Tangle (BWWM)

Chapter 5 - Returning the Favor

London, 1888

The dark, chilly streets were white with snow one early January evening. The crisp, light air was abuzz with excitement as the masses filed into the doors of Buckingham Palace. Amongst the crowd of noblemen and royals, stood a newly naturalized Vincent and his young cousin, Jacques. They managed to make their way to the gigantic doors, only to be stopped by a guard at the entrance. The uniformed men had been checking invitations of guests, as well as double checking a list of important names.

"Sir, where is your invitation?" the guard asked Vincent.

Vincent reached in his pockets, feigning surprise when he could not produce requested piece of paper. "Ahh, I seem to have misplaced it," he lamented, showing off his newly acquired English accent. "My name should be on the roster, though. Vincent Dragonoff."

The guard scoured the list, checking for some sign of the man's name. "I do apologize, sir. You are not on this list."

Vincent sighed. "Is there another list?"

"No," the man said curtly. "Let me be clearer. You have not been invited to this event and are not allowed entrance. Please leave the premises immediately."

Vincent cast a glance as Jacques who had been standing silently next to him in observance. He raised his eyebrows at the younger man, who made a face and sighed exasperatedly. Not too long after, the guard became less hostile.

"Ah, Mr. Dragonoff..." he began. "Enjoy your night, gentlemen." He stepped aside and allowed the pair to enter the palace.

"Very good," Vincent said to Jacques. "You will be a master of mind control soon enough."

"I am quite sure that when my parents asked you to train me, they did not intend it to be in such a manner," Jacques said as he struggled to keep up with Vincent's quick strides to the grand ballroom. He was still very weary of his ill-tempered older cousin. The man had quite the reputation, and he wanted not to get on his bad side. If that included using his powers to sneak into a state banquet being hosted by the Queen of England herself to avoid conflict because it was asked of him, then he would do it. There were no promises that he would enjoy it, though.

"Your parents knew exactly what they would get when they contacted me and implored me to take you on as an apprentice. An apprentice that I had no desire of having. Besides, this reason is as good as any other."

Jacques shook his head in response. "You are a horrible influence."

"You're learning, are you not?"

"I suppose so."

"Well then, mission accomplished." 

The masses were led into the grand ballroom where the event was taking place. The Queen was entertaining foreign diplomats and other guests at the annual State Banquet. Vincent usually made it a habit of attending, even if his name was not on the list. He thought Victoria would get it right by now...

The ballroom was large, schemed with red wallpaper and gold trimmings. Two large dining tables were set on the far sides of the room, and the open space in the middle was reserved for the dancing that would occur before and after dinner was served. Guests were already dancing the waltz. It was a flurry of women in white dresses and golden decorations and men in their dark suits. Vincent and Jacques, too, wore their best suits. His eyes scanned over the environment, taking in his surroundings. He spotted Victoria on her throne on the far end of the room, accompanied by her eldest son Edward on her right hand. Vincent smiled at her and grabbed Jacques' hand. In no time, they were on the other side of the room, approaching the monarch.