Yandere TFTSMP James Pt. 5 (Oh damn I didn't realize how many of these I've made up until now)
You had only just managed to find a fairly unoccupied corner of the room to stew in when the sound of a bell ringing cut through the din of the ballroom. All eyes turned towards the disturbance, the orchestral music that had previously been in full swing cutting out abruptly.
A lone butler stood at the opposite end of the room, a gleaming silver bell held in one hand that was obviously the source of the noise you had heard just moments before. He cleared his throat, knowing all attention was on him, and dipped into an elegant, yet controlled, bow.
"Esteemed guests," he started, voice carrying throughout the eerily silent room. "Dinner is to be served."
Caught up in a sudden stampede of nobles, the only thing you could do was try to avoid getting trampled as you were carried into a dining hall that was equally, if not more, ostentatious than the room you had just been in.
The roof must've been at least forty feet off the ground, held up by beautifully sculpted arches that were painted gold in the light of the lanterns dotted along the walls. The largest table you had ever seen dominated the floor, each placemat outfitted with finely made ivory and gold silverware. The host of the event, Kyran Pemberely, stood at the head of the table, a beatific smile affixed to aer face.
Trying to contain the anxiousness that aer presence brought, you searched for the seat marked with your name. Each had a personalized card that indicated where each guest would sit, meticulously plotted out to avoid any conflicts between rival families or scorned lovers. Even thinking about the task made your head hurt, and you were glad when you finally found your spot after a minimal amount of time spent searching for it.
"Fancy meeting you again," a voice interrupted your thoughts, and you felt your blood run cold.
Shit. You were not excited to be embarrassed once again tonight.
Feeling a headache coming on, you plastered on a socially-acceptable expression and turned in your chair to meet James' warm gaze through your mask. "Ah. It's a pleasure to see you again, sir."
He waved your attempt at formality off, slumping into the seat next to you with a grin. Based on the faint smell of alcohol in the air that definitely wasn't there before, it was clear he had already started drinking for the night.
"Call me James. All the pleasantries you nobles use bore me."
You quirked an eyebrow. "'You nobles'? You talk as though you aren't one."
James smirked and leaned forwards conspiratorially. "Its hard to believe yourself to be someone truly 'noble' if you've strayed from the Gods' grace as much as I."
You flushed. Prime above, was the man trying to give you a heart attack?
"Ah," you said lamely after a few moments of flustered silence, moments in which his smirk had fully widened into a shit-eating grin. He laughed at your expression, before schooling his face into something softer, more earnest.
"I feel like we got off on the wrong foot, and I'm really sorry that I might have offended you."
Well. That wasn't something you were expecting of him. However, James had already proven himself to be full of surprises- you could hardly pretend to know what went on behind those dark eyes of his.
Your surprise melted into a little bit of coyness, and you made a show of looking him over. Clicking your tongue, you eventually let the smile that had been threatening to show creep onto your face. "Apology not accepted."
James groaned, looking up towards the painted ceiling with a faux-wounded expression. "XD, how must you torture me so."
You full-on laughed then, pulling away from him and focusing your attention on Kyran as everyone began to get settled. "You'll just have to earn my affections, James."