"Blah, blah, blah, and another thing, blah, blah, blah." I peeked a look from under my lashes to see the Count continue on his tirade full of reprimands. My feet were becoming numb after the twenty minute mark. I stopped counting after that. I hardly thought that what had happened outside needed this many words.
Here I stood, in the opulent office that made the White House Oval office look like a stationary desk for a college student in comparison. The grandness and visual wealth in every corner was memorizing.
"Furthermore, how dare…" He continued, I brought up the handkerchief pretending to dab my eyes, in reality it was to smother another yawn. Taking the opportunity to look at the surroundings. A prickling sensation, alerting me, making me turn from where it was coming from.
I had entirely forgotten about the head butler's presence, as he stood in eerily silence on the other side from where me and the Count were.
He looked a bit like the monopoly guy but lanky and tall. His bird-like nose upturned in the air while his sharp eyes told me to be cautious.
This wasn't the safe haven countryside of Ilonese. I was back into the frying pan. I had to be honest with myself. I had nobody I could rely on, only my own wits and to continue to play dumb.
Still…
"My lord, if I may?"
I snapped my head back towards the stuffy butler who spoke up. Prompting the Count to stop his angry pacing and rants. His jaw clenched, his nose flaring but he stopped nonetheless. Huffing, he jerked away to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. Then turned away grumbling with curses. After a tense apprehensive moment, he turned back to look at me. His hand behind his back, reflecting the man who was very much in charge. A true CEO.
"Speak, Winston." He gave permission to the head butler.
"Thank you, my lord."
"Ahh." I jerked in surprise.
The butler seemingly materialized next to me. The old man didn't even make a sound, what the hell?! I spectacularly looked at him. Peering at him. He didn't seem fazed or at all deterred by the Counts' angry tone. Glancing down at me with a gleam in his eyes from his pointed nose, to then address the Count.
My senses told me to be very wary of the man beside me. The Count seemed to heed at his request without much fight. Someone able to do that without much effort was a formidable person nonetheless.
A year ago, I didn't interact much with the chief of staff. Only briefly brushing shoulders with him. Even the short interactions I had with him, I could tell his sharp eyes deduced something was off about me. The young mistress he knew was nowhere to be seen, he didn't openly voice it though. Maybe he wanted to be sure before he brought it to the attention of his master. Not that it would make much difference. If I told anyone that I wasn't the original soul of this body, I bet they wouldn't believe much of the claim.
Not that Priscilla had a great track record in any department.
But I still couldn't put my guard down.
"Hmph Winston, seems like you have a lot to say!"
Huh???!
I snapped to look at the stone face butler. The butler who now had a name looked like he could chew glass without batting an eye. He didn't even flinch or react. Instead stood poise, seemingly used to these kinds of outburst. What the heck!
"Of Course of my lord. I ask if you can please excuse Miss Priscilla for the moment. It is time for dinner preparations and your guest is waiting to meet with you beforehand." Uhhh… what?
Was this man really helping me…or did I sustain a head injury.
The Count lifted his chin and slitted his eyes at me. Even I was suspicious, looking at the willow built man.
I stood there dumbfounded, only several seconds passed before the Count relented and shoo me out the room.
"Miss Priscilla, let me escort you out."
And just like that I didn't question, following behind the tail of the head butler. He smooth gait not making a sound on the overly polished floor.
Jesus, did they wax the floor every day.
'Oof' I cursed as I crashed behind the halted butler. I jumped back confused as to why we had stopped. Only to see that we were in front of familiar double doors.
He turned to me, lifting a brow, his expression unreadable. His eyes searched my face. I kept my own expression closed off. I didn't want to raise any suspicions, especially as someone who had as much power as the man in front of me. The silence between us finally broke when he spoke, making the hairs on my neck stand.
"Miss von Haust, I will advise that you refine from conducting any dramatic displays for the time being."
It was warning, clear and simple.
Without waiting for my response the old man turned walking away down the long corridor, turning the corner and finally out of my view.
I just stood there, my nails digging inside the palm of my hand. Anger and so many frustrating emotions bubbling. But instead of releasing it all in the yowl, I soooo wanted to let loose. I did the second best thing I could.
I lifted both my fingers, flicking the fucker off. The damn bastard!
AHHHHH!!
"Hmph! I can see you haven't learned anything young miss! Those gestures, should I report them to the master," I didn't get a chance to react as I yelled out from the sharp intense pain.
"Ahhhh!" Wendy, still berating me, pulled me from one of my ears into my room. All I could do was follow her in teary agony as she tugged harder.
"And don't think for one second I don't know.." Fuck! Today was going to be a long day, I sigh in defeat. My eyes and ears burning from the pain. "And another thing blah blah blah…." Here we went again.