Chapter seventy-eight: Factions
Volume 2: The Winds of Change |Arc 2: Phoenix
Bright sunlight reflected blindingly off the castle. Despite it being a bright, hot sunny day, my mood was stormy.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, wanting to turn around and leave. Justin, however, looked at ease, brushing off the ash that had fallen on his shirt. He grumbled a few times about his cigar being too messy, but he never stopped lighting up.
For the tenth time I began to wonder why I had to attend a luncheon hosted by Lovine.
The morning started off with Alora knocking politely on my door and informing me I was to attend breakfast. After she had dressed me and I entered the dining room, Justin informed me – without room for argument – that we would be attending Duchess Lovine's gathering in a few hours.
Now we were a few moments away from exiting the carriage and walking down a path that I knew would be painful. When the carriage slowed to a stop, the driver scrambled down, quickly opening the door.
"Remember, Kyla," Justin climbed out, shooting me a stern look. "Do not cause friction with my peers."
"The only problem is you." Sayvren snapped, floating quickly out.
"I have no intention to." I said, taking his hand and stepping down.
Sayvren had shown up half-way to the castle, mocking everything Justin dared to say. I couldn't blame him for it – he was speaking what I myself was thinking – but he was distracting.
At least this time he didn't do anything physical. That had to be...progress I guess.
Justin clicked his tongue, something he had been starting to do the last few days, and extended his arm. I took it absently while Sayvren scowled.
Don't give me that look. I thought, as we walked inside. You think I want to touch him?
We wound through the halls of the castle, stopping only when Justin greeted a cluster of court officials. The conversation was inane and mostly filled with polite little comments. It didn't last long, but it was enough to bother me.
How deep do his connections with the other nobility really go?
I didn't have long to think on the topic, thanks to Sayvren. He shifted down to my shoulder, cupping his hands around his mouth.
"Just punch him," he whispered in my ear. "It's the least of what he deserves."
I gritted my teeth, shooting the sprite a cold glare. Had it been possible, I would have hit both of them. Why did Sayvren even show up? Is he bored or something?
"It's only a recommendation." Sayvren shrugged, sitting comfortably on my shoulder.
A few minutes later we reached a large frosted set of double doors. In front of them, a single man, dressed in a guards outfit stood before it.
He eyed us lazily and held out a hand. "Invitation, my lord?"
"One moment." Justin raised his left arm, pulling out a soft pink envelope. "Here it is." He handed it over – his annoyance clear on his face.
"Thank you." The guard looked at the contents quickly before turning and pushing open the doors. "Please enjoy the luncheon, Lord Blaine."
"I shall," Justin walked us forward, already brushing off the guard like he would a bug.
"He's a real piece of work, huh?" Sayvren grumbled, floating away. "I have some things to do. Have fun!"
What is he up to now? I wondered as Sayvren disappeared completely.
As we walked through the garden, the scent of different types of flowers filled the air – almost smothering me. It took everything I had to not cringe back from it. The smell was reminiscent of the Casa Blanca lilies at Blaine's estate. At first I thought I was imagining the smell, until the path opened up into a wider area. On the far left, I could faintly see a few of the lilies hiding behind a row of lavender.
"You're here!" A woman's voice called out, pulling my attention from the plants.
A woman with honey brown hair, separated from a cluster of women that were standing around chatting. She bound over, wrapping her arms around Justin, and thankfully breaking the contact we had between us.
Who is she? Not that I care really. I looked over when I felt a pair of eyes watching me. Paulita stood near the tables, in a small group. Lady Jasmin, Lady Olive, and Lady Loranna hovered around her. Paulita's eyes flickered between myself and the woman in Justin's arms, before she turned away.
What was that about?
"I missed you so much, Justin!" The small girl mumbled against Justin's chest.
"Lady Eve Prescott." Justin cleared his throat, prying her off him, eyes flashing. "Do not act as a child any longer. You're an adult now."
"So mean," She pouted, pushing out her lip. "Why are you using honorifics with me?"
"You must behave in high society." Justin sighed, glancing around the room. "Where is your brother?"
"I don't know," Eve grumbled, turning her head in my direction. Her eyes narrowed and an angry flush washed across her face. "Who is she?"
"Lady Kyla." Justin shot me a glance. "My fiancé."
"What?" Eve's hands flew to her mouth, eyes widening in shock. "Why didn't you tell me you were engaged? Why didn't brother tell me?!"
"Lady Eve." Justin stepped around her. "I do not need to inform you of everything, do I?"
"No, but you should have told me." She turned away, trailing behind him. "I thought we were close!"
Yeah, just leave me here alone with no explanation. Although, it didn't matter much that he hadn't explained anything. If what I remembered was correct, Eve Prescott was the younger sister of a minor lord. She was barely mentioned in the novel, but she had a massive crush on Justin.
Well she can have him. I laughed quietly, scanning the crowd. The majority of them were women, but toward the back I could make out clusters of men talking and laughing. There had to be around thirty people or so.
No one bothered to approach me, surprisingly not even Paulita. I walked off the path, finding a location that was less clustered and smelled far less of the flowers. I didn't see Justin for half an hour. Once he did reappear, one of Lovine's handmaids entered, directing us all to our seats.
I had hoped for a breather from having to deal with anyone irritating, but my hopes were dashed in seconds. Paulita, Jazmin and her husband, as well as Olive and hers, claimed the other seats. Annoyingly enough, the men sat one one side, placing me directly beside Paulita.
However, no one had the chance to speak before Lovine appeared. She breezed through the door, her blood red sundress glimmering in the light.
No one seemed too concerned about her appearance – other than me. The royal shade she wore shouldn't have been something she should have had access to. As the mistress to the King, she should have been banned completely as she wasn't considered a member of the royal family.
The events from the banquet flashed through my mind, pulling my lips into a frown. She's doing it on purpose to make a stance. I glanced quickly around the room, scanning the faces I hadn't bothered to look at before.
Everyone in the room was a supporter of hers. That much should have been obvious, but they were the ones deeply supportive in a way that if she waved her hand, they would bow to follow her orders.
Damn, I want to leave. I don't want to get mixed up into this nightmare.
"Thank you all for coming today," Lovine walked to a center table, a few feet away. "I do hope everyone is enjoying themselves so far." A few of the people chuckled politely in response as she sat down. "Refreshments will be served shortly."
With that, she looked at the members at her own table, and began speaking to them softly. More than one person in the room watched the table, envious that they themselves hadn't had a chance to sit by her.
The men at our table began to launch into business topics while Jazmin and Olive began talking and sneering at me. Paulita, glanced in my direction a few times, biting her lip.
"Is she causing you problems again?" Jazmin leaned forward, lips pulled into a grimace. "Don't tell me you're planning to harm her again."
"N-no, she's not causing problems." Paulita looked frantically between us. "A-and I'm sure she didn't try to harm me last time."
"Paulita, sweetie," Olive sighed, reaching over and patting her arm. "You don't have to lie for her. We all saw what happened."
"Did you?" I asked, looking over at the trio. "Or did you see only what you wanted to see?"
"Are you calling us liars?" Olive snapped, flushing. "You can't deny you struck her!"
"Interesting," I tapped my fingers on the table, looking at the men from the corner of my eye. Hmm, they're ignoring us completely. Good. "That you would assume I 'struck' her when Lady Jasmin was the one that tripped me. Does reality bend to your will?"
"How dare you accuse me of something like that." Jazmin snapped, cutting off whatever Olive had been about to say. "I am a lady unlike someone else."
"Please...don't fight." Paulita cast her eyes down, tears dripping from them.
How pathetic. Crocodile tears, really?
"How dare you make her cry." Olive ground out, pointing a finger at me. "Have you no shame?"
"Do you?" I asked, pausing when servants rushed out, offering wine and treats. The women went silent, staring me down while more tears trickled from Paulita's eyes.
Once the servants were gone, Jazmin turned, focusing her attention on the girl.
"Do not cry." Jazmin placed a hand on Paulita's. "Do you wish to switch seats? Gods know how vile it must be to sit near her."
"I-I'm okay." Paulita sniffled, sneaking a look toward me. "I don't think she is intending to be mean to me or-"
"Ha, that girl is only mean." Olive reached around Jazmin, handing a handkerchief to Paulita. "If I hadn't been pregnant I would have-"
"Is something wrong?" Olive's husband asked suddenly – stopping the conversation.
"O-oh no," Paulita patted her eyes. "I think the flowers are making my eyes water. That's all."
"Goodness." Jazmin's husband chuckled. "Olive, dear, do you want to take her to the powder room?"
"N-no!" Paulita whipped her head up, tears completely gone. "I'm fine!"
I rolled my eyes, raising the glass to my lips. The men continued to fret over her, and eventually Paulita was dragged away by the two women. Unfortunately, when they disappeared, Justin's expression darkened as if to scold me for not following them.
If looks could kill. I pushed off the table, planning to leave – just not to find them specifically. Justin turned his head away, clearly amused I had taken the hint.
Asshole. I thought, walking quickly down the path. Once I reached the exit, I stepped out and took a deep breath of the clean air. The guard looked at me surprised by my reaction, but I didn't turn in his direction.
Instead, I walked down the hall, going in what I hope was the opposite way of the powder room. As I turned the corner, faint voices drifted from a door to my left. Jazmin and Olive's shrill conversation may have been difficult to hear, but I heard my name a few times and Paulita started to join in.
Whatever. I shrugged, walking briskly away. Not my problem.
I wound aimlessly through the halls, with no destination in mind. After several long minutes, I came to a set of doors and raised my hand to step out. That was until a pair of hands reached out, tugging me into an empty room.
Confused and disoriented, I stumbled inside.
What now? I thought as a shadow closed the door behind me. I have a bad feeling about this.