A Punch Bowl of Disaster

[ P.S. There will be new characters introduced this chapter! Check out Reference Pictures to see them 😘 ]

"Ophelia, it's such a delight to see you!"

"Janey! I thought you weren't attending tonight."

"Well, you know I can't pass up a chance to see one of my favorite people! This is your maid, correct? She looks so stylish."

I could only smile politely as Ophelia and 'Janey' chatted. This 'Janey' character was actually one of Ophelia's friends (lackey's under Carole's description), Jane Bueford. The daughter of the Baron of Kinshield and his heir. Which was honestly pretty progressive for this country despite it being based on medieval Europe or possibly Victorian England.

I quite liked Jane in the story, as she always had something to say to Carole. It was always so sassy, too. Plus, she was another rarity of the nobility. She was a, as the student populace described, mix. The daughter of a noble from the Andize Kingdom and a foreigner. The foreigner happened to be her mother, who was from the kingdom far to the east of us, the Endymion Empire. They were known for their various precious metals and amazing weapons. I think they were supposed to be extremely loosely based off of the Egyptians but the author never actually confirmed that so... Up to interpretation.

Jane was only described as 'exotic' in the book. Which was stupid and bad of the author to do. Jane was actually extremely pretty. Her hair was platinum blonde, something normal in this kingdom but her naturally tanned skin was not. Not to mention her eyes. They were brown, but also had a mysterious violet sheen to them. I also felt a strange bit of kinship towards her, though I had no idea why. Her dress was quite nice as well, a white off-the-shoulder one that went to her knees and a grey petticoat underneath. Simple yet stunning.

"Is Flora here too?"

"Of course Flora's here! She never misses a chance to show off her newest dress. You know who isn't here?"

"Who?"

"Take a wild guess. He's the reason Carole has no escort."

Jane laughed behind her hand, sneaking a glance over at the blonde girl. Carole was indeed, standing by herself in a baby pink dress, frilly and innocent looking. I suppose it was going to appeal to her sweet, childish side but it honestly makes me want to barf. If she was going for a lolita look, she failed. I'm disappointed, but not surprised.

Unsurprisingly, the gentlemen seemed to be flocking to her. For a dance or for conversation, I could care less. I just choose to believe they pity her for coming alone. I was snapped back into the conversation at large when Ophelia called my name.

"Ah, pardon me. What did you say, Young Miss?"

Ophelia pouted. "I said that it's a pity no one came with Miss Millstone. Perhaps we should go chat with her for a bit."

I couldn't help but feel a chill go down my spine. I had never told Ophelia about Carole being the reason for my sudden disappearance, nor did I intend to tell her. She might just start a fight with her. While that would be amusing, I wouldn't want Ophelia to get expelled.

"I'm not so sure about that, Young Miss..." I mumbled out.

Jane put a wrench in my plans almost instantly. "Why not? I think this humiliation has humbled her at least a bit. Seeing her hang off of Prince Floyd's arm was just sickening."

The young lady then smiled. "Flora's already speaking to her right now." She gestured back over at Carole, who had been joined by a girl in blue. A lot of blue, mostly because her hair was blue.

The blue girl was the aforementioned Flora, or formally known as Flora Béchagner, the third daughter of Marquis of Tyronie. He was known for his various amorous escapades. Flora was essentially the only legitimate child. On the bright side, her mother was the one with all the power and had basically banished her father from the main house. The Tyronie house was one of military might, so it could be said that Flora was a bit of a tomboy as she knew sword fighting and archery better than many of the boys did.

She had azure blue eyes and sky blue hair, even her dress was blue and white. She was simply quite blue, in a literal sense. Flora's hair was in plaited pigtails, which looked surprisingly good on her.

"Indeed she is. Ava."

"Yes, Young Miss?"

"Do go get us some punch while we go talk to them."

"Of course."

I gave Ophelia and Jane a bow before making my way through the various people in the ballroom before coming upon the refreshment table. It was as extravagant as you could expect a refreshment table at a school for young nobility. At least nothing was alcoholic. That would make the party more interesting, but it would completely ruin my opinion of the school staff and the parents.

Getting punch was supposed to be an easy job, supposedly. It seems that I underestimated people's attraction to pretty things. Especially adolescents with stupid hormones and puberty occurring. I'm left alone for a short period of time and noble ladies are all over me like white on rice. All I need to get is punch, all I need to get is punch, all I need to get is punch- Jesus whose perfume is that? It's so strong that I might throw up.

"Pardon me but why are you wearing a suit instead of a dress? Not that you don't look dashing in it!"

All I need is punch.

"It'd be unusual for a lady's escort to not be wearing a suit, Miss."

One cup of it has been secured.

"Would you mind sharing a dance with me?"

Two cups have been secured.

"I apologize, but my first dance is reserved for Miss Dubannes."

Three cups have been secured.

"Are you truly a maid? You look just as noble as any other gentlemen in the room."

There's no way in hell that I'll be getting Carole punch and I'm not thirsty. Off we go.

"I am indeed. Although I hate to leave our chats unfinished, Miss Dubannes is expecting me with refreshments. Do excuse me."

With that said I somehow maneuvered my way through dresses with way too many layers and suffocating perfumes to make my way to Ophelia and the other ladies. Of all the things I've gone through, honestly the most uncomfortable but not the worst. Finding them all had been easy, diffusing the situation was not.

"I dare you to repeat what you just said!"

"I said it once, I'll say it again. What right do you have to speak to Ophelia like that, Millstone! Apologize this instant!"

"I won't apologize for speaking the truth."

Damn it. I quickly gave the drinks I had gone through pains to get to surrounding party-goers and made my way quickly over to the yelling of Carole and Jane. Things were escalating quickly for whatever reason.

"Truth? Truth?! The only truth that I can see is that your manners are no better than a stubborn mule's! What a shame the Millstone family has to deal with such a daughter!" Jane had practically screamed this, giving Carole a taunting grin. Flora and Ophelia looked as clueless as I was. And Carole? Carole was fuming.

"You, you!"

Carole's face had gone a familiar shade of red. The one of enraged embarrassment and her hand raised. Is this idiot really about to slap Jane? Does she want to start a blood feud between the two dynasties? Ugh. My body had already moved before my mind could.

SMACK!

"Ava!"

Hm. That didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would. My cheek was for sure a red color, and it did sting quite a bit. But it didn't break any skin. The room had gone silent. I turned my head back around calmly and faced a shocked Carole.

"Miss Millstone. Violence is no way to solve verbal conflict. Do calm yourself so we can solve this problem like adults."

"I. . . I didn't-"

"Forgive my bluntness, but you do not raise your hand unless you intend to land a hit. I understand my conduct towards you at the moment is not polite, nor respectful towards your standing as the daughter of an Earl. But as an adult, I see it as my duty to make children such as yourself conduct yourselves as your status entails."

"E-excuse me?"

"I shall put it into simpler terms for you. If you wish for the respect your station gives you, earn it. Miss Carole," I turned to Jane. "And Miss Jane. Neither of you are acting in a way that earns you the respect of your station."

Jane's face flushed and she looked down at her shoes in shame. Carole still looked angry but made no move to say anything against me. I nodded in satisfaction.

"Young Miss."

Ophelia was snapped out of what seemed to be a daze. "Y-yes?"

"I apologize. I seem to have ruined your night. I must remove myself from the festivities for punishment."

"Punishment?"

"Yes. The punishment for a servant speaking out of turn is a lash on the palm for each word. I believe that makes 130 words for me. Unless I include this. Do excuse me."

"Ava. . ."

"Ah, that reminds me. Miss Millstone, do be more careful with the refreshments. I don't believe red would be an attractive color on me."

I heard Carole click her tongue and the splash of liquid. Don't ask why I knew that she was preparing to dump punch on me. She's not very subtle or smart, so it wasn't difficult to notice what she was trying to do during the chaos.

I did not leave the party with a heavy heart.

--------

"Can I ask what you're doing, Goose?"

"My name is Alexander! And I'm hiding behind you."

". . . Why?"

"I'm being stalked!"

"By who?"

"A gloomy-looking guy! He's so creepy!"

At the moment, I had gone to the school gardens and found a thin branch to slap my hand with. My left hand of course, as it wasn't my dominant one. I had gotten up to fifty before the Goose had found me and hidden in my shadow. In human form no less. He truly was magic.

There weren't many gloomy-looking people in this school. The only one I could think of was . . .

"Oh, pardon me. I didn't know someone else was here."

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. The Crown Prince I despised in all his gloomy glory. Stalking a goose instead of attending a ball. What number was I on now? Oh, it was sixty-nine. Hehe. Nice.

"It's quite alright, Your Majesty. Might I be permitted to ask why you're out here instead of at the Introductory Ball?"

"Ah. The thing is. . . Why aren't you at the Ball?"

I raised my eyebrow at him. "I was. I had escorted Miss Dubannes as you weren't there to do so as her fiancè."

"She asked me not to go."

My lashes against my palm paused. Eighty-eight. "My Lady requested you not come?"

Floyd nodded, seeming to ignore the whipping sounds coming from my makeshift switch. Which was appreciated? I could've lost count.

"She came to me during dance class and explicitly said if I showed up to the ball she'd turn me into an egg head."

I heard a choked laugh come from my shadow and covered it up with the loud crack of lash one hundred. Thirty more to go. "How strange. You still didn't fully answer my question."

". . . Must I?"

"If you don't want me to tell My Lady that you were spreading lies to me."

". . . I was. . ."

"Say again?"

"I was following a boy. One with pink hair."

So it really was him stalking Alexander. My hand was left stinging after the final lash of 130. The stick was thrown away without hesitation. I knew that Floyd was strange, but not strange enough to follow someone around.

"Why? I've never seen a boy with pink hair here."

"That's exactly the reason I was following him. I'd never seen someone like him before."

"I hope you find him"

"Thank you. Have a pleasant evening."

"Mhm."

Floyd was soon out of sight and earshot, making Alexander jump out of my shadow with excitement.

"He lied to you. We actually talked." Alex stretched a bit, bones cracking. Were shadows cramped or something?

"Good for you. I'll be excusing myself now. Many things to prepare for tomorrow."

"Wait! Don't you wanna know what happened?"

". . . Not really. Good night."

"AVAAAA!"

"I wonder if goose would make good breakfast meat."

I find my encounters with Alexander quite enjoyable, despite his unnecessary loud voice. He's interesting.

. . . I wonder how mad Ophelia is at me.

--------

"Miss Millstone, would you join me for tea this week?"

"W-why?"

"I've been thinking about what Ava said. I have not been earning any of the respect I receive and I'd like to right this wrong so we can be friends."

"Really?"

"Really. You can even choose the date."

"Then would Wednesday be alright?"

Ophelia smiled, her eyes closed and happy. Yet her expression seemed cold and heartless.

"Wednesday would be perfect."

[ *sneaks out of Thanksgiving hole* Happy belated Thanksgiving readers! Enjoy this chapter with your favorite dishes! Mine's mashed potatoes and yams! And pretty much almost everything else. Leave your favorites in the comments! Love you, bye~ ]