"Please don't make me do that ever again. That was torturous."
"Now you know how I feel and why I refuse to attend these things."
"Unlike everyone else, I was fine with you not attending any of these things, so why punish me? What's crazier is that, it wasn't threats from your council or begging from your family that finally which I could understand. No, you made us stay and participate over some stupid girl no less. And I already loath her for giving you the Idea to use me as a stand-in while you pretend to be a simple guard. She's devious and a bad influence." he complained.
"Her a bad influence on me? do you hear yourself? You're just mad because you're not used to people treating you with such fear and hatred, you get used to it."
"No, I won't because as my friend you'll never do that to me again right?"
"Since when am I that nice?"
"I don't know, since you stumbled across that disaster of a girl; who you apparently have fooled into thinking you're gentle and kind" he shot back.
"Don't forget 'too beautiful to be looked upon directly by those of weak hearts'" he said grinning.
"Do you not see how wrong this is? We came here to arrest her, now she has you raped around her finger to the point you're thinking of asking her to marry you."
"I won't jump into something that drastic quite so quickly but have you come up with any better plans?"
"You know I haven't, but that's not because there aren't better plans... it's just because thinking of plans is not my strong suit," he remarked.
"Right, well how about we do something you are good at then, I could use a little exercise"
"You're a cruel master" he whined but grinned just as happy to get to spend some time on the training field And probably relishing the thought of trying to knock so sense into him. Since they left the banquet early they had over two hours until the ball and neither was that inclined to arrive on time. And since they were both dressed as guards they got to relax as friends with no one being the wiser.
They started out with a light spar for a warm-up, then since the Marquises' knights had gathered around to watch they challenged them to a ten-on-two battle fighting some of the headstrong young soldiers side by side like old times but with wooden swords.
It was ruthlessly fun, at least for them, the soldiers lying on the ground didn't seem to agree. Gilbert tapped out after an hour and a half of constant fighting, but he was still filled with far too much energy so he offered a challenge to anyone willing to accept. Around ten fights later, with some of their more seasoned soldiers, it was time to go as the ball Had started and he still had to change.
He rushed off the field his guard in tow and went to wash up, a warm bath already waiting for him. He washed quickly then changed into his full dress uniform with rank and ribbons the black matched with royal blue and edged in white and silver. Despite having wanted to be late he rushed out wondering if she'd been there long and if she'd danced with anyone else. From his observations earlier today, she was far from unpopular, especially among the men.
The ballroom was packed and he made his way around the edge looking for Kassidy while doing his best to stick to the darker less populated areas so as not to draw as much attention. It didn't take him long to spot her, dancing in the middle of the ballroom with another man, dressed in a beautiful light pink dress covered in frills that she likely hadn't picked out herself.
His heart sank as he watched her dancing with someone else. it didn't make sense for him to feel so disappointed by it, but he did. logically he knew that the purpose of a ball was for different men and women to dance together and get to know one another, a type of light entertainment of sorts to break up the boring small talk. Yet, it bothered him how she seemed so comfortable... dancing under the bright lights of the chandeliers, surrounded by people. She belonged in the light, whereas he belonged in the shadows.
He moved further into the shadows stealing a glass of wine off a waiter's tray as he passed. Should he just leave? He didn't belong in a place like this... Memories of how badly his last ball had gone flooded his mind. He'd killed someone. An innocent young man, who'd just been a bit drunk and foolish.
What temporary insanity had led him to believe, he could do this? He became more aware of the nervous glances and whispers people shared while trying their best not to look at him directly while also keeping a weary eye on him. His dark corner, once with a few couples trying to chat discreetly amongst themselves was now completely empty. He needed to get out of here.
He spun to face the closest exit, he'd memorized them all before he'd even set foot in the room, But Gilbert quickly moved to block his path.
"What are you doing" he asked his friend, his voice low and threatening.
Gilbert didn't move or even flinch or cower like most would when he used that tone. Instead, he stood up a little straighter. "You can't leave without completing your mission."
"What mission? This was just a stupid idea. You were right alight, let's get out of here." he ground out under his breath. He hated to admit he was wrong and usually he wasn't so he'd had little practice doing so.
"I wish I was... but your crazy plan has merit. I stand by the fact that that girl is insane, but so are you. We observed her in several social situations like you suggested and asked around. It turns out, her social standing and reputation are relatively good despite some malicious roomers amongst her peers.
"The men are interested in her not just for her title but for her beauty and her knowledge. Her family is having to fight off second and third sons who could marry her to steal her title. Despite the fact The Earldom has fallen from its former glory it's acknowledged that SHE was a key player in keeping it afloat. Making her knowledge and managerial skills an asset to any firstborn son or father-in-law when it comes to managing an estate. Those are the only ones with a real chance because her family wants her to give up the title before she can claim it.
"Many of the older women respect her or want her for a daughter-in-law because she is respectful, intelligent, and anything but frivolous. They seem to think she'd have no trouble managing an estate while also keeping their sons in check. Half of her peers look up to her and respect her while the other half seem mostly to act with jealousy because she is their top competition without even trying.
"Your peers either want her because their parents do or because she's actually beautiful and charming when she tries. She would meet basic scrutiny from your council, possibly better than many of the girls they've formally suggested as potential wives.
"I can't let you run from this fight, just because you actually like her and you're scared. You have the advantage of her being indebted to you and maybe even liking you. This is the time to push forward not retreat.
"Right... but... how? This feels wrong."
"Just go up to her and start talking, and that's just the feeling of nerves or fear, it's what the rest of us normal people feel fairly regularly, you get used to it," he said getting back at him for his earlier comment.