Lucas slaps my back. "Congratulations, Your Highness."
I roll my eyes. "What's up, Lucas?"
"Was given the allowance to have Butch join your team. You won't be soloing it, Thomas." Lucas scans the knight at my side. "You'll continue with us for the ball duties as Thomas's guard."
"Wait... Did you have a real mission, Thomas?" Butch stares at me. "I thought you were just being given crown prince duties."
"And even if that was all it was, you'd be transferred to the team." Lucas scans Butch. "I'm lead here. Things aren't always what you see."
I push Lucas off me. "I'll explain a bit later when no one will see us chatting."
"You can let William know everything as well." Lucas knocks my arm. "Be good, Your Highness."
I huff at him while he walks off. "As I said, he's playing a game. If he gets serious, be very wary. Lucas is dangerous."
"I can guess that." Butch shivers. "So... I'm happy to be on your team."
I laugh. "Get another stripe so you can lead things. Hydrangea will always be my back up, but it would help if I didn't constantly need a red knight watching me directly." Especially Lucas. He's given me details to make me question him. But he is also someone I can truly see as exceptional. He's been playing games. Why? "Lucas is the third son of the Walkers. His older brother is actually the current Lord Walker. Lucas's parents retired to look after the grandchildren."
"Nobility is something else." Butch shakes his head. "Storm is said to be struggling to produce heirs ever since they refused cousins adoption rights."
"Three generations back?" I think that was when. Susan was a late in life child. Her parents were aiming for her for a long time. I assume magic was involved to make it possible given how long. Or maybe it was a consort the castle doesn't know about. "Most who are cousins to a house can quickly gain rights as a silver noble. They aren't treated the same as typical silver nobles."
Butch shivers. "I... I am still going for silver selection."
"Can't possibly guess why. Mayhaps I should question your noble friend you grew up beside who is wishing to dance with you instead of every available person on the floor."
Butch freezes staring at me. "Don't speak that out loud."
I chuckle. "It's fine. I don't mind the knowledge. You'll increase your chance of silver selection next to me."
"I didn't pledge for that, though."
"I know. Or I'd refuse." I think of Butch before. He caught my eyes because he offered me those eyes that lead to pledges. I was forced to show off. Many of the white knights were ready to become my personal knight. That was the worst part of the rush they made me to. There was no hiding my abilities.
"Callie isn't here." William says walking up to us. He crosses his arms. "I was being too hopeful."
"Now are you interested in her because she's an available lady capable of joining your house or because you both come from silver nobles?" I ask. I probably shouldn't.
William waves it off. "I don't think it can be as simple as a or b." So he has mixed reasons.
That makes sense. I settle back to wallflower status. People are watching me, whispering about me. It truly is a problem.
"Probably shouldn't leave you alone." William scans the place. "I'm ready to take us back to the castle at any time."
I look at Butch. "Are you in a mind to follow us?"
"I... Probably should. How are we traveling?" Butch asks.
William looks at Butch a moment. "Can I have your hand? Skin to skin, please."
Butch seems so confused while holding hands with William.
William though is a teleporting mage. He needs to know Butch's mana to be able to teleport him without touching. "Thanks."
Butch pulls his glove back on. "Um... You're welcome?"
I say, "William teleports. Quality travel. He can teleport anyone he is touching, but he needs your mana record to teleport you without touch."
"Oh." Butch jumps. "Okay. That makes sense. Thank you."
"Please warn me if you wish for something else." William shrugs. "I'm marked to be Thomas's transport. I'm his tracer teleporter as well."
"Don't act like you're a carriage now." I smirk at him. William shrugs. He knows how people will see him. "Regret agreeing?"
"Nope. Not in any sense." William holds up a peace sign. "I'm getting nobility training in exchange. And don't think for a second I'm not getting paid. It's an on call duty as well, so it's really nice payments."
I laugh. "Glad to know you're doing this for your wallet."
William smirks at me. "It also means you truly have a safe person on your side, Thomas. They knew that about me back then. I was removed because I threatened to be your teleporter without their directions in mind."
"So you'll bow to them whenever."
William eyes me. "I weigh conditions."
I watch my friend. He'd still be willing to be my escape, but there must be a real reason to not follow my parents plans. "Thanks. A lot."
"We're not going anywhere yet. People whispering about you only makes sense." William scans the crowd again. I wish I spotted a threat. There has to be some. "Their best bet is to be friendly with you."
I nod. That's why the houses aim to have a child within three years of me. If I become friends with their house, I won't find fault in them as easily. "There is definitely more happening." I glance to my two guards. "I've danced plenty and have been here since the start. How about we leave for a moment."
"Just fresh air?" William asks. "We can walk outside. There are guards a plenty."
"You can trust the guards here." Butch is part of that team.
I pause reviewing Butch. "Can you switch back to your knight uniform?"
Butch freezes over the request. He slowly agrees. "It'll only take a moment."
William looks at me. "A duplicate of yours?" I nod. "Sure. This will be placed in the exact same position as your knight uniform. Please give comment if I'm off." He touches Butch's shoulder. Butch has no idea how to handle the spell. There's no special flash bang or boom. One moment he's wearing his guard outfit and the next he is dressed as a knight. "Did I switch everything?"
Butch's jaw drops. "What just happened? I could've readied as a normal person."
"Normal person..." William rubs his chin. "I guess I don't qualify as a normal person."
I laugh. "You aren't normal, William." William only shrugs. I turn to Butch. "Do we need to visit your rooms still?"
"Room and no." Butch looks to where Susan is dancing with someone else. "I would much prefer stepping outside a bit."
"We're walking this time. I want Lucas to know where I'm going without casting magic. I can only assume he can teleport watch me."
"I don't think so." William weighs things as we begin out walk out of the hall. "But Her Majesty can. She'll worry if we just disappear before ending our moment here."