Viktor went on to thank the ‘beautiful and damned’ of Kristalldorf, to applause and laughter.
‘This year is particularly special as I believe it’s the first time we’ve had you here, Walter,’ he said, even though he knew for certain that was true. ‘It just goes to show what we can do when we come together,’ Viktor continued. He raised his glass to Walter, across the room, who raised his glass back, although it was Lumi he was drinking to, not Viktor.
‘So before we sing “Gaudete” together, I would like us to all raise our glasses: to old friends and new.’
Emme looked across the room and saw Tristan, in a corner near Cat and the kitchen. He saw Emme and raised his glass, giving a subtle, knowing smile. Emme flushed. God, she wanted to be with him. Had he really ended it with Vivian? She hadn’t seen them interact once during the whole afternoon, so perhaps it was true. Emme felt the burning gaze of Lexy, her bemused smile boring into her as she saw the interaction between them. Emme put her head down.
‘To old friends and new!’ everyone cheered, before taking a sip and applauding Viktor and Lumi for their generosity. From across the room another fork chinked, this time on a china coffee cup. Everyone looked around to see who the next speech was coming from.
‘Can I just say a few things?’ Anastasia slurred.
‘Christ, is she drunk?’ Walter muttered to Vivian, who squeezed her father’s arm.
Cat leaned back against the closed kitchen door, shielding her eyes, terrified of what was about to unfold.
‘Of course!’ Viktor said, intrigued.
Dimitri stepped forward and quietly whispered in his wife’s ear.
‘Everything alright?’
Tiago and Emme both stopped their rounds and looked at Cat. Emme edged towards her.
Anastasia ignored her husband and continued. Their children, who had migrated towards their parents, looked up at their mother.
‘While we’re kissing everyone’s asses…’
Lumi frowned.
‘Can we also raise a glass to my sister, Vivian…’ The bitter tinge in her voice was palpable to everyone. Guests started to look at each other. Tristan drained his drink, placed the glass on the mantelpiece, and put his hands in his pockets nervously.
‘Not only has my father decided to sell Aster, Snowbell and Orchid, which isgreatnews,’ she said sarcastically. ‘I could have made themamazing,’ she slurred as an aside. ‘But my sister Vivian is taking over Papa’s empire!’
‘Anastasia!’ Walter scolded, in a low and booming voice.
‘Come on sis…’ Lysander pleaded, as he walked across the room and looped his arm through hers. She flung it away angrily. The guests all felt the tension.
‘I mean, he really doesn’t trust me, does he?’ Anastasia said, almost playing for laughs. Vivian burned red, wanting the ground to swallow her up.
‘But you can’t have it all sis…’ Anastasia said, jabbing a finger across the room in Vivian’s direction.
Vivian’s gaze turned steely; a rash creeping up her pale cheeks. She shook her head gently, pleading with her sister.
‘That man you’ve pined for, for what, eight years?’ Anastasia looked around the room. Tristan took a step back.
‘Where are you Tristan?’ Anastasia bellowed, a bittercome out come out wherever you arechallenge in her voice. Cat kept her hand shielded over her eyes and shook her head.
Emme’s blood ran cold.
‘He’s here!’ Frida Alm said cheerfully, reaching her arm up to point a finger above Tristan’s head from where she was standing next to him.
Anastasia spotted him.
‘Ah. There you are!’
Tristan levelled her with a look, a silent plea not to do what he knew was coming.
‘I can confirm, after recent inspection, that Tristan Du Kok is one. Great. Fuck.’
