Chapter 5

Despite the night’s earlier events, the mood in the room eases back into one of celebration. Yes, the food helps. But it’s when we bring out the wine that everything takes off. I limit myself to one cup since, if I have drunk before tonight which of course I haven’t since that’s against the law, I would be considered by many, a lightweight.

Another person that’s a lightweight is Autumn. However, she loves alcohol and doesn’t stop unless she’s forced to. Which causes events like the current situation. The one where Doll is tackling Autumn to the ground moments before she unties her dress.

Cyra’s disappointed expression speaks for everyone in the room. It’s only after I ensure there’s nothing exposed that I remove my hand from in front of Sai’s eyes.

As Cyra orders Autumn’s drinking glass to be confiscated, the door slams open. All our attention goes to Flame as she steps into the room. With her entry, you can feel the happiness evaporate.

“Hello everyone. I hope I didn’t miss anything.” Whatever Flame’s about to say next dies on her tongue when she sees the state of the room. “Did I actually miss something?”

“I think we can officially say that you can sleep through anything.” Autumn slurs out as she’s guided, or more like carried back to her seat by Doll.

Flame’s confused expression would be comical if it were on anyone else. “Are those, bullet holes?”

“We’re not talking about it.” Cyra’s voice suggests that she’s moments away from giving in to the rage that she has since managed to dampen down. Wisely, Flame picks up on this and deems it best to move on.

“Alright…well, I figured since I’m the main financial contributor of this party, it would be rude of me not to show up.” Flame’s smooth confidence is back, and it signals that there’s about to be trouble.

“Of course, thank you for coming Flame.” My words are slow, but steady. The less I show that I don’t want her here, the quicker she’ll leave.

Rumi, however, is not me. Never once has he shied away from poking the hornet’s nest. “Oh, yoo weren’t late. Yoo just weren’t invited.”

And here we go.

“No, you weren’t invited since you don’t even live here. The invitations said family and residence of Cyra’s shop are welcome.”

“Exactly, family. That’s why both Sai and I showed up.”

Rumi’s words hit their target based on the way Flame’s left eye twitches. Since Rumi never apologizes, the only person that can try and prevent things from escalating is me. If I let them continue, Cyra will make me apologize in private to Flame later which often involves me undergoing annoying tasks.

Like last time when Flame forced me to kneel at the entrance of the shop for the entire day, during a snowstorm. I do not want a repeat of that.

“You know what, since it’s Blue’s coming-of-age ceremony, I’m going to let that one go,” Flame announces as she turns away from Rumi, choosing to face me.

Well, isn’t she in a good mood. She has to be drunk.

“Don’t look so serious Blue, I’ve come bearing gifts.” Flame walks over to me with a beaming smile that makes my stomach drop. She hands me a black envelope and watches expectantly as I open it.

I’ve gotten a few of them tonight, but this one is different. Inside, instead of money, there’s a banknote.

“Now, I know that normally there’s an open bid for these things, but I’ve been in contact with a royal I know and he’s agreed to buy your first night. Congratulations.” Flame gives a half-hearted applause that no one joins in on.

The banknote and signed contract leave me feeling numb. The amount of fifty crystals is written across the front. That’s a high price for a pleasure worker, even in Wirra. It’s close to Flame’s bidding price of sixty crystals which was the second highest ever paid. Mom’s was the highest.

Flame’s gaze is locked on me waiting for a reaction. I don’t know if she’s hoping to see fear or defeat. But whatever she wants, I make sure not to give. Like mom said, no matter what the world tries to take from you, your dignity can’t be bought or stolen. Only given, and I’m not giving Flame anything.

“Flame, Blue hasn’t decided what occupation she’ll have.” Cyra’s voice is calm, but I hear the irritation behind it. She’s mad that Flame didn’t go through official channels to get the bid.

When Flame doesn’t take the hint and back off, it confirms what we were all thinking. She’s drunk. “What else is she going to be able to do? I mean, guess if you really want Blue, you can become a noble’s mistress. But I don’t suggest it. They’ll treat you exactly how your status dictates. And in most cases, the noble will pass you around to their friends for free. At least here you’ll get paid for being passed around.”

Sai tries to stand, but my hands press on top of his clenched fist urging him to stay seated.

“Thank you Flame, but unless Lady Auclair says otherwise, I’ll continue my work at the front counter.”

My tone remains courteous, because no matter what happens, Cyra basically just rejected the offer. No matter what Flame says or does, she isn’t above Cyra. She can’t force me to accept the bid.

“Blue, you shouldn’t be selfish. You have a responsibility to your family.” Flame says the word family in a tone that mirrors Rumi’s earlier. “There’s no way you can make enough to pay for Sai’s internship with your current salary. You know that.

“Or what? You think you’re too good for a job like ours? Don’t forget Blue, no matter where you go or what you do, you’ll only ever be the daughter of a prostitute.”

When silence follows Flame’s words, Doll is the one to step in on my behalf. “Well, I think her working here will be an utter waste. Blue, you have one opportunity to register for a trade in this country. Wirra’s just a small corner of the world. You should move to the capital and find a life outside these walls.” Doll locks eyes with Flame as she finishes, “no one would hate you for wanting something better than a life tied to this place.”

“Seriously Doll?! You’re taking her side?” Flame screams.

“I don’t take sides in arguments. All I do is offer facts and useful suggestions. Whether you chose to listen is up to you.” Doll says in a lighthearted tone that’s at odds with the direction of this conversation.

Truthfully, I would love to leave this place, but Flame’s right about one thing. I need money. More than I’m making right now. If I can’t pay for Sai’s internship, he’ll be forced to join the military and serve for ten years when he becomes an adult. That thought has kept me up on many days these past few years.

As his sister, I know it’s my duty to do whatever I can to protect him. Even if that means I’m sharing the same space as Flame until I can figure out what to do next.

“Well, no need to rush the decision.” Cyra sounds uninterested in the conversation, but I can tell she wants Flame to drop it.

But Flame’s too drunk to stop now. She pulls herself over to Cyra, kneeling so that they’re eye to eye. “Did you give me a choice? You told me that I had to endure it because this was the fate the Divinities gave me? So why is it only ever Blue that gets to do what she wants? She just gets to live her life without a moment of suffering and we, what, let her go? WHY?!”

I’ve never heard anyone talk to Cyra like this, it seems no one has based on the reaction in the room. Our eyes naturally drift to Lady Auclair who’s glowering down at Flame. From the way she’s clinching her jaw, I think Flame’s about to get knocked out.

“W-well I think that it’s time for dessert. Does anyone want some pumpkin cheesecake?” Honey, in her rush to break the tension, only realizes now that the dessert she suggested is down to the last piece. We all glance over at Rumi since he’s the likely culprit, but he just holds out his hand observing his nails without a care in the world. “Well, maybe not that cake but there’s plenty of other—”

“SHUT UP HONEY!” Flame bellows.

“That is enough Flame!”

Again Flame ignores Cyra, and again, I have to wonder how drunk she is. This woman has lost her mind.

“What are you looking at?!”

When Flame catches me watching her, she descends on me. I feel her nails cutting into the skin of my cheek when she snatches my jaw in a bruising grip.

Sai reaches for Flame across the table at the same moment that Rumi does. I have a split second to decide who l think will do the least damage. I chose to restrain Sai, but unfortunately, I chose wrong.

In an uncharacteristic response for Rumi, he slaps Flame across the face. The noise echoes through the room telling me he didn’t hold back. I think some of the candles on the chandelier even flickered out.

Flame reacts by releasing me and holding the right side of her face.

“If yoo lay a hand on her again, I’ll make sure yoo end up permanently unemployable.” Rumi’s warning is delivered with a finality that leaves no room for argument.

But think that slap took all the fight of Flame anyways. All she manages to get out in response is, “you hit me.”

A wave of calm washes over Sai after seeing the display of violence from Rumi. Sitting back, he rests his weight on his palms and enjoys the show with a victorious grin. Around the room, there are mixed reactions.

Some people are surprised, others horrified. Cyra’s face remains unreadable, but Lady Auclair looks content. Her up-turned eyes show that she’s happy making me speculate that she really did want to hit Flame earlier.

When I turn back to face Flame, I see her sitting sprawled out on the floor. Since no one else seems willing, I contemplate if I should help her stand up. She’ll only cause problems if she stays here.

As if reading my thoughts, Cyra calls for Ty and Fawn to escort Flame out the room. When they enter, Doll blows her sons an air kiss that doesn’t match the energy in the room. I notice neither of them return it as they duck their heads in embarrassment. And you know, as grown men, that’s a fair reaction after getting air kisses from their mom.

Unable to say or do anything, Flame allows Ty and Fawn to escort her out. Before they leave, I hand over the banknote for them to drop off in her room. I don’t want to be held responsible if something happens to that money.

Cyra calls out before the door clicks shuts, “and put some ice on that dear.”

An awkward silence follows Flame’s parting, but just like last time, Honey tries to break it.

“Right, so…maybe we could…” Honey searches the room for something to talk about, but she comes up empty. Poor Honey. Flame is a tough act to follow.

“I would actually like some of the pumpkin cheesecake Honey.” Cyra says offering Honey a lifeline.

Just as Honey is about to cut the remaining slice of the cake in half to make it last a bit longer, Autumn stops her by waving her hand over the dessert plate. “Wait, before we cut the cake, well the rest of it, Blue’s family member has to present her.”

This is an old tradition that is commonly done by fathers. Since I’m fresh out of those, I thought we were all in agreement that we’re skipping this part.

Just as I’m about to suggest that we not do that, Sai and Rumi reach for my hand at the same time. They stop when they realize what the other one is thinking and again start bickering.

Sai asks with unrestrained irritation, “What do you think you’re doing?”

“No, what are yoo doing? An adult family member is meant to do this.” Rumi makes a show of peering at the clock tower located in the center of Wirra that’s by no means visible from this room. “Isn’t it time for yoo to be in bed?”

“Don’t you have to go to work or something?” Sai’s question is honestly one I’ve been wanting to ask too.

Rumi’s answer is given with what I feel is a bit too much confidence. “No. I called in sick.”

Can you do that Rumi?

Sai laughs before saying, “Sick huh? I didn’t realize you were willing to admit that.”

That sets Rumi off. They both commit to exchanging insults with one another while completely forgetting the reason they started fighting in the first place. Why can’t these two just get along?

While trying to block out their voices for the sake of my sanity, Kitten walks up to me. She grabs hold of my left hand kissing my brand before offering me a prayer much to Sai and Rumi’s dismay.

“May the Divinity of Death be kind to you when she comes and only takes you when you are ready. May the Divinity of Life grant you a long life, and the Divinity of Water, a prosperous one. I hope the Divinity of Darkness watches over you when you walk under the night sky, and that the Divinity of Light will forever grant you hope that will stay with you through the worst of times. I pray that the Divinity of Memories only lets you keep the good moments and that the Divinity of Time lets your clock continue untouched. Above all, may your Divinity of Chaos continue to protect you even during the times that we cannot.

“Everyone, please join me in wishing that the best of Blue’s years, are yet to come.” Cheers and applause follow Kitten’s request.

I don’t miss that Sai and Rumi’s cheering sound a little disheartened. In fact, seeing them mad that they missed their chance to give the blessing despite neither of them being fond of the Divinities, causes me to let out a laugh. The sound of my laughter rises above the applause and cheering as pure joy resonates deep in my soul.

I decide then that this is the image I want to preserve of this place. No matter what happens in the future, even if I come to hate this Wirra, this moment with Sai and Rumi by my side will get me through even my worst days. I’m sure of it.