The women whispered about her—how she stood so proudly at his side and about the gown that was chosen for her.
I did my best to pretend not to notice. All I could focus on was how close he was getting to her.
It was far too hot in the ballroom for how thick my tunic jacket was. I pried the top button open.
“She is beautiful,” a lady with deep red hair said. “You escorted her here?” It almost seemed like she was afraid to talk to me.
“I did.”
“Do you dance?” she asked.
“I don’t care to dance.” Stars above. She had better not be asking me.
“What a shame.” She pulled a slender wooden frame froma fabric sash that tied around her waist. Once spread, she fanned herself with the decorative parchment that seemed to hold it together.
“This room is sweltering.”
“Nerves will do that to you.” She raised her brow.
“I am not nervous.” I folded my arms.
“Of course not, my lord.” With a flick of her wrist, she turned the paper device away from me and proceeded to walk away as Lord Remus came closer.
“If you wish to be entertained while you fulfill your role, you could dance with one of the ladies, Lord Chancellor.” He let out a low scoff.
“I don’t require entertainment and I don’t dance.” I had avoided it long enough in Nythrel. Certainly, I could avoid it here too.
“They seem to get along well.” Remus gestured to Ashlyn and Soren.
Her back muscles were clenched as she offered him a smile that constantly shifted. That was how she looked when she was uneasy and unamused. Humans seemed to be oblivious. “Time will tell.”
“A union between them would be a benefit to you, would it not?” He asked me the most ironic question he could have.
Politically, yes. Personally, no. “Nythrel is neutral in regard to the marriage pact.”
“Indeed. Almost always mostly neutral, unless Bailoc is involved and then absolutely not.” The man was far too arrogant.
Luckily for him I had promised Lioran I would behave. “We are neutral unless given a reason not to be.”
“Bold words, Lord Chancellor.”
“I am well known for it.”
“That must have been why your king chose you to escort her and help arrange the marriage on her behalf,” he said.
“She is fully capable of negotiating her own terms.”
“You seem confident in it. Confident enough to wager on the success of their union?” He tapped a leather pouch that was strapped to his belt. “I give her two days before she’s decided.”
My fingers caught on the rough stubble around my jaw. “I won’t bet on it.”
“I always say there are two reasons a man won’t wager—personal investment or knowledge of something I don’t possess.” Remus cocked his head to the side. “Either seems dangerous in this situation.”
“I’m more boring than you give me credit for.”
“Don’t wait long to make the bet. My offer won’t stand for long—she’s likely to decide quicker than you do.” He turned to another lord that approached.
I didn’t care to focus on their conversation. Instead, I watched her as she laughed at herself.
