Inventing Wonders

Chapter 23: We're Just Strangers

"I'm just curious, Lara, where did you get the sword?" Katasha smiled, fanning herself methodically.

Lara glanced at the golden blade in her hand, considering how best to tell her friend the story.

"Do you want the whole story or just about the sword? If the latter, I took it from our General."

"Oh, so the General is here too? I haven't seen him... And what did our dear old friend do for you to deprive him of his weapon?" the gleam of torchlight danced in the princess's eyes.

"Well..." Lara hesitated, still unsure where to start the story. "You see, I ran into the engineer..."

"And he's here too?! Point him out with the sword, I finally want to see your mysterious tormentor," she giggled.

"You know," Lara snorted, "it's easier to say who isn't here at this celebration. But if you want to hear this intriguing story, stop interrupting!" Lara started to get annoyed.

The story was indeed intriguing. An enraged Lara had stepped out from the shadows of the remote paths and immediately ran into the General:

"Dear Larisa Konstantinovna, what a meeting! Believe it or not, five minutes ago Sergey Petrovich and I were reminiscing about you... Yes, he said that your dress tonight is something unimaginable, but I couldn't imagine how right the prince was!" the old man boomed.

"Oh, well, Trubetskoy is quite the expert in women's fashion!" Lara sighed and smiled amiably.

"Don't be mad at him, my dear, the prince adores you..." he laughed.

"Everyone knows Sergey Petrovich and I have a special love..."

"Larisa Konstantinovna, it's because of such ambiguous statements that people think all sorts of things about you!" he shook his head fatherly.

"What are you implying, General!" Lara pretended to be deeply offended but couldn't hold back her smile for long. "I must also note your costume," the countess changed the subject, "especially your sword. I dreamed of getting one like that, but dear Mark was against it..."

"It's pleasant to hear praise from you. But since we're talking, would you keep me company? Frankly, I've wanted to discuss a delicate matter with you for some time..."

Lara had already discussed quite a few delicate matters that evening, but how could she refuse the good old General? This time, they headed towards the bay, to the shore.

"Larisa Konstantinovna, perhaps I should have directed this conversation to your brother, but alas, I've not had the honor of meeting him, and besides, I'm not sure if he's in Petersburg..."

"You are absolutely right! When it comes to delicate matters, I am in charge now. So, what did you want to discuss?" Lara was intrigued.

"As you know, I am old, lonely, and terribly wealthy. A human life is short, and I have no one to leave my legacy to..."

"Where were you earlier?" the girl exclaimed, raising her hands. "A month ago I was completely free and would have gladly accepted your proposal, but now, if you want to marry me, you'll have to duel Mark Nikolayevich..." she giggled.

"Your engagement, Larisa Konstantinovna, is undoubtedly the biggest shock for all the young men of the Russian Empire, but I'm afraid I wanted to talk not about you..."

"Oh! And who is the scoundrel who has taken away such a desirable suitor from me?" the countess raised an eyebrow.

"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. Since visiting you in Rozhdestveno, I cannot stop thinking about your ward Alexandra..."