CHAPTER 35: THE ANNUAL AUTUMN GALA 3

The ballroom went silent.

Dean Whitmore stepped onto the raised platform, his ceremonial robes somehow making him look even more pompous than usual. Beside him, Headmistress Valdris commanded attention silently in blue silk.

"Esteemed guests," Whitmore’s voice boomed through magical amplification. "Welcome to Rosevale Academy’s Annual Autumn Gala!"

Polite applause rippled through the crowd. Aegis clapped mechanically, her mind racing.

[Two hours. Probably less. Need to figure out who wants Talia dead without looking suspicious.]

"This evening celebrates excellence," Valdris took over smoothly. "Our students have proven themselves worthy of Rosevale’s legacy. Tonight, we forge the connections that will shape Valdria’s future."

[Yeah, someone’s definitely trying to shape the future by murdering the crown princess.]

"Let the gala begin!" Whitmore raised his glass.

The orchestra struck up a waltz. Couples moved onto the dance floor. Aegis needed to—

"There you are!" Lady Roseheart materialized at her elbow. "Come, come! So many people dying to meet you!"

"Lady Roseheart, I—"

"No protests!" She linked arms with Aegis. "You can’t spend all evening hiding with your friends. Though they’re welcome to join us!"

Liora shook her head quickly.

"Oh, I couldn’t—"

"Nonsense! Any friend of my dear Aegis is welcome!" Lady Roseheart beamed at Lune. "Both of you!"

[Actually... this could work.]

"We’d be honored." Aegis squeezed Lune’s hand. "Lead the way."

Lady Roseheart practically dragged them across the ballroom. Aegis used the movement to scan the crowd. Varyn still lurked near the garden doors. Talia was by the orchestra. Various nobles clustered in predictable groups.

No obvious assassins yet.

[Then again, obvious assassins don’t get hired too often. And probably wouldn’t be hired for the assassination of a princess.]

"Lord Ashmore! Lady Blackwood!" Lady Roseheart descended on a group of older nobles. "You simply must meet my protégé!"

The nobles turned. Lord Ashmore, a heavyset man with an impressive mustache, raised an eyebrow.

"The commoner who saved your life?"

"The very same!" Lady Roseheart pushed Aegis forward. "Aegis Starcaller, scholarship student extraordinaire!"

"Charmed." Aegis curtsied perfectly. "Your reputation precedes you, Lord Ashmore. Didn’t you negotiate the Northern Trade Compact?"

His chest puffed out as he held a surprised look.

"Indeed! Took three months of—"

As he launched into his story, Aegis nodded at appropriate intervals while actually cataloging everyone nearby. A server with nervous hands. Two guards whispering by a pillar. A woman in green silk eyeing Talia with an expression Aegis couldn’t read.

[Scandal Points: 15. Time to earn some more.]

"—and that’s when I told the ambassador, ’Your wool isn’t worth half our steel!’" Lord Ashmore finished with a hearty laugh.

"Brilliant negotiation." Aegis leaned in conspiratorially. "Though I heard the real victory was convincing his wife to support the deal during that private dinner?"

Lord Ashmore’s eyes widened. Lady Blackwood choked on her wine.

"How did you—I mean, wherever did you hear such gossip?"

"A good scholar never reveals her sources." Aegis winked. "But your secret’s safe with me."

[Scandal Points +5! Current: 20]

Lady Roseheart giggled behind her fan.

"Oh, Aegis! Such a tease!"

"Speaking of teasing," Lady Blackwood recovered, studying Aegis’s dress. "That gown certainly makes a statement."

"Thank you! Lady Roseheart has exquisite taste." Aegis did a little spin. "I wanted something memorable for my first gala."

"Memorable indeed." A new voice cut in.

Duchess Ravencrest glided over, all sharp cheekbones and calculating eyes. Aegis recognized her from Political Intrigue class—one of Valemont’s allies.

"The commoner who topped our princess in rankings." Her tone dripped honey over poison. "How... fascinating."

"Pure luck, I’m sure." Aegis smiled sweetly. "Though I do find studying helps. You’d be amazed what you can learn from actually reading the textbooks."

Lord Ashmore chuckled.

"Ha! The girl has a point. Half these youngsters think titles substitute for effort."

"Now, now," Lady Roseheart interjected warmly. "We all have our strengths. Aegis simply excels at... academic pursuits."

"Among other things." Duchess Ravencrest’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. "Tell me, Miss Starcaller, what other hidden talents might you possess?"

[Oh, she’s fishing. Well, how about...?]

"I make an excellent cup of tea." Aegis winked. "Secret family recipe. Perhaps I could brew some for you sometime?"

"Ah, dear, please. That would hardly be appropriate, no?"

"Nonsense," Aegis shrugged confidently. "I can think of nothing more appropriate than wanting to associate yourself with Rosevale’s top student."

"You view yourself that way?"

"The numbers, my lady, view me that way."

A silence fell over the space.

[Scandal Points +5! Current: 25]

"How... quaint."

"Aegis also saved my life," Lady Roseheart added proudly. "Quick thinking and bravery!"

"Lucky timing." Aegis deflected. "Anyone would’ve done the same."

"Modest too." Duchess Ravencrest’s interest sharpened. "You’re quite the collection of surprises."

[Too much interest. Time to exit.]

"Oh! Is that Professor Loralei?" Aegis brightened. "I should say hello. If you’ll excuse me?"

She curtsied perfectly, letting Lady Roseheart kiss her cheek before slipping away with Liora and Lune.

"Smooth escape," Liora murmured once they were out of earshot. "She was definitely probing."

"Let her probe. I gave her nothing useful."

Aegis grabbed three champagne flutes from a passing server’s tray.

"Thirsty?" Liora asked.

"Strategic reserves." Aegis passed one to each of her companions. "Never know when you’ll need a prop for dramatic gestures."

"That’s... oddly specific."

"Welcome to noble parties."

They found a quiet alcove near the refreshment table. Well, quiet being relative at a gala. Aegis leaned against a marble pillar, mind racing.

[Okay. Think. The Autumn Gala. What happened in the game?]

She mentally flipped through her memories. In Queen of Hearts, this event was mostly about networking and was mostly contained to this location. Players could boost faction reputation, unlock romance flags, maybe trigger a rival scene with Talia if they pushed the right buttons.

No assassinations. No death flags. Just fancy clothes and relationship points.

[So why is someone trying to kill her now?]

"Oh, you’re thinking." Lune sipped her champagne.

"What?"

"You’re thinking." Lune pointed at Aegis’s head. "Your forehead wrinkles when you reflect so intensely."

"No it doesn’t."

"Yes it does. Right here." Lune tapped between Aegis’s eyebrows.

"Charming." Aegis smoothed the spot. "Thanks for the beauty tip."

Liora giggled.

"She’s right though. What’s bothering you?"

[Can’t exactly say ’I have future knowledge and someone’s about to commit regicide.’]

"Just processing the politics." Aegis gestured vaguely at the crowd. "Lot of moving pieces tonight."

That wasn’t a lie. The ballroom felt like a chessboard, every noble a piece positioned for maximum advantage. Duchess Ravencrest had rejoined Valemont’s circle. Varyn still hovered by the garden doors like a creepy statue.

And Talia...

The princess stood near the orchestra, surrounded by her usual noble satellites. They hung on her every word, laughed at the right moments, agreed with perfect timing. And yet...

Aegis smiled sympathetically.

[She looks bored out of her mind.]

In the game, this was when Talia’s mask started slipping. Chapter 6, the Autumn Gala. The one time Talia couldn’t keep her guard up. If players looked at her now, they’d see no politics, no perfect princess act. Just her.

[Heavy is the head that wears the crown, huh?]

Even from across the room, Aegis could read the subtle signs. The way Talia’s fingers tapped against her thigh. How it seemed impossible for her to smile. The slight tension in her shoulders that screamed ’get me out of here.’

Which made her an easy target. Distracted, surrounded by sycophants instead of real allies, probably counting minutes until she could escape to somewhere quiet.

[Is that how the assassination will go down? She gets tired, she steps away, some dick puts a knife in her back?]

Aegis downed her champagne in one go.

"Whoa." Liora blinked. "Everything okay?"

"Perfect." Aegis set the empty flute on a nearby table. "I just realized something."

"What?"

"I haven’t danced yet."

Aegis was already moving. The crowd parted unconsciously. Several heads turned. Whispers followed in her wake.

[Good. More witnesses the better.]

She approached the orchestra with confidence that bordered on arrogance. The princess’s circle noticed her first. One girl, blonde, Aegis forgot her name, actually gasped at her mere presence.

Then, Talia looked at her and that vacant, hollow look was suddenly infused with emotion. Annoyance, specifically.

"Princess." Aegis dropped into a perfect curtsy. "You look radiant tonight."

Talia’s eyes narrowed.

"Aegis. Come to cause another scene?"

"Aw, come on. Would I do that?"

"Yes."

"Fair point." Aegis straightened, holding out her hand. "Princess," Aegis grinned. "Would you please, dance with me?"