The Ravyns hall glittered that evening like a shrine of gold. Nobles mingled with the desperate young ladies who sought a match; mothers watching keenly with eagle eyes hoping to prey on the unsuspecting victim.
Chandeliers spilled lights on silver platters,maids serving the guests their special delicacies while dodging the wandering hands of tipsy lords.
"I can't find my blue shoe. Where is it?" shouted one girl at her servant,hitting her head with her fan. "Your ancestors can't even afford it. You better get me my shoes."
The servant,struck with regular insults,merely rolled her eyes wishing her mistress would perhaps be hit by a carriage or a bull too hungry to be controlled.
Outside stood several men discharged by Oscar to receive their visitors from outside the country,who desperately must've come only to watch Lady Evona.
At the head of the table sat Lady Evona,composed as usual,her eyes gliding through the room,hoping a scandal, as delicious as dessert, would bloom to the likes of her eyes. She was all in for drama that evening, having her maids still tug pins out of her hair while she lounged in her crimson ivy gown which winked as lights caught the gleaming jewels at the hems.
"Get me something..bitter," she muttered,without turning to her maid.
"Bitter?" Mary frowned. She was a rather young lady with pepperish skin,a dull hair that looked uncombed even if she did. Having served her for years now,she knew Lady Evona had no teeth for bitter food,so,she stood perplexed,her hand stilling. "You mean like kola or -"
Evona shot her a glare,which quickly turned into a smile. "No dear! I think your head might do better than food."
The girl scurried off in fear,colliding with other servants and tripping over her own steps,in need of finding something that would please the lady.
Surely,bitterness was a bright delicacy, for lots of hearts had been soured that evening beyond words.
Reya sat two seats away,having changed her gown into something appropriate for the evening. She gave a bright smile to anyone who dared call her,though her heart was yet to recover from the sight of seeing Alaric dance with another woman earlier that night. Still, she laughed when spoken to,forcing joy into her emotionless eyes.
Amber appeared rather late,cloaked like dawn itself. Draped in black itself, she appeared more of someone mourning than one attending a feast for socialising. She sat without a word,greeting those who acknowledged greeting.
"You came," muttered Selene, twirling her wine as her eyes followed the movement of a fine lad before her.
"Should I have stayed in my room?," she raised a brow.
"Oh, dear no! I couldn't find you anywhere. I thought you died. "
Amber smiled. "I'd die after fulfilling a promise...which I'm not done with,"
Selene paused,turning to her sister," And what promise is that?"
Amber only turned her attention to her plate,cutting her steak with slow,composed calm - one that made the winds shift uneasily.
Midway through the meal,couples came forward to ask for Lady Evona's blessings for their upcoming union. One of such people was Philip.
"Lady Evona," he rose,holding a glass high. "I seek your blessing - and that of your house - for the Varcourt family. For my union with Lady Georgiana Lawrence."
Amber's ears perked up. She sipped her wine, unbothered.
Georgina blushed,lowering her gaze demurely,intertwining her fingers with Philip shyly. Amber turned to look at her,fine and beautiful was she, but how mean would it be if fate made her a tragic beauty.
"I give you my blessing," said Evona warmly. "May your union prosper, and may the house of Varcourt continue in trade with the Ravyns household."
All raised their glasses for a toast,then turned to the eldest daughter who refused to raise hers.
"Amber?" Said Evona sharply,raising her brow.
"Mhmm?"
"Your blessing?"
Amber looked up,took a gulp of her glass before raising it. " You have my blessing too. May this union last longer than your future."
Her words hung in the air like smoke from chimney, and although each and everyone happily ate,none understood her words. Philip's face briefly paled,looking at she, who dabbed her lips and left with a nod.
Reya,whose appetite had perished long ago,excused herself as well,trotting off to her room with her maids beside her.
-----
Upstairs,Reya pushed open her chamber door, hearing water gushing out from the next door nearby. Opening it,she found the busy man with steam curled around him bathing.
"How could you?," she cried,hurling a basin at him.
Alaric dodged,hands up. "What now?"
"How could you cheat on me? Was I not enough for you? How could you Alaric??" Her eyes were glassy,having held back her tears all night. She finally dropped to her knees,letting it all out.
He stood out of the water, draping himself with a towel. He touched her arm, but Reya flinched,pulling away further. "Reya" he said softly. "I have no idea what you are talking about"
"Moving around with Lady Margaret when you know you've got a wife?"
"I only went with her because I had no woman for the opening dance. You refused to come. That's all it was,"
"But she was with the ring!"
"It was an invitation!"
"And you expect me to believe that?"
"Yes" he said simply,stepping closer to her. "I'd never cheat on you. I love you only."
And as it always happened, Alaric had an unspeakable hold on her that disarmed logic itself and made her believe him.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I thought--"
"It's understandable." He said,kissing her forehead. "I love you till the ends of every moon"
With that she relaxed into him.
Midnight appeared like a dreaded virus,more silver exchanged behind cold doors,silences bought and masks finally dropping, Reya moved aboutvthe corridors stealthily. Not sure what she was looking for.
Before she realized,her legs found her not far from Lord Bastian's door.
That was when she saw her again.
The same maid with the limp,cloaked this time with eyes darting behind her and slipping into a different room to follow her.
Reya moved closer,curiosity clawing at her chest,pushing her to lean into the door. A tap on her shoulder,too gentle and kind,led her to turn,coming face to face with Lady Evona
"Shouldn't you be asleep by now?," she uttered,looking inquiringly at Reya.
"I was about to.. just thought I'd fancy a walk --"
Evona smiled,too soft,pulling her cheek. "A walk should be in the gardens ..not on my corridors. Besides, I see some cats are too ..curious for their own good".
"I was just--"
"Such cats end up in ships..that's why you should mind your business."
Reya froze