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"How many have you had so far?" He asks, whilst trying to snatch a drink out of her hand.
"Stop being such a buzzkill. I'm fine." I manage to say without slurring.
"No youre not. Youre drunk." I can hear the frown on his face, and see the disapproving look in his eyes that he was no doubt looking down at me with.
"Barely. When the room starts spinning, that is when you should worry." I scoff.
"And how would I know when the room starts spinning?"
"Oh shhhhhh, you'll see soon enough." I wave at him to hush.
In front of us, the curtains to the balcony swish slightly revealing my aunt and her repulsive attire. Her words are harder to drown out with alcohol than the sight of her, as she drones on about the miracle of my discovery and safe journey back home.
I assume she wants me to speak as little as possible, so as to not embarrass her further than I already do on a daily basis. So I've decided to just smile and nod as the vultures that are noble society descend on me trying to rip me apart just to put me together piece by fragile piece in their image.
Little do they know, their dearest majesty has already tried to do so once, and failed miserably. I wonder how they would react if they knew the truth about my absence. Would they laugh and mock me? Or maybe, they'd just not listen and choose to believe in whatever story they've better written for themselves.
As if my life is just a novel or story to be spoken aloud.
"You can go through now, Miss Verona." I place a careful facade on my smile. Biting back the poison that injects me whenever I hear that name. Funny how my aunt has turned the only thing my parents gave to me into something I can't stand now. I wouldn't even put it past her if I found out she purposely told everyone to address me as such. Instead of well, I guess her title.
I step through the curtain entering the lion's den, and the blaring noisy mix of instruments playing live and the crowd cheering invades my senses. Wounding my ears, but not quite injuring my mind. I have the liquor to thank for that.
I smile and nod even throwing in a wave for good measure. Moving down the staircase slowly because even when I'm not half drunk I'm terribly clumsy.
All too aware of Jasper's hand clasped in mine as we reach the floor. The lights dim, and I'm swept into a dance with him. A small spotlight following us and our light feet.
I giggle, getting butterflies in my stomach from all the rapid swaying and dips, ecstatic nonetheless.
"So. Who will you talk to first? Jasper whispers in my ear as the music changes pace, slow dancing.
"Nobody, now quit talking. I'm on a mission here." As we rotated around I kept my eyes peeled on the dance floor.
"Mission?" I could feel his attention on me, but I didn't want to get distracted. Although that's extremely difficult when I can feel his arms wrapped around my waist softly.
"I'm avoiding someone." I whisper playfully.
The four shots of ghost liquor have definitely begun to alter my demeanor however because Jasper's hair is starting to feel really soft.
"Adria." His eyes go a darker shade but his face goes somber.
Completely distracted by Jasper's puppy eyes, I didn't see her walk right up beside me.
"Hello, Verona."
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DALIA
HQ sent in reinforcements, to help us quiet down the riot, or at the very least get the injured out of the way. While Moi's squadron reinforced the buildings, making sure no debris from any conjured fire was damaging anyones homes. While Lilith and I set out to round up the frontline protestors.
It's interesting to me though how no matter what happens Royal society will always blame the outsiders. Even though the reason the riots happen are because of the nobility and its hierarchy. Outside of Draçon there are hundreds of families who struggle to survive. Those located in the outer cities of their provinces develop wild magic which if left untreated can poison you from within. Ecrea's history itself was even written in favor of the upper class, and most don't know the real truth behind what happened almost a century ago.
I don't agree with The Agency however, because I believe as a detective and an enforcer things aren't always as they seem when you think you're doing the right thing. There are too many on the force and in the higher ranks of headquarters that are crooks. Taking bribes and choosing to look the other way for despicable people. I don't know much about The Agency, and I dont think they're evil but I don't trust them.
After the riot was wrapped up and swept under the rug, some enforcers including Lilith and I were invited to the Gala at the Palace. I didn't want to go, but Lilith reminded me that it would be a good opportunity to gather info for the case. Which currently has no leads.
That brings me to how I got here. Halfheartedly listening to some noble woman drone on about how she feels Ecrea's provinces should be more grateful for the hierarchy.
All the nobles, including the one I'm currently zoning out on, are whispering about the first ever in person sight of Verona Celeste. Who has never been seen by the public before, and has disappeared for two years before being found by an obscure Bounty Hunter employed by her parents.
"-I just feel like they should at least consider our feelings before asking to change everything, you know? Honestly it's really-"
"Madame, I know you love to hear the sound of your own voice but sadly I cannot stand to listen to you drone on about something I'm sure you do not fully understand. Goodbye now." I quickly get up front he table and look for Lilith in the crowd. The noble lady's face a bright red, glaring at me in disgust, she turns around to someone who I assume is her husband, with a beard the likes of the guides at Lamea would rival. She opens her mouth and starts to blab again, already forgetting the first few moments.
I spot Lilith standing near the ballroom dance floor, watching the high balcony entrance.
"Eager for our dear Rulers to appear are we?" I whisper, sneaking up to her from behind.
She laughs, and faces me, her gaze pinned on my mouth. "I'm just being extra observant tonight, thats all." She whispers back, practically breathing in my mouth.
I lean in, trying to steal that breath of hers, to have all for myself but she moves away. "Ah, ah, ah. No distractions, love. We have to keep our eyes open and our ears ready." She scolds, a bright smile on her face.
"All work and no play makes for a very boring dance, Lilith. Especially when you're in that dress. It should be a crime how gorgeous you look." I compliment steering us towards the dance floor. She laughs loudly, her eyes brightening.
"Well what can I say I absolutely abhor that uniform." She smirked, hinting at my getup. I didn't feel like dressing up for the event so I kept my uniform on, unlike Lilith who can't stand to blend in at all.
Her dress is all silk shiny chrome. It flows all the way to the floor and reveals her entire back side, stopping just above her beautiful bottom. In the front the dress rests just an inch above her feet with two high slits cut on either side of her thighs, exposing her long slender legs.
Arms wrapped around each other we sway to the music, until it stops. The doors to the high balcony open up and both the Queen and King enter the ballroom. Smiles plastered on their faces, the Queen starts to speak.
"Fellow, citizens and enforcers of Draçon I am pleased to see you here today at this historical moment of Ecrea. My dear niece has found her way back home, and in celebration of this gift I wanted to finally welcome her into high society..."
The crowd clapped, everyone in high spirits with the arrival of the Queen.
"...And so with much love and hope I introduce you all to my niece, and the future of Ecrea, Verona Celeste!" The crowd goes wild, cheering and clapping as a young woman steps out onto the balcony. Behind her a young man, with dark hair and dressed in matching Verona.
"Hey, who's he?" I ask Lilith.
"The guy standing next to the Queen's niece? That's the bounty hunter who found her, I haven't heard much about him yet."
Verona waves and steps back as the Queen claps for the music to begin again. Her eyes look glassy, and she has a slight frown on her face. Verona's body language, although stiff, does seem to be comfortable around the young man.
As soon as the family has descended the staircase, nobles everywhere begin to swarm. All of them trying to get favor from the Queen.
Verona however with a drink in her hand moved towards the dance floor swinging in rhythm. Stumbling and struggling to stay standing, the young man held her upright. Lilith and I shared a look and knew it was time to dance.
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My phone buzzed while washing my hands in the guest bathroom of the royal palace. A full hour later we were still nowhere near talking to the Princess.
"Shit." I mutter, staring at the message on my phone from Moi.
"What is it?" Lilith questions next to me, fixing her hair in the mirror. If you look close enough you can see the glint of a shuriken blade hidden in her silky bun.
"Moi said that one of the squadrons captured a suspected Agency member. They may have important info on our victim and the killer."
Lilith gasps, and snatches the phone out of my hands.
"Hey!" I rush to grab it back, but shes to fast. "Its isnt all good news Lili. Moi also said that-"
"-The department is letting him go by the end of the night?!" She yells, very loudly. A lady stepping in, freezes and slowly walks back out, obviously frightened by Lilith's shout.
"They cant do that! If hes really member they'd practically let an assassin out to run free!" She continues to shout.
I clasp her hand in mine, and get in her director's line of sight. "Hey. It'll be fine, we got this. Also stop shouting I'm pretty sure that type of ladylike behavior is scaring off potential bathroom users." I smirk.
Her worried expression doesn't go away, but a small smile appears on her face. "You always know just what to say."
I Laugh at that, and loop her arm in mine, as we walk out.
Once the door closes behind us, the full sound of rumors and gossip fills the air. The wary glares from some pompous kiss asses bow while we weave between nobles to the exit.
Nearly sprinting towards the exit by this point, all around us the crowd hushes.
The Queen's voice, ever so elegant and soft, says, "Ladies, gentlemen, and everything in between, tonight we have two special guests I would like to honor myself." The crowd begins to buzz as she pauses to survey the crowd.
"In all my years as ruler of Ecrea, I haven't seen two detectives so devoted to the safety of our fair city, Draçon. Protecting Ecrea's high society by day and facing adversity by night, Lilith Briar, and Dalia Chiyoka."
Her eyes landed on us as soon as our names poured out of her mouth. The crowd seemed to part, a path clearing for us immediately.
The exit, although so close, now seems so far away.
Lilith, dragging me by the arm, has her best facade on. The prettiest smile to be seen, and sparkles in her eyes to make up for my gloom and doom expression.
I don't like being put on the spot. Especially in front of what is basically the entire city and its extremely powerful individuals.
We crossed the small steps to the higher part of the room. Where the royal family sat, except the Queen. Who was standing to welcome us. She turned us towards the crowd who clapped, very loudly.
The Queen proceeded to hand us medals of honor, both of which weighed a hefty amount. By my estimate just one of these could feed and house four people for the rest of their lives. And here she was giving them out to two detectives who happened to cover up a rebellion in the main square yesterday night.
"Ecrea honors you both, as you do as detectives." She nods, and the crowd goes into an instantaneous roar of applause. With a sickenly sweet glamoured appearance she shakes each of her hands and pats us on the back.
Getting close enough to whisper in both of our ears. "You need to end this investigation of yours quickly, or you'll find yourselves silenced. Permanently. Congratulations on the awards my darlings." She releases her tight grip and I stumble away. Lilith, although still smiling, has a sheen of nervous sweat on her forehead.
The moment we stepped out of the ballroom of the palace, we could breathe again.