Lucian watched Ashton's figure move around the masses, Jaxon had reported Sebastian being called out to their private balcony. Lucian turned to Devlin, "What are the chances someone was able to sneak into the palace and enchant the quartz Charmaine gave him?" He asked glancing over Charmaine who maintained her regal smile.
Devlin hesitated noticing the quartz pin the Empress and both children were wearing, "If you had asked me an hour ago I would have said impossible, but I would have also told you it was impossible to create a reusable enchantment only powered by ordinary quartz."
Lucian drummed his fingers on his throne arm, "He's taunting Us..."
Leonard sipped on some wine, "Yes, he's provoking us, but also sent a warning out. Your Majesty please do not investigate anything, we are still working on the enchantment to find the journal. No matter what, until we have undeniable proof he is planning to harm the empire we cannot do anything." He reiterated also watching the young man navigate the crowd without hesitation.
Jaxon watched making a note of everyone Ashton spoke to, of course he didn't approach anyone but... saving the information for the future wouldn't hurt since Ashton was doing so publicly. "True, we need to operate as if he is working with our best interests at heart, anymore doubt or intrusion and our battle up the mountain to gain his trust will crumble beneath our feet." Jaxon added.
Lucian took a deep breath then waved for the first dance to start. Serafin would be dancing with a young lady showing promise to be the crown princess.
Charmaine was also watching Ashton, he had not asked anyone to dance, nor did he remove his mask the entire night.
Lucian held morning court and Ashton was in attendance but was still wearing that mask, "Is the mask really necessary?" Lucian asked as Ashton waved away the pastries and tea.
"For now your majesty, at least until the one I custom ordered is ready. Pay me no mind," Ashton added in a lighthearted manner, Sebastian was also eyeing him suspiciously. Ashton decided he needed to rush that second mask, having to sit here without being able to eat tested his patience more than their petty squabbles.
Budgets for the new year were being discussed as taxes made their way to the capital, when the taxes collected from Sebastian's territory were mentioned he suddenly looked surprised at how low three of the cities' taxes were, then turned his gaze to Ashton. I'll be needing that report immediately, Sebastian thought as he mulled over the other similar territories taxes.
Ashton didn't preform anything as he entered the banquet normally shortly after Marquis Silas house. His new mask would be ready in two days, that meant unfortunately, no snacking throughout the night. He also decided to simply meander the halls to see who would approach him. When Sebastian's nephew-in-law approached with a few friends Ashton wasn't surprised. Naughty children with big ideas.
"Lord Reece, I am Harvey Crawford, this is Robert Amber, and Terrence Curtis. We could not help but be fascinated with your performance yesterday. Perchance, we could see another?" Harvey asked after a brief introduction.
Ashton tilted his head at the sweating, balding early thirties man, he was starting to round in the middle making his gestures a bit comical and exaggerated, "Ah, I do perform but usually at a whim, they are usually a surprise. I must admit... noble life has not been all that enticing," Ashton added with a deliberate look around the hall.
"I see, I see, yes all the luxuries can be a bit wasteful. Luckily the capital usually reframes from such frivolities. Will you be attending the hunt next month? I dare say a few days without... such comforts will show the true caliber of proper nobles." Harvey offered also glancing around the golden hall with its extravagant decorations and gems.
Ashton gave a head tilt, "Yes, I do believe I will attend, a few days away from the capital... may be more my speed. Perhaps I might see the noble's genuine caliber." Ashton added making a show of looking over the friends. "Of course, a weeklong hunt outside the city will require preparations, I intend to arrive a day or so early to find a good spot. Perhaps we might swap tips then."
Harvey gave a jovial laugh, "Would be an excellent time no doubt, mayhap we will hunt together. We must be off, please feel free to contact us at any time."
The rest of the night many others asked if he would be attending the hunt, most of which had ambitions in some form or another. It was an informative night, none the less as Ashton started marking more targets as back up plans.
Ashton also took note of the dozen dark masses moving through the crowds, even with the mask the sight was chilling. The largest mass kept to the outskirts of the hall, often dodging outside. Ashton almost couldn't see the yellow dress through the screaming, clawing souls demanding justice... yes it was good he'd already spoken with Duke Carlos. Harvey's mother, the duke's sister, had rather unsavory company tonight.
On the third and fourth night Ashton continued his observations, many minor dramas had unfolded, ruined ladies, cheating husbands, disgraced nobles now working in the palace, and even a few clumsy dancers were ridiculed. Ashton maintained a distance refusing all hints to dance, merely mingling among the crowd and hinting at peculiar happenings in the empire.
Ashton had finally learned the name of the unsavory companion, an unremarkable noble from the south and of course related to David. Countess Cassia Hammer Karbonovich, David's mother, and older sister to Duke Randal. For a count's wife to be alone at the capital was highly unusual, not only that, the company she kept far above her current station.
Rebels in the north, unusually high fabric prices from certain companies, food shortages in prosperous port towns, and even two empty mines in the north. Everything inconspicuous and hardly worth mentioning alone, or even regarding their specific territories. Ashton made sure to only mention his laments to lower-level neutral lords or ladies who were social butterfly gossips, this way the news would spread much further, much faster.