Tick…tick…tick…the indignant ticking of the grandfather clock was merely a pin-drop in the midst of the unbecoming chatter, which, in all its pompousness, didn’t seem to be fully veiling the sounds.
Well, at least not for me. I listened intently to it, like it were a timed bomb waiting for a notion to unleash itself into havoc. It was not too different from the one within myself, though.
Despite the distant orchestra strumming their melody, there was a subdued tone to the party, like a misplaced jigsaw piece in a puzzle.
The red-coated men foolishly boasted as multiple gleaming medals stood perched upon on their chest, wooing the swaying ladies with the senses of false grandeur, their puffed-up laughter intertwined, both high and low, obnoxious and gentle. Likewise, the rows of chandeliers were equally as dismal, illuminating the faithless glory of the gentlepeople, crowds of socialites and aristocrats marvelling at each other’s capabilities. Beyond that, however, stood Anna.
I knew her as a maiden from the northern parts of the colonies, daughter of a flourishing steel tycoon. Her brother, as a matter of fact, was the heir of its riches, and Anna was to marry a young governor who was eloped in a partnership with the said business owner.
From afar, her porcelain face twinkled under the illuminance of the chandelier light, a rather ethereal view that was alone yet coy enough to force me to set down my champagne glass and make my way towards her.
When I approached her, she frowned, her eyes set on something rather than my own eyes. Notably, something behind my shoulder. When I tossed a glance back, and was faced with nothing, I rose an eyebrow, “Are you alright, madame?”
Anna’s gaze remained for a few more brief seconds before our eyes finally interlocked, “Quite so.” she said flatly. “You must be General Veers.”
My cheeks reddened at the sound of my name reverberating from her lips. With a nod, I extended my arm, an invitation.
The aristocrat took it wryly, her almond eyes gleaming under the moonbeams as we exited the hall and past the bickering people, leading her to the gardens where the aroma of fresh rain smothered our nostrils.
The young woman intrigued me, and when she spoke, her words drifted into the air; it was almost as if they could be seen visibly ... a strange shimmer of sparkles flickering out into the air.
When I asked, Anna spoke of her family's lineage, and this time, the sconces on the hedges dimmed down.
Four strange glowing white orbs appeared around the young woman, and began to swirl around her. Lips moving delicately, as the story began to take shape ... each of those balls drifting further and further apart until they exploded into tiny illusory butterflies.
They flapped and danced about, and soon it became quite clear just why the maiden was so well regarded.
The illusion dissipated when a sigh escaped her lips. It was unbeknownst whether I had imagined it, though what is life without uncertainty?
Our feet stopped to a halt, just on a ledge that would overlook the distant chateau, the maiden standing at my side and gazing upon the sight as if it were the contents of a painting pouring from the canvas.
“They say I’m weak,” she mused, almost is if the illusion she had conjured was of no concern to her. “That I’m a bargaining chip. A woman of status, but of no integral dignity. Do you think likewise, sir?”
I shook my head almost instantly, “Heavens, no.”
“Then you’re not one of them. Why do they fear girls like me? So quick to marry me off, to refrain me from liberation. One thing they don’t know, however, is that I ricochet through the damsels and the waterfalls … they say that I’m a burden, but these bones will rewrite history. Maybe, some day,” she looked up, “they will have no more reason to be afraid.”
The horizon was indeed dotted with a cluster of flaring lights, a probable sign from the Gods above … she was hopeful. The maiden of myth lusted for salvation against the corrupt society, and in turn, I gave her a soft smile, one that would understand the pain.
Then, a rattling explosion was heard from afar followed by multiple blood-curdling screams erupting from the site, turning quickly, I was welcomed with nothing but the view of the chateau, now in flames. Ever so quickly, I turned to Anna who was surprisingly nonchalant, picking at her nails with a sigh.
“Hmm, wasn’t as big as I expected,” she hummed, disappointed. “Though that’s what I get for using some lofty grandfather clock ... eh, they had it coming. Anyways, tea?”
