Chapter 93: Friends
A quartet of strings played in the backdrop, music soft and easy on the ears, just high enough to shade the low murmur of conversations being shared among the guests. The light of the mana lamps, all decorated specially for the purpose, changed with each shift in the rhythm.
Tap, tap, and tap. Valens clicked the heels of his pumps as he tailed the servant. Tap and tap was the rhythm of his dancing. It was not too obvious that he would draw looks from the crowd, just a simple rhythm to practice what Selin had taught him prior to his arrival.
I look like a fool, don’t I?
He hated to admit it, but it was the only way to vanish into the crowd. Become one of the many charlatans participating in this event. A group of ladies, humming gently under the silken veils over their faces, stood by the high pedestal upon which stood the statue of a mighty knight, covered in a pristine glass case. Right across from them were the men dressed in tailcoats, holding sparkling glasses of wine in their hands, faces taut as they surely conversed in matters of grave importance.
There were dozens of them everywhere, but Valens was more interested in finding his so-called friends in this crowd.
Through the side hall, up across a spiraling staircase, the walls adorned with jewelry and busy with portraits of important-looking people, the young servant guided Valens until they arrived at a silent wing of the mansion. He paused at the sight of a golden-clad door, turned and glanced at Valens as if to see if he was ready, and knocked on it when Valens nodded at him.
Three knocks, then the young man reached for the knob, turned it round and opened the door. Rather than entering himself, he drew back to the side, bowed slightly and gestured at Valens.
“Please, this way, Mr. Kosthal,” he said in that practiced, emotionless voice.
“Thanks,” Valens said, and just as he was about to enter, he tapped the young man on the shoulder. “I don’t look like someone has rammed a cane up my ass, do I?”
“I—what?” The young man’s eyes widened, his mouth parted slightly open in hesitation, lower lip trembled.
“Never mind,” Valens said, shaking his head. He left the shocked young man by the door and entered.
The door closed hesitantly shut after him as he reached for the Resonance.