The Ungodly Hour~Anthony Bridgerton

part X: a night at the opera

Songs:
Questioning my mind- Ambar Lucid
Love of my Life- Queen
Checkmate- Conan Gray
Snap Out of It- Arctic Monkeys

The opera lobby was bustling reminding Caroline of her first day in court waiting in line at the presentation, as she, Terrence, and Mia waited in line to find their seats. Somehow Caroline had convinced Lady Heathman who did not want to attend anyways to give Mia her seat as a 'chaperone'. They had said Terrence may be distracted during the performance. He played along with her charade with little coxing, as it gave him an excuse to abandon Caroline should he see a girl he had pined after for many years and was just now developing a genuine friendship with.

Caroline was ecstatic. Now Mia was dressed as nicely as Caroline had been the past few days and the two could enjoy a night out together as friends, not as lady and lady in waiting.

They had not been in the lobby long when the familiar rough but musical light accent rang in Caroline's ears. She turned to see Viktor behind her staring down at her. This was the first they had seen each other up close. She was actually surprised he even recognized her in a sea of other skinny blondes. She examined his deep brown eyes the same way they examined hers. He looked her up and down in a way that was not imprudent but made Caroline blush instinctually.

"Will you please join us in our box?" Viktor stepped aside revealing Lord Pembley behind him.

"It would be improper for us to join you alone, don't you agree Lord Pembley?" she asked him, making him blush at the suggestive but subtle question.

"We will not be alone," Viktor laughed. "Don't worry there will be other ladies and lords with us, there is no reason to not trust me, Miss Kensington."

"I see you have dropped the nicknames, I must say I am relieved."

"Oh no, Rapunzel, do not worry," he took her gloved hand wrapping his arm around her elbow. And before she could protest she and Mia were both being escorted to the private boxes. The one they entered was especially grand, center level on the right, placed just so that they could see the entire stage with no obstruction. The stage curtain was drawn but already the red velvet with specks of gold glinting off the candlelight of the stage lamps and chandeliers dazzled Caroline.

Viktor Telvie was correct they were not alone, in fact, they were in the audience of the Queen. Both Mia and Caroline stood frozen in place as they registered that they would now be watching the performance with royalty. The Queen registered their awkward presence too, but instead of the anticipated snub, she welcomed the girls, actually recognizing Caroline. Perhaps from the presentation or Lady Whistledown.

"So the songbird you were telling me about was Miss Kensington, our season's Cinderella?" the Queen smiled at Caroline. Caroline and Mia both returned gracious curtsies.

"No, she is my Rapunzel, remember?" he laughed but Caroline frowned. Everyone was quoting fairy tales about her life as if it was a game or silly folklore but every moment in the ton felt more like a stress dream with peaks and valleys of delight and terror.

"Ahh well she can be my  Cinderella," the Queen laughed back. "You will absolutely be Cinderella should you marry Prince Telvie!"

Viktor blushed and said something to the Queen about counting chickens before they are hatched, but Caroline couldn't hear a thing. All sound drowned out as she heard the words 'Prince'. A Prince was the man she had been so informally talking to? He had even introduced himself as such how could she have known, but such an offense especially by someone at her status could be fatal, if not physically then reputation-wise.

"Your majesty," Caroline curtsied nearly interrupting Viktor who she had not been paying attention to in her shock.

He laughed at her once again, revealing his charming flash of a smile and a glint in his dark brown eyes. "See this is why I did not tell you, I knew you'd act this way."