Chapter 21: The Night of the Ball. Pt. 1

Five years ago…

’I really don’t like balls,’ Ezra thought with a quiet sigh as he downed his third glass of wine.

It did nothing to help.

By his rough count, at least twenty-one nobles had already cornered him. Barons and earls, all smiles stretched too thin, their words polished and polite while their eyes never quite hid their disdain. They spoke to him as if he were a stepping stone, a convenient bridge to Prince Helios.

And they never let him forget that he had no title.

Then there were the women.

Too close. Too sweet. Laughing a little too loudly, hands lingering just a second longer than necessary. Ezra knew better than to mistake it for genuine interest. It was the same game. Get close to him to get close to Helios.

Either way, none of it was enjoyable.

Ezra had no intention of dancing. No intention of smiling politely through another empty conversation.

With another sigh, he placed his empty glass onto a passing servant’s tray and stepped away from the crowd, weaving through clusters of nobles like he was slipping between enemy lines.

“Might as well look around for threats,” he muttered under his breath.

He wasn’t officially on duty tonight.

The king’s guards lined the ballroom walls, alert and armed. Everything was under control. Ezra wasn’t needed.

But standing still made his skin crawl.

’I need something to do,’ he thought. ’Anything.’

His gaze drifted across the room, landing on his men. The knights under his command were spread out, laughing freely, basking in the attention of noble ladies who fed them wine and flattery in equal measure.

Drinking. Eating. Enjoying themselves.

Ezra felt a faint smile tug at his lips.

’At least they’re having fun.’

Normally, he would have joined them. Shared a drink. Traded jokes. Let the night pass easily.

But this ball wasn’t for him.

It was for Helios.

In Helios’ honor.

Of course, the Sunward Sentinels as well.

And Ezra knew himself well enough to stay away.

He wasn’t made for celebrations like this. Not for rooms drenched in silk and gold, not for laughter that came so easily it felt rehearsed.

His presence would only sour the mood, a reminder of things that didn’t belong here. Things people prefer to forget.

So he kept walking.

Watching.

Waiting.

And, as always, listening.

“Isn’t that Princess Alyce and Prince Helios?”

“They’re dancing.”

“They look absolutely stunning together.”

Ezra’s steps slowed.

His gaze followed the voices toward the center of the ballroom.

And there they were.

Helios and Princess Alyce, moving in perfect rhythm, her hand resting lightly in his, his posture relaxed and confident as he guided her across the floor.

Fiancés.

“I wonder when they’ll finally have their ceremony,” someone murmured. “Everyone’s been waiting for the royal wedding.”

“I’m sure they’re waiting for the right time,” another replied. “They’re still very young.”

’Right,’ Ezra thought quietly. ’Helios still has a lot to accomplish before getting married.’

His eyes lingered on Helios’s face.

He was smiling. Not the polite smile he wore for court, but a genuine one, soft and unguarded as he looked down at Alyce.

They moved effortlessly, like this was exactly where they were meant to be.

Ezra realized, a second too late, that he was frowning.

Not that he had been smiling to begin with.

Something in his chest felt wrong.

Off.

He couldn’t quite name it, only that it sat there, heavy and uncomfortable, tightening every time Helios laughed or leaned closer to his fiancée.

Ezra turned away before he could stare too long.

However—

“Helios and Alyce are quite the couple, no?” a familiar voice said smoothly. “It started as an arrangement, but it seems he’s quite fond of her.”

Ezra bit his tongue.

His eyes twitched.

And that could only mean one thing.

“Prince Kaelis.” Ezra turned, already facing that damn face. The pretty prince with silver hair and a smile that never failed to grate on his nerves.

’What is this asshole doing here?’

He bowed his head.

Acting properly.

“No need to be so formal. And so cold,” Kaelis said lightly, running a hand through his long silver hair. “This is a joyous occasion, Captain Ezra. A celebration of all your efforts, after all.”

Ezra resisted the urge to clench his fists.

’If I punch him right now, this will be a very short career.’

“Forgive me if I seem cold, Your Highness,” Ezra replied evenly. “I’m simply tired. As you know, we just returned from battling countless dark ones. My men nearly died.”

The words rolled off his tongue with practiced ease.

He had rehearsed this response long before tonight. Ezra knew there was always a chance he would run into Kaelis. He had just hoped it wouldn’t happen at a ball filled with beautiful women Kaelis could easily distract himself with.

“Ah, no matter,” Kaelis said with a laugh. “Your company is still enjoyable. Even with that sour look on your face.”

Ezra’s eye twitched again.

’I’ve noticed it before,’ he thought grimly. ’But he really does enjoy pissing me off, especially when he knows I can’t do anything about it.’

Which only made Kaelis more infuriating.

Helios always said Kaelis meant well.

Ezra had never believed that.

Helios blindly adored his brothers. Trusted them. Defended them.

Even though, in Ezra’s eyes, Helios was far too good for them.

Kaelis took another slow sip of whatever was in his glass.

Ezra noted, not without irritation, that it wasn’t one of the standard goblets being passed around by servants. The design was different. Custom. Of course it was.

“This is my fifth drink,” Kaelis said suddenly, as if continuing a conversation that only existed in his head. “I’m already feeling dizzy. And yet somehow, I’m still not drunk.”

Ezra didn’t respond.

He simply stared ahead, jaw tight.

’Why are you telling me this?’ he thought. ’Why in Aurethys would I care?’

Was this small talk?

The idea alone made his skin crawl.

Had Kaelis already exhausted every noblewoman in the ballroom?

Had he flirted, danced, whispered promises, and gotten bored so quickly that he’d settled for talking to someone who openly despised him?

It wouldn’t surprise Ezra.

’Maybe he enjoys this,’ Ezra thought grimly. ’Being tolerated. Being looked down on by someone with a lower class.’

The thought made his stomach twist.

Kaelis had always been like this. Slipping into spaces he wasn’t wanted, wearing that lazy smile like armor, thriving on discomfort.

’Maybe he gets off on it,’ Ezra mused darkly. ’Being judged by someone he considers beneath him.’

With Kaelis, anything was possible.

And that, more than anything else, was what made him obnoxious.

Kaelis kept talking.

And talking.

And talking.

He rambled about the wine.

About the music.

About how the chandeliers were apparently inspired by some ancient palace Ezra had never heard of and never wanted to hear about.

And he had no idea why he needed to know about the chandeliers.

Ezra stared at him coldly, jaw tight, biting his tongue so hard he was surprised it hadn’t started bleeding.

’If I had a gold coin for every useless word coming out of his mouth,’ Ezra thought, ’I could buy this entire ballroom and ban him from it.’

That would be doing everyone a favor.

Kaelis lifted his glass again. “You know, this blend is imported from Alyce’s kingdom. Ridiculously expensive. You can really taste the difference from our own wine..”

’Yes,’ Ezra mused, eyes flicking to the glass. ’It tastes exactly like arrogance and poor life choices.’

“One of my aunts actually taught me a game about wine when I was younger.” Kaelis continued. “Every time they’re frustrated, or someone they converse with at a ball says something idiotic…they take a drink of their wine.”

’Let me guess…the game is called Alcoholism?’ Ezra thought, holding back a snarky laugh.

Still, he said nothing out loud.

And somehow, Kaelis kept taking that as encouragement.

He leaned in slightly, voice dropping as if he were sharing a secret. “And the musicians tonight, they’re quite talented. I considered replacing them with performers from the southern courts, but Father insisted on tradition. For the next event, my goal is to take over and be the one who plans it.”

’Oh no,’ Ezra thought. ’He’s planning events now.’

Ezra’s fingers curled slowly at his side.

’Smile. Nod. Don’t commit regicide in a ballroom.’

Kaelis laughed at something he’d just said, entirely unbothered by the fact that Ezra hadn’t responded to a single word.

With that, Ezra was reaching his limit.

Because who laughs at their own jokes?

Just as he opens his mouth, ready to say something, anything…a random excuse that could make Kaelis leave him alone, someone suddenly places a hand on his back.

It was gentle, but still Ezra flinched on instinct.

His muscles tensed, already preparing for confrontation, before he turned sharply.

And froze.

“Kaelis, I see you’re talking my captain’s ear off.”

It was Helios.

Standing close, his hand still warm through the fabric of Ezra’s uniform, his expression soft and familiar.

He smiled down at Ezra, the kind of smile that instantly unraveled every tightly wound thought in his head.

Ezra stared at him, stunned.

“Ezra,” Helios said warmly, as if they were meeting somewhere quiet instead of in the middle of a royal ball. “There you are.”

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