"You bandy about your authority at the academy, looking down on even those who've earned the royal family's favour, like lady Gertrude over there."
Gertrude struck another pause, this one that of a thoroughly victimized individual. As he'd guessed, the Royal family was collaborating on this case. He could hear murmurs start up in the crowd of nobles.
"And its been often talked about how you trance around the academy town, not even bothering to hide your contempt for the workers your family gas slaving away down there. You get things for free from their shops, and rarely even utter a word of greeting."
It was... actually the truth. James remembered this having been confirmed in the novels, and she stiffened in reply to the prince's second accusation, all but confirmed it. Still, James knew his course.
Even if she had been guilty of all the cases they'd thrown at her, he would still help her. He didn't know why. Perhaps it was to protect his own family, since the Royal family would be too distracted with the Bladhaven to do anything about them. Perhaps it was lady Crescida herself, or maybe he understood what it was like to be misunderstood and judged based on surface views.
He'd talked to Crescida only a little, but he found it hard to believe her to be malicious. Clever, yes, but malicious. There was no way in hell. Then again, maybe he was biased.
The murmuring and whispering was getting out of hand, and more than once James heard his name being mentioned. No wonder she was dancing with the Halden boy, some said. James fought hard not to growl like a vengeful beast.
But something was wrong. This list of accusations. Maybe James wasn't remembering it properly, but these were hardly enough reason to threaten the standing of an entire noble house, let alone a ducal house. Or maybe were these just the preamble. He wasn't seeing Timothy Raven anywhere yet.
"I hope no one is surprised then, by the way the Bladhaven have been shown to treat their strongest vassals!" Mikhail announced.
And all the sound disappeared like it was being sucked out of a vacuum. Breaths hitched, everyone froze. The tension between the Bladhaven and Raven houses was nothing new. It had been happening for many years in fact, and was the most poorly kept secret in the upper echelons of Marethi society.
But the Royal family was finally weighing in. This was escalating from a simple dance party among young nobles to a more complex political game.
Everyone watched lady Crescida for her move. Timothy Raven slowly approached the stage, having materialised almost out of nowhere.
"Your Highness," lady Crescida approached as well. "I hope I don't sound rude or anything, but I don't think the quarrel of two noble houses are the crown's concern."
"Yes, but I'm not speaking as the crown's representative today. I'm speaking as a heartbroken, disillusioned lover. To find out my own fiancee has been bred in such a vile family."
Again the murmurs. This time the other nobles were speaking in solidarity with their kind and wise prince. James found his gaze wandering, bored with it all. He wondered when the revolution would start their advance. Perhaps he'd let them do as they pleased. Then Crescida caught his eye a little.
He looked around. It seemed her plan was about to start. He could see crown prince Roland walking out through the back door. No one paid him any mind. He nodded imperceptibly, the signal to Hans and Jason and Rayne. It was time to light up this dark and dreary night, but first for some entertainment.
Timothy Raven was stating another of his many list of grievances which he hoped to get support from any kind military house to see avenged. They weren't saying it outright, but they were promising Mikhail's favour to anyone who was willing to participate in their efforts.
James grabbed a glass on his way to the now pale and shaking Crescida. People would expect such a reaction, after she'd just found out her whole engagement was a farce to investigate her family.
He took a big swig, hated the very taste of it, and approached the now isolated area lady Crescida stood. He flung his hand around her shoulders, people gasped, she stiffened in surprise.
"I will admit, I wasn't really paying attention to what they were saying, but I think its safe to say you are fucked, my lady."
There were more gasps. James wondered at that. Wasn't just a tad too dramatic. His face was red, and it wasn't from the wine. He'd never intentionally acted this way since he came to this world, except maybe on one or two occasions. This was such an embarrassing role she'd chosen for him, so he'd embarrass her right back.
"Well, I suppose there is no help for it." He let his gaze slide down her body suggestively. He could feel her trying to slide away, he didn't intend to let her. "I admit, you are a good dancer, and I really like what you got going on, if you know what I mean."
She was as red as he was now, and he could feel her body thrumming with increasing fury. Was she mad at him? He just have her a toothy smile.
"Hey, what do you think about becoming my concubine? I mean since your family won't be a ducal house anymore, surely you want your kids to live a bit more happily. And hey, you like me t—"
"Lord Halden!" prince Mikhail barked. "Control yourself! You are—"
"Smitten by the woman you just jilted, yes," James nodded gravelly at the prince.
"Hey!" Crescida's eyes widened and this time she was able to step away from him.
"We were still discussing the lady's crimes, see," lord Raven was trying to say.
"What crimes, dear little brother?" a familiar voice spoke up. "How come I, the heir to house Raven has yet to hear any of this then?"
"Gah, Stanley! What...what are you doing here?!" Timothy asked.
James turned to the other man, saw him approaching the stage with a small smile. Prince Roland wasn't with them. He'd done his part, looked like, and they hadn't exactly entered from the back like he'd thought they would have.
"Hmm? Who are you?" James asked.
Why was he still keeping up the act? He was supposed to just fade into the background right now. This though, was probably going to be the last time he stood this close to Crescida. This farce, after all, had been crafted to show everyone they were not allies. Stan frowned at him.
" My name is Stan Raven, not that it matters to you, punk," the other man sneered.
James hoped it was all part of the act and not just their last meeting playing out.
"What did yousay to me, punk?" James found himself drifting toward the other man.
"I think that's quite enough, young master James."
He found himself sandwiched between Albert and his friend, or girlfriend, Marianne. He didn't know if they were dating or any such. Anyway, it was weird, their coming for him. It was almost like they were choosing a faction already, in the upcoming northern faction war.
He didn't think they were brave enough to side with him, especially after what he'd just done. Then he noticed princess Emily rush to the platform to support her beleaguered brother. There was a reason it seemed very unlikely for two rivals to work together, even temporarily.
He scoffed at the sight. The two nobles carrying him startled, but he wasn't paying attention anymore. He was at the back of the room now, and no one seemed interested in him anymore. The two carrying him exchanged looks of incomprehension. Then Marianne's eyes widened.
"Was that all—"
"—an act?" Albert finished for her.
James scowled at them both, not knowing why he'd even let them see this much.
"Everything about me is an act," he declared.
He stepped onto the balcony and looked over the sleeping noble district. He'd sent his weapons out to meet the threat. He was sure that would be enough.
"How lucky for me, that my mark would decide to isolate himself like this, and out in the open too."
Out of the shadows stepped men and women he hadn't thought would be here. The revolution was supposed to attack this castle. Not the assassin's guild. And certainly not an archmage who was most certainly the guild master, Rebel Kaiser himself.