Chapter 2 BANQUET

NARRATIVE POINT OF VIEW

The wind blew, causing the pine trees to thrash. By the time the fog arrived, the heavy downpour began. It’s a perilous night for the street people of Irvine, but their situation is the least of the worries of the egotistical nobles. They couldn't care less, they're having the time of their lives at a banquet prepared by the richest Viscount known across the country. The mellow music stopped a while ago. The hired musicians held their heads low as they wait for the food to arrive, so they can finish their piece and storm the hell out of there.

“The scums of Birds Nest must be dying as of now” a hostile comment made by one baron caught everyone's attention. He smirked and it showed his golden tooth situated upfront, a sign of wealth, as it's extremely expensive to get one.

“Good for us, isn’t it? We can sell their dead bodies to the Vatcheruns” Lady Rebecca commented, a well-known patriarch of Irvine. A slight giggle followed her comment, which made Lady Rebecca say “Only if they’re not dead themselves”

The demeaning laughter of everyone invited blared her sensitive ears, it was utterly diabolical. She bit her lips hoping for them to stop, but the young aristocrats kept on going on with their entitled antics. Agatha remained silent, looking down the red matting which screams luxury. She heaved to distract herself, there she stood behind the group of the young nobles with the other servants, them being significantly older made her pity herself further.

Adopted by Lord Castledow, she spent her life as a slave to the well-known nobles, specifically his daughter. The young lady with bright red lips and rose corset partnered with white bustles sitting on the far-left corner of the vast dining table is her master, Lady Irene Castledow. She’s silent, listening to their antics, but you can tell how she’s wordlessly enjoying this uncivilized talk. She’s crude herself, and Agatha knows that very well.

The ongoing talk of the 20 or so noble came to a halt when a knock on the wooden door came and a parade of feast was brought in. Agatha can smell everything. She felt her stomach growl. She has eaten nothing since yesterday. The loud cheering of the nobles came about, complimenting the course that was being served as of the moment.

By the time they finished eating, they were all pretty much restless. Asking the house servants when he’ll come. As odd as it is, the Viscount who invited them in isn't there.

“Duncy” the sound of disdainful call alerted Agatha, she hovered towards her master knowing what she wants. She opened the bottle of rose water she’s been holding the entire time. Rose water is the only type of liquid the sophisticated noble takes.

Her hands shook lightly as she poured on her glass. Perhaps the reason for that is the silent stare everyone around the table gave her due to them noticing her youthful look. Most of the time, she gets mistaken for a tinker, or a runaway noble posing as a servant. Though she can't blame anyone, it makes her already hellish life infernal. If only she weren't born with green eyes, then maybe the attention she gets from other nobles wouldn't be this big. That's why she was never tasked to chaperone the young lady before, because she gets noticed more than her master.

The sudden silence and piercing gaze of everyone on the table felt like it was burning her face, she cannot help but to wander her eyes and take a look. And in the heat of the moment, she eyed them. A big mistake.

“What are you-“ Lady Irene stood up with obvious resentment, gaping her mouth at the now stained gown of hers. Perhaps the satin dress was quick to soak any kind of liquid, especially pink-hued ones.

Agatha had a look of fear, her life flashed before her eyes. “I ap-apologize” she held out her hands, shaking and not knowing what to do. The other nobles watched in amusement, commotion is one of the many things they’re here for. All of them bore the same interest, belittling the people deemed lower than them and seeing the beautiful servant put to her place made the youngsters excited. Lady Irene grits her teeth, she raised her hand and Agatha braised for impact.

A crisp thwack was music to their ears, but it was hellbent for her, Agatha clenched her teeth upon feeling Lady Irene’s palm by her cheek, it bore a red mark and everyone made comments out of amusement. Such as "manky chav". Agatha stood straight trying her best to suppress the urge to sob. “you slow witted cunt! This cost more than your life!” Lady Irene yelled with a treacherous frown.

“I apologize m-milady” Agatha murmured with a breaking voice.

“I’m afraid your apology wouldn’t do anything, a dress made by the Keckleys cost a good wheel of fortune, you might as well just be my harlot, don’t you think Lady Irene?” Viscount Sky commented with a mocking laughter. The rest of the men agreed and even made jokes about a bidding, while the women in present, rolled their eyes feeling a tad insecure as the men there clearly had interest in her, a low-born.

"I-I'm s-sorry-"

“Are you certain about that Viscount Sky?”

A deep voice interrupted the loud chatter. Everyone quickly gazed by the now open wooden porch.

They came to a halt and stood up slowly with obvious admiration. It was the man himself. The usual talk of the town walks across the room before them. His red sleeve and black vest accentuated his figure, he stood buff and tall, his cravat hangs loose before his neck. It was enough to even fascinate the men in presence. His elegance and vigor are invincible. He deserved the title, Casanova of Irvine. He eyed everyone in the room with a subtle smile. He stepped closer to Agatha, “sleeping with a lowborn might cause you an ill-fated death”

The feigned laughter of everyone echoed across the hall, Agatha had her head down, feeling smaller than she already is. The words of the Viscount were harsh, her tears were about to drop but she was caught off guard, a pair of black shoes peeked her vision. The cold touch of someone brought in a burning passion, he slowly lifted her face as he held her chin.

Her eyes widened, lightly gaping upon seeing him. She swallowed, getting rid of words that might slip out of her nosy mouth.

“dazzling” she thought as she stares back at his dark hazel eyes, it was as if she’s being sucked in by an unknown force, his chiseled jaw and rosy lips were inviting as if it’s asking to be sucked with that light gawk. Her eyes wandered around his cheeks, it was noticeably pale but the presence of a reddish hue gave it a glow. She had never seen a man so perfect.

But even he feels the same. His world stopped, a loud pounding in his chest can be heard throughout his consciousness. He quickly shook off that thought and continued with the words “not to mention her grotesque physique, I’m certain you’ll wretch with a mere kiss”

She stopped, as the unknowing heat crawled inside her. His harsh words were supposed to be insulting, downright repugnant, but instead of dejection, she felt alive. Igniting with passion, she felt herself dripping as she heard his voice up close with a stare so discerning it pinned her heart.

“how dare you stare before me?” his words brought back her consciousness. She blinked twice “w-what?” she murmured before realizing what she just said. She stepped back and quickly threw her head down, she was swayed by her emotions, its unforgivable.

“I’ll bring you a change of clothes Milady, excuse me” she quickly blurted before frantically showing herself out by running across the dining hall and exiting through the back door.

Lady Irene frowned but quickly smiled at the realization of him being there, she'll deal with her later. “Viscount Claude, it’s an honor to be invited here.” She said sweetly, showing off her charm in hopes to steal the attention of the gorgeous man. Her eyes widened upon feeling his hand holding hers, kissing it gently without breaking eye contact, he’s a real gentleman and it’s enough to bring anyone swooning over him.

“no, milady, it’s my pleasure that I’m in the presence of such beauty.”

“oh, perhaps a marriage would be underway between the two of you before you start discussing what we’re here for?” Lord Baron said out loud, making all of them guffaw.

Viscount Claude composed himself, standing before them in elegance he bid his greeting.

“I hope you enjoyed your meal” he chuckled as his ending remarks, “I’ll be discussing the coinage for the upcoming summit but before that...” he gazed at the Lady with a stained skirt, “I shall escort you to my spare room to change”

The young ladies exchanged meaningful stares, feeling envious they even thought of pouring something in their overpriced corsets. “It’ll be my pleasure” Lady Irene replied with a winning grin.

“please excuse us, I’d have my men escort you to the Mead Hall” Viscount Claude announced as he grabs the Lady by her hand.

They exited the dining hall and made their way leaving the young nobles stirred. They never thought that he was such a gentleman even in person.

Viscount Claude is a very private figure, he rose in power years ago reclaiming several bankrupted businesses at his arrival here. He was known to be an heir of a rich family, but it’s been said that he chose not to associate himself with them, a rebellious young man with a brain. Quite uncommon.

Lady Irene couldn’t help but to smile, they entered a room on the second floor, a triumphant feeling took over her as she scans around seeing the interior filled with exorbitance. This man is a catch, he might even be richer than she could imagine with all the gold figurines hanging around this guest room.

“I’ll have your servant here, milady. Please feel at home” He uttered with a smile as he proceeds to kiss her by the hand once more. She eyed him with hunger before stepping closer. “Claude” she whispered, “what a beautiful name” she playfully placed her hand by his chest. He smiled back, leaned closer and snatched her lips.

They shared a passionate kiss, an exchange thought to be immoral for those with no union. He pushed his tongue out, entering her mouth viciously. Her eyes rolled all the way, for a noble woman, pleasure is not something she takes lightly, sexual intercourse has been in her vocabulary for years, something you wouldn’t expect from a young lady thought to be innocent.

“Uhmmmm…” she moaned as he began to lower his kiss down her neck. “I never thought you’d be this playful Viscount…” she whispered as she catches her breath.

He chuckled in between his kiss, he made his way back to her ears and nibbled it as his hand slid across her clothed chest, he squeezed it lightly making her whimper “pleasuring women is my passion” he whispered before pulling away, “but I figured that it’s time to brought about a change” he said.

“What do you mean?”

He tucked a few strands of loose hair behind her ear, “I’ve always fancied you, Lady Irene” he uttered with sincerity, his eyes glimmered with passion.

“y-you do?” she asked back with shaking pupils, she stared in amazement. She couldn’t believe what she’s hearing.

“do you want me to prove it?” he asked, he held her face “burgundy” he uttered.

“what?” she raised her brow.

“you hate it, don’t you? Despite that product being your primary export, it’s a wine you despise. It’s a product of your misery and I know that because I have my eyes on you”

Her eyes widened, she never thought that she’d hear that from someone else. It’s a secret she’s been hiding for years, how come he knows it?

“Has he been touching you until now?” he asked. Her tears came flowing, a continuous gasp was all she could do. “I can help you, marry me and I’ll put you out on your misery” he mentioned pertaining to her father, Lord Lance Castledow. An old geezer so powerful he does blatant abuse to his own daughter for fun whenever he's drunk on burgundy. He was also the man who went ahead of his ways to pass a law that forbids offsprings into suing their parents.

She remained silent, not able to process the occurrence in an instant. Lady Irene heaved, she was relieved, a day like this has come. She nodded, quickly locking her lips with his and wrapping her hands around his neck.

But before it got any deeper, a loud knock came on the door. They stopped and stared at each other, “let’s continue this later, do you mind spending the night here?”

Lady Irene shook her head, nothing will be better than spending the night away from her home, away from him. He smiled sweetly, as he lets go of her, he pulled the door open and there she was, Agatha with a startled look. His expression quickly changed from warm to cold as he saw the obvious thirst of the low born, he stepped out, passing the young maiden who was obviously astounded. But before he makes his way to the hall, he came to a halt. Breathing heavily and thinking to himself "no...it can't be" he sighed, feeling his footsteps getting heavier.

"But if it is...then it's worth taking the risk" he whispered to himself with a clenched fist. turning his head back on the closed door which Agatha entered.