Kalyn was bored out of his mind. Even though his feet were moving to the tune that was being played and the woman in his arms was a natural dancer, his mind was already wandering elsewhere.
He had tried again and again to bring up different topics of conversation with Shiqi Stav, hoping she would latch onto at least one of them. There were harvesting techniques, new trade routes, and treaties between the packs and covens... but somehow everything circled back to what she thought of magic and how good she was at it. And how that it was the right of those who could do magic to rule over others.
After a while, it felt tiring. A witch knowing magic was no big thing, and listening to her repeat the same ideas made him feel like he was wasting his time. He was not a very tolerant man to begin with... As he waltzed her around the large room, he could not help but look for the other prospective mate. Where was she?
And as his eyes met Lance and Zai’s who had both danced previously with Shiqi, they were also hoping that whoever came after this would be different.
Because, Shiqi was, without doubt, one of the most beautiful women they had ever seen.
However, he had expected someone like her to have depth, or at least something interesting to say outside her own skills.
He kept waiting for a moment when she would surprise him, but she never did. She had no opinions on political matters, no thoughts on economic issues, and nothing meaningful to say about anything beyond her own abilities.
Even worse, she seemed to genuinely believe that once they were mated they would keep a harem full of concubines, and she spoke of it as if it were normal. Did she know nothing about them?
Still, he had tried to understand her point of view. So he had asked her if she would even be comfortable being with all three of them, thinking it might open the door to a more serious discussion.
Instead, she had only blushed, lowered her gaze, and softly said she didn’t know how. That was all. No real answer or effort to talk about the future they were supposed to share.
Sigh. If she was really the prophesied mate, then he would rather stay unmated for life...
The music finally came to an end, and Kalyn was quite grateful for it.
He stepped back and released Shiqi’s hand, offering the polite bow that was expected of him.
She smiled at him as if nothing in their conversation had been odd or tiring, but he only gave a small nod in return.
Lancelot and Zai were already moving toward them, and the three of them quietly fell in step with one another, leaving Shiqi to return to her seat with her attendants. For them, who had been friends for a lifetime, they did not need to talk and already the three of them had formed their own understanding.
As expected, before they could exchange a word, Master Stav appeared beside them and gestured for them to follow him back toward the long table where they had been seated earlier.
"Please. Come and rest. You have all been dancing for a long time."
Master Stav poured them each a drink before settling into his own chair. Then he gave them a friendly smile, the kind that seemed to hide something beneath it. "I must apologize. Mira is a bit stubborn and does not like crowds, so she is unable to join us today. I hope the lords will not mind..."
Kalyn felt his attention sharpen at once. So the other girl had chosen not to appear. That alone was different from Shiqi, who had been eager to show herself off in every possible way. He wondered what kind of person avoided an event like this.
Before Kalyn or Lance could respond, Zai answered for them easily, "Since we are going to be here for a few days, waiting a few hours is not a problem. We understand."
Master Stav’s shoulders loosened, but there was an expression in his eyes that put Zai on alert. There was something brewing here.
But as the older man thanked them for their ’understanding’, he continued, "Thank you, Lords. Mira needs time. She can be qirw..... But she will meet you tomorrow. I promise you that."
Kalyn exchanged glances with Lance and Zai.
For the first time that evening, he felt a spark of curiosity instead of boredom. A girl who hid in her room during a gathering held in her honour and refused to be pushed onto the dance floor even when the event was made for her?
That was unusual. And unusual, to him, always meant interesting. It suggested a mind that did not bend easily, someone who acted on her own thoughts instead of following what others expected.
After spending the evening listening to Shiqi praise her own magic, the idea of meeting someone different, someone who avoided the spotlight, felt oddly refreshing, making Kalyn feel anticipation.
Unknown to Master Stav, his entire plan had gone in the opposite direction. He had hoped the Lords would be enchanted by Shiqi’s beauty, impressed by her elegance, and eager to win her favour.
He had even imagined them offering her small titles, showing her public praise, and speaking of her with admiration. But he could already sense their restraint. As if they would not give ’judgement; unless they had seen for themselves.
That made him feel worried. Because he was the one who had instructed Mira to keep away. So that her manner and avoidance would seem disrespectful and unappealing so that the Lords would not show interest in her at all.
If the old master knew that the daughter he tried to hide was the one they were now curious about, he would probably be furious enough to spit blood. After all, who would have thought that her refusal to appear in the crown would make them more interested?