Music had always been a tool to bring together those who didn't really want to be. Wherever you looked from Jayce's balcony, you could see faces doing business with each other, scheming and looking for new allies.

Except for two councillors. Shoola was not a woman for the public eye and the old Kiramman had enough to do keeping her daughter in check.

The young Kiramman would have been a far more ambitious party on the council if she hadn't been so damned idealistic. She saw the benefits before the money and influence and that was something that most of the party would not like.

One lady in particular.

But apart from wealth and influence, there wasn't much else to excite Mel Medarda. Without thinking about it, your gaze wandered to the side.

Jayce had mostly listened to the music since you arrived. Sometimes he dared to look at you like a little boy who had met a really beautiful woman. But when you tried to look at him, to return his gaze, he always looked into his gilded glass.

The music changed and became softer. You had liked the first piece more, a tragedy about a storm and how a general lost his entire armada. Now it sounded like the story of two lovers. But without tragedy.

Bored, you swirled the contents of your glass. The words were already on the tip of your tongue when Jayce cleared his throat and looked at you seriously.

It surprised you at first. Perhaps he had taken more of a liking to Medarda than you had first thought.

Would he defend her in the hope that she might find out and start to like him?

On the other hand, you were pretty sure that he was no match for such a woman. She would use him for herself, maybe give him a kiss goodbye and then forget about him. His eyes suddenly found yours.

"I think it's time for me to ask if I can offer you something.", he smiled, confident but also a little shy.

Your eyebrows raised in surprise. You had been enjoying good wine all evening. Your head was already starting to feel lighter and you could feel the heat rising in your cheeks. Your gaze briefly wandered down to the stage.

"I'm hungry.", you said hesitantly. "But I don't think that..."

"Please.", he made a motion with his hand to reveal a food trolley next to him.

"Huh...", your lips opened a crack with interest. "May I now enjoy the food that was intended for our pretty Medarda?"

You laughed. It was just a joke, but Jayce looked thoughtful. Dark, perfectly arched eyebrows drew together slightly.

"You think I...", he cut himself off to avoid sounding stupid. "We should all have good relationships, shouldn't we? Medarda offered me her help."

You nodded.

"As did I.", you confirmed soberly.

He smiled now, broad and full of pearly white teeth.

"I hope there's no jealousy about me now.", maybe that was just a joke too.

Nevertheless, you could feel a slight flash of heat coursing down the back of your neck. Little hairs stood up on your arms. Your lips curled slightly but you couldn't help but feel a sort of possessiveness.

"Would I ever be able to win against her?", you tilted your head teasingly.

It really was just a joke. A stupid joke.

Yet Jayce seemed to flinch. He immediately averted his eyes and cleared his throat. A hint of regret washed over you.

"I think we both know the answer.", you shrugged and took a sip of wine to think. "How interested are you? In the honourable Medarda, of course."

With a slight shake of his head, Jayce opened his mouth, but closed it again almost as quickly. He let out a long breath.

"She's... special.", he managed unpractised.

You nodded again.

"A fact that is hard to deny."

"And I'm sure she has many admirers."

You had to chuckle softly.

"Admirers are one thing, my dear.", you raised your glass. "Competition is something else."

He frowned.

"Pardon?"

"Medarda is picky about everything.", you drank your last sip of wine. "And that is what makes her so successful. She is wise in her choices."

"I'm sure of it..."

Your eyes travelled up and down his body.

"Do you want to become a wise choice, Jayce?", you asked, an amused smirk on your lips.

All at once, his head shot up. Surprise shone in the green of his eyes.

"I...", he frowned. "I don't understand."

Amused, you leaned back in your chair.

"I'm not blind. Just like all the others around us.", again you tilted your head thoughtfully. "She has a weakness for you. Maybe big enough to be successful."

Now he seemed completely confused. With a furrowed brow, he pushed the food trolley between your chairs and lifted the red silk cloth. Two plates with different dishes appeared.

"Please.", he pointed to the plates to change the subject. "Whichever is left is fine with me."

You looked at the food, roasted meat with vegetables and colourful greens. It was served with two small glasses of chocolate.

The second dish had neither meat nor fish, was quite simple but seemed inviting to fill your belly.

"This one, if you don't mind.", you pointed at the food.

With a smile, he pushed it over to you.

"I have to admit I'm not much of a cook.", he looked down at the stage, embarrassed. "But I have good taste."

The first bite was buttery, tasting of herbs and a little salt. Garlic melted on your tongue. Surprised, you realised that there were creamy mushrooms inside.

"I'll take your word for it about the good taste.", you mumbled and raised your eyes again so that he had to look at you. "Which brings us back to the topic. Do you want to be a wise decision, Jayce?"

Exhaling deeply, he closed his eyes briefly. Then he had to sigh.

"I'm not that interested in her.", he looked at you from between narrowed eyebrows.

You laughed softly.

"Everyone has an interest in her. She is a woman that everyone desires. But only a few deserve. And she knows that."

He rolled his eyes slightly.

"What would you gain from helping?", he asked.

You smiled again and took another bite. The food was good. He had really good taste.

"So you owe me something.", you said openly. "We are all in someone's debt."

"I'd be in debt to you. Then I would have to repay that debt."

Your eyes narrowed.

"Better to me than Heimerdinger. Or Salo."

He sighed, hesitated.

"I...", he could barely look you in the eye. "...will think about the offer."

You smiled. He had really good taste.