Chapter sixty: Drunken Slips
I didn’t see Cassius for the remainder of the ball. After our dance, I found a chair away from the crowd and sat down. No one tried to strike a conversation, but the pointed stares and whispers never stopped.
Thanks, Cassius. Not only did you paint a target on me – you made me the center of gossip until the next big scandal happened.
The worst part of the situation was the cold stares from Justin. He didn’t dare approach me with the noble's watchful gazes on him, but I had a feeling he wasn’t going to let the dance go so easily on the way home. I didn’t know which was worse – Justin’s coming ire or Cassius’s off-hand comment.
When the ball finally started to wind down, Justin walked over – smelling of alcohol. He didn’t say anything and held out his hand. I took it slowly, allowing him to pull me up. He linked my hand through his arm, squeezing tight enough to cause mild discomfort.
“You will come to the gentlemen's card game this weekend?” One of the men he’d been associating with asked as we walked by.
“Perhaps.” Justin responded without turning around. “It has been a while.”
“Yes it has! We’ll count on you being there.”
Justin made a noise, tugging me along beside him. Is he going to wait until we’re in the carriage to snap? I looked at him from the corner of my eye. His face was unreadable, but his jaw was clenched tight.
Several minutes later, we reached the carriage and he helped me inside – almost tossing me in. I stumbled forward, catching myself at the last second. The ride home is going to be hell.
Justin climbed in, slamming the door closed. He tossed a dirty look in my direction then sat, folding his hands on his lap.
“Your conduct tonight was appalling,” He said, deadpan.”Were my instructions that difficult to follow, Kyla?”
Your instructions and threats are difficult for anyone to follow. I had a feeling no matter what I did or did not do, he would have some issue to raise. Granted, it was my fault for accepting Cassius’s offer to dance, but it wasn’t something I could push aside and ignore.
“I did try to follow your instructions.” I said, keeping all emotion out of my voice – even if I wanted to bite his head off.
“Do you think so?” He leaned forward, lips pulled into a sneer.
Well, that’s a new look. He must be drunk.
“I suppose that dance with that foolish crown prince was following my instructions and not your own?”
“I hadn’t wanted to dance with him.” I crossed my arms, wrinkling my nose. The smell floating off him smelled similar to mead – something that hadn’t been served at the ball. “He forced my hand.”
“Do you think I am mentally inept, Kyla?” He slurred, sitting back and rummaging through his pockets. “Unlike that ignorant brother of yours, I am not slow.”
Well, obviously. I glanced toward the window – wondering why he hadn’t yet informed the driver to leave. Did he forget?
“I will have you know,” Justin dipped his hands into his breast pocket and pulled out a cigar and a magical apparatus that was small, square, and faintly giving off a silver shimmer. “I am a very observant man.” He placed the cigar between his lips and shook the device. A small flame appeared and Justin raised it toward the cigar, puffing deeply. “I did not choose you as a wife for your lack of brain cells.” He chuckled to himself and blew out smoke. “A woman with a brain is a pain in the ass.”
And a man without one is arguably worse. I leaned back as the plum spun toward me.
“You know, the last woman that thought she was smart ended up…no longer here.” He chuckled, rapping his fist on the roof.
The carriage launched forward, bumping gently across the cobbled road. Is he seriously bragging about killing one of his wives?
“You throwing yourself on that ignorant, childish, brute was a disgusting sight to see.” He waved the cigar in the air, leaning back. “Did you beg him to dance with you, Kyla?”
“No.” I snapped, resisting the urge to plug my nose. I considered opening the window, but refrained. I had a feeling if I did so – it would only cause more of an issue. “I was made to dance with him. Why would I ever beg that man for a dance?”
“To show off your,” He motioned with his free hand, up and down my body. “Your visage.”
My…visage? And he calls me dumb? I sighed, rubbing my temples. This is ridiculous and childish.
“I didn’t ask him for a dance nor did I want to show off my ‘visage’.” I rested my hands in my lap, tapping my pointer finger against my thigh. “He asked me for a dance and I-”
“He asked you of all the women in the ballroom?” Justin snorted, puffing. “Why the devil would he want to dance with you?”
“I have no idea.” I answered honestly, feeling tears starting to prickle the corners of my eyes. This goddamn smoke.
“Why did you accept then?” He flickered his gaze down at his hand, when ash began to tumble over his fingers. He swore and pulled open the window, shaking the cigar off.
“He had threatened someone moments before asking me.” I turned my head, inhaling the fresh air quickly before he closed it.
“What does that have to do with anything?” He scoffed, twirling a finger in the air. “I could ask a dog to beg for a treat and that doesn’t mean it would do a dance for it.”
If I kick him will he remember in the morning?
“The woman who I’m referring to, was being threatened with removal of her hands – simply for annoying him. What do you think he would have done if I had told him no?”
“Why would he chop off your hands?” Justin hiccupped. “You didn’t ask him – no, never mind. That man should not be the crown prince anyhow."
“What do you mean?”
“You saw his display at the banquet.” He grunted, tossing his half burned cigar out the window, and pulling out another. He lit it and puffed furiously. “His attitude toward our King was disrespectful. He not only embarrassed the entire country before those savages from Entio…Eutoe…”
Justin shook his head, waving a hand in the air. “Whichever those twin devils came from. He insulted the soon-to-be Queen and his words.” He broke off biting the cigar with his front teeth. “If he were my child, I would have him whipped until he was a bloody mess.”
I didn’t say anything, and stared out the window. So a drunk Justin is a complete idiot – more than usual. The only piece of information from his ramblings that mattered was his political stance. Was that the reason why Cassius wanted information on House Blaine?
“He reminds me of my first wife.” Justin continued, waving his arms around. “Arrogant and foolish. She too also thought her station was untouchable.” He chuckled, taking a long drag. “She learned her lesson pretty fast.”
Please, shut up. I silently begged. He wasn’t actively admitting to his crimes, but he was too close for comfort. If he accidentally spilled the truth – I had no doubt he would choose to kill me before the wedding.
“You’ll learn too.” Justin smirked, pointing the cigar at me. “I should hold this against you, because you were complic-ee-ate to the current crown prince’s thurrows of pussion.” He hiccupped again, tapping his forehead with his free hand. “But, he won’t be the crown golden boy for a long time soon.”
I coughed, covering up a laugh that threatened to bubble out. I don’t know if smoking was making him more drunk or if the full weight of the alcohol is hitting him. Whichever it was, he continued to ramble, making less and less sense. By the time we arrived at his estate – he was half asleep, waving around the stub of his cigar.
The carriage driver, noticing the state Justin was in – had to leave and return with a half-asleep Martin. The two of them managed to wrangle Justin out of the carriage and half-drag, half-carrying his muttering drunk self into the building.
I stepped out, taking a deep breath of fresh air. The night was crisp, with a gentle breeze promising warmth. Somehow I survived the worst carriage ride of my life and made it back in one piece. The night had been…eventful to say the least.
I walked toward the estate, pulling the shawl tight around my shoulders. I wanted to crawl into my bed and fall into a dreamless sleep – but as usual, as though to spite me – a peaceful sleep was not what awaited me.