Vera
I spend the next few days hanging out with Amelia and sometimes make an excuse to go back to that alley and the bakery hoping to find those men there again but I had no luck. Although my Novel seems to be going well even without any leads because my imagination does the job well but there is still curiosity inside me about that case.
I love mysteries and unsolved cases afterall. I have also read a lot of Novels like that and they always amuse me. So if I am being honest I do not really need to know more about the case for my Novel, it's just my own curiosity that I wish to fulfill. He also mentioned something like Hypnosis. I wonder what that was about. I think it's fine as long as I don't get in danger or put others in danger.
That dunderhead has been absent often in my dreams from past few days and I wonder why. Did my mind finally get tired of him? For some reason the thought is dreadful to me. He is annoying sure but he makes the dreams more fun and I always have something to look forward to every night I go to sleep.
Lord heavens if someone knew I was thinking this way for a figment of my imagination I would probably be called not so sane. But it is like being attached to one of the characters in my Novel. The characters in my Novel may not be real but I care about them. Not that I care about that dunderhead at all. It's just better when he's around in my dreams and makes everything more fun with his silly jokes. Even if my mind chooses to erase him, I'm sure it can create another one like him.
The ball Cecelia mentioned is three days away and my new dress has not yet arrived. This is a disaster. I usually wouldn't care that much because I believe I look good in anything but this time I actually have to talk to that Lord Vulcan so I need that perfect dress. Vera from two months ago would literally slap me if she found out I was trying to look good for a man but these are desperate times. At least he seems brilliant and bolder than most men around here. He's a little bit silly but it's fine.
I visit the shop again in hopes that they have my dress prepared but much to my disappointment they don't. "It's okay there are still 3 days left. I'm sure they'll prepare it by then. Let's go shop for matching Jewellery to your dress for now" Amelia says trying to cheer me up and I appreciate her efforts.
We go to the jewellery shops and Father was very generous with the money because the business has been going well ever since Lord Henry started investing in Father's business. I am grateful towards him for that.
Amelia helps me choose the best jwelleries and once we are done I am about to leave until I hear one of the employees say something that stops me in my tracks. "Did you hear Lord Vulcan himself visited the shop yesterday" He visited this place? Do most gentlemen do that? I wouldn't be so sure because I have rarely seen Men in jewellery shops. I lean over a little to hear more. "Yes I saw he picked up a ring and took it with him. He must be planning to get engaged soon" Now that doesn't sound good because I can not try to seduce a man who is planning to get engaged to another woman that too just for my own interests. I maybe curious about this case but not enough to do something so low.
Good for him I suppose the lady must be lucky to have a brilliant man as her fiance considering those are rare nowdays.
I suppose I will have to find other ways to know more about this case. Lord Vulcan is out of the question right now. But I'm sure I'll figure something out.
Me and Amelia leave the shop and go that bakery again because the cake there is infact good. We sit at the same spot as we did last time and order our cakes. Amelia talks about this new Novel that she has been reading and I love to listen to her talk about it.
She suggested I read it too but I have been preoccupied with writing my own. "I'm starting to think Lord Vulcan was right" My ears pop up as soon as I hear that. God really is on my side. It's those two men again. What are the chances that I am here at the exact same time as them. "Don't entertain such ridiculous thoughts, I think he is not okay in the head we can not trust everything he says" The other one replies and now I'm curious what Lord Vulcan revealed about that case now that have these two acting this way.
"What? You think that is actually possible? Lord Vulcan is not even a proper detective, He's just a what do they call it nowdays? a psychologist? Therapist?.....something like that. he studies and analyses people's behaviors and catches them when they're lying or manipulates the criminals into revealing the truth . Sure he has helped us make multiple criminals confess their crimes by playing his mind tricks but this suggestion of his is beyond ridiculous" Now I am more invested than ever in this case and conversation. Specially Lord Vulcan. He studies people's minds?
That sounds extremely intriguing and new. I myself have always been curious about human mind and it's nature but I never had any source to learn about it. I have go meet this Lord Vulcan for sure. Not for seducing him of course but to know more about his work as what did they call him? A psychologist.
Once I arrive home I write a few more paragraphs of my Novel after dinner. The motivation to write has been gone lately but I try my best. After throwing a few more pages in trash I give up for today and go back to sleep. It sort of makes me sad that my mind is the only place I feel good at but sometimes is also the only place I wish to escape but can not.
In my dream I find myself back in the jewellery shop but no one is around this time. I look around to see if that dunderhead is here today but he isn't. Which is good of course. It's peaceful without him around. There is nothing much to see in this scenario.
As I am about to change the scenario of the dream I hear a cough as if it's to grab my attention so I turn around only to find that dunderhead again. Somehow I find myself smiling. "Missed me M'lady?" He says teasing me. "You wish. It's much more peaceful without you" I say and he makes a fake gesture while putting a hand on his chest. "Ouch, that did not hurt at all" He says dramatically and I laugh. "There is a ball in three days" I say and his instant reaction is "finally! so are you going to meet that Lord Vulcan this time?" He sounds very enthusiastic about it for some reason. "No I dropped that notion" I say and he frowns.
"why? Are you not interested in this case anymore?" He asks and I understand why he'd think that. "I am cerntainly still very interested but I heard in a jwellery shop today that he picked up a ring for a lady so I am assuming he must be getting engaged soon so I had to drop that plan of seducing him. I can't do that to another woman's man of course " I say and he looks like he is dumbfounded.
"Well it doesn't necessarily mean that he's getting engaged maybe he did it for another friend of his who asked him to pick up the ring for his fiance" He says and I scoff "that's just a speculation. I still do not wish to move forward with that anymore and now that I think about it the whole idea was very plainly idiotic. Seducing a man just to fulfill my curiosity about a case? It sounds absolutely ridiculous. I was blinded by my new Novel idea and my curiosity. I acted very mindlessly" I say realising my own mindlessness.
"Don't say that M'lady you are absolutely brilliant and everyone makes mistakes" He says and I smile . "I found out Lord Vulcan is a psychologist. I assumed he was a detective because he was helping other detectives but apparently he studies human mind isn't that fascinating?" I say in awe because I would also love to study something like that.
"You find that fascinating? Most people would say he's out of his mind for choosing a field like that or try to avoid him unless they need his help because then suddenly he is a genius to people" He says and I found that absolutely barbaric. people would do that? That's so horrible of them. "Why not? Human mind has always fascinated me and studying that really sounds beguiling. He is in a really interesting profession." He gives me a small smile at that. "Although I do wonder why he went as far as checking out the scene of tragedy himself and even examined the dead body. He is just a psychologist afterall" I say and he chuckles.
"You think too much M'lady maybe he's just too passionate about such cases" I hum in response. "So M'lady you do not plan to meet him during this ball?" He asks and I shake my head. "Not really although I would love to know more about his work but approaching him as a woman would be too wrong considering he might be getting engaged soon".
"So what do you plan to do?" He asks and suddenly I'm hit with a genius idea "maybe I could approach him dressed as a boy while pretending to be a journalist who wants to interview him" I say and he laughs "M'lady you can not fool an over-observant psychologist. He will catch your lie within moments" He says breaking my delusions and my smile is gone "you're right" I say while frowning. "Just gently approach him and try to talk about his work. Keep it professional and you will be fine. You won't be committing a felony by just talking to him about his work" He says and I suppose it does make sense, maybe I was overthinking it.
"You're right I can try to approach him simply to talk about his work." I say and he hums "also now that your seduction plan is not on the table anymore. You won't be using those tricks on any other man now would you?" His tone sounds a little too serious and low while he says that and I'm not sure why he is still talking about that "I think I already told you that I wouldn't" I say and he smiles as if he's relieved.
Hold on I think I know why he is acting like that. "Hey are you-" He looks at me immediately. "Worried that I might embarrass myself in front of those men? Of course you are because you think it was silly of me to even try that" I say and he has this expression of disbelief on his face.
"What? M'lady no that's not why I-" He stops in the middle of his sentence and I feel like he's searching better words to convey what he wants to say. "Then why?" He opens his mouth to say something but stops again. "It's because it-" Before he can finish his sentence I find myself waking up in my bed while Ellie is playing a flute in my room. "Good morning Vera, see what Father brought for me" She shows me a flute and plays a few tunes and she plays marvelously but I wish she came here a few moments late. I love my family but sometimes I really wish to be alone in the morning. I suppose I'll ask him what he meant later but for now I have to get up for the day.
The next two days go by quickly and thankfully my dress arrived timely on the day of ball. Even if the seducing Lord Vulcan plan is off I would still love to wear this dress. It makes me feel more courageous and confident in myself. Not that I usually lack it but a good dress can always make a lady feel a hundred times better about herself.
I try on the dress and it compliments my appearance quite perfectly. Next time when I show that dunderhead my charms I am going to use this dress so he can not laugh at me again. "Vera you look marvelous in that" Cecelia says looking at me and my reflection. "Be ready because no matter how much you hate it you will be getting a lot of suitors today" She says and suddenly my cheerful mood is no longer here. "How could you say something like that to me?" I say dramatically and she laughs. "Take it as a compliment Vera" She says while smiling.
As we are about to leave for the ball I see Lord Henry at our doorstep and Mother immediately smiles at the sight of him. Fortunately for me Mother isn't attending tonight's ball. They discuss something for awhile and I see Mother coming towards us. "Vera, Cecelia listen to me Lord Henry wishes that he and Cecelia arrive together at the ball" She says and I frown. "But why?" I ask and Mother and Cecelia both look at me like I have lost my mind. "Why of course because he wants the public to know there is something going on between Cecelia and him or that he wishes to be engaged to her soon"
Mother explains to me like I'm some child who asked a senseless question. "Well then go on" I say and they look at me like I'm a fool yet again. "You have to accompany your sister" Mother says after taking a deep breath. "But-" I am about to say something again but get interrupted by Mother. "Now don't ask why just accompany her and use this opportunity to get to know your future brother in law better and maybe ask him if he has any acquaintances or friends who wish to marry soon" I roll my eyes and I know that rebelling won't do any good and only waste more time so I agree and get on the carriage with her and Lord Henry.
"Pleasure to have you Miss Vera" Lord Henry says with a smile and it seems almost genuine. I still do not approve of him. I know he is a wealthy man but it doesn't mean he is a good one. One's heart and goodness matters the most specially when it comes to someone you are going to create a family with. I don't want my sister to suffer after marriage just because he isn't a good man and has affairs after marriage or doesn't care about her feelings at all. "It's an honor for me too" It's not but pleasantries should be performed so I have no choice.
The whole time im the carriage both of them can not stop eyeing each other and lord knows what they're conversing in between those subtle eye movements and interactions. I feel like I shouldn't be here and leave them alone but of course that isn't socially acceptable.
The carriage comes to a stop. Have we reached already? Lord Henry gets out to see what the issue is and comes back a few moments later. "Apologies ladies but someone's carriage got stuck in the road and that someone happens to be my friend. He is headed towards the same destination so would you mind if he joins us?"
Yes I do very much mind. I already did not want to be here but now there is going to be another person? I was not mentally prepared to deal with so many unexpected events today but of course I can not say that so Cecelia and I both shake our head and say "Not at all, he can join us of course."
"Thank you for your understanding He is a gentle natured person so he will not trouble you at all." Lord Henry says and rushes back to get his friend but returns alone. "What happened to your friend?" Cecelia asked and I could not care less.
Please tell me he declined the offer. "He declined the offer" That is music to my ears "I told him about you two and he didn't want to inconvenience two ladies specially if one is my-" He stops mid sentence and Cecelia blushes. I roll my eyes for lord knows how many times now. This is pure torture.
"That was very kind of him" I say and both of them break their eye contact. "Like I said he is a gentle soul" He said and took his seat inside the carriage again. "Lord Vulcan has always been like that" My pupils widen at the mention. "Lord Vulcan?" I exclaim and both of them seem surprised by my sudden outburst.
"Yeah have you heard of him Ms. Vera? I wouldn't be surprised if you have. he is quite popular between the ladies but he doesn't pay much attention to them. He is more of a serious gal, always focused on work and his cases" Lord Henry says and I try to take a peek at Lord Vulcan through the window while our carriage passes by his but all I can see is his back. If only he turned around a little. But then again what's the rush he will there at the ball anyway.
I see another carriage approaching so I suppose he'll get a ride. "I never knew you were friends with him" I say and he smiles. "We get along quite well. I'm actually one of the few people he gets along with because most of the time he doesn't want to get involved with people." He says proudly and I nod. Cecelia seems more shocked with my questioning about Lord Vulcan and I know what she must be thinking.
"Why? Are you interested in him Ms. Vera?" He asks and I do not know what to say to that. "Actually I am quite interested in his work. I heard he is something called a psychologist and I am quite fond of work like that so you can say I respect his work" I say an answer that doesn't arouse any weird suspicion but I know Cecelia is going to be talking my ear off about this later.
"I also heard he might be getting engaged" I say so Lord Henry can confirm my suspicion. "That is just a baseless rumour he is quite Far from getting engaged infact I think he might never get married at all" That makes me remember something that dunderhead said he might have picked it up for a friend and it suddenly hits me. Lord Henry is actually planning to propose to Cecelia soon. The friend must have been Lord Henry.
As we arrive at the ball it is extravagant like every other ball but there is something different here. I immediately go up to Cecelia and whisper in her ear "When on earth were you going to tell me this was a masquerade ball?" She looks at me with a weird expression. "Vera I told you this" She says and I want to kick her feet right now but I can't. "When on earth did you tell me that?" I ask in a whisper again.
"Few nights ago when you were writing, I entered your room to give you milk and briefly mentioned it and you hummed in response" I do not remember when that happened because I forget about reality when I'm writing.
"Well what do we do now we didn't bring any masks" I say and she laughs. "We didn't have to, the masks are there you can pick one." She points towards a huge table at the side of the hall which is filled with masks. It was out of my field of vision until now so I did not notice it.
"You do realise this is our first masquerade ball. We have only heard of it so far so do you know what to do or how to behave?" I ask another silly question because yes I don't want to make a fool of myself. "What do you mean? It's like any other ball and you do everything like every other ball except you have a mask on your face" She says and I must have made a funny expression because she next she says "do not make that face in front of others it's rude" And I roll my eyes "well this whole concept is extremely ridiculous then. I thought Masquerade balls were something different and super mysterious or cool" I say and before she can respond someone is clanking a glass with a spoon gathering everyone's attention. It's the person who hosted the ball.
"Ladies and gentlemen I appreciate that you all spent your precious time coming here-" The host of this ball starts talking and it's usual nonsense and long speech which bores me. After awhile he asks all of us take our masks so me and Cecelia go and pick one.
I take a red one matching my dress and she takes one matching with hers. Once we have taken the mask the host asks us to get divided in two groups men or women doesn't matter so the crowd evenly gets divided in two groups. And two of the host's servants bring out two plates including small chits and both of them stand in front of each group.
Now this looks interesting.
"Ladies and gentlemen as you can see both plates have some chits. The chits in both plates have written numbers in them from 1-50 and you have to take a number and find your partner from the opposite group. Your partner would have the same number as you. You can begin now" The host says and the servants start going through each row of the divided group and people pick a chit. I pick mine too. I got 23 and Cecelia got 45. Once the chit picking is over. We are told to find our partner so the hall gets chaotic for next few moments. I try to find my partner but end up dropping my chit so I try to pick it up but someone else does it for me.