Imaginary world ( The half world chronicles)

Chapter 22 Moira

Buda castle rose before us in all its splendor. My long dress was like being taken out of the Renaissance. Crinoline covered with layers of dark purple velvet and black pearl lace. The corset was engraved with gray flowers and black stones, tightly tightened, and made my breasts that were overflowing look at least two sizes larger. I had straightened my short hair to make me even more extravagant (all women were long hair at that time). My face was covered with domino mask with the same black stones that embellished my corset, the purple color of the mask made my eyes stand out with its extraordinary variegated color. I smelled of lilies and orchids. Liam was next to me and he was holding my hand, had it not been the events of the last week, I would probably feel like i was in Princess Heaven. He had a black suit and domino of purple and gray chalk. His green eyes had not moved away from me as we had left the apartment, but I strongly ignored dushlord presence. The castle was magnificent and a mixture of architectural trends, an incredible and impressive dream destination for every 21st century tourist. All this glass and stone pile was wrapped in silence, but it all changed after we entered the main entrance. Passing along the corridors i could literally feel the spirit of past epochs. Baroque had left his reflection on the architecture of the castle mixed with the gentle breath of Gothic. The high ceilings left the impression of grandeur, but also for a lack of coziness and light introspective coldness. The pervasive and emotional style of flow in architecture after the 16th century had been permanently drunk in the castle and made it part of that rare but captured but stylish building that left a print in the history of architecture. The ballroom was full of people dressed in glamorous dresses and expensive European costumes. I tried to find familiar faces in the crowd, but none of those present were in my circle. But that was impossible, I knew the whole high society. I turned to Liam to ask him where the hell had he found the invitations, but he was gone. I looked around the room, huge poles descended from the ceilings, and small bunkers were arranged along the walls. People had gathered together and spoke lively. There were people dressed in strange clothes in the hall, hanging on stilts, a net descended from the ceiling, and in it an entwined girl, an acrobat, preformed complex numbers. On a small circle, a boy was sitting, showing a performance by spinning a fiery poi. Everything was magical. A quiet waltz began, and someone grabbed my arm and turned me around. I was facing Liam inches from his lips. I stepped back, but Liam pulled me back and stuck me to him like a glue. I could feel his chest rise and the stinging and familiar strokes of his heart. I stared at the floor, crackling inside, and I felt how much I needed to talk to someone and cry. I had the feeling that I had lost part of myself, my best friend was so close and so far away. I had missed us, when had we became these strangers. The thought fell upon me with all its might. I could not go back to everything like before. I was crying for lost love once, I would not die if it happened again, but losing my best friend burned my whole being. I felt like i was burning at a stake, and slowly the flames covered my whole soul. Liam lifted my chin. Could he read in them, everything I felt. I swallowed and stuck a smile on my face. I was hoping I could lie at least this time, of course it did not work out.

"You know you can't hide anything from me, why do you try at all? I want to talk, that night I did not want to .."

"I did not want to" i  interrupted him." i was left with another impression, as soon as I said i was not a virgin, you did not stop with the attacks. What is whit the slut shamming...  " I could not help but feel hurt after last night.

"I did not mean that. I mean, we're friends. And i shouldn't  have..."

"Shouldn't what, act like I am a whore? Make me feel like that. Which one was not supposed to happen." - I felt I was on the verge of madness. Did he really say what he said. Never in my life did I feel more humiliated.

"No, I mean, I had to explain."

" I don't want any more explanations. Now leaving me be. Your selfish being, i wish i had another partner, i wish Charles was with me, I wish i didn't know you. " I wanted to hurt him, as he hurt me, I was a bit overwhelmed, so excuse me if i behave like a vicious and petty human being, right now i am one.