A Party To Deceit

20251128

Prompt from DailyPrompt.com

The figure in the mask stepped forward into the light, and dread filled my soul. No! I’d been so close! I thought for sure that this time I’d gotten away cleanly!
“Mistress Violet…” That raspy baritone was far too soft to echo, particularly in this grungy alley of rough bricks and piled trash, yet it rippled. A touch of magic. A warning. “Your parents are very worried.”
Breathe deep. Think fast. There was no way I could outmanoeuvre Fredrick now he’d caught up to me. I should’ve known those decoys wouldn’t distract him for long. He wasn’t the McVier chief valet because of how well he folded Father’s shirts.
First step was to try placating. I put on my most earnest smile and said “I promised I’d be home for supper-”
“You sent the Madam a text and then turned off your phone so she couldn’t see your location.” Fredrick’s voice was crisp with reproach. “Half the staff were dispatched to find you.”
Half? Oof. No wonder he’s so annoyed; that’ll screw up the entire household’s schedules for days.
“I, I’m sorry, I just-”
I could barely glimpse one immaculately trimmed eyebrow rise in silent admonishment. A warning that any reason I had for instigating this mess had better not be a ‘just’.
Nothing else for it. I cast aside dignity, including fears of ruining my makeup, and with tears welling desperately gushed “It’s the last party of the season and word is the Woosters have got their cousins to bring fireworks and Mother and Father never let me go to anything, even when the entire rest of the class is-”
“Because nobody else in the class is heir to the McVier family power - or duties.”
The familiar scolding was like a bucket of cold water to the face. I slumped but did not surrender. “No, but they are the best and brightest of the city’s upcoming magicians! Surely no-one’s going to try and cause trouble at a party like that?”
“On the contrary, it would be the perfect cover.” Though Fredrick’s expression was mostly hidden by the mask, what I could see was not merely stern, it’s sombre. Haunted, even. At times like these I wondered what path led him to my parents’ service.
I couldn’t dwell on those thoughts. But they prompted me to blurt “What if you’re with me, then?”
“Me?” Fredrick seemed dumbfounded.
Despite how the moment I voiced the idea it made perfect sense. Fredrick’s Father’s bodyguard, after all. Oh, sure, he does a million and one mundane things for Father at parties, but his main role is safety. And it wasn’t like there’d actually be trouble.
So I clasped my hands and wheedled “Please? At least long enough for me to see the fireworks, and meet the older Woosters? They’re living legends, and practically never come home to Portsborne. Who know when I’ll get another chance to talk spell conjugation with such talent?”
Fredrick slowly folded his arms. One hand rising to pensively cup his chin. A familiar pose - he’s considering.
Thank goodness he found me, not Maude - she’d have gone straight to knocking me out and dragging me home! No sympathy there at all. I don’t think she’s capable of it. Fredrick, though… he remembers what it’s like to be young and full of life. I was confident he understood.
And, while having a sinister shadow meant I wouldn’t get the taste of being normal I’d hoped for… I still wanted to go. Wanted to try having fun with everyone. See what it was like, to be sort of part of the group.
I pressed “Everyone goes on about my duties as a McVier, and noblesse oblige, but both Father and Mother say that the connections they made as students were - are! - invaluable. So why do they keep me from forming any? It’s impossible to make friends when you only see people during school hours and turn down every invitation!”
“Hm.” Pensive acknowledgement. Not agreement, not yet, but a sign I’m making a good case. I just needed a bit more, enough he felt comfortable taking it up with Mother and Father later.
Another point… another point… ah!
“And I’ll be expected to attend formal events once I turn eighteen. I don’t want to be thrown in the deep end! If I make a fool of myself here, it’s schoolyard gossip. If I gaff in front of the gentry…”
Fredrick gave a slow nod. While his covered mouth might render him an enigma to people who haven’t known him their whole lives, that crease between his eyes told me he’s smiling approvingly.
I relaxed and grinned back at him. Giddy with relief and victory.
Fredrick adjusted his gloves (a thinking tic) and mused “The one issue is that I am improperly attired…”
“Oh, you’re fine!” I assured him, swallowing a laugh. Our staff’s ‘street’ wear was miles more formal than anything my classmates would wear to an evening get-together like this.
“Mm. And there will be no disapproval caused by you bringing an old man?”
This time I did laugh, and Fredrick’s eyes crinkled. Reassured? Grateful? “You’re not an old man.”
“I am your father’s age…”
“Yes, well, it’ll be clear you’re a chaperone. Which means nobody will try and get you to dance or engage in small talk.”
“Thank goodness.” Fredrick’s monotone is a perfect match for his dry humour.
“Then…?” I bounced on the balls of my feet, butterflies filling my chest.
Fredrick tapped his chin, then declared “Once there, I will contact the Master and inform him I have located you. And you will turn your phone back on, so they - and I - can track you if necessary. If he sends someone to collect you that should give enough time to talk to these Woosters. Anything more will depend on you convincing the Master. And Madam.”
“Alright.” I wasn’t going to get a better offer. Here’s hoping Mother and Father found my case as convincing as Fredrick had.

Prompt was “The figure in the mask stepped forward into the light, and dread filled my soul…”