The nobody who became the sovereign

Chapter 2

Darian turned.

Lord Evander Cross was striding across the auditorium floor toward their group, flanked by his two cousins, Ronan Cross and Alaric Cross. He held a glass of champagne in one hand, wearing an arrogant expression that told Darian the unpleasant encounter was only just beginning.

"Gideon," Lord Evander Cross said in a smooth, unhurried tone that easily carried across the quieted onlookers. "I was informed about a disturbance."

"Indeed," Gideon Veyne replied, pointing at Darian as if presenting evidence. "This man cornered Seraphina, made veiled warnings, and attempted a public proposal in the middle of her promotion ceremony, right in front of the Council representatives."

Lord Evander Cross raised his eyebrows with theatrical amusement. "A proposal? Him?" He scanned Darian slowly from head to toe, looking at him like an unwanted object. "Do you realize she is betrothed to me? Or did nobody inform you?"

"I was not told," Darian answered flatly, "until about thirty seconds ago."

"Ah, that explains your confusion," Lord Evander Cross remarked, taking a slow sip of champagne while enjoying the attention. "Well, now you know. Whatever this was..." He gestured vaguely toward the ring box in Darian's hand. "...it is over. It ended a long time ago, which I assume everyone in this room understood except you."

A light hum of laughter rippled through the gathering.

"He threatened her as well," Cassian Veyne added helpfully, stepping forward. "He told her she was about to lose something significant. He was being dramatic."

"Is that so?" Lord Evander Cross asked, his smile sharpening. "How does an ordinary man like you threaten anyone, Vale? What do you possess? A rented room? A basic military wage? I could purchase everything you own with what I spent on this champagne."

"Precisely! Who does he think he is, trying to propose to Seraphina?" an officer in the audience scoffed.

"Thank goodness Lord Cross intervened. What an annoying pest," another guest said loudly.

"The nerve of him thinking Seraphina would choose someone of his low standing over Lord Cross," a third spectator added with a chuckle.

Darian remained completely silent. Every instinct urged him to end the humiliation in a single moment, to reveal his true identity and show these people who they were actually mocking.

He could feel his dormant authority sitting heavy beneath the surface, ready to silence every mocking voice in the building, but he kept it strictly restrained.

It was not the proper moment, especially not in this setting. Control had always been his strong suit, so he suppressed the urge to reveal his full power.

"I know your background," Lord Evander Cross continued, taking his silence for submission as he played to the audience. "Darian Vale. Same basic rank for over a decade. No advancement, no family standing, no achievements anyone in this room could list if I asked." He turned toward the crowd, opening his arms wide. "Can anyone here name a single notable action by this man? Anyone?"

"No!" the crowd shouted back in unison.

"He is nobody!" someone called out.

The crowd's response delighted Lord Evander Cross even further.

"That is what I thought," Lord Evander Cross said, taking a step closer until his tone dropped into a soft, cruel murmur. "Here is some advice you desperately need. Men of your rank do not propose to women like Seraphina. You do not reach above your station and expect the world to grant it. You exist to make men like me appear generous whenever we acknowledge your existence."

"Evander," Seraphina Veyne called out softly, speaking for the first time since her father stepped in. "That is enough."

"Is it?" Lord Evander Cross asked, turning toward her with a quick flash of possessiveness. "He proposed to my future bride in public, right in front of my family's peers. I believe a firm correction is appropriate, wouldn't you say?"

He faced Darian once more, raising his hand almost casually.

The blow struck before Darian could react, an open palm across his cheek that turned his head sideways, the loud crack echoing across the silent room.

The spectators gasped softly, several of them watching with visible delight.

"He got what he deserved!" a voice called out.

"A total commoner!" another added.

"Hit him again!" someone cheered from the back.

Darian slowly brought his head back up. His skin stung from the slap, but his gaze turned completely cold and flat, a look that caused Ronan Cross and Alaric Cross to shift uncomfortably behind their cousin.

"There," Lord Evander Cross stated, flexing his fingers casually while failing to notice the icy change in Darian's demeanor. "Take that as your correction, free of charge."

"Evander," Marcella Veyne noted approvingly, "perhaps that will finally teach him his proper place."

"Perhaps," Lord Evander Cross agreed, watching Darian while waiting for anger, tears, or begging, anything that would fit his perception of the man before him. Yet Darian offered no reaction.

He simply stared at Lord Evander Cross for a quiet moment as the sting faded, his cold composure causing a brief flicker of doubt to pass over the nobleman's face before it quickly vanished.

"Nothing to offer?" Lord Evander Cross demanded, an edge of irritation creeping into his voice.

"Not tonight," Darian answered quietly.