The Academy (Part 2 of the Syndicate Series)

Chapter 19- The Waltz

Belle:

I was going to make this entrance of my own accord. My father wanted to introduce me so that I could walk down the steps with everyone's eyes on me, to parade me around like an animal for auction. I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction.

"You look like your mom, you know."

I turned to Blaise who looked at me sadly in return. Just seconds ago he was telling me that I was beautiful, but the reality was setting for both of us now, that these were the last few seconds we would have together before I left.

"You think so? Do you really remember her?" I asked nervously, sticking in one final bobby pin to the mess of curls I had created.

He reached for my mother's necklace, pulling at the chain to make sure that the clasp was at the base of my spine instead of in front. "Not incredibly well, but I guess a little better than you or Rosine since I was a couple of years older when she passed. But yes, from what I remember, you look just like her."

"Sometimes I wonder what would have been different if she was here. We probably wouldn't be in this mess, father wouldn't be such a terror, my sister would be here, and-"

"Don't overwhelm yourself with that right now," He pulled me into his chest. "I know you miss her, but there's no way to predict what would have happened. It could have been something worse. But at the end of the day, the most important part is that she loved you. And she would be proud of how you're reacting to the hand you're dealt."

I stepped back and drifted towards the stairs where Blaise offered me his arm so that I didn't trip on my dress, "You know, I don't think I remember anything from her funeral. I don't have any clear memories of her left, sometimes I wonder if the little that I recall is just my imagination trying to fill a hole in time."

Blaise squeezed my elbow as we descended the marble steps, so close to the party now that I could hear it. "You have courage and bravery, and the unfathomability to stay calm under pressure. Those things are going to save you tonight, and they definitely aren't traits from your father. I think you have more of your mother's spirit in you than you give yourself credit for, mon beau."

The sounds of people laughing and chatting were a stark contrast to the reality of the situation. Families in our world knew what these birthday parties were for- alliances, work, and arranged marriages. They all just used friendliness as a ruse. It was a cutthroat arena in there, and I was sure that while my father was looking for the best deal he could manage, there were other families there with ulterior motives. It was just rare to see so many in one place.

I faltered slightly outside of the door as Blaise drew away. I knew that he couldn't escort me in, we couldn't let anyone know about our relationship, but I felt colder than I should have without him standing next to me. My father had told me to wait in my room for my Uncle Claude to come and get me for my introduction, and walking in without the fanfare would be one of my last chances to defy my father. The final one would be running away tonight. The bags were all packed now, I just had to be sure that I made myself known to the guests before I snuck away. Blaise was about to turn the corner and find another doorway to enter the hall, but I grabbed his wrist, "Blaise, before I go, I just need to say that... well..." I faltered, suddenly at a loss and unable to form the words I was looking for. "I need you to know that however this plays out, or if we don't see each other again for a while, I..."

I struggled, and from the patient look on his face, he understood why. These feelings that I buried so deep down for so long, assuming that they were never going to be reciprocated, were overwhelming. I couldn't tell someone that I loved them after only being together for a few weeks, but Blaise wasn't just anyone. I already knew that I loved him in many ways- as close friends, as a constant companion, as someone that had been a great comfort to me for most of my life. I wouldn't be the person I was without him, and he was such a healthy part of my past. That was love, wasn't it? And I knew that if something happened, or things didn't go according to plan, I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't say it out loud to him now.