It has already been so long since i updated, so without a delay...
Clash of Two Souls...
It was a bright sunny morning that I found myself standing in front of the Aino residence with my horse in hand. Her mansion was really beautiful, painted over with golden paint that sparkled in the light. I chewed my bottom lip, taking one last look over myself to make sure that I looked my very best. No doubt my hair was a bit disheveled from my 'unladylike' ride through the city. Indeed, I had drawn many curious looks as I galloped through the streets on my stallion. Still, it was nice to be liberated even for a moment, without the fear of being recognized. I was playing my part as Lady Serenity's sister, Selene. Since Selene's reputation was to be wild, I was free to be as unrefined as I wished and I loved every moment of it.
Mina peaked her head out, her eyes widening when she saw who was at her door, "Selene, darling. What a surprise to see you here! And at such late hours too! What can I do you for?"
"I'm a ruined woman, Lady Aino. My sister has thrown me out and I have no place to stay," I cast my eyes downward.
She looked at me sympathetically, "You poor darling! Why, you simply must stay with me!" she beckoned for the hostler to take my horse.
Taking me by the arm, she led the way through her mansion, "How could your sister do such a thing? I had thought she was a decent woman when I had first met her," she patted my hand, "Don't you worry about a thing. You may stay here as long as you like."
"Thank you, Mina," I smiled thankfully at her. She beamed at me, taking a quick look around to make sure no one was around. Needless to say, the whole scene was acted out.
"So, now that you're here, what are you planning to do next?"
I shrugged, "No idea. Everything's spontaneous right now. Could you show me to my room? We could plan everything out there."
She nodded eagerly, "Your room is right next to mine. I must warn you though, my brother Andrew is a good friend of Lord Westford. They visit each other often, chatting of business and whatever else that men talk about. His room is on the other side of yours."
"You never told me about your brother," I commented, looking around my room.
"I haven't? Well, I guess there were just so much going on that it skipped my mind. He's my stepbrother, really."
"So, where's he now?"
She sighed, "I was getting to that. He's out with Lord Westford. They went out to discuss some business."
It was taking me some time to comprehend this, "So?"
"So… Andrew will come back with him. Ponder this Serena, don't you think that he would figure out where you are? It shouldn't be too hard, considering that you are new here and I'm practically the only person you can turn to."
"Ohhhhh…" I was having a brain freeze. I was about to say 'so?' when it suddenly struck me of exactly what she's saying, "Oh hell. What time?"
"You have 30 minutes."
30 minutes?! That wasn't even enough time for me to get out of bed!
I was in an inconsolable frenzy, hurrying left and right, tumbling myself into a chaotic disarray. Perhaps it was my unstable state of mind or just the disordered way of things that I did not notice that company has arrived. Oblivious to the doom waiting below, I proceeded to slide down the stair banister, a habit that I found most fun in. As I rounded the last curve, I caught site of six gentlemen being escorted in. They froze at the sight of me and I, taken quiet by surprise, lost my grip and flew off the end, landing in an undignified pile at the bottom. The visitors were forgotten and I subjected myself to the bruises that were to come. Cursing like all of hell was after me, I nursed my twisted ankle and my battered elbow. Had Luna been present to hear suck coarse language, she would have seized me by the ear and had me eat a bar of soap. As it was, she was not here, so I opened up to relieve myself of curses in English and French, as well as Italian.
As I sat at the bottom of the stairs, I tried to focus my mind again. How was it that I fell? I had been expert in sliding down the home banisters for as long as I could remember and only when I was little and inexperienced had I taken a tumble. I replayed the scene again. I was sliding… f!!
I felt my cheeks starting to burn up. Slowly, I turned around, expecting the full brunt of their ridicule.
There were no one there.
I frowned. Had I imagined the whole thing? Was I going insane…? Maybe the pressure was too much for me. I rubbed my head, turning toward the kitchen for some water to relieve my mind. As I walked past the parlor, I heard voices. Voices that sounded awfully like… no, I must be hallucinating again. I strolled past without glancing in when that voice laughed again. There was no denying it. Bug-eyed, I retraced my steps and stuck my head inside.
The parlor was a really beautiful room, large and designed for comfort as well as style. Couches were set in an open circle in the center with a glass coffee table in the middle. Gigantic windows brought in lush sunlight and a refreshing breeze.
He was sitting in a comfy black leather armchair, his back to me, engaging in an animated conversation. He stopped talking for a second, all of his muscles rigid as if he was sensing something.
"It is nice of you to join us, Selene," he commented.
I froze. There was no way he could have seen me. Yet, by some evil force, he was able to tell that it was I who stood at the doorway.
"You might as well join us," he swiveled around to face me. I could see the beginnings of a lazy smirk appear.
Cautiously, I took a seat next to Mina, "How did you know that it was me?"
"I am a powerful man, Lady Selene, and as one, many would hand over their own sons to see me dead," he casually poured himself a cup of tea, "I make it my business to know when I'm been watched.
"It is a helpful skill," I agreed.
"Indeed it is. That skill has saved my life countless times," his eyes darted to his companions, "And where are my manners? I'm afraid I haven't introduced you yet. You have met Lord Malachite, have you not? The short blond is Jadeite, second son of Lord Princeton, brother to Malachite. The brunette is the son of Lord Devlin, Nephrite and his younger brother, Zoicite.
I nodded a polite hello to each. I found the Princeton brothers most interesting. Malachite was unemotional, almost a complete copy of Westford. His brother, however, was different. A spark of mischief and a constant, easygoing smile made him shine out. Nephrite was more of a silent kind, his face seemingly off in the clouds and his brother. Zoicite had that same drifting look and only their appearance seemed to separate them. Nephrite was every inch of a man and yet Zoicite was slim and had an air of femininity surrounding him. The guy next to Mina must be her brother. His face was set into the same stony look as Malachite, yet his eyes betrayed his true demeanor. He had a fun spirit and I liked him immediately.
I tried to imagine Darien having friends. Friends that would talk merrily to each other and make jokes. I could imagine Jadeite and Andrew together, clapping each other on the back and cracking up into hysterical laughter at whatever joke they may think up. I could imagine Darien and Malachite sitting in black armchairs, talking to each other in those calm and cool voices, smirking now and then at whatever topic they find amusing. I could imagine the Devlin brothers in the library, arguing over some scientific hypothesis. But for the life of me, I just can't see them all together, as one big group conversing as friends.
"I must say," Jadeite began, "the speed and skill in which you slid down the banisters were superb."
I cast him an embarrassed smile, "You startled me."
"I suppose my presence was one of great surprise. However, I have never yet seen a lady slide down banisters before and I find it very… unique."
Malachite glared at his brother, "Ignore him, Lady. He is but a hopeless flirt, his words as empty as his head."
"But Malachite, do you not agree that the lady has an outstanding skill in sliding down banisters?" Darien asked, his voice flowing like butter.
"Lord Malachite was partially right," I agreed, "Though I do not believe that Lord Jadeite's head is totally devoid, I do agree that such words that you utter are totally meaningless," I cast my glare toward Westford.
He met my glare with his own calm ones, the edge of his mouth curving into a smirk. I fumed silently at his mocking tone, certain that he was indeed making fun of me. He was such an infuriating man! Why in all of heaven, could they not have found a brainless idiot as a husband for me? That way, I would have no trouble in beating him into a pulp. I seriously doubt that I could ever outsmart Darien; just the thought of it is a miracle in itself.
"Flattery is an art that you have still yet to learn," I told him.
"It is one that I shall not give up on," he answered.
"People who quit never win. People who win never quit," I began to smile, "But people who never win and never quit are idiots."
"But I shall win," Darien assured me. "I have always have."
"If you want to get to the top, prepare to kiss a lot of the bottom," I quoted once again.
"I have already been there."
"Oh? And to what do you own your success to?"
"The luck –"
"Luck won't last you a lifetime unless you die young," I interrupted.
Jadeite laughed.
" – and fortune of my inheritance, charm and appearance," he finished.
He spoke it with such self- admiration that I again wondered just how highly he thought of himself. If his ego is a mountain, and I was standing on it, I bet that I could reach the moon. All this time, he never cracked a smile. He was the perfect image of indifference and even though his mouth is working overtime on praising himself, there was not a trace of emotion.
Almost like a robot… only he voice was not monotone. Not even close. His voice was smooth, husky and downright seductive.
It seems we have hardly known each other before we were locked together in a battle of wit.
"If you feel that obliged to make me your enemy, then let me tell you that that is indeed a poor decision," what little sense of humor left him, "I have no intention of kidding around with you as I have just done. It is an absolute waste of my time and energy."
I was furious with his obvious trifling with me, "Well excuse me for wasting your precious time. I, of course, find nothing better to do than sit around and force you to waste your time with me. As I clearly recall, you were the one that called me in. If you are accusing me of accepting your request, then I am guilty as charged."
"Ahh…" he began to smile lazily, "I'm afraid you misunderstood me. What I meant to say was that I had another reason for paying you a visit. I know who you are," he paused for effect, "what little I don't know will be found out. It is only a matter of time."
I tried to keep my voice steady, "Of course you know who I am. We clearly have just been introduced."
His smile was without expression, "Don't try to deceive me. You know as well as I, that it will not work. Perhaps you would like me to make public of just what I know about you?"
I had not forgotten that we were not alone in this room. I shuffled uneasily. What was I to do? My pride would not allow me to grovel below his feet, and yet saying 'yes' would be suicidal. But what did it matter? You told him who you were.
I held my chin defiantly, "I don't know what you are talking about."
His eyes changed from surprise to admiration, "Very well. Gentlemen, I believe you have heard of the Rose Maiden?" he waited for the affirming nods, "It just happens that we have the pleasure tonight to meet her in person in this very room."
You put this onto yourself, I reminded myself, as all eyes turned to me.
Please read the bottom of my bio and it'll tell you why updating is taking so long.