Book 2 Chapter 26

“Thank you for shaving,” Aria said, picking Nox up in a carriage. “I spotted you around campus earlier this week, and you were starting to look rough.” She ran her fingers through his hair, brushing curling locks off his forehead. “A trim would’ve been nice, too, but we can work with this.”

“Launching a business. Keeping it stocked. Advanced classes.” Nox sighed. “I think I have understandable excuses for the lack of grooming.”

“True, but you need to recognize my need to show off the Edelweiss barony’s newest asset, too.” She loosened Nox’s cravat and undid his shirt’s top button. Aria leaned back for a moment, looked him up and down, then nodded. “That’ll do for now.”

“Be honest with me, Aria,” Nox said, grabbing her right wrist as she attempted running fingers over his eyebrows. “Are you honestly into me? Or is this all for the Edelweiss name?”

Aria rolled her eyes as she returned to her seat opposite Nox. “Can’t it be both? Why are you bringing this up now?”

“Not even a month has passed since my last relationship ended, and I don’t want someone getting hurt over what might be an act. Don’t get me wrong, I find you extremely attractive. But it feels too soon for me to commit and entangle. If this is anything—”

“I’m intellect to intellect, ambition, and drive,” Aria replied. “It helps that you’re not horrible to look at either. I think it’s fine for two people who are attracted to each other to have fun without thinking too much about the future.” She crossed her arms as she continued. “And if you’re asking whether I’m doing this for my family. I suppose that’s true, too. We’re a small barony, and it's important for us to grow and make a name for ourselves.

“Unlike the Oakhearts, we see your potential. Forget your work with the myconids and your ambitions for Sundarshahar; the contraceptives alone are enough to change the world. Give it a few years, and once the word spreads, you’ll see what I mean. Our union could get you the funds to continue your extraordinary work, make the Edelweisses famous for supporting you, and make both parties ridiculously rich.”

“You’re more pragmatic than I expected.”

“Why? Because I’m a woman? A noble? Or pretty?”

“I don’t think answering your question is in my best interests.”

“That’s the intellect I’m attracted to.” Aria grinned. “Are you going to be okay? Annabelle might make an appearance tonight.”

“I’ll be fine,” Nox replied. “Although I wish I had brewed some Spirit Caller’s Tea. These gatherings always make me uncomfortable and bring back horrid memories.”

“I’ve got you covered, arm candy.” Aria fished a hand-sized flask out of her gown. Nox couldn’t tell where she could’ve hidden it in her body-hugging outfit. She unstoppered the container, and they both took a sip. “This is how tonight will go. We’re going to dance and dine. People will comment on how cute a couple we are and ask how we met. We’ll tell them how you saved our barony with your alchemy and locked eyes during your knighting ceremony. We won’t mention your store unless someone else brings it up first. Afterward, we’ll go home to my apartment on campus, where we’ll spend the night.”

“It sounds like you have the evening planned to the minute.” Nox chuckled. “I don’t know why, but the itinerary, your pragmatism, and frank speech somehow make you more attractive. Are you sure you’re okay socially tying yourself to someone on a suicidal quest?”

“Ambition is vital for survival. If that’s what keeps you going, I suppose it can’t be helped. House Edelweiss can only support you until then and hope Sundarshahar doesn’t kill you.”

“I suppose if we were to tie the knot, my patents, assets, and everything else would legally pass to you and House Edelweiss following my demise,” Nox commented.

“I’d rather not think that far ahead and of your demise, but that’s a possibility.” Aria moved to the seat next to Nox and placed a hand on her thigh. “In a future where this works out between us, I’ll ensure we’re married, and you’ve put a baby in me before you go to Sundarshahar. Someone will need to inherit Ratra’s Knightly Brews and the barony, after all.”

Nox laughed, placing a hand on hers. “I’m not ready to discuss kids yet, Aria. If we’re going to be spending the night together—”

“I’m too young and pretty for children right now, Nox. You don’t need to worry about that. However, there's nothing stopping us from practicing, and I believe your business has the perfect product to avoid accidents. It’s important we regularly check for compatibility, after all. Just do me one favor?”

“Of course. What do you need?”

“Would you mind not talking about Annabelle Oakheart and keeping her at arms’ length?” Aria asked. “I’m not the jealous kind, but this would be for appearances.”

“I suppose I understand,” Nox said. “Annabelle and I already talked about this. Going forward, we’ll only discuss topics related to the business. Her investment and the trade deal with the Oakhearts are essential for my store’s growth.”

“That’s acceptable.” Aria nodded before kissing Nox’s cheek.

The pair mostly exchanged banter for the rest of the journey. Eventually, the carriage slowed outside a large estate in the heart of Nobles Quarter. They ambled along a queue of grand vehicles. Each stopped in front of the mansion’s flower-decorated entrance and moved on after the passengers disembarked. Almost a quarter of an hour passed before it was Nox and Aria’s turn. They walked through the entrance, down a hall lined with guards and beverage-carrying servants, and into a grand ballroom, already full of guests, music, and food. Then, the evening blurred, and he was glad for the occasional sips from Aria’s flask.

Everything went almost as Aria had planned. She and Nox danced late into the night. They never ate more than a couple of mouthfuls at a time and spent most of the evening talking to different groups of all ages. Aria knew sixteen-year-olds who had just enrolled at Woodson University, students around Nox’s age, and researchers who had spent several decades in the city’s walls. More importantly, they knew her just as well, and their liking of the young noblewoman appeared to be more than just court politics. Instead of just discussing gossip, Aria enquired about their relatives, ailments, younger family members, and even key household servants. They appeared just as impressed with her recall and interest as Nox felt.

An Oakheart entourage arrived at the ball a couple of hours after Nox and Aria. A young woman, barely an adult, trailed behind her. She had the same elegance as Annabelle, leaving Nox to assume she was a sister or cousin. He guessed the younger woman had just enrolled at the university, and Annabelle had brought her along to make introductions.

Nox did his best to avoid eye contact at first. He had a beautiful woman by his side and refused to let Aria feel like anything less than his top priority. Then he spotted her walking arm in arm with Wilson, dancing with her, and whispering into Annabelle’s ear. He didn’t wear a house uniform like the servant following them or the younger woman’s armed guardian. Instead, he wore an outfit not too different from Nox’s. He guessed Annabelle had purchased it for her.

An uncomfortable put formed in Nox’s stomach, and his chest tightened. Worried Aria would catch him stealing glances, he took charge for the first time in the evening and pulled her through the crowds further from them. They ended up on a quiet balcony overlooking the Nobles Ring and the city beyond. The lights shone brighter than Nox remembered, and more smokestacks populated the city’s edge.

“Did it get too much for you in there?” Aria asked once they were alone.

Nox nodded. “I’m sorry. You should be my only priority tonight. But—”

“But your former lover is here sharing sweet nothings with a man you thought was just her bodyguard. It’s alright. I get it.”

“Wilson isn’t her bodyguard?”

“He temporarily filled the rule and probably still is, but he’s a lot more than just that,” Aria answered. “His family serves House Oakheart but holds almost as much land as my father’s barony. They’re on the Imperium edge of their lands and have a strong relationship with individuals beyond the border. I’m guessing Lord Oakheart planted him in your party so they can bond. It’s probably not as ideal as her last engagement, but if they marry, it will strengthen—”

“I get it,” Nox said, interrupting her. “Thank you for telling me, Aria, but this is none of my business or of any interest to me.”

“That’s a lie.”

“Fine. Then let's say that I don’t want to know about it. She’s my past. We’re sort of together now. Wasting my thoughts on someone else would be discourteous.”

“You’re so full of yourself.” Aria sighed. “It’s okay to feel things, idiot.” Then she leaned close and planted a soft kiss on Nox’s lips. “However, I appreciate the thought.”

“I mean it,” Nox told her. The young Edelweiss woman hadn’t moved away following the kiss, so he wrapped an arm around her waist. “I’ll admit it. I just came along tonight because of your father’s research sponsorship and your help on opening day. However, I see now that you’re an extraordinary woman. There might be no butterflies in my stomach, and my cheeks might not be flushing, but I certainly enjoy your company. I can certainly see myself getting there once I’ve moved past everything with Annabelle.”

“I think we’re compatible,” she told him, kissing him again. “And expect the same, too.” Aria ruffled his hair and undid his cravat. She also let her gown slip to the edge of her shoulder and similarly mussed her own hair. “How about we return to the dance floor for a couple of songs, perhaps somewhere in view of the Oakhearts? You’ll tell me sweet things. I’ll giggle, and then we’ll hurry out. Then we’ll return to my quarters on campus, where you’ll be seen leaving after breakfast tomorrow.”

“Isn’t that a bit mean?”

Aria narrowed her eyes. “Does it matter? I prefer the narrative of us being madly in love over you using us to advance your business and House Edelweiss using you to gain fame. What Annabelle Oakheart thinks and feels is irrelevant. Besides, it looks a lot like she’s trying to move on, too.”

“You’re right,” Nox told his new partner. “What we do really shouldn’t matter to the Oakhearts. They’re getting returns on their investment, and we’re doing what it takes to improve our respective futures.”

Aria’s fingers laced through Nox’s hair. She grabbed the back of his head and pulled him in for a deep kiss. He gave in to the embrace and then to Aria’s take on a fabulous, gossip-starting end of the evening.