Chapter fifty-nine: A Waltz to Remember
The heaviness of the banquet didn’t dissipate by the time we were ushered into the ballroom. Nobles, normally talkative, kept their silence until the King announced he would be retiring for the evening. The moment the three of them left, whispers began to break out – loud enough to be heard over the instruments.
It was hard not to hear the snickers about the King being incompetent, but the majority of the nobles were bad mouthing Cassius. Why are they talking shit about him when he had every right to respond to the King’s disrespect? Calling the mistress a whore, well, that was an entirely different thing I couldn’t comment on. I had no information on the woman to know anything.
“Why do you look so irritated?” Justin leaned toward me, whispering.
I stiffened, trying to not recoil from the foul stench of his breath. We had eaten the same thing, why does he reek?
“Are you perhaps disappointed that Baroness Frankfun had to retire?”
“Yes.” I nodded, turning my head away. Are breath mints not a thing here? “She seemed like a lovely person.”
“She isn’t.” Justin shifted back, rubbing his chin. “The Baron is a weak-willed fool who refuses to take risks.”
And I care...why?
“Lord Justin!” A man in the crowd called, waving him over. “Come over here and explain to Lord Guise about your wonderful idea.”
“Do not make a fool of yourself,” Justin tapped my shoulder, harder than necessary. “At all. Remember what I had said.”
“Of course.” I forced a grin on my face, teeth clenched. Just piss off.
He nodded and walked away, a bounce in his step. How annoying. I rolled my eyes, glancing around the room. No one seemed interested in me – to which I was grateful. I wandered away from the crowd and found a spot in the back. Thinking it was empty, I leaned against the wall and sighed. Where is Cassius? I need to ask him about the damn rose.
“Get lost, Kyla.” A frustrated voice snapped, to my left.
I glanced over and let out another long sigh when I realized who it was. Tyrine Magno, leaned against a pillar, cradling a glass of wine. His face was gaunt, as if he had been awake for far too long.
“If you’re uncomfortable being near me, you leave.” I turned my head back around, watching the array of nobles fluttering from group to group. Don’t they ever get bored gossiping?
“I was here first.” He grumbled, taking a long swig of his drink.
“And I was here second.” I crossed my arms. “I fail to see your point.”
“You’re still as ridiculous as ever.” He bit out, downing his drink. “Don’t you have people to harass? Someone else you want to make feel like dirt?”
“I don’t know what you’re even talking about.” I scanned the room once more, considering finding a different place to hide in. Unfortunately, there were no other areas in the room that would provide enough shadows to relax in.
“The hell you don’t.” Tyrine walked forward wobbling slightly, glass dangling haphazardly between his fingers. “You’re a mean bully and you only live to harass people.”
“I think you had too much to drink.” I said, voice flat. “Maybe you should call it a night and-”
“Why? So you can sneak into my room and put worms in my bed again or threaten to shave me bald?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I turned, giving him a once over. Sweat was breaking out across his brow and his eyes were unfocused. Just how much did he drink?
“You. I’m talking about you, you’re mean and nasty.” He hiccuped, pointing a finger at me. “First you torment me and then you call me names and then you bully some small girl with yellow hair for no reason.”
“Tyrine,” I reached forward, feeling an urge to flick him in the nose. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”
“Don’t talk down ta me!” He hiccupped, taking a step back. “I have my eye on you.” He raised his pointer finger and middle finger toward his eyes – almost jabbing himself – and then turning them toward me. “You better not cause problems!”
“Yeah, yeah.” I waved him off, looking away.
He hmped, and turned, walking into the crowd. For a long time I stood alone and searched relentlessly for Cassius. It was ironic, really, that the one person I should be avoiding was the one who I was seeking.
The sound of footsteps, loud and aggravated, reached my ears. I looked over in time to see Gerald, haughty and pre-pissed, heading in my direction. What does that bastard want? I glanced around to see where his father was, but the Duke was nowhere in sight. Who let him off his leash?
“Kyla, you bitch.” Gerald snarled, coming to a stop a few feet away from me.
“What do you want?” I spared him a look, before turning away. The feeling of fear I held for him had completely dissipated. Whether it was from the last time we met or the distance separating our lives – I had no idea. I was simply glad it was gone.
“What do I want?” He yanked his collar, showing a very thin, hardly noticeable, scar. “You scared me, you bastard child.”
“Did I?” I tilted my head, widening my eyes. “I don’t recall.”
“You got lucky that Lord Justin was expecting you.” He moved forward, stopping inches away. “I wanted your head.”
“Sounds rough.” I shrugged, tilting my head back to see his face. “Not my problem.”
“You think you’re safe now that you left home?” He reached out, gripping my shoulders. “I should tell Justin to let me kill you after he’s done playing house with you.”
“Do you honestly think I’m afraid of you?” I raised my arms up, knocking his hands away. “I’m no longer a Thornevale, nor am I obligated to bow before you. You can throw a temper tantrum all you want, Gerald, but that won’t do anything but make you look bad. Not me.”
“Have you lost your mind?” He snarled, hand raising up toward my throat. “I could strangle you and no one would give a shit.”
“That may be true,” I nodded, pointing over toward the crowd. A group of women had begun to whisper, staring at us without any shame. Gerald froze and looked over, face flushing. “But how do you think the nobles would react to a man threatening to choke a lady?”
“You’re not a lady.” He hissed, dropping his arm and pitching his voice low. “You’re nothing more than scum on the bottom of my boot.”
“If I’m scum, as you say, then why are you talking to me?” I laughed, crossing my arms. “Is this all because I wounded your pathetic little male ego?”
“Watch what you say you bit-”
“No.” I cut him off, flashing a dark smile. “You watch it. You’re the one making trouble here. I may have a horrible reputation, but how do you think it would look if I screamed?”
“You wouldn’t dare.” He narrowed his eyes, hands fisting at his sides. “You’re nothing but a...”
While Gerald continued to rant and seethe, I saw a glimmer of yellow-gold hair moving through the crowd. I glanced over to see Cassius stop by the drinks, looking less irritated than earlier, but still annoyed.
“Are you even listening to me?” Gerald snapped.
“No.” I turned, walking away. “Why the hell would I listen to you?”
“Don’t you dare walk away from me, Kyla.”
I waved over my shoulder, already thinking about how to broach the topic with Cassius. I didn’t know how he would react to me bothering him, but I’d rather take the chance of him cutting off my head than listening to a man-child whining. Never thought I’d choose to willingly approach Cassius of my own free will, yet here I am.
Before I had a chance to reach him, a noble woman who looked four times his age, stepped forward. She wiggled her chest, pushing her breasts up higher, and leaned forward. Cassius looked over at her, his face impassive – other than a sharp look in his eyes. Oh, she’s screwed.
“Prince Cassius, you were amazing tonight.” She purred, touching his arm. “Such a magnificent display of power when you spoke to the King.”
He glanced down at her hand, an icy smile creeping across his face. “Do you want to keep your hand?”
“P-pardon?” She froze, smile falling.
“Are you hard of hearing?” He leaned forward, flickering his eyes over to me. “I said, you old broodmare, do. You. Want. To. Keep. Your. Hand?”
Her face paled and she pulled back, recoiling as if she’d been bitten. “I-I’m sorry,” she bowed low, shaking. “I was out of line, your highness.”
“Lady Kyla, what do you think about murder?” He looked over, grinning.
“It’s normally found upon.” I answered, sighing.
The woman glanced over at me, confused and, very evidently, still afraid. Don’t look at me. I didn’t threaten you.
“P-please your, highness, I have children and-”
“Then leave,” He waved his hand at her. “Before I change my mind.”
“Y-yes, your highness.” She scurried back, almost falling over her gown.
“What brings you here, my lady?” Cassius smirked, mock-bowing at me. “Don’t tell me you missed my company.”
“Not at all.” I answered, before I could stop myself. As always, he makes me speak before I have a chance to speak. Is that the real reason he cut Kyla’s head off in the novel? “I have a question for you.”
“A question?” He lifted a glass of wine, swallowing it in one gulp. “How boring. I thought you would have something more interesting to say.”
“Prince Cassius-”
“If you want to ask,” he held out a hand. “You have to dance with me.”
“Dance? With you?” I mumbled, staring at his hand. “Why would I dance with you?”
“If you don’t want to,” he shrugged, wiggling his fingers. “I can’t force you to. After all, I’m just a humble prince.”
Yeah right. I rolled looked over, making eye contact with Justin. He squinted, lips pulling into a thin line. Wonderful. He’s going to throw a fit later. It’s not like I asked the prince to dance.
“Well?” Cassius laughed. “Are you going to dance with me or not?”
I looked back at him, debating if kicking him in the shin would do anything. No, it wouldn’t. It would probably feel like a tickle to him.
"One dance.” I said firmly, placing my hand in his. “And you have to answer me honestly.”
“I am, if nothing else, honest.” He winked, walking us to the dance floor.
Around us, people turned to stare. Their faces mixed between confusion, suspicion, and disbelief. Cassius, of course, was unbothered. He does whatever he pleases and everyone else be damned. I couldn’t say anything – I needed answers.
He turned and pulled me closer, raising our joined hands and placing his free one, on my back. The musicians changed the music and I realized – too late that I had no idea how to dance.
“You should see your face.” Cassius chuckled. “You look like you want to hit me or step on my feet.”
“I would never hit the crown prince.” I said, feeling my body move on its own, and place my hand on his shoulder. It must be muscle memory. Thank god.
“But you would step on me?” He grinned, turning us around the floor.
I let out a frustrated breath, and looked up at him. “Why do you tease me?”
“Why not?” he asked, eyes dancing. “I tease everyone.”
My mind jumped to the woman he had been threatening and I frowned. Was that his idea of teasing? If so that’s...deranged. I shook my head, brushing aside the thought. I had no desire to voice it.
“That rose you gave me, what other properties does it have?”
“Ah, the rose.” He turned us again, glancing over at someone I couldn’t see. “I told you, it counteracts poison.”
“Yes, but what else does it do?”
“Why?” He turned his gaze back to me, pulling me closer. “Did something happen?”
“Does it matter?” I snapped. Why is he acting like this?
“So touchy,” he smirked. “I need to know to tell you. It has several different usages.”
I sighed, seriously considering smacking him. “I think someone might be brain washed.”
“Brain washed?” Cassius tilted his head, turning the idea over. “It depends what type of brain washing it is. Magical or herbal or both. Do you know which?”
“No,” I shook my head. How am I supposed to know which it is? Everyone in the manor was a mess before I arrived. The only lead I had was Alora’s strange and confusing attitude. “I have no idea.”
“Find out.” Cassius slowed, coming to a stop. “Then when you do inform me.”
I looked around as he stepped back, bringing my hand to his lips. When did the music stop?
“Why would I inform you?” I asked, pulling my hand back.
“Because, my Lady,” He reached out, brushing a finger along my neckline. “You’re bold enough to wear royal colors, you should be bold enough to share information.”
“What?” I glanced done, and froze, staring at the faint glimmer of gold embroidered into my collar. Damn it, Poshlyn, why did you do that? “I-”
“Don’t worry, Lady Kyla.” He turned. “The color suits you.”
What? I blinked rapidly, watching him walk across the room, open the door, and disappear from sight. Damn it, I can’t tell if he was joking or threatening me. I turned on my heel and walked from the floor, pointedly ignoring the death glare Justin was sending my way.
I’m never attending another banquet again.