The life and death of Nicolae Roman

Chapter 2: Preparing For a Special Night

"Which waistcoat do you prefer, Sir?" Nicolae's valet, Ion, was holding up two beautifully embroidered vests: one was a rich burgundy velvet patterned with the family crest (a falcon with its wings spread holding a pine twig in its beak); the other was a light blue satin with a fleur-de-lis pattern in gold thread.

Nicolae was standing in front of the full-length mirror in his dressing room. He was wearing tan breeches and a white silk shirt with long sleeves that ruffle at the wrists. His brown hair tumbled in waves down his shoulders.

"I don't really care, Ion," he sighed. "Pick whichever you want."

The valet was clearly uncomfortable with making that decision. He looked at each vest in turn, muttering to himself. After a while, he shook his head as though incapable of picking one over the other.

"Oh! For goodness' sake," Nicolae raised his voice in aggravation as he grabbed the blue one. "This one will do just fine!"

"Very well, Sir," Ion nodded. "That would have been my choice too." He bowed down and then went to place the other waistcoat back in the closet.

Nicolae donned the vest over his broad shoulders and buttoned up the gold filigree buttons. His face bore a dark expression as he scrutinized himself in the mirror.

"Is everything alright, Sir?" Ion silently returned to stand behind Nicolae.

"Yes. Why do you ask?" Nicolae turned his gaze to his manservant.

"You just seem... a bit out of sorts," Ion replied.

"I'm fine," Nicolae said brusquely. "I just want to get this fiasco over and done with."

Ion looked down, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Sir. I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's not you, Ion," Nicolae sighed as he ran a hand through his chestnut locks. "It's this... party..."

Just as Nicolae was about to elaborate, the door to his chamber opened and a tall, handsome, middle-aged woman walked in grandly. She wore a dark green brocade dress and her brown hair was coifed in an elaborate updo. Upon close inspection, one could detect a few silver streaks running through it. They, along with the tiny creases around her mouth and eyes, gave her a stately and authoritative look.

"Are you ready, my darling son?" She asked as she approached Nicolae.

"As ready as I'll ever be, Mamma," Nicolae turned around and faced her. "Well... do I look alright?"

Countess Ileana Roman inspected her son closely through narrowed grey eyes. "I think you should have worn the dark waistcoat with the family crest on it," she finally said.

Nicolae rolled his eyes. "Does it really matter?"

"Well... you did ask, didn't you?" Countess Roman replied. "Tonight is a very important night, as you well know," she continued. "You will want to look your best."

"I think this is plenty good," Nicolae turned back toward the mirror. "Plus... I feel the color matches my mood."

It was Lady Roman's turn to roll her eyes. "Why are you making such a big fuss, darling? You know we are doing this for you."

"Are you?" Nicolae muttered under his breath, but Lady Roman's hearing was sharp.

His mother placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yes... we are. I don't want you to end up living in poverty."

"I highly doubt that would ever happen," Nicolae answered. "I would manage just fine." Nicolae's gaze met his mother's in the mirror. "I'd just have to budget a bit."