The car stopped and a valet opened Amy's door and another opened Markus' door.
A middle aged woman was waiting there in a highly fashionable and luxurious silver dress. Her hair was black and her eyes were brown. She was about 155cm tall. Next to her was a tall man of 184cm with black hair and brown eyes wearing an elegant suit.
"Mother! Father! It is great to see you again!" Amy said, greeting them
"Amanda, you look stunning darling. And this must be your companion, the president of the student body of the Tuatri academy, Markus Windwave. A rank 3 learned of the wind who recently led the academy to defeat Gallion's best despite being a rank down across all matchups." The woman said sharply
"Greetings young man. I am Viscount Xavier Rilan and this is my wife, Silva Rilan." Xavier politely introduced himself and his wife
"It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance my lord and lady." Markus said with a bow at the waist.
The manner lessons he received in the capital were not entirely useless.
If only for a fraction of a second they both seemed to be surprised but maintained their composure.
"We have prepared a change of clothes for you inside. Come on in." Silva said, showing them the way.
Markus and Amy walked side by side inside and were led to a corridor with many doors leading to changing rooms.
Markus was shown to a door and found a dapper black suit with a tie and white shirt.
'Damn— it really does fit me perfectly—' he admitted as he finished putting it on
As he left the room, Amy waited for him.
"Are you ready?" She asked
"Uhh- sure…" he said
"Good. You look handsome by the way." She said
"Uh- thanks? Not too bad yourself?" He replied awkwardly
"You could work on your flattery." She said in a teasing tone
"Alright… you look… stunning…" Markus said as his face turned brighter shades of red by the moment
"Thank you. Now. Shall we?" She said extending her arm to link arms with him
"Sure." He said only doing as he was guided to the hall
Markus and Amy walked with their arms locked together and Markus felt the room shift under his feet. Everyone's eyes were on him.
"Relax, they are just evaluating you. They'll look away in a moment." She said
Indeed in a moment, they had all turned away.
Markus walked with Amy and could finally relax.
That was until a member of staff announced someone's entrance.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please warmly welcome Duke Leokard Crimson and Duke Everest Windbourne, the sponsors of the new foundation for higher education in Tuatri." The announcer said
Everyone in the room instantly bowed deeply as the doors opened.
'What the hell— higher education!? If they find out who I am and get too close they will definitely discover I'm an imperial vessel!' Markus thought in a panic
Two men walked out in a similar walk. Both were within their late fifties or early fifties but most noticeably— they had distinct outfit colours. The Duke of Crimson was true to his name and wore a dark crimson suit which matched the exact colour of his hair and eyes. He had a deeply tanned brown skin and was over 210cm tall with a broad figure— he was practically a giant.
Meanwhile the Duke of Windbourne was wearing a brilliant white suit which matched his pearly and brilliant white hair. Both men were extremely dashing for their age and carried themselves with such… grace. He was far more slim and shorter than his companion, standing at 188cm with a white skin tone and brown eyes.
"Greetings everyone. I was informed a representative of the Tuatri Academy student council was present tonight. We would like to meet them." The Duke of Crimson said, his voice echoing in everyone's soul
"Your graces, there are two such members present. One is the secretary of the student council, Amanda Rilan. She had brought a guest, the president of the student council, Markus Windwave." The announcer said, showing them the way to Amy and Markus.
'Fuck me—' Markus exclaimed
If he were standing on a balcony right now— he'd jump.
The Duke of Windbourne approached with the Duke of crimson and spoke.
"Raise your heads." He said casually but meant it akin to a command
Markus slowly raised his head and stood up straight, looking at him.
~Do not run~
The wind whispered into his soul.
"Markus… Windwave?" The Duke of Windbourne asked puzzled
"P-pleased to be b-before your grace." Markus said stuttering from the intensity
"You are a wind attuned… black hair… blue eyes… not yet fourteen years old…" the duke said in a solemn and heavy tone— not asking as much as he was listing from the top of his head…
"I-I am.." Markus replied softly
"We would like to hear your opinion on the expansion of the Tuatri academy to the Tuatri institution of learning." The Duke of crimson asked
"… it would be a brilliant idea to expand the current academy however that would impose some problems on the student governing. For example— the higher learning students would likely be elites since they would be older… meaning they would not relate to the lower classes of students in both age and rank… you would need a two tier council… and an administrative mediator." Amy said quickly
"Clever. What does your president think?" The Duke of Crimson asked
"… I disagree. The student council cannot be fragmented. Everyone needs to be considered equal for it to actually work. If you want representation then have representatives… from each class." Markus said honestly
"Thank you both for your input." The Duke of Crimson said before turning around to speak to other attendees
"Enjoy your evening." The Duke of Windbourne said before turning but he left instead of mingling with others, his complexion growing paler.
Once Markus and Amy were no longer the centre of attention.
"What the fuck Amy— some noble function!? With two dukes!?" Markus exclaimed in whispers
"I didn't know they would be here! Honest! But why do you look like you just had a run in with death?" She asked as she noticed his cold sweat, pale complexion and sickly look
"Then seeing me was a substantial dose of unwanted attention… and I think I'm cursed when it comes to this— so I might as well be dead. Death is coming for me before long since word will get out that we were here! Ugh—" Markus groaned and panicked in whispers
"Okay— hey look. There's nothing we can do about it. We can't leave early either. So why don't we wait for the dukes to leave, and have fun!" Amy asked
"… screw it— why not—" Markus said
He moved far away from the Duke of Crimson and waited for him to leave. He did so within the hour.
Outside he saw the Duke of Windbourne looking up at the sky and in the direction of the capital.
"You know Everest— I was taken aback there. That kid there was the spitting image of you when you were young. Is he a bastard of yours?" Leokard asked
"Drop it Leokard." He said sternly
"Woah— is it bad?" He asked
"It is not good… and worse if my feeling is right." The duke admitted
"How long will our peace last from his project I wonder?" Everest asked
"Who knows. Maybe decades, maybe days— does it matter?" The Duke of Crimson asked
"… I suppose not. All that matters is that 'she' knows we are not simple pawns in her game." Everest said, glaring intently toward the capital
"It seems tonight was eventful. I've things to attend to back in Crimson city but it was nice to see you again." Leokard said as his staff were bringing a transport with a crimson lion on it.
"Just not too soon." Everest said before awaiting his own transport with a pair of silver white Dragonic wings
The dukes left.
Meanwhile back at the party, Markus' presence indeed deterred any young men from approaching.
So he and Amy could eat and drink and gossip all they wanted to relax. Eventually the music from the live performers changed to something more… slow and intimate.
Male and female partners joined up and in close embraces swayed their bodies to the rhythm.
"Do you want to—" Amy began to ask but Markus just took her hand and led forward
"Honestly I just don't care anymore. Beside the little run in— I actually had fun tonight. I don't mind a little swaying." Markus admitted
Markus placed his hands on her hips and she placed her hands on his shoulders.
To the rhythm they swayed and their hearts synchronised. Beat after beat the song drew closer to its end and this duo drew closer to each other.
'… I think we've reached a point of no return…' she thought
'Honestly I did not plan for this. I wanted to use you… that was why I joined you. I thought you were just like Fin… but you weren't. You were soft and silly— you fought for your people and when they were knocked down you refused to give up… tearing yourself apart for victory and revenge. Even for the apprentice I replaced…' she continued to think, feeling his warmth
'And look at me now… inviting you to this… knowing things were volatile. My parents don't disapprove of you… your power exceeds mine. Your heart is stupidly innocent and worst now of all— I want you for myself. Helen might've gotten to you first but she didn't take you for all this time— she can't blame me.' She admitted to herself
'I'm… weirdly calm. I should be spiralling… but she kept me calm. Someone who is powerful and yet calming. How many other girls can do that to me?' Markus thought
'I can sense it… the tension between us. Should I just ask her tomorrow if we should give it a try? Being a couple? I'd do it tonight but honestly I need to sleep on it… on what it would mean.' Markus reflected with his imperial identity in mind