Heiress In Blood

three

The ball was the definition of magnificent grandeur. The exterior of the ballroom was nothing out the ordinary for the Withlock's, but the interior was done to its finest.

The room was scented with branch sticks lit in electric burners in each corner, giving off a cinnamon and warm nectarine scent. Candelabras were set on each table offering drinks and fruit. All four walls were covered with heavy curtains except for the entrance door. She was surprised a throne hasn't been set for lady Withlock to rest on as the guests kissed her soft hands in the form of respect. Instead she paced around the room slowly yet elegantly, offering greetings and small talk.

Lady Withlock caught Delta's glance and smiled at her, then proceeded in her direction.

"Are you enjoying yourself thus far?" She asked and placed a hand on Delta's shoulder.

"I am, thank you."

The two of them glanced around the ballroom until Delta sighed.

"It's quite elite, isn't it?" She asked with a knowing smile.

"You sure know how to host a party."

Lady Withlock smiled as if she was pleased with herself. Just then, the boy from earlier came before lady Withlock. He had on his same suit, but swapped his blazer for a longer coat which nearly covered the back of his knees.

"Mother, I'd like to present to you Mr Johan Barclay, our potential neighbour." He said and Delta noticed that it was the first time she actually heard his voice.

"Oh, of course." Lady Withlock said and they began conversing.

The boy in brown signalled for Delta to follow him as he walked away from their conversation.

Delta waited for a while before she too walked off and joined him.

"Yes?" She asked.

"I just called you here, assuming you were bored." He said and shrugged.

Heavy golden utensils were spread across the table with a large bowl of punch in the centre. The boy dished out some fro himself and then handed a filled cup to Delta as well.

"My name is Archer, by the way." He said.

"You do archery a lot, then?" Delta asked, feeling comfortable around him.

"No, that's just my name."

Delta felt a rush of embarrassment wash over her.

She tilted the cup and emptied the contents in her mouth before placing it down and looking around awkwardly.

"You seriously didn't know that?" He asked, still in shock.

Delta shook her head at the surprised boy.

"You've never heard of us?" He asked. "Your father has never mentioned us?"

Delta suddenly stilled. There were a lot about her father which she only began to realise after his death.

  "Not that I remember. Have you met him? My dad, that is."

Archer looked at Delta with an emotion she couldn't read. She opened her mouth to talk, but was cut off by the beautiful blond that made her way towards them.

"Archer, you are being called on for your speech now." She said coolly.

"And that is my sister, Leda." Archer said before walking off with Leda following.

Delta stood awkwardly with her right hand holding onto her left arm. She was beginning to chew her lip, a habit she caught onto when bored.

Archer starred his speech, thanking God for the family and friends gathered around. He began talking of the history of his family and this place he called Obrion.

Delta frowned. That word sounded awfully familiar, but sh couldn't tell where she heard it from.

People began raising their glasses and so did Delta when she noticed a man in the corner, picking off grapes from its bunch while, reclining against the wall while everyone stood upright with a tumbler of red wine in their hands.

She's seen him before, and recently too. Of course, it was him, the same man from the market who got her mixed up in his confusion.

Delta silently lowered her drink onto the table near her and made her way in his direction.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, whispering and irritated.

The man looked at her and frowned. He looked so confused, Delta nearly believed she made a mistake.

"I could ask you the same question." He said, sitting upright and popping a grape into his mouth with a smirk.

"What are you here for now? I don't think there's any deltas you'd be stealing from here."

The man rushed as if she let out the greatest secret. He pushed her behind a curtain, into the tiny space before the wall of the ballroom started.

"Not so loud, will you." He said, keeping his hand firmly pressed against Delta's mouth.

She licked it with the tip of her tongue and watched as he dropped his hand, horrified.

"What is your problem?!" He whisper yelled.

"What's yours?" She shouted back.

He sighed and pressed his jacket down, which was much neater than the old clothes he wore earlier.

"I was invited." He said clearly.

"Is lady Withlock aware that she's invited a thief?" Delta said, her disgust evident.

"Say what you want, but I took that stone for a noble course."

"Of course you did."

Delta pulled her dress back and walked to the slit of the curtain where she gracefully escaped from. Within seconds, she was roaming the place, being introduced to strangers who welcomed her and praised her beautiful features.

"Definitely from your father." An old lady in a tight mahogany dress said. "An American lady can never possess such beauty."

"Well, believe it or not, I got all of this from an American - my mother." Delta said proudly.

The lady as well as lady Withlock stiffened. The lady cast an evil look in lady Withlock's way before excusing herself.

Delta turned to lady Withlock, confused. She shook her head, saying nothing and pointed at the next arriving person.

"Lady Withlock." He sang, walking around with such pride and honour.

"Stratton, what are you doing here?" Lady Withlock whispered, her cold smile plastered on her face.

Archer rushed towards his mother, Leda in toe.

"You have no self respect do you?" Archer said.

Delta glanced up and saw the market man smirk before her family.

"Have you no self respect, Archer?" He said back.

"You came here to make a mockery of us, didn't you?" Leda said, irritation clear as ever.

Another elderly couple made their way to lady Withlock with warm smiles and kind eyes.

"Aah, Mr Stratton." The elderly lady sighed and took him in an embrace.

"When have we last seen you?" The old man asked, patting Stratton on his back.

"I was . . . Away. But no more." He said, keeping his gaze fixed on lady Withlock.

"How kind of you to invite him, lady Withlock." The old lady said and touched his head.

"Yes, well. Our invitation is open to the entire community." She said.

Delta was surprised by her acting skills. The way she smiled and spoke, no one would have ever guessed that her children came running in to shoo him away.

"Then I'm glad I made it." Stratton said. "But if you'll excuse me, I have to head back home. It was lovely seeing you all. Especially you, Delta."