Chapter 72: ~Again.~ (1/2)

***Norfolk, Fellmar***

***Celestial***

“I can't believe that it's already that time of the year again. Why are we even participating in this stupid event? There aren't even enough guests here. What a giant waste of money. We invited the whole world to the party and just our people show up!” Ascathon is grumbling beside me.

“The Ball of Fellmar is a long tradition. The previous Jarl held at in regular intervals to maintain the good relationships with other countries. I have to do at least that much, or there will be an uproar from the nobles.” It's an unfortunate necessity.

“But there aren't any guests! Jamaian is gone, Mislow and the Nation of Mist are at war with us and the Academy is controlled by Phenex.” He guides me to our table in the great hall. Everyone steps aside and holds a respectful distance to us. A sea of people is parting before us, how amusing.

“On top I have bad memories of my last visit here. I got stabbed!” He complains.

I grin. “But you looked like you enjoyed it? And you shouldn't be so pessimistic. I invited everyone and I have high hopes that at least one party shows up.”

His head turns sharply. “It can't be. You wouldn't. Did you invite Phenex too?”

“Sure. The previous Jarl always invited everyone. Our nobles can't complain if we invite her to this festival. And once they see that nobody besides Phenex is willing to talk to us, they have to change their attitude.” It's a devious plan to change their opinion.

“Indeed.” Ascathon tilts his heads and thinks about something.

So I take a seat at our table and order the best available food. The previous Jarl's cook is a genius, no wonder that he looked like a balloon. I take a look around the dining hall and admire the expensive chandelier. There are many guests around, though all of them are from Norfolk.

“Say, Celestial? Isn't it strange that you changed your opinion of her? This is quite sudden.” He scratches his chest with an uneasy expression. “It can't be that you plan to lure her in to...”

“What are you thinking? Of course not.” Well, at least not immediately. “You know that I am very practical. After thinking about this for a while, I came to the conclusion that I have to control my personal feelings in this matter. It's the only path that's left open for this country. And we can't deal with Mislow and the Nation of Mist on our own.”

I make a pause to order my thoughts. “There is something fishy going on. Someone is playing a game with us and we don't know the rules, nor are we sure of the number of participants, or their goals. So it's necessary to proceed with maximum caution, while not wasting any opportunities. If we have the possibility to have one enemy less, we should take it.”

Ascathon nods. “I see. I guess I just didn't expect that you would be able to overcome your feelings.”

I smile. “Don't have too high hopes. I may still tear her to pieces if she provokes me. Nor will I forget that Sera was abducted by one of her servants.”

My secretary Natasha approaches us from the crowd of people and I turn my attention to her. “A delegation from Phenex arrived as anticipated. They want to speak to you.” She bows to Ascathon and me.

“You may tell them that we await them.” I smile at Natasha and she leaves.

“You still treat her very formally.” Ascathon states while looking after Natasha and I don't fail to notice his eyes, which are fixed on a certain spot.

“Dear husband?” I smile at him.

“Yes?” His eyes are still somewhere else.

“Dear husband, Natasha is lesbian. That's why I am wary of her. And if you don't look at me, I will poke them out.” I grab a knife from the table.

He changes his focus of attention. “No way?” His eyes wander to the knife in my hand and he realizes what he just did. “I was just looking! Of course you are the only one for me. You can't blame a man for looking! That's the same as forbidding me to breathe!”

I sigh. “Haven't you learnt to do it discreetly during your many lifes?”

He nods. “Of course, but you can't savour the view if you do that. Men don't have such a good peripheral vision compared to women.”

Then I purse my lips. “That's still no excuse. You will have to make up for it.”

He squints his eyes. “How?”

“I am sure you'll find a solution. Otherwise you will sleep alone tonight.” I avert my eyes, but he grabs my hand and kisses it.