Society Scapegoat

She stepped into the room, feeling the soft carpet beneath her feet as she made her way toward the waiting woman. The room was adorned with luxurious furnishings, the walls draped in deep red velvet curtains that hung in heavy folds.

The flickering candlelight cast shadows on the walls, illuminating the features of a woman eagerly anticipating her arrival. 

As she drew closer, the woman whispered in a sultry voice, "So, Adonis. Have you come here with a great novel? What kind of novel is it? It must be l-e-w-d, right?" she said excitedly with a small laugh.

Adonis remained silent for a moment, the only thing that they could hear was the sound of soft music filling the air, the gentle melody adding to the relaxing ambiance of the room.

The air was thick with the scent of roses, violets, and mint, a fragrance so intoxicating and alluring that set the mood.

However, not with the two women. The tension between them builds with each passing moment. The air was thick with anticipation. Finally, Adonis broke the silence with a simple statement, "Circe, I need your help."

Circe's expression shifted from excitement to seriousness, sensing the gravity of the situation. Despite the brightness of the moon outside, the room was shrouded in dim light, the two women dressed in red and black masks, making it hard to read their expressions.

As Adonis removed her mask, revealing her crystal-blue eyes and blonde hair, Circe was surprised. She recognized Adonis but hadn't anticipated that she was the author of the abominable book.

Adonis had a reputation in the noble high society, and Circe was intrigued to know what kind of help she required.

"Lady Beatrice, what do you need from me?" Circe asked, relaxing in her chair.

Without hesitation, Beatrice handed Circe the manuscript and half of the novel chapter. As Circe began to read, her eyes widened in disbelief.

"You... This," she looked at the manuscript and then back at Beatrice. "Is this real? Are you serious about this?" Her tone was serious, making sure to clarify the truth of the matter.

Beatrice stood her ground with unwavering confidence. "It is real, everything that happened in that novel is real," she replied firmly.

"I understand..." Circe trying to get back her composure. "This... This will be a big deal if you want to publish it," she said in a professional manner. There was seriousness and wordiness in Circe's sounds.

"Yes, it is not a problem for you, right? I wanted everyone to read it, but without knowing me as an author," she asked for her identity to be protected as always, although there was a possibility the reader would question the book credibility.... That was a latter problem, this was more important!

Circe fully knew what Beatrice wanted. Not just about the publication, but she wanted her and her secret society to spread the rumor about that book and supported her.

"No, it's not about that. Beatrice, do you realize what you're getting into?" her sounds look worried as she put down the manuscript. "Do you know that women are scapegoats in society?" Circe asked with a serious tone. 

Beatrice hesitated to answer, but Circe opened her mask and allowed her hair to turn into a gleaming red, making her the center of attention. Her piercing hazelnut eyes bore into Beatrice's soul.

"You will be blamed for your mother and your fiancé's affair, too," countess Garnet said, her voice rising in intensity. "Your reputation will be tarnished as you will be seen as not proficient enough for your fiancé. They will surely search for all of your flaws and mock you behind your back."

As countess Garnet spoke, the room seemed to spin around Beatrice. She could feel the weight of the words sinking in, threatening to crush her. She tried to push the thoughts away, but Countess's words continued to echo in her mind.

"You will become a joke and a source of mockery in the noble society. Is this a price you are willing to pay for your revenge?" Her words were heavy with a warning, emphasizing the harsh reality of what Beatrice was asking for. 

....

//flashback//

Countess Garnet, or rather lady Garcia, once believed in the goodness of the world and had all the trappings of a privileged life: wealth, loyal friends, and a devoted husband.

But her idyllic existence was shattered by the harsh realities of noble society, which slowly eroded her spirit and left her feeling utterly alone.

It felt like a good dream when she remembered her old self. Until one day, a nightmare came to her life. She stood on the balcony, her mind still consumed by the memories of the lively ballroom below.

The laughter and joyous chatter of the dancers echoed in her ears as she awaited her husband's return.

Her feet were aching from all the dancing, and she was grateful for the fresh air that greeted her outside. Her elegant red dress hugged her curves perfectly, making her feel confident and alluring. 

Suddenly, a nobleman approached lady Garcia, invading her personal space without any invitation. She tried to step back, but he followed her, his crooked smile, and his sweaty and greasy hair making her skin crawl. 

"Ah, lady Garcia, you look stunning as always. I bet your husband is pleased with your performance in bed," he said with a disgusting smirk, his breath smelling like alcohol.

Lady Garcia's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to move away, but the man's clammy hand caught her waist, making her feel like she was going to vomit. His fingers brushed against her breast, and she could feel his fetid breath on her neck.

"You wanted this, didn't you? That's why you dressed up in such an indecent dress," he whispered in her ear, his grip tightening on her waist.

Lady Garcia tried to push him away, but he was too strong. She felt so dirty and violated as his hands roamed over her body. She wanted to scream, but no sound came out of her mouth. It was as if she was frozen in place, trapped in her own body.

"Don't fight it, my dear. I know you want it! Look at your perky breasts! You used this dress to seduce me, didn't you? " the man said, his voice oozing with sleaze.