Reynard almost didn’t recognize Alia at first. Again. And not just because she was good at hiding her aura.
She was dressed up like the prettiest of the local noblewon: in a flowing green dress with blue and white ribbons flowing down its skirt, and with her onyx-black hair tightly bound under a tall crown-like hat that was in fashion in Darland.
The skirt of Alia’s dress hid her hips, but showed off her chest and her wasp-like waist. She walked with such elegance that she seed to glide over the ground.
"You have both co! How wonderful, Mister Faust, Miss Windblown," Alia said with a wicked smile and elegant bow. "I hope you have found the party to your liking. Oh, but where are my manners? I have heard all about you, but you see for the first ti. My na is Lady Karla von."
Gears began turning in Reynard’s head.
’So Alia is under a fake na here. Huh. Well, thanks to the mayor, there are no magi here besides us. If a magus wanted to sneak in assuming the guise of an ordinary person, he could do that easily... Just as Alia did. But nobody would have THOUGHT to do sothing if they weren’t sure that there won’t be anyone who can out them! Was Alia involved in the mayor’s decision, or did she just have a way to know it beforehand?’
Reynard’s head was starting to hurt from all that. anwhile, Marien was smiling. Her eyes sparkled with hungry curiosity that made Reynard a little uneasy.
While his reasons to want a eting with Alia were quite straightforward, Marien seed to want to dig into Alia’s every secret and ask her every question she couldn’t ask earlier.
But since Reynard was also curious, he decided to let Marien girlboss in his stead for now.
"Yes, it was very interesting so far, Miss von. And what are your reasons for being here? Were you invited to the party because of your social standing, or because of the connection with the mayor?"
Alia’s smile widened.
"Why, you are asking such bold questions... I would even call them rude, but for magi, boldness is a virtue. But I have a business with the mayor, actually, and I hope he will indulge a little closer to the evening. For now, however, I intend to do what the rest of these people are doing."
She made a broad gesture with a gloved hand toward the guests. They were already breaking into a complex arrangent of a group dance with changing partners. anwhile, less athletically inclined people drifted to an adjacent hall, where for them waited tables with food and alcohol.
"Have fun," Alia concluded. "And speaking of which... Do any of you know how to dance?"
Reynard glanced at Marien. She jutted her upper lip a little.
"Formal dances are boring! I can just dance whatever I want. If I ever want to."
Alia’s eyes moved to Reynard next, as if he could learn a dance in the week between Alia’s invitation and his arrival here, considering that he also had to get a dress sowhere. And a dance teacher.
Dance teacher, most of whom only taught nobles anyway...
If not for this, maybe he could have. Would have.
Reynard sighed.
’I could have danced with Alia... It would have been like a story book... So romantic...’
Alia giggled.
"Well, I heard that dance is like fighting—"
"No, it’s not!" Reynard protested.
"The next dance is a much simpler one, and it will go in three rounds. Watch the first two, and I will save my third dance for one of you." Alia pulled out a small book from a belt purse and a pencil. "Who would like the honor?"
Marien imdiately waved her hand.
"I said that formal dancing is boring! If my Johan wants it, he can have it. But please, keep us company for now. I would love to chat more."
Alia made a mark in her dance book (Reynard marvelled at how in her place she was here) and smiled at the pair.
"With pleasure. Other guests seem to avoid you for so reason—very impolite of them... But it’s their loss. And that ans that we can converse here without anyone brushing elbows with us."
Reynard went a bit hot at the hooded look Alia was giving him... Then rembered himself and his eyes narrowed.
"What makes the mayor bold enough to reject both local orders, and why do I feel like a certain heiress is involved sohow?"
"It’s the news of the entire city, and you don’t know? Truly, magi spin in different circles from nobility!" Alia said in mock surprise. "Well, it’s said foreign caravans brought new magical weapons to the city, and those are being hoarded by the wealthy. In the past, Darland fought for its independence against the Empire. Now its people wish to fight for its independence against the tyrannical orders that tear it apart with their war."
"Tear it apart? There weren’t any major skirmishes for weeks!" Marien said as if this was a bad thing.
Alia wagged her finger.
"Economically, my dear. Both orders endorse massive war tithes from the businesses and nobles under their so-called protection, so they could buy their expensive magical trinkets and pay the rcenaries. The tithes are a much bigger affront to these people than so exploded buildings."
Reynard’s eyes widened as it clicked.
’So... Alia plans to stage a full-out rebellion? That’s what she was buying my weapons for! They all have a magical trigger, so non-magi won’t actually be able to use them, but even the weakest Nigredo magus can manage an activation pulse. In numbers, those can beco a terrifying force... Not to ntion, the nobles will definitely hire rcenaries of their own. And whatever allies Alia has within the orders... Damn it. Sun cakes were aweso, but this ss is DEFINITELY not worth it! Marien and I should leave.’
The music in the background stopped. Alia turned around.
"Excuse , but I must go now. I will see you two dances later! So you better watch carefully."
She winked at Reynard and left him to watch her leave, feeling all torn on the inside.
And to try to learn so dancing.
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