"Are you sure you don't want to come to the theatre, oh dearest husband?" I slid my large faux fur jacket on, and patted my frilly silk shirt for inexistent dust.
Tahei didn't even grace me with a look from his swamped table. His office was too cluttered for someone who did nothing all day. There were piles of papers and contracts over every conceivable surface, books scattered around, and several open notebooks with expensive pens carefully tucked between the pages. What was he even doing? Passing paper sheets from a pile to the other was such a horrible way to try to appear busy... "No, dear. Go on, have fun."
I held back a scoff and marched to the large oak door, my hand met the cool material of the silver knob and I turned back, taking in the sight of my husband. I never did love him. He was far too old for me, his skin was droopy, he refused to wear glasses for his bad sight, so he spent most of his time squinting. His hair was nearing white and swooped about in a futile attempt to cover his bald spots. My balding husband was awfully rich though, that was his attractive side. Not that he knew how to manage his wealth. No... Heaven forbid that!
The doorknob spun under my tight grip, and I was out of his office seconds later. The mental fortitude to hold myself back from slamming the door shut was surprising, considering things weren't going well. His lack of drive or ambition wasn't his major offence. The list was far too long to even consider at this point.
I nodded politely to Marie, who stood by the door holding a large golden tray with Tahei's medication. Her sullen face tensed while her eyes left my perfectly curated disappointed face to meet the floor. The old bat never did like me, but she knew... She knew, and she either feared it or despised it. "Have a good night, Marie."
"How kind of you, Mrs. Vedridian." She bowed, and her wrinkly knuckles turned white as they clenched around the tray's silver handles. "Enjoy your evening."
I granted her a small smile when she straightened her back. I considered knocking and opening the door for her, but too much sympathy would raise suspicion. The scene was set anyway, it was just a pain to have no one trustworthy in this damned estate.
My shoes clicked down the marble floored hall as I turned from corridor to corridor until I found myself opening the good oak door that led to the large garage. It was a pain that all the doors were similar to a fault, all oak, all with silver doorknobs, the floor was always of a whitish marble and the corridors made no sense and interconnected at random.
I had to thank Tahei's damned ancestor, Palin Vedridian. Who would guess that money made people look over their shoulders at every step? Led them to suspect and doubt anyone else? Palin was a special case of deluded rich man. The one that built a maze of an estate with secret passageways known only to himself, and decided that the best way to pass this secret knowledge was through carefully crafted riddles carved into the stone floors and walls. His quirkiness had become my strength, and acquiring it had distracted me from my primary plan. I was only reaping what I had sowed...
The lights reflected over the shiny car hoods, I searched for my black lambo along the long line of parked cars. My hand slid over the hood of a bright green car, Tahei had an identity crisis once every few months, and he solved them by buying sports cars he never really drove. A bad use of resources, but who am I to say anything? His wife? No, all I had to do was look beautiful by his side, be a great hostess and mediator whenever we had to host high society parties.
A sigh left my lips once I spotted my car, I quickened my pace and slid into the driver's seat while tossing my handbag to the seat beside me. The door closed behind me and I leaned against the cold seat while grabbing the key, promptly placed on the dashboard. I never used this car, it was too ostentatious, gaudy even. I had learnt quickly from the snake-like wives of my Tahei's friends, I was thrown into the fire and I had adapted and learnt.
A deep breath later, I was turning the car on and driving off the garage, into the stone pavement that led to the large iron gates. Theatre was a big thing among the inner circle, they all met once a month, held a cabin for each family and made important deals during the breaks. My useless husband never once stepped a foot into our booth.
I had to fight and manipulate my way into this circle of power couples by myself, and he had decided that none of the deals I had proposed were worth his seal of acceptance. What did I know of business? Always that same argument, as if he knew more than me...
Playing innocent little lamb in love, to get him into a marriage, had backfired once I wanted some power over my newly acquired wealth. He'd never take me seriously, and there was a limit to what he would give me based on his infatuation and my affection. The city was a mere ten-minute drive away, my nerves about driving such an unpractical car faded away as my annoyance grew.
So many plans backfiring...
The old theatre was a grandiose building. Large stone pillars heavily ornated by stone foliage and flowers that swirled around the pillars, meeting larger and complex designs at the edges surrounded a veranda like area. Its steps had a prim blood-red carpet over them, and the valet along with many other helpers were wearing beautiful tailored outfits, matching the theme of the play.
My knees felt much stronger once my heels touched the carpet, and the valet took my car to the car park. I squared my shoulders, straightened my posture and strolled inside with a confidence that I had earned.
"Mrs. Vedridian! What a joyous day, how is your husband faring?" My smile fell from my lips and I sighed while waving a single hand slowly.
"Charles, good evening." Rule number one, never disrespect the host. Charles Terence was the centrepiece of this group. His seniority, as an older man among old men, left him unmatched in knowledge. His theatre was exclusive and a safe space for deals of all kinds, should they follow the unnamed rules set by him. "My husband is unfortunately quite busy. It is just saddening that he doesn't seem to appreciate theatre very much."
"Tahei is indeed the black sheep of his family. I had hopes that you steered him in the right direction..." Well, so did I. Charles shook his head, and adjusted his round glasses.
I forced my lips to quirk up into a tight-lipped smile, "Ah, you praise me too much." And it's worse that you don't really mean it. There was no one, not a single person in this theatre, that thought I wouldn't be a tasteless gold digger.
His dark eyes crinkled into half-moons and glimmered with apparent amusement. "Perhaps you'd prefer to be called intelligent. And you've been learning at a frightening rate. Two years was all it took... Now I want you to think about this:" He spread his arms in a theatrical pose, "Why is it that there are no reasonably powerful people?"
Where was he going with this? He twirled to the left, his skinny body oddly agile. "Why are there only either powerless or undefeatable and truly powerful?" His smile was saccharine, and his eyes left my face to inspect the new arrivals, who were causing a ruckus by the door, with disdain.
"Because those in power should see to deny it to someone else, in fear of being dethroned?" There was no way for Charles to be feeling threatened by me just yet. If ever, with the way things were unfolding...
"Correct, remember the game you're playing." He made way to greet the Vontes. Not only was he confident in his position, he knew something I didn't. Cautious and calculative men did not offer advice, they made veiled threats that could not be tracked back to them.
I left the greeting room behind, wanting both some time to gather my thoughts and to avoid Mrs. Vonte at all costs.
The lounge was nearly empty, and darker than usual. The whole theatre had veiled ancient aesthetic to keep, usually crèmes and large open spaces of carved stone in intricate depictions of several plays. The lounge used to match... Today it had large black curtains covering the wall sculptures and dark purple chaises scattered about, each with their own intricately dark carpet underneath. Odd.
"Y/N." The voice was soft and deep, I turned to meet the sole master of the Revariell fortune and estate, Hyperion. His green eyes roamed over my figure shamelessly before returning to my face.
"Hyperion. Good evening, how are you doing?"
"I'm doing well, where is Mr. Vedridian?" He led us to the bar and ordered drinks. He was a few years older than me, few as in almost a decade but compared to every other man here and my husband, that was considered a few. I could almost see it, how good we'd be together, but I also knew he was far too smart to be a puppet in my game.
"He decided he was too busy to come. Sadly." My fingers curled around the stem of the glass placed in front of me and I gazed appreciatively at the dark wine.
"What a fool... You brought his seat into the table again, and he won't seat on it." He grabbed his whiskey and swirled it about. I hid my smile with my glass and took a small sip of my wine. I knew what he was doing. Trying to seduce me, so he could use me. Every month, he tried and gave his intentions away with a single phrase. "You could make a man powerful Y/N, I can't believe he hasn't used your skills."
Aand there it was. "There's a certain charm in being satisfied with one's standing." Not that I saw it, but it should be there somewhere. Hunger for power out in the open was a big no-no...
"Your virtue will be your downfall, Y/N." Ha- How he was wrong... Well, it was good that he kept away for now. "Want to join me in my booth? Must be lonely to watch plays without company."
"Y/N! How lovely to see you here." Cornelia Vonte snooped in, "Mr. Revariell, hello."
"Cornelia." I took another sip. I really shouldn't drink more. After all, I had other plans for tonight that require careful acting and planning.
"Mrs. Vonte and Mrs. Monbag, I assume you're here for Mrs. Vedridian." He took a step back, nodding to their husbands and some others as they assembled in groups.
"Why, of course, she must be so lonely without her husband here." Cornelia added, while tossing her long black hair over her shoulder with a pale hand.
"How considerate." He nodded with a mirthful smile over his thin lips. "Anyway, the offer remains, should Mrs. Vedridian wish to take it." There were confidence and hope twinkling about his green eyes. Admirable truly.
"I appreciate it but, while it is terribly sad that my husband can't accompany me, I find myself an avid enjoyer of peace and quiet while great art is being shown." The demure smile on my face made Cornelia's eyebrow twitch, which returned the power of this exchange back to me.
Hyperion's eyebrow rose, and his tongue darted out to wet his lips, before he nodded. "Well then, fair ladies, enjoy the play."
"How kin-" "Why thank-" Cornelia and Gaia spoke over each other, blush appearing over their cheeks. The daggers they threw at each other with a single look could kill, but they soon remembered their joint enemy, me.
"Y/N, how impolite of you to refuse such a kindhearted offer." Gaia's hands crossed over her chest, she was wearing an awful green dress. I felt like rolling my eyes at her. Like she wouldn't have called me a harlot if I had accepted.
"It'd be inappropriate to join him, I am feeling a bit feverish... I wouldn't want to-"
"AH! No, of course not." Cornelia cut in, already covering for her friend's bad start. "What I believe Mrs. Monbag wanted to remind you of... was your standing, of course. You're still new to all this, after all." How expected of Cornelia.
"Why Cornelia, since we're reminding people of where they stand... You should remember you've been here for a long time and your manners are still lacking." She gaped before pressing her lips together and clenching her fists. Gaia looked like she'd been whip lashed, with her wide eyes and agape mouth.
"Good evening" Charles approached, fixing up his blood-red tie. "Is everything to your liking?"
His eyes inspected both my silent companions and me. "Yes, are you planning a change of looks for the theatre?" I motioned to the surrounding room.
His eyebrows rose, as if surprised that I would be speaking for the group. It was all a matter of dominance here. "I am trying some new themes. Change is always bound to come."
"I couldn't agree more, Mr. Terence. I quite enjoy the new look, I think you've done well. New isn't always bad." A smile spread over my lips, with the tremble of Cornelia's figure.
"Charles!" Hyperion called from across the room, where he sat on a large throne like chair. Yes. Hyperion would be the closest to Charles in terms of power... And power wasn't just a monetary thing. Not that anyone here compared to the two of them in those terms either.
"Well, you'll have to excuse me. Enjoy your evening." The older man took off with a light bow.
"Thank you for your company, dears." I turned to face them, and tilted my wine glass in one hand. "I'll be heading up to my booth now."
They both bowed lower this time. How the evening was going well. If only I didn't have to sneak out... I would've made sure I cemented this lead over both of them, the last of the resistance of vipers. If only my plans back at the estate had worked...
One of the helpers walked with me to the door, "I'm already accounted for tonight." I swirled my wine, "I don't think I'll be needing anything more."
"Yes, Mrs., should there be anything you need, all you have to do is ring." She bowed politely and left. My booth smelled of citrus and the floor was varnished. Charles knew what he was doing, thinking I'd be blinded by this new development... He wasn't where he was for no reason.
I left my coat and handbag over one of the chaises, and my wine on the table.
The most important part of my evening was about to start, and it wasn't this god awful play. No. I was going to kill my husband today. When he turned out to be unbendable regarding business deals and investments, I decided it was time to starve him of my love... so he could try to earn it back by giving me power. Not that there was ever any love but... the attention, he liked it.
During the last few months I had been discovering the hidden passages of Palin Vedridian, setting up high society outings and other plans in motion for when he came back on his knees begging for attention.
The only flaw on my plan?
Marie's son, Leander. He was the stable boy and Tahei's driver. He had provided the attention my pathetic husband so desperately needed, and in doing that, threw my position in the game away altogether. Not only that, but he was a resourceful and thirsty young man. It was no stretch to think that he hadn't come by this opportunity in a bout of luck, he had waited for it. He had a plan to rid himself of me, and take what I had worked hard to keep.
I knew it. Tahei had brought up his inheritance papers and I just knew it. Leander was going to either frame me for the old man's death while receiving all the money, or push me out and receive his graces for a while longer... until suspicion dies down.
The plan was already set, this play would be my alibi. There would be no way I'd let Tahei change his inheritance plans for the stable boy. I didn't care if he had his fun with whomever he wanted, but... my money would be my money. I couldn't risk inaction.
And that's what made me risk being found while sneaking out of the theatre through the helpers corridors and leaving through the backdoor. My heart had never beaten so fast as I managed to dash out of the theatre and find my way to the bus stop.
It had been a while since Y/N L/N had physical money at hand and decided to ride the bus, it was always a good idea to remember that simple is best most times. The bus driver wouldn't remember all their passengers, money was untraceable, and my car will always be parked by the theatre. How else would a rich wife manage to go back home to murder her husband while returning for her?
The yellow bus was semi full, and I thanked the gods for the old tired driver, as I handed him a few Jennies to cover for the ticket to the last stop.
I closed my hands and took a deep breath, everything would be okay. It would be my first time killing someone, but it was for me, I had done many horrible things for myself... I could do one more. I wouldn't be found out. The plan was solid.
I left a stop before the stop right by the estate's entrance. There was a small church on the city's outskirts that had an underground tunnel to the estate. Blessed be Palin. I found the underground entrance by dragging an old tombstone. Stone steps led to complete darkness, I found myself descending and leaving but a tiny sliver of the entrance open. My pocket had the keys to the estate, a new phone, and a Swiss knife.
I pulled my phone out, and used the torch to reveal a small tunnel, all in stone and with torch holders every few metres. Well, in Palin we trust. I could make a religion out of this man. With that thought, I took a light jog to the estate through a dark and under kept underground tunnel. What could go wrong?
Ten minutes later, I reached the ladder to what I hopped to be a secret corridor next to the master bedroom. I peered at the phone screen to check the time, it was twenty past ten. The intermission happened a quarter past eleven. I had some time still. I could catch the bus at eleven.
I opened the trap door and cringed as it creaked loudly. Seriously? Palin, mate, you didn't think iron joins would rust and be noisy? I pocketed the phone, with one hand while the other held the cold metal ladder to enter the passageways. I stopped to wonder whether I should close the trap door, it was dark and I could trip and fall... but it'd make a creaking noise again... I decided against it, and rose slowly in the dark hands extended out, feeling for the wood wall. When I found it I sighed and tiptoed my way to one of the spyholes. It that was right next to the hidden entrance to the room.
Palin was a damned one, mixing wrong riddles with right ones to disorient any pursuers. He had had too much faith in his successors... It had taken me forever to realize where the passageways led and what they could do...
I closed one eye focusing on the hole and adjusting to the light comming from it. Ah. Of course. My dearest husband, Tahei, was currently getting his cock sucked by his lover, in our room. Such bad manners.
"Leander, I cannot." The balding man pushed the beautiful blue-eyed man away, at least he had good taste. "You were wrong, my wife was only distant because she had a miscarriage."
So he had found them, good... that made things easier. I wasn't out of the full inheritance yet.
"What? There was no way she was pregnant, Tahei~." Leander reached for Tahei's hand, pulling it to cup his face, while looking adorably up at the older man. He was smart... there was no way I'd be pregnant, but it was nice to have a backup plan.
"She kept it from me, but I found some medical records while searching for the proof you said would appear..." Proof? Of what? Like I'd be careless enough to leave proof of my wrong doings out in the open. "She wasn't cheating on me..." Ah... It's always the cheaters that are afraid of catching their partners doing the exact same thing they do.
"Don't you love me? Why would she get it all if you die? I bet she's waiting for you to die." Not wrong, but a bit hypocritical.
"Leander... I need to think it through." Leander, looking rightfully heartbroken, left the room while slamming the door. Oh, this was just amazing. A possible suspect and a possible motive.
Tahei sighed loudly, laying over the bedspread and covering his face. I had to look for another entry point to the room, this one was too visible from the bed. There were three doors into the master bedroom, the one Leander had just left from was the most visible and most used. The second one connected the room with a completely different hallway, and the third led to the large balcony with access to the garden.
Palin had built this room for looks. His nights were spent in a small bedroom accessible only through the secret tunnels.
There were two secret entrances to the master bedroom, one right next to the bed and one by the balcony. The balcony one was better since it was barely noticeable, I decided to take that one and wait for Tahei to either leave or fall asleep. Ideally, he'd be sleeping already... My plan was already being considerably delayed. I took a calming breath, the passage ways smelt of humid dust, something ancient and forgotten. Everything would be okay. This would work.
The secret door by the balcony had a peephole too, facing the door through which Leander had just left. Tahei looked to be snoring softly, the door facing mine seemed to be semi open... I swallowed and pushed the wooden wall in front of me, allowing for a foot to land on my bedroom, fresh hair filled my nostrils, the smell of citrus and burnt candles grounded me.
And that's when I saw him, a beautifully pale man with straight long hair, fully mixing in with the shadows of the dark entryway to the room. The moonlight covered him from behind. His clothes were odd, it seemed like he had round pearls scattered across his top.
His eyes were large dark voids, much like his hair, they seemed to contain their own darkness, a single thin eyebrow inched upwards once they landed on me. I, however, heard the tell-tale clicking noises of Marie's shoes, and before I could think it through, I was pulling this strange man into the secret passageway with me and closing the door right as Marie opened the opposite one.