Catherine and Elizabeth finally arrived at the restaurant. A place called Maison de Lumière.
It was fortunate for Claire that Catherine was experienced in etiquette, dining or otherwise. It was unfortunate that neither had partaken in French cuisine so they were flying blind in that department.
The maître d' gave the pair a puzzled look when they entered, in fairness they were an odd-looking couple.
However, as soon as he read the reservation he immediately became strictly accommodating, and the two were promptly shown to their seats.
Maison de Lumière was sparsely populated. It was far too high-end for a commoner to even dream of eating at it. However, it was new enough that it was still quite unknown.
This meant that the handful of patrons that inhabited the restaurant had their ear to the ground on this sort of thing.
As for the reason Claire picked this restaurant? Well, she read about it in the newspaper.
Catherine never ate out much, there never really was a reason to. All of the chefs at the Blackwood Estate were masters of their craft. This had the adverse effect of making her knowledge of the dinging world quite limited.
The smattering of people seated about were mostly older married couples, who no doubt had particularly refined palates. However, there was a pair that stuck out like a sore thumb. Two younger women in flashy gaudy dresses gossiping loudly.
It almost appeared these two had been cast from the same mold. Their mannerisms and general aesthetic perfectly mirrored each other. You'd be hard-pressed to tell them apart, save for the fact that one was brunette and the other was a redhead.
The maître d sat Catherine and Elizabeth a few tables away from the gossiping ladies. One of them eyed Catherine, signaling to her companion to stop the current conversation.
Catherine sighed. It really couldn't be helped. As much as those two trashy nobles stuck out, she and Elizabeth stuck out even more. A commoner and white-haired noble, it would turn into an even bigger spectacle if she was clocked as Catherine.
But for the time being the only person who knew her identity was the maître d.
The waiter was soon over with the drink and appetizer menus and began to carefully explain the options. The man seemed overly cautious and on edge as he did so.
Make that two people that know I'm Catherine.
She picked a vintage of wine that sounded good, and salads were ordered for the appetizer. The waiter bowed before heading towards the kitchen.
Ever since they sat down the two gossipers had been glancing at Catherine and Elizabeth whispering as they did so.
It seems they're trying to determine whether or not I'm someone important. Catherine thought
An evil smile spread wide across her lips.
Let's hope they don't.
The whispering and glancing stopped. One of the girls cleared her throat loudly. Trying to garner attention to herself.
Oh, it looks like the reconnaissance mission has ended.
"The gall of foreign nobles these days, I really can't believe it!" Said the brown-haired girl.
"I know! You'd think they'd tell them before entering the country that any self-respecting noble wouldn't be caught dead eating dinner with a commoner!" The other replied.
At that remark, Elizabeth looked down embarrassed.
"I'd suspect that they would understand that concept in the most barbaric of countries!" The brunette cackled. "I can't even imagine the low down, backwater, horrible place you'd have to be from to behave like that!."
Such a rude outburst would usually be met with scorn under any normal circumstances. However, the silence of the other patrons indicated that they tacitly agreed with what was being said. Even if they regarded the method of delivery to be in poor taste.
Catherine stood up from the table. Sending Elizabeth into a panic.
"Oh, Ma'am please don't-"
"You needn't worry Elizabeth I'll only be but a moment."
She had secretly hoped the two would make fun of her so she would have an excuse for them in their place. Their very visage was detestable enough to make her want to go after them.
However, Claire hadn't realized how much their excessive prataling would strike a nerve with her. Especially when they insulted Elizabeth.
It reminded her of the way she was talked about in her previous life. The two trashy nobles had gone above and beyond to accomplish their goal. Claire was severely pissed off, and it was about time Catherine rewarded them for their accomplishments.
"Oh my she's coming over here, do you think she heard us?" The redhead snickered as she said so.
"Well, I'm surprised that she knows the language well enough to understand us at all-."
The brunette's speech dropped off as she got a better look at Catheriene's face.
"What's the matter, Cindy? You look ill!"
"We've made a huge mistake," The brunette said hardly above a whisper.
Catherine appeared before the two young nobles with a hand on her chin and a smirk on her face.
"Oh I apologize, am I interrupting your precious conversation?" Catherine said.
"We're so sorry Lady Catherine! We wouldn't have said anything if we knew it was you! Please forgive us!" The brunette said practically shouting.
The redhead's eyes went wide.
"Catherine? You don't mean Catherine Blackwoo-." the redhead went silent.
"It seems you two were having a very interesting conversation about foreign nobles," Catherine said.
Her voice was calm. But her eyes were full of hate.
"I was wondering who you were talking about, they sound quite unpleasant."
Catherine cocked her head slightly.
"But you know even if they're as bad as you say it's not nice to talk about someone behind their back."
The two nobles remained silent as they trembled in their seats. Catherine stared down at the both of them with her evil eyes.
"Hmm, all this talk has left me quite parched may I?"
Catherine grabbed the redhead's glass without asking and took a sip. The wine was bitter, it tasted cheap.
"What horrible swill," Catherine said disgustedly.
The rage inside had built to a breaking point she couldn't continue the aloof act. Catherine flung the contents of the glass at the redhead drenching her.
"You insolent swine! You low-class wenches dare to judge me and my company!" Catherine shouted as she threw the wine glass on the ground smashing it.
"Please, we're-, we're sorry!" The brunette said as he began to cry.
Catherine turned her attention from the redhead to the brown-haired girl, getting close to her face.
"Just because you have money you think you can say whatever you like, but as soon as you're confronted you clam up like a scared little girl."
Catherine grabbed the brunette by the hair.
"You trashy nobles make me sick, I'd rather dine with a filthy street beggar than the likes of you."
She wrenched the noblewoman's hair and then mushed her face into the plate of food in front of her.
The room had been dead silent before that, but the severity of this final action prompted the other guests to gasp.
Catherine finally relented letting go of the woman's hair.
"I think I've put my point across," Catherine said playfully. "Now get out of my sight, you're spoiling my appetite."
But before they could get out of their seats Catherine interjected.
"Oh and if I ever see either of your miserable faces again, I'll make sure to show you the true extent of my influence."
With that, the two noblewomen jumped out of their seats and bolted towards the door crying as they did so.
Catherine returned to her table. Elizabeth sat there with a horrified expression on her face.
The poor maître d' had bore witness to the whole encounter but hadn't dared to interject. With hesitation, he made his way over to Catherine Blackwood's table.
Catherine expected a confrontation and prepared herself to argue for her case. However much to her surprise, the maître d' apologized to her!
I could get used to this Villainess thing, Thought Claire.
Catherine accepted the apology without much interest and sent the maître d' on his way. The waiter was soon back with their drinks and salads. Before he could leave though, Catherine spoke up.
"That brown-haired girl's meal seemed quite appetizing…I think I'll have that." Catherine said with a devilish grin.
* * *
"Ma'am I wish you'd refrain from such behavior," Elizabeth said.
They had finished dinner and were returning home in the carriage.
"They ought to have known their place, then there wouldn't have been any unpleasant business in the first place," Catherine replied.
Elizabeth sighed.
"Well I suppose it was my fault in the first place," Elizabeth said.
Catherine faced Elizabeth, with an incredulous look
"Oh hush now, that's utter nonsense."
"Well, madam it's true. If I hadn't been there they wouldn't have picked on you in the first place."
Catherine rolled her eyes.
"Elizabeth, let me ask you something."
"Yes?"
"If someone was murdered on the street, would you blame them for having gone outside that day? Or would you blame the murderer?"
"Ma'am I hardly see how that applies."
"Of course, it applies!" Catherine said as she threw up her arms. "The point is this. If there weren't scum going around aggravating and assaulting people there wouldn't be an issue."
Catherine gestured with her hands to emphasize the next point.
"But if scum starts acting up they need to be put in their place. Murders go to jail, and trashy busybodies are embarrassed and made to leave."
Catherine crossed her arms.
"That's just how it is."
"Well if you say so, Madam."
"I do say so. Besides, it won't be a problem in the future."
Elizabeth relaxed a bit. She was glad that Catherine tried to do something nice for her, but it had gone poorly. It was best that this outing was only a one-time thing.
"While I'm having my new dresses made, I'll have them make you some as well," Catherine said.
"Whatever for!?" Elizabeth replied, shocked.
"Isn't it obvious? When we're out for dinner or events you won't be recognized as a commoner. Issue solved."
Oh Lord, that's what she meant by it not being a problem, Elizabeth thought.
"Lady Catherine, that isn't necessary-."
"Enough, I'm doing it and that's final."
"But Ma'a-"
"I said it's final!"
With that, Catherine looked back out the window.
Elizabeth relented. She knew better than to argue with Catherine when she had already made her mind up.
The emotional roller-coaster Elizabeth had gone through this evening had been exhausting and she was ready to be done. She was also wrestling with something else.
Elizabeth wouldn't admit this to anyone, but she was somewhat glad for Catherine's behavior this evening.
Catherine had been acting so differently as of late, ironically it was somewhat of a relief to see her flying off the handle like that.
Of course, Elizabeth eventually wanted Catherine to cease the behavior altogether. But it was nice to know that she was still the same person Elizabeth had raised for all these years.
She smiled to herself.
Not only that, she defended me.
Elizabeth immediately shook her head. That was a selfish thought, and it was wrong to think that. Catherine wasn't some attack dog. Just because Catherine was on her side now doesn't mean what she did was ok.
Still deep down Elizabeth couldn't help but feel warm inside at the thought of Catherine putting those awful nobles in their place for her sake.
Elizabeth mirrored Catherine as she turned and looked out the window. The setting sun was beautiful and she watched until they finally returned to the Blackwood Manor.