Charles annual ball

It was finally the day for Charles' annual ball. He has always sent me an invitation each year, so I wasn’t surprised when I received an invitation card three days earlier. I was surprised that I had received two invitation cards with a brief note asking me to bring Eve along. I had pondered on why Eve was invited but concluded he was just being respectful to me. I had never taken an apprentice before, so I did not know how he would treat them. Other promising apprentices must have been invited as well. She seemed excited by the invite and had spent the whole day shopping for the right dress together with her friends. At least she was having a good time.

We arrived at the ball a few hours late, but I still took Eve around with me to exchange pleasantries. She needed to socialize with as many elite people as she could. It would be helpful for her career. She was doing just fine with the connections she had made on her own already, but this was his Lieges ball. Only the elites of the elites were invited, nothing close to her usual circle. She plastered a fake smile on her face and went along with me as I introduced her to my fellow invited guests. I knew how she felt about the Royals, that was why I had been surprised by her enthusiasm to attend the ball but watching her trying to leave a good impression on these people, I realized she had come for the same reasons I was showing her around; making connections.

The curious stares she received were not lost on me. They had better be staring because she looked very beautiful in the dress she was wearing or we were going to be having problems. She seemed oblivious to the stares but I knew her enough to know she noticed. She notices everything. She must have just learnt to deal with it, as she dealt with everything else.

I ushered her to the bar and left for a few minutes to use the restroom. On returning, she was surrounded by a few people. She seemed to genuinely enjoy their company, so I didn’t interrupt. After all, she has proven on too many occasions that she could take care of herself.

It didn’t go unnoticed that she was the only young apprentice present. I sighted a few members of some sect families more prestigious than mine, but their apprentices or heirs were nowhere in sight. The only heirs present were those of the royals probably because this was a royal ball. People like me were just privileged to be invited.

Why had his Liege sent her an invitation? I had thought it was out of respect for me, but I wasn’t so sure anymore.

More worrisome was the fact that Megan was present. I had expected her to be, but after the knowing glare she had given me, I could only suspect she was up to no good. It’s been a week since I visited Charles to make a complaint, but up till now, nothing had been done. I had expected her to be summoned for questioning the very next day and was very disappointed when she wasn’t. It was only confirming my suspicions that his liege was already in the know of what was going on. After all, they were a couple. Should I have gone directly to the general council? That seemed like the better option now that nothing was obviously been done to Megan. The glare she had given me earlier was way too intense. I suspected Charles had informed her of my visit. It was best to stay away from her for now.

Eve suddenly walked up from behind me. She had company with her, a pretty young lady and Prince Luke. He looked so alive and well, you would never believe he was as good as dead a couple months ago.

“This is Prince Luke and his sister Princess Isabella,” she said, introducing her companions.

“Lord Archie,” Luke greeted, extending his hands for a handshake. They were way younger than me, so a handshake was an appropriate form of greeting for my title.

“You look so much better young prince,” I replied, returning his handshake. I exchanged handshakes with the princess as well, and we soon began conversing about the weather.

“Archie! You finally arrived” Charles said as he walked towards us with Megan beside him.

His voice was so loud, it drew attention to my little group. Why did he have to be with Megan? I had been trying to avoid her.

“My liege,” I said.

I gave a quick bow, my companions did the same.

Charles gave me a brief hug before turning his attention to Eve. He hadn’t even paid the prince and princess any mind.

“You must be Evelyn. I have heard so much about you.”

She seemed shocked that he had directly addressed her. I heard the gasp from onlookers as well. Had he asked me to invite her for his personal reasons? What did he want with her?

“My Liege, I’m honoured,” she said with her head bowed.

Megan's expression was murderous. She wasn’t pleased with Charles's sudden interest in Eve, neither was I.

“My Liege,” I said, trying to draw away his attention from her.

He ignored me completely and offered his hand to Eve and asked for a dance. Did he just ask her for a dance? She gasped in shock before covering her mouth with both hands. Giving a morphed apology she ran in the general direction of the restroom. Was she about to throw up?

“Did I scare the poor child?” Charles asked aloud, looking intrigued.

“The offer must have been a surprise to her my Liege,” I replied grateful for the turn of events.

“I'm afraid we have more surprises, 10th healer?” Megan said, speaking up for the first time.

“What do you mean?” I replied.

Charles glared angrily at her, signalling his disapproval, but she ignored it and stepped away from him

“How hypocritical of you to say that after what you did.”

Charles glanced around to see if anyone had seen Megan disrespect him. They had. Their brief exchange had been on full display. He turned back to me with a diplomatic smile on his face. I knew that smile. He was pissed.

“What are you accusing me of this time, Megan?”

“Theft” she replied.

So, Charles had told on me. I was in so much trouble now. An accusation of theft was pretty serious. If she had any proof that I stole from her, which I did, my reputation would be ruined.

“That is a serious crime you accuse me of. I let it slide the last time in council. Is this how you express your gratitude, by making another false accusation?”

The scene had attracted an audience who gathered around us, with varying expressions of shock and dismay on their faces. Was it Megan’s plan to humiliate me publicly?

“1st healer, you know the consequences of making false accusations. Explain your actions.” the 1st leader ordered inserting herself into the conversation. Her two daughters and a few other leaders at the council stood beside her.

When had they all got here? This was bad, really bad.

“I have proof,” Megan replied.