Ria
I had expected there to be more security since this was were the rulers lived, but all we needed to do to get in was show the invitations that Arsheus had somehow managed to get his hands into and we were in, no questions asked. They didn't even check for weapons, thought I guessed there was no need to.
Arsheus's clothes were too fit for him to be hiding anything at all in his body and no one would ever suspect a lady. Fortunately Arsheus hadn't made me smuggle in his weapons, so at least that was a win.
As soon as the guards let us in I looked back and saw that Rin was gone. I really hoped he would keep his side of the deal and help us if things went wrong, because I could already see everything playing out.
The first room we came across while being led by the employees was the ball room where the party was in full swing.
Ladies and lords dressed with the same kind of clothes as us were everywhere and in between them were the guards, making sure everything proceeded smoothly.
All of the sudden I couldn't do it. I felt as if I was drowning. It was too much.
From my side I felt a sudden warmth when Arsheus placed his hand on my shoulder, an affectionate gesture to anyone looking and a sign that told me to calm down.
That was right. He was here. I could do it.
I calmed myself and took a step down the stairs as the chamberlain called our names.
I honestly didn't know who Arsheus had bribed or blackmailed to get these identities, but they seemed to be working. No one looked at us weird as we walked down.
His magic was also working wonders. No one looked at me and pointed even if I wasn't wearing a hat. It was the most free I had felt since ever.
'Really?'
I ignored the little voice in my head that told me the demons had never judged me or looked at me weird and shut it down fast.
I had to focus.
As soon as we walked down the grand staircase leading down to the room I let go of Arsheus's hand and walked by his side as if I had a grudge against him, which wasn't hard.
The hard part was not looking up in awe at the golden chandeliers dangling from the ceiling or the orchestra playing on one side of the room. It was also hard to take my eyes away form the tables and tables filled with every kind of food imaginable.
So this was where all the food went? It was a waste.
I did my best to keep my real thoughts and feelings off my face as I walked besides Arsheus to a group of nobles and begun mingling with them.
As I spoke with them I was too conscious of Arsheus's wide chest and the fact that soon I'd have to do something to piss him off. What I hadn't thought yet was what to do or how, so no pressure at all.
" Have you seen last time's...."
I tunned out the conversation happening by our side and focused solely on Arsheus. He looked bored as his gaze went from me to the guards and then to the grand clock by the orchestra. It was as if he was telling me to hurry.
The ball would last until dawn, but I had no idea how long it would take Arsheus to go find whatever he was after, so the more time I could give him the better. Fortunately for us the elders had yet to make an appearance and if we were lucky they never would, so we had time.
If they were in the same room as us I was sure the magic would either brake or they'd know what we were. Arsheus hadn't confirmed nor denied any of my suspicions, but he had been firm about the elders. By when they appeared we had to be gone.
I gathered my courage and walked over to where Arsheus was leisurely chatting with a few women of our group a few feet away.
I could feel his intentions in his eyes as they darted between the women and me frantically, as if he was telling me to make a big fuss about it.
I could do that. I could play the jealous and unhinged wife in front of everyone, but first I needed some liquid courage.
I went over to the tables filled with food and alcohol and picked a glass, chugging it down in seconds.
Once the glass was empty and I was beginning to feel warm inside me I walked over to where Arsheus was. Time to make a scene.
" What are you doing?" I used my most shrill tone as I walked over to where he was, confident and with an angry expression on my face.
" What's wrong, darling?" Arsheus's voice was velvety and seductive.
It lit my panties on fire just hearing it.
I seriously had to focus.
" What do you think you're doing?" I all but ran to his side and took his hand off from the other woman's shoulder.
For some unknown reason I had wanted to take it off for a long time, and not just for the charade. Seeing him touching another woman made my heart twitch for whatever reason.
" What's so bad about having a few affairs?" Arsheus crossed his arms and looked down at me as if I was trash. " I told you to pick your own lovers too"
I stared at him. If I hadn't known it was all an act I would've believed him. He was that good.
" Bastard!"
I didn't know why but I was boiling inside as I heard his words.
Why was I so angry?
I refused to listen to the little voice inside my head telling me the answer. Instead I picked a glass filled with wine from the nearest guest and threw it all over Arsheus.
His white shirt stained red as his perfectly styled hair fell apart.
His face was contorted with anger, but I caught the wink he gave me before he turned and left the room to look for whatever he wanted to look for.
I stayed in the middle of the room, empty glass in hand as everyone looked at me.
Everyone was murmuring and pointing. That was nothing new. Not being pointed at was the weird thing. I was never going to fit in.
I needed more alcohol.
I walked over to where the glasses were and downed two or three in a matter of minutes. I didn't want to think.
I picked another glass and walked over to a chair and sat, not looking at anyone as the orchestra played yet another song and couples and lovers alike joined in on the stage.
I could only hope Arsheus would make haste. I didn't want to stay here any second longer than needed.
I extended my hand to pick another glass of champagne and found a hand instead.
" I'm sorry"
I apologized and moved on, but the lady holding the drink didn't stop looking at me.
Was she that amused by the espectacle from earlier?
Why was everyone the same?
"You know" I flinched internally when I heard the woman begun speaking. Social interactions usually didn't go my way, or well for me at all. " I saw you earlier"
I waited for the attack, for the mockery, but it never came.
" And?"
The woman picked up the glass and chugged it all down.
" And men suck"
I stared at that petite woman. Standing she wouldn't even reach my shoulder. That with her blue, doe like eyes and her long, straight blond hair made her look like either a doll or a villain, but for what I'd talked to her she seemed neither.
The woman sat down near me after finishing her glass and picked two more. She handed me one over as she took the second one.
I didn't know what was wrong with her life, but I had nothing better going on and since I had to stay here until Arsheus came looking for me and we walked out saying we were tired I could very well listen to her ranting.
" What's wrong?"
The woman chugged the whole thing down before picking another one and doing the same.
She didn't want to talk. Message received.
I picked my own glass and brought it to my lips, content with watching everyone dance.
" My husband cheated on me" After staring at her glass for a while the woman finally spoke up, tears brimming in her eyes.
I wanted to comfort her but didn't know what to say. Should I say sorry? Or should I tell her all men sucked?
Fortunately I didn't need to find out since the woman begun talking by herself.
" Do you want to know how I found out?"
I honestly did. It was way more interesting that looking around with no clear purpose, but that wouldn't sound too good.
" You don't have to tell me if you don't want to"
The woman chuckled and chugged another glass down.
" I don't care. We're on the same boat" She took another glass and downed that one too. " I found him in my bed with my twin sister"
Holy crap, that was messed up.
" And what did you do?"
" What could I do?" The woman chuckled sadly, tears in her eyes. " I just shut up and pretended I didn't know"
I stared at her. That was awful.
" Shouldn't you ask for a divorce?"
" As if my family would ever let me"
The woman looked defeated as she looked down at where the couple's were dancing.
She pointed with her finger to a man being awfully close to a woman that was the spitting image of the one sitting next to me, his hands all but gropping her in public.
" That's my husband "
" Wow. That's one piece of shit" I couldn't stop the words from leaving my mouth.
The moment I heard them out loud I covered my mouth, afraid I'd pissed her off, but the woman was laughing now.
" By the way, I'm Cordelia" The woman extended her hand towards me and I took it. It wouldn't hurt to have one friend. Besides I had never had one my age and was excited to see how they were.
" I'm Ria"
The woman nodded and pointed back at her husband.
" Let's keep making fun of him"
I smiled. Worked for me. I had lots of time to kill anyway. It was only 2:00. There was still a long time until dawn.