Chapter 68: Biting Through My Teeth

Cold hallways and filtered lights, they were brighter now, I'm guessing since we have company. But even through it's light shine I can still see it's true dimness and the disguise that it hides.

I reach the elevator again taking a sigh as the elevator dinged, my heart dropping into my stomach. Making me shift uncomfortable in my outfit. Those sliver doors opened and I walked in being greeted by two other security, one on my left and the other on the right.

The door closed and one of them pushed the button, silence. Silence through the whole ride and sadly it felt short, going to the second lowest floor. The Garden Area of course, which would give me a comfortable feeling if there was still comfort there. Most of the bright flowers being replaced with something dark or deceitful

in meaning.

The elevator door opened and I walked out taking a deep breath. More security waited for me, greeting me with a nod and then leading me to the garden. The outside, which I haven't seen much since Rene' left honestly almost forgetting this was here.

The air was different than the air inside, the fresh scent giving me a sense of peace. Calming but not too much because I realize what I'm about to do, face. My legs stopped and I don't move for a second, one of the security guards giving me a light nudge. "Keep going Lady.Victoria, you're almost there." They said blankly and I squeeze my eyes tight shaking my head. Taking one step after the other, my heart racing.

I tried to focus on the flowers while walking through the garden but my mind started wander again. The thought of the Bellums making my stomach twist in knots and mouth dry. The previous encounter filling my mind with dread and disparity.

"Lady.Victoria! Lady.Victoria!", I glance up and see him waving, Sir.Bellum with a big smile on his face. He stands out of a chair rushing over to me, giving me a bow and I glance away giving him a curtsy. "Greetings to you too, Sir.Bellum what pleasure do I owe?" My eyes dart to the glass table and Lady.Bellum is there. Not even giving me a glance.

"Aww, Lady.Victoria you are too kind, you know I missed you. Since the Ball I had a thought in my mind of us becoming friends, especially considering how close we are in rank. How high in society are parents are, it's not long before we inherit their place, am I right?" Ah so this is for business reasons, of course, in a place like mine, relations are usually business. I just never personally had to deal with those relations.

So why was I dealing with them now? Why the sudden visit after one ball, what was really going on. I switch my eyes to the floor, my breath feeling tight as Sir.Bertram extends a hand to me. "May I?" I still stare at the floor, carefully taking his hand. "Okay-" He guides me next to him catching me off-guard, the security still lurking behind me watching life-less as my heart almost leaped from my chest.

I put a hand on my chest, inhaling deeply and then exhaling, Sir.Bertram holding my hand tight turning his head to the side, "Are you alright? Did I scare you?" I take my hand off my chest and put it to the side of my dress. "A little bit but I'm okay." "Okay just making sure." We continue to walk, "You look pretty by the way, the green really does suit you. Don't think I didn't notice."

My eyes widen and I push my lips together, this color wasn't my choosing. It was my mother's, but I obviously know why. It's easy to get someone on your side when you play by their accounts. Something simple as dressing in the colors of our opponent can throw them off. Give them a false sense of home that they didn't know was a trap.

That's what this was, I stop right before we can get to the table and that's when I finally see that icy glare. That devious look, that looks me up and down like I'm nothing interesting to see.

Despite all my judgment and building anxiety, I keep it in. Giving a curtsy to Lady.Bellum, "Greetings to you too Lady.Victoria, interesting choice of colors I see. If I knew we were playing like this I would have wore purple." I suck in a breath, she knows what I'm playing at. I don't know why my mother planned this but it doesn't seem to be working anyway so why? Why the torture?

Her emerald eyes turn to face the table of teas and assortments, "Well are you going to join us or stand there? You are the host aren't you?" I gulp, letting go of Sir.Bertram's hand. A nearby maid coming to pull a chair out for me.

"Thank you", I sit down and I'm pushed into the table, my stomach touching the glass and Sir.Bertram sits down too. The conversation getting started and the teas on the table being poured.

"So what's your favorite out of all these?" "Green Tea, I enjoy Green Tea, it's not too sweet and I quite like the taste." A Teapot hovers over her cup and she looks at the maid with a neutral tone. Turning her eyes back to me, "Black Tea is a preference of mine." The rich colored liquid is poured in her cup and she takes a light sip. "I enjoy the intense taste of the beverage, I guess mine is more caffeinated also."

She swishes the tea in the cup setting it down as her brother's tea is poured. "I do say I prefer Tea over coffee so that's something about me, but I want to know about you since we're here." I drink more of my tea, staring at the table and Lady.Bellum starts to tap her finger on it repeatedly, "Lady.Victoria, when people talk to you why do you look down and why is there little known about you?"

That question stir in my brain,once I heard it, my hands nearly shaking at the attention now on me.

It was quiet now.