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Continued…

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I decided to fit on a nice button up shirt for the night. The night before was excusable., but this time I actually had a guest. I wondered if everybody else would be better dressed for the evening. 

Waiting at the Grand Park lobby, Belle came out in a simple violet, dinner dress, cut just bellow her knees. Nothing as loud as the fancy hotel that she chose as boarding. But perfect for the subtle grandeur of Hotel Mysteria. 

“What?” she asked me as she approached. 

“Huh?” 

“Why are you staring at me like that?” 

I didn’t realize I was entranced by her simple elegance. She never wore much make up. It gave her a natural beauty that I preferred – being a military man and all. 

Something felt wrong in that moment. A sense of vulnerability. I wondered if it had something to do with Julie. But I wasn’t getting any thoughts about her. Then I saw Belle carefully divert her eyes to the side without moving her head. A covert maneuver. She felt it too. 

I peered to the side. Seated on a side table, dressed nicely for the evening, was that woman from the market. That one I mistook for Julie. She was watching us. Was she also staying at this hotel? She seemed appropriately fitting for the place, except for the fact that she was intently watching me and Belle. 

I tried to show the woman a smile, but it had no effect at all. She sat there, unchanged. What an uncomfortable moment. 

“Maybe she thinks we’re following her” Belle sighed. 

“We don’t need to stay around here.” I lead Belle outside so we could catch our cab. “Maybe I should apologize to her again.” 

“If we see her when I return, then maybe” Belle pulled my arm further outside. It was nice that belle was getting more comfortable with me. It was a warm security against the uneasy glare of that upset woman. It was also a comfort against the thought of Julie. My mind reminded me that Julie was still the objective at the end of the day. I tried to not let that ruin my moment with Belle. 

I knew Belle would love the hotel. As soon as we stepped out of the cab, she was bedazzled by the whole sight. She pointed out the classical architecture of the windows, the columns, and the various stoneworks laden throughout the structure. We both had a fascination for olden day things. And it was such bliss to enjoy such things with her again. I even showed her the mailbox out the front. Belle said it looked like a miniature version of a magical tower out of a fairytale – just as I had thought of it the other night. It was interesting that we still shared so many similar thoughts. 

Inside, I was greeted by that receptionist girl who usually manned the front desk. She looked at Belle for a moment until finally looking back to me. 

“You must both be here for dinner, Corporal Carvoux.” The girl took a step aside to make way. 

“Yes. Thank you” I smiled. Then I offered my arm to Belle. Belle was familiar with my chivalrous mannerisms and took my lead. 

It was interesting that the receptionist girl addressed me as such. She may have thought of Belle to be our expected guest. Hopefully the signal was still the confirmation of true arrival of the Julietta. 

We were lead upstairs and down through the hallway to the private ballroom. I could tell Belle was delighted to find workers opening the doorway for us. 

The ballroom was more decorated than the night before. More candlelight illuminated the hall from more lamp posts placed everywhere, to chandeliers above I never noticed before. There were also more flowerworks and water features placed around the sides. The sound of running water was more noticeable, trinkling in the background. And most of the guests were now dressed more appropriately in complete formal. I, again, felt out of place, even with this nice, buttoned shirt. A proper penguin suit seemed more fitting for the night. But it didn’t matter. I was here with Belle. And this was probably the nicest dinner I had ever take her to. 

Once at the table, the manager came by to greet us. He gave Belle a magnificent bow that I had never seen him do before. And then he asked in his fluent Pallion, 

“Could I get you two something to start your evening?” 

“Just some wine, thank you” I smiled. 

He then gave me a focused look. “Would you care for the special casks tonight, Corporal?” 

The signal. 

“No thank you.” I raised my hand. “Just something nice, thanks.” 

“As you wish, monsieur.” He gave us a polite nod. I think I noticed a breath of relief from the manager. He must have been glad that all was going to be well. 

The manager then went off to a table to the side. There I saw Sir Barber and Lady Hannah. They were seemingly dressed for the evening. The manager leaned over and gave them a quiet word. Likely telling them that Belle was only a false alarm. The elderly couple then sat up, looking about, until they noticed me sitting with Belle. The two stood up to make way. 

At their arrival, I stood in greeting. Belle followed suit. 

“Welcome to our hotel, young lady.” Sir Barber spoke in Pallion and gave Belle a polite bow. “I am Sir Barton. And this is my wife Lady Allana.” The old man took Belle’s hand to give it a kiss. 

Their cover and act was brilliant. I even believed it for a moment. 

“You are as beautiful as he told us you’d be” Lady Hannah – I mean, Lady Allana – then spoke to Belle. 

Wait! Did Hannah mistake Belle to be Juli… 

“He has been horribly heartbroken over you for these past few years.” Hannah approached Belle to take her hand. “How did you ever end up finding Dallas all the way here in Peetsurg?” 

Did she know this was Belle? How? Or was it a lucky guess? 

“It was a magical coincidence” Belle smiled. “We only found each other just this afternoon.” 

“And now are happily having dinner together after all these years. How wonderful for you both. “Land Hannah squeezed Belle’s hands with joy. 

“He’s been so heartbroken, has he?” Belle gave me a sly grin. 

“The boy has been miserable since you two parted.” Lady Hannah frowned my way. “But let’s not worry about that anymore. You two take a seat and enjoy yourselves. We’ll come and join you two later.” The elderly couple gave us a bow and let us be. 

“Horribly heartbroken over the past few years?” Belle raised an eyebrow at me. “Did you tell them to say that?” 

“Why would I tell them to say something like that?” My arms spread out. “I’m not that pitiful.” 

“Oh. I don’t know about that” she gave me a cheeky grin. 

“I’m serious” I contested. “We literally just met again a few hours ago. I haven’t seen those two for a few days.” 

“Well, you must have given them such a tragic story.” She was still grinning. 

“I was sad about what happened, okay.” I made to sit down. “They asked me if I was married or not. And I had to tell them that I was married, once.” 

“Oh. Sorry about… you know…” 

“It’s okay” I hushed her gently. 

“You’re still sad about it?” she asked me. 

“Aren’t you?” 

“Ummm…” Belle wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t need to say anything. 

“Don’t answer.” I looked into her eyes. “Let’s just have a nice time tonight.” 

There were a few more guests this night. Ones I didn’t see the evening before. Likely just arrived from wherever they came from. Each of them clearly paying their respects to Barber and Hannah – I mean, Sir Barton and Lady Allana. The sight really aided to their cover. Belle would ask if I knew each of the guests as each would come and give their respectful greetings and salutes. I truly had no clue, so I just told Belle that they were probably business owners or something. 

More tables were also set out this evening. I could tell with the increase of guests. All were still placed near the center of the room, adding to the sense of grandeur. 

A server came with wine. It was the old man that Barber and Hannah knew from the night before. Johin. This man looked too rough and rigid to pass as a hotel worker, let alone a serving staff. Too military, even. I could feel from his air. Yet he still moved with a fine gentleness fitting of his ‘role’. They way he precisely placed down the wine glasses, and the way he revealed the wine bottle like the draw of a sword he had done a hundred thousand times. 

“Corporal.” He spoke to me in Beckish. “The special cask for the night.” Johin raised the bottle with no apparent label, just a small tag hanging around the neck, and the head completely sealed in red wax. 

The Special cask? Did the manage not hear me properly? I spoke up, 

“Oh. No. We didn’t…” 

“The manager insists we serve this to you and your lady tonight, rather than the usual.” He gave me an assuring nod. “You need not worry.” Then, smoothly, he poured our glasses. The man gave both me and Belle a deep stare as he handed us our wine. A hunter’s stare. He truly was out of place as a bar hand. 

“He is scary” Belle whispered once Johin was finally gone. 

“Tell me about it!” I laughed. “I felt him stare into my soul.” 

“He stared my soul right out of my body” Belle giggled. “I felt my insides want to get up and run away.” 

The man was such a tense presence. It made me wonder how many of the others who had come were that much of an experience. 

The bread we were served was the very same loaf I brought from the market. But the rest of the banquet was a completely different menu than before. Every dish was more grand and exquisite. Fitting for the allure of the night. Even the quartet’s performance was more bold and audible. Maybe the night before was all just practice for this whole evening. 

Would everybody keep the same energy for when Julie actually arrived. It truly felt as if everybody was taking this performance seriously. Or was everybody just truly enjoying themselves. I didn’t know. But at least Belle was convinced of all the glamour. 

Johin would come every once in a while to refill our cups. The man’s air made sure that we kept silent whenever he came about. It was nothing like when any other common waiter would come by and you’d usually continue whatever conversation you were having. Johin’s presence demanded respect. And he’d still give us a long stare after handing us our wine. 

Belle and I couldn’t help but giggle in relief after he’d leave. 

After the main course, Sir Barber and Lady Hannah came to our table. We stood to receive them. 

“We are so honoured to have you with us, Ms…” Sir Barber asked. 

“Belle, Sir…” she tried to respond. 

“Barton.” The old man gave his gentle smile. “Ms. Belle, was it? A fitting Pallion name for such a lovely young lady.” 

“Thank you, Sir Barton” Belle made an attempt at a curtsey. 

“Do tell us how you came by to our lovely evening, Ms. Belle” Lady Hannah then asked. “We were of the idea that you and Dallas were no longer in touch.” 

“Oh. Ummm…” 

I could tell that that made Belle grow a little shy. 

“We bumped into each other,” I spoke up, “at the market today. I was doing some shopping for this evening, and she happened to see me.” 

“How lovely” Lady Hannah smiled. 

“Yes. And Dallas upset a woman at the market” Belle then added. “So, I had to get him out of that predicament.” 

“Oh really? What happened?” the elderly coupled asked. 

“Dallas grabbed some woman by the shoulder. This big oaf can sometimes forget how strong he is.” Belle grinned at me. 

“I thought,” I explained, “the woman was somebody I knew. I clearly got the wrong person.” 

“He thought she was his fiancé.” Belle mentioned. “Is Dallas’ new lover pretty? The woman he mistook her for was quite beautiful.” Belle looked to the elderly couple, hoping for an answer. What if they said something about… 

“The only beauty that we know of in Dallas’ life is you, darling.” Hannah quickly answered. “He never told us about a fiancé.” The old woman raised an eyebrow to me. 

“I accidently said fiancé” I put my hands up. “I don’t know why I said that. But Belle has been giving me a hard time about that, ever since.” 

“I just want to know who this pretty fiancé is” Belle gave me a curious look. 

“I assure you, Ms. Belle” the old man spoke up. “That the only female he’s had any relations with is you. The poor young soldier. We were even hoping to one day introduce him to our daughter. But it seems now that that is no longer necessary.” 

“Oh. That would be nice for him” Belle strangely said in delight. “Is she here tonight?” 

“Unfortunately, no” Lady Hannah told. “She is busy somewhere in Beckham and couldn’t make it tonight.” 

“Oh no. I’m sure Dallas would have loved to meet her.” Belle sighed. 

“I’m sure Dallas is happily occupied now, missy. Don’t you worry.” Lady Hannah smiled. “How long will you be in Peetsurg, Ms. Belle?” 

“Oh.” Belle thought for a moment. “I plan to go to Mooksan tomorrow, lady… ummm…” 

“Allana, dear” the old lady told. “You plan to go to Mooksan tomorrow? So, it is not yet confirmed. Maybe you could be convinced to stay back a day longer. Or two?” There was an unexpected excitement to the old lady’s voice. 

“Uhhh… Well, I didn’t have anything specific planned.” Belle wasn’t sure where this was going. 

“Maybe we can show you around town dear. I’m sure there are places we could take you that both you and Dallas haven’t seen yet.” Lady Hannah then gave me a wink that Belle obviously saw. How was I supposed to respond to that? 

“Are you two locals of Peetsurg?” Belle asked. 

“Oh. No, my dear. We are Beckish” Lady Hannah laughed. 

“We were just lucky.” Barber added, “that my great-great-great-grandfather inherited this lot long ago. We are not quite sure who we can pass down our lovely old hotel to when that time finally comes.” The old man made a frowned that seemed quite real. Lady Hannah rubbed his arm in comfort. 

“You said you had a daughter” Belle mentioned. 

“She seems to not want anything to do with the family.” Barber’s glum mood oozed out more. “But I understand that you young folk want to make your own lives. So, we don’t blame her.” 

“Aww.” It seemed that Belle felt the actual ache of Sir Barber’s heart. “Well, what is the occasion of tonight? I’m sure there are reasons to smile.” Belle lightened her tone. 

“It has been a very long time since we’ve come back to Peetsurg” Lady Hannah told. “So, we just wanted to see all our friends.” 

“A welcome home party of sorts” Belle smiled. 

“Yes. Something like that.” Lady Hannah pat Belle’s arm. “She’s lovely.” The old lady gave me that awkward wink again. 

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To be continued…

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(Part 14-20) Hotel Mysteria 016 – Forgotten