In this chapter, I really tried to explore the social structure of the nobility in this fic, so sorry if it's bad

Janus had decided that Ali Castlefire made him uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable.

He'd keep putting his hand on Janus's' shoulder or hip, or he'd throw an arm around Valerie's waist. The only person he'd leave alone was Logan but, even then, Logan seemed to hate him.

"So," Ali said brightly, having followed the three around relentlessly. "Do you want to break into the kitchens?"

Valerie growled in irritation, rolling her eyes. She glanced around, hoping to see her mothers nearby, but none of the adults was really paying attention. Logan shook his head and sighed, sounding annoyed. Janus just didn't respond, attempting to casually fan himself.

Annoyingly, Ali noticed. "Hey, Jan! You good?"

Janus glared a little. "Don't call me that."

"Yeah, whatever. Why are you fanning yourself so much?" He asked, tilting his head. A slow smirk formed on his face and he took a step towards the other. "Is your corset too tight? I can take it off for ya, if you want."

Logan inhaled sharply, and Valerie looked like she was about to step in when Janus straightened his back and snapped his fan together tightly. Even Ali took a small step back as Janus channelled all of his harsh, domineering energy into a single, terrifying glare.

"Touch me, and I swear, your family will rot in the dirt."

Ali laughed awkwardly but backed down. Janus knew he would. If there was one thing Janus could do with people overstepping his boundaries, it was putting them in their place. Ali didn't say anything to him again that night about how he fanned himself. Logan seemed awkward around him.

The night kept going and it was now the time that they had all been waiting for. When the Lords and Ladies would show off their children in a silent boast at who was the better parent. The Adders would always win.

"Excuse me, Valerie, darling!" Ysolda, once a merchant now a Lady, called her daughter over, on her wifes' arm.

The Drake family were, like the Adders, old money. Their family had been rolling in cash for centuries and, today, the head of the family was Idneo Drake, the strong and stubborn heiress. She had made caused a stir amongst the upper class, by not only joining the military but by taking a simple merchant lady as her wife and by adopting a normal girl off the streets. However, if you dared complain, your life could be ruined. The Drakes were very influential.

Valerie obediently dashed over to her mothers and curtseyed politely to the gathering of nobles. Ysolda put a hand on her shoulder and Idneo turned to face the others.

"In case you didn't know," She said, in her casual, impolite voice - Idneo had never tried to sound formal or serious. "Val here has been chosen to go to that lovely boarding school on the mainland. The headmaster practically begged for her to attend."

Ysolda nodded in agreement and Valerie beamed excitedly, looking somewhat bashful. A classic rouse - Valerie excelled at the 'innocent and shy' performance.

Idneo shot a subtly sharp glance at Lord Adders. "Isn't that where your two daughters go? How are they doing there?"

Carefully, he smiled. "They're doing incredibly. Fantasy is top of her class and Freya is excelling in her physical activities. I'm sure she'll grow up to join the military, like you." Idneo narrowed her eyes slightly but kept smiling. Ysolda elbowed her a little and whispered something about how she was sulking again in her wifes' ear.

Lord Croft cleared his throat. "Logan! Come here please!"

Obediently, Logan left, leaving Janus alone with Ali. Ali glanced at him and Janus raised an eyebrow. The message was clear: If Ali tried anything, Janus would shut it down in a second.

Up with the nobles, the spectacle Janus was enjoying a lot, Lord and Lady Croft was gushing about all the beautiful girls who had confessed their love for their son. It was hilarious since everyone in the room knew that Logan liked his butler, but no one would dare say it. The Crofts were incredibly influential.

Then...

"Ali! Ali, come'p 'ere and introduce yerself!"

Janus's' eyes widened a bit at the thick mainland accent, but Ali responded gradually, strolling over to his parents casually. It was weird, to see him not promptly perk up and dash over with a look of innocent intrigue. That was what the others would do.

Ali's' father put a heavy hand down on his sons' shoulder. "M'boy 'ere has just started t'get into politics. He's enjoying it, ain't ya?"

"It's very cool," Ali responded. "The politics on the mainland were far more boring than here, though."

Janus frowned a little. It wasn't usual for a child to expand on their replies, especially in such a casual manner. It weirded him out.

"How lovely," Lady Mirning said, with a sleepy smile. Her eyes were droopy.

"What about your boy, eh, Adders?" Asked Lord Croft rather pointedly. "How's he doing?"

Lady Adders smiled at him, then turned around. "Janus, darling, come here please!"

Janus looked up, feigning an act of surprise. Then, not running or speedwalking, he swept over. Running or speedwalking could make him seem reckless, which his parents did not want. Upon arriving, he bowed deeply to the nobles, even his parents, then stood next to Evelyn. He could feel Ali's' eyes on him, but the trick was to look up at your parents expectantly.

"Yes, mummy?" He said curiously.

He nearly smirked at Logan's quiet sigh. It was easy to tell Logan hated this. Janus had been showing him up at this game for as long as they could both remember. Never once had Logan managed to seem as well-behaved or polite like him. Janus knew he hated it the most out of all the children. He could tell Valerie was trying not to frown at him.

Evelyn beamed at him. "Tell everyone what you've been working on."

Janus faked a look of embarrassment and surprise naturally, before turning to face the expectant nobles. "I've been practising playing Mozart on my piano and I've also been invited to join the Farringtons' Academic Scholary, on the mainland, when I turn eighteen."

Several people gasped. Logan clenched his fists tightly and Valerie clenched her fists. Every time, he knew they were thinking, every time he upstages us.

Lord Croft glanced down at Janus then looked up at his parents. "That's incredible news. Your son is truly fortunate to-"

"I think my uncle got into that place," Ali abruptly said, cutting Lord Croft off mid-sentence. His father glared at him but Ali didn't seem to care. "But then he joined the army instead."

Janus stared at him, narrowing his eyes slightly. Yeah... Ali Castlefire made him uncomfortable. He didn't like it.