The Wolf Ballet || WW2

28. The Wolf Ballet

  
Chapter Twenty-Eight

The warm touch of the sundering Sun was a comfort to Ophelia as she stood solemnly alongside the side of the Neumann house.

***

"In the coming of just a few days, there will be a banquet held at the Berlin Chancellery. A summit between the members of the third regime and their respective social circles. Ivan and I were invited, of course."

Emmeline's voice carried itself through the thundering vastness of her subconscious mind. Reciting the information that was given during lunch in the parlor.

Ophelia sat there with her hands on her lap as she accepted Emmeline's words diligently. Often breaking her gaze away from her hands and peering into the distance in hopes of keeping a steady pace of heart.

"There, we will take the chance and, 'introduce you to society'. Though I must warn you, there is a chance you may encounter one of your aggressors from Poland—this banquet will gather most if not all high-ranking members of the Nazi Party. It'd be best if we were to prepare you not only physically but mentally as well."

The French refugee perked her lips and she took a tired breath of air, her hands wrinkling the table cloth that was dangling over her knees.

"You will attend the banquet as Ivan's granddaughter who had only just returned to the city after studying in Poland. Ivan and I will be by your side throughout the event, so it won't be too demanding. With all the talk and excitement revolving around the culmination of the camp, you should expect people to ask what you've seen. Of course, you're under no obligation to speak of it, I inform you—the Nazi leaders wish to keep the general public ignorant about the happenings in those camps. As a devoted German daughter, you would be wise to remember your limits."

"What do I say if they ask about how I was sent to the camp?" Ophelia had voiced her tension.

It was reasonable worry—she didn't understand the way warlords thought. What if she mentioned that it was their own mistake and offended them? Could she support her release in trade for their competency?

"You say what any gracious servant to the Nazis would say; it was an honest mistake, and that Führer was ever so generous to allow to come back home. As you see, under normal circumstances such cases would have usually been swept under the rug. Did you possibly believe they would leave well enough alone especially knowing you came from Auschwitz of all places? You must stay coherent on the fact that you are a special case. Not everyone has been as lucky as you, Ophelia."

****

Ivan waved out from the window of his car as the black iron gates opened up the city streets for him. After lunch, Ivan and Ophelia agreed that it would be best to stay with Emmeline in preparation for the summit.

Ophelia could only watch as her protector and guide disappeared behind the thick leaves of the surrounding woodlands. The sound of the gates closing indicating he was no longer there.

"It's soon to be night, let's head inside," Emmeline told her as she turned her around with a hand on her shoulder.

Following Emmeline up the stairs to the third floor, Ophelia was led to a spare room big enough to be an attic. Though the large, white veiled, canopy bed, green floral dresser, and white and gold vanity proved it was merely an isolated guest room.