"How did it turn out like this?" Titus asked through a forced smile. He was beginning to blush so hard, the makeup on his cheeks was proving highly unnecessary. Rathus would've laughed, but he was just as uncomfortable and felt just as ridiculous himself.
"Do you have to ask?" Rathus sulked. "We underestimated the twins. Enough said."
"No kidding," Titus sighed. "Zeke too. That said, you're looking pretty sharp in that suit."
"Thanks," Rathus smiled. "You too."
As the guests entered the garden, ten noble ladies with a maid or two apiece, Titus and Rathus shuffled awkwardly. They had been on better terms thanks to Emerick, however there was still some tension to work out between them. Rathus was grateful for his brother's improved mood and drive, but he wasn't completely sure how to cope with the abrupt one-eighty change in his opinion of Emerick.
"Thanks for coming," Emerick greeted the noble women one by one, introducing them to Trixie who was at his side.
Trixie was something of a shock herself. Rathus still couldn't believe the short-tempered, foul-mouthed little firecracker was wearing a gown, curtseying, and trying to use etiquette. She was still a little stiff and her speech was nowhere near as formal or as elegant as Emerick or Jacoby, but Rathus still felt like he was staring at a completely different person.
"Looks like we weren't the only victims," Titus nudged Rathus with a chuckle, noticing his stare. "She looks pretty cute today, doesn't she?"
"Yeah," Rathus sighed. It really wasn't fair that she was on Emerick's arm. It was too typical that the rich, handsome, princely guy got the girl.
"There'll be someone better out there," Titus commented, realizing his sorrow. "Don't know when they'll turn up, but they're out there."
"Doubt I'll ever meet someone then," Rathus sighed. He didn't get out enough to find that special someone, not that he cared. As it stood, he wasn't sure his he wanted any more romance in his life. It was far too troublesome.
"Might stand a chance if you weren't such a damn workaholic," Titus teased. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but froze. All at once, it seemed he was looking past Rathus. Worried by the growing panic in his brother's gaze, Rathus turned to see what he was gawking at.
"No…" He groaned, eyes widening. "Anyone but her!"
Following a stately young woman with raven hair and keen topaz eyes was none other than Vicky, the super stalker and the bane of the brothers' existence. She remained at the noble woman's side, but her eyes were glued to them—particularly Titus—and Rathus knew it wouldn't be long before she made her move.
"These look lovely," the noblewoman commented, observing the display of perfume bottles. "And you say that one of your new staff crafted them?"
"Indeed lady Kiara," Emerick bowed and politely kissed the back of her hand as she stopped in front of him. "Feel free to take whatever catches your eye."
"You're really working hard to build a network, Prince Emerick," Kiara smiled slightly. "I will certainly take a look, the bottles are beautiful, but I am curious… Can you guarantee the quality of your product? Furthermore, are perfumes all you have to sell? I already have a brand I'm well satisfied with."
"Shrewd and pragmatic as expected," Emerick chuckled. "I'll admit to being a bit of a novice. I was hoping to get your opinion on the products, as well as the opinions of the other ladies present."
"I see," Kiara nodded. She turned to Vicky. "Please take a few different bottles to our table, and prepare the tea if you would."
"Right away ma'am," she said with a curtsy, though her eyes never left the brothers. Rathus didn't like the crazed look in her eyes, nor was he pleased with the fact she now had an idea of where they were living. Even if nothing transpired during their visit today, he had a nasty suspicion that she'd make a frequent nuisance of herself.
"I'll speak with you more about this later Emerick, I really should leave you and your… ah… companion to greet your other guests," Kiara looked Trixie up and down before offering a slight curtsy. Without waiting for a response, she moved away, and the next noble woman approached.
Rathus stopped paying attention to Emerick as his eyes followed Vicky. Titus tensed beside him as she approached the table of perfumes which they stood beside. If they could've left, they would, but Rathus doubted that would go over well, stalker or no stalker.
She made a show of stopping at the opposite end of the table and gradually wandered closer to where Rathus and Titus stood. He was forced to break attention from her to greet a few of the other maids that approached with questions, all of whom he recognized from the institute. Every glance he stole in Vicky's direction, however, she would be agonizing over some bottle or other. Before long, she was uncomfortably close, and seemed content to linger there.
"Did you have a question?" Titus asked, unable to take it any longer.
"I've missed you," She purred. "Both of you."
"Uh…" Titus backed into the table, which rattled the glass bottles as she advanced on him. Thankfully, Sullivan caught the other side in time to steady it before anything fell.
"Haven't you missed me?" She questioned, pressing herself against Titus who was effectively cornered. "It's been so long since we made love… surely you crave it again as much as I do!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Titus replied. Rathus felt a twinge of guilt over the comment, but not enough to correct Vicky's misconception.
"Isn't it funny how fate has brought us together again?" She gasped. "Surely this is a sign that ours is a love to last the ages!"
"Vicky!" Kiara called from the table.
"Coming m'lady," Vicky sighed, then reluctantly peeled herself away. She didn't even pay attention to the bottles she grabbed before she trudged back to her mistress. Titus slumped visibly.
"You ok?" Rathus questioned.
"What do you think?" Titus grumbled.
"I think we're in serious trouble." Rathus replied.
"Agreed," Titus nodded.
Thankfully, things settled down a bit after that. Lady Kiara kept Vicky busy enough she couldn't approach them unnoticed. As soon as the other guests were situated, Emerick stood beside them to help answer questioned which was a nice bonus deterrent, as were the glares Trixie would shoot her way. Unfortunately, Trixie had managed to get the undivided attention of the noble women, so the occasional glare was all she could get away with. Rathus wondered what had them so interested in her.
"You could try a smile," Jacoby suggested as he passed. For the most part, it seemed the stately bunny butler was content to observe, allowing Sullivan the opportunity to apply what he'd learned so far.
"You're one to talk," Rathus snorted. Glancing back, he realized he'd lost sight of Vicky. Panicked, he started searching the crowd for her.
"He makes a fair point," Emerick nudged him. "The two of you don't seem very… invested in this."
"Sorry," Rathus grumbled. "Just… weird seeing people we knew from the institute." He gestured to the maids as they poured tea and fetched delicacies for the noble women they were attending. Most seemed stiff, clumsy, and lacking confidence.
"I imagine the noblewomen are using this as a soft debut for their maids-in-training," Emerick commented. He didn't seem to notice Rathus's worry as the orc continued to try and pin point the stalker. "It's a good way to test where they're at in application of their training. This would still be considered an important event, but it's small and informal enough that any error wouldn't be too big an embarrassment. I also imagine they thought it might be nice to reunite you with them…"
"Huh," Rathus grunted. He wasn't really paying attention, nor did he care.
Based on the looks those maids were shooting at Trixie and the rest of them, they were trouble in their own right, but more of the petty variety. No doubt they would exchange snide remarks or employ senseless gossip. Nothing they weren't used to. Whatever they had to say, Rathus was far more concerned about the stalker.
Vicky was a different ball of wax. She could be prone to theatrics or even violence if provoked. She had no concept of boundaries, and would go to extremes to get what she wanted. Rathus could only hope she hadn't gone off in search of their quarters. She had a bad habit of stealing their underwear and other personal items when she could.
"That young woman in particular seems especially fond of your brother," Emerick lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper and pointed to an archway. Startled, Rathus realized he was indicating Vicky, who's eyes were locked on Titus who still in the dark about her whereabouts. "They could make a cute couple."
"Don't ever say that again," Rathus warned in a low grumble. "For several reasons. That 'young woman' might seem shy and charming now, but she's crazy."
"Crazy?" Emerick questioned. He didn't seem perturbed by Rathus's abrasive attitude towards the subject. "Just how crazy are we talking?"
As he spoke, Vicky pulled out a handkerchief and started rubbing it on her face. Based on the look of the material, it had been the one tucked in Titus's pocket. A glance at his brother confirmed it. Emerick's eyes followed the event with as much morbid fascination as Rathus.
"Oh, she's that kind of crazy," He frowned.
"This is her on good behavior," Rathus shook his head. "You don't want to know what she's like at her worst."
"Unfortunately, I've had enough trouble with 'fans' and stalkers, I can take a pretty good guess," Emerick made a face. "Well, I'm going to go check on Trixie and resume mingling. If she becomes too much of a problem, let Jacoby know."
"Thanks," Rathus nodded. "Let me know if you need anything boss."
"Careful who you call boss," Emerick chuckled. "That implies you actually listen to me. Anyway, Emerick will do."
Rathus watched him go, then returned his attention to Vicky. She hadn't gotten too crazy yet, and he could only hope that lasted the rest of the event. Confident that, for the moment at least, she was handled, Rathus turned his attention to the rest of the party. As the event progressed, Sullivan brought the brothers a bit of the refreshments and a cup of tea for each. Rathus didn't consider himself a tea drinking fellow, but the brew tasted nice and left him feeling relaxed.
There was a bit of a tumult at one point. A few of the maids wound up in a verbal argument which led into something of a brawl but Sullivan was able to put an end to it with the assistance of some patient yet firm words from the nobles they accompanied. The only significant wounds were to the young women's pride as they hung their heads in shame, effectively reprimanded.
As he watched the proceedings, Rathus thought more on the words his brother had shared. There was a certain charm to the thought of finding a nice girl and moving on. However, at present, no woman shone brighter in his eyes than Trixie, and most of the ones present remained smitten with Emerick. Was there a woman out there who would want him over the dashing young prince? He was stewing on this question when Titus startled him out of his thoughts.
"Never thought I'd say this, but right now I'm glad we're living here," Titus spoke softly, careful to obscure his mouth with his hand. He was trying to keep their conversation as private as possible, and past experience suggested Vicky was pretty good at lip reading.
"Yeah?" Rathus chuckled. "Why's that?"
"The grounds are entirely walled, fenced, and patrolled, so it's unlikely she'll be able to sneak in whenever," Titus replied. "Probably will still be a nuisance off the estate… but at least I have a safe zone of sorts."
"Always good to count your blessings," Rathus smiled. "It could always be worse."