Aurelia’s gaze remained fixed on him, and her voice held a mix of exasperation and frustration as she responded to his question.
“When have I ever been a fan of games?”
Her eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer, closing the distance between the two of them; perhaps far closer than the two of them should have been. “Oh, do refrain, Ilyas. When have you not?” Her tone carried a hint of accusation as she met his gaze once again. “Our entire childhood was a game to you. You are aware of it, I am aware of it, and the entirety of the ton knows that you take every little thing and twist it for your own pleasure.”
Aurelia’s gaze bore into his, and her voice lowered, laden with a heavy dose of skepticism. “Perhaps you do not engage in the same dalliances as the vulturous mamas in there, but just like everyone else, you thrive on the play. The genuine question is: have you ever once acted as if something were not a game?”
Why was he doing this? Today of all days, on Aurelia’s first return to society, she found herself already juggling the unwanted idiocracies of men she had no interest in. It was supposed to be a night of new beginnings and hopeful prospects, not dealing with one of the worst of them all: Lord Keats - a man who she truly believed was utterly irredeemable.
However what honestly surprised her was his reaction to her next question. When she had asked if he truly expected her to believe he cared, she expected some form of a mocking response or a snide remark. However, all she received was a nod from the man.
There was never a time when Aurelia would have expected Ilyas Keats to be rendered speechless. That brief moment of unease lingered between them, and she had half-expected him to retort in response to her frustration. Yet, instead, he simply closed his eyes.
What was going on? The unexpectedness of his behavior left her baffled and, to some extent, disarmed. Her words were leaving her mouth as if they were automatic… and honestly… she truly did not even know what she was saying anymore. Something about making her family happy which was, in her defense, true. A stark contrast to his next words, however - the first time she’s heard him speak within the last few minutes.
“Well, my dear, it seems to me, I care more about your happiness than your own family does.” His words hung in the air, a strange mixture of arrogance and something else that she couldn’t quite decipher. She found herself caught in his gaze, her defenses slowly falling as his sincerity became more apparent.
“What… am I supposed to say to that? I do not even know you, Lord Keats, and you dare accost me, telling me you care about me. Why? What in heaven’s name are you tryi…”
Aurelia’s words were abruptly cut off as she felt a slight force pushing her back, momentarily distorting her senses. When she regained her composure, she realized that Orpheus had now positioned himself between her and Lord Keats, assuming a protective stance that sent a clear message of his intentions. She hadn’t even heard him join her on the balcony. Allowing her eyes to wander, she found that another close friend, Adeline, had also discreetly appeared on the patio, standing across from where they were.
"What the hell do you think you’re doing, Keats?!”
This situation felt all too familiar: Orpheus stepping in to protect her from Ilyas, like a recurring scene from their childhood. It stirred a sense of déjà vu that left Lia feeling unexpectedly vulnerable, a feeling she despised. Ilyas had a knack for making her feel this way, and she resented it deeply. However, something was different this time: the intensity in Orpheus’ actions, the way he forcefully pushed Ilyas away, made her realize that this wasn’t just a reenactment of their past encounters.
Something felt amiss, and while Lia couldn’t quite pinpoint the exact nature of the problem, she had an unsettling sense that trouble was brewing. Her gaze briefly met Adeline’s, and the unease she saw reflected in her friend’s eyes heightened her own apprehension.
As she looked at Orpheus, Lia noticed a profound change in him, which was unusual given the short time that had passed since she last saw him. It sent shivers down her spine and intensified her unease. She had a nagging feeling that they were all treading on thin ice.
Turning her attention back to Ilyas, she spoke, her voice composed but firm, “Lord Keats, I believe it might be time for you to take your leave. We shall continue our conversation at a more… suitable time.”
@DandelionKate @sunflowerjm @Madilfill - meh. I’m tired