Immortal's End

Loyalty (23.)

*One week later- an hour before showtime*

[Darien]

"My lady, please do come to your box tonight." I implore her, though she has been rather resistant today.

"No, I want peace and quiet, so I'm staying backstage." She replies, tapping her foot impatiently before turning heel and striding away.

"M'Lady wait! Please, I need to keep an eye on you where I know no one can get to you. The sirs will be too busy with the show to watch you-"

"Then I'll stick with Groffy. Lay off it, Darien. You're being overprotective." She interrupts.

"I have reason to be, Lady Eva. Now come along or I shall be forced to ask one of the sirs to make that an order." I threaten. She's so strongheaded, damnit. I know her will is a prideful one, but it sometimes makes her rather stupid. "And I am not above doing so, m'Lady."

"Oh, so you'll tattle on me to my partners. You really are a brother. Jeez..." she whines softly, finally pausing her stride at the bottom of the stairs. The sound of her frustrations earns us a small audience.

"As childish as it seems, if it ensures your safety then it shall be done. So please, come along. I will even escort you back for intermission."

"Darien..." she sighs, her shoulders relaxing a little. "Fine, but you're not staying in the booth with me. I don't need you breathing down my neck." She concedes! Yes!

"Deal! Thank you, m'Lady. I shall remain here until you are ready to go." I bow at the waist, earning a smile from her.

"I'll be back soon, don't worry." She replies, before running up the stairs, probably to Sir Oak's room. I sigh. This is going to be stressful if every step we take to protect her is going to be met with such resistance.

I refuse to let her be taken again. No one lays a hand on my dear Lady with intent to harm her. Not again.

"She's definitely a little firecracker, huh." A voice new to me speaks up, and I turn. Thayne, I believe. He's the one who plays Seabury. He simply smiles to me, extending a hand. "Cookie?"

"Thank you..." I take the treat, our fingers brush gently.

"Thayne. You're Darien, right?" He asks, moving to lean by the stairwell.

"Correct, I am head Usher here and personal assistant to Lady Eva." I bow on impulse, a routine action as I introduce myself, but his hand taps my chin, lifting my head again. His fingertips are warm and surprisingly gentle as they linger.

"No need for that, I'm very informal. Either way, it's nice to meet you." He smiles comfortingly. I take his hand in mine, gently laying a kiss to the back of it.

"The pleasure is mine, Sir Thayne." I lift my eyes to him, watching the blush rise in his cheeks as I breathe against his skin. Wow... he's adorable. Never have I desired to see cheeks flush red in shyness so much. We stare at each other for a moment longer, the 10 minute call breaking our focus.

"I-I'll see you around?" He stutters and tugs his hand free from mine, only making my smile grow.

"I eagerly await the moment. Best of luck out there." I stand up straight, I have a few inches on him. He nods, smiling up to me before scurrying off just as quickly as he appeared. I watch him go, lifting the cookie he gave me to my lips to munch. I do hope I see him again. It's amazing that I've worked here this long and never spoken to him before. Thayne... hm.

"Alright Dare-bare! I'm ready." Lady Eva bounces down the stairs, Sir Oak in tow. I hastily chew down the rest of the cookie before taking her arm.