Cards
The room fell silent as Victor walked in; all eyes watched the refined host walk to the head of the table in which the hearth was directly behind. Yuri felt awkward, to have all these eyes in his direction. He knew they rested on Victor, nevertheless, it felt the guests were watching him.
Victor took his glass Lutz had just filled and held it up. As he did, the other Nobles followed suit.
"I thank you all for coming. Enjoy yourselves for tonight we gather as honored Colbrans whose family lines have proven worthy during the Under-Swell. Tonight we gather to celebrate the the Day of Birth of our leader, our Declotes Lillia Baranovskaya! Long may she reign as our ruler of Colbran."
'So that's what this is for? A private celebration for the Queen's birthday?' Yuri questioned, clenching his hands behind his back. 'The Under-Swell...they even dare speak of the human massacre in front of their servants? What the hell?'
"Long! May she reign!" The guests hailed as they stood up all at once to drink to the Crown. The declaration took Yuri from his thoughts and quickly bowed like the other servants so Victor didn't feel anything was amiss.
While Yuri stood, in front of the fire place, he felt he was being roasted alive from behind for he wasn't used to wearing so many layers, but he strived to never mind all that. When the opportunity arrived, the new butler slapped a fake smile on his face, came over and slightly bowed from the waist, gesturing if he may take Victor's plate.
"Sir, would you like some more or trying something else? I can get it for you, my Lord."
Victor, who was wiping his lips with a napkin, briskly turned his head, deliberately blinked, appearing rather shocked by Yuri's sudden formal behavior.
'If I can keep him away, I'll play the part he insists.'
"Teehee, why look so surprised, Lord Nikiforov," a young Noblewoman in blue giggled. "Let the human do his work."
"What? Just because he wasn't silent you're nervous he's going to put something in your food?" A Nobleman in black, sitting across from the Colbran woman, asked while folding his arms.
"Oh come on, surely you just misinterpreted the Lord's behavior," Lady Mila, dressed in gold, defended, waving a dismissive hand."
"Nope, teehee, I saw it. The usually distant Noble looked surprised."
"I wonder what their relationship is…?"
It was a chain effect, while Yuri only heard a comment here or there he got the gist of what was happening.
Yuri smirked inwardly. This he did not expect. 'Well, well, so they do gossip and determine the quality of a person...let's see where this goes…'
Yuri, stood up straighter, raised his hands and clapped in a manner to politely gain attention. In no time, the room became silent and the fellow servants stood with their mouths agape, with widened eyes or both.
"My Lords and Ladies, guests of the Nikiforov household, I apologize," Yuri began to formally explain. "I am still new to this household, please do not misconstrue his reaction to mean anything more, about him personally, or his abilities."
There was silence for a full five seconds before a Nobleman, dressed in a deep green, started to fidget with his eye wear. "A-And what gives you the right to speak to us in such a way?"
Yuri remained calm, secretly happy and felt rather devilish. With keeping a small smile, Yuri gave a short bow with a hand placed on his chest. "In all do respect, my Lord, I am a butler of this estate. I will do what a butler does and stand up for those who live as heads of this household."
"And how do you know what a butler does, exactly? Did your master teach you, boy?"
Yuri remained as he were and, rather happily, replied. "I am human. Humans have been made out to be your humble servants. That is how I know."
The same woman from before stopped herself from taking another sip of her drink and couldn't help but giggle again. "The human sure told you."
He adjusted his glasses. "Well the Colbran culture was heavily influenced by the human presence," the challenger defended. "Him knowing should be of little surprise I suppose."
"I-I am impressed!" Another Lord chipped in.
"I had no idea that's what a butler did..." Lady Mila tilted her head.
A fellow Lady in a red gown looked at her partner thoughtfully. "Perhaps most are too scared to say anything?"
Yuri stood back up straight, happy with himself indeed. 'Now their eyes are on me, Nikiforov. I'd hate for them to find something unflattering about you if you keep being handsy…might affect my work should they visit again.'
"Sir, may I take your plate?" Yuri asked once more.
Victor sat back into his chair and gave Yuri a nod. "Yes, I want more of what I just had."
"Of course, be right back."
Yuri felt like he could skip to the buffet table, towards the girls who have been scrambling back and forth all night, however all three had been witnesses to what had just happened.
"Yuri!" Axel whispered with a stern look on her face. "What the heck was that?"
"Not bad, Newbie, not bad at all."
Axel lifted a silver tray. "Lutz, your encouragement isn't helping! Loop, go back get more of this side dish would you?"
"Y-Yes...Yuri...um," Loop glanced side to side, not sure what to say, but decided to smile.
"Thank you, Loop," Yuri replied, resting a hand on her shoulder, taking a good guess as to what she wanted to say.
Ms. Pink's smile broadened and she nodded. "Yep, better go so get back over there soon, no?"
"Heh, yes ma'am," Yuri replied with affection before he felt an arm over his shoulder.
"I'm glad you and my sister are getting along," Axel whispered. "However, be careful, I'd hate to see you overstep your bounds."
Yuri saw Lutz roll her eyes and proceed to move around to push her sister away. "Yeah, yeah, leave Newbie to it already he's got to go."
"Okay, okay," Axel caved, holding up her hands with a smile. "Keep up the good work, Yuri," she whispered before leaving to get the next course.
The evening progressed smoothly, the small talk went on for hours and the sisters were indirectly complimented for a delicious dessert by most of the guests. No other incident occurred.
Much later that evening, an after party event was hosted. Most guests had left as well as the hired guard. Victor had invited a small group to attend in private room and a group of five other Nobles and their servants had stuck around to play cards and have a drink. The room was well lit by a bright chandelier and was quite spacious. The room was richly decorated with blue carpeting and black sofas while in the center was a big, richly carved table where the Nobles soon gathered around to play cards while their partners either stood nearby or on their lap.
Yuri was grateful he was allowed to stand, but desperately wished he could retire for the evening like the sisters had. Instead, he had to be awake, at Victor' beck and call until all guests were gone.
"Well, my fellows, what shall we play?" The oldest Noble asked while his associate, sitting on his lap, shuffled the cards with a vacant expression.
'Creepy. The Colbran must be twice her age if not more and has her in that provocative, lace get up? Sheesh.' Yuri criticized inwardly.
"I believe it is dear Victor's turn to choose, Baron Awiess," Lady Mila sighed in reply.
Victor, who had been sitting across from the Baron, looked up from his glass and smiled before he sat the glass down beside him. "I'd be happy to choose."
'Oh just pick then!' Yuri inwardly chided at Victor, wanting desperately to roll his eyes at the group's pretentious behavior.
After several rounds of cards and drinks, it became quite clear most of the group had lost their formality. The golden red-head had draped herself on one of the sofas, with her head on Georgi's lap. The senior Nobleman had become loud, kept making bad jokes while the two other Noblemen laughed for no other reason but laugh because everything sounded funny to them. The only one who had any dignity left was Victor, whom Yuri had been called to sit next to him.
"Ney, Vickeey, my fri~end. Ney, wanna get these youngins we have here together? I'm sure it would be quite a spectacle. Ha! Your- ah butler, hic, is already blushin'!" The Baron turned to the other couples. "Am I-er-I right?"
It was true, Yuri's face felt warm, but was they were mistaken. He glanced towards Victor from the corner of his eye; his chest tightened as he braced himself to hear Victor' answer.
"N-No~" Lady Mila drawled and then pouted. "I don't wanna see kiss~y humans! Vic…tor -cough- don't listen to him."
Yuri's shoulders fell from relief, but this slight action was misinterpreted greatly.
"I-er sa~w dat hu~man. Dis~poin'ed?" The senior laughed loudly again.
Yuri began to raise his hands, about to try to rectify the situation, but Victor grabbed Yuri by the chin with one hand.
Victor's eyes bore into Yuri's. A lump laid caught in Yuri's throat, he couldn't bring himself to say anything as a dangerous gold and blue glint paired with a smile fell across Nikiforov's face.
"Why...I think you are quite right, Baron Awiess, he does look disappointed…"
"No…please," Yuri whispered, barely audible to the others, but Victor could hear him.
Victor brought his lips close to Yuri's right ear. "I thought butlers followed orders...my little know-it-all?"
"Is 'ere a prob-hic-lem?" Awiess pressed.
Tonight's host quickly turned his head back towards the group around the table with a smile. Victor let Yuri go. "Not at all. I think a pleasure game would be fun. I haven't seen one played out in a long time."
Yuri sat there with his mouth agape. He glanced at the Baron's girl. While her face remained vacant as ever, her hands were trembling.
