Chapter fifty-one: Pressure
The walk to Justin's office was exhausting. By the time I arrived, I wanted to turn back around and head to my room. Of course, it wasn't something I could choose to do after all. The maid knocked on the door, her cherry voice pitched higher than before.
"My Lord Justin!" She giggled. "I have brought your lady to see you."
"Send her in." Justin's cold tone bit out.
"You can enter." The maid grinned, stepping back and bowing.
No shit. I rolled my eyes and brushed past her, opening the door.
Justin sat on his sofa, glasses perched on his nose, and a stack of papers on his lap. He didn't look up as I entered, and only spoke once I sat across from him.
"You disappoint me, Kyla." He sighed, removing his glasses with one hand and pinching his nose with the other. "Was it too much of an ask that you behave yourself?"
"I did nothing wrong." I said, before I could stop myself.
Justin's eyes flashed and his lips thinned into a white line. Ah, damn it. I shouldn't have said that.
"What I mean is, nothing happened that was intentional."
"Really?" Justin raised an eyebrow, crossing his legs. "Both Lord Ingra and Lord Katchen's wives say otherwise. Do you have any idea how difficult it was for me to secure the deal with them based on your actions?"
I fail to see how this is my fault. I shifted and crossed my arms – hoping my face looked as neutral as possible.
"It was one simple tea party." Justin continued when I remained silent. "All you had to do was discuss frilly things of no matter – and yet you made a fool of me."
I wanted to tell him that I was tripped and Paulita's poor activating skills sealed the deal – but I knew he wouldn't care. It's always easier to pin the blame on someone who has no autonomy of their own. Once I leave this damn house, I'm moving to a different kingdom that's more progressive.
"I apologize." I said, voice flat. "I had no intention to make you look foolish in any regard."
"It's too late for that." Justin stood up and walked before me, bending down. He reached forward, fingering a piece of hair that dangled near my neck. "If you weren't so beautiful, I'd never have agreed to this arrangement."
Inwardly, I recoiled and had to actively stop my knee from slamming into his crotch. Self control must be a virtue and if so, I think I'll reach Nirvana or …whatever.
Justin stared at me, without blinking, before stepping back. "I believe you need a full time etiquette teacher alongside my mothers bridal training," he turned and walked to his desk, leaning against it. "I will assign someone soon that will teach you. If my mother wasn't so frail, I'd have her do it."
Frail? That woman? I blinked a few times, biting my bottom lip to keep from laughing. If she was frail then I'd hate to see what she was like when she was in her prime.
"I will tell mother and she will find someone that is worthy to teach you." Justin tapped his hand against his thigh. "It may be difficult, as my mother has high standards."
You mean impossible standards. I averted my gaze and coughed to keep the words from spilling out.
"You will not shame me again in public. Especially at the upcoming banquet."
"Banquet?" I looked over at him, surprised. "What banquet?"
"Are you pretending to not know or are you trying to play some sort of game?" He snapped, his composed mask slipping a fraction.
"I honestly don't know." I shrugged.
Was there a banquet in the novel? I ran through what I could recall of the novel trying to pull out some piece of information. Unfortunately, nothing I had read said anything about a banquet happening at this point. Well the story was from Paulitas POV. The writer may not have included it.
"Duke Thornevale must have never allowed you to attend." Justin crossed his arms, staring at me once more. "I see now why his grace was so strict with you. If the invitation did not have both our names on it – you would not be coming at all."
You never even asked if I wanted to attend, you spineless blowfish.
"It's in a week." Justin continued, enjoying the sound of his own voice. "Why it came late is beyond me. The palace must think less of me because of you."
"I see." I said, dryly.
His accusation made little to no sense. The palace – under normal circumstances – always sent out invitations to large events weeks in advance. The only reason he would be receiving one at all would be due to the Thornevale name. But logic rarely worked on those who are insane.
He walked back over and bent down once more, running a finger along the side of my neck. Had this been a normal relationship – it would have seemed like a gentle, loving, touch from a lover. As it was, goosebumps prickled across my skin and shivers ran down my spine.
"You will do better and learn, will you not?" He whispered in my ear, slowly sliding his hand up the back of my neck, stopping at my hair line. "Slow or not, you best be better." He turned his head slightly, pressing a kissing near my ear.
Ugh, you nasty ass. My hands fisted at my sides and once again – I had to suppress the urge to retaliate. I'm going to get an ulcer at this rate.
"If you don't…" He trailed off and stepped back, smiling. "Let's just say, I do not allow people to disappoint me more than three times."
I didn't say anything – there was nothing I could say other than to start swearing at him. Everything about this man was unnerving. I knew his threats weren't empty – he was a serial killer. Patience. Don't let him get to you. Don't show fear or rage.
"I understand." I looked down at my lap, knowing I couldn't hide the anger on my face – not this time.
"Good." He turned to the sofa and sat, picking his papers back up. "Martin will inform you as to when another teacher is assigned to you. For the time being, remain in your room." He flickered his eyes up. "That's not a request either, Kyla."
I stood, bowed, and left, closing the door behind me. Who does this asshole think he is? I fumed, walking down the hallway. And why do all the men in power have a screw or twenty loose? No one in this world seemed normal or stable.
When I reached my room, I threw open the door and walked in, slamming it behind me. It's not like I want to go anywhere anyway. I crossed to the bed and sat, scrubbing the side of my face. Gross. Disgusting. Pig.
I sighed, looking over at my nightstand when a gentle smell wafted toward my nose. Oh, right. The rose.
I leaned forward and touched it again, calmed as soon as I did.
"You know," I murmured. "It's pretty bad when that unstable man gifted you to me."
The rose, of course, didn't respond, but I felt a soft thrumming from its petals.
Thank you Cassius, for – weirdly enough – keeping me sane.