Chapter 8
Chapter – 08
Doubt plagued her over those reckless words.
Midday light pierced the room, marking the latest rising in ages, her lids inflamed and raw beneath the sheets.
She lingered in shelter from the glare, piecing together the chaos in her mind.
Arno had wavered endlessly amid her wrenching sobs before dangling that elusive assurance.
He sought freedom from their bond yet provoked her collapse beforehand.
Degrading to the core. Sobbing before the very man who’d berated her delay, unearthed their split to awaken her wounded pride… tears sparked by “that woman” of all triggers.
Still, they’d postponed the final call until after opening night.
Pure calculation, betting on audience reactions to sway the outcome.
Quintessential Arno Dience.
He uttered a sharp tsk, drew forth linen, offered it across.
“Dab those cheeks. Staff hovers just beyond.”
She held silent.
Appearances ruled his world.
No doubt shielding against whispers he’d shattered her composure.
Swift pats with the fabric, then he settled back down.
Spectacles aligned, gaze on ledgers, voice steady.
“Clarity’s needed. Ending our betrothal never crossed my mind.”
“Excuse me?”
“Long ago, I deemed wedlock owed to flawless beauties.”
Ambiguity hung thick.
“No longer the case.”
Her looks fallen short? Marriage ideals reshaped?
Enigma dropped, he vanished into stacks of reports.
“At minimum, you’ve handed me stakes riding on this production’s victory.”
Triumph cleared her owed sum to him, salvaged her stained name, bolstered the crown prince’s path, guarded her existence. Their parting now pivoted on it too.
Duty called her to practice, chilled compresses be damned.
Resolve shoved her from the nest—
Shadows cloaked the space.
Darkness clung?
Vitality in the air betrayed that notion.
She slid from mattress, drifted to fabric walls.
Rays teased the edges.
Flinging panels wide unleashed a blaze.
Eyes recoiled.
Palm clutched dense weave.
From shadows rearward, tones drifted.
“Count mandated exchanging lavish old drapes for these heavier barriers. Discomfort them causing? Replacements await your word.”
Response evaded the servant.
Mute vigil, texture rough under touch.
Subtle swivel, words escaped.
“They’re fine.”
Soft mirth bubbled as garments claimed her frame, stairs summoned.
Dawn meal ignored; slumber’s depth erased craving.
Coach stood primed, Alfredo tendered weighty silvers.
“Dawn delivery from the Count. Covers your supply needs.”
Prior darkness, plea for extra coin voiced.
‘Props hunger for additional funds.’
Eager nod fueled hopes, yet—
“Surplus staggers.”
Stare locked on attendant.
Stage-worth, eclipsing mere fittings.
“Misdelivery—?”
“Impossible, milady. Precision defines the Count. And myself.”
Pause lingered.
“Escort today?”
Intent glare pinned Leo at her flank.
His possessive scans of rivals sparked amusement over vexation lately.
“Very well. Side by side.”
Funds destined a fixed path, glares notwithstanding.
Leo voiced discontent nearby.
“Practice session?”
“Sudden fan now?”
“Hardly.”
Color warmed his face; familiar droop resumed.
“Admit it—I crave our stolen hours. Run-throughs cloak perfect indulgences.”
Wicked curve to lips, advance for lips’ brush.
Instinct twisted her aside. Fingers grazed tresses tenderly, mirth rumbled.
Rearward, throttled outrage.
“Outrageous liberty! Amid his domain!”
“Fierce guard dog, all maternal fuss.”
Smirk flashed, distance gained.
Brazen pup.
Baiting chaos through her for sport?
“Rest claims me next. Night’s excesses linger.”
“Excesses which?!”
Yelp dismissed, Leo vanished toward annex haven—his fresh quarters.
Her decree enforced the shift.
Office exit eve prior, puffy gaze met his gleaming taunt—
‘Scandalous ways earned your rejection at last?’
Severity registered, brows knit tight.
‘Impossible.’ ‘Say again?’ ‘Weeping? Over him?’
Outstretched palm repelled by her blur strike.
‘Cut loose. Streets won’t claim you on my watch.’
‘Manner of aid?’
Brief mull, gravity rang true:
‘Livelihood in my form.’ ‘Madness?’ ‘Stone clarity.’ ‘…’ ‘Allure trades high.’
Exit followed, contemplation urged.
Truth rang—he held worth in that bloom.
Golden irises betrayed lineage’s fire.
Core peril exactly.
Fury incarnate slated her doom anon.
Proximity to assassin? Sleep’s thief.
Mind severed, command snapped.
“Onward.”
“Path ahead, milady?”
“Plain as day. Former flame’s alehouse.”
“Repeat venture?! His silver fueling?!”
Bound upward in shock.
Jesting goldmine, time fled mercy.
“Coach or abandonment, Alfredo.”
“Unescorted? Never!”
Loads beckoned heavy.
Mercutio.
Tybalt.
Glow arrays.
Urgency clawed, calendar bled.
Opening fortnight away.
* * *
Fortnight passed.
Nineteen fresh, Elise framed the portal with her father, longtime aide to knightly house.
She mirrored service there as chamber aid.
Theater threshold…!
Lifelong debut.
Aristocrats’ domain, purses of humble folk strained thin.
Open stages beckoned cheap, ale-soaked chaos within—sire barred entry.
“White Friars greets us.”
Hushed wonder marked passage inward.
Mesena Duchy gem once, refined plays for lofty blood.
Barriers steep for her station.
Duchy’s ruin yielded revival: prices slashed, portals flung wide public.
“Whispers paint her kinder than feared. Our seats granted for the spectacle.”
Bench claimed, confidence shared.
Twilight edged in; torch-bearers kindled paths.
Doubt creased her father’s brow.
“Greed drives it likely, legacy tainted by mobs. Duchess no more—that one’s coin and dalliances rule.”
Peculiar ire from common roots against common entry.
Luiza Mesena tales rang familiar: wealth, lovers paramount.
Gawkers filled rows for ornate gleam, her handpicked male graces, stage flops legendary.
Flanking seats buzzed low:
“Modest splendor.”
“Makes up in casts. Her eye for males.”
“Talent? Clutching them onstage.”
Allure tugged Elise too…
Demure veil held.
“Eager beyond words. Maiden voyage to drama, Father.”
Fond curve recalled rare jaunts.
“True enough. Marquis Burbidge merits nod for the hours freed.”
Noble overseer.
Knight lineage storied, current throne barren of honors.
Tales swirled: past favor flipped to scorn; oaths pending.
Beyond gossip—imperial scorn etched deep.
Full house boomed edicts:
“Curtain nears. Claim spots, hush all!”
Flames winked out.
Void consumed sight.
Murmurs stirred.
Gloom oppressive?
Nightfall loomed; actors soon shadows mere.
“Father, daylight the custom…?”
Breath caught—
Platform bloomed radiance.
Orb of gleam.
Core held man: tale-weaver embodied.
Ripples of startle.
“Incredible…”
Solar fierce—from heights.
Eyes traced upward.
Ceiling tube poured blaze.
Luminosity unmatched!
Wonder gripped as timbre launched:
“Verona fair, two houses matched in pride. Old hate births fresh clash. Lovers fated ill seal doom; their fall heals kin war.”
Depth wove command, tech wonder secondary.
Utterance seized souls outright.
Next—
“Behold…”
Gesture broad.
Glow surged stage-wide.
Noon rivaled in flare.
Awe cascaded anew.
“Verona youth step forth.”
Grin savored shock’s grip as guide withdrew.
Lads stormed boards amid rouse:
“Mercutio, hat pilferer!”
“Father…!”
Grip tightened on arm, words swallowed:
Father, those faces stun!
