The Opera (2)

It's an elegant affair, as all the family events for the rich are. Chandeliers glitter overhead, and the sounds of the guests are hushed in reverence for the upcoming performance.

The space is massive. There's a beautiful crystal staircase in the center of the room. It sweeps gracefully down to the main floor, the white stone reflecting the light from above.

My mother and father are mingling with the other nobility, as one of the richest families in the city, no doubt wheeling and dealing. My eyes scan the crowd, seeking out a familiar face - the one I came to see, to spend time with.

I catch sight of Viktor instantly. Of course I do. Playing a game of Where's Waldo with Viktor would be terribly unfair because I'd always spot him immediately.

He's by himself, as usual, off to the side in the room, as if he's not quite a part of it at all. I quickly and skillfully cut through the crowd to get to him, only to stop dead as my eyes skim his appearance.

He's wearing a formal suit of black and green. His hair is carefully groomed. He doesn't see me yet.

I take a deep breath, nervously touching my hair, straightening my dress, lifting my chin, and step forward, closer to him.

His gaze - likely sweeping the area looking for me - freezes as soon as it fixes upon me. His lips part in silence. For a long moment he seems to simply...stare?

This is making me panic. Is there something in my hair? On my face?

The worst thought is, does he not like this? Does he think this is...tacky?

Did he think I was attractive normally, but in an over the top gown like this, he thinks I'm tasteless?

...no.

It's...

He's frozen. He's just staring. I slowly become aware of this, and feel a rush of relief and affection and amusement, the anxiety fleeing in a snap.

He seems to realize he's staring, and hurriedly turns his face to the side. I can see the tint of color in his cheeks as he swallows and composes himself. "O...Ophelia. Y-you look...e-elegant. Ahem. That is. Elegant indeed."

A pleased flush crosses my own cheeks, and I let out a quiet giggle. I hope I'm not making it too obvious how relieved and charmed I am. "Thank you, Viktor. It was made for the occasion, in particular for you."

A slow flush of heat seems to creep up his cheeks. "Is...is that so?"

He seems momentarily lost for words, his hand gripping his elbow, trying to avoid meeting my eyes. I don't mind. It's rare I can see him so flustered. He usually manages to compose himself much more rapidly.

"Yes. I would very much like to invite you to take a stroll with me. As I'm sure you've noticed, there's a lovely garden. If the weather cooperates we'll be able to watch the stars a while before the performance."

I know he likes to watch the stars.

This time, instead of glancing away or stuttering or saying nothing at all, he gives a quiet nod and offers me a shy smile.

"That sounds...very nice. I would enjoy that. Perhaps after we get some food? There's a table of appetizers and wine set up in the other room."

I loop my arm around his. "Lead the way, good sir. I would love to accompany you."

His smile is so warm that my heart flutters.

We head out to the main ballroom. I'm the happiest I've ever been in my entire life. Viktor is talking to me and holding onto my arm and...! I am so thrilled I can barely stand it.

Everything is beautiful and perfect and wonderful, a fairy-tale.

As we approach the tables, the noise around us grows louder.

"-appears the opera isn't the only spectacle of the night-"

"Those two? Really?"

"She must have truly no self-respect, letting a cursed person like him near her."

In one fluid motion, I slip from Viktor's arm and approach the table.

I grasp one of the glasses of wine on the table, and with an artful yank...send the red liquid spraying directly across the two gossiping nobles. In my head, it looks quite fancy, like an artist at work.

In reality it all probably happened too quickly to look like anything at all.

I touch my free hand to my cheek and give an airy giggle. "Oh~! Oh my I seem to have gotten too excited! Terribly clumsy of me! How embarrassing, I should have remembered how dangerous what one simple wave of my hand can do."

They stare at me in shock, blinking in confusion as the wine drips down their clothes. They look like drowned cats.

My lips curl up.

I'm the villainess, after all.

"Easy to forget, isn't it? How powerful a Weideman is? With one wave of a hand I can ruin your gowns, and with one simple word and it can mean your business is gone overnight." I lift the glass again and stare at the last remnants of the drink inside and hum lightly.

"If I weren't a Weideman...well. I'd certainly think twice before speaking carelessly. Just imagine what it might feel like if I ever did take offense to gossip..."

The two of them blanch, bow hastily in my direction and murmur excuses and apologies.

I manage to maintain that serene, dignified smile.

But truthfully, I'm trembling with rage still over their words about my Viktor. My Viktor is amazing and wonderful and is going to be a famous doctor someday.

No one can possibly ever see him as lesser, and anyone who dares to, can die in a ditch for all I care.

His fingers lightly brush my arm, finally. As I turn to meet his gaze, he tilts his head. "Ophelia..."

My blood lust simmers, but I still can't help mumbling, "They have no idea how wonderful you are..."

He dips his head and clears his throat, smiling gently as he takes a step back. "You...that is...thank you. For defending my honor."

There's a moment of hesitation before his lips press against the back of my hand in a chaste kiss. I feel like my head's going to float off my neck, and my smile is so wide I could break my face.

I can feel the eyes of others on my back, but I'm too happy to care. Viktor...just...

I sigh a happy sigh as he finally lets go, a teasing smile on his lips. "Come along. Let's leave before you get any more inspired ideas for spilling drinks on other partygoers."

"Hmph. I don't know what you mean."

"I'm sure." The sarcasm in his voice is barely audible, but there.

I loop my arm into his once more as he leads me over to a couch. The attendants are already on hand to offer warm, moist towels to clean up the mess. "I'm very glad to see you, Viktor."

"I'm very glad to see you as well, Ophelia. Although you seem to have a lot more trouble behaving in polite society than you claim you do." His lips twist into an impish grin.

I blush and stick my tongue out. "Hmph. I won't apologize. It was entirely worth it."

My cheeks are red and my pulse is racing, but I'm happy. So, so, so happy. I smile to myself, biting my lip a moment, before speaking.

"I...wanted to thank you. For taking care of me when I was sick. It was...the kindest thing anyone's ever done for me. And. I really appreciate it."

"That was...the right thing to do. Anyone would have done the same." The smile on his lips is a little wry, as if he doesn't fully believe this.

I want to protest. To tell him that- when I was Adelaide-...

But he wouldn't understand that. No one will.

And it doesn't matter anyway.

Adelaide is dead, gone.

No one cared when she was alive, no one cared when she died, and back home I'm sure no one cares that I-...

"Ophelia? Are you alright?" Viktor asks softly.

I shake myself a little, taking a deep breath, and then lean on his arm. "I'm fine. Thank you." I duck my head, struggling to suppress the way my heart swells so much it makes me want to cry.

"...You have...no idea...how much you helped me. But I appreciate it. A-anyway."

He glances away, seemingly unsure how to react.

"Do you...perhaps...would you perhaps wish to take a stroll in the gardens with me? I've decided don't have the stomach for anything." I say, glancing out the window to the garden beyond.

"I-I would be delighted," he stammers, giving me an uncertain, almost hopeful smile.

I return his smile with one of my own.

Our fingers interlock.

It is perfect.

In this moment, nothing could ever be more perfect.