Hidden Intentions

Secrets, we all have them, we all guard them with our hearts. Sometimes we don't even tell the ones closest to us what we hid.

The bodies hidden in the cellar as they sit comfortably in our living room or the mistress that our cousin is hiding.

Hidden intentions, sometimes we keep them there so no one gets hurt or sometimes we just have them.

Earlier, I would have believed this impromptu meeting would have hidden intentions written all over it. But the kind words of Sir. Bertram's voice wanted to prove me otherwise, as he chatted about coffee and different sweeteners and of course this prequel story.

"Lady.Victoria?" "Hm?" "No offense but I don't think you are exactly listening to me." My face went red, "Why do you believe that?" "Well, I don't personally mind it but it seems like your mind is elsewhere." Lady. Bellum didn't hide her laughter and it twisted my thoughts as her face perked up with tears, "That is the first time today, I've seen Lady . Victoria off her guard, good job brother!"

He shook his head, "Oh, apologies if you thought it was a bad thing, I didn't think it so because you see as you were talking..." He trailed off with a big smile, "You appeared to be staring at me and I thought it was very endearing, if the roles were reversed I'd probably do the same thing. After all, anything you talk about is interesting to me."

Lady. Bellum rolls her eyes but I widen mine at the comment, surprised by the light tone in his voice, it made me genuinely smile. If he had hidden intentions then I didn't want to know what they were, the kindness in his voice made me forget that we are enemies. Making my brain trick itself from his pearly white smile, friends felt like a more fitting title, or at least at the moment.

I sip some of my warm brew and for once feel myself relax under the calm light, it's a nice feeling since I'm usually on guard, even with the glare from Lady. Bellum eyes, I don't feel intimidated, I just feel like I'm having a calm evening with familiar company.

A foreign feeling that I hadn't felt in a while, I had almost felt safe in this space, not a lot of it but enough to feel like an actual human being. The loose word of perfection seemingly fades as I look amongst them. 

People who are just trying to impress their parents, trying to become their exact copy even though they're different. Being squashed into the same proximity hoping that we try to destroy each other, find hidden dirt so that the other is superior. Because being well off is not enough, they want us to be the best, great, so that they can show all of the people who doubted them what they've done. What they created in this hellish world that managed to survive amongst all others, the creation that changes the very essence of social hierarchy. 

That's why we're here in the first place, but to my surprise and probably all, Sir. Bertram does not follow this tactic at all. At least anymore, his obvious ignorance thinks it's just a better chance to know each other, putting on a bright smile with shiny big eyes. His very existence makes it hard for his sister to put pieces into play because he simply knocks them off the board each time she sets it up. This is a joy to see now that I think about it, totally the opposite of how my parents' relationship goes. My father seems to be aware of the fact that my mother has an important role yet he still sabotages the work she puts her life into.

Breaking her bones to clear the mistake before anyone else could see, so that her pristine reputation stays into play. Even my birth was a power play for her bling with being one of the most painful moments of her life, having to bear not only nine months but also putting up with my father's terrible parenting skills. I honestly think none of them were ready to be a parent at the age of twenty and plus but with unexpected plans comes unexpected results. Giving you something you didn't exactly have on the calendar yet but have to deal with anyway because it's here.

The same can be said with events that are thrown at you in life, even if they bear such hardships with them.

I take a look at my coffee cup and it's empty, across the table Sir. Bertram's is empty as well. So he taps his spoon against his cup, giving it a little ring which makes my ears tingle.

"I see your cup is empty as well." "Yes", I nod in agreement placing my hands beside me. "Did you enjoy your cup?" "Very much", I answer a little less zoned out now, and he nods as well, "That's good. Good to know". His eyes flicker up to mine, "Do you prefer it over tea now?" 

"Not exactly, has a little more caffeine than I would like but I do have to say that I would like to have a cup every so often, thanks to you, Sir.Bertram." He puts his hands together, "Please, call me Bertram or Silver, my middle name." "Your middle name is Silver?" "Yours is Magnolia." I feel my face warm a bit and laugh, being reminded of someone who suggested something similar.

"Don't you think it is better to keep formality brother? I am not too fond of a first or middle name basis." "Fine, then only when we're a small group like this, otherwise we can be formal. Well, at least me and Magnolia, if you want to be just about business." 

Lady. Bellum scoffed and Sir. Bertram shrugged, glancing over to me with stars in his eyes, "Well, what do you say? I call you Magnolia and you can call me Silver?"  

I place my hands on the table trying not to mess with my cup, "You can call me by my middle or first name, but I have to get used to Silver, so please allow me time." 

"Of course, take all the time you need." He said seeming extra giddy as if this simple action had made his whole world change.