The Redo of a Novel's Villain: Moira - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Huey pulled his face up from the smothering confines of the pillow. Hair ruffled and tangled as he swept his bangs back. The winter morning was still swept in darkness and muddlement and he quickly sat up from the covers, dishevelled from one of the best sleep he's ever had. After the whole ordeal a couple days earlier, Huey spent a great deal of time catching up with the servants. He recounted the majority of any note-worthy incidents at the academy while Elaine shared her gossip, he learned that Mr. Joseph had gone back home for the time being during his stay at the academy and how things at the estate were ever so stagnant.
The days had been relatively joyful not including the situation that transpired priorly, Huey had found himself retiring earlier than usual thus resulting in him awake before either Owen or Elaine had the opportunity to wake him up—a rare occurrence, really.
He stretched his arms above his head, eliciting a pop as he gingerly moved off the bed. The morning chill seeped into the marble flooring awash him in clarity as he walked towards the restroom. Today was the long awaited day between he and Nicholas' deal, Melissa Roseri's birthday ball commences at fifteen sharp. Huey washed up by himself and settled into his day clothes by the window seat, book in hand. There was still a while before he had to start the grueling process of getting ready for the ball, but now in the quiet hours of the morning he allowed himself to emerge in the calm. Tranquility gracing his cheeks as his fingers found its way to the book pages; the words illuminated by a dim gas lamp. Huey read sentence after sentence, occasionally taking a break and casting an appreciative view of the outside when the tell-tale signs of dawn appeared.
Grayish clouds melded into purple, pink, and orange. Like the arrays of blended water colors, they stood starkly against the still dark forest below. Huey, against better judgment, pushed open the window. The freezing air hit his body and small goosebumps immediately rose along his arms and legs. He shivered, but persisted. Setting the book down he laid his arms on the window sill and perched himself on top. He let the cold caress his cheeks, the breeze fondling his hair and sweeping through his shirt.
He gazed upwards, witnessing even more of the natural vista of the welkins. Cementing it into his memories as he eyed the faint shadow of the moon still lingering in the sky, sick and pale. But soon, once the sun comes up the moon will retreat, staying hidden until dusk makes its way through the cycle once more.
He sighed, watching cloud breaths evaporate into the air. If only he could cement this moment into history, into eternity. Create halcyon days rather than the subsequent discourse that will plague. And he knew, oh he knew, how there'd hardly be a modicum of serenity soon save for the small joys the people bring to each other. Small, nearly inconceivable compared to the masses. Each and every one of the lives on Evendale yearning for those days submerged in listless everyday happenings. For the eras of peace, oblivious to the Sword of Damocles hanging above and over their heads in grim execution.
Huey squeezed his hands, disconcert settling over him. He was afraid, restless, and much more. He knew he could barely do anything to shift the tides of fate, there was no Moses to spread the fateful tempests and no matter how much one tries to change it, it'll remain the same. But still, Huey held out delirious hope.
Fate may not be static, it could be a fluctuating current, constantly changing. One's decision can rewrite their entire life and their path will diverge like a railroad switch of life. Constantly carving out a new line of destiny like an infinite array of roots. Branching out, scattered, linked, supplicant to one's woes. But ultimately, no matter how extravagant one's puzzle ordained in the stars can be it will all eventually be snuffed out. Because albeit fate is powerful, it is not omnipotent.
Above it lays oblivion, all swallowing, omnipresence, ubiquitous, rife, and boundless. All will return to the gluttonous maws of oblivion, mortal or divine. There is always a means to an end, nothing can escape. It is chaos and order personified, mortality and divinity meshed together, the all-seeing and all-knowing, it is patience yet impatient, it is avarice yet it is humble, it takes and gives true rest, it brings despair and gives solace, it is a curse and a boon, it is everything yet nothing at once.
That was why he was scared, he's powerless in the wakes of fate chugging them along towards the end. That was why, before the end takes them all, he'd like to keep the moment for a bit longer--no, for as long as possible. He'll protect it, he'll have to, it'll be his atonement for his sins, the wrench to finally cut off his chains. And perhaps then, he'd finally find the heart to forgive himself.
—:･ﾟ✧ —
Huey sneezed, rubbing his nose. He looked back apologetically at the maid doing his hair. She didn't mind it and continued combing the black locks into a pompadour-like hairstyle. The clothes he wore currently was a black tailcoat with his left arm covered by a draping fabric and two sleeves sewn for the right arm, a longer one underneath a shorter cut. The ends of the coat ended in square ends split in the middle rather than the usual swallow-tail. His pants were black and layered at the end, cascading like a luxurious veil against his polished dark boots with silver soles. He wore a white glove as usual as well as red and gold accessories with a gold ornament splayed over his collarbone and chest. To his side on top of the vanity table, was a white mask, elaborate and intricate in its details resembling the petals of a peony. A chain went down the hole of the mask for his right eye and looped down behind his ear, overall it was an appearance with a balanced mix between a simple and rich design.
Elaine swept into the room just as the maid doing his hair finished, the brunette excitedly bounced over as she grabbed the mask, gently adjusting it onto his face. She smiled softly as she led him to the full body mirror for him to take in the maids' hard work once again.
Huey's lips parted, admiring the seamless fabric and how it fitted him perfectly. He turned back to the eager maids, a smile ghosting his features.
"Thank you." He offered, his gratitude met by endless amounts of humble responses from happy maids. The moment did not last long unfortunately. Just like before Owen sauntered into the room, inspected him, and ushered him out of the room. It was a familiar routine, one that Huey never would've thought he'd miss.
Walking to the caravans Huey caught the glimpse of the twins' walking towards them as well in the distance. He couldn't make out the details of their clothes but the two wore inverted colors still sticking to the theme of dark and light. He didn't stare long and climbed into the carriage, an intrusive thought making him huff.
✦ ✧
As expected of the Roseri family, the estate was simply magnificent personified. Huey couldn't help but compare it to a miniature version of the Palace of Versailles if there was one. The establishment was built in polished limestone with complicated sculptures etched into the walls, by the doors, windows, balconies, and roof itself, carving out an art of its own in space. The gardens were vast, one could only imagine the sight whence spring comes forth and fragment the place with floral afterimage. With a primarily quadrilateral shape with the exception of a couple domes, the Roseri Estate was a sight to behold.
Huey breathed in, and breathed out. From this point onwards the plan commences.
He glanced at his uncle, regal in his rich garbs as he stepped out of the caravan. An air of superiority carried in the air alongside him as he strode forwards, leagues above any people Huey knows could muster (as much as it hurts to admit). He and his cousins hurried to trail after the duke, the four's presence sparking people to spread apart to make way as they walked up the stairs leading to the main door. The warm lights of the estate shining down on them as they entered the foyer amongst many others.
Huey registered the usher announcing their arrival clearly and loudly. Immediately, his eyes swept towards his uncle just in time to see him turn in the direction of the prime minister, Augustus Roseri, and his wife Grace Roseri, making their way towards him.
'Here he comes.' He thought, moving after the duke while biting the inside of his cheek.
"Duke Heiden, so glad you could make it." Augustus proclaimed, reaching out a hand in greeting.
"The pleasure is all mine." The man gave a half smile, firmly shaking the taller's hand.
"Greetings to the young lords as well, it's good to see you all made it to my little girl's birthday celebration." He smiled warmly, his well trimmed beard a mahogany rather than the light lilac Melissa seemed to embody. But without the doubt the two were certainly father and daughter if the minister's looks were anything to go by.
The three of them offered their salutations and that was that. They stood silently behind the duke as two of the most important men of the kingdom converse small talk. Alas, as the host the prime minister must greet the other guests and as Huey watched the man leave the long anticipated break finally came.
"The three of you, make sure to behave." Heiden ordered, his eyes cast elsewhere.
""Yes father.""
"Yes."
With those brief wordings they were free. Huey turned his heel and left, opting to head to the second floor's indoor balcony where it was less crowded but still held a vantage point. He needed to know when Kayson and Nicholas would arrive after all. He pursed his arms over the railings and overlooked the lower foyer. The two should arrive soon considering how in less than half an hour the ball will officially begin and the birthday girl will make her appearance, speaking of appearance.
His eyes moved down to the group of people that soon emerged from the front door, the usher's announcement successfully drawing many's attention, including his.
"Welcome the Royal Family of Ecrelyn! His Majesty King Jerrick, Her Majesty Queen Rainah, His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Eric, His Highness Prince Kade, and Her Highness Princess Karrie!"
The Royal Family were escorted by servants and Huey inspected them closely. Each and everyone of them donned a mask more extravagant than the last to match their outfits. The queen and king were a step ahead of their children as they were escorted towards the prime minister.
Red eyes lingered on the king already well past his fifties with scrutiny. Although his thoughts were mutiny at best and treasonous at worst, he believed the king wasn't exactly... the most capable of the bunch. The man seemed to be more of a vanity; pushing the majority of the workload onto his retainers (like the prime minister). An effect of having been spoiled by the queen dowager perhaps. Unlike him, the current queen was around a dozen years younger, brimming with keenness and wit befitting a queen. Her indigo hair the opposite of his blonde (now wilted gray from age). She had been his second wed, the late queen deposed hence why Prince Eric and his younger siblings' dissimilarity. While he took after his father, Kade and Karrie were the exact copies of their mother. This however did not strain their relationship whatsoever fortunately with both brothers doting on the youngest.
In any case, it's a good thing for the kingdom that neither of the royal children has taken after their father with the crown prince being an exceptional example. Many citizens all highly anticipate the day for when he finally takes the throne, including Huey.
Coming from behind the royal family, was another noble house that could instantly turn some heads. The exact one Huey was waiting for. Usually in every formal setting where more than one of the watchdogs are gathered they go by the order of the cardinal directions they protect: North, east, south, and west.
Which means... The Nevoid County was the next one to make an appearance through the door.
Huey straightened the cuff of his sleeve, watching as Kayson and his family followed after the king. The three of them had agreed on meeting up on the upper foyer. The question was when Kayson will be able to escape mandatory appearances in front of the minister and king before showing up.
Best to get comfortable, he supposed.
Huey waved over a servant passing out drinks on silver platters to the guests, taking a glass of pink punch with the faint aroma of fruits wafting from it. He took small sips as he waited for...
"The Ceylon County!" The usher finished, laying everyone's attention on the group of people.
All sporting nearly-white silver hair and an aloof expression, the family of knights and their personal retainers showed up cladded in a royal blue. The head of the house Count Samuel Ceylon, his wife Countess Quintina, and their youngest Sorin Ceylon leading the small entourage. As expected the sickly young lady Siena was nowhere to be found.
His gaze lingered on Sorin a tad longer before snapping back to the door. Languidly watching the way the Wolint and Czareesh family filtered through. He even saw Celine! Finally, he spotted a familiar pink haired youth dressed in light blue maneuvering through the crowd and up the stairs, stopping right beside him with quickened breaths.
"Ball formalities, 10/10 don't recommend." Kayson groaned, whipping his head back and letting the chandelier light catch in the rhinestones of his mask. White, save for a couple patterns and the artificial holly branch jutting out from the left reaching towards the sky.
Huey tutted understandably, waving over a waiter to get new drinks for the both of them. He spoke while handing a glass to Kayson.
"Do you think he'll come?"
Kayson pursed his lips. "He'll have to. It'd be fucking idiotic if his family didn't let him go after receiving plus one invites from the both of us."
Huey huffed amusedly. "I wouldn't put it past them." But there was still the baseless concern nagging him at the back of his mind. What if Nicholas didn't want to come? What if something happened? What if this whole thing fails and--
"Do you really think he'll be the type of person to chicken out?" Kayson jokingly jeered, lightly elbowing him as he took a sip of the punch which tasted more flower than fruit. None of which could be named by him, he bet.
Huey just stared absentmindedly at the front door without anybody filing through for the past five minutes. Pondering. He shook his head, words coming out breathless.
"No, I don't."
Kayson hummed happily, pointing downwards with his chin. "Well good because speak of the devil."
"Nicholas Vergis of the Vergis Barony!" The doorkeeper announced. The bastardized name of Vergis drew much attention. Some confused as to why only one of the Vergis were present, why he was even invited as well, and some lower ranking nobles and wealthy merchants seeking for some sort of power in their lives openly disapproving of his presence. This was all expected and accounted for, no one paid the masses much mind as they eyed the lone boy climb up the path.
Kayson and Huey eyed the youth that waltzed through the door with an unsure but not insecure gait. With blonde locks combed back, polished shoes, and a sage green coat with gold buckles and accents. He wore an emerald brooch with a bejeweled clover pinned on his left lapel. Nicholas looked up. His olive green eyes caught the sight of the two briefly before being cut off as he followed the formalities of greeting the host.
Kayson grinned snarkily. "See? What'd I tell you." Huey said nothing.
It didn't take long for Nicholas to excuse himself and complete the rendezvous upstairs. Unfortunately no proper words aside from the typical greetings could be exchanged before the loud toll of the large grandfather clock rang signifying the start of the ball, and by extension the arrival of the star of the show.
Augustus clapped his hands to catch everyone's attention. His commanding voice boomed.
"All of our welcomed and dignified guests, please, follow the servants deeper into the revenue." He pointed his hand in the direction of a band of servants who bowed when the attention fell on them. Huey noticed multiple identical doors behind them with two stationed at each one, one arm on each bar-like handles as with the signal of the head maid they parted. Revealing the dazzling ballroom behind.
Peals of content and wondrous murmurs filled the space as the throng of people made their way through the various entrances. The three of them stuck closely together so as to not get separated in the wave of people. The ballroom was vast, with marble floorings, resplendent chandeliers, draping curtains of the highest kind of silk, an assortment of all kinds of pastries and edibles to enjoy, pillared walls, and a large dome ceiling with a mural of the goddess and her troupe of divine angels battling against the demons to protect the tri-empire. Simply resplendent.
Augustus, arms interlocked with his wife's, made his way onto a raised platform connected to another pair of imperial staircases. He raised his arms in greeting.
"Ladies and gentlemen, fellow lords and ladies, friends, his royal majesties, thank you all for coming to my daughter's birthday. It means the world to her seeing all of you attend her sixteenth. As her father this is a very joyous occasion, but less about me. Please, dwell on your anticipation no more and welcome my little girl. Melissa!"
Huey thought he heard the man tear up a little at the end. But exactly like Augustus has said, less about him. The three of them alongside everyone else focused on any signs of Melissa's arrival. Abruptly, the lights dimmed, drowning the place in pure darkness save for the natural light streaming in through the windows (which wasn't much during winter). Everyone waited with bated breaths.
A loud sound—like a click—pealed, drawing the attention of every single person in the room towards the source of the sudden spotlight focused on the top of the imperial staircase. Illuminating the bountiful tresses of a rose gold gown, rhinestones and diamonds carefully hand sewn into the fabric and bodice that fit tight against her waist. As Melissa walked down the velvet carpeted stairs her dress train trailed behind her like a shimmering cataract under the sun. Her violet hair pinned up into a low bun with braids and flowers. Her makeup was light and natural, bringing out the best of her youthful beauty as she glided down the stairs with her amethyst eyes trained onto the guests. A small smile gracing her features crafted the appearance of a maiden. It was juxtaposing with the haughty persona in school.
She stood next to her parents, nodding to her father and taking her mother's hands in hers. The sight of the family painting a delicate and beautiful picture. Melissa gently released her mother and let silk-gloved hands fall back down to settle one over the other in front.
She inhaled deeply, allowing herself to collect before parting her lips. "At long last, it's my sixteenth birthday, the long awaited day to mark my first step into ladyhood. But this is not the only reason today is such a joyous day. I couldn't be happier today seeing all of you here, fills my heart with blessings. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to celebrate my birthday alongside my family today. I have no doubts today will be a celebration most graceful indeed.
Before the ball can continue, I'd like to say a few words for my parents. Since young, I've been provided the bestest of education, boundless amounts of love and support, and family bonding moments that shape me for who I am today. I wish to express my gratitudes for my family and my friends for being a part of my life. And without further ado, music, dances, games, food, and refreshments of the highest quality await you. Enjoy the day, everyone!"
A wave of applause instantly rushed out consuming the space with acclamation and praise. And as it began dying off and people began to move, the three of them knew the plan commences now. Their eyes connected. Mutual feelings of nervousness, hesitation, eager giddiness, and the like made themselves known. The worst case was Nicholas, seeing as to how he was the subject. He gulped audibly, anxiety finally pushing through his barricade.
Kayson clasped both of their hands with his in a short reaffirming squeeze. His voice strained to be heard against the walla and bustle around them.
"Let's go with a bang."