ᴡᴍᴍᴀᴘ: ℌ𝔢𝔯 𝔊𝔬𝔩𝔡𝔢𝔫 ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔦𝔫𝔰

Resonance, the Star: II

But by the gods, with Duke Alpheus as well? They were outright declaring they were on Athanasia's side, and Jennette's eyes track their course on the dance floor, grinding her teeth as she grips the stem of her glass. 

Why would Duke Alpheus and Ijekiel both dance with Athanasia and not her? Hadn't Mr. Alpheus been the one to push her to the palace in the first place? 

But now? He seemed so far away, his dove grey suit distinguishable by the blue handkerchief square in his breast pocket, and she's unable to tell what the two are talking about from the distance, but it didn't seem like she knew what language it was.

Jennette was right about both things she observed. Duke Alpheus was the one who had pushed her into the confines of the palace, and for his own gain. 

He was also speaking Arlantian with the princess, and so this too, was correct. Roger is in the middle of telling Princess Athanasia of how his son had taken the news, and unsurprisingly, he had been all for it since the very beginning. 

"Had I known his thoughts earlier on, I might have proposed the backing sooner, your imperial highness" he sighed. "Yet, that child of mine does manage to be a step ahead every time- " 

She laughed, and he twirled her out, her earrings sparkling under the light. "You've taught him well is all, Duke - be proud of your only son, he'll do right by our Empire." 

She smiled as the dance came to an end, and as she matched his bow, she added, "Just like you will from now on, Duke Alpheus."

The silky taste of dark chocolate and a splash of bourbon on his tongue as he watches her move to the emperor. This. 

This was the right move for his house. He would be walking alongside the most powerful, the crème de la crème of the Obelian Empire, nay! Even beyond the Empire itself! 

He would live to see their majesties extend their reach far beyond what anyone would have expected, and he, Roger Alpheus, would be able to provide support in any way possible. He would do everything in his ducal power to right his past wrongs, and live only for them. 

He, himself smiled as he left the dance floor to the refreshments, and yet the taste remained, divulging him of his thoughts all together.

Jennette can see him smile, a small gentle smile, and she feels even more betrayed by Mr. Alpheus's actions, even if she can't hear what he's saying-being shunned by him was something she never thought she would experience. 

Even if he had never loved her, or specially cared for her like he did with Ijekiel, he was still polite to her- made her near equals with his son. She doesn't know, doesn't care, that it was for the sake of appearances. 

Not for her sake. It was never for her sake.

But he had never smiled at her, or laughed with her, not ever- not even when she had been living at his home, and Athanasia just comes prancing comes along, and not even ten minutes of being in close quarters with him, has him smiling like that? 

So easily? 

She wants- wants it... the black magic hisses inside her, unable to leave as the anti- black magic circles dot every inch of the room, of every little corner of the palaces. It had nowhere to go. Nowhere to spread its malignant ways, to help its master achieve what she wants. 

It slithers back inside her, knotted up within her very depths, as if nothing but a stray ball of yarn that a kitten had discarded, waiting for the chance to strike.

Mr. Alpheus- no Duke Alpheus, had always been so indifferent to her. The way he smiled was always restrained in some way, in front of others he did it when she asked, her hands tugging at his shirt.