and I was done?”

“She doesn’t do well with people or crowds,” Ann said, lightly placing her hand on Rosalyn’s shoulder.

“You, beautiful, have chosen the worst person to get into a relationship with, if that’s the case,” Peter said. “Kat somehow always winds up at the centre of some big scandal or event. I’m looking forward to whatever happens tonight.”

“Just do not repeat the reports from the Brawler’s Guild,” Caldia sniffed. “This is civilised company.”

Kat, Ann, and Rosalyn blushed. Ann tried to find words, but couldn’t. She knew this was going to be brought up, but it was still mortifying. She could protest that it wasn’t her fault, but that’d be an excuse. Better to just move on.

“We promise no repeat performances,” Ann said, trying to play it off with humour. Fortunately, this worked, drawing a chuckle from the group.

“Aye. We’ll get intae trouble some completely new way,” Kat laughed.

“Kat!” Rosalyn and Ann exclaimed.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” A loud, clear voice sounded out over the floor. “The time has come for the ball to commence! As we begin, our organiser, Junia Farragher, and host, Krisnaal Layton, have a few words for us.”

All eyes turned to the high table, murmured conversation dying on people’s lips as Junia stood before them.