The moment I stepped into the banquet hall, I felt the weight of countless gazes turn toward me. From nobles clad in opulent attire to seemingly ordinary guests, their glances flickered in my direction.
I knew the reason—my appearance stood out.
My clothing didn't follow the era's fashion standards, which were awash with excessive ruffles, ribbons, and ornate embellishments. Instead, I opted for something simpler, elegant, and distinctly modern in its flair. A style that, while perhaps odd to their eyes, held a unique appeal.
Standing in the middle of the hall in my tailored, unconventional attire, I could sense the varied reactions of the crowd.
Some were intrigued. I noticed younger guests whispering among themselves, small smiles lighting their faces as they glanced my way.
Others, particularly the older nobles, looked at me with disdain, their gazes steeped in condescension. They likely saw my choice of clothing as a breach of their precious sartorial traditions.
"It seems I've become the topic of conversation without uttering a single word," I muttered under my breath, maintaining a calm smile.
Such was the world of nobility.
Every step, every piece of clothing, even the way someone stood or spoke could be subject to scrutiny and judgment. In this arena, no action was truly neutral. Everything was observed, analyzed, and dissected by those seeking leverage or opportunity.
And here, I stood alone.
Undoubtedly, my presence tonight was courtesy of the Marquis' invitation. But my true purpose extended beyond merely answering that summons—I needed to find Rainer amidst this sea of polite smiles and multi-layered conversations.
As I began to stroll through the massive hall, scanning the opulently dressed guests around me, an unpleasant realization struck.
"Urgh…" I held my breath momentarily, doing my best to remain discreet. That smell.
Wealth and power might surround these nobles, but bathing didn't appear to be high on their list of priorities. My nose, inexplicably sensitive, seemed to rebel against the faint odors of sweat, aged fabric, and overly strong perfumes attempting to mask everything else.
"I need to focus," I murmured quietly, trying to push the thought aside and keep my expression neutral.
My main goal was finding Rainer. But with a crowd this dense, every corner filled with chatter and laughter, the task seemed much harder than anticipated.
It wasn't long before my eyes landed on him.
Rainer.
He stood near the wall, far from the bustling crowd. While others laughed and mingled in lively conversations, he seemed purposefully detached, holding a wine goblet in one hand, his gaze distant as though his mind had wandered far from the festivities.
"So this is how you enjoy a party," I muttered to myself before making my way toward him.
Once close enough, I opened the conversation with a casual tone. "Standing like that, someone might think you're plotting something."
Rainer looked up slightly, glancing my way. His expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Arkan," he said, his voice flat.
I grinned lightly. "Yep, it's me. Who else would be weird enough to talk to you at a party like this?"
He sighed softly, taking a small sip of his wine before speaking again. "I don't care much for crowds."
"That much is obvious," I replied, glancing around. "While everyone else fights to be the center of attention, you've turned yourself into part of the wall décor."
A faint smile tugged at his lips, though it carried more bitterness than sincerity. "These parties… They mean nothing to me. It's all small talk and falsehoods."
I nodded, understanding what he meant. Rainer wasn't the type to thrive in the shallow games of socialites.
"Yet you still came," I remarked, hoping to probe gently.
He stared into his goblet, his silence stretching before he finally responded. "Because of the Marquis. He wants to discuss something with me."
I studied him, sensing that there was more he wasn't saying. Rainer might project an air of indifference, but I could feel the weight of unspoken thoughts lurking beneath his calm facade.
Still, I wasn't one to push someone into revealing their inner struggles. If Rainer had something he wanted to share, I'd rather create a natural, comfortable space for him to do so.
"For what it's worth, I'm a big advocate of freedom," I quipped, attempting to lighten the mood. "Except, of course, when it leads to nonsense. That seems like a solid philosophy to live by… unless you're in America."
Rainer glanced at me for a moment before letting out a small sigh and shaking his head. "You always have something to say, don't you?"
I shrugged casually. "Someone has to bring some life to this corner. Otherwise, we're just two boring guys lurking at the edge of a party."
He gave me another faint smile, though it faded quickly. I decided not to press any further and shifted to lighter conversation.
"So," I asked, gesturing to the crowd, "what's your take on this whole event? Personally, I think it's more like an over-lit night market than an elegant soirée."
Rainer glanced at the bustling crowd with his usual detached demeanor before replying, "A party is a party. Nothing ever changes—wherever you are. People gather, talk about meaningless things, and in the end, they're all just looking out for themselves."
I chuckled. "Fair enough. But you have to admit, at least the wine is decent."
He raised his goblet slightly, staring into the deep red liquid. "Decent, huh? I suppose so."
"So," I continued, keeping my tone casual, "if you could choose, would you be here right now? Or would you rather be in a small tavern, drinking cheap beer and eating stale bread?"
He regarded me thoughtfully before answering, "If I could choose, I'd be somewhere I didn't have to pretend."
His answer was simple, yet there was a weight to it that I couldn't ignore. I could sense the weariness he carried—not just from tonight, but from the life he led.
I nodded slightly, careful not to disrupt the moment with unnecessary commentary. "Well, then, consider me here to make things easier for you. I'm terrible at pretending, so you don't have to bother with me."
Rainer looked at me again, his expression softening slightly. "You're strange, Arkan."
I laughed lightly. "And you're boring. I think we balance each other out."
He didn't reply, but the small, fleeting smile on his face was enough to let me know that, for now, he felt a little more at ease.
Sometimes, conversations didn't need a grand purpose. Just being there was enough. And for Rainer, that was all I needed to be.