Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Fire Emblem.
Chapter thirty: The Ball (II)
That hour dragged by, whittling Niles' patience to its thinnest thread. Xander was sought out by every guest, and was made to introduce Niles to each one. Without Leo, Niles would have snapped after the first half hour; but his liege kept Niles faithfully in check through well-meaning pinches and prods, and an occasional whisper of, "Say that again and I'll tell Camilla."
At some point during a respite from conversation, Leo pointed out the staircase from which Corrin and her sisters would enter the ball. The golden gilded stairs stood out in the silver room, so Niles had noticed them before his lord's explanation; Niles thought them pretentious and even dangerous, to an extent, as he couldn't imagine less-than-graceful Corrin or Elise walking successfully those steep steps. Leo, however, thought differently.
"This hall and these stairs have witnessed the social birth of all of Nohr's greatest queens and princesses," Leo said, his voice proud and instructive. "It is the dream of all noble ladies to be presented here, but few outside the royal family are found worthy. Tonight, Corrin will finally prove to this court that she is a Nohrian of the most prestigious caliber. No one will be able to question her integrity after this."
Leo turned his head, and Niles knew his liege had been speaking of King Garon. The king and his royal advisor had entered the hall not long after the princes and Niles; since that time, the room's atmosphere had changed, as the guests stomped over each other in their haste to prove their gratitude to their monarch. Niles was disgusted by their slobbering of compliments, yet was also relieved to notice that the crowd's eagerness kept Iago from leaving his liege long enough to circle the room.
"A trapped cobra," Leo murmured to Niles, as though reading his thoughts, "is the best cobra."
"If you can't manage a dead one," Xander interjected, his fists clenched at his side. Niles smirked his agreement, and turned his gaze from Iago to the staircase and the doors above it. Admittedly, he had spent most of his evening watching those closed doors, and was rewarded only now by their opening.
"Lord Leo," Niles said, but his liege silenced him hurriedly.
"Stay here," Leo stressed, and followed Xander into the crowd.
They disappeared in a moment; it happened so suddenly, Niles felt taken aback. He didn't mind being alone in this crowd, but his temper bristled at his own confusion. Nothing to do, he realized with a growling sigh, but watch the doors. I'm getting very good at this — maybe Iago can arrange for me to be King Garon's doorman when this is all over.
At the foot of the staircase, Niles saw Xander and Leo reemerge from the crowd. Iago appeared beside them, smirking broadly at the crowd. Xander's face remained stoic, but Leo could not hide his discomfort.
"Honored guests, the time has arrived!" Iago exclaimed loudly, silencing the room. "King Garon has bestowed upon me the pleasure of presenting his four royal daughters to you. Silence, please!" Iago grimaced at a brief burst of excited chatter. "As was declared several weeks ago before the assembly, the young princess, Azura — whom was so long ago cruelly stollen away from her loving father and family — has been rescued from Hoshido!"
There was a pause. Slowly, a hesitating, short applause poked through the stillness. Niles grimaced, wishing he could turn around and spit on the first nobleman he found. Azura was probably expecting this response, he thought, recalling her previous allusions to her poor childhood in Nohr. But for it to actually happen… He sighed again, clenching and unclenching his fists.
Iago calmed the room easily this time. He gestured wordlessly to the staircase, and the music that Niles had hardly noticed all evening due to the constant cacophony of conversation now burst forward with sudden confidence. Sweet sounds filled the room and rang in the high ceilings, as Lady Camilla led her sisters down the staircase.
Camilla wore a low black dress and moved with the gleaned experience of years of court parties. Azura followed several steps behind, her head held high, but her eyes without the pride she feigned; her dress was also dark and glittered like stars. Elise began behind Azura, but her underdeveloped court manners and excitement caused her to skip dangerously down the stairs, until she walked between Azura and Camilla. She paused on each step to wave to her people, looking the very picture of fresh innocence in her white dress, decorated with pink and red roses.
Niles smirked. He was admittedly glad to see more familiar faces. He watched the sisters reach the bottom step, curtsy to their guests, and then take their brothers' arms. Elise latched on to Leo's arm with such force, Leo teetered. Azura took his other arm more gently, quickly helping him to right himself. Camilla stopped to give Xander a smile, then took Iago's offered arm; Niles grimaced for her sake. Xander's eyes moved back to the staircase, and Niles' gaze followed.
Corrin stood at the top, her face far redder than make-up could ever make it. Her dress was modest, with shoulders but no sleeves. The color was white, but of a different shade than her youngest sister's dress. She wore a white tiara, white gloves, and white shoes peeked out from her long skirt when she took a step. Niles self-consciously glanced down at his black vest and trousers; he wondered whether the color scheme was merely customary, as Xander had said, or if there was some deeper meaning behind the black and white of himself and Corrin.
Niles pushed his thoughts away and focused on Corrin. She was nearing the end. Her eyes were wide and she watched every step she took on the long staircase, as though terrified of tripping. Niles could almost laugh at the idea. He waited for the kind words, the official declaration that Corrin was "out" — but no one spoke. Niles knew enough to realize that this was not the season for debutantes, and maybe that was the extent of the silence; but part of him relished the idea that Corrin was just as much an outcast to this court as he was himself.
Corrin took Xander's arm tentatively. He whispered something to her, and she startled. She turned to the crowd and curtsied. Niles hoped she would see him and react, but if she noticed him, she hide it perfectly.
Corrin took Xander's arm once more, and he declared, "Please, join us in the dining room for supper!" The royal princesses and their escorts led the way into the dining room. Niles stood still, hating himself and his lonely feelings. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He spun around angrily, but found the same blond nobleman from before smirking at him.
"Need a friend?" he asked. He nodded at the red-haired woman who stood beside him. She still hung on his arm, but her face was now marred by a ferocious scowl.
Selena released Odin's arm and took Niles'. He stared at her, and her cheeks grew redder than her hair. "Don't say anything!" she growled between her teeth. "I couldn't care less how ridiculous you look, standing all alone, swooning for Lady Corrin. I have to do this!"
Niles rolled his eyes. "I'm not swooning — and why do you have to do this?"
"Black mail!" Odin declared, giving Niles a victorious grin. Niles noticed a thin layer of sweat on Odin's brow; he seemed giddy with nervousness. "The great Odin Dark shall desire payment at a later date." Odin glanced at Selena's scowl. "Great, great payment…"
Selena fumed, "Can we just get inside already? I'm starving!"
"You're both idiots," Niles interjected. A smirk, however, tugged at his lips.
Odin shook his head. "Aw, I know that's just your way of showing appreciation. Now let's get moving, tut-tut! Lady Corrin's waiting for you!"
They followed what was left of the crowd inside, Odin and Selena exchanging angry banter. Niles still grinned, but not out of spite. Odin was right — Niles felt thankful.
Inside the dining room, the guests were split between several different tables. Corrin was glad when she was seated at the same table as her five siblings; her relief wavered, however, when her father took the seat at the head of the table, and Iago sat in the chair to his right. Corrin could not help sighing when strangers claimed the remaining seats across from her.
She turned to Leo, who sat beside her, and whispered, "What happened to Niles?"
Leo raised one eyebrow. He carelessly flexed his fingers, and Corrin thought he was pointing across the room. She looked, but recognized no one but Silas and Kaze at the next table. She turned back to him and was further confused to see him glaring at her. He flexed his fingers again, and Corrin looked; this time, she noticed Selena occupying the seat across from her. Selena was talking to a man with short, straight white hair. The man turned and Corrin audibly gasped.
Every eye at her table was on Corrin immediately. Her face burned, but she saw the humor in her embarrassment when she noticed how hard Niles was struggling to keep a straight face. "S-sorry," she stuttered, "I… The plate is hot."
Several people raised an eyebrow. One or two strangers began to poke at their own plates and silverware, as though testing Corrin's veracity. Iago simpered and explained that all the plates had been warmed, so that the food would be remain at a comfortable temperature. When the guests seemed satisfied with such an answer, they focused less on Corrin; but Corrin noticed her father shoot her a glare.
"Try to calm down," Azura whispered from Corrin's other side.
"I'm not hyper!" Corrin whispered back, sighing in exasperation. "I just didn't recognize him! What did Camilla do?"
Someone kicked Corrin's shin, lightly enough that she just barely jumped. She stared at Niles, who smirked in response. Corrin smiled back. I'm sorry, she thought, I didn't mean to overreact!
The servers soon entered, carrying trays of appetizers. From what her siblings had said, Corrin knew that the meaty foods on these trays were the bulkiest members of the meal; following the appetizers would be salads and some broth, then to finish, rich cakes for dessert. Then it would be time to dance.
Corrin spotted Jakob almost immediately. She had been warned of his appearance as a lowly waiter tonight, and so did not start as she had when she saw Niles. Jakob greeted Corrin causally, in the same pleasant manner he had greeted every other guest, and offered her something from his tray. Corrin noticed a slip of paper tucked under one corner; she glanced at Jakob, who recommend the appetizer the paper sat on. Corrin took it with an excited hand.
Soon, everyone had food and conversation. When she thought no one was watching, Corrin spread the paper out on her lap, discovering it to be a note written on a napkin.
Is my haircut that bad?
Corrin wanted to laugh, but she managed to keep herself quiet. She dainty took a sip of water and pretended to listen to the conversation. She knew Niles was watching her and made a big show of her thoughtfulness. Then she pretended to drop her fork and bent down to pick it up. As she had expected, there was pencil waiting for her — dropped by Jakob or Niles, she wasn't sure. She put the pencil on her lap and the fork on the table. Without staring at the napkin, she wrote her response.
I think you're perfect.
She folded the napkin up the same way it had come. Jakob was soon at her side again, offering her wine and slipping the napkin onto his tray. He then moved on to Leo, then Elise, then Xander at the other end of the table. They all acted as though the napkin was not there. Jakob finally rounded the corner of their table and offered a drink to Niles. He chose the glass where the napkin was hidden.
Corrin smiled brightly. Is this what it's like to be a spy? she wondered. It's so exciting! I'm good at it, too. There are ten people seated at this table, and no one notices mine and Niles' notes.
"Lady Corrin?" a voice asked, breaking into Corrin's triumph. "… Lady Corrin?"
"Huh?" Corrin sputtered. Blushing, she rushed to say, "I mean, yes?"
An older man was addressing her, seemingly one of her father's rich guests. He had a pleasant smile and dark eyes, and his wrinkled face had a harmless appearance. His voice was kind. "Shall you be dancing this evening?"
"Yes, sir," Corrin answered in a small voice. "I plan to do a lot of dancing tonight, if my partner agrees."
Corrin felt another kick under the table. She wondered if that was Niles' way of protesting.
The man chuckled. "Well, if you're in need of a dancing partner, then please consider accepting my son for a jig or two. He's a strong young man and an excellent dancer, and he enjoys it ever so much. He's seated at that table over there, do you see?"
The man gestured to the table directly behind Corrin. She followed his direction to a very tall, brown haired boy of seemingly just eighteen. He must have felt their eyes on him, for he suddenly turned around, revealing an embarrassed, freckled face. Corrin smiled at him, and he blushed deeper.
"He is very handsome," Corrin told the boy's beaming father, turning back to her table. "I would be so happy if he would ask me to dance."
The man's dark eyes brightened. "How kind of you, princess! Thank you!"
Leo poked Corrin's side. "You can't agree to dance with everyone," he warned.
"One poor boy is not everyone," she retorted.
"If you keep on agreeing, then soon every father and mother will be pushing their sons on you. And think about how ridiculous you'll look later on, when your you-know-what is announced."
"Oh." Corrin's smile wavered. "I didn't think of that."
Jakob was at her side again, recommending a small piece of fish. Corrin took his suggestion and found a napkin once more hidden under the plate. She unfolded the message on her lap.
You're not dancing with him.
Corrin smirked. She took up the pencil, which still lay on her lap, and scribbled another note.
Then you'll just have to dance every one with me tonight.
This time, she couldn't wait for Jakob to return; she threw the napkin on the floor and gently tapped Niles' foot with her shoe. He seemed to understand, for immediately his knife fell to the floor.
Corrin giggled into her real napkin, watching Niles' face as he read the note on his lap. He smirked in response.
Azura tapped Corrin's arm. "I suggest you two stop passing notes," she murmured, humor in her tone. "The governess is watching."
Corrin glanced at Xander to see him giving Niles a heavy look. Niles picked up his silverware and focused on cutting his meat, pretending not to notice Xander. Corrin bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud.
"Xander," Elise spoke up, sounding bored now that she had finished her appetizers, "will you dance with me first?"
Xander turned to look at his sister and his expression immediately softened. "Of course, Elise," he answered. "It would be an immense honor to escort my little sister."
Corrin felt as though she had been slapped. She was sure Xander had not meant for his words to be a reminder, but they did recall Corrin to tonight's plans. Elise is in danger, she thought, disgusted with herself, and you're flirting!
She didn't look at Niles again throughout dinner. He tried to call her attention a few times by poking her under the table, but she ignored him. No more napkins appeared on the trays.
Corrin focused instead on being a perfect princess. She answered questions correctly, was vague when inquires became too personal, and always referred to her father as the expert authority. Her siblings seemed pleased, for Xander no longer frowned at her, but even nodded his approval at times. Camilla constantly exclaimed, "Isn't she precious?" and the whole table would echo their agreement.
Most of the attention was on Corrin or King Garon. Occasionally, Niles would be asked a question. He replied quietly and concisely, so that soon, people found him too bland to ask anything more. When they began to ignore him, Selena stepped in and whispered with him.
I'll have to thank her later, Corrin thought. She felt guilty for ignoring Niles herself. It's not his fault I was so thoughtless.
Corrin was startled when Jakob reappeared offering a tray of cakes. "Dessert?" she asked in surprise. It was an awkward statement, she realized quickly, but Azura's laughter covered it up.
"Princess Corrin adores cakes," Azura told the curious guests, "though I suspect our sister, Elise, is even more fond of them."
"That's right!" Elise exclaimed, loudly spearing one of the cakes on her plate. She laughed as she waved it about, chattering, "I just love when they're filled with chocolate! Those are my absolute favorites. Of course, fruit cakes are good, too. Oh, or pudding cakes! I think I like custard cakes even better, though. What about you?"
Suddenly, the entire table was being polled concerning the cakes. Corrin and her siblings all smiled and laughed at Elise's cheer; the guests themselves seemed to find her personality startling yet pleasantly amiable. Amidst the mirth, however, Corrin felt some sorrow seeing the light Elise brought to the conversation. Xander, Leo, she thought, watching her brothers' low expressions, you feel it, too.
Corrin made the mistake of glancing at King Garon. He watched Elise with narrowed eyes — he was obviously angry. Elise, even Corrin could see, did not act as a subservient princess should. Despite how happy Elise was making the courtiers, she was not behaving appropriately.
Iago whispered something to King Garon, who nodded. Then Iago stood up and Corrin's heart jumped. Her shoulders tensed, and she considered charging the serpent now to save them all the trouble of dealing with him diplomatically later. Leo put a hand over hers. "Relax," he stressed.
Iago raised a glass and called for silence. He was smirking, but not kindly. "Honored guests! It is time to enter the ballroom and partake in some music and entertainment. Lady Corrin shall open the floor; however, before we open the doors, King Garon wishes me to make a proclamation on behalf of himself and the royal family."
Corrin's breath caught. She clasped Leo's hand so tightly, he flinched. Finally, her eyes went to Niles. This time, he was not looking for her; his attention was narrowed on Iago.
"Lady Corrin should have been presented in the proper debutante season of her eighteenth year," Iago continued. "She was not due to a frailness of mind that has plagued her since childhood."
Corrin thought she heard Azura sigh. Is she offended for me? Corrin wondered briefly. Corrin herself could hardly understand Iago's speech, for her mind was racing onto its conclusion.
"Her family is overjoyed that she has finally overcome her frailties in order to be here, a proper princess, this evening." Iago's smirk widened. "So overjoyed, so full of relief, that her father, King Garon, is now anxious to see his young daughter married."
Corrin's heart leapt once more. Iago gestured grandly towards the bottom of the table, towards Niles. Corrin stared at him, but he looked towards Leo. Leo nodded vaguely, and Niles rose to his feet.
"King Garon," Iago continued, "has promised the hand of Princess Corrin to Sir Niles. They shall be a formidable couple in this court, certainly," Iago sneered. "In honor of their engagement, the king has allowed them to open the ballroom together."
Corrin was slow to respond. She could feel everyone's eyes on her now. Niles calmly strolled around the table to her chair. He pulled it out for her and she stood. She took his arm and he led her wordlessly towards the double doors of the ballroom.
As they passed Jakob, Corrin notice him give Niles a warning glare. It was unexpected, and harkened her back to when Silas and Kaze had fought for the right to "save" Corrin from Niles. Now, she could still feel the startled glances of her father's guests on her neck; she thought she could taste the anxiety of her siblings and friends as she moved with Niles to ballroom doors.
"You won't ever need anyone else," Corrin had promised Niles — so long ago, it seemed. "You'll never feel lonely again. I promise!"
"Niles," she whispered, "thank you."
"For what?" he murmured.
"For… everything, I guess."
He smirked. "This isn't goodbye, Corrin. This is the beginning."
She nodded. "Good."
The doors slid open. The ballroom lay glittering and empty before Niles and Corrin. Everything shone — the domed roof was gold, the walls were gold, the floors were shining, shimmering gold. Ornate candleholders decorated the walls, their red flames and dark shadows adding some contrast to the yellow gleam. There was a staircase even in this room, leading to thin a balcony above the dance floor. An orchestra was assembled near the stairs; when the musicians noticed the dazzled couple standing in the doorway, their instruments sprang to life. A sad, slow waltz began to play.
Corrin looked at Niles. "Are you ready?" she asked.
He grinned. "Of course. Are you? I don't want you holding me back."
Corrin laughed lightly. "Well, that's not the most romantic thing you could have said at this moment."
"Let me get you on the dance floor, then I'll show you romance. Your brothers have been tutoring me."
Corrin laughed again. Niles led her to the center of the floor and she followed with the grace her sisters had taught her. He bit his lip in concentration as she twirled in front of him; they were suddenly facing each other. "That went rather well," she murmured, placing her left hand on his shoulder. He put his right hand on her waist and took her free hand in his.
"I told you," he said, "I've been practicing." They began to waltz.
Niles held Corrin close. The awkwardness Corrin had felt all evening was slowly but surely falling away. The instructions of her sisters echoed in her mind, and she had to concentrate to hear and obey each one. She had expected this moment to be uncomfortable and difficult, yet Niles made it easy. He wasn't dancing reluctantly, as Corrin had feared he would; he seemed happy to dance for her sake.
Suddenly, Corrin noticed other couples waltz onto the floor. She and Niles were no longer alone — the gold and lights no longer existed just for them. Corrin was glad, however, for she felt safer lost in the waves of silk and lace that were flowing over the ballroom's floor.
"Where's Elise?" Niles murmured. Corrin's eyes widened and she made a quick sweep of the room. Her tense shoulders relaxed immediately when she noticed her sister being escorted onto the floor by Xander.
"She's safe," Corrin whispered simply. Niles followed her gaze, then nodded. He smirked.
"It's very comforting to have a brother such as Lord Xander, isn't it?" he asked. "I mean, if anything's wrong — anything at all, he just charges in and takes care of it. He may have as much grace as a drunken ox, and his intentions are certainly not selfless, but, still… At least you'll always have him."
Corrin smiled widely. "Yes, I only realized that myself, recently." She hesitated, then whispered, "You know, Niles, I think you have him like that, too."
Niles opened his mouth to answer but gasped instead. He dropped Corrin's hand and clutched at his stomach; Corrin saw the hilt of a short blade protruding from Niles' side. His knees buckled but Corrin was too weak from shock to catch him. Niles sunk to the floor and a woman nearby let out a scream. Corrin raised her eyes to stare into the dark eyes of a stranger, dressed in the rich costume of a nobleman; then he turned and fled into the crowd.
Corrin glanced one last time at Niles. I'm sorry… she thought, tears springing to her eyes. She charged into the panic.
Ending note: I hope you all enjoyed the references to previous chapters I sprinkled throughout this update. I was very happy to see everything tie together in this way. The next chapter will be very different from its predecessors, as there will be a fight scene - shocking for a Fire Emblem story, I know. Thank you for reading.