“He observes the old paths. Tradition and honor, always.”
“That’s not a bad thing.”
“Not at all,” he agreed. “Not at all.”
A comfortable silence lapsed as the crowd moved about, nobles circulating among their acquaintances. People greeted those they knew and sought introductions to those they didn’t. Some conversations were brief, while others were drawn out, as if they were essential sustenance.
A shy smile played over Leihim’s lips. “Care for a walk?”
A few paces away, Anderz engaged in conversation with a small group. A young woman listened intently, sporting an eager grin.
What would he advise?
Wasn’t I brought here to mingle? To be presented to the nobles and masses? Leihim seemed friendly, and Sainte would come with me…
I set my glass on the nearby table. “That sounds lovely.”
“Splendid.”
He offered his arm, and I frowned, sensing something was off. Anderz cautioned me against causing a scene or bolting. Tonight, I had to play the game. I placed my hand on the crook of his elbow, and his features warmed, blue eyes twinkling with silent mirth as he led me out of the stuffy ballroom. The weight of every gaze settled on my back as we departed, Sainte following close behind.
As soon as we cleared the door and entered the halls, Leihim heaved a dramatic sigh. “I feel better already.”
“I thought a proper noble would enjoy the… mingling,” I remarked, amused, as we strolled toward the gardens.
“Ah, but perhaps I am not a ‘proper noble’ as you would think.”
“No?”
“Not quite. You see, I wasn’t born into nobility. I worked my way up the social ladder, making a name for myself as a businessman.”
“You?” I stifled a laugh, then made a show of looking him over. “A merchant?”
He stood tall and lean, dressed in some of the finest attire of the night. His cheekbones were high and sharp, with the striking looks of nobility about him; I wouldn’t have pegged him as anything less.
“Oh, not anymore. Though I once was.” He patted my hand and nodded at the guards, who stood watch over the gardens. “Now I oversee the merchant guild. I’m simply a person of necessity, which grants me status without an official title.”
“You keep the food on their tables.”
He laughed. “Aye, and coin in my coffers.”
The walkway, cleared of snow, felt cold and crisp underfoot. A faint crunch of icy patches added a rhythmic melody to our steps. The winter night enveloped us in its brisk embrace, a welcome relief from the stifling warmth of the crowded room. A hint of pine lingered on the breeze, mingling with the subtle aroma of wood smoke from distant hearths.
I chuckled softly, the sound echoing in the stillness of the night, and shook my head as I gazed upward at the clear, cloudless sky. The twin moons, usually radiant, were veiled tonight, their subdued light casting a gentle glow over the winter garden. The chill in the air kissed my cheeks, a refreshing contrast to the heat trapped in my elaborate dress.
“I admit, I did not seek your company without purpose,” he said. “You see, I have a bit of a problem you might be able to assist with.”
“I have little power,” I scoffed, then sat on a stone bench.
As I settled, Sainte’s gaze met mine, a silent warning flickering across his features as he took his place at my side.
“Yet, you have enough.” Leihim sat in the space beside me. He crossed his legs, clasping his hands over his knees, and tipped his head to admire the starlit sky. His pale hair cascaded over the back of the bench. “I’ve brought my… problem to the prince regent on multiple occasions. He dismisses me each time. So, with your sudden arrival, I thought to myself, now here is an opportunity for the both of us.”
“I’m not sure you’ve shaken off your merchant ways, Master Hinyte.”
“Ah, but I am a businessman at heart.” He winked at me before returning his attention skyward. “There is a bandit, perhaps a group—”
Intriguing.
