Unexpected

Chapter Eight

A/N: This chapter might not be that good, sorry :( but don't give up, you guys. Today I was hurrying because I was really busy. Don't give up this story, pwease??? :)

CINDER

Cinder watched as the two melted into the crowd, somehow seeming to stand out among all the other guests. Viviana's copper red hair is curled over her shoulder to one side, her dark blue gaze sparkling from the chandelier light. She really was a stunning woman. Cinder chuckled as Casper stumbled slightly on the dance floor when Viviana snorted.

Cinder absentmindedly filled her plate with three dumplings, then averted her gaze to observe the food. Cinder plucked a dumpling into her mouth, chewing as the tastiness seeped inside her mouth.

High heels clip-clopped behind Cinder, and she turned around.

Rosaline stared back. Cinder rolled her eyes.

If it isn't Miss Prim and Perfect.

Rosaline pursed her lips at the sight of Cinder, ignoring her, then swerved around Cinder to take a glass of champagne. Cinder chewed the last of her dumpling then swallowed, all the time keeping a cautious eye on the Artemisian woman.

Rosaline spun back, sipping the liquid as her gaze swept over Cinder. "Where's your bodyguard?"

Cinder narrowed her eyes. "Who are you talking about?"

"Casper Laramort."

"He's not a bodyguard. And he's dancing with Viviana."

Rosaline paused and her mouth became a thin line. "Viviana Blackthorn?" she muttered.

Cinder nodded. Rosaline's face twisted even more."Stars, I hate that woman," Rosaline hissed, her hazel eyes flashing. Cinder rolled her eyes and ate another dumpling. She honestly couldn't care less about Rosaline's complaint. "Let me guess, you're friends with her?" Rosaline snapped, her voice flinty.

"What do you care?" Cinder replied flatly. "she's much a nicer accomplice than you."

Rosaline gritted her teeth. "I don't really care, but if I were you, I'd keep Blackthorn away from me as long as possible. She's not a good person to be around-unless you want money and power."

Cinder frowned. "I've only met her for a ten minutes and I already prefer her to you-for your information, we met for fifteen."

"That's because you're the new queen," Rosaline scowled. "of course she'd try to get to know you."

"As if you weren't best friends with Levana," Cinder shot back.

"Maybe I was." Rosaline's eyes darkened. "but Viviana's not the same as Levana."

Cinder considered this for a second. She'd only met Viviana for a short time but she seemed like a good type of person to befriend, and Cinder had always been told she was a good judge for character. And Casper seemed to be very close with Viviana, as he told her they had been best friends since little. And honestly? Cinder's only friend here (except Iko, Kinney, Winter and maybe Jacin) consisted of only Casper and Viviana, who seemed alright.

"How so?" Cinder finally asked.

Rosaline glanced at her from the corner of her eye, then placed the glass of champagne down. "With Levana, I always knew her style, I could tell beforehand what she was planning to do. Her antics were predictable." her mouth curved into a bitter smile. "but with Viviana Blackthorn, she's as sly and cunning as a snake. You can't tell her pattern. She'll do one thing then the next, and mess you up."

"You say this as if from experience," Cinder murmured.

"You might be the queen here, Cinder, but others won't shy away from taking disadvantage of your inexperience," Rosaline shook her head. "You don't know Artemisia's courts like I do. Many people will try to sway you. You might be royalty, Channary's daughter, but you can't compare to the cruelty of the previous queens before you."

Cinder reeled back when she mentioned her mother. Her face flushed. "I am queen. I'm not going to let them take advantage of me, I know I'm not experienced in things like this but you can't really blame me."

Rosaline's eyes hardened as her voice took on a hard-edged tone, all her early confidant disappearing. Cinder had been wondering why the girl was so nice-ish. "I never said I was blaming you," she snapped. "You won't even know it when someone tries to take advantage of you."

Cinder twitched her metal fingers as a ping went off in her retinal scan. Auto-cooling system activated. Cinder stiffened, then visibly deflated. Now was not the time to lose her temper. "I will know," Cinder said slowly. "No one can manipulate me."

"Sometimes they don't make it as obvious as that." Rosaline closed her mouth then abruptly sauntered away, leaving Cinder staring after the girl in bewilderment.

What in the stars was that?
Cinder turned her gaze back to the dance, feeling disconcerted by the strange conversation. Casper and Viviana were waltzing towards her, laughing about something as the opera music died down. Casper offered her a wide grin and shook his head.

"See what you missed, Cinder?"

Cinder snorted. "You stumbled when you were going to dance. I am grateful for what I missed." she cocked her head when she heard her name. It seemed everyone was calling her Cinder, even Rosaline. "Hey, why's everyone calling me by Cinder?"

Viviana came up behind Casper and smiled. "Honey, it's because it matches you so much better than Selene."

Cinder locked eyes with her, smiled, but she couldn't shake off Rosaline's former warning. If I were you, I'd keep Blackthorn away from me as long as possible. Casper sauntered in between them, and Viviana smirked and ran a hand through her hair, breaking stares with Cinder as she watched Casper stuff more dumplings inside his mouth.

"Are you ever not hungry?" Cinder asked, exasperated.

Viviana laughed as Casper mumbled, "Dancing makes me starved."