Oh shit! Yor!
Mr. Henderson escorted me to the right drawing room, ironically on the other side of the castle- oops. We shook hands and he quickly departed before anyone noticed we were there. A waiter- all the attendants were male- came around the bend from inside the room, where he was surprised to see me. He blinked at me and I grinned uncomfortably. "Hello. I-I'm here for the afternoon tea….." I spat out. He nodded fervently and lifted his arm in the direction of the door. "Right this way, miss."
The drawing room was big but not enormous like some of the rooms I'd seen before. It was packed full of very stylish ladies of all ages, and a bunch of waiters attending them. The man who pointed me in took my coat with an air of politeness. "Allow me to take that for you, miss." "Oh, thank you," I said on reflect, making some of the nearby ladies sneer. They covered their mouths with their fans, though I could tell they were already mocking me. Oh god, I silently cringed to myself. And so it begins….
No one approached me right away but I could feel more than one set of judgment eyes on me. I guess it wasn't time for tea yet, since everyone was still standing with cups of really good smelling rose water in their gloved hands. I think my hands were the only bare hands in the room; no one told me I had to wear gloves to these sorts of things. Colouring a tad, I made my way further into the centre of the room where there was more open space. Even more judging gazes and glares fell upon me.
One woman- a pretty one about my age, maybe a year or two older- finally approached me after the world's most awkward minute had passed by. It was like I was this grand spectacle in the middle of everything now, catching all their attention- in a bad way. She smirked, coming close up to where I was standing.
"Oh my, I do like that colour on you; you look just like a fresh morning rose. I'd wear something so lovely myself… if it came in my size, of course," she said in a sickeningly sweet tone. My cheeks flushed in utter horror and embarrassment, but no words came to mind on how to retort such a back-handed comment. This was like the other girls' cue to join in.
"I don't believe I've seen you around here before. Tell me, what is the family name?" "U-Uh, Forger! I'm Yor Forger," I clambered at the other lady's question. She looked to I assumed were her friends with a puzzled expression. "Forger? I don't know any Forgers." "Her father or husband must be a person of inferior rank in the party," an older woman replied, waving her oversized fan in front of her face. The first girl's eyes glimmered in disgusting realization. "Oh, how could I have not seen it before? You're dressed so modestly, so charmingly simple. Yes, it makes perfect sense now. And how lucky we are to have you in our mists." "Yes, the poor are always with us. You are so good to remind us," a woman who hadn't spoken yet added. My whole was beet red by this point; I could only curl my fingers on the front skirt of my dress.
The other women started to take a closer look at me now. "Such a dear little creature. Her face is so plain; it won't tempt her lover to blush. Ah, if only we could all be so fortunate," an old lady said. "True, but beauty is our cross to bear. But I'm sure you have plenty other charms and virtues to offer, my dear," another nodded. I wanted to die. Do it for Loid, do it for Loid, I kept repeating over and over in my head. He saved my life from the secret police, after all; the least I can do is try my best to get him into that club. But really, who'd want to join a club with the likes of them?
They all gave that half-smirk, half-mocking grin you see people wear when they're demeaning someone. I suppose I was an easy target and they were starving for entertainment. I wanted to talk back and speak up for myself, but I didn't have the courage to; they were all too intimidating, and in a massive group as well. The first lady to speak to me stretched out her hand in…. well, I'm not sure what kind of gesture. I didn't take it, just looked at her.
"No wonder you're heh, "fashionably late". Why I'll bet this was your first time in the castle; ah, you darling thing, you. This must be so overwhelming; it's a miracle you even found the right room, and all on your own too. Poor dear…." "Uh well actually, um…. M-Mr. Henderson brought me here," I fumbled over my words. Her smirk began to fade. "Henry Henderson? You mean that old fool who wastes all his time resorting the unused palace chambers?" A frown appeared across my lips; it upset me to hear her talk about him like that. "Yes. We met in the cathedral on the other side of the castle." She and the other women laughed at this, giving each other knowing side-eyes. "You mean the chapel? Oh, you poor dear; I'm afraid your mistaken. Nobody in their right mind would go near that mausoleum if they can avoid it." "But I….." I started but another woman interrupted me. "Being of lower origin yourself, you must obviously appreciate how ladies of our stature couldn't possibly be seen in such…. desolate ruins." "Quite right, Mrs. Linn. One must not let one's inferiority of birth, rank, wealth, and so on affect one's judgement, which I'm sure it won't with you, Mrs. Forger. You've shown good judgment in coming here and presenting yourself to us today, so we might be reminded that our world is…. just a little bigger than we thought it might be," she patted my shoulder coldly. Again, I want to DIE.
A bell rang and everyone went to sit at the many round tables with crisp, clean white table clothes. I took a seat near the window overlooking the garden, and unsurprisingly no one came to join me. Several ladies passed by, each stopping to make an apology or excuse as they did. "I'd sit here, but I wouldn't want to deprive any of the other ladies of your lovely company," one said. "It is only good manners to ensure you're not overcrowded," another told me. The end effect was the same- I sat along for my very first afternoon tea. I think the waiters felt bad for me cause they brought me extra cake. This of course, didn't go unnoticed and one woman remarked: "I wish I could eat as much as you do. You have such a healthy appetite, whereas I can barely eat anything at all. Ah, maybe it's the corset." Corset?! I'm supposed to be wearing a corset too? When will it all end?!
After that horrible, horrible tea was over, the ladies gathered in the waiting room adjacent to the drawing room. It was now nearly five o'clock and they were waiting for their husbands to pick them up. Anxious, I waited as quiet and invisible as I could off to the side, praying that Loid would somehow know to come get me. Ugh, this was humiliating; it was painfully obvious that I was out of place and they clearly didn't like me. So there I waited, dying a little more with each passing moment inside. Maybe being imprisoned for being a possible secret spy wouldn't be so bad compared to this fresh hell.
One by one, the husbands came and the couples left. Some of the ladies still waiting eventually realized I was still there, and it began all over again. "Don't worry, my dear. I'm sure he's on his way." "I'm sure she's right. Lower-level employees can get held up at the office on occasion; it's in no way your fault, Mrs. Forger," two girls quipped. I did my best to ignore them now, keeping my eyes fixed on the open door.
Finally, FINALLY, a familiar figure appeared from around the corner. I can't describe how relieved my sigh was when Loid was there, though ecstasy soon turned to panic when I saw that his face was bleeding. He was all bloodily, sweaty, and roughed up, making me very concerned. He didn't look the most coherent then either.
"I'm terribly sorry I'm late, darling. Did you have a nice time this afternoon?" My husband rushed over to me, treating me with attentiveness. I knew it was just for show but I was still so grateful to have someone actually be kind to me for a change. One of the stunned waiters stepped up to him worriedly, holding out a white cloth for Loid to take. "Uh, you're uh, bleeding, Mr. Forger." "Oh, pardon me. One of my patients had a violent episode. It happens all the time to a psychiatrist," he took the cloth and began dapping his forehead. One of the mean girls blinked in understanding. "Your husband's a psychiatrist? Well, the party needs all kinds of different help; I'm sure you have a valued position, Mr. Forger." "Thank you," he replied tactly; I wasn't sure if he knew she'd just insulted him right now.
The lady took a step closer, clasping her hands together; I don't think she was impressed by Loid's job but she certainly liked what she saw….. if you catch my drift. "It was such a pleasure getting to know your wife this afternoon. She's such an enchanting thing; you must be so happy." "We are, thank you," not missing a beat, Loid answered while wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I blushed a little, staring down at the floor. Then she grinned at me, with more than a hint of malice in her expression. "You must come again, Mrs. Forger. Now that you know where the room is, you'll be able to make it on time at our next tea."
"What?" I felt Loid's whole demeanour alter. His arm was stiff on my back and I could sense him glaring down at me now. The woman nodded. "Our little girl was a tad late today, but nothing her infinite virtues couldn't recover. Try not to be too upset with her, Mr. Forger; we certainly aren't. The poor dear is doing her very best in this whole new world of hers." Loid's ire wasn't aimed at her shockingly but at me. Tipping his hat to them, he grabbed my hand forcefully. "Good day," he choked out harshly before practically dragging me out of the room. It didn't take a genius to figure out that he was upset, but I couldn't for the life of me determine why. I did what he asked; I came to the afternoon tea, even if I had to come alone. What more did he want? Did he expect me to be perfect? His perfect, obedient, little wife?
That thought made me mad. It was probably pent-up rage building since I went to the tea, but I was angry. He has the audacity to be upset with me after everything I just endured? Screw that noise! I don't know why he was angry, but I was angry now too. I was really mad; I was livid. So what if I wasn't born into wealth or high status? So what if my parents died when we were young, and I had to work very hard until Yuri became an assassin? So what if I'm a single woman who was just living her life? So what? So what? So what?! The only good thing to come out of today was my meeting with Henry Henderson- screw those girls! Yes, I was pissed.
For the first time in a long time, I was properly angry.