Published at 16th of February 2024 2:24 pm

Chapter 56. The Singh Ball

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The Round Table was significantly grander and more immense than Nox initially assumed. It occupied most of the enormous Singh estate’s ground floor and half of the first. The entry hall alone was at least five times the size of his entire property’s ground floor—shopfront, storerooms, and passageways included. Side doors along the left wall led to two eateries and one large bar. The service hallway on the other side linked all of them. Nox had used it during his last visit to access Harin’s section of the building. The passageways to his right connected to casinos, music rooms, and other entertainment areas.

Swati ignored them all and led Nox down the entry hall and through the ornate wooden archway on the far end. A grand ballroom with a band and several dancers awaited them. The party was already in full swing when she and Nox arrived. A servant in clothing almost as fine as the guests’ attire announced the pair as they entered, and several sets of eyes darted to them.

Nox led his partner for the evening onto the dancefloor straight away. Two years of childhood etiquette classes and time with his recent partners taught him that it was customary. Swati appeared pleasantly surprised as he led her in the waltz, taking her around the dance floor's perimeter and then toward the room’s center as the song approached its end.

Aria had helped Nox brush the dust and cobwebs off mostly forgotten skills and refreshed his knowledge of song sequences. As a result, they were in the perfect spot for the slower song that followed. He twirled and dipped Swati, earning giggles and surprised smiles. By the time they stopped for a break, her face was flush, and heat radiated from her ears.

“You’re full of surprises, aren’t you, Nox Ratra?” She laughed as they retreated to a wall with drinks in hand. They stopped by a ceiling-tall window overlooking a courtyard and garden outside. Couples wandered and kanoodled among the hedges, rose bushes, and trees. The Singhs had accounted for guests with Sigils of Immunity and had people looking out for them. A servant found Nox carrying Spirit Caller’s Tea and followed him until he accepted a champagne flute. “I spotted you at a few gatherings around this time last semester. Why didn’t you put on such a show back then?”

“I wasn't as comfortable in this environment as I am now,” Nox replied. “Annabelle and Aria helped me—”

“On second thought, how about we not talk about your past lovers tonight?” Swati asked, nodding at the newest couple on the dance floor. Wilson displayed magnificent strength and fluidity as he lifted Annabelle high into the air, spun her around, and then smoothly transitioned into whatever the current dance was. Nox had already played his cards and didn't know much besides the waltz. The one-two-two pattern was easy to follow. He was glad to be far from the dance floor for the song. “It's bad enough that we risk bumping into them.”

“Is bumping into them a bad thing? I get the sense you’d enjoy our date in front of their noses.”

“Do you think so little of me?” Swati struggled to maintain a straight face as she feigned offense. “What makes you think I’m that kind of person?”

“Were the public displays of affection and open attempts at seduction for my benefit alone?”

“Oh? You noticed that?” Swati burst into a fit of laughter. “We’re open about such things in Ruipur. Seduction is a two-stage process, you see. I need you to know that I’m interested and how far I’ll go to win your hand. The publicness and openness of my approach tell competitors of my intentions. They’ll take my standing and strength into account before thinking about getting in my way.”

“Why me, though?” Nox asked. “There appear to be plenty of eligible Daksinthani bachelors on campus and in your… little community.”

“Not a lot of women want spoilt brats who’ve had everything in their lives handed to them. It’s boring. Only social climbers and the money-hungry willingly get into such relationships. I want someone strong and talented with fire. You’re not short on any of the above.” Swati downed her champagne and nudged Nox, nodding at his beverage. “That doesn’t mean you’re unique. There are others like you. However, I’ve grown up with the few that meet my criteria, and getting into a relationship with them would be borderline incestuous.”

“Well, that doesn’t make me feel particularly special. Thank you for the honesty, though. The last few months have been an odd experience.” Nox believed he owed the woman a hint of honesty. “I spent three-quarters of my life isolated and ignored. The Gedges and my maternal grandmother ordered their people to keep away from me or kick my butt. Everyone else kept me at arm’s length to avoid getting in trouble with the people in power. I only got attention from women when Lillin and I snuck away from the Golden Isles to visit passing towns and villages. It was still rare, you know?

“Then, things changed once I got here. First, there was Annabelle. Then, Aria—sorry I mentioned them again.” Nox pretended to drink as they spoke. Whenever Swati glanced at the dance floor or paused to greet a passing familiar face, Nox discreetly poured his beverage into a nearby potted plant. He almost laughed, wondering whether the fern would commune with Bi Xi later in the night. “I started getting attention after launching Noxian Brews, and the knighthood only added to it.”

“You came here with nothing and swiftly rose to the rank of extremely eligible bachelor.” Swati sighed. “My father told me an unfortunate truth when I was younger, and it didn’t make much sense back then. Only children and women get unconditional love. Men have to earn it by proving their worth and showing what they can bring to the table. I’d like to think Papa was wrong. Daily observations say otherwise. I’m sorry for everything you experienced, Nox. Politics is a nasty game, and you ended up in the midst of it because of your parents’ relationship. Love is great and all, but people in positions of power need to consider accompanying factors before they entangle their lives and families.”

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“Perhaps. I’m told my grandmother was staunchly against my parents getting together. She had no daughters besides my mother. If the current Queen Mercer publicly refused her inheritance, she would’ve thrown the Trade Empire into turmoil. Sometimes, I think things would’ve been better if she let that happen and fled with my father. Their last names would’ve made starting a new life difficult no matter where they went.”

“Children pay for the mistakes of their parents. If my mother made wiser decisions, I would be in line to join Ruipur’s ruling council right about now. Maybe this is a happier, more comfortable life. But we’ll never know what might’ve been, will we?”

The band started a song Swati enjoyed, and she dragged Nox onto the dance floor again. It was faster than what Nox preferred, and struggled to keep up with her. Initially, he let her take the lead but eventually took over as he grew used to the rhythm.

Annabelle caught Nox’s eye as she twirled around a new partner. It wasn’t strange to dance with individuals besides one’s date, especially with fast, non-romantic songs. Her questioning expression suggested the noblewoman had guessed that he and Swati were on a date. He only shot her a polite smile and diverted his gaze.

Things didn’t get messy until the band transitioned to a slower song.

Nox pulled Swati closer by her slender waist, and she pressed her breasts against his chest. They held each other progressively tighter during the increasingly intimate melody, and her lips grazed his ear. Nox played along for the sake of the ruse, spinning her and pulling her close again. Then, the Daksinsthani woman kissed Nox, and he reciprocated. When their lips parted several racing heartbeats later, a delicate hand gripped Nox’s shoulder and spun him around.

It was Aria. She threw the crimson contents of her goblet in Nox’s face. It splashed all over his and Swati’s necks and chests. An angry scream burst from Swati’s lips as she released Nox and jumped away from him, creating a much too large gap between them for a single bound.

“You cow!” She gasped. A maid immediately appeared at Swati’s side carrying a tray of towels.

“You told me not to come tonight because you had business to attend to,” Aria hissed, ignoring Swati. She glared at Nox, red-faced. “Sticking your tongue down her throat is business?”

“Aria, I can explain—”

“What’s there to explain, Nox? You told me there’s nothing for me to worry about when she manhandled you in public. Coming tonight as her date wasn’t a big deal either.” Aria adopted a cold, mocking tone. “It’s for the sale of the business!”

“I swear that's how it started, Aria, but things got out of hand,” Nox replied. “I’m really sorry, but it just happened.”

“So what?” The music continued in the background, but guests stopped dancing around them and stared at the scene. Nox saw Harin and another man who resembled him weaving through the crowd toward them. “Tell me it was a mistake. Tell Swati that this didn’t mean anything in front of everyone, and I might just believe you.”

Nox glanced between the two women. The ruse was getting alarmingly close to melodrama, yet Aria managed to keep her end of the act convincing. He hoped he was just doing just as good a job. After all, they didn’t just need to convince fellow guests and their hosts but Swati, too.

“I’m sorry, Aria, but I can’t.”

“Consider your dealings with House Edelweiss over, Nox Ratra. My father will have your research and—”

“That’s enough, Miss Edelweiss.” A large armored man stood over Aria. The two Singh men hovered behind her. “We don’t accept such behavior at the Round Table. I’m afraid you’ll need to leave.”

“But—”

“Please save your issues with Mr Ratra for another day and venue. This is neither the time nor place for this conversation.”

“Blighted pig,” Aria grumbled before turning on her heel and stomping away.

“I’m so sorry about this,” Nox said, smiling sheepishly at Harin and Swati. “I wasn’t expecting her to come tonight or behave like this. It’s very much unlike her.”

“The Singh ball can’t exist without such incidents,” Swati stated. Her shoulders drooped as she studied the stains on her dress. “I never thought I’d be a part of one.”

“You don’t get to watch from the sidelines for once,” Harin joked. He turned his back on Nox and focused his attention on Swati. “I’ll have someone escort you to Ma’s suite. I’m sure you can find something that’ll fit you.” His volume dropped to a whisper as he continued. The tone sounded cold. “I told you inviting the Edelweisses was a mistake.”

Swati departed with a servant straight away, leaving Nox damp and dripping. The surrounding guests returned to their dancing while a couple complained about droplets on their outfits. A few claimed the drama had spoiled the mood and retreated to drink or imbibe in other pleasures.

“Again, I’m so sorry about everything.”

“It’s quite alright. I’m afraid we don’t have any private rooms available tonight for you to get cleaned up, Nox. I can have someone fetch one of my shirts if you'd like.”

“I appreciate the offer, Harin, but your clothes would never fit me. I’m not gifted with shoulders as wide as yours.” Nox’s attempt at levity and flattery failed. He only got a sympathetic smile from his host. “I’ll find a washroom and do what I can.” He pulled a little vial of clear fluid from his coat. “I always go to parties prepared for spills. Thank you, though.”

A servant politely waved him away from the dance floor, and two attacked the spill on the floor with mops. “I’ll take you to the closest washroom, Sir Ratra,” the man said. “If you’d like a new shirt, I’m sure I can find something in your size. A coat will be significantly harder, but—”

“Why don’t you lead me to the brasserie washrooms?” Nox asked, interrupting the man. “I’m sure the Lady of Ruipur will take a while, and the dancing has left me famished.”

“Don’t you want to take care of the stain first, sir?”

In response, he uncorked the thumb-sized vial and emptied its contents over himself. The crimson parted from his clothes and turned to vapors straight away. “I might’ve had enough for my date, but I needed a break after all the drama.”

“I understand, Sir Ratra. Please follow me.”

The brasserie was bustling with activity. Servers rushed around the main hall and the ballroom’s edges with trays of delicate finger food. Meanwhile, a grand banquet covered the eatery’s long tables. The scents tempted Nox, but he slipped into the indicated washroom. It was almost full when he entered and started washing the stickiness off his face and neck. By the time he finished, only one other person stood in the room, his eyes glowing pink.

“You ready, brother?” Louis asked. “The Woodsons are ready to start a commotion as soon as we exit the door.”

“I am,” Nox answered. “Let’s get to work.”

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