LAUDNA

10. Glass Sword: The fiasco

When Erika returned to the hall, all the guests were gathered near the grand staircase, where three figures stood out. Erika recognized Beatrix and her parents as she tried to approach them.

- As you all know, today's event is to celebrate various matters. But the main one is the hereditary succession of the Reneéque family's most valuable possession: The Glass Sword. - Began Beatrix's mother, or at least that's who Erika assumed was speaking, as people did not let her get close, so she stayed at the back of the crowd. A few seconds later, everyone started applauding.

- Thank you all for being here. I feel honored to have such an opportunity on my 23rd birthday. I hope to serve Rosemore and my family well. - Beatrix said, stepping back without looking at her parents, whom she knew would not be satisfied despite the more enthusiastic applause than when her mother was speaking.

During the second round of applause, Erika heard the entrance doors to the hall, which remained closed during the speech, discreetly open. Unusual, she thought. She also noticed that even though others had heard it too, they were too distracted to see the sword tucked away in a large but thin box in the hands of a waiter about to be unveiled.

As Erika turned to the doors, she could hardly believe what she saw.

There was James, trying to open the old doors as quietly as possible, holding an object in one hand that Erika could recognize and easily connect the dots: The sword. The Glass Sword, which should have been in Beatrix's hands by now.

Now, everything was clearer. His fiddling, or rather, hiding something in the bushes, his relief that Erika hadn't suspected anything, his haste to disappear when he heard the speech was about to begin. It all led to this moment.

"James" had been watching her for some time. When their eyes met, he pretended to look around and gestured with his lips: "Sorry!" Unfortunately, for Erika, it didn't seem sincere. He said it with such a sarcastic expression that it felt like a stab for believing whoever he pretended to be while talking to her in the garden.

She was torn between running after him or warning Beatrix about what she had just witnessed. But when she turned and saw the guests murmuring, she knew it was too late.

In the end, she decided to run, passing through the half-open doors of the hall, doing her best to try to save one of the few parts of the day that hadn't gone wrong, not just for her, but for Beatrix as well.

She managed to catch a glimpse of "James" running in the distance, now with a bag containing the sword.

- Hey! Do you know how important this sword and this moment were? What is your problem?! - Erika yelled as she ran after him, her lungs burning. Still, he didn't seem to hear her. If he did, he blatantly ignored her.

Too late, again. It was no longer possible to catch up with him, and Erika needed to go back inside.

---

When she returned, the crowd had already dispersed, with many preparing to leave. But they didn't matter now. Erika couldn't find Beatrix. She couldn't find her, but she saw Felix and Crystal, Felix with his arms crossed, and Crystal interlacing her hands compulsively.

- Hey, you...

- Erika! Where have you been? The sword...

- It was stolen, I know.

As Crystal heard Erika's words, she seemed even more anxious and stepped away.

- I need to talk to Beatrix. Do you know where she is?"

- Going up those stairs, the corridor to the right - Felix said, looking tense as he stared at Erika.

- Stairs, got it. Thanks, Felix, Crystal. It was good to see you today. - Erika returned their smiles and headed for the stairs.

---

- I don't know how we let you be in charge of things, Beatrix - Erika heard Beatrix's father, indignant. -This was a disaster! And you have no idea where the sword is? Honestly, you're becoming worse than your brother. - Her mother added, as if the two parents were two tornadoes spinning around their daughter.

- I organized everything the way you usually do. The disappearance of the Glass Sword obviously wasn't part of the plan...

- Well, now it is. You're in charge of this family, Beatrix. Your father and I are too old for this. Prove yourself worthy for once...

- Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Reneéque. I have something urgent to discuss with Beatrix and will steal her for a moment! - Erika made a head bow without even looking at the couple, out of sheer fear, and took Beatrix by the wrist, holding her gently.

- Erika, thank you. But it wasn't necessary, it's my fault for not being responsible enough for my family's relic...

- It wasn't your fault - Erika said, looking Beatrix directly in the eyes, trying to provide comfort at the moment, although that wasn't her intention.

- It was a waiter. He said his name was James. Amber eyes, blue hair, scar on the side of his face. I saw him with the sword, leaving through the hall doors during the speech, right when the applause began, behind the crowd where he probably thought no one would see him.

- Firstly, I know all the employees who have ever set foot in this house, and none of the 'James' match your description. Secondly, how do you know all this?

Erika was relieved that even though Beatrix could easily call her crazy, they had enough intimacy for her to know she would never lie about something on this scale and to provide information that would help them sort out the mess.

- I found him in the garden, acting, now looking back, quite suspicious. And then, since I was at the back of the room, I saw him with the sword. I tried to stop him...

- It's okay. It wasn't your responsibility anyway - Beatrix offered a forced yet sweet smile. - But, what were you doing in the garden with...

- Great! Now we know it wasn't someone who worked here. We have a clue to find your sword and forget everything that happened today! - Erika abruptly interrupted the question.

Beatrix couldn't help but laugh, truly laugh, while gently wiping away one of the many tears streaming down her face, illuminated by the moonlight.

- Thank you, Erika. I don't know what I would do without you! - Beatrix said weakly, at the same time with joy and sincerity that made Erika hug her tightly.

- It's going to be okay. We'll figure this out.