Hidden Meanings

Bright lights, glamorous outfits, and lavish food stretched throughout the room. Even Anaroth, who was normally the subject of attention, looked like a normal person here. This place reeked of money and corruption. Anaroth grit his teeth and motioned a servant over. Everyone here was having a wonderful time except him. Even the earl had disappeared into the crowd and was conversing casually.

Anaroth lifted the glass of champagne and took a drink. The sparkling liquid pricked his throat on the way down. He wasn't partial to champagne, but he could tell it wasn't cheap. He glanced out over the crowd. This was a pleasant first. He had known about the term wallflower, but had always been the center of attention. For once, no one was trying to curry favor with him or improve their standing with him. He took another sip before turning to the woman who approached him.

Shimmering blonde curls draped around her shoulders. Her dress was a deep forest green, matching her emerald eyes. In no other words, she was eye-catching. She would have been to Anaroth as well if he hadn't become accustomed to Veridin's appearance. Anaroth bowed. He was currently hiding his identity, so he had to show respect. Especially when speaking to; "Lady Hollin."

"So you do know who I am. I was wondering who you were since I've never seen you before."

"I am no one of consequence, miss."

"How humble." She opened her fan, covering her face. "But when a person says things like that, they usually have something to hide. Do you have something to hide?"

Anaroth flinched. From the information he's read, Duke Hollin never had any real interest in politics. His daughter, on the other hand, was a prominent figure in high society. Since there were no imperial princes or princesses, she had been the one to set social trends and be the flower of high society. She was much craftier than the younger Lady Betchner. However, she couldn't hold a candle to Veridin.

"I'm only a countryside noble who's come to the capital for the first time. My father is just a simple baron."

"Oh? Who is your father?"

"Well… That is–"

A servant stuttered from the door, "N-Now entering, his majesty!"

Anaroth's eyes darted to the door; Veridin?! Mere seconds later, the imposing figure walked through the door. He was dressed head to toe in black, red, and gold. He held his head high, golden hair shining with every step under the light. His violet eyes bore down on the nobles like daggers: sharp and dangerous.

He was so conspicuous that Lady Hollin completely forgot about Anaroth. She walked up to him, following Earl Reifield. However, Anaroth shirked away from the forming crowd. He was hiding his mana, and so was Veridin. He couldn't sense who it was until Veridin walked in. Anaroth cursed internally and sighed. Did Veridin know the whole time? He mindlessly took a sip of his drink. It was possible. With Veridin, coincidences were rarely just that.

"Your majesty, you didn't inform me that you would be here today." Reifield chuckled nervously.

"Am I somewhere I'm not allowed to be? You did send me an invitation."

"You did not send a reply, so I assumed you wouldn't show."

"Ah, my apologies. I thought I sent a response already." Veridin smiled. "Forgive my rudeness then."

He laughed halfheartedly, "It's fine, your majesty. Please enjoy the party."

"I will." Veridin turned to the woman behind him, glancing at the man she was speaking to briefly. "Miss Hollin, what a surprise to see you here."

"I am the flower of high society, I must attend parties such as these, your majesty. It is always a pleasure to be in your presence."

"You flatter me. We've met on more than one occasion before, haven't we? There is no need to be so estranged."

She smiled. "I'm overjoyed that you remember me."

"Of course I would remember a duchy's princess. Is your father here?"

"His grace is back in our territory. I came here today with my brother."

"Your brother? I don't see him." Veridin glanced out over the crowd, his eyes lingering on a figure dressed in royal purple with a snow white mask.

"He tends to disappear during parties like this. As you know, he's not very fond of crowds, much like my father."

A mellow melody rose up over the ballroom, bringing Veridin's eyes to the orchestra. Earl Reifield really spared no expense to slander the crown. Lady Hollin caught the movement and responded swiftly.

"Since my brother disappeared so quickly, I haven't had a chance to dance yet." She looked at Veridin expectantly.

"I see. That's a shame. Shouldn't he have at least fulfilled his duty as an escort?"

The two laughed dryly. Veridin smiled, but scowled in his eyes. He wasn't going to offer to dance with her like she wanted. The first dance was typically seen as a dance between lovers, so it's traditionally done between fiances or with one's escort. Her expression tightened as she laughed.

"Yes, it's truly a shame. Then I shall take my leave, your majesty."

"Give my regards to your brother and father."

"I will."

She bowed before walking away. Her absence seemed to trigger the other nobles. They began to speak to him about the most mundane of things and laughed without humor. They were mocking him. Anaroth watched and listened as they spoke about simple things like the price of current luxury goods to fashion trends. Each time, Veridin responded with a smile. They were mocking his intelligence. Rather, they were mocking the reputation he made himself out to be. They were mocking the pawn of the church, not Veridin.

"My eldest daughter becomes an adult this year, a man like you would suit her quite well."

Veridin flinched. The other nobles around also stopped and looked at Veridin. The one who spoke was a baron. The way he phrased his words were a clear insult to Veridin: He deserves nothing more than a baron's daughter. Veridin forced a laugh.

"If she becomes an adult this year, she'll attend the debutante ball right? Perhaps she'll find someone suitable there. The first dance at the debutante ball doesn't count after all." The nobles around laughed awkwardly and agreed with him. "If Lady Hollin had already danced tonight, I would have danced with her today."

Veridin glared at the baron. The women who were in the crowd seemed to turn their heads in embarrassment. There wasn't one among them who didn't fantasize about dancing with the most popular man in the Empire. Veridin had shown that he had the ability to turn down a princess of a duchy. The baron had no choice but to laugh and swallow his anger.

Anaroth placed his empty glass on the tray a servant carried past. He had heard enough. This was merely a source of amusement to Veridin. For a moment he wondered if Veridin ever felt mad at all of their mocking and insults.

"Your majesty."

A voice from beside him caused him to jolt. From the lack of presence, he knew who it was and calmed down. "How did you find me?"

"It wasn't hard to figure out. The maid who contacted you is one of the earl's spies. Coincidentally, you left on the day he was hosting a party. As for your disguise, it wasn't hard to see through."

Anaroth let out a dry chuckle and glanced at Veridin. "So that's why he hid his mana."

"I apologize."

"There's no need. Did you need something from me?"

"His majesty asked me to give you a message."

"That is?"

"He says; Tell me the next time you run away, or I'll find you and drag you back to the palace myself."

Anaroth whipped his head around to look at Raven, bewildered. "What?! Did he say that exactly?"

"Ah, no. I thought you would like me to put it bluntly. I apologize."

"It–" Anaroth sighed– "It's fine. Tell me what he said exactly."

"Very well. He said: If you're going to meet with my enemies, tell me next time. I trust you had a plan, but you should be careful."

Anaroth brushed hair out of his face. What Raven said initially was confusing him. How did he come to that out of the original message?! They weren't even remotely close! Was it a joke, or did Veridin really mean that with that message? Anaroth glanced at Veridin, who caught his eyes and smirked. He turned away and almost rolled his eyes. It was possible, but unlikely. Or perhaps, it was Raven's perception of Veridin.

"Raven, if Veridin said 'There's no need to act like strangers' what would you hear that as?"

"Well," Raven brought his hand to his chin, "I believe that would mean he doesn't want to speak to that person. Of course that would depend on who he was speaking to."

"Why do you say that?"

Raven glanced at Veridin, who had glared back at him. "W-Well… It would mean something different to Sir Rowan than it would to Lady Betcher."

"That's obvious. What I'm asking you is what it would mean to me."

Raven blinked then chuckled nervously. "I can't tell you that, your majesty."

Anaroth squinted then looked at Veridin. He gave a mysterious smile that made shivers run down Anaroth's spine. When he looked back at Raven, he had a sort of awkward expression.

"He's threatening you, isn't he?"

"His majesty isn't threatening me per se. I'm just not allowed to tell you that as his servant." Anaroth let out a soft exclamation. "Will you be returning with us?"

"No, I can go back on my own."

"Very well. Please enjoy yourself for as long as you stay."

Anaroth glanced back at Veridin. Enjoy myself, huh? He took another glass of champagne. Would it be more fun to stand over there? A baron had no need to converse so casually with a king, yet Veridin was surrounded by nobles of all standings. A sense of longing tightened his throat. He washed it down with a drink. Nothing good will come of thinking useless thoughts.

"Are you enjoying the spectacle?" Marquis Cassian walked over.

"The spectacle? Do you mean him?" Anaroth glanced at Veridin.

"That's right. He doesn't even point out the problems with the noble's etiquette, so how can he hold himself as a king?"

"Hm." Anaroth took another sip. "Wouldn't it be the noble's job to control their own etiquette? If it were the king's job he would be nothing more than a nanny, isn't that right?"

"What?"

Anaroth turned to him, watching his eyes dart back and forth. "Marquis Cassian, I'll decline your offer. If you're planning to manipulate the throne, you should wash your neck. Treason is a crime after all."

He downed the rest of his drink and walked away. For some reason, he felt angry. The selfish nobles, the manipulative high priest, the former puppet king, and the oblivious citizens; It was a melting pot of corruption and dirty money. They all wanted something. Anaroth glanced at Veridin. Perhaps he was the lesser of two evils. Looking at him made Anaroth more frustrated. The nobles praise him for his kindness and his looks, yet they turn around and call him a dog, a hound, and a pawn of the church. He couldn't take their mockery. How much worse would he feel if he were in Veridin's place?

He slipped out of the party silently. He raised the parasol and began to walk. The sun had begun to set and a gentle breeze caused ripples in his, once again, silver hair. Pity, frustration, and sympathy mingled together in his chest. Anaroth ignored the shadow guards following him and began to walk aimlessly. He wasn't drunk, so why was his mind so muddled? Why had Veridin put up with those nobles for so long? What about the war? Was it really just for revenge on the high priest? If he truly wanted, he could kill the high priest with a glance. Was it to humiliate them, to pay them back? Why did he endure it in the first place? Was it just for fun?

Anaroth stopped. There was no real reason behind it. The high priest abused him, yes, but did he ever attempt to fight back? Did he try to escape? No. He simply saw them; the nobles, the citizens, and the church; as toys. They were ants that he could manipulate and destroy on a whim. Anaroth let out a wry laugh. It was sickening. Yet, Veridin had cleaned up the corruption in the palace and even passed laws against slavery in the Empire. His actions weren't that of someone just playing with human lives. Why? What reason would he have to do that?

He had a guess. The way Veridin's eyes changed when looking at him, his mischievous smile, and his strange behavior. There's no doubt that he acted differently towards Anaroth than anyone else. Was that the only reason? Anaroth sighed. He wished for a moment that he really was drunk. It was getting late. He would stop by the church tomorrow instead.