She’s Evilly Good

It wasn’t supposed to happen like this…

    I, the Duke Luphor, was just attending as per my habit the social evening occurring at each full moon. An old custom held in our kingdom of Emphrellaig for centuries now. I simply couldn’t miss the opportunity to dampen the mood with my evil presence.

    It wasn’t supposed to happen at all. It wasn’t.

    Standing by the buffet, I was savouring the taste of apple cider and of the frustrated glances focused on me. Our host of the day himself, the Duke Suffpelk, nervously bit his napkin at my very sight. It was all he could fathom to do, though. He indeed knew better than to confront me. Everyone was aware of what happened to the last noble who unfortunately forgot to send me an invitation.

    A smirk lingered on my lips at the memory of his squeals. I took another sip.

“Good evening, my lord. May I have the pleasure of dancing with you?”

    But the moment I heard her voice…

“Ohh? How bold of a lady to make such a request to me.” The words rolled over my tongue with amusement. “Do you not know who you are…”

    As I spoke, I turned my golden eyes to the foolish young woman who dared to ask me. But the moment my gaze fell upon her, my smirk faltered.

“…talking to.”

    Her closed eyes held that innocent, yet mischievous note. Unsettling. Her short orange hair adorned with a golden butterfly, she reminded me of an alstroemeria. Elegant. Her lilac and cyan dress did little to distract me from her smile. Unnerving.

“Naturally, Duke Luphor.”

    The glass I held between my fingers cracked and shattered the moment my psyche did.

    I vowed to spend a whole century in hell for calling that woman foolish. Let me. Please, I beg.

A shiver ran up my spine the moment her smile widened.

“I guess I’m the one who shall present herself.” She pinched her dress and lowered her head in a curtsey orchestrated to make my heart miss a beat. “Marquessa Ambrillia.”

    It was love at first dance.

༻❦︎༺

    Her hand in mine felt so small I was frankly worried I would crush it. As we twirled under the light of the crystal chandelier, my fingers pressing against her waist when needed, I let the music guide my steps. My thoughts, as for them, couldn’t lose focus yet.

“I am the Duke Luphor, I must remain cautious. As far as I am aware, she could as well be an assassin sent to end my days. I may have gotten rid of my father’s enemies, but the number of mine keeps rising. Maybe she has poison on her lips. Not that I…”

    An intrusive thought made me stumble, my balance sent to the afterworld. It was but thanks to the endless hours spent practising dancing that I managed to disguise my misstep as a dip. My eyes widened. The Marquessa Ambrillia bent back, letting out a chuckle as strands of my crimson hair tickled her cheek.

“Focus. Keep focus.”

    My gloved fingers gave an impulse to her back so that she could regain her balance.

    I needed to understand what sort of person the marquessa was.

“How come that I never had the chance to meet you before tonight, my lady?” I asked.

“Mmm, it just so happens that I’m often occupied on full moons.” She mused. “I usually hold a party at the orphanage.”

“The orphanage? Isn’t it counterproductive to hold a charity evening at the same time as the moonly social event?”

    She shook her head with a smile.

“It’s not for fund-raising, I simply wish to entertain the children a bit.”

“Oh, you seem to have quite the benevolent soul.” I noted before the notes of the waltz allowed me to lean in closer and murmur next to her ear. “Aren’t you afraid that being seen by my side would tarnish your image?”

    A scent of fresh apricots filled my nostrils the moment I got too close. It was a fragrance I already knew would inhabit my dreams tonight.

    Was it the moment I scented her fruity perfume that I lowered my guard, or was it when she uttered these words in reply?

“That’s sweet of you to worry for me, Duke Luphord. But I am a grown-up woman. I can choose whom I want to be close to.”

“C-close.” I stuttered against my will.

    My mind went blank after the spontaneous combustion of my very braincells.

“Maybe she wasn’t sent to kill me, but to break me psychically. Have I such a potent enemy, desiring to make a toy out of me, only to throw me away when they’ll grow bored? Is the marquessa the chosen pawn to defeat the adverse king?”

    Her chuckle echoed the last remnants of my sanity.

    Unable to find anything proper to say, I pretended to focus on our steps, making the marquessa twirl at the end of my fingertips. The frills of her dress brushed against my leg like so many feathers. Was she one of the angels from the old legends?

    I was unable to prevent a smile from creeping onto my face. Despite my racing thoughts, I couldn’t deny that the more I danced with her, the more I found her company appeasing. When was the last time someone approached me in such a carefree way?

    When the music came to an end, I guided her back to the buffet.

“Is there anything you wish for, Marquessa Ambrillia?” I asked, taking a glance at the divine pieces of cake arranged over the layers of lilac cake stands.

“I wonder what can please her tastes.”

“There’s one thing indeed, that I wish for…” She begins.

“Tell me.”

    But I barely had the time to turn fully to the marquessa before a shaking voice interrupted us.

“Duke Luphor! I have news that requires your attention.”

“What is it?”

    I turned my golden eyes to a servant leaning his head forward, until I gave him permission to speak out. His figure was pale, that of a man facing his death.

“I-It’s Baron Gallghaid.” He begins, the name making me frown. “We just learnt that he managed to escape his cell. The guards are searching for him, without result so far.”

“Gallghaid…”

    Enough to elicit a sigh from me. Of course, that garbage of a noble would ruin this wonderful night. Or rather, attempt to. I wouldn’t let him. I simply… didn’t feel like making a fuss about it. Not tonight.

“Very well. Make sure that I know it the moment he gets caught.” I concluded before gesturing at him with the back of my hand. “You’re dismissed.”

    It was only then, as the murmurs began to spread around us, as the servant stared at me, worried, that I noticed. Everyone was observing me and exchanging whispers.

“My lord, are you feeling well?” The servant hesitantly questioned.

    The reason for his inquiry was, indeed, quite simple. Everyone knew that if one of my vassals dared to dampen my mood he was, at the very least, rudely admonished the following moment.

    Only then did I realise. The other guests must have observed me all along, for the way I acted was absolutely abnormal. The Marquessa Ambrillia…. I’ve been nice to her.

    I glanced at her, terrified. Her hands intertwined over the fluffy fabric, she still had that innocent smile on her lips.

“Is everything alright, Duke Luphor?” She tilted her head ever so slightly.

    This woman was dangerous.

༻❦︎༺

    Pacing back and forth through my room, my thoughts circle, replaying in loop last night’s events.

“I can’t believe I let my guard down, even for a short while…” I mutter.

    The next moment, a knock at the door makes me pause.

“Enter.” I prompt.

    The wooden door adorned with gildings is pushed open by a tall and neatly dressed older man.

“My lord, I’ve done the research you asked me about the Marquessa Ambrillia.” My butler calmly informs.

    I wish I could be this relaxed.

“Speak out, Keillweist. What have you found?”

“Only child of the Marquis and Marquessa Ambrillia, her family is more than decently wealthy. They spend most of their time at their estate in Ambrosia, ensuring the welfare of the inhabitants. A small place that is, which explains why my lord hasn’t heard of them by now. Ambrosia is, that said, quite the prosperous land.”

“No… don’t they partake in some sort of smuggling? Do they have blood on their hands? Dubious hobbies?”

“I’m afraid that there’s nothing of that kind.” Keillweist shakes his head, his elegant moustache following the move. “All the gold in their hands comes from their delightful honey and flowers growing there. These are quite appreciated in the whole kingdom. The only notable habit I heard of is that they regularly give out part of their wealth.”

“To obtain other nobles’ favours?”

“As donations to an orphanage.” My butler corrects me.

“Tssk.” I nervously bite my nail.

    That must be that place the Marquessa Ambrillia often goes to. She told me about her parties with the orphans.

“This said, regarding their daughter…”

“Yes? Yes, what about her?”

“She’s regularly away from her estate, spending her parents’ money to-”

“I knew it!! So the marquessa is a spoiled child exploiting the Ambrillia’s wealth to satisfy her every whim and desire.”

    A spark ignites in my gaze.

“Ahh, don’t spare me Keillweist.” I continue. “I’m ready to hear about the hidden harem she hides in a remote mansion…”

“She spends that money on presents she brings back for the kids.” Keillweist answers flatly.

    That is when I fall to my knees, my fingers stiff, pressed to the silk carpet.

“This can’t be… She can’t be that good.” I mutter.

    I can’t help but remember last night. It took me only a moment of inattention to get absorbed by her solar presence, forgetting to spread my evilness in the ballroom.

“This woman will lead me to doom…”

    Clenching my teeth, I get back to my feet to raise an unwavering fist.

“That’s settled. I simply won’t see her again… I can’t! I don’t want to be fixed!!”