Chapter 192: Blurred Identity
The banquet seemed identical to every other one I’d been forced to attend in this world. Loud talking, laughter, and conversation enveloped me the moment the door opened. The tingling of glass and scrape of plates grated against my sensitive ears, and the flood of bright lights was harsh against my eyes. I shied away as eyes turned toward us, curious who the newcomers were. It took less than a second for gasps of shock to draw the attention of others, until the entire room stared at me.
The inquisitor marched forward unabashed, seemingly ignorant of the powerful stares of kings, rulers, and fathers. Still under her command, I staggered after her lest I suffer the public humiliation of a punishment. I moved unsteadily, drunk on the overwhelming exposure and battling a paralyzing anxiety. There were so many people watching my every move, their eyes narrowed, their lips curled in disgust, leaving my mind blank save a sole remaining instinctual thought. To run.
But I couldn’t. My fear of the slave crest overpowered all else, forcing me into the banquet hall. My hands tightened around the folds of my skirt as a thousand whispers broke out, the vicious gossip driving me to walk far faster than I had originally had strength for.
Most heavy of all were the stares of the other heroes, who sat proudly in the seats of honor. I dimly recalled someone mentioning it was the celebration of the one year anniversary of the summoning, which was the supposed purpose of this festival. Had we really been in Enusia for an entire year? It felt like an entire lifetime to me, filled with more pain and suffering than I had imagined possible. It hadn’t all been dark, but now that those lights had faded, leaving me darkness, I wish it had been.
Soltair raised an eyebrow at me before giving a slight, disappointed shake of his head. Beyond that, he spared me no more attention, returning to his conversation with Levin, the Earth Hero. The Justice Hero, Victor, stared at me, eyes smoldering with condemnation. His indignation was justified, as he no doubt remembered, as I did, when he detained me half a year ago for being a Demon spy. He walked the straight and narrow, or at least, what he perceived as such. Even with what little I knew of him, there was no doubt he’d be furious about my betrayal.
The other heroes leaned between morbid curiosity and outright hatred. Ronin’s glare caused a shiver to run down my tail while Connor’s impassive gaze felt colder than the Ice Gate. Whatever warmth he had once shown was gone, and he no longer flinched whenever he glanced at me. Worst of all, Korra didn’t so much as acknowledge my arrival, pretending to be deep in discussion with Grace, the Storm Hero. But her eyes were red and puffy as though she’d been crying, and her hands shook ever so slightly. I lingered on her for a second, my heart sinking lower as she refused to turn, even as Grace’s eyes alighted upon me.
Beside her was Alex. He watched me closely, lips curved in a slight smirk. His smile widened when he noticed me watching, taking on a decidedly inviting note. I shivered, clutching my arms around myself, feeling naked, and vulnerable before him. His two companions were there too, and I briefly wondered why’d then been absent all the gate. It might have been for the best, considering the devastation wrought on our own forces. Regardless, the thought didn’t last long as I was herded roughly forward, past their gazes.
The inquisitor bid me sit at the servant’s table, farthest from the festivities. The servants had their hands full waiting on the guests, but the few who had managed to sit edged as far from me as they could. Their submissive gazes were marked with fear, and they practically shivered with fright.
Eventually, the atmosphere returned to normal, and the guests picked up their conversations where they left off. But, amid the clamor and confusion of the endless political maneuvers, thickly veiled insults, and the occasional burst of raucous laughter, I felt their stares resting upon me. The moment I arrived, it became impossible for anyone to focus on anything else. I was the hero who had betrayed the world, nearly leading it to ruin. The dirty filthblood the church had shown mercy to, only to be stabbed in the back.