Moments before the grand ball, a summons pierced the velvet silence of Sir Tansi's office—a phone call, a rare intrusion. Only a select few dared to reach him directly, the rest navigated through layers of associates.
He stood amidst the opulent trappings of his domain, clad in a suit of rich, earthy brown, his hair deliberately unstyled, a stark contrast to the polished facade he often presented. The voice on the other end delivered a blow.
"General Jacob and Young Master Lucian have withdrawn their pledges from the fundraising."
A shadow of grim displeasure settled upon Tansi's face, etching lines of cold resolve. The voice continued, relentless.
"Five others are wavering, contemplating defection. They claim their allegiance, their debts, lie with the late Mayor, not with you."
"Tell them all to be present," Tansi commanded, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "That is not a request, it's an order."
The line went dead, the silence amplifying the weight of the challenge. He summoned Edward, instructing him to prepare the car and retrieve Elizabeth. Minutes later, he let Beatrice fix his tie since she wished to, then watched as she entered the vehicle. He follows behind, the car glided into motion, carrying them toward the glittering maelstrom of the ball.
The venue throbbed with life, a kaleidoscope of faces and flashing lights. Tansi had no intention of offering Elizabeth the customary hand, no desire for superficial courtesies. He intended to allow her to alight on her own, then escort her inside. But then, he saw General Jacob hurrying towards the entrance, his expression tight, his movements betraying a sense of urgency. Tansi's eyes narrowed.
Their meeting was not scheduled for another hour.
Abandoning his initial plan, he followed Jacob, his senses on high alert. He watched as the General slipped into the elevator reserved for the elite, the upper echelons of society. Instantly, Tansi understood. He was being deliberately dodged.
Aaron approached, his gaze questioning.
"You seem to be in a hurry, is everything alright?" He studied Tansi's face, searching for a crack in his carefully constructed mask. As always, the man was a mystery.
"Yes, perfectly fine. I'm simply running late for the fundraising meeting."
"But isn't that scheduled for an hour from now? There's still enough time."
"The schedule was adjusted," Tansi replied smoothly. "Hence my haste." He reached for the elevator button, then paused, turning back to Aaron. "Elizabeth is alone inside. Watch over her. Her memory is fragmented, making her vulnerable to predators, to the scallywags. I don't want them anywhere near her."
Aaron nodded, his expression grave. Tansi stepped into the elevator, the doors sliding shut, sealing him in.
With a soft ping, the elevator doors opened, revealing a discreet hallway lined with unmarked doors. This elevator was the sole means of accessing the building's uppermost reaches, the sanctum of power.
He walked to the end of the corridor, stopping before the final door. He withdrew his hand from his pocket, placing it on the sensor. The door clicked open, revealing a dimly lit chamber.
Two guards stood sentinel, their faces impassive.
"Sir Tansi," they greeted, stepping aside to grant him passage.
Tansi pushed open the door, entering a room dominated by an immense table surrounded by a multitude of chairs. Every seat was occupied save for two—his own, at the head of the table, and the one that remained perpetually vacant, a silent testament to the late Mayor's enduring presence.
The assembled men turned to Tansi, surprise flickering across their faces.
"I was unaware the time had been altered," Tansi remarked, his voice devoid of inflection as he strode towards his chair.
Silence hung heavy in the air. Then, one of the men spoke.
"It wasn't. We were simply waiting."
"Indeed?"
"But since everyone is now present," General Jacob interjected, a nervous edge to his voice, "perhaps we should proceed."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. Tansi inclined his head.
"We will not be contributing," Young Master Lucian declared, his tone laced with arrogance. "The town boasts numerous schools. The debt we owe the Mayor will be honored by erecting a statue in his likeness."
"Do you speak for yourself, or for all?" Tansi inquired, his gaze unwavering.
"For myself alone."
"That is unacceptable," Tansi stated, his voice still infuriatingly calm.
"It seems you forget your place, Sir Tansi," Young Master Lucian sneered, unable to mask his contempt. "You are merely the Mayor's brother. You would be nothing without that connection."
Tansi betrayed no emotion. "Are there any who support Young Master Lucian's position?" he asked softly.
General Jacob and two other men raised their hands, their faces etched with a mixture of defiance and fear. The remaining men remained silent, their eyes darting nervously.
"Very well," Tansi said. He rose to his feet, his hands clasped behind his back, and began to walk slowly around the table, as if contemplating an exit. He paused beside Young Master Lucian, placing his hands on the table, leaning in close. "You seem to have forgotten," he murmured, his voice a silken threat, "that I do not tolerate dissenting opinions."
With a swift, brutal motion, he seized Young Master Lucian's hand. In the same instant, his other hand flashed, a small, wickedly sharp knife appearing as if from nowhere. He slammed the knife into the back of Lucian's hand, pinning it to the table.
"Meeting adjourned," Tansi announced.
The entire sequence unfolded with blinding speed, leaving the room in stunned silence.
Young Master Lucian remained frozen, the shock momentarily eclipsing the pain. The air crackled with tension.
Tansi turned and walked out of the room, his expression serene, as if nothing had transpired. He made his way back to the elevator, descending to the ground floor. He scanned the crowd, searching for Elizabeth. He spotted her on the dance floor, swaying to the music. He considered leaving her to her own devices, waiting for her in the car. But then, he noticed something that made him pause.
Her face was flushed, her eyes held a strange, unsettling glint. He knew, with a certainty that chilled him to the bone, that something was amiss. He moved closer, overhearing the conversation.
"Everything okay?" He heard Aaron ask, his eyes fixed on her face.
"Yes, why?" Elizabeth replied, her voice a little too bright.
"Your face is quite red."
Elizabeth bit her lip, her gaze dropping to her feet.
"I-I'm fine," she stammered. "Where is Sir Tansi?"
"He's at—"
"I am here," He said, his voice cutting through the air. He saw the shock that registered on her face when she realized he had been behind them all along.
Good.
He extended his hand, intending to draw her away from Aaron. Aaron released her immediately. Elizabeth hesitated, then tentatively placed her hand in Tansi's.
He was not a dancer. He derived no pleasure from such frivolous pursuits.
Elizabeth nervously gave her hand to Sir Tansi. She was really terrified she'll make a mistake.
His strong big hand made her feel like a lamb on a slaughter bed. His body didn't move to dance, rather he just stood looking at her.
"Feeling is meant to be locked and thrown away. His an officer, he'll catch you before you can blink."
With those chilling words said, he let go of her hand and strides outside.
Aaron has left, leaving her all herself.
Soon, Edward came, telling her they leaving.
She raised her gown up a little and walked outside, hearing laughter and excitement behind her. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, except her.