Encounter With Zypher

The grand ballroom of Duke Faremont's Estate was a masterpiece of architectural elegance. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm glow over the swirling colors of silk gowns and glittering accessories of nobles mingling below. The music of a string quartet floated through the air, weaving itself into the hum of conversation and laughter.

On the upper level of the ballroom, Delphia Vosswell sat in a secluded alcove adorned with sapphire green plush velvet cushions and intricate embroidered tapestries depicting heroic tales of old.

She held a delicate glass of honey wine, the liquid catching the light as she swirled it absently. From her vantage point, she observed the ebb and flow of the party, her eyes following the graceful movements of dancers and the animated discussions of courtiers. Her presence was a stark contrast to the Delphia everyone knew.

Typically the center of attention, usually commanding every room she entered with charisma and poise, tonight however,she was a silent observer; And has been for a while now.

Whispers began to ripple through the crowd below as guests noticed her uncharacteristic solitude. "Is Lady Vosswell unwell?" One noblewoman in a maroon dress murmured behind a sienna lace fan. "I've never seen her so withdrawn," replied her companion, gently waving her own sapphire red fan in front of her face as she spoke. "Perhaps the rumors of her head injury are true?" Both women's eyes flickering towards where she was seated.

Delphia paid no mind to the gossip. Her thoughts were a mix of relief and contemplation. She had fulfilled her social obligations by greeting Duke Faremont and his reunited daughter with her family as she entered, and now she could retreat into the background, a role she found refreshingly comfortable.

She took a sip of her wine, the sweet yet sharp flavor grounding her in the moment. As her gaze lingered over the bannister, she caught the sight of Calista dancing with another suitor of hers: Trenton Mooresbane, the North Duke's only son and Sybil Mooresbane's brother. They moved together effortlessly, smiles illuminating their faces. Trenton handled her appropriately, only touching the parts of her that propriety allowed.

Lost in her observations, she didn't hear soft footsteps approaching until a voice that was smooth as silk broke through her reverie.

"Enjoying the view?"

Delphia turned her head and her heart skipped a beat. Standing before her was Archmage Zypher Thorne, the infamous heir to the Magic Tower.

His jet black hair was styled in a windswept manner, framing his attractive features. His intense maroon eyes seemed to hold hidden depths of knowledge and power, illuminating the fairness of his skin; His full bottom lip stained like a cherry. He wore a perfectly tailored dark suit, featuring intricate silver and amethyst embroidery that resembled ancient arcane symbols where the light caught it.

Okay, reading about his looks is one thing... but, seeing them in person?

Next. Level.

For a moment there, she was utterly dazed. Seeing him before her, so vividly real, was overwhelming. This was her favorite character in the flesh, every detail more striking than she had imagined. She couldn't help but to scan him head-to-toe multiple times, drinking in his lean figure and broad shoulders; The tailoring did more than flatter—it sculpted him like a myth made flesh.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he observed her stunned expression.

"Please." She managed to reply, gesturing to the seat beside her while downing half of her wine in a single gulp, trying to regain her composure. Did Zypher ever seek Delphia out at this event in the novel? I thought I would remember something like that though; I know I at least paid attention up until this part and the Midpoint. Her thoughts swam rapidly across her mind as she regarded him.

Zypher settled into the plush bench easily, his gaze never leaving her form as he also scanned her up and down. "It's not like you to watch from the shadows," he remarked casually. "I was beginning to think you vanished." He jested with her. Delphia met his eyes, her diffidence returning as her brain chugged out a response automatically. "Even the brightest stars need a moment to themselves," she said lightly and took another sip of her wine, savoring the flavor.

"True," he conceded, voice trailing off. "But I've always known you to shine brightest in the center of the constellation, not at its edges." His eyes lingered on Delphia's own with his last word as he sipped from his own dark wineglass.

She smiled subtly, "Perhaps I'm simply exploring new perspectives."

"Well, it's not like it's a bad change," he observed. "Though it does make one curious."

"Curious?" She echoed, tilting her head slightly.

"About what might have inspired such a transformation, you know?" Zypher said, his tone relaxed but his eyes keen. "It's almost like you've become a different person." He paused, then continued. "I would have thought that you of all people would have shown the strongest reaction to the Crown Prince's attention towards Lady Faremont tonight." One eyebrow softly arched upwards towards her own inaction so far.

Delphia felt a flicker of caution run up her spine. Was he trying to confirm something? Or did he already suspect that my change ran deeper than a head injury?

She smiled at him to ease her own mind as she asked, "I'm sure you've probably heard by now about my bad luck, yes?" He nodded at her, agreeing that word had gotten around the Kingdom's social circles.

She chose her next words carefully.

"Sometimes," Delphia exhaled before sitting upright and placing her empty glass on the table in front of her, "all it takes is a moment of reflection to see things differently; To realize that not every battle is worth fighting." She finished and leaned against the back of her chair as she regarded him entirely. She could not get over how attractive he is in person, realizing that she could probably stare at him all night and be content.

He raised an eyebrow skeptically while taking another pull from his glass, not exactly looking like he was believing her story. "A philosophical turn. I did not expect that." He finally responded, the corners of his lips were upturned in a smile as if he was 'in' on a joke being said.

"There's much that is unexpected tonight," she replied, glancing toward the crowd below, switching the topic from herself. "Like the discovery of Duke Faremont's daughter. Life is full of surprises."

"Indeed." Zypher said softly. "Surprises can be... fascinating." His eyes also followed towards the crowd after a moment as he gazed left to right. There was a brief silence as they both watched the dancers. Delphia could sense his analytical gaze studying her once again, but she remained composed as she tried to anticipate what was coming next.

"Tell me," he began, "do you find these events as tedious as I do?" Zypher's magnetic voice spoke up, calling her attention back to him. She paused a moment, finding his cheekiness quite adorable, turning to face him with one eyebrow slightly raised and a sly smile playing at her lips, chuckling. "Is that why you're up here bothering me instead of mingling with the esteemed guests?"

"Perhaps," he admitted. "Or maybe I simply prefer more intriguing company." His tone was soft as there was a look in his eyes that was never described in the novel. Is this him using his charm against me, she wondered. Is it just my imagination, or did his gaze hold a glint of arcane curiosity—as if searching beneath my skin for something unseen?

"Flattery, Lord Thorne? That's unlike you." Delphia teased, remembering that in the book, Zypher was not one to hand out compliments.

He smirked then spoke, "Consider it an evening of irregular behavior for both of us." She stopped to admire him once more, appreciating the way the light absorbed into his hair and gave it a warm golden glow around the edges. "Care to share what you've observed from your perch?" He asked, changing the topic back to her with an attractive smile on his lips. "You've always had a keen eye for the undercurrents."

"Well," she pondered a moment, "I've noticed that when people think they're not being watched, their true selves emerge; Masks slip, even if only for a moment." She said as she quickly pulled adages from her first life to use.

"A perceptive insight," he said, nodding along, a smile teasing at the corners of his lips as he found himself enjoying Delphia's company for once. "And what truths have you uncovered tonight?"

She gave a slight shrug, looking down to brush away nonexistent fuzz on her skirt, before meeting his gaze again, "Nothing that isn't already apparent to those who pay attention."

Dude, what the hell?! I don't know any of the things that the real Delphia knew! What is this banter I'm having with him right now?! Mentally panicking, she gave nothing away as her front was tightly composed, however, Zypher noticed the faint blush that spread across her cheeks.

A brief silence passed between them.

Then Zypher leaned back slightly, his fingers drumming once against his glass. "You've always been shrewd," he mused. "But there's something different about the way you speak now… less flourish, more weight."

Delphia felt her spine stiffen—just barely. She forced an easy smile, though she could feel the edges of it falter. "I suppose a few bumps to the head can do that to a person."

"Perhaps," he said, gaze narrowing slightly. "But I wonder if it's the head that was struck… or something deeper."

She looked at him then, fully, her smile holding but her pulse ticking faster beneath her skin. "You sound almost like you're accusing me of something, Lord Thorne."

"Not at all," he said smoothly. "Only observing. It's what I do best."

Their eyes locked for a heartbeat longer than polite society would allow. His expression remained pleasant, but there was a sharpness beneath it—like the edge of a blade kept sheathed but never forgotten.

"I suppose we both watch the world more closely than we let on," Delphia said softly, and it was the truest thing she'd spoken all evening.

Zypher's lips curled again, but this time, the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Masks are fascinating, aren't they?" He said, tone light but threaded with something more. "Not for their deceit… but for what they protect."

Delphia's breath caught faintly in her throat.

Before she could respond, a sudden burst of laughter from the lower floor broke the moment. The spell of the conversation snapped like a taut thread, and Zypher turned his head lazily to glance down at the dancers.

"Ah," he said. "It seems the Crown Prince is enjoying himself."

Delphia followed his gaze. Calista was laughing delicately into the Crown Prince's shoulder, a picture of innocence and charm. A faint pang stirred in Delphia's chest—familiar and foreign all at once.

"Some surprises," she murmured, "are more dangerous than others."

Zypher glanced at her again, thoughtful. "Mhmm. And some are worth unraveling."

She looked at him sideways. "Are you trying to unravel me, Lord Thorne?"

His smile returned, sharper this time. "Wouldn't you like to know."