Unraveling Eris

The Uninvited Rivalry

The ballroom was alive with music and laughter, chandeliers casting golden light over elegantly dressed nobles who swayed and conversed in effortless harmony. Eris had expected Theo to leave her alone by now—to attend to the foreign dignitaries or, at the very least, engage in conversation with those who actually sought his attention. But to her growing confusion, he hadn't strayed more than a few steps from her side all evening.

She lifted her champagne flute, watching him from the corner of her eye. "Do you not have someone else to escort, Your Highness?"

Theo, who had been lazily scanning the crowd, glanced at her. "Why would I?"

Eris arched a brow. "Perhaps because you are the Crown Prince? And these sorts of events usually involve you being paraded around with an eligible lady on your arm?"

He took a sip of his own drink, unfazed. "You don't know anyone here. It would be rude of me to abandon you."

She scoffed. "I'm not helpless. Georgiana is here somewhere—"

"You lost her an hour ago."

Eris frowned, only now realizing that Georgiana had, in fact, disappeared into the sea of noble guests, likely preoccupied with matchmaking schemes of her own.

Theo smirked at her expression. "See? You require my company after all."

Eris let out a slow breath, choosing not to dignify that with a response. Instead, she turned back toward the dance floor, where couples moved in practiced rhythm, gowns swirling, conversation blending into the hum of music. The air was thick with perfume, candle wax, and the subtle tension of high society politics.

She felt Theo's gaze on her before he even spoke.

"You should wear more modest dresses for future banquets."

Eris blinked, momentarily thrown off. She turned to him, incredulous. "Excuse me?"

His expression remained impassive, though something in his jaw was tight. "You heard me."

She glanced down at herself. Her gown, deep sapphire in color, was certainly fashionable. The neckline was lower than what she normally wore, but it was hardly scandalous—at least, not by noble standards. The bodice hugged her waist before flaring into an elegant cascade of fabric, highlighting her curves in a way she was vaguely aware some men had noticed.

Realization dawned, slow and wicked.

"Ah," she mused, swirling the champagne in her glass. "So that's what's been bothering you all night."

Theo's frown deepened. "I never said it was bothering me."

"You didn't have to."

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dark hair. "It's impractical."

Eris fought the urge to grin. "How is a dress impractical?"

His fingers tightened around his glass. "Too many eyes on you."

She tilted her head, intrigued. "And that's a problem because...?"

Theo didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took another measured sip of his drink, gaze dark as it swept over the room, lingering on a few lingering stares directed at her. Something simmered beneath the surface, something he hadn't quite put into words.

Eris, ever perceptive, decided to test the waters.

"You don't like the attention on me," she stated, not a question, but a realization.

Theo gave her a look—sharp, assessing. "No, I don't."

She waited, but he offered no further explanation.

For once, Eris didn't quite know what to say. A part of her wanted to push him further, to demand why, but another part—the part that recognized the sudden, unfamiliar heat crawling up her spine—held her tongue.

Instead, she smirked, shaking her head. "I see. The great Crown Prince Theodore is a traditionalist after all."

He huffed. "It's not about tradition. It's about—" He exhaled sharply. "Never mind."

Eris hummed in amusement, though the feeling in her chest remained.

Theo didn't understand the irritation twisting in his gut, the irrational sense of possessiveness that made him want to drag his gaze away from the crowd and onto her alone. He didn't know why it frustrated him so much that other men took notice of her, nor why he felt a strange sense of relief when she continued speaking to him as if they were the only two in the room.

He only knew one thing.

Tonight, Eris belonged at his side.

And so, he made sure she stayed there.

The ball was in full swing, the air thick with music and conversation. The glittering gowns and crisp suits of Areta's finest nobility filled the room, and yet, for the past hour, Theo had scarcely left Eris' side.

Eris noticed it, of course. She wasn't blind to the way people glanced at them, whispering behind their champagne flutes. Theo, ever unreadable, gave no indication that he cared.

But someone else did.

A noblewoman—elegant, poised, and radiating the kind of arrogance that came with generations of wealth—approached them with a graceful smile that didn't reach her eyes. Her gown was an elaborate confection of lace and silk, adorned with jewels that, if Eris had to guess, were chosen less for aesthetic and more for the sheer value they displayed.

"Your Highness," the woman greeted Theo, voice smooth and practiced. "I wasn't aware you were taking on personal guests tonight."

Eris immediately understood what was happening. The noblewoman had approached Theo under the guise of conversation, but her real target was Eris.

Theo, to his credit, didn't even pretend to entertain the woman's obvious slight. "Eris is hardly a 'guest.' She belongs here."

The noblewoman's eyes flickered with something unreadable before landing on Eris, assessing. "Oh? How interesting." She smiled, feigning curiosity. "I don't believe we've been introduced. Lady Selene of House Rothford."

Eris returned her smile, though hers carried an edge. "Eris Elena Elhan."

Selene's lips twitched, as if suppressing amusement. "Elhan... Elhan..." she mused. "Ah, yes! The scholar's daughter."

There it was. The calculated reminder that Eris was not nobility by birth, that she stood among them not by right, but by circumstance.

Eris took a slow sip of her champagne, unfazed. "That's correct."

Selene tilted her head. "How fascinating. I must admit, I wasn't aware His Highness was taking such... diverse company tonight."

Theo's expression darkened, but before he could speak, Eris placed a light hand on his arm, subtly stopping him. She didn't need him to defend her.

She could handle this herself.

"Indeed," Eris said, voice smooth. "His Highness is quite forward-thinking in that regard. It must be refreshing for him, don't you think? A conversation partner who isn't preoccupied with lineage but rather with intellect."

Selene's smile froze for half a second before she let out a soft laugh. "How charming. I suppose intelligence is useful... in certain circles."

"Absolutely," Eris agreed, undeterred. "Of course, true intelligence isn't simply about acquiring knowledge—it's about knowing when to wield it." She took another sip of her drink, then added with a casual air, "And when not to overestimate oneself in a conversation they're already losing."

A few nearby guests, who had been eavesdropping under the guise of idle chatter, barely suppressed their amusement. Someone coughed into their drink.

Selene's fingers tightened around her glass.

Theo, standing beside Eris, let out a low chuckle, more entertained than he probably should have been.

Selene, realizing she had miscalculated, forced another smile. "How... delightful. Well, I suppose I should take my leave. It was lovely meeting you, Lady Elhan."

"Likewise," Eris said pleasantly.

As soon as Selene turned and disappeared into the crowd, Theo leaned toward Eris, voice low with amusement.

"You didn't even give her a chance."

Eris lifted a shoulder in an elegant shrug. "She came unarmed. That's not my fault."

Theo smirked, shaking his head. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

She gave him a sly look. "I thought you already were."

His smirk widened. "I must be special, then."

Eris rolled her eyes, but the warmth of victory—and something else, something more dangerous—settled in her chest.

The Gala – The Velmirans Take Interest

Eris barely had time to savor her victory against Lady Selene before something else caught her attention—no, someone else.

A small group of men, dressed in rich, dark silks with distinct embroidery, moved toward her through the crowd. Their demeanor was sharp, observant. Even before they spoke, Eris recognized them: Velmiran dignitaries.

She barely had time to react before they reached her.

"Lady Elhan," one of them greeted smoothly, bowing his head slightly. "It is a great pleasure to meet you at last."

Eris blinked, thrown off by the familiarity in his tone. "You have me at a disadvantage," she said cautiously.

The man smiled, though there was something calculated about it. "Ah, how careless of me. I am Lord Dorian Vasile, of Velmira's diplomatic council. My colleagues and I have long wished to make your acquaintance."

Eris flicked her eyes toward Theo, who stood beside her, expression unreadable. If he was surprised by this sudden attention, he didn't show it.

"That's quite an introduction," she said evenly. "I'm honored Velmira has taken such an interest in me."

"Naturally," Lord Dorian replied. "Your father's work has been the subject of much discussion in our circles. It is rare to meet a mind so brilliant, and it seems that brilliance is inherited."

Eris tilted her head, hearing the weight behind his words. This wasn't just flattery. The Velmirans were testing her.

She offered a polite smile. "I would never compare myself to my father, but I do my best to follow his example."

"An admirable sentiment," another dignitary said, stepping forward. "Perhaps we might discuss such things further—over a dance?"

The request was unexpected, and for a brief moment, Eris hesitated. She wasn't naïve; this was more than just a polite invitation. The Velmirans wanted to assess her, to gauge her intelligence, her value.

She opened her mouth to respond—

"She's already spoken for," Theo said smoothly, stepping just slightly closer to her.

Eris turned to him, raising a brow. Spoken for?

Lord Dorian chuckled, exchanging a look with his companions. "Ah, of course. Forgive me, Your Highness. I did not mean to overstep."

"No offense taken," Theo replied easily, though his tone left no room for further discussion.

Eris, however, wasn't about to let him get away with that. She turned to him, voice dry. "Spoken for? Since when?"

Theo met her gaze with infuriating calm. "Since you don't know anyone else here and I've been accompanying you all evening."

Eris folded her arms. "That sounds more like a coincidence than a claim."

Theo smirked. "Does it?"

Before she could push further, Lord Dorian cleared his throat. "I see the Crown Prince is quite protective," he observed, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. "A commendable trait, no doubt."

Eris sighed inwardly. The Velmirans had undoubtedly picked up on Theo's territorial behavior.

"Nevertheless," Dorian continued, "perhaps another time, Lady Elhan. I do hope we have the opportunity to discuss your father's insights in the future."

Eris inclined her head. "It would be my pleasure, Lord Dorian."

With that, the Velmirans retreated, disappearing back into the swirling crowd.

Eris exhaled. "That was... unexpected."

"Not really," Theo muttered, watching them go.

Eris glanced up at him. "And what was that about? Spoken for?"

Theo turned back to her, his usual smirk playing at the edges of his lips. "Would you have preferred I let them pull you into their little political game?"

"I can handle myself."

"Of that, I have no doubt."

Eris frowned. "Then why step in?"

Theo met her gaze, something unreadable in his expression. "Because I didn't like it."

Eris blinked. "Didn't like what?"

"The way they were looking at you," he admitted, voice quieter now. "Like you were an opportunity."

Eris hesitated. That... was unexpected.

For all his arrogance, Theo wasn't the type to interfere without reason. If anything, he respected intelligence—so why did he seem so unsettled?

She opened her mouth, then closed it.

For once, she didn't have an answer.

Georgiana finally surfaced after spending the evening flitting from one group to another, her cheeks flushed from laughter and a bit too much champagne. She sighed dramatically as she found Eris and Theo standing in a quiet alcove near the exit.

"Finally," she huffed, smoothing down the layers of her gown. "I've done my duty as a social butterfly. Now, are we ready to go home? My feet are killing me."

Eris, still reeling from Theo's last remark, almost eagerly nodded. A night at home, away from Theo's unreadable looks and irritating smirks, sounded like a blessing.

But Theo—of course—had other plans.

"You're not leaving," he said smoothly.

Eris blinked. "Excuse me?"

Theo inclined his head toward both her and Georgiana. "You're invited to stay at the palace tonight. I had the guest suites prepared."

Georgiana, already intrigued, beamed. "Oh? Now this is interesting. What's the occasion?"

Theo gave a deceptively mild shrug. "The hour is late. It would be improper to send you home at this time."

Eris folded her arms, unimpressed. "We live fifteen minutes away."

Theo's lips curled. "And yet, you're still not leaving."

Eris narrowed her eyes. "Is this another royal decree, Your Highness?"

"Consider it a matter of security," Theo said smoothly. "Velmiran dignitaries have taken an interest in you. Keeping you here ensures nothing... unfortunate happens on the way home."

Eris scoffed. "I can take care of myself."

"Of course," Theo agreed, far too agreeable. "But humor me."

Eris stared at him for a long moment, weighing his words—his reasons. There was something unspoken beneath the surface, something that made her skin prickle.

Georgiana, meanwhile, looked between them with open amusement. "Well, I, for one, will not refuse an invitation to stay in the royal palace." She grinned. "I accept, Your Highness."

Theo glanced at Eris expectantly. "And you?"

Eris inhaled sharply, then exhaled. Fine.

"If I say no, you'll find another excuse to make me stay," she muttered.

Theo's smirk was triumphant. "You really are getting to know me, Eris."

She rolled her eyes but said nothing more.

Because damn it, he was right.