Magus Reborn

89. Allies and enemies

A ripple of commotion coursed through the ballroom as the prince and princess entered. Nobles, previously engrossed in their own social machinations, suddenly found themselves propelled towards the royal pair like moths to a flame.

Kai watched the scene unfold with detached amusement. It was a ballet of ambition and flattery, a desperate scramble for the prince’s favour.

By how some people ran towards them, some looked like they’d been waiting for their arrival ever since the ball started.

His gaze flicked across the throng, mentally cataloguing the faces that converged upon Eldric, just so he knew who was on Prince Eldric’s side. With a lot of barons and viscounts as well as the sons of three counts and one marquis, it was a powerful alliance.

His eyes then lingered on the princess. Unlike her brother, who was engulfed in the throng, Amara was approached by a smaller, more intimate group of noble ladies. A wan smile graced her lips, but Kai, with his heightened senses, could detect the flickers of discomfort that marred her facade. A twitch of her hand, a slight tremor in her smile— signs of a deeper struggle beneath the surface. Her skin, too, was an unsettling shade of pale, mirroring the ivory of her gown.

Her face might have looked prettier without the obvious signs of sickness, but for now, she simply looked like she needed to be in her bed rather than in the ball.

She clearly is sick, why not let her rest? Kai shook his head internally at the lack of care from whoever was responsible, but again... Having royal blood meant living in a house made of glass, and being expected of things that they had no control over to do, to feel and to attend.

He remained a silent observer, an outsider in a sea of silks and jewels.

As the dance floor began to fill, the music taking hold, a shadow fell across his path. A blonde, young man, his face smooth and his attire impeccably tailored, extended a hand towards Kai.

It came out of nowhere and for a second, he examined his face, wondering if he was an old friend of Arzan like Reyk. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t considered that possibility.

"Baron Arzan Kellius... I presume? I am Leopold Blackwood, first son of Duke William Blackwood."

The name struck a chord in Kai’s memory. A flicker of recognition sparked in his eyes. The necromancer they’d fought in Vasper Forest... originated from the Duchy of Blackwood. But what he hadn’t expected was for the son of the Duke to be here.

Kai took Leopold’s hand, his grip firm.

"Blackwood," Kai acknowledged. "A name that precedes you, Lord Leopold. I must admit, I wasn’t expecting to meet someone from your duchy at this event."

From what he knew, it was a place that was far off from the capital, situated around the edges of the northern forest.

Leopold smiled at that. The young man seemed genuine with every word he spoke next. "Indeed, However, I must confess, Lord Arzan, rumours of your presence here were highly anticipated, and I, for one, wouldn’t miss the chance to meet you. My father— the duke, is highly thankful for vanquishing the necromancer."

"It was simply my duty," he replied modestly. "A threat neutralised before it could fester."

Leopold chuckled, a touch too hearty. "Duty, yes, but let’s not downplay the accomplishment. That creature... was responsible for a great deal of suffering. And more than just suffering, for some of us." Kai simply nodded at his words. The young man paused and looked around, Kai followed his action. Both of their eyes hung on some people who were still hovering over the prince. "Either way, Lord Arzan. We heard you’re facing a beast wave of your own."

He locked eyes with Leopold immediately. "Indeed," he said dryly. "A situation that demands a strong front. Has... Duke Blackwood decided the matter?"

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Leopold’s face. He straightened slightly, a smug glint in his eyes.

"The Duke," he declared, "is a man of action. As a token of his gratitude for your services, and a testament to our commitment to the kingdom’s well-being, he has authorised the dispatch of five hundred men to aid you in repelling the beast wave."

Kai’s lips curved into a genuine smile. Five hundred trained men was a significant contribution, a welcome boost to his already meagre forces. "That’s excellent news," he said, his voice sincere. "Their aid will be invaluable in the coming fight."

"We all have a role to play, Lord Arzan. That vile necromancer was responsible for the deaths of many innocent souls. One of them, I confess, was a close cousin of mine."

A flicker of dark clouds passed by his eyes and sudden understanding dawned on Kai.

This wasn’t just about the beast wave. This was personal for Leopold and probably Duke Blackwood.

Even if they didn’t care too much about his territory, they weren’t going to sit back and not help someone who they owed a great debt to.

"My apologies, Lord Blackwood," Kai said, his voice softening. "I offer my sincerest condolences for your loss. The world is a better place without that heinous dark Mage, but that doesn’t lessen the pain it caused."

That was the truth. Unfortunately, it was common for beasts, fiends and necromancers to kill people in the world, sometimes proving more fatal than even viral illnesses. He had also seen people’s death up close and lost those dear to him and because of that, his words came from a place far from indifference and weariness.

It came from a place of sympathy and sincerity.

"Indeed. But enough of such grim topics. Perhaps a drink to that, Lord Arzan? To a future free of necromancers and beast waves," he said. "And please call me Leopold. Lord Blackwood is my father."

So, she endured. Her maids, bless their hearts, fussed over her, layering silks and jewels onto her frail frame. Each brushstroke of makeup felt like a violation, a futile attempt to mask the ravages of illness gnawing at her from within.

A pang of guilt stabbed at her heart. Balls were Eldric’s passion, a way to solidify his image as the people’s prince. She knew he craved her support, and tonight, more than ever, he needed a united front.

But what good was a princess who couldn’t stand for even a dance? A wave of nausea threatened to rise, and she gripped the armrest of her chair, forcing it down.

She wouldn’t give Eldric the satisfaction of seeing her weakness.

The doors creaked open, and a flurry of activity filled the room. Her maids backed away, their worried glances were swallowed when the doors closed.

"Amara?" Eldric’s voice, usually jovial, held a hint of concern. "Ready?"

She forced a smile and nodded slowly.

When they entered, the inane chatter of the noblewomen swirled around Amara, a meaningless symphony that blurred into a dull hum.

Their discussions included everything that related to the kingdom and nothing she wanted herself to do anything with. They mostly revolved around men, balls, interesting places they have visited and delicacies they have tasted.

She listened, smiled, nodded and even gave monotonous answers when possible. It was then things got harder for her.

Ten minutes had stretched into an eternity, each forced smile and polite reply draining the remaining energy from her frail body.

A clammy chill seeped from within, spreading goosebumps across her arms despite the warmth of the ballroom. Her hand fluttered to her chest, a frantic search for some semblance of comfort against the rising tide of pain.

Escape. It became her singular focus. She needed air, needed the suffocating confines of the room to vanish.

She looked around and saw her brother freeze in the middle of a group of men. His hands to his sides, eyes wide and even his mouth gape open. By the expression of the men around him, she knew that someone had said something they shouldn’t have.

What could that be— But that wasn’t her problem right now, she had to get away from here.

"I— I have to find my maid, ex-excuse me," she said in just above a whisper.

The women that surrounded her nodded frantically, some looking at her with concern and others with astonishment. Amara knew that more rumours would probably spread by the next morning, but she didn’t bother with any of them.

From the corner of her eye, she saw a guy approaching her, a smile on his lips. She knew what he was going to ask, but she had no time or strength for this.

Therefore, she withdrew herself, not giving a single glance more to the young noble.

She walked past the long curtains and slowly made her way towards the balcony, each step felt like a battle against the treacherous tremors wracking her body.

Out in the cool night air, the chill intensified, though strangely, it felt welcoming compared to the stifling warmth inside. She closed her eyes and hugged herself, taking deep breaths.

When she opened her eyes she saw stars twinkling like a scattering of diamonds across the velvet sky, a fleeting moment of beauty in a world that felt increasingly cruel.

Time blurred into a haze of pain and shivering.

The world seemed to distort at the edges, the once-familiar garden swaying drunkenly. A low groan escaped her lips, a sound lost in the symphony of the night. No one could hear her anyway. She slowly reached for the pouch and grabbed a pill, swallowing it with much effort.

It should be okay... It should be okay... It should be...

Her hands came up to clutch her sides. The pain increased from everywhere. Her gut, her ribs, and it went down to the very point of her toes.

She was staring at the sky for one second, and then, the world lurched sickeningly. Her eyes clouded with one thought in her mind, she would be better unalive. Which God cursed her and for what reason? What has she ever done—

The blurriness of her surroundings increased.

"Princess Amara?" An unfamiliar voice, sharp and concerned, cut through the fog.

A single tear traced a path down her pale cheek. "I...I don’t feel well," she managed, the words slurred and ragged.

The world tilted violently, and then darkness claimed her. The last thing she registered was the strong feel of a hand on her shoulder and a single strand of warmth entering her body through it.