The life and death of Nicolae Roman

Chapter 12: The Challenge

"Well, well, well," Ludwig said angrily. "I leave her alone for two minutes and you pounce at the opportunity."

Nicolae turned around. To his luck, he was ever so slightly taller than Ludwig, giving him an edge over his opponent.

"How could you leave such a lovely young lady alone?" Nicolae arched an eyebrow. "If it were me, I wouldn't let her out of my sight."

"Well, I am back now, so you can leave," Ludwig didn't miss a beat.

"Excuse me, gentlemen," Elizabeth spoke. She sounded upset. "You are talking about me like I am not even here."

Both men turned and faced her. Elizabeth was frowning. She was not pleased with the turn of events.

"Forgive me, Miss Thomas," Nicolae bowed his head. "I did not mean to sound insensitive."

Ludwig snorted. "Elizabeth, should we go?" He walked past Nicolae and offered her his arm.

Elizabeth looked at him coldly. "You are being rude, Ludwig," she said in an icy tone. "We cannot simply leave Count Roman here... all alone."

"Why not? He came alone!" Ludwig raised his voice.

Nicolae placed a hand on his shoulder and gripped it as hard as he could. Ludwig winced and yanked it away. "Don't touch me!  You..."

"Get a hold of yourself," Nicolae scolded him. "You are upsetting Miss Thomas."

"Miss Thomas and I were doing perfectly well... until you showed up," Ludwig answered. His voice sounded hateful. "Why are you here anyway? You are not a member of this university!"

"I was under the impression that this was an open-invitation ball," Nicolae answered. "And... by the looks of it... it is." His steel grey eyes bore into Ludwig's.

"Gentlemen... if you are done with this manly display... I would like a drink," Elizabeth spoke up.

"Of course," both men answered at once, but neither one moved, causing Elizabeth to raise her eyebrows.

Nicolae spotted the same waiter.  He was now carrying a tray full champagne glasses. He waved him down and grabbed two flutes, offering Elizabeth one of them. He kept the other for himself.

Ludwig tried to pick one up too, but the waiter moved on and he was left empty-handed. Ludwig flared his nostrils and sniffed. "This is not my night..." he muttered angrily under his breath.

"What was that?" Nicolae asked him innocently. "Oh... you didn't get a drink." He then offered Ludwig his champagne flute. "Here... you can have mine," he smirked.

"I don't want your drink," Ludwig pushed Nicolae's hand aside. "Elizabeth... I've had enough of this fiasco.  I would like to leave soon."  His posture was aggressive, and his tone even more so.

Elizabeth regarded him with contempt. "Very well," she replied. "You can go whenever you'd like."

"Good," Ludwig said brusquely and grabbed her elbow, causing her to almost drop her glass.

"What are you doing?" Elizabeth sounded furious. "Don't touch me! I am not leaving with you!"

"But...," Ludwig started to protest, but Nicolae interrupted him.

"The lady would like to stay," Nicolae's voice sounded threatening. "I suggest you leave without making a scene."

Ludwig was obviously starting to lose control. He stepped closer to Nicolae, his face reddening as he spoke. "Don't...ever...tell...me...what...to...do!" Ludwig poked Nicolae's chest with his index finger.