Royal(ties)

14. The Moonlight and The Man .14

Akira felt the rope inside of her finally snap. She had just about enough of everyone talking down on her mother. Lady Isabella really had the nerve to act like a wild animal, screeching and throwing wine and then talk about her mother? Akira would have to squash her down now, she had no time for petty cat fights amongst drama-inclined noble ladies.

"Lady Isabella", she calmly said. "You just spilt your wine on my dress".

"It was an accident", Lady Isabella replied smugly, her entourage nodding along. "Accidents do happen".

"No, it was not an accident. Excuse me", Akira asked the young man who caught her eye when she first came in. "Was it an accident?"

"No- no- My Lady", he stuttered, flushing red again.

"Well, it was. And if you're going to be so picky, I'll just pay for the dress", Lady Isabella snarked. "It wouldn't be that expensive since your mother probably ran the family coffers dry".

"Is that so?" Akira said innocently. "Since you're so confident, I'll believe you then".

Lady Isabella giggled and nudged a girl behind her as if she had already won.

"I'll send an invoice to your family home", Akira continued, lowering her voice. "I will have you know though that my dress was from an exclusive London boutique and it was tailor-made for me by the designer Raj. I feel terribly sorry for your father".

Lady Isabella paled ever so slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's no secret that he made a business deal that went downhill and is now struggling to rebuild what he lost", Akira said with a smile. Anyone onlooking would assume Akira was being kind or having a sweet conversation rather than threatening another noble lady. "It's a shame he has such a frivolous and reckless daughter to add to his burdens".

Her mouth dropped open in shock, leaving an unpleasant gaping hole.

"Well, I must change now as my dress is ruined", Akira said dismissively. "Farewell and do close your mouth - you might catch a fly".

As she turned away finally, she heard Lady Isabella sniffle in what she assumed were fake sobs to make people feel sorry for her but she ignored them. Grandmother was staring daggers into her back but she ignored that too.

All eyes were on her as she walked out. All in all, most people were of English nobility. She was something new to them. Something exotic. That paired with her status made her a point of interest. There were a few other non-English people too, mostly the rich and influential but most of them also had some sort of interest in her. Maybe because of her father's business. It was like she was placed on a pedestal for everyone to admire and watch, everyone wanted her for their selfish reasons. She wasn't going to be a trophy wife, granddaughter or friend to any of these people here.

An attendant quickly opened the door for her and she walked out of that stifling, boring ballroom and into the quiet, deserted corridor. She felt hot, unbelievably hot, and her heavy dress only weighed her down even more. Akira gathered her skirts together, made sure no one was looking and strode towards a small exit she noticed.

As the cool air hit her warm face, she began to cool down and her anger slightly subsided. The night was beautiful with a full moon and not a cloud in the sky. The wind was cool but the night was warm, a perfect combination for a midnight stroll. She wasn't usually allowed to go into this wing of the house and it wouldn't hurt to explore it a little whilst she could.

The vintage lamps lit her way as she walked aimlessly allowing her to appreciate the beauty of the night. The stars twinkled brightly above, a sight you would never see in London. The gardens were perfectly manicured and kept, the grass blades swaying ever so slightly in the caressing breeze.