บท 25: Bird In The Ball
They both exited the art gallery room together, just as the orchestra's final notes hung in the air.
"How did you come up with the phonograph anyway?" "Valda inquired as they walked to a table brimming with wine and desserts. Regrettably, her veil precluded her from partaking in the feast before her eyes, yet the sight of Eryx indulging himself in wine only added to her vexation.
Curse this outfit!
"Why settle for anything less stylish than a phonograph for recording?" He arched a sardonic eyebrow at her." Besides its aesthetic appeal, one cannot overlook its practicality. You said you needed a method to capture their voices, and a phonograph seemed the most conspicuous choice. If you know what I mean.
"I completely understand, like why would anyone find a sophisticated young man carrying a box-shaped instrument around suspicious?" Sarcasm dripped from Valda's voice, but the man she was having a discourse with flickered his gaze at her dismissively.
Once this ordeal is over, she'll need to pull a disappearing act before he starts counting heads and realizes hers is missing.
Scowling in the depths of her veil, Valda's gaze shifted to the guests to find their attention shockingly fixed on her… or was it him?
Curious eyes lingered on the both of them, and Valda had the sudden urge to hide underneath this table. Forget the dramatic entrance, this attention was somewhat freaking her out! Never before has she been subjected to such scrutiny from the nobility. Meanwhile, Eryx remained unfazed, leisurely savoring his drink as though it were the sole concern of the evening.
Either he was oblivious to the gawking attention or deliberately ignoring it.
"I see you're doing a fantastic job leaving the guests speechless, they won't stop looking at us." Valda pressed her lips into a thin line, unsure of why she was even standing here with him despite knowing this would be the outcome.
Eryx amethyst eyes swept over the whispering crowd, and there was a disdainful glint in his eyes.
"Look! His Majesty is coming towards us," Valda nudged him gently by the shoulder to gain his attention, eliciting a displeased scowl from Eryx whose ominous eyes briefly darted her way. Valda was too preoccupied with who was approaching to sense Eryx disquiet, and with proper decorum, she inclined her head in a bow when Sebastian was standing right in front of her.
"Your Majesty."
"The performance will be starting soon," he let her know, "there's someone who has been following me and your cousin with a phonograph in his hand. I questioned him privately and he informed me about something disturbing, an aphrodisiac, if I'm not mistaken?"
"You are not mistaken at all." Valda clarified, "you've met Nelson already?"
"He played the phonograph as well," Sebastian uttered, not sounding happy about the discovery he just learned. "Listen, I'm not certain about your plans for tonight's revelation, but the important thing is that I'm aware, and I've seen enough proof to justify that. You don't deserve what they did to you."
Sighing through his nose, he finally glanced at the man who stood beside her like a special bodyguard of some sort.
"Your Majesty." He did a slight bow, offering one of his best modest smiles.
"A lovely…ball you're hosting."
"Thank you, but do you mind if I take her away for a few minutes?" He gestured towards Valda, as if seeking approval from the man who was allegedly by her side. His unexpected request left Valda bewildered, and as expected, Eryx placed a hand to his chest, as if touched by it.
"Not more than a few minutes," he uttered. Valda couldn't fathom the sudden disrespect, but the king didn't seem to mind it and quietly took her away.
He led Valda to the center of the ballroom, capturing the gaze of all in attendance. Eryx settled into his seat beside the table, eagerly anticipating the forthcoming spectacle where many secrets would be unveiled. Though his wine glass was devoid of liquid, his amusement brimmed to the brim.
"May I have your attention please, everyone." Sebastian's voice was loud and firm, whilst he drew the attention of the guest to the direction he stood. Beside him was a veiled maiden, and the curious guests moved closer to hear what their King had to say.
Their gaze swept her midnight blue dress that clung to her curve, and they all wondered if His Majesty had chosen his bride as planned for tonight.
"I need you all to listen to what is about to be played in front of everyone. It might come as a shock to some who are familiar with the voices heard tonight, but at the same time, someone's dignity would be publicly restored, just as it should be."
The crowd fell silent at his announcement, and as if by some preordained script, a chilling melody emerged, sending shivers down Maverick's spine. His body unconsciously stiffened as though he recognized the owner of those gleaming eyes under a veil.
Initially, everyone assumed what would be played would be extraordinary, they anticipated the dance performance and had the idea that His Majesty was probably going to surprise them with a dance, but however, the source of the music they heard was unexpected: a phonograph controlled by Nelson was placed discreetly near the grand staircase.
Its brass horn projected the voices of Valda's scheming uncle and his family, their conversation amplified for all to hear, and everyone fell into a hush.
'What are you doing?? Stop staring as if a ghost is out to get you! Remember! We're here to impress His Majesty, so do not squander this golden opportunity you have to become His Queen.'
'It's not my fault, Mother! Why are you scolding me? This is all Valda's doing, can't you see? She's attempting to undermine me even in her absence! I don't know Mother, but I have a dreadful feeling about tonight."
"You're worried about Valda? What can she possibly do? She's probably rotting in the dungeons by now, being feasted upon by those rats you mentioned. You have nothing to fret over, and I heard that the chief guard executed his duties splendidly."
"See, my dear? You're fretting over nothing. If it's about those property files then she has no use for them, not while she's languishing in the dungeon. You're my beautiful girl, so cheer up and don't let Valda's malevolent influence cloud your thoughts."
"I guess you're right, Mother. I shall do whatever it takes to impress His Majesty, and once I'm Queen, you and Father will reside with me in the Palace."
"Do you have the poison ready?"
"I have it with me, Mother, don't worry, everything will go as planned."
Amidst the crowd, the three culprits all had a blanched look on their faces after listening to their own voice in front of everyone. Annabelle had the belief that she must be hearing things, so she glanced at her parents for confirmation.
"M–mother, did you hear–?" Her voice trembled as she struggled to form a sentence. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest, and the room erupted in gasps and murmurs.
"What is this?"
"Poisoning His Majesty?"
Valda's relatives stared in apprehension, their faces drained of color.
"We have to get out of here." Marissa held her daughter's hand and swiftly turned around to leave, but they were immediately stopped by the guards who blocked their path with their sword.
They stumbled back with their hands raised, the crowds clearing the path for them as the guards brought them to the center of the room where Sebastian stood.
Maverick was presently sweating, and he chuckled nervously, "Your Majesty, what is this… all about? I believe we can both sit down and–"
"You sent your daughter to lace my goblet with an aphrodisiac." Sebastian snapped, "what further explanations do I need? I placed my trust in you based on the strong rapport my late father shared with your brother. I believed we could forge a similar connection, but your reckless actions have shattered that trust and disrespected the cherished friendship between us."
"But it's a lie!" Annabelle interjected, desperation lacing her words. "We've been unjustly accused! I can't explain how our voices ended up in that… that thing, but someone is deliberately trying to sow seeds of doubt and poison everyone's minds against us!"
"Let us agree that is the case." Valda's voice gained the attention of everyone, and she was holding Sebastian's silver goblet in her hand.
"If you truly seek to demonstrate your innocence before all, then I challenge you to drink from this goblet," she declared, her veiled countenance mere inches from Annabelle's. "I anticipate your objection – that you cannot drink from His Majesty's chalice out of respect – so I've procured another vessel, specifically for you."
"Valda?" Annabelle's eyes widened in recognition, but Valda paid her no heed. She poured the content on the goblet into the glass cup she held. She carefully set the goblet aside and returned to her cousin, looking straight into her eyes.
"Drink."
"This is your doing?!"
"Don't change the subject." she deadpanned, silencing her awestruck cousin. Her other relatives shifted uncomfortably where they stood, and Marissa, who had plotted most fervently with her daughter, could feel her face go pale when her daughter accepted the glass cup with trembling hands.
Eryx watched from where he sat, amusement clouding his eyes. However, his fascination was short-lived when he sensed an unwanted presence beside him.
A young maiden had joined him, and she hid her doll-like face in the delicate hand fan she held.
"The Griggs family are so respected in the neighborhood." She commented, wanting to indulge herself in a conversation with him, "but it seems, none of who they really are what they portray themselves to be in the faces of everyone else. It's a shame."
"And you are?" He regarded her with a dismissive glance, making little effort to conceal his lack of interest. He clearly indicated her insignificance in his presence. Yet, the woman seemed oblivious to his unspoken warning to vacate his personal space and instead let out a timid chuckle.
"I'm the honorable daughter of Marquees Silicon." She introduced herself.
"Have you ever considered taking a flight?" Eryx questioned, which she found odd, but she was eager to please the striking gentleman in front of her. It didn't matter in what way, but she was willing to entertain any suggestion that might secure her a chance to leave with him tonight.
"Yes." she answered, leaning forward so he could smell her perfume. "Are you taking me on a flight, handsome sir?"
"Is that what you desire?" Eryx's gaze briefly flickered to the gloved hand on his shoulder before returning to meet her eyes. "If it's a flight you seek, then a flight you shall have."
"What does that mean?" Before she could comprehend his words, she caught a peculiar glint in his eyes, though it vanished almost instantly. With hardly a chance to react, she felt herself shrinking, her body engulfed by her garments. In the blink of an eye, a purple bird burst forth from the fabric, leaving Eryx to watch in amazement as it darted towards the exit, fleeing the ballroom.
He dusted his shoulder, as if erasing whatever imprint she must have left on him.
"I detest physical contact." he muttered irritably.
ของขวัญ
-- ได้รับของขวัญแล้ว สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง