Angel With No Wings

Part 9

They walked down the staircase and through the main hall, where the butlers and maids lined the walls. Mr. Morrison stood in front of the door of the ballroom.

"You look beautiful, m'lady." He smiled as he opened the door. The laughter, chatter, and music from the room filled every corner of the hall. Mr. Morrison stepped forward and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you tonight, the lady of honor, Ms. Angela Ziegler."

The room fell silent as the guests looked at the beauty in front of them. Her grace and elegance was unmatched, as she walked into the room with her father. Many were in attendance. There were noticeably more men than women. Some women were here to find suitable husbands, but they knew all of the men were only there to try their hand at the gorgeous Angela, or rather, her large estate.
Angela's father kissed her hand, and bowed to her, as she curtsied to him. Her father walked away, to join whatever conversation her mother was in the middle of. There Angela stood in a room full of people, yet she still felt alone.

Dr. O'Deorain walked up to the anxiety-riddened Angela.

"Well, don't you look stunning," the woman replied. She wore a black suit and a purple vest, with golden cufflinks holding her sleeves together. She had a glass of champagne in her hand, which hadn't even been served yet. Angela curtsied to the woman.

"Thank you, doctor."

"Please, call me Moira." Angela was relieved to have at least one friend at this party.

"Well, Moira, I hope you know some of the people in attendance tonight, because I have no clue who anyone is."

Moira laughed as she sipped her drink. "Well," She pointed, "I know people say that man over there, Winston, is an animal in the bedroom."

"Ah, exactly what I'm looking for in a suitor for the Ziegler estate." Angela commented. Moira laughed loudly, nearly spilling her drink. Once she recovered, she pointed to another man.
"That man over there is Lucio. He is a very popular musician, he plays the piano like magic."

"Sounds interesting," she responded. "Maybe I'll ask-" While the pair was talking, a man cleared his throat and grabbed the lady's hand, giving it a kiss. He had long, black hair that he held in a bun, and sideburns that greyed halfway down. He wore a suit with no jacket, and had a tattoo on his arm that was mostly covered by his shirt, but was still visible.

"Ms. Angela Ziegler, may I have this dance?" Angela looked over to Moira, and Moira lifted her glass and nodded her head. Angela looked back over at the man and nodded her head hesitantly. She locked arms with the stranger and walked to the dance floor. Something seemed... so familiar about him, but she couldn't figure it out.

The man put his hand on her waist and she lifted her dress as they started to waltz. She felt very uncomfortable dancing with him. She'd only ever danced with her father before, never with a stranger. How nice it would have been for her first dance to be with Genji.

"Is there something bothering you, Ms. Ziegler?" His voice snapped her back to reality.

"Oh no, nothing at all." He went silent for a moment, and then started to speak again.

"So, I heard you were keeping a special patient here."
"Where did you hear that?"

"It's a small village. Things get around quickly. Is he here tonight?"Angela's face hardened.

"No, he will not be joining us tonight." the man smirked.

"Why so?"

"Is this an interrogation?'

"Ms. Ziegler, where is your special guest?" Angela stayed quiet. The man tightened his grip around her waist and pulled her closer to him with a jolt. Angela gasped for air.

"I won't ask again," he whispered in her ear.

"He... he left," she responded, the words hit her heart like a dagger.

"Ah. And why was that?" his eyes pierced into Angela's. Her soul filled with anger. What game was this man planning?

"I don't know," she mumbled, under gritted teeth.
"Oh, but you do." She wanted nothing but to get away from this man, but his grasp on her was too tight to escape.

"Tell me, Ms. Ziegler, did you have feelings for him?" his smile grew as her anger built. "Did you... love him?" She refused to answer. Instead, she looked away as tears began to build.

"Ah, so you do. That's all of the information I need." At that moment, Mr. Morrison's voice echoed in the room.

"Presenting Lady Lacroix, escorted by Genji Shimada."