“Thank you,” I replied, finishing my thoughts on the page.
“Once he is done, he can take you if you wish to go to the event this evening. You would need to wear a mask, but you could go,” he stated.
“No, it’s not necessary,” I whispered, closing my journal before reaching up to undo the top of my jacket. “Besides, I doubt she would want me to go.”
“I do not understand.”
“Think about it. Her mother only dressed me up like this for her daughter’s sake. It is her mother’s mischievous attempt to force a romance. I can only assume that Odette has some connection to this fairy tale, and her mother was trying to bring it to life.” I leaned back against the cushions, closing my eyes.
“Is that not a reason to go out with her this evening?”
“I’ve already intruded on her home. If I also went to the event, she would only feel even more pressure. It’s best to give her space for now.”
“Your brother wished for me to remind you that time—”
“My brother, as well as everyone else, needs to remember that they may be able to force me but not her. They are only doing what is best for the crown. She’ll do what is best for Odette. Rome was not built in a day.”
“True. But you do not have one thousand and twelve years to build Rome.”
My eyes snapped back open, and I glanced over my shoulder at him. “Are you my guard or my brother’s mouthpiece?”
He stood upright with his head held high. “Both.”
“Then you report to him then. I’m going to sleep,” I muttered, grabbing my journal as I rose from my chair.
He said nothing as I walked up the stairs.
I wished I did not have so much pressure attached to this. I was here. I was agreeing, working on it. The last thing I needed was a constant reminder that this was a prearranged agreement.
Entering the room, Wolfgang opened his mouth to say something, but I just waved him off. All the exhaustion I had fought off immediately hit me. Falling onto the bed, I kicked off my shoes and tossed my journal onto the bedside table. My eyes were already closing; it had been such a long night.
I’d figure out everything else in the morning.
Chapter8
“Don’t be mad,” Augusta said to me when I arrived. She must have been waiting at the door because I barely got my foot through the door before she was in front of me.
“Too late. I already am,” I replied.
“She called you.”
“What? Who called me?” I asked, not understanding what was with the expression on her face or why she was blocking my way.
“Your mom. I’m so sorry, Odette. I didn’t know. I already got her a table. And I’m trying to—”
“Augusta, slow down.” I was now completely lost. “What are you talking about? Why would my mom call me?”
She frowned and stepped aside. “My mom apparently took charge of the fundraiser this year.”
I still didn’t understand until I stepped forward and walked into the hall. It was then that I saw all the decorations. There were photos and banners of our father with us, with the hospital kids, and with Yvonne, even pictures of him with different members of the board. But none of my mother. There was even a photo of Augusta and me with her mother and our father that came on the slide show. What was worse, what gutted me, was seeing Yvonne taking photos and welcoming guests at the front of the ball. My chest began to tighten the more I watched the purposeful exclusion of my mother. Yvonne’s table was at the very front. Meanwhile, I could see my mother seated in the back with random people I didn’t even know. No one was even coming toward there. She just sat, dressed in gold, next to Mr. Greensboro.
“My mother started the children’s hospital fundraiser!” I did my best not to yell, but my fist balled.
“It’s not under her, though. It’s under the Etheus Foundation—”
“My. Mom. Started. This.” I hissed out each word to her. “And your mom has her sitting near the trash cans! No, you said you had to find her a place? That means she didn’t even think my mom deserved to sit by the trash!”
Her shoulders dropped. “You know how they are, Odette!”
I wanted to scream in her face and tell her that wasn’t an excuse, that I wouldn’t let my mother ever do this to her or her mother. But I was so angry that I couldn’t even do that. I stomped into the hall and made a line straight toward my mom.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take this moment to invite Augusta and Odette Wyntor to the front,” the host said before I could get to the back.
I glanced up to the front where he was standing, and beside him, Yvonne stood tall and proud, dressed as some queen herself, her blonde hair up in a ridiculous beehive formation with a small tiara inside it.
“Please, please, don’t make a scene now. I swear I will yell at her after,” Augusta said, coming up beside me with a smile on her face. “Remember, this is the first event without Dad.”
Inhaling through my nose, I forced a smile to my face before walking with Augusta. Everyone applauded, and a large photo of my father appeared on the screen. Reaching the front, I turned back to face the crowd, my eyes going to my mother. She stood, and I had to look around people to see her clearly. She relaxed her shoulders and motioned her chin. I knew immediately what she wanted. I relaxed my shoulders and lifted my head, and she gave me thumbs-up.
“Would either of you like say a few remarks?” the host asked.
Augusta reached for the microphone without hesitation. However, because my arms were longer, I reached out and took it first. She shot me a glance of worry. She knew I hated speaking at these things. I always left that to her, but not this time.
“I would like to thank you all so very much for taking the time to not only dress up but join us tonight. I honestly feel as though my father is having a good laugh right now. Mr. Stuart, you especially,” I said, causing everyone to chuckle, and then applaud at the man covered in blue paint.
His genie costume was interesting. He was far too short and round for it. He nodded to me, giving me a thumbs-up.
“As many of you know, the Children’s Halloween fundraiser was my father’s excuse to make you all get dressed up in costumes. Some of you may have heard this story, but what spearheaded this event was me. While my mother was in the hospital, praying to God I’d just come out already, she and my father met a bunch of children who were unable to go out like other kids to trick or treat. So, my mother paid to have the hospital decorated as a haunted house and allowed the kids to trick or treat there. It’s been twenty-seven years since then, and some of the many treats that have been given by all you wonderful people are the cost of hospital bills across the country and further aid to these children. For that, I thank you all.”
Once again, they clapped.
I waited for a moment before speaking again. “And to my mother, Wilhelmina Wyntor-Smith, who is here with us tonight, I want to say thank you for being such an amazing mother. And thank you for starting this. It’s astounding to see how one act of kindness can grow beyond measure. You are truly and always ahead of your time,” I said, applauding her, which caused the rest of them to do the same.