Rubina stepped into the eastern wing of the grand hall, where the younger generation of nobility clustered in smaller groups. The atmosphere here was lighter—absent the heavy negotiations of the elder lords—but no less political.
She considered approaching the nearest circle of young lords… and dismissed the idea almost instantly.
'Most of them are parasites,' she thought with quiet disdain. 'Leeching off their family's name and wealth, pretending they matter. No—there's no value in their company.'
Her gaze slid past them and settled on a more promising quarry: the young noblewomen. Their laughter was delicate, their postures graceful, but Rubina knew better—'Behind each smile is a blade waiting to be unsheathed.'
Adjusting the fall of her gown, she glided forward. Conversations faltered as her presence was noted; heads turned discreetly to follow her movement. Within moments, postures shifted—spines straightened, hands folded with measured elegance, and smiles sharpened into polite curves.
'So they've heard,' Rubina observed. 'The Elfred name carries weight now—partly from our rising influence, partly from the unseen shield of connections protecting me.'
The circle she approached contained several familiar faces—some had been guests at her recent tea gathering—yet even they now held themselves slightly apart, uncertain of their standing beside her. Status, in noble society, was an unforgiving divider.
At the center stood three notable maidens, each radiant in her own manner. Married ladies and seasoned hostesses were elsewhere, tending to their own circles, likely waiting for a more formal moment to greet her.
Rubina's eyes narrowed slightly. 'This is a battlefield. And I will survive beautifully. Let them see my value before I decide how sharp my claws will be.'
She stopped before one of them and spoke first.
"Lady Meliora Carnelle," she said warmly, "it is a pleasure to meet you before anyone else this evening."
Meliora's lips curved faintly, but her gaze flicked toward the others, as if weighing how much attention Rubina's arrival commanded.
"No, Lady Elfred, the pleasure is mine," she replied. "I was curious to see how the evening would unfold… and it seems it has just become more interesting."
Rubina caught the subtle barb—the acknowledgment that her entrance had shifted the balance.
A second young lady stepped forward, her tone honeyed but her eyes sharp.
"I've heard much about you, Lady Elfred. They say your tea gatherings are… unique. Perhaps because the guest list is so very selective?"
A delicate jab. Rubina did not so much as blink.
"I find that smaller gatherings allow for richer conversation," she replied smoothly. "After all, when one wishes to taste the rarest tea, one doesn't dilute it with water."
A ripple of laughter passed through part of the group, though a few faces stiffened.
A third maiden spoke next, her challenge veiled but unmistakable.
"And yet… exclusivity often breeds rumors."
Rubina tilted her head slightly, her smile unwavering.
"Rumors are like perfume, my lady—those who wear too much only reveal their insecurity. I prefer to let actions speak for themselves."
'That should keep them quiet… for now.'
A few eyes now regarded her with measured respect; others were already calculating whether she was an ally to court or a rival to contain.
Before another exchange could spark, a ripple passed through the hall. The Royal Family had arrived.
The King and Queen stood together, with the First Prince, Belactus, and the Second Prince, Ametrine, at their sides. Belactus, born with the royal powers, bore black eyes and brown hair; Ametrine, though born without such gifts, carried the golden hair and purple eyes that marked the bloodline's legacy.
Rubina's gaze lingered on the younger prince. 'They claim his right to the throne rests only on his appearance… but they never see the effort behind it.' The faintest glimmer of sympathy softened her eyes.
Nobles near the entrance bowed deeply, while the younger ones stepped aside to clear a respectful path. The King and Queen moved on, leaving their sons behind.
Both princes glanced toward her. Belactus's gaze lingered briefly, then shifted past her as if searching for someone else—only to dim with disappointment when he found nothing. He moved toward another group.
'Is he seeking Darkness? Does he know her? But the First Prince never leaves the palace… perhaps he's merely heard of her.' She supplied her own answer, though a faint sting of jealousy rose before she drew a steady breath and mastered it.
A stir in the air drew her attention back—Ametrine was approaching.
The Second Prince's presence commanded silence. Tall, impeccably dressed, with a calm yet undeniable authority, he moved with the ease of one who need not raise his voice to be heard.
"Lady Elfred," he greeted, his tone warm enough to be noticed. "It has been too long."
Rubina dipped into a graceful curtsey. "Your Highness honors me with his words. I had not expected to see you here tonight."
A flicker of a smile touched his lips. "And miss the chance to speak with the most talked-about lady of the season? That would be careless." His gaze swept briefly over the circle of noblewomen before returning to her. "I trust you are finding the evening… agreeable?"
'Careless? Oh, so you've been listening to the whispers too.' She allowed herself a subtle smile, aware that every ear strained to catch their exchange.
"Agreeable enough, Your Highness. But as with all such gatherings, the most valuable moments are never found in the crowd—they are found in the right conversations."
The prince's eyes glinted faintly, as though in private understanding.
"Then perhaps we should ensure we have one of those before the night is over."
With a courteous nod, he moved on to greet others, leaving a trail of whispers and speculation behind him.
Rubina straightened, letting the weight of his attention settle in the minds of those watching. 'One move, one glance—and the board shifts. Let's see how they react now.'
Rubina seeing the situation before her not knowing that a shadow appear behind her to keep eyes on her.
A shadow that will put her under control and even force her to shift her thoughts, if it needed.
A silent being that can shake whole place put her eyes on her.