We reach where they announce entrance. Pretty much no one is here yet. I scan the room noting food and drinks are ready. The musicians are playing. "People don't stare at you if you enter first."
"But we'll get to watch everyone else enter." William scans like I have been. "I'll get changed in a bit."
"Just teleport home and return? Or step into a corner for a magical change?"
"Corner probably. Unless my outfit isn't ready for me." William shrugs. "It's not a big deal anyway. Unless I'm bringing a lot of people around, I won't get mana drained."
"Or if you start using more difficult spells." I nod. Natural skill sets require less energy.
"I'll leave all other spells to others. Unless you are in need of specific support, Thomas."
I smile. Six years as if disappeared. He's the same person who left. "Isn't that why you were removed from my life?"
"So taking the crown prince on a teleporting journey is a bad idea. I didn't realize the threat I gave back then. I won't now. If you want to escape, I will take into consideration you're the crown prince."
I scoff. "You'll just put me into safety."
"If you must know, I am your tracer guard. You'll teleport to me or your wing if the spell acts up. In exchange, Emerald is teaching me at the castle."
"Or you'll come to me if the teleport spell doesn't work right."
"Probably send someone else to you instead. There are a few guards who are willing to do so. I won't join you without a team."
I stare at William for a bit. His job will keep him in the castle. "How far can you teleport pull?"
"One person I know well? Beyond the country lines." William smirks.
It has me sigh and scrubbing my face. No wonder the castle is accepting the exchange. My tracer going off will end with a teleport spell. Or a collection of guards as close as they can get to me. "Better than glowing red, I suppose."
William laughs. "I assume I'm going to be your watch for a while. Father is doing well as Lord. I need to figure a lot out before even attempting to take over."
I sigh. Now I know what is to be expected if the tracer spell is in danger of going off. "Thanks. I trust you."
"I'll always know what mission you are on. If they wish I join you for support, I will. I doubt you'll have anything that needs me until you are more advanced."
"Minus the balls." I motion to the room.
William nods. "Next year expect me to follow you around as well."
"Have you visited Odin since..." I sink. He was removed from the castle. William is the replacement for some of Odin's abilities. Ingrid does others. Odin is being replaced in the castle by several mages who can cover his duties. Because Odin is a threat to my parents' marriage.
"I can teach you teleportation once you have access to your magic." William offers.
Someone is announced. We both watch as secondaries of Warton walk in. If I recall correctly these would be Jessica's aunt and uncle. They may be watching the bulk of the ball. We're incredibly early. That will allow us to leave once we succeed at our tasks. Mom said I had to dance with someone. I glance to William. "I think I'll aim for only married ladies that don't have head title."
"Really? That's not what your mother wanted."
I smirk at him. "I'm not my mother's lapdog. I'm not looking to have a relationship. I just need to dance with someone." William doesn't try to stop me from walking over to the lady who was born to the house. Her husband is another second from elsewhere. "Lady Alice." I offer a bow to her and a hand. "My name is Crown Prince Thomas Crowne. It would be an honor if I could have my first dance with you."
Her husband whispers to her before she can comment.
I wait watching their interaction without issue.
Alice places her hand in mine. "It would be my pleasure to offer the crown prince his first dance."
That was easy enough. I need to keep from the heads of a house as well as anyone who can be my future queen. I need to push off all ideas of marriage as long as possible.
While we twirl about the dance floor, Alice offers me a soft smile. "Jessica is doing well?"
"Very. She proves Warton is a house standing strong. I look forward to greeting her as a knight."
Alice allows me to guide her about for a bit. Her next words has me freeze my act- "Jessica will be a proper queen for you." She tugs me back into the dance.
Those words shouldn't affect me. But they do. By picking married non head ladies could be taken as Jessica is the one I pick. We're friends with no plans for anything else. I'm trying to push all options away. I want to just prove myself for now.
"I apologize for letting such a secret out. It would do the country well to learn of your relationship early. So everyone can protect and ready the crown princess." Alice took it the wrong way.
I growl out, "I do not have such a relationship with Jessica."
"Apologies, Your Highness."
Maybe the answer isn't to pick ones that are impossible to be queen, but to pick everyone who can be queen. If I pick everyone, then no one would be considered favorited. Can I even dance that many times? I was hoping to push everything off. Maybe the concern will only be had here. The Wartons would know about the contract. No one knows about Jessica's signature besides them. I only need to handle things here special.
It would suit better if I only danced with non head married ladies. But I should keep distance from Alice after this moment. She knows things. The music switches allowing me to stop dancing. I succeeded at my dance requirement. "Thank you for the lovely dance, Lady Alice." I offer her a bow.
She grips my hand to pull me a touch closer. "You would make a lovely nephew."
I shiver while heading back to where I was before. William is dressed in a different outfit. He changed while I was dancing. Several were announced although no one I need to worry myself over. It helped limit Alice's chatter. She was focused on those who arrived. "Back successful."
William laughs. "I will be dancing with the proper intent in mind. You have a contract to fall back on. I do not."
I wave it off. "You can have all the dances. I will be a wallflower for now."