Chapter 161: [161] The Ball (2)

Yennefer was like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.

She was in a long white gown that nearly brushed the floor, the fabric highlighting her shape.

Flower-like patterns etched with gold threads dotted every seam and swirled around her chest, flowing down to her short sleeves.

And interlaced with those flowers were gems stones that glimmered like little stars.

On her hands were elbow-length lacy hand gloves bearing a similar floral pattern, and her normally unruly hair had been tamed, tied up in a bun that left two curly, silver strands to frame her face.

She smiled when she saw Eliron and increased her pace, then when she got to him, she did a little twirl.

“So? How do I look?” She asked with a bright smile on her face. “Artie picked it out for me.”

’Of course she did…’

Artie clearly had an agenda today, and that was over loading his heart.

Yennefer was absolutely stunning…

Eliron grabbed her cheeks and tugged it, eliciting a pained “owww.”

Then he smiled. “You look beautiful, just like an angel.” He winked.

“…”

For a second, Yennefer paused, her eyes unable to leave him. She was already an angel, that was very much a fact, but there was something about the way Eliron said it…

She laughed nervously, “O-of course I do!”

Yen then glanced at his suit and stroked her jaw. “Huhuhu, you’re not looking bad yourself.” She said as she adjusted his brooch.

“You too Ash, you look great!” Yennefer gave the aloof knight a thumbs up.

Ash smiled. “Thank you, my lady.”

Just then, a young man walked into the inn, dressed in an official uniform. He nervously looked around, before his eyes landed on Eliron.

“Good evening sir! Are you by any chance lord Eliron?”

Eliron raised a brow. “Yes, how may I help you?”

“Lady Cassandra sent me to bring you over to the estate, your carriage is waiting outside.”

“Oh, really?”

’It looks like Cassandra didn’t forget our discussion…’

It was only because of her they had even gotten invited to the ball in the first place.

“Alright, then let’s get going.”

Ash and Yennefer walked forward first, but Eliron did not rush after them, instead he waited till they had left, slowly turned around, then sighed.

Artie was just a few steps away from him, her signature sly smile playing on her lips.

She walked closer and then asked. “So?”

Eliron gave her a blank stare. “What is it now?”

She smiled. “Isn’t it good manners to pay a compliment right about now?”

’A compliment huh?’ He thought, his eyes going over her outfit.

While Yennefer was like a peerless flower, soft, beautiful and radiant, Artie was like a tall glass of red wine…

Sweet, yet intoxicating.

She was in a gown the colour of temptation, a bright ruby red that matched her hair. The fabric followed her body, outlining every temptatious curve, and flowed down to the feet.

A long slit, added for mobility only served to make the dress more, beguiling, as it cut right from the bottom, right up to her mid thigh.

And whenever she would move, a lacy, black thigh-high would be revealed.

The gown cut right from shoulder to shoulder, showcasing her unblemished jade-like skin, and her hair was left untamed, the wavy strand flowing like rivers of blood right from her back, down to her waist.

When she smiled, Eliron could feel his heart skip a beat. A feeling he wanted to banish to the nether regions of his mind.

At least for today…

Yet, his body did not seem too keen on cooperating with him. Regardless, he walked up to her and took her hand.

Then he brought it to his lips and kissed it. “You look stunning, my lady.”

It was clear Artie had an agenda for today, but Eliron had grown a thick skin from how much he suffered being teased at her hands.

Eliron smirked.

Today, he was going to play the uno reverse card.

“Hmmm…” Artie cocked her head to the side as she watched him, her expression never shifting once.

Then she leaned closer, her lips next to his ear, warm breath tickling his skin.

“Don’t tempt me, my lord. Considering how good you look today, who knows?”

“I may not be able to control myself…”

It was as though electric currents had been passed right through Eliron’s body. And that brief pause was all it took for Artie to win the engagement.

She laughed, her voice as clandestine as a harp, then stepped back, clearly enjoying herself.

“Let’s not keep them waiting…” she said, walking past him.

’2-0.’ Eliron thought. The night was already off to a very bad start.

But the night was young…

He smiled, staring at her back as he watched her step through the door.

There would be many chances to even up the score…

<•••>

The demonic merchant seemed rather eager to please them today, because the carriage she had picked out for them was luxurious in every regard.

The seats were coated with leather and were extremely soft, there were snacks and drinks on a table inside the spacious interior, and although it lacked the suspension system Eliron had in their cart, the ride to the estate was extremely comfortable.

When they got to the ball room, they were stopped by the knights guarding the door.

To Eliron’s surprise, one of them was a familiar face.

“Emma right? How have you been?” Eliron asked.

Emma’s face brightened up when she recognized him. “Lord Eliron? It’s been a while, I never expected to see you here.”

Eliron nodded. “Kingsbridge and Artaris have a relationship that stretched over centuries, it is only right that I attend.”

Emma nodded. “I understand.”

Then her face shifted. “Oh, I almost forgot. I know about your long term relationship, but this is an invite only event…” she said politely.

“Did you buy any change, get an invite to the ball?”

Eliron shook his head. “Nope. But it should be on the invite list.”

“Alright, let me—”

“Pfft…” the guard next to him hissed.

He was a chubby man in chain mail armour, and with a sword strapped to his waist.

“Don’t waste your time on them Emma, they are probably trying to sneak in so that they can coax our lord for relief funds.” He scoffed.

Eliron’s eyes grew cold.

Emma’s eyes on the other hand widened in shock. Then she jabbed him in the ribs while laughing nervously, sweat already forming on her face.

“Ahh, forgive him my lord, he had had too much to drink today.”

“I am perfectly alert! Lord Duke told me about them, beggars who come around to take advantage of our kingdom’s funds!”

“Huh? What is it, is your eyes okay? Why are you blinking like that??” He asked Emma.

Emma slapped her forehead with her palm. “Shit…”

“Watch your mouth.” Ash said coldly. “Except you wish to lose it.”

“Huh?” The guard placed his hands on the pommel of his blade. “Do you want a fight, pissant? This isn’t the boonies, you better think before you—”

The steel of the blade was revealed, a fatal mistake.

Before he could draw his blade, in an instant, Ash grabbed his hand, and shoved the sword back into its hilt.

At the same time, his elbow was sent flying, snapping the man’s head up and knocking a tooth loose.

“Y-you bastard!!” The guard barked, reaching for his dagger.

But Ash closed the distance between them in a heart beat, his silver, steely eyes without an ounce of compassion as he drove his knee into his abdomen.

A shot to the liver, one placed right below his ribs. The guard fell like a log, rolling down the stairs.

Emma was as stiff as a log as she stared at them, unsure of what to do.

On one hand, Bernard had threatened the leader of the wood elves, and considering his ambassador-like status, it was a grave crime.

On the other hand, his guard has assaulted a knight of the barony, another serious offence…

’What the heck am I supposed to do now?’ Emma thought.

“I’m not healing that guy…” Yen muttered, folding her hands across her chest.

Meanwhile Artie smiled, probably amused by their current predicament.

Eliron did not look back to see the guard that had collapsed, he just sighed. “You need to control your temper Ash.”

That was what he said with his mouth… but his hands were saying another thing as he gave Ash a thumbs up.

’That is how a knight should be, I didn’t even have to move a muscle!’

“I will be more careful, my lord.” Ash said with a smile.

Then all of a sudden—

“I’ve checked your names, you are on the vip list.” Emma hurriedly spoke, her eyes locked on something in the distance.

Eliron heard the sound of an approaching carriage…

“Please, leave now and say nothing of this to anyone, I’ll settle things here!” She quickly added.

Eliron frowned. ’Is she telling us to run?’

Before he could think anything of it, a booming voice reached his ears, accompanied by the sound of swords being unsheathed.

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS??!”

A look of terror flashed in Emma’s face as she hurried past them, stopping in front of a middle aged man.

He was dressed in flamboyant clothing and had about a dozen guards with him, each of them with their weapons drawn.

And standing next to him was a face Eliron was not too eager to see…

’What is the Baron’s son doing with that man?’

It was clear that he was a noble, but in an event like this, the Baron’s son was just as much of a host as his father was.

Why wasn’t he waiting inside with the rest of his family?

The moment the baron’s son saw Eliron, his expression twisted, and he whispered into the unknown man’s ear.

When he finished, a sinister smile appeared on the man’s lips. He whispered back to Duke, before turning his attention back to them—

“I said, what is the meaning of this?!” He repeated, this time louder.

He was so loud that some of the guests had left the hall to see what was happening outside.

Whispers spread through the crowd like wild fire.

— Isn’t that the baron’s brother, Lord Marcus?

— It looks like someone has offended him! This will not end well for them!

— What are the elves doing here? This will get very messy soon…

Eliron picked up every single word with his sharp elf ears.

’So this man is the baron’s brother?’

Emma immediately bowed low. “It is nothing, my lord! Just a mere misunderstanding, nothing worthy of your attention!” She pleaded.

Lord Marcus glared at her, and right before everyone—

THWACK!!

He slapped her right across the face, sending her to the floor.

Eliron raised a brow.

’Interesting…’

He mused as he saw faint sparks of mana dissipate from his hand.

The man was a mage, a powerful one at that. And that strike had been infused with mana.

It was no wonder… that Emma was now bleeding from a nasty cut on her face.

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