VictoriaBlake

One: Perfume & Jewelry

“Don’t worry, Oliver! I’m sure Charlotte will make her appearance soon. In fact I’ll go look for her in her room, so you don’t have to stand here sulking by the wall any longer,” Adelaide chirped.
“Adelaide, wait…I’m…not,” I begun to explain but she had already turned and run up the stairs to Charlotte’s bedroom. I sighed and buried my head with my hand. My sister, Adelaide, always assumed that whenever I was the slightest bit moody it was somehow related to Charlotte. Charlotte Amstress VII was the Duchess of our country, and was also to be wed to Lord Oliver Alcott III, or myself. Adelaide was such a social climber that she about burst when she heard the news about the arranged marriage. After all royalty was the closest thing to god in our world. She deluded herself into thinking Charlotte and I were actually a young couple in love. Which is why whenever I was in a mood she assumed bringing my fiancée around was the perfect way to fix it.
I lifted my head and looked out the entire wall made of glass, the city lights stretched out all around me, and I longed to be out there, instead of at this outdated ball for the upper class. I shook my head again at my sister’s delusions. I wasn’t in love with Charlotte and Charlotte wasn’t in love with me. Our arranged marriage was only for the looks. However, I did like Charlotte, she was a childhood friend of mine, but that was all I had ever seen in her. I certainly didn’t want to marry her, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it. Also, I think Adelaide would implode if I called off the wedding. I think Adelaide knew the real reason why I was never as joyful as her at one of these parties, but was afraid to admit that her dear brother and heir to the Alcott house was bored with his life of nobility. She would have to accept it eventually though, because it was the truth.
I was bored with this life, and slightly disgusted by the lushes that constantly surrounded me. Night after night were lavish parties costing ungodly amounts of money for no real reason. It was becoming more and more of a chore to keep attending these balls that looked like a time warp back to the 1700’s. I glanced around the wide ballroom. Couples danced in their big dresses and uncomfortable tuxes, which was required attire. The walls were completely made of glass and the ballroom was on the top floor of the Amstress’s high-rise. It gave off the feel that you were floating. I remember when I first saw the room I was amazed with its gleaming marble floors and modern architecture. Now I just thought it clashed with the classical clothing everyone wore and the classical music that was playing so loud I had an earsplitting headache. I Leaned against the glass wall and tried to remember what this party was about anyway. It wasn’t a surprise that nothing came to mind, the party probably didn’t have a real meaning. All these nobles were probably just as bored with their lives as I was with mine. They however threw useless parties to aide their boredom, something I didn’t agree with. There was so much more that I felt like I could be doing with my life. It felt like a waste. Even though I felt like there was more I could be doing, I had no idea what that could be. Here I am 19 years old and I’m so sheltered I know nothing other than fancy parties and how to deal with fake people who only care about your wealth. I didn’t know what to do with my life, and the more I thought about it the more I came up blank. I was getting frustrated just thinking about it.
I tilted my head back and exhaled. I took a sip out of my champagne flute. The liquid tasted bitter to me. I smirked, maybe this was just belated teen angst…or maybe not. Suddenly my phone rang and broke me out of my self-destructive thoughts. I sighed when I glanced at the caller ID screen, it was Adelaide calling. I pressed the answer button.
“Yes, Adelaide? Is there a reason why you’re calling me when we are at the same party?” I asked annoyed.
“Yes there is a reason Oliver! You don’t have to sound so put out, just because your dainty fingers had to press a button. I need you up in Charlotte’s room, immediately. Also, don’t talk to me like that. I am your older-“
“Christ.” I muttered as I slammed the phone close. She was always going on about respecting her because she was older. I could talk to her anyway I damn pleased. I shoved my phone in my pocket and slowly walked up the stairs to Charlotte’s bedroom. Adelaide had better be serious about this being important. My hopes weren’t high though. Things that were usually important to Adelaide were often times of very little matter to me. I entered the code on the keypad outside the bedroom door and stepped in.
Immediately I was assaulted by the smell of perfume. Someone had gone a little spray happy with the perfume; it was clogging my air passageways. I looked to the side and I saw Adelaide Standing in front of the vanity. The navy blue gown she had on with the giant train that was gathered in the back made her skin look so pale it looked like porcelain, and her hair was blacker than night. She looked exactly like our mother. The same delicate features; small mouth, sharp nose, and large round blue eyes. Sometimes it pained me to look at her they looked so much alike. I on the other hand looked like our father. Almond shaped green eyes, pale skin, black hair that had a brown sheen, not bluish like Adelaide and mothers. I also had sharper more angular features. Adelaide had father’s personality though; they were both obsessed with fortune and social standing. They were greedy. I supposed I was more like mother; quieter, more logical, stubborn, and weak. We both could never say what we truly wanted to. I was often saying things just to please other people, even if it was all bullshit on my part. The only people I could really be open with were Adelaide and Charlotte, most likely because I had known them all my life.
“Oliver, thank goodness you’re here. Come over here and help me decide on something, please.” Adelaide called and broke me out of my thoughts. She had a habit of doing that.
“What? Oh, sure, but really Adelaide this had better be as important as you made it out to be.” I replied and sauntered over to where Adelaide stood. I noticed that Charlotte was sitting at the vanity table. She was wearing a sage green off the shoulder dress, which spilled out around her. The color really went well with her light almost platinum blonde hair and big glass like green eyes. She really was beautiful. It was a pity I didn’t see her the way a married couple saw each other. I felt a pang of guilt; she deserved someone who truly loved her. Not some foolish boy like me who was too busy hating himself to care about anyone else.
I stepped next to Adelaide and smiled at Charlotte, “Good evening, Charlotte. That dress makes you look very beautiful.” I tried my best to play up the appearance but it came out sounding forced, even if I really did mean it.
“Oh, good evening Oli. You look handsome like always.” She replied and then laughed and smiled at me. I smiled back.
“Alright. Now Oliver I need you to help us decide what jewelry Charlotte should wear,” Adelaide informed me while jumping into the conversation. She said it with all seriousness. This jewelry thing was what had been so important. Honestly, why did I need to help to women decide on jewelry? I swear Adelaide was like a little girl sometimes even though she was already 24.
“You have to be kidding me! This is ridiculous, I’m going back down stairs.” I snapped and turned around to leave the room. The perfume fumes were choking me anyways. I would be glad to be out of there.
I felt a small gloved hand grasp my elbow just as I was turning and I heard Charlotte plead, “Oli please? It would be really helpful, and well…I…I really want you to help pick it out…it would…it would mean a lot to me.”
I turned back around and looked at Charlotte and then at her hand on my arm. Immediately she blushed and snatched her hand away. I didn’t get why she had reacted like that. It was only jewelry, and why was she blushing? She had only grabbed my arm. Honestly, women.
I sighed giving in, “Sure Charlotte. I’ll help you decide on your jewelry. Let’s just get this over with.” She smiled and I could feel Adelaide smirking pompously beside me. She loved getting her way.
“Alright first we have the pearl necklace with the small silver rose bud hanging in the middle.” Adelaide said while picking up the aforementioned necklace. She handed it to me and I glanced at it, turning it over once. It looked old. I bet it had been her mother’s. I handed it back to Adelaide and she laid the necklace down on the vanity.
“Or the diamond and emerald choker.” Adelaide then picked up that necklace and handed it to me. It was a huge necklace made entirely of diamonds and emeralds that formed and intricate spider web of gems that must have covered the whole neck. This one looked expensive. Adelaide set it down next to the pearl necklace on the vanity. She then turned to me and looked at me expectantly.
I glanced at Charlotte’s dress again and then at both the necklaces. “Well, I suppose the pearl necklace would look nice. It’s simple. I like that. Besides wouldn’t it match all the pearls that are laced in your hair Charlotte?” I decided.
Charlotte looked like she was about to respond, but Adelaide interrupted, “Yes, Oliver you make a good point but the diamond and emerald choker would certainly show off her wealth.”
“Well then do what you want. I was only giving my opinion. It’s not like I really care either way.” Adelaide just stared at me.
“I actually agree with Oliver. I think the pearls would look much nicer with this dress.” Charlotte offered and then gave me a small smile.
“Yes, Yes I guess we’ll just go with the pearls then.” Adelaide gave up. She sounded as if she was personally wounded by not getting her way.
“Well if this is all settled, I’ll see you too downstairs. Goodbye.” I informed them both. I was about to leave but then Adelaide spoke.
“Wait Oliver…why don’t you put on the necklace for Charlotte? You know so she doesn’t mess up her hair.” Adelaide had a twinkle in her eye that I didn’t like, at all.
“No! No! Oli really doesn’t have to…I …uh…I” Charlotte spluttered wide-eyed.
“ I don’t see why you can’t do it? You’re perfectly capable.” I replied to Adelaide. The smell of the perfume was to the point of nauseating.
“I have gloves on, of course. These would make hooking the clasp impossible. Don’t you ever use your head Oliver,” Adelaide snapped as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Oh yes! Silly me! How could I forget the gloves,” I replied dryly.
“Just don’t do it again Oliver, dear.” Adelaide quipped with just as much sarcasm. I snatched the necklace from her palm and shot her a glare.
I turned to Charlotte and wrapped the necklace around her neck. Immediately her eyes widened and she snapped her head down to look at her lap. She began fidgeting with her hands and her face was flushed. Honestly, what had gotten in to her tonight? When I was clasping the necklace I noticed Charlotte was wearing her engagement ring. It was the first time she had since our wedding had been announced earlier this week. Maybe that had something to do with it. I decided I’d mess with her a bit. Besides Charlotte didn’t actually like me. She probably just thought the arranged marriage was slightly awkward and now that she was wearing the ring it probably just intensified that feeling. So to mess with her I bent down and pressed my cheek right against hers and pushed back one of the soft curls hanging down from her up do hairstyle.
“It looks beautiful.” I whispered. I let my hand linger on her other cheek. Charlotte flushed and turned to look at me.
“Thank you, I um think we made a good choice.” She replied.
I blame my next action on the fact that our faces were just inches apart. I probably did it because I was feeling especially devilish, but nevertheless I leaned in and kissed Charlotte on her lips. I pulled back slowly and smiled at her.
“See you downstairs?” Charlotte just nodded, in shock. I proceeded then to straighten up and walk towards the door. I shot a smirk at Adelaide who looked dumbfounded and uttered a short, “See you.” Then I walked out of the doorway and into the hallway where I could finally breathe. I leaned up against the wall and took a few good breaths of the clean hair. I let it clear out the fog the perfume had created in my head.





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