Chapter sixty-nine: Secrets
Moments before the opera began, Paulita and Viscount Vance arrived. Justin offered him a drink and the two continued a light, hushed conversation. I pointedly looked ahead, propping my chin on my hand. Every few minutes, Paulita glanced over at me, wringing her hands together or plucking the fabric of her gown.
"U-um, L-lady Kyla," she leaned over, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. "I-I want to apologize for earlier. I got so startled and-"
"Hmm?" I looked over at her, letting the boredom show on my face. "I can't hear a word you're saying."
"Huh?" She looked between me and the stage as the opera singer continued to sing.
The pitch was so loud, I was surprised that the wine glasses the two men held hadn't shattered. Maybe they reinforce that glass here.
"O-oh." Paulita leaned closer, craning her body to the point it looked like she would fall out of her seat. "I said, I was sorry about earlier. I was just startled and I didn't understand what was happening."
"You lost your handkerchief?" I asked, blinking as though I was confused. "Then why didn't you look for it?"
"No!" She leaned further forward, hands grasping the arm of her chair. "I'm sorry for crying earlier! It wasn't on purpose. Your so intense that I-"
"For all intents and purposes?" I blinked, turning my gaze back to the stage. "Stop talking to me."
"No!" She sputtered, visibly starting to shake. "Why are you not listening to me?"
"Paulita, sweetheart," Viscount Vance said, his tenor voice carrying smoothly through the air. "You're going to fall off your chair!"
"What?" Paulita snapped, lips twisting into a sneer. Quickly as it happened, her face changed and she turned looking to her right. "Sorry Papa, it's just so hard to hear in here."
"Please mind your surroundings." The Viscount sighed, patting her hand. "Your mother will have my head if something befalls you."
"I know papa. I was just trying to speak with Lady Kyla."
"Why not move your seat closer?" Justin suggested, taking a deep swallow of his drink. "Then you will not stumble to the floor."
"Oh!" Paulita clapped her hands, smirking. "That's a wonderful idea, Lord Justin."
Ah, damn it. I sighed as she stood, sliding her chair up against mine. I did this to myself. I should have just ignored her entirely.
"This is much," Paulita huffed, flopping into her seat. "Better, don't you think?"
"Yes." I said, voice flat. "It's so much better that you're practically laying on my lap."
"You're so amusing, Lady Kyla." Paulita smirked, flashing a large smile. "You mean I'm like a cute little cat right?"
"Sure." I shrugged, turning to the side, looking away. "If a cat was a demon."
"Pardon?" Paulita gasped. "I didn't quite catch that."
Like hell you didn't. I rolled my eyes, wishing this world had ear plugs. Who willingly attends an opera? I miss modern music so much.
For several minutes Paulita remained silent, but I could feel her gaze. She fidgeted a few more times, sighed, and leaned in closer. "Lady Kyla, why don't we be friends?"
"Friends?" I looked at the girl from the corner of my eye. "Why would I want to be your friend?"
"B-because we're similar in age." She shifted, pushing a stray blonde lock behind her ear. "And my papa and your fiance are business partners. It would be nice if we got along."
"Who your father is associated with is of no concern to me." I moved my arm, turning to look at her. "We are not friends nor will we ever be. I don't know what game you're playing but-"
"But I really like you, Lady Kyla!" She cut me off, face flushing.
The hell? Is this yet another attempt to start something? I rolled my eyes. Maybe I should just make her drink the liquid and watch her turn into a brainwashed minion.
"I-I don't have a lot of friends...I mean other than Page. It would be nice to have a female friend that I can get along with."
Is she seven? I snorted, standing up. I can't take this any longer. The vocals of the opera singer were bad enough, but it was more grating with Paulita's voice mingling in with it.
"Where are yo-"
"Is something the matter, Lady Kyla?" Justin asked, cutting off Paulita's words.
"I need to use the restroom." I said, walking toward the door.
"I'll come with yo-"
"No. You should stay here with your father." I opened the door. "I'll be back shortly." I said, directing my words to Justin.
"Don't dally." Justin turned back to Viscount Vance.
I pushed open the door and walked out, closing it firmly behind me. God, she's so annoying. I moved through the hall and down the stairs. The further away I moved, the more I relaxed and the more the sounds of the singer faded away. I'm never going to another opera for as long as I live.
I walked to the door we had entered originally, and pushed it open. An empty lobby greeted me and I almost sighed in relief. With the door closed behind me, all the sounds dissipated. I moved forward, taking a hallway with no idea where it went, just in case Paulita did decide to follow me out.
For several minutes, I wove down the hall, feeling the tension leaving my shoulders the further away I got. At the end of one of the corridors, I stopped at a fork. Left or right? Which one? I looked between the two, debating which one would provide the best escape.
"You have a habit of wandering." Cassius's amused voice said, startling me.
I turned around to see him standing a few feet away, leaning against the wall. "Do you have a secret that lets you move so quietly?" I demanded, walking closer to him.
"No, not really." He shrugged. "You were so lost in thought you didn't hear me."
"I would have heard footsteps had there been any." I peeked around him, checking to make sure the area was clear. Thankfully, I didn't see anyone hovering nearby. "I have something for you."
"Oh? Is that why you looked at me with such longing in your eyes earlier?" He smirked, pushing off the wall.
"What longing?" I snapped, sliding the bag off my shoulder.
"You were trying to call me with your gaze." He bent down, tapping my nose.
"Stop it." I swatted him away with one hand, fumbling with the clasp of the bag with the other. "I'm not in the mood for your weird teasing right now. I actually have something to give you."
He didn't say anything and instead chose to watch me tug the vial out. I held it out, waiting for him to take it. "What's this?" He snatched it away, holding it up to the light.
"You told me to tell you what I found." I leaned forward, pitching my voice just above a whisper. "I found it in Matilda Blaine's private garden. I assume it's tied to the brainwashing."
"Hmm." Cassius mused, turning it once more. "Did you find out anything else?" He pocketed it swiftly, glancing over his shoulder. "Someone is coming so answer me fast."
"No, other than it makes the staff turn into massive fools." I grumbled, irritated.
Who the hell is coming this way? I hadn't heard any footsteps yet, but I had no doubt Cassius was correct. The man was slippery and with this magic, he could probably hear a fly buzzing a mile away. Must be nice.
He turned, reaching for my hand as a shape appeared at the end of the hall. "I hate to be interrupted before having a chance to converse further." He brushed his lips against the back of my hand, eyes dancing. "I'll call upon you soon, my lady. Until then, stay safe."
"What do you-"
"L-lady Kyla?" Paulita's shaky voice floated from the shape at the end of the hall. "Why are you...?"
Cassius tossed Paulita a dark look – causing the girl to flinch. Without another word he turned, disappearing down the left corridor.
What a frustrating man. I walked toward Paulita, mood darkening the closer I got to her. Why did she have to follow me?
"A-are you okay?" She whispered as I reached her.
"Why would I not be okay?" I stepped around her, walking back to the lobby.
"T-the prince," Paulita scurried after me, grabbing a hold of my arm. "H-he's a frightening man."
"Only if you get on his bad side." I pulled out of her grasp, trying not to laugh at the irony.
Her fear of Cassius made sense at this point, considering his personality. In a few months she'd be fawning over him like the majority of high society. I feel bad for him though, since he's going to fall in love with her. The thought had me frowning for reasons I couldn't quite understand. Why do I feel bad for him? He's going to kill me soon.
"A-are you close to him?" She asked, shivering. "What if he lashes out at you in anger? I heard he doesn't treat women any differently than he does men."
"Lady Paulita," I sighed as we reached the lobby. "Gossiping about someone is rude."
"It's not gossip!" Paulita insisted, as I opened the door toward the boxseats. "D-do you know Lady Viola? I heard from one of her maids that she was insulted by the crown prince in her own home. Apparently it was during a salon and-"
"Lady Paulita," I moved up the stairs, mentally drained. "Did you not hear me or are you trying to soil the Crown Prince's reputation?"
"I would never!" She pouted. "I'm just worried he might harm you."
Don't make me laugh. I rolled my eyes, stepping onto the landing. She probably thinks there's something going on between us and she's trying to pry.
"Kyla what if-"
"Enough." I glared at her, stopping before the door. "You're an adult, stop gossiping like a pre-teen."
"I wasn't-"
I pushed open the door and walked in, almost closing it in her face. Had Justin and the Viscount not been here – I would have. Instead, I walked back to my seat and sat down without a word. Justin glanced over as Paulita walked in, claiming her seat.
For the remainder of the performance, and even through the intermissions, Paulita kept her silence. Occasionally she tossed glances my way, but I never removed my eyes from the stage. I brushed her from my mind, choosing to replay Cassius's words.
I really hope he finds out what that substance is and how to cure Alora. I thought, stifling a yawn. I hadn't thought I would be able to see him again tonight. I don't know what he was doing or how he found me, but I was glad he did. If he was able to find out what the substance was, it would make my life just a fraction of a bit easier.
Perhaps attending the opera was worth it after all.