Chapter 16 Count's Ballroom

What the maids wanted, were stories exaggerated and overblown. However, Iris hadn't mastered that part of things, since by nature her stories were already over the top. For instance, when she had turned twenty-three, she sought her second essence fire, spurned by the success she had with the first one. There had been moments where she regrated that idea, but the tale itself was naturally overexciting.

It was also this time she had joined a larger sect, The Dark Silver Day sect. Here she had learned a single fact that would chart the course of her busy life.

She would need four to seventeen times more qi for every realm advancement than average.

These musings were to distract herself from the maids, who had not let up since her last story. They continued to pester her now demanding stories when valentine had been sweet to her.

The one that stood out had be because of these the most notable was when Valentine had chased after her. Said foundation required tons of qi, even stuff this pure, to rebuild herself. That caused her to go on a short journey to find some and that drove the noble to follow.

She decided to wait to tell that one since the maids were clamoring, she felt something previously on, after Mary before that winter night would be appropriate.

"If you insist, a story where elder Valentine was sweet to me. Probably our first ball, we obviously went together. I had regained part of my foundation, so I was in fine shape by that point when…

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If one wished, one could attend a ball every day with few exceptions. This was predominantly because each noble house wanted to out due the other, so after visiting a ball, they wanted to throw a better one.

This led to a circuit of balls that if one knew the right people, that one could ride it almost endlessly. In fact, a small-time baron was recently arrested for being a big-time commoner. When asked why he said how else do you expect to eat for free year-round.

That was an aside, the real showstopper was the estates. It wasn't that tall structures didn't exist within the marital realm; it was vast structures that didn't. Most noble estates were vast complexes, with floors that covered hundreds upon thousands of yards or meters.

Tower construction did make impossibly tall structures, but the general form was more campus than giant indoor spaces. Many small compact spaces rather than the openness that permeated the architecture of the noble estate.

That was also an aside, the true showstopper was Lady Valentine Lockheed. A duchess such as herself had an unimaginable ball gown. Deep emerald a shade darker than her eyes, With silver embroidery, down the entire bodice. It almost draped on her like a soft starry sky. Vines, with star shaped leaves fluttered down slowing at the waist until just one side had the startling silver thread. With several layers of exquisite green fabric to make the skirt she looked like…

Iris felt that she could go toe to toe to the empress in formal attire and not lose.

"I've never seen anything more stunning in my life." The words just spilled out. With a small nod of relief, Iris helped the awe-inspiring duchess into the carriage to take her to the ball.

As a servant Iris would ride with the other maids, no one dressed like that where she came from. It was exotic dyes, fancy accessories, and adornments, rarely was it the clothes themselves. The woman inside of dress helped and at the time I didn't realize that it was Lady Valentine who made the dress not the other way about.

Count Albon of the western lands of Tungsten, was hosting today's ball. Counts were mid-level nobles, who made up the lion share of governmental affairs. They ultimately formed the base of the various power and political structures, rather than commanding things they were integral cogs that formed the spine of the country itself.

It was at this point the sage cum maid recognized she was doing everything she could to not be overly conscious of the noble in the verdant dress. The girl had spent her life surrounded by incredibly attractive and strong women, what did this welp who couldn't even form a foundation have that they didn't?

Red hair was apparently her weak point, amazing the things you can still learn at four hundred years plus. It was clearly nothing special after all she was just looking after a child. It was easy to blur lines after the first century as every one looked like a kid no matter how old.

Balls themselves were new to her, most events she was familiar with were festivals or performances, not going to big room to shake and sway.

"Were here Miss Iris, you go help the lady, then join the servants on the side."

Helping the lady down from the carriage, was mostly for show. However, the duchess was so light that even as she pressed down upon Iris palm, it was still feather touch. As duchess heir, she didn't need an official escort since such had connotations of support. Rather a few local officials would fill in the role of escort for the few nobles that needed it, after which they would return.

None of the decorations, the fresh flowers the ribbons, the lights, were anything next to the exotic pair as they made their way to the entrance. One of their knight escorts produced the invitation and proof of identity, before they were admitted.

In honestly it was a grand affair. Giant tables laden with food, a full orchestra tucked away on its own platform. There were formal dances as well as time to free dance. It dripped of grander and excess.

"Lady Lockheed Valentine, heir apparent of the Lockheed Dukedom."

After relinquishing the duchess, Iris took a spot on the side wall. There was a clear archway to enter, and some man who didn't have any facial definition walked her into the room. Surprisingly there were many whispers, even the servants talked about how she was favored to the second prince. Her brief recounting of meeting the second prince indicated that the man was useless in general.

"Sir Robert Asserik, Prince of Ritatania, Second son of the Asserik royal family."

After the crier called out, everyone bowed or curtsied, Iris simply didn't, the man was beneath her. It was clear that he allowed everyone to hold the respect longer than was customary. It wasn't as if this ball had any official ceremony, so after eight paces from the crier he should have signed to let every one return to what they were in the middle of before he arrived. He waited until he was in the center of the room, a girl in a flowery dress on his arm, before signaling to be at ease.

"Is it just me or did he do that so he would be the center of attention?" Iris asked idly to her fellow serving staff.

"Eh, don't say that the second prince is known for his temper. If it gets out that we are saying bad things…" One of the maids answered before trailing off getting called to preform some tasks. Second prince was important and held sway in the same way she was as one of the ten great masters. As one of the ten great masters if she wanted to raze a sect or country to the ground was simple. Iris doubted the man could even attempt such a feat since he was trash, scum and any number of words that describe unpleasant things.

"Its impolite to look down on your lesser, fate is known to be unkind as she does bless and can reward others and shun you." Strange looks came from the surrounding staff when the martial master spoke of common wisdom.

"Kids these days." Snorting at the thought, she watched as her verdant goddess stood off to the side. Despite being the third most powerful in the room, there was an element of scorn about things. It seemed deliberate that she was left alone. Those that were close to her to start, found excuse to be elsewhere. Her lady seemed use to it, as she watched the second prince dance with the flower he came with.

Iris was not by any means an expert in relationships, but generally when one holds a significant commitment to the other, they don't bring along a third wheel. Sneaking a fork from the food table, she waited until she had a shot, before flicking it into the calf of the second prince. He stumbled to gasp and murmurs from others, served him right. Justice served, the martial sage didn't hold back and raided the buffet table.

Valentine hadn't been able to see who had thrown the cutlery that bounced off his highness. Since her lady in waiting had appeared close by the noble could only assume it had been her. It warmed her that someone felt that she was worth retaliating for, since neither father nor mother ever felt that way.

While she did not hold malice or anger towards the flower the prince brought. Her disappointment in the male of the two was immeasurable. Even if the man didn't like her at all, basic decency stated that you at least cheated on your spouse to be in private. If only she was a prettier women like Iris or that tramp who danced with her fiancée.

After being unable to bear the whispers and site of the two, the duchess snuck out into the halls. There were a wide variety of small rooms where one could fix clothes, sit, and chat or even do other things one doesn't speak about.

Settling on a small room with just cushioned chairs to rest in, she sat and motioned for one of the foot men to fetch her lady in waiting. She hadn't wanted to do so given how happy and hamster like the girl looked as she partook in the refreshments.

She could always make it up, the maid was incredibly easy going, as if the world was meaningless to her.

"What would be said if the duchess left the party?" Robert Asserik voice was grating and unpleasant. Even as he stood in formal military dress, there was no way for him to hide his frustration.

"I merely stepped out for a moment." It was all the duchesses could think to say. When father ranted, she let him. Mother wailed; daughter endured. The prince was even more selfish, he wanted the women to admit that his mistakes, were her fault. Even thinking about such absurdity ground the young women's gears to a halt.

"A moment to indicate that I'm not worth standing by." How could one stand by as you twilled on the dance floor, subtly feeling up the women you were dancing with?

"Its…It's not like that."

"Oh, I see I was wrong, I the prince, was too incompetent to be aware of my partner. Even though she was the one who left, it was I who couldn't tell?"

"That…"

"How could it be anything other than your own worthlessness." The soft voice was sharp in the light murmur and noise of the ambiance. Even before the prince could turn. A black shoe slammed into his arch. Elbow into his kidney, and as he lurched about trying to see who was hitting him, a palm slammed into the bridge of his nose. Shoving him aside, Iris simply bowed lightly and extended her hand.

"Milady, I've come to get you as you requested." Even though the prince was cursing and swearing clutching his bleeding nose, it was hard for the two of them to even notice.

Her maid had just struck the prince. All sorts of things she wanted to say once more stormed her mind. In the eye of it, I'm so grateful someone came to rescue me. No one else would have dared, but the self-proclaimed Rainbow sage saved her, despite just what could happen to her.

Gingerly taking her hand, Iris escorted her out of the small room. Prince Asserik had steady himself on the door frame a few feet behind them.

"How dare some servant strike me, my face! Kni-" Iris didn't let him finish. Yanking the hand, he was support himself with, she snatched his head down and drove it into her knee.

His gurgling scream made the marital sages top fifty most enjoyable screams.

"That should solve that, I hit him hard enough that he should have trouble recalling these events." Reaching her hand out once more she looked at her noble lady. Unaware, the martial master in a maid uniform, with her white frills soft less and fluttery skirt, looked like a knight in the shiniest of amours to the young noble.

The two darted out, Iris leading her out through the back servant's entrance. Once to the carriage docks, Iris took charge, snaping at some lay abouts to get a ride set up for the duchess. Valentine stayed glued to her side, unwilling to let go of her maid's hand. Even when boarding the carriage, it was with great reluctance the noble let go.

"Safe trip my Lady." She smiled at the noble lady as she helped her step into the carriage they had brought. The noble turned and sat, looking expectant at her servant. With a small rueful smile, the maid stepped in, closing the door behind her. She was about to sit across from her when the noble taped the seat a few times. Plopping next to her lady, Iris simply held her hand as the coach shuddered, taking them back to the duchy.

"What a loser." She could feel Valentines silent approval. Iris didn't cheapen anything with words, rather said nothing when her noble dozed off lightly on her shoulder.

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"She slept on your shoulder?!"

"No wonder she fell, you're a natural knight and lady killer.

"That's to say nothing, of how Iris carried her to her room when they got back. Its good she slept through it." Way to spill head maid, like they didn't have enough to badger the poor martial ascendant with. For a moment silence reigned once more in the serving kitchens.

"No Way!"

"A natural indeed."

"To miss such an amazing sight, quick go princess carry the lady!

"I'm never going to hear the ended of this" Iris muttered as she wanted to disappear. As the torrent of maids chirped once more, the doors burst inward, as a breathless foot man stood in the doorway.

"The royal guard is here! Everyone return to their rooms quick!"