Chapter 34: Curl
Katarina is still thinking of revenge as Isabel puts the finishing touches on her evening dress.
It's not that she's in the mood to be celebratory. On the contrary, she is still quite livid! But, as a council member, her presence at the ball will be expected: It would be quite the
faux pas to fail to attend.
Her vanity mirror reflects her bitter smirk as Isabel brushes her hair. To think that she used to be jealous of the council members for their position! As if it is a
joy to devote so much of her time and energy to her coursework
and the council bureaucracy.
Still… it is not all that bad. In her past life, she had very little interaction with the council members outside of Keith, Gerald, and the harlot. In this life, she has found most of them to be quite pleasant! Certainly, sometimes her thoughts still drift to Lady Bethany's get-togethers and Lady Talys' tea parties… but, she only has so much time in her day, and neither one of them seem too interested in inviting her now.
Her reflection frowns at that. She does hope they are doing alright, even if they have cut ties with her. But most of the events she recalled have not happened. They probably will never happen now, given how much the events of the academy year have already been altered by her actions.
She shakes her head gently as she clears her mind of those thoughts, causing Isabel to accidentally bat the brush into her face. Katarina looks up at the maid with a cold glare, and the green-eyed woman pales and offers a quick apology before resuming at a more deliberate pace.
A darker thought occurs to Katarina. Given what little she knows of her, Noelia seems likely to attend. She may see her enemy calmly dancing across the floor, and she is not sure she will be able to contain herself if she does. It has already taken a great deal of pleading and reasoning from Sienna to talk her down from confronting the absolute
wretch of a woman immediately after she'd confirmed the truth. Sienna's points had been logical, of course, but it
bothers Katarina to know that Lady Flores is currently facing absolutely no consequence for her heinous attack.
She closes her eyes and takes a calming breath. She will try and control her anger; wear the mask of a smile as Mother taught her. It is unbecoming of a lady to act undignified to another, after all. Besides… Lady Flores will pay for her actions in due time.
Katarina will make sure of it.
Right on schedule, Katarina hears a knock at her door. The brunette opens her eyes and glances up at Isabel. The anxious maid looks at her, then back to the exit of her room with wide eyes. With a small gulp she nods, bows, and then rushes over to get the door.
Katarina sighs as she rises to her feet and brushes down her dress. She has decided to wear something different this go-around, and while she does not
need Prince Gerald's approval… she hopes he likes it.
That's why she's certain she enjoys the way the third prince's eyes bulge out of his head when she steps out to greet him.
The third prince himself is perhaps unsurprisingly wearing the same outfit he had her last lifetime, which is to say a white suit and overcoat accentuated with golden embellishments not too dissimilar from his usual get-up – minus the cape.
She, on the other hand, has picked out a deep purple-blue sleeveless dress of uniform color, accentuated with studded jewels of light blue and a gradient purple neckerchief, with a matching bow and ribbon clipped to the back of her hair. Still, the true magic happens when she moves – when the enchanted fabric faintly reflects a stationary, starry sky. Like a gap in space, she moves, but the night does not.
She can't hide her grin as Gerald watches her every movement as she steps toward him; his usually-confident blue eyes wide as this lady of the cosmos approaches her.
The outfit cost her just about every cent of her not-inconsiderable allowance, and the enchanting took much of the free time she'd had over summer outside of studying and hosting guests, plus nearly blacking-out from magical exhaustion
multiple times over… but it is
hers; it feels
nice.
And, hopefully, it will ensure that his eyes remain firmly on
her this entire night.
As she steps through the doors to the main common area with Gerald at her arm, Katarina realizes that she may have been entirely too successful.
Slowly, at first, but soon quite quickly, almost every eye in the room is upon her. Even the hired orchestra skips a beat as the conductor glances over his shoulder. Her smile strains. Do they like it? Hate it? She can't tell what they're saying, but there are suddenly
very many people whispering to each other.
"This was a mistake," she whispers, feeling a very sudden urge to run right back through the door.
Gerald, the utter
cad, simply locks his arm tighter and pulls her forward with a smile.
The anticipated jeers do not materialize, however, and most of the ball-goers' attentions soon return to each other… though a few seem to focus on her in ways she can't quite read. Admiration? Approval?
Envy? She's so overwhelmed that she can hardly think – her thoughts are running a mile a minute.
It hadn't been like this, last time. She'd stepped out onto these marble floors
knowing she owned the room and all within it. Even as
she tightened her grip on
Gerald's arm – even as his gaze drifted to a certain blonde – she'd quash all voices within her that would say she was anything but exemplary.
Even knowing the fate it leads her to, part of Katarina still misses that blind, stupid confidence.
Still, she manages to keep up her smile as she engages in small pleasantries with half-remembered classmates and faculty members. Gerald even covers for her the few times their names slip from her mind, and she pretends to care about the weather, or the color of their necklace, or whatever triviality they discuss.
Almost insidiously, she begins to find that she's enjoying herself. There are so many strangers trying to talk to her; so many curious looks as her heels clack against the floor. Sure, it's banal, but it's been a long,
long while since she's felt so appreciated. It actually begins to make her feel more invested in the small-talk as well.
"Why, of course that necklace looks good on you, Lady Rhys! The green really brings out your eyes!"
"Oh, Lord Matthew, black really is your color!"
"Yes, the weather has been quite agreeable for the season, hasn't it, Professor Babcock?"
"Oh, this dress? Why, I enchanted it myself!"
She finds it surprisingly pleasant to see their smiles widen and their faces brighten as she laughs and schmoozes with the lot of them. She's always been a socialite, of course, but she's had so little time to relax and
talk as of late. Even then, she's never really…
listened before. Not the way she is now, where she finds herself actually
caring what these random people think of her.
She almost doesn't realize how long it's been when the last of the crowd surrounding them disperses. Only a glance at the room's tall windows – now showing a sky much like her gown – make her realize how much time she's spent on small-talk and pleasantries.
"You handled that well," Gerald says, nodding as he looks at her with a smile. "I wasn't sure you would have the patience to last through them all." His voice is somewhat hushed; not quite whispering, but still only loud enough for her to hear. "I was getting quite annoyed near the end."
Katarina nods before trying to look over the assembled party-goers. "Do you see the other council members?"
Unfortunately, the blond prince is only barely taller than she is. He steps up on his toes as his eyes narrow. After a moment, he falls back to his feet and shakes his head. "Not from here."
She frowns at that. She probably would not have even attended if her presence had not been expected. Even if she thinks differently now, it would still sting to realize if she and Gerald had been the only two to bother – not to mention that it would seem out of character for the rest of them. She's not expecting to see Keith (and still has not, thankfully), and part of her doubts the Ascarts will make an appearance (she can't quite recall them attending last time), but where are Alan, Maria, and Sirius?
"Ah. Speak of the devil," says Gerald.
Alan frowns as he emerges from the crowd and locks eyes with Gerald. Lady Hunt emerges shortly after, mirroring his expression as she locks eyes with Katarina.
Then, the two turn to their opposites, and their gazes soften.
"There you are, Lady Katarina!" Alan says, offering a wide smile. "We couldn't see you, and there was this big crowd of people, and—"
He stops, jaw dropping as his eyes look over Katarina's full outfit. In an instant, he seems to realize what exactly – or rather,
who exactly – had drawn in that crowd.
"Hello, Prince Alan," she curtsies, making sure to emphasize the movement of the fabric as she does. "It's good to see you."
Alan gapes at her for a somewhat uncomfortable length; giving Katarina plenty of time to look over his own outfit. Unlike his brother, the fourth prince has traded his usual overcoat and scarf for a more traditional black suit, black tie, and white undershirt. Without all the padding, the breadth of his frame is more readily apparent. Perhaps due his reputation as a sickly child, Katarina has never quite noticed how…
well-built Alan is.
Lady Hunt suddenly clutches Alan's arm, starring daggers at Katarina.
Katarina shakes her head, her warm cheeks informing her she's perhaps gotten a bit
too distracted. "And hello to you too, Lady Hunt." She tries to keep her distaste from her voice. "You look stunning tonight." Despite her feud with the girl, it's not an empty compliment – the tight fit of Lady Hunt's light-green gown really is
quite distracting.
Lady Hunt nods, showing the pink roses in her copper hair. "Thank you, Lady Claes."
For a moment, the three assembled wait for her to return the compliment… but it's not forthcoming.
Katarina's jaw clenches. How petty.
As the awkward moment continues to drag on, Gerald clears his throat and looks to his brother. "Pardon me, Alan… but perhaps you and your
fiancée should get some air?" He again puts a strange emphasis on the word. "I think Lady Hunt would love to see the grounds at night."
The noblewoman's auburn eyes brighten as she looks toward Alan. "That sounds like a wonderful idea, Alan! Just the two of us!"
But Alan suddenly stiffens. "What? Am I not allowed to stand next to you, Gerald?"
The third prince's smile strains. "That's not what I mean—"
But it's too late. The silver-haired prince closes his eyes and shakes his head. "Nope. I'm staying right here until I
feel like leaving."
Another awkward silence descends upon the three of them. Gerald offers a strangely sympathetic look to Lady Hunt as the woman glares at her fiancé at her side.
Not yet entirely drained of her good mood, Katarina attempts another peace offering. "So, Lady Hunt: How are your studies going?"
The woman, for some inexplicable reason, snaps to her with a poisonous smile. "Oh, much better than before! I would have no difficulties placing on the council now!"
Katarina fights to retain her grin, trying to keep the hostility from affecting her. "Well, it looks like there may be an opening sooner than any of us thought."
"Indeed," Lady Hunt replies. "I suppose it shows how little some of us value
family."
Katarina's pleasant expression immediately falls into a scowl. "You have no right to judge me."
Chipper as ever and not letting her smile fall one inch, Lady Hunt responds. "I suppose not. I would not have any experience with being rejected for my parentage, after all."
Now, Katarina is confused. Lady Hunt is absolutely right that she does not understand the situation one bit. So why does her tone sound so
sarcastic?
"Come on, Mary," Alan sighs. "Can't you
try and be civil with her?"
Lady Hunt's fake smile falls into a frown as she turns to Alan, still holding his arm tight. "What? Like
you don't have any misgivings about the way she treats her
brother, Alan?"
Alan hesitates for a moment, but shakes his head. "Mary, it's a party! We don't need to be talking about this now!"
For a split second, her expression erupts into one of absolute
heartbreak, but the next, she composes herself. "Alan. Perhaps Prince Gerald is right. I think I need a moment."
She lets go of his arm.
"I will be in the gardens if you need me."
Then, with surprising speed, she takes off to the edge of the room and disappears into the crowd.
Alan sighs, gripping his forehead. "I'm sorry, Lady Katarina. She's been getting more and more worked-up about you." He shakes his head, looking at her with wide eyes. "I've never seen her say an unkind word to anyone before! I promise she's not normally like this."
Katarina groans. "It is alright, Prince Alan." She looks in the direction the noblewoman had taken off. "I seem to have a knack for making enemies, it seems…"
"Anyway… I do need to check up on her, so…" He sighs, shaking his head. "I guess I'll see you later, Lady Katarina." He turns to Gerald, and adds in a colder tone, "You too, I guess…"
Before she even really has time to respond, he's gone.
Gerald sighs. "Well… That was something." With a somewhat strained smile, he turns to his fiancée. "Is there something going on between you two?"
Katarina eyes him cautiously. "No? Lady Hunt will not even associate with me. I have no idea why she's so angry."
His smile strains, but he nods. "Not quite who I meant, but I believe I understand the situation nonetheless. Still, to see Lady Hunt acting like that…" He chuckles darkly. "I honestly didn't believe the rumors about you two."
Katarina's nose wrinkles. "There are
rumors?"
But the third prince brushes past her question. "You needn't worry about those two, Lady Katarina. Let's just enjoy this night like we were before." He holds out his other hand as he invites her to dance. "Shall we?"
Despite her trepidation… she can't deny the anticipation she feels as the orchestra suddenly swells.
Katarina excuses herself from another expertly-executed waltz as she feels her stomach rumble, weaving through the spinning circles of dancers as she makes her way to the refreshment table. Perhaps she's a bit
too enthusiastic to fill herself with sweets, as when she looks back, she realizes she's lost sight of Gerald.
Whoops.
She pushes away her embarrassment as she grabs a plate from the stack and quickly fills it with treats. In a few moments, it's full, and despite her fervor, she manages to claw back her eager hand from stacking
another pastry on the assemblage. She has a figure to watch, after all. No matter how torturous seeing all that
delicious food going untouched may be…
She tears her head away, quickly putting some distance between her and the food as she focuses on the more-than-modest assortment of sugary sweetness topping her plate. Gods above, it looks so
good. Were she not in public, she fears she may drool.
Instead, she very delicately places it on a standing table, and elegantly and quietly takes her first bite.
That's when she sees a pale white blur in the corner of her eye.
She can't quite enjoy the sweet sugary pastry as she sees Sophia stuck to Lord Ascart, shivering slightly as she grips his hand tightly. Has something happened? The girl looks terribly frightened.
Exercising every bit of willpower she's gained from ten years of etiquette training, she places the bitten-into roll back onto her plate before stepping away from the table, ignoring her stomach's screams of protest. She will be back, after all.
Sophia sees her before she's close enough to speak, her crimson eyes going wide as she takes in her dress. Nicol follows his sister's gaze, his own expression relaxing slightly as she takes her in. Seeing his face under the warm light of the common room, Katarina has to admit that she can see why he's so popular among so many of her female classmates.
Shame about that personality of his.
She shakes her head, turning her focus to Sophia. The noblewoman brightens up immediately, a warm smile spreading across her lips. "L-Lady Katarina!" Her cheeks redden. "I love your dress!"
Katarina returns the smile… and perhaps a bit of the blush. "You look quite fetching yourself, Sophia." The girl has styled her long, pale hair behind her head, wearing a set of gold earrings above a pink dress adorned with a purple ribbon. Katarina drops a hand to her hips, bringing the other to her chin as she really examines the get-up. "It really draws out the color of your eyes, you know."
The noble seems to practically
melt at that, her face going beet-red as her eyes dip to the floor. "T-Thank you, Lady Katarina…"
Nicol takes the moment to pat his sister on the back. "See? Lady Claes thinks you look good."
She looks over her shoulder, still blushing. "I-I know that, b-but…"
Katarina arches a brow. "Hm? What's wrong, Sophia?" She crouches down on her knees to bring her face closer to hers. "Didn't I tell you to have pride in yourself?"
The noblewoman seems to be having extreme difficulty in meeting her eyes. "W-Well… yes, but…" She glances to the dance floor, then back to Katarina. "W-Well…"
Katarina's eyes narrow as she begins to stroke her chin. Then, her eyes narrow as a grin crosses her lips. "Sophia, you know how to waltz, don't you?"
The little noble has barely nodded before Katarina grabs her by the hands and sweeps her onto her feet.
Nicol looks up in surprise. "Wait—!"
But Katarina ignores him. "You remember the rhythm, right?" She tugs her toward the dance floor as she continues to talk. "Just look at me, and focus on the music."
A strange calm seems to descend over Sophia, the stars of Katarina's dress sparkling in her eyes. She swallows dryly. "O-Okay."
"Now… Step-two-three! Step-two-three!" She begins to move as she speaks in time with the music, pulling the hapless Ascart along with her as the orchestra belts out note after note.
Sophia seems almost petrified at first and Katarina worries if she's perhaps gone too far. But, after a moment, the girl begins to follow her movements. "S-Step, two, three… Step, two, three…"
It's not quite the most elegant dance, as Katarina has only
academic experience with being the lead, and Sophia seems to have only academic experience
at all, but it very quickly resolves into something at least approaching graceful.
Besides, Katarina honestly does not care what anyone else is seeing right now. The only person who needs to watch this performance is right in front of her.
"Okay… you hear the section in the song right now? There's a big swell coming up."
The Ascart barely seems to be listening as she nods; cheeks red and mouth agape.
"When that arrives, I'm going to push you back, and you need to spin, okay?" She tries to project confidence, but she's never actually done
this part of the act before. Usually, the man is the lead, after all. Still, she can improvise, can't she?
Sophia seems to focus on her words, nodding gently as her lips purse in determination. "G-Got it."
"Alright. Get ready…"
As Katarina predicted, the orchestra swells in intensity. She lets go of Sophia's left hand, letting the other rise above her head as she takes a step back. The noblewoman hesitates for only a second before closing her eyes, lifting one of her feet, and
swirling atop her other.
The display that unfolds is quite dramatic as the girl's white hair flays out with the spin, encircling her in a shroud of soft white as she becomes little more than a blur. She holds the spin a moment too long – just a moment after the orchestra returns to its sedate pace, and so quickly reaches back out to Katarina as she stumbles forward with a somewhat nauseated grin. "That was—!"
"Step-two-three!" Katarina quickly reminds her, and her eyes go wide as she resumes the motion. After making sure they're back in sync with the music, Katarina spares her a nod. "Fun, right?"
"I was going to say
exhilarating," Sophia replies, practically sighing the word. Suddenly, her cheeks go deep red. "A-And I just did it in f-front of all those p-people?"
Katarina spares her a particularly evil grin. "In front of every single one."
The petite noblewoman goes still in her arms and begins to tip backward like she's going to faint. Katarina stops dancing and moves to catch her, but Sophia manages to right herself at the last moment.
"N-No… I'm… fine." Sophia says breathlessly, brushing away a strand of white hair as she looks at Katarina with a warm grin. She holds out her hands once more. "S-Step, two, three, right?"
Katarina smiles back at her, taking her hands as they resume the waltz.
When Sophia is finally tuckered out, they make their way to the edge of the dance floor to find Nicol waiting, wearing something actually approximating a smile as he looks at Katarina.
"Nicol, Nicol, I did it!" Practically howling with laughter, Sophia pumps her fists and jumps in the air. "I waltzed! I waltzed with Lady Katarina!"
"I saw," he replies. It's all he says, but his voice is full of warmth as he grins at her.
Sophia continues cackling like a madwoman. "Oh, and in front of everyone too!
Everyone! And I wasn't even a little scared!"
"Well… there was that
one time," Katarina teases, and the white-haired girl actually
sticks her tongue out at her.
"Oh, don't be mean!"
It's childish, un-ladylike, and totally inappropriate for the setting…
So, Katarina sticks out
her tongue right back.
That time, they
both laugh.
Before she knows it, there's another crowd gathered around her. Not the strangers she saw before, of course, but her classmates. Her fellow councilmembers. Her
friends.
There are a few missing faces, of course. Sienna – never much the socialite – has chosen not to attend, and Keith – being suspended from the council – doesn't seem to care much to make a public appearance with them. Katarina is not too perturbed by either of their absences, given their context, though she does wonder if she can coax Sienna into being more outgoing in the future. What weighs on her a bit more are Alan and Lady Hunt's continuing absence.
Still, Gerald was right to tell her not to worry about them. As unfortunate a state their relationship seems to be in, whatever is going on between them obviously has nothing to do with her. It is best that she refrains from being further tangled in their dispute.
So, Katarina takes a bite of a surprisingly good sugar cookie.
Maria flashes an uncharacteristically smug grin as she steps toward the lady's table. She looks a bit out of place with her white dress – Katarina realizes now that the visual similarity to a wedding dress is
not coincidental, the poor thing clearly being unable to afford anything but a hand-me-down – but she doesn't seem the slightest bit embarrassed as she looks at Katarina with those wide blue eyes. Not that Katarina can blame her: The girl really
can pull anything off.
"Lady Katarina," Maria drawls almost teasingly, "Does that treat remind you of anything?"
Katarina almost doesn't hear her question over the flavor explosion in her mouth. Gods above, this stuff is
good.
Maria doesn't let up, her cheeks growing pink as she steps closer with an appraising grin. "Does it seem…
familiar at all?"
Katarina stops mid bite, swallowing the cookie in her mouth as she turns to the commoner with wide eyes. "
You made all of this?"
"Well, not
all of it,
but…" Her grin widens. "Since I now have
official sanction to use the kitchen, I thought I might
help out with the catering." Her voice drops to a low, conspiratorial tone. "Don't tell the other nobles."
Katarina looks back to Maria, than the half-eaten cookie in her hand, then back to Maria. "I think I could kiss you."
Maria reacts a bit strangely to her joke, clasping her hands together and going beet-red as she pulls away. "Um, w-well…" She pauses, seeming to consider it. "If you w-wan—"
"Say, Councilwoman! There you are!"
Lord Sirius seems to slide in from nowhere, joining the other council members as he struts a surprisingly dapper suit on a surprisingly distracting frame. Gods above, are
all her fellow council members such effortless teases?
Maria seems a little disappointed by his presence, though. "President?"
Meanwhile, Katarina flashes him a polite smile. "Hello, Lord Sirius."
He flashes one right back – it almost seems genuine – and turns back to Maria. "How goes the ball?"
Maria frowns, trying to look over his shoulder. "G-Good?" She shakes her head. "Um… President—"
She doesn't quite catch the rest, as she jumps when she feels Gerald tap her shoulder.
"I saw you on the dance floor with Lady Ascart." His smile turns a shade strained. "I'm still not sure whether to be jealous or proud."
Katarina's lips curl into a cat-like grin. "How about both? Both sounds nice."
That actually gets a genuine chuckle out of him. "Fair enough." Followed by a genuine grin. "I suspect you'll have some trouble getting a 'thank you' out of Nicol, but trust me: He's very grateful." Then, he frowns. "Maybe a bit
too grateful, given his sister's tastes…"
Katarina's brow furrows. "Pardon?"
Gerald jumps slightly; seeming surprised at saying the sentence out loud, and waves a hand dismissively. "Never-mind that." The smile returns to his lips. "You did a good thing."
She sighs, looking away. "I just wanted her to be happy. You don't need to treat me like I'm some kind of saint for it."
"Oh, but when did I say you were a saint?"
She snaps back at him with an annoyed scowl, triggering another bout of laughter.
"No, but seriously," he says once his amusement fades. "Thank you. From me, if not from him."
She's just about to reply when she sees her: The black hair; the purple eyes.
Noelia Flores is looking at her from across the room.
Katarina's fists clench. Her teeth grind. Her heel clicks as she takes a step toward her.
Gerald's hand is on her shoulder the moment she follows her gaze. He doesn't say a word: He just stares at her. But she understands his meaning.
Leaving that wretch with one last dirty glare, Katarina turns her back to her once more.
She has better people to talk to right now.
So, remember how I said I'd have an upload today? Well, obviously, I made good on that. Just look past the tiny detail that this wasn't at all the chapter I'd actually written at that time…
.
