The Masquerade Ball (2)
Michael’s smile widened as they got closer, he weaved through the crowd and stretched out a hand to greet them.
“Gentlemen!” He called, arm already stretched. “It’s a pleasure to welcome you.”
The man with the onyx and silver mask gave out a polite smile, “And you must be councilman Ainsworth, right?” He grabbed the outstretched arm and shook it firmly.
“Ah, yes. It’s an honour to finally meet you. I trust the arrangements are to your satisfaction?”
“It’s quite grand” He said still smiling at Michael. “Rhys Vargrave” He introduced.
“Ah… and that must be your assistant, Adriel?” Micheal asked, motioning his head to the man on standing behind.
Rhys—Sulien—didn’t give a reply. He just continued to smile, his eyes scanning the large crowd.
The gala continued to unfold, the huge ballroom pulsing with lively music and murmurs. Jamie and Snow had somewhat made their way to Michael again, standing just behind him. Michael heard his little brother’s chatter and turned around to face them, annoyance brewing within him.
Michael glared at his brother. “Why don’t you both go enjoy the food? Mingle around or something?”
Jamie tensed immediately, it wasn’t something said out of consideration, it was more of a threat or a warning.
Sulien on the other hand glanced over at the two men, one of them quickly averted his gaze nervously but the other stood firm, their eyes locking together. He raised his brow in amusement seeing this and the corner of his lips curved into a smirk.
This one was certainly interesting
Michael raised his eyebrows in warning at Jamie then turned to Sulien. He leaned in with a forced smile, disrupting the tense atmosphere. “Right this way, Mr. Vargrave, I believe the Orlovs are dying to meet you.”
Sulien’s eyes lingered on Snow even as Michael eagerly gestured for him to follow. He gave a sound of affirmation then followed Michael without reply, but his eyes lingered on Snow a beat longer than they should have.
Michael led them toward the balcony hallway, murmuring about security arrangements and introductions. Sulien walked beside him in silence, he only sipped the wine he had grabbed on their way and smiled.
Jamie watched his brother and the tall good looking man leave and nudged at Snow in curiosity. “Who is he?” Jamie whispered. “I’ve never seen my brother bend to someone like that before.”
Snow just glanced at Jamie and gave him the most nonchalant “No idea,” Jamie had ever heard.
Jamie looked Snow up and down with eyes twitching. He didn’t know why he expected Snow to know who they were even when he didn’t know that himself. From the corner of his eye, he saw the second of the pair standing stiffly on the side.
Adriel, was it?
He leaned into Adriel—Grimm— who still stood like a statue as if oblivious of his surroundings and whispered to him.
“Hey there, quick question. Who was that guy? The tall one with the permanent death stare?”
Grimm gave Jamie a slow, assessing glance from head to his polished loafer. Then promptly looked away, not even bothering to give a reply.
“D-did you hear me?” Jamie asked once more, not sure if he was basically just ignored.
“Your brother said something along the lines of Rhys Vargrave” Snow chipped in when he saw Jamie’s dumbfounded expression.
“Yeah, no way that’s his real name,” Jamie muttered almost immediately, “But I was asking his assistant here” he said squinting in Grimm’s direction.
Grimm didn’t respond. This time, he didn’t even spare Jamie a look and just flatly walked away.
“No way.”
Jamie stood there, stunned. He wasn’t used to being dismissed, certainly not without some sort of retort or something, but this guy just plainly ignored him. “Okay, Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Brooding. You’ve just unlocked the full Jamie Experience.”
He turned to Snow in a hurry, so he wouldn’t lose track of Grimm. “Be right back. My brother did say to ‘mingle with the upper crust’, and I am quite the mingler…” He made exaggerated air quotes.
Snow only gave a faint, amused look, clearly unbothered.
“Don’t miss me too much,” Jamie added, and then trailed after Grimm with zero subtlety. “Hey~” He called out in a singing tune while quickly following behind.
Snow let out a scoff and turned around. Now left alone amidst the sea of strangers, he wandered to the periphery of the room. The sound of soft string music dimmed as he walked further away from the bustle of the gala.
Eventually, he found a tall marble pillar near the grand floor-to-ceiling windows, which looked out onto the reflecting lake and rose gardens. The night outside was painted in velvet blue, the moon shining bright and giving off its cool lights. Snow exhaled, here, the buzz of conversation and chatter dimmed. He leaned lightly against the column, staring at the distant lights glittering over the water. He folded his arms, letting the silence cool his mind.
It wasn’t long after when a hand appeared beside him, offering a champagne flute. Snow turned his head slowly, first looking at the glass and then the person holding it.
Sulien stood there, grey eyes looking down on Snow with a glint in them. He stood with the grace of a chessmaster, calm and composed, holding the glass with ease and waiting for it to be taken from him.
Snow in return met his eyes, his eyebrows raising in curiosity before accepting the drink.
Sulien smiled at this but didn’t say anything else, just sipped his champagne and turned to the window. They stood in silence, both looking out the window, their reflections barely visible in the glass. Only the soft clinks of champagne echoed between them.
“You’re not with the others,” Sulien’s voice rang out beside Snow, his voice smooth, yet edged with mild interest. “Are you not a fan of crowds?”
Snow swirled the champagne in his flute and gave a low, neutral hum. The kind that said neither a yes or a no.
Sulien’s lips curled faintly. This one didn’t bite like the others. Didn’t perform or flatter or even entertain the idea that he should fill the silence. It was somewhat refreshing talking to people who didn’t know who he was or people who tried to curry favour with him.
“What’s your name?” Sulien asked, tilting his head. His grey eyes pointing down at the frail looking man who was nonchalantly standing with arms crossed.
“Snow.”
Sulien turned toward him now, taking in the sharp, pale features, the dark hair tied in a low bun and the near-translucent skin and elegant lines of his body under the golden lights. He raised his eyebrows in acknowledgement.
“Fitting,” he said, he couldn’t deny that the name didn’t suit the man in front of him. “You wear it well”
“Thank you,” Snow replied, sipping slowly.
Sulien chuckled quietly, almost at loss for words. “Are you always this economical with your words? Or do I have to pay you for every sentence?”
Snow scoffed at this and replied “That depends,” he said, eyes flicking up to meet his.
Sulien amused, let out a laugh that came from his belly. He took another sip. His eyes flicked over Snow’s features again, settling once more on the pale, almost porcelain skin.
“You know,” he said finally, “I’ve been to hundreds of events like this, and no one has ever stood beside me like they didn’t care who I was.”
“Should I?” Snow asked plainly. He wasn’t entirely sure what Sulien was getting at or for what reason he was amused for.
Sulien looked at him long, a subtle edge in his gaze. “No. But most people think they should.”
Snow didn’t reply. He just drank, a part of him somewhat wishing for Sulien to leave him alone and go enjoy the rest of the party.
Sulien on the other hand remained oblivious to this fact, he smiled in return. If anything, he was having the time of his life at that moment.
“So, Snow, which faction do you belong to? I doubt you’re just here for the drinks” Sulien said.
Snow sighed, obviously, this man wasn’t going to leave him alone until he indulged him. He downed the remaining of his champagne and passed the glass to Sulien, who in return took it without complaints. Sulien eagerly waited for Snow’s reply.
“I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about, I’m here because a friend invited me”
“A friend?” Sulien’s eyebrow raised in question, he leaned slightly closer, voice barely above the music in the distance. “ You mean that kid you were with? The other Ainsworth?”
Snow didn’t answer, but that was already an answer for Sulien.
He hummed. “Ah, Then—”
Sulien was about to say more when a voice cut through their conversation. It was Grimm, his expression was unreadable but his shoulders held tension.
“Sir.”
Sulien’s smile faded visibly as he turned to look at his companion. He straightened up, his expression changing from amusement to dark.
“My apologies, sir,” he said to Sulien, giving Snow a sidelong glance. “The Orlovs are requesting your presence.”
Sulien exhaled through his nose and nodded slowly. Sulien handed both champagne glasses in his hand and looked to Snow one last time.
“It seems like I must go now. Thank you for the company, Snow.”
Snow hummed in reply, “Sure,”
Sulien smiled properly. “Good surprises are few. I’ll remember this one.”
Then he turned to Grimm, walking a few steps with him leading. Sulien’s voice dropped a notch. “You look unsettled.”
Grimm didn’t miss a beat, just kept his eyes forward. “Encountered a small complication.”
Sulien glanced at him. “Define small.”
Grimm exhaled. “The boy with the one you were talking with just now.”
Sulien let out a quiet hum of amusement. “Ah. The younger Ainsworth. It seems like we both had a great time then.”
Grimm lips twitched but didn’t answer, just followed behind Sulien.
They disappeared into the corridor, the crowd swallowing their silhouettes. Snow was once again alone. He stayed by the window, watching them leave, a cool stillness settled over his features, his eyes flicked briefly with thought. And just for a moment, Snow tilted his head and smiled.
He didn’t expect this turn of events but he was willing to take it with open arms.
The Author has Something to Say
Sulien: Hey
XL:…
Sulien: Hey, hey
XL (getting annoyed):…
Sulien (having the time of his life): Hey, hey, hey
XL (quickly points a gun at Sulien’s head): Say “hey” one more time
Sulien:…