Tilda had to admit that the atmosphere of the ball was stuffy. Everyone put on airs, and everyone looked for ways to undermine each other. It was a pretty scene, one had to admit that much. The ballroom, the crystal chandelier, the paintings on the walls. The nobles themselves were a sight to see. But it all felt like a facade. Like a pumpkin that was beautiful and bright orange on the outside, but rotting on the inside.
She had only seen a quick glance before she was whisked away to the kitchen. In that small glimpse, she saw Cosaria talking with Melodia. It was tense, then it wasn't. Tilda wanted to know what was happening, but she didn't get the chance.
༻✧༺
Not a moment after saying goodbye to her half-sister, Cosaria was approached by Lord Mallord, an older unmarried man who suffered from not being able to find a wife (indirectly because of Delrik and directly because of his bad personality). He was rich, but he had a nasty habit of rudely messing with people.
He held a drink and said, "That was a magnificent dance."
Cosaria said, "It really was all Lord Delrik."
"Perhaps he directed the steps, but the grace all came from you, my lady." Mallory bowed as he extended his hand, saying, "Might I have this dance?"
Cosaria said, "Oh! Well, perhaps that would be nice."
Mallord put his drink on a passing servant's tray and swept Cosaria into a dance.
As they twirled around the floor, Mallord said, "How did such a dazzling thing like you end up with such a tyrant like him?"
Cosaria said, "He's not a tyrant at all."
Delrik glanced over at the dance floor and saw Cosaria dancing with Mallord. In a flare of insane jealousy, he thought, I will kill him.
"Oh, but the rumors," Mallord said, "You know how they are."
Cosaria chided, "You shouldn't think so highly of rumors."
"Hm? But what of the rumors that you, the bride sold off in an arranged marriage, now in love with the Duke? What shall I think of those?"
Cosaria's face went bright red, as she said, "Me? In love with the Duke?"
"You certainly act like it. Especially at the hunting festival."
"No, that was…" Cosaria didn't know what to say. "I couldn't be in love with the Duke."
Mallord furrowed his brows, clearly confused why a wife couldn't be in love with her husband. Ready to uncover some juicy gossip, Mallord guessed, "Perhaps there is someone else in your heart?"
"Who?" Cosaria asked.
"A servant perhaps? A loyal confidant?" Mallord glanced towards the wall where Felux stood and said, "Someone who is always by your side?"
"Tilda?"
"What?"
Cosaria said, "Why are you talking about my personal maid?"
"I'm sorry- what?"
"Yes, of course I love her."
"Huh?" This was not going the direction Mallord thought it was.
Cosaria smiled sweetly and said, "We have a very special bond."
Mallord said, "You're in love with your maid?"
"You speak very strangely sir. I don't think you know what you're saying."
"Do you?"
Thinking about Tilda made Cosaria ask, "I do wonder what servants do during these types of events."
"I haven't a clue," Mallord said, ready to turn the conversation into one he could comprehend. "I suppose most of them are off for the evening, relaxing and taking the night off."
Cosaria sighed and said, "I hope so. Tilda deserves a break, she works so hard."
༻✧༺
Meanwhile, the servants, Tilda included, were running around carrying trays of food and drink; hurrying in, out, and around the kitchen. Parties for nobles were NOT times for rest and relaxation. They needed all hands on deck, especially for a party as big as the birthday of the crown prince.
The castle head butler was especially stressed with the logistics of the event, as he stood on a raised platform pointing at people. With veins popping out of his neck, he yelled, "Get those drinks out there! Who's making the chicken? Someone, report to me on the dessert table! Where is the sauce for this tray!?!"
The scene was reminiscent of chickens with their heads chopped being conducted by an eccentric chorus master.
༻✧༺
As Cosaria danced with Mallord, his hand tightened and he held her closer.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Cosaria said, "Sir, you're holding me a bit tightly."
Staring into her eyes, he whispered in a smooth honey voice, "I just wanted a closer look at your undeniable beauty."
Mallord stopped as a hand was placed on his shoulder.
"Wha-!"
It was Lord Grysle frowning at Mallord.
Grysle said, "I think it's time I cut in."
Mallord's face scrunched up to express scorn. As he walked away, Grysle began dancing with Cosaria, with a comfortable distance between them.
Cosaria said, "Thank you."
Grysle said, "It's only natural I should intervene for the lady's comfort."
"Forgive me, but I do not know your name."
"I am Lord Grysle."
Cosaria looked up as if she was trying to recall a distant memory, as she said, "I think I've heard that name before."
Grysle smiled slyly, saying, "My name has been quite notorious but I assure you, rumors are just rumors. I harbor no ill will towards anyone."
Cosaria was still trying to remember where she had heard his name. She asked, "Are you related to the crown prince?"
"Distantly. I'm a second cousin once removed. Lord Delrik, your husband has closer ties to the crown than I."
"He does?"
"Quite so. He's the prince's first cousin."
"I didn't know," Cosaria said. She had heard that they were related but she didn't realize it was so close.
"My lady, I couldn't help but notice a unique internal glow you have. Truly you shine brightly among the ladies and I've always found such light to be a result of divine powers. Have you ever thought about getting tested for diving powers? I seem to sense that you might carry a large potential."
Cosaria fidgeted, "Oh, uh. Perhaps…"
When Tilda, who was carrying an empty tray, spotted Grysle and Cosaria dancing, she rushed over to Delrik.
Delrik just happened to take a small sip of his wine when Tilda appeared and whispered, "Trouble on the dance floor."
Wine projected out of his mouth and all over Tilda when Delrik glanced over to see Cosaria dancing with enemy number one. Without noticing what he had done, he set his drink down on her tray and stormed out to the dance floor. Disgusted, Tilda wiped her face with her apron. Lord Delrik was NOT one of her favorite people.
On the dance floor, Grysle was saying, "I really must insist. You know we need strong priestesses in these uncertain times."
Delrik grabbed Cosaria's wrist and tore her away from Grysle.
"Ow!" Cosaria said.
Delrik addressed Grysle with cold eyes, saying, "Excuse me, but I have an urgent matter to discuss with my wife."
Then he led Cosaria away.
Lord Delrik Alabaster Arquix was not good at dealing with the emotion of fear. Fear was weakness. Fear was dangerous. Fear kept him paralyzed when a midnight assassin tried to take his life. As such, when he felt the unacceptable emotion, it quickly turned to anger. Thus it was, when Delrik saw Cosaria with Grysle. He felt fear. But because of his predisposed programming, the fear immediately turned to anger. As anger was not the core issue here, everything coming out of his mouth would be ungenuine, and an attempt to justify and hide his fear/anger.
With his grip like iron around her wrist, Delrik dragged Cosaria into the castle gardens.
Cosaria whimpered, "Delrik, it hurts."
Delrik let go and barked out, "How could you have-? You realize who that man is? A dangerous madman? Our enemy?"
Cosaria shrunk, her beautiful fluttering eyelashes fighting to keep her eyes from watering. She said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know at the time. He simply seemed so nice."
"You are so naive! If you had said the wrong thing, you could have ruined everything."
She couldn't keep back the tears anymore. She said, "I'm sorry."
A stabbing guilt pierced Delrik's heart like a wooden stake meant to end his life. It was torture to see her cry. In a firm, but quieter voice he said, "Go wait by the carriage, we're leaving."
"Yes Lord Arquix."
Delrik winced. He couldn't deal with this. The way he hurt her like this. He couldn't allow this to continue, so he left. He walked back inside without looking back.
With Delrik gone, having abandoned her in this vulnerable state, Cosaria fell to her knees and wept into her hands.
Count Angelo, who had been taking a lovely walk out into the night, just happened to be sitting nearby and overheard the entire commotion. He emerged from the bushes and found the crumpled, beautiful, lady Cosaria in a heap on the garden pathway.
Angelo said, "I must sincerely ask for the deepest of apologies, truly. I happened to be in the area just around here and- My lady?"
He knelt down and held out his hand towards Cosaria. Cosaria looked up and the sky fell. Angelo had never witnessed such precious vulnerability as this. An intense urge to protect, confine, and deify, rose up in such a wave that he had never before felt.
Taking Angelo's hand, Cosaria said, "I'm sorry. I am an unsightly mess."
"No, my lady," Angelo said as he wiped the tears away from Cosaria's eyes. He wanted to comfort her- no. He needed to comfort her. "On the contrary, no one could have such hardships as you. Truly." Then, overwhelmed by the emotions, he brought her into his arms and held her. He said, "I am here, as a shoulder to cry on."
Crying in his arms, Cosaria whimpered, "Thank you. Thank you, thank you…"
Finally, after Cosaria had regained control of herself, she broke the embrace. With downcast eyes she said, "I must be leaving now. I do hope you understand."
Angelo helped her rise to her feet, saying, "Of course."
Cosaria curtsied. Such respect, such elegance, such poise.
Like an object too mysterious to understand, the holy specter turned and floated away. Angelo held his breath when she unexpectedly turned back to face him. Eyes glittering with sparkles and moonlight, Cosaria said, "Thank you."
Then she was gone.
Angelo put his hand to his heart, feeling his uncontrollable heartbeat.
He wondered, Could this be… love?
༻✧༺
Inside the ballroom, Felux and Finklehead were still chatting.
Felux asked, "You been enjoying the delegation?"
Finklehead answered, "Very much so. The CPG has the most collectively educated citizens. The literacy rate is extremely high compared to the Ragdor kingdom. I've had some of the most philosophical discussions with even the impoverished individuals."
"I'd agree with you there. I met a bridge dweller once who'd recite poetry second nature."
Felux spotted a sour-faced Delrick waving him over. He turned to Finklehead and said, "You'll haveta excuse me. Duty's a callin." Then he left her company to find out what Delrik needed.
Delrik said, "We're leaving immediately."
Felux nodded. He'd go find Tilda and let her know.
Tilda was placing desserts on the food table when she saw the dance floor where Selidna was dancing with Lord Falquen. For a moment, Selinda and Tilda locked eyes. Tilda nodded as Selinda smiled and pointed to Falquen. Selinda was really happy to be dancing with such a good man.
Then Felux approached Tilda and said, "We've got to go."
Tilda sighed. She expected as much.