As I was immersed in conversation with Rainer, letting the minutes slip by, I didn't realize someone had approached us from behind.
Rainer noticed first. He straightened up immediately, his expression shifting into one of seriousness as he gave a crisp military-style salute—right hand to his chest, followed by a slight bow.
It took me a second to register the presence of Marquis Arleon.
"Good evening," he said, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable air of authority. His piercing green eyes swept between us, a faint smile etched on his face. "You seem to be enjoying your conversation."
Quickly, I stood and returned the nobleman's greeting with the proper bow—one hand on my chest, a polite incline of my head. "Your Grace," I greeted respectfully.
The Marquis regarded me briefly before turning his attention to Rainer. "I'm pleased to see you here tonight," he said to Rainer, his tone warmer than I expected.
Rainer nodded curtly, his usual terse demeanor unchanged. "Thank you for the invitation, Your Grace."
The Marquis folded his hands casually, his relaxed stance a stark contrast to the commanding presence he exuded. "You two seem to know each other quite well. Since when have you been acquainted?"
I smiled slightly, trying to keep the atmosphere light. "Ah, we've only crossed paths a few times before, Your Grace. It seems light conversation in the corner holds more appeal for us than mingling in the main crowd."
Rainer shot me a quick glance, his expression silently asking, Seriously? That's your explanation? However, the Marquis appeared amused by my response, his faint smile persisting.
"Speaking of which…" the Marquis said, his eyes sweeping over me from head to toe. "Arkan, you seem to have a good sense of style. Care to explain?"
I paused for a moment, trying to discern whether this was genuine praise, a veiled critique, or just idle conversation. Deciding on the latter, I answered with my usual ease.
"Oh, this outfit?" I gestured to my suit, glancing down. "I simply believe that something simple yet elegant is better than overloading with unnecessary decorations."
The Marquis raised an eyebrow, seeming intrigued. "Simple, yet eye-catching. You do realize that many guests here might see your choice of attire as a subtle rebellion against tradition?"
I grinned faintly, maintaining my light tone. "Ah, that wasn't my intention, Your Grace. But if that's how they interpret it, perhaps it reflects more about their own perspectives than mine."
The Marquis chuckled softly, nodding slowly as his smile widened. "I see… You're bold enough to try something new, and I like that. Perhaps at the next banquet, I'll adopt your style myself. I'm quite serious."
I nearly choked on my own breath. Marquis Arleon, a high-ranking noble, mirroring my modern-inspired wardrobe? It sounded absurd, yet his sharp gaze told me he wasn't joking.
"You flatter me, Your Grace," I replied, keeping my voice steady despite my surprise. "I imagine this style suits a commoner like me better. In your hands, it might lose its charm."
The Marquis laughed softly, a note of satisfaction evident in his tone. "A fine display of modesty. You're adept at playing this game, Mr. Arkan."
Rainer, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "If Your Grace truly adopts his style, I just hope other guests don't misunderstand and think you're planning to rebel."
The Marquis laughed heartily this time, but his eyes retained their sharp edge. "You're right, Rainer. Still, a little controlled rebellion often adds an element of intrigue."
I glanced at Rainer with a small smirk. "See? Even the Marquis understands the importance of variety. Perhaps it's time for you to try something new too, Rainer—maybe a color other than black for once?"
Rainer shot me a deadpan look. "I prefer staying inconspicuous."
The Marquis observed us both with a look of quiet amusement. "You two have an intriguing dynamic—like two sides of a coin. One vibrant, the other… neutral. Yet in a world like this, both are equally essential."
He took a step back, as if preparing to leave, but paused briefly. "Arkan, Rainer. Enjoy the rest of the evening. But don't forget—I'd like to speak with both of you before the night ends. There's something important we need to discuss."
After the Marquis departed, I turned to Rainer with a small grin. "Did you hear that? Even the Marquis thinks we're a good combination."
Rainer took a sip of his wine calmly before replying, "If you stayed silent for longer, I might've agreed."
I chuckled. "Hey, I'm just making sure the night doesn't get too dull. You should thank me later."
He merely shook his head, though I could tell he was gradually warming to my presence.
When the Marquis left us, a ripple of movement stirred among the nearby nobles. Like sharks catching the scent of fresh prey, they began edging closer, eyes gleaming with curiosity. It was obvious—they wanted to figure out who I was and what relationship I had with the Marquis.
I maintained my composure, answering their thinly veiled questions with the polite decorum expected. Yet their greed was palpable in every false smile and carefully crafted comment.
Not wanting to become further ensnared in this web of shallow politics, I gave Rainer a subtle signal. Before the crowd could press us any further, I led him away toward the balcony, escaping the increasingly suffocating room.
Out on the balcony, the cool night air greeted me like a soothing balm. Rainer moved to the railing, gazing at the well-manicured gardens below, while I reached into my inner jacket pocket and pulled out something I'd kept hidden—a hand-rolled cigarette of my own making.
Lighting it with a flint I'd repurposed during one of my earlier experiments, I took a slow drag, letting the smoke curl up into the open air.
Smoking in the medieval era.
A habit that would surely earn me curious—or horrified—looks if any of those nobles saw me now. Tobacco wasn't widely known in this region, much less the practice of smoking. In some distant eastern territories, it was used ceremonially, but here, it was nearly unheard of.
I'd stumbled upon the tobacco plant by chance during one of my herb-gathering trips. Curiosity got the better of me, and after experimenting, I crafted something that had since become my small refuge from the stresses of this world.
"So… another strange habit of yours?" Rainer's comment came without him looking my way, his tone flat but lacking judgment.
Exhaling the smoke gently, I replied, "Everyone needs a way to cope with stress. This is mine. Not all of us can swing swords around to vent our frustrations."
Finally, he turned, his eyes drifting to the cigarette in my hand with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "What is that, exactly?"
I smirked faintly. "Tobacco. I made it myself. In some eastern lands, it's used to relax, though I wouldn't recommend anyone overdoing it."
He raised an eyebrow. "And you brought this habit here? You really are… different, Arkan."
I laughed quietly. "Wasn't that obvious from the moment we met?"
We stood there for a moment in comfortable silence, the cool night air and muffled sounds of the party filling the background.
"Are you not worried?" Rainer asked suddenly, his tone more serious.
I glanced at him. "Worried about what?"
"This," he said, gesturing toward the banquet hall. "The nobles, the politics, the power games. If you're too confident, they could crush you."
I took one last drag before extinguishing the cigarette against the railing. "Rainer, there's one thing I know for sure. This world is harsh, and everyone has their own agenda. But I never lose sight of my ultimate goal: to survive and make the most of every step I take. As long as I remember that, I don't worry."
He regarded me for a long moment before finally nodding slightly. "I hope you're right."