Tragic Joy

After greeting what seemed to be a thousand guests, but were only twenty more, he headed straight for the stairs. He yearned for the solitude of his room. It would have been his sanctuary if his uncle didn’t invite himself in whenever he felt like it. Unfortunately, he felt like it often. Just as the young lord reached the first step, a strong, thick hand grabbed his thin shoulder. Joel found the bitter humor in being stopped. It wasn’t like his guardian did anything else. “Where do you think you’re going, young master Thorn?” a deep voice demanded harshly. Joel would love nothing more than to run but that never helped, especially when Ishtar, Lord Javier’s favorite red servant, was around. Joel turned to face the man who gave him nightmares. Lord Javier Thorn wore a dark-brown suit with white gloves and tie. His dark-brown hair was combed to the side without a single hair was out of place. The thought of gaining everything back from this man gave Joel a voice. “I was going nowhere, Lord Javier. I was simply stretching my legs from greeting so many guests.” In one swift movement Lord Javier slapped the boy hard enough to knock him down. Since his health had always been laughable, his strength was no better. Those who saw only became excited. They had been itching for a bit of violence. Hate festered in Joel’s stomach. Whatever he did would be the wrong choice but today would be the last day he had to spend with these monsters. He swore to himself. Joel called forth the last bit of his courage to stand. He didn’t bother touching his throbbing cheek. Javier leaned forward with his strong body to whisper a threat. “Do not attempt wit with me. You have nobody and nothing. If you’re not careful, you may not live to see your next birthday.” It felt like a rattlesnake was speaking into his ear. Joel shuddered. “Ask permission to be dismissed, like a proper gentleman.” The young lord made sure to keep all sarcasm and hate from his voice as he spoke. “I ask for your permission to be dismissed,” he bowed. “You may go,” Lord Javier said after a moment. Joel moved to leave but Javier grabbed onto Joel’s right arm, hard. “Don’t you think you ought to excuse yourself from everyone else before you leave?” Javier stated this loud enough for every guest to hear. Forcing a pleasant face, Joel turned to face the guests. “I do apologize for my short stay with you. However, I have fallen ill once again so I must retire from tonight’s activities,” he bowed deeply. Most of them simply huffed. Others coughed, bored or disappointed things ended so abruptly. Lord Javier, who had not loosened his grip, accepted their reactions as a dismissal and let Joel’s arm go. He felt the pain of blood circulating into his arm as he ascended the stairs to his room as fast as he could. It was not fast enough. “The things you have to deal with Lord Javier. I do not know how you could put up with such a brat.” “There is nothing to worry about, Mrs. Skinner. All troublesome things will eventually come to an end.”