The Eyes Of 'Rah

Lady Knox's Birthday Party II

Priscilla Knox wound her arm around Xavier's the moment she joined them, wanting to claim her territory and show the girl  Xavier wasn't available, she purred, "Xavier darling, who is this lady? I don't seem to remember her face"

Xavier extracted his arm from her, "Miss Seraphine Patrick" he gestured towards Serahpine, "Lady Priscilla Knox, the celebrant"

Diane sipped her drink loudly as she watched the disappointed look on Priscilla's face when Xavier removed his arms, "she manages the pawnshop in town" she added.

Priscilla didn't bother to offer an embrace for a 'nice to meet you' hug when she heard her relationship with the pawnshop. She had thought perhaps  a distant cousin of the Manchesters or the Orsinis.

How dare a mere pawnshop manager to set her foot in her party, not as a servant but one of the guests?

As if she could read her mind, Diane flashed her a smile, "she's my friend" she added, "nice party you have here, Priscilla"

No wonder "Thank you!" Priscilla flashed her back a fake smile of her own.

Xavier glanced at Serahpine who kept stealing glances at Francis, he narrowed his eyes, could her reason for the constant gaze be that she was attracted to him?

Displeased at how Xavier fixed her gaze on the lady who was unaware while she was busy trying to gain his attention, Priscilla spoke suddenly, "pardon me Miss Patrick, but are you visually impaired? Why the need to wear such spectacle?"

"Please enlighten us, I've been dying of curiosity" Stephen added.

"For a personal reason" suddenly feeling irritated, why does Stephen like goading and poking his nose in people's affairs, he's clearly a vampire version of Mrs. Mosey!"

Priscilla's lips formed an 'oh'

"Miss Patrick, you look extraordinare by the way. The spectacle suits you" Francis complimented.

Smiling, "thank you"

"I'm sure all the male here appreciates your beauty"

Stephen snorted, what he wanted was to sink his fangs in her neck. Everyone ignored him while Priscilla mentally stomped a foot on the floor in frustration, the blind girl is taking away the attention from her.

Xavier felt a surge of pain suddenly accompanied by the brief presence of Mr. Hollow before it disappeared, which meant it was almost time to leave. His hand shook due to the sudden pain, he quickly looked at other's faces to check if they noticed, as he was about to exhale a breath of relief, he slightly turned to see the spectacle fixed at him. He knew she had noticed him.

For a brief moment, she had thought she was in the dark, as if a dark curtain had briefly covered her face, because by the time she blinked, everywhere seemed bright again, perhaps, she had imagined it, maybe it was time to stop drinking the wine or her spectacle was due for a change.

She had seen the shaky hand of Xavier Orsini, out of concern for him as she was about to ask if he was okay which could draw the other's attention to them, Xavier announced "I'll be leaving soon", he informed his friends.

"Serahpine darling, I'm sure you have several suitors lining at your doorstep, that is, if you haven't picked one already among them"

"I hear Lord Lockwood has been fervently pursuing you too as well. Words are you both would make a sweet happy couple" Diane replied Priscilla.

Her nose flared, "wherever did you hear that from?" Quickly she turned to Xavier like he deserved an explanation, "I'm not in anyway considering anyone of them"

Xavier removed the hand which she placed on his arm, "Lady Knox, you don't need to explain anything to anybody, you're a pretty woman whom any man would be glad to have. Please, extend your wedding invitation to me when you finally found a worthy partner, I would gladly attend as a guest"

While Francis and Daniel left their mouth wide open, Seraphine tried to stifle the laughter which was threatening to erupt, Diane and Stephen on the other hand, who understood nothing about decorum erupted in laughter, seeing the once paled face of Lady Knox had turned crimson, her eyes had gone wide in surprise.
"I'm so glad I came tonight " Diane beamed in satisfaction

Her pride wouldn't let her leave their midst that fast, she glared at the weakest person she knew she could direct her anger at - Seraphine.

If there's one thing Lady Knox knew how to do best, it is orchestrating tricks that would make her look like a victim and at the same time, punishing her target without creating suspicion. She had done it on several occasions to master it so well and as always, she never had anyone witness her bad deed.

Annoyed at the sound of Seraphine laughter, she thought on how to humiliate her as a punishment for laughing at her. If she had her way, she would have drank the lowly human dry but because she was here with the Manchesters, she couldn't do as she wanted.

Smiling inwardly as she saw an incoming maid with a tray full of drink, anticipating her move, she was glad that her ball gown was extremely full and had enough space to move around under it without getting noticed, as the maid got closer, she slightly put a foot on the way causing the maid to spill a little of the content on her body while Seraphine was drenched with the rest.

In the process of struggling to break her fall, the maid had held onto the nearest arm she could find which turned out to be Priscilla's cloth. Her shriek and the sound of broken glass cups drew the attention of the entire guest to them.

With the blink of an eye, Xavier had caught Seraphine who was pushed before she joined the other two on the floor, the next thing Seraphine knew, she found herself in the arms of Xavier Orsini who had saved her from falling.

"Are you all right" Diane asked, the maid servant quickly went on her knees in apology. "I'm sorry my lady, I should've watch where I was going"

Seraphine was about to speak when a sharp sound rang out, Lady Knox had landed a slap on the servant, "you had only one job and you couldn't do it right!" Mad that her plan didn't go the way she wanted but instead had given her guest something to gossip about, she picked the servant effortlessly from the floor, biting into her skin unceremoniously, until she drank her dry.

Filled with horror by what she was seeing, Seraphine had forgotten she was still in Xavier's arms until he removed it. It seemed strange when the rest of the guests had gone back to their discussion as if what Lady Knox did was nothing new.

"Seraphine, are you all right?" Francis tapped her shoulder, "you need to rinse the stain off your cloth" offering her his handkerchief.

Diane wanted to lead her to the powder room, seeing the shock on her friend's face but Seraphine declined, "I know the way" she needed some time alone, away from the creatures who saw nothing wrong with taking a life.

Letting her spectacle hung loosely around her neck, Seraphine splashed some water on her face to regain a clear head and sharp mind. Replaying the scene on her mind while staring at her reflection, reluctant to go back to the hall so soon, she decided to clear her mind and feel the cool night breeze on her, wanting a quiet and less stuffy space, she ascended the stairs by the corner of the powder room which seemed to lead to a balcony.