Chapter X
We enter the living room and gets immediately hit by the smell of freshly baked treats and flowery perfumes from all the different attendees.
The main colours of the room are pastel pink, mint and golden... You can really see that it's a young Lady the owner of this house.
On the tables all sorts of desserts are laid down, from Macarons to Babbà, and hot tea is steaming out of the dozen of teapots beside them.
Most of the ladies are wearing light attires and the lords have forgotten most of their intricate garments and took their weirdest picies out of the wardrobe, wearing bright colours and delicate designs... At least I won't stand out too much today, I don't really want to make a fool of myself for once.
...
Music starts playing and I get dragged into a big circle of people, all seated down on different couches while fanning themselves... I notice someone far away playing the piano in a corner, he's not being very loud but it's clear that he's enjoying it and have no intention of chatting with others nor have fun, quite obvious from his dark green clothes too...
-So... Have you heard about Lord Banin?- whispers a girl to another one, not actually trying to be quiet as she locks eyes with a boy smoking in front of her
-What about him?- the other girl asks and they both start laughing -His Fiancee broke the engagement with him! Apparently she found him in bed with a married woman... Can you imagine that?- the other girl places an hand over the heart in shock, I instinctively start listening to them after hearing his name -But that's not all! She wanted to take revenge and eloped with his brother-
-They can't be real- joins them another girl in the conversation, "Well deserved" is what I would like to shot but decides to ignore them and look outside a window while listening... The man in front of them takes his cigar out of his mouth and extinguishes the fire before leaning forward -Running away with your brother's financee is something that really leaves an impact- he doesn't really sounds concerned at all, actually he seems to be quite amused by it, even more so after the girl blushes at him... "Wait... Isn't that same girl engaged to that man's brother? I suppose they're having an affair too"
I mentally roll my eyes and shift my focus on the men to my left side, they're playing chess and drinking liquor -What about that mansion you bought last week?- asks one -Oh that? It can't even be called a mansion, let's be for real my dear. I simply gifted it to my cousin who's getting married next month... The weather in that area sucks too much- he says before taking a puff off of his cigar -No way I'm gonna live in a small and humid home, that's the most commoners can aim for... I'm a Count, my cousin will even come lick at my shoes and thank me for it... After all he threw his primogeniture away for that merchant's daughter-
I shift my focus once again but sadly gets called from someone -And what about you? Any marriage talks?- -Uh?- I turn to face the people asking me, a group of Nobles of the highest ranks out there -Ah no, nothing for now- I smile
-What a shame, you aren't half bad- I can't tell if it's a compliment or an insult -And what about buisness? I heard you're family's not doing so well- I wonder if they even care about my reply -It's alright-
The girl at the center of the conversation smiles while fanning herself, I think she's a little Duchess -Nice, oh by the way! Do you remember that charity project I was telling you all about last time? I decided to build an orphanage AND an hospital in the poorest side of the region- everyone claps at her words -What about your studies Count Veronese?- the well polished man smiles -Oh I just completed one degree, I'm thinking of applying for a second one honestly... I've got time so I should use it in the best way possible and maybe go to an university abroad-
-Nice idea, I'm happy for you... We should celebrate soon, oh and lady Veronica! I heard you got married while I was away- the other woman smiles and reaches an hand to her stomach -Yes, me and my husband came today to announce everyone the big news- the Duchess gasps -Don't tell me...!-
-Indeed, we're expecting a baby- the other rise their cups off0 either tea or wine -Hope it will be a boy- while cheering a shiny stone from a girl's wrist catches another's attention -You finally for your hands on this bracelet? You have been talking nonstop about this gem-
The girl shows off her jewel -I begged my father for days and he finally sent some men in India to retire it! He gifted me a whole set of jewels with this gem-
I sigh in silence at all those conversations going on... Once again I am nothing but a failure among such brilliant peoples... Even the youngest of them probably achieved more that what I ever will.
Everyone's here is just showing off their wealth and status, half of them probably hate eachother even... Yet I'm still the main laughingstock of the whole Nobility, the one having to beg on their knees for some spare money. The one sneaking at every party just to steal sime food and get by...
Just look at my clothes, full of patches and ugly sewing points... They say my style is cool and unique but they simply see me as a funny clown, I cannot afford Custom made clothes by a tailor and just fix my parents' old clothes or assembly pieces of fabric I find at the market.
I cannot do charity, nor get married or study... I can't afford any of this, at this table the people are talking about buildings things and investing big sums of money... And all I can do is offer stupid advices.
It's always been like this, l always had to listen to how everyone have been doing better than me with a smile on my face. Lying to them and myself when saying that I've got my own business, as if I was in their level and not envious at all of their success, their beauty, their expensive clothes, their exotic trips...
-What would be better for this year's carnival? Blue and Pink or Red and Green?- asks a girl and the question reaches my ears -Blue and Green if you want to go for a creepier look- she faces me -Oh? You got me immediately, you're that one everyone says to have style for parties?- I nod -Well then, why don't we go shopping tomorrow and you help me with my outfit? I want to leave everyone's amazed, I want something new and bizzarre!-
Some men that were talking with her throw me an annoyed stare and then laughs with eachother, it's clear what they're thinking... First, how is this idiot stealing her attention away? Second, well that's all this idiot know how to do...
Yes that's true, but that is what's making me earn money so I just gotta pass over some laughs to earn my bowl of food. Quite a hit for a Noble's pride, ain't it? Well not my own pride still.
-Sure, why not?- I smile to her