There was no hiding the amazement in the couple's eyes after Mr Conrad had said that and for a moment there, I wished he didn't. There goes my chance of being invisible.
"You're a prodigy then." Mr Jonathan remarked. "You're the star of this celebration then. Say, did you come back to take over from where your father had left off?" He said and I didn't miss the flicker of hope in his eyes.
"No. She intends to return to Mirideth afterwards to continue her practice." Mr Conrad spoke up for me.
"B-but Mirideth is just a small village in this big kingdom. Working in the capital is much more rewarding." Mr Jonathan pointed.
"I don't work for material benefits. I work because the people need me." I told him. It wasn't beyond the higher class to save everything good for themselves.
"But the capital needs you too." Mr Jonathan clasped my hand in one swift move. I knew the look in his eyes. It wasn't selfish but rather a bit desperate.
I didn't understand why he was taking the troubles of the capital so personally. Even the Dark Lord who was the king of Kerva couldn't care less if I stayed or not.
His wife only squeezed his shoulder lightly and he relaxed, letting me go.
"I apologize for my actions." He said in a more polite and reserved tone.
I nodded despite my surprise.
"Well, it's nice seeing you again, Mr Conrad." Mr Jonathan turned back to my escort and they continued to talk about other things. When my wandering eyes met with Victoria's, she gave me a kind smile.
After the couple had left, Mr Conrad turned to me. "I hope you aren't upset."
I pressed my lips together before answering. "Upset about what?"
"Mr Jonathan's request."
I shook my head. "No. Rather, I am curious."
More people came our way, and Mr Conrad cheerful interacted with all of them, introducing me as his date to ball.
Just as the event was about to start, someone clapped my escort at the back. We both turned around and a good looking man who looked a bit younger than Mr Conrad stood with his hands folded across his chest. He had a bored expression on his face. But that didn't stop my companion from being his cheerful self.
"Alexis, so nice that you can make it to the Ball of the decade."
The man rolled his blue eyes with a scoff. "Some ball of the decade indeed."
Mr Conrad smiled sympathetically. "You're here because Benjie forced you to?"
The man's nose wrinkled with irritation. "No. You think I have nothing better to do? I'm only here for the food and the ladies." He added with a sly wink.
"The women at the Port are not enough for you?" My companion asked with his brow arched. His friend only shrugged.
"There's no harm in wanting a little bit more. By the way, who is this damsel beside you? I know you two are recently acquainted. Please introduce me, Victor."
This time I rolled my eyes but that didn't deter the man. Mr Conrad introduced us anyway.
"Alexis, this is Miss Frieda Evans, the daughter of the former royal head physician, Horace Evans." Then he turned to me.
"Miss Frieda, allow me to introduce Alexis Barkley. The Duke in charge of the kingdom's ports."
So this was him who Mirabel wouldn't shut up about. Did she know that the man of her dreams was possibly a philander?
The man's eyes narrowed in curiosity. "Frieda Evans, the king's physician?" After his question received a positive response, his lips drew into a mischievous smile.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Milady." He took my hand and kissed the back.
I gave him a wary look as I replied. "The pleasure is mine, Lord Alexis."
A man climbed on to the stage and clinked a goblet. The whole room became quiet.
Mr Conrad smothered a laugh. "There goes Benjie, about to give the welcoming speech." He whispered.
Lord Alexis just gave the man on the stage a nasty look. "A torturous speech that would be. Excuse me now, I need to get a drink to preserve my sanity." and with that, he disappeared into the crowd of people.
Surprisingly, the speech given by the man called Benjie was very good and uplifting, contrary to what Mr Conrad and Lord Alexis had made think.
The floor was open for dancing and Mr Conrad asked me to dance. Gilbert had taught me earlier today that it was rude to decline my first dance and had taught me a few basic steps. I took Mr Conrad's hand as he led me to middle of the hall along with the scores of couples who wanted to dance as well.
"Mr Conrad?" I called his attention as he twirled me around.
"Victor."
I looked up at him in question.
"Call me Victor."
I nodded. "Victor." I tried. If felt strange but yet nice. He hummed. "What about the king? Isn't he coming to the ball?" I asked as I glanced at the empty throne.
"Oh, that. The king doesn't like to get involved in things like this. He says it is frivolous and an absolute waste of time." He replied me.
That was so like Mr Kellan.
"But, the people must be eager to see the king." I tried to reason.
My companion gave me a lopsided smile. "Well, the king isn't very eager to see them."
"Do you know why?" I didn't expect an answer but it did not hurt to try.
"You might say, it's just in his nature."
I gave up, no one was going to give me the answers I desired. From the corner of my eye, I could see Lord Alexis flirting with the woman he was dancing with. When he saw me, he gave me a wink.
When all the dancing was over, we went back to our positions because there was going to be an anouncement.
It was the same man from before.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you all to the royal castle's first ball of the decade.
"As you all know, we are here to celebrate the king's better health and all that wouldn't be possible without the help of a physician, Miss Frieda Evans."
The man pointed at me from the stage. The crowd before me parted so everyone could get a good look at me. So much for not standing out tonight. I should have known better. There were incomprehensible murmurs from people around. I didn't even want to pay attention to what they were saying.
The man on the stage clicked his goblet once more for silence.
"With her tireless effort and unmatched skill, she was able to successfully cure our king from his illness of five years. The king wishes to appreciate her but he can't think of a more suitable reward..."
Internally I scoffed. He had better give me a bag of gold when I am returning home tomorrow. I have plenty of ideas on what it would be used for.
"...So his Majesty has decided that to show his appreciation to her, he will marry her and make her his queen."
Silence. Not even the crickets dared to make a sound. It was as if the world had stopped and all eyes were on me. Then the host led the ovation that shook the room.