The engagement party, at least to me, would be an.. interesting feat. I had invited quite a few friends, including Josh. It didn't seem right to leave him out; he'd been my friend first, before my boyfriend. Even if we were on bad terms. People had been arriving for the past hour but I had remained in my rooms, making sure I looked.. right.
"Rosa." I spoke, beckoning her over. "Do you think this will work?"
"What will work, Matilda?" She asked, prompting for me to elaborate.
"This party." I said. "We need to convince people, Rosa, or else it will all look like a sham."
"Matilda, it is a sham." She responded. I nodded,
"I know." I acknowledged it. "I've done this out of spite, haven't I? I think I'm starting to realise this may not have been the best choice.."
"You'll be fine, Matilda. You like him enough, that's clear."
"Good." I smiled, turning to the door. "I'm committed now, no getting out of it. Now, I must greet my guests. Are they all in the throne room?"
Rosa nodded. The door opened and Julian stood in the doorway, dressed suitably for the occasion.
"You look beautiful." He commented as I took my place next to him.
"Thank you." I grinned, taking his arm. I could tell he was nervous, his expression gave it away. "You'll be fine, Julian. This isn't high society, it's just a few friends and family; mainly yours!"
"My Mother was insistent." He told me. We had reached the doors of the throne room rather quickly, though the distance between my apartments and the throne room wasn't that much.
"Good luck." I whispered as the doors swung open on the heels of the Page announcing us. We entered to a silence; certainly not an amicable one.
The band began again, violins filling my ears and the chatter followed. Julian had clearly spotted someone in the crowd and muttered something to me, kissing me gently before releasing me from his grip and walking over to the person he'd spotted. I scanned the crowd for Edward, finding him next to the bay window. I walked over and tapped him on the back, grabbing his attention.
"Enjoying the party?" I asked, smiling at him. He laughed, taking another sip of his champagne.
"It's for you, Matilda. Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"
"Only trying to care, Edward." I sarcastically said, grinning mischievously. Edward was silent for a few moments.
"Have you seen him?"
"Who?" I played the fool, acting as if I didn't understand Edward.
"You know who." He gave me a knowing look. I did know exactly who he meant; Josh.
"I don't even know if he got the invite, Edward." I muttered. "If he's here, then so be it."
"Why did you invite him, again?"
"Honestly?" I replied. Edward nodded, prompting me to speak again. "I don't know."
I turned to face the crowds, grabbing a glass from one of the waiter's silver serving trays. I sipped it slowly and scanned the crowd for a familiar face, latching on to Hugh's.
"I just need to go talk to Hugh." I quickly muttered to Edward before skipping over to Hugh, pulling him into a tight embrace upon contact. "Hello, you!"
"Matilda," He grinned, greeting me. "How've you been?"
I paused, giving him a questionable look.
