When Gian arrived at the receiving room, the aroma of freshly brewed lavender tea is wafting around the room. In the middle of the sofa made of expensive rabbit fur, a young lady was sitting on it while patiently waiting for him.
When the young lady heard the door opens, she slightly raised her head, revealing her pretty and delicate face to Gian. The young lady has a black wavy hair styled with a purple ribbon, glossy amethyst eyes, graceful brows, and soft-looking red lips which were very charming to look at. Gian had to admit to himself that this lady is very charming and attractive.
The moment their eyes met, her eyes moved and a delighted smile blooms on her face.
"Gian!" beamed the young lady.
Gian didn't have any time to react as the beautiful lady jumps on him. She wraps her arms around his neck and buried her head on his chest. Gian heard a chorused gasps coming from the maids standing at the corner. It is an understandable reaction since this young lady is actually bending the rules and ignoring the etiquettes of a noble lady.
"What..."
"It's really you, Gian! You didn't know how much I miss you, Gian! It's been years since the last time I saw you!"
"Can you—"
"I really have a lot of things to tell you, Gian! You really have no idea what did I do just to return here!"
Gian is actually lost right now. He didn't know what to do. Having a young lady jumping out on you all of a sudden feels weird. And to think that she even touches him without any rhyme.
"I am actually hoping to see you at the party in the Royal Palace before. But when I heard that you are sick at that time, you didn't know how disappointed I am at that time."
"Huh?"
"I also planned to visit you before, but something urgent happened so I have no choice but to return to the academy. But I swear that I didn't plan to ignore you, Gian!"
"..."
"And what do you mean in your last reply to my letter? I don't care if you are really busy or not! You should not break your promise to me! What if I really take your words seriously? I will definitely be hurt, you know."
"Wait. Stop talking for a while." Gian wearily stops this young lady from talking.
He can feel his head hurting just from listening to this talkative lady. He gently pulls this young lady away from him and put a distance between them.
"Lady Shannen, can you please behave yourself properly? Did you not know that it is not right for a man and woman to casually touch each other."
"Ah?"
"Lady Shannen, let us sit down first and discuss the reason why you wanted to see me."
"You don't have to be so formal with me, Gian."
Even though she's obviously confused, Lady Shannen still follows Gian and sits back on the sofa. Gian gesture for the maid waiting at the corner to pour him a cup of lavender tea. Gian needs it to relieve himself from his sudden headache. His inner instincts are telling him that talking and dealing with this lady will become a very hard task.
Looking at Gian again, Lady Shannen secretly feels giddy all of a sudden. It's been eight years since she last saw him! The moment she laid her eyes on him when he stepped inside the room, Shannen knew that he is her 'Gian' who she liked the most when they were still a kid. Shannen's amethyst eyes are scanning Gian from his head to toe.
'He is cute when we are still kids, but now...'
Gian can feel Lady Shannen's eyes stickily looking at him. Though Gian was already used at being stared at, the way Lady Shannen looks at his face makes him uncomfortable.
"May I know the reason why Lady Shannen suddenly wants to meet me?" questioned Gian as he tries to distract Lady Shannen's attention away from his face.
"Ah! About that. Gian, you can—"
"Lady Shannen, please change the way you address me."
Gian's gazes are calm, but Lady Shannen suddenly feels intimidated by his looks. His eyes really give a vibe that he will likely snap if she does not follow what he wants. Biting on her trembling lips, she bows her head a little to hide the expression she is making right now.
"...Alright."
Shannen hesitated for a moment before agreeing. After composing herself, she looked up at him again.
"Lord Gian."
Shannen feels strange after addressing Gian with formality and politeness. Calling him with like that makes her feel so distant with each other. She can still vividly remember how close they were when they are still kids. So why does Gian suddenly want to act like someone who didn't know her?
Gian is obviously not aware of her thoughts. In fact, meeting Lady Shannen today doesn't give him any nostalgia just like what Shannen was hoping. Gian is silently digging the deepest part of his memory. He is trying to remember if he and Shannen had met before in his past life, but Gian really can't remember anything regarding Shannen aside from the miserable news of her marriage.
"Lady Shannen, I am going to repeat my question. Why do you want to see me?" asked Gian.
"I want to say something important to you. Only if you will allow me, of course."
"Oh? Then say it. What is this important thing you wanted to tell me?"
"About that..."
Shannen peeks at the maids standing at the corner. Gian understands what she wanted to do, so he dismissed them and tell them to wait outside the receiving room. The head maid, who they addressed as Madam Finna, shows her hesitation to follow his order.
"What is it, Madam Finna?" Gian inquired. "Did you not hear me?"
"I heard you, Young Master Gian. But I am just concerned about your health. I am not at ease leaving you without anyone attending to your needs." Madam Finna explained.
Gian's left eye twitches after he heard Madam Finna's reasoning. To be honest, he is starting to get tired of hearing this reason. Gian can't even do whatever he wants without someone stopping him and always giving him a reason that concerns his health. What they didn't know is that every time they do this, they always make Gian thinks they are just enjoying slapping him the fact that he can't do anything because he is inefficient and useless.
In his past life, Gian survived living alone even if he originally had a weak body and stamina. He lived all by himself without asking anyone's help. But now that Gian traveled back in time where he was still a weak, young man in everyone's eyes, their attitude towards him is starting to ticks him off.
"Madam Finna, is it really because of my health?" Gian asked. "Or maybe because they are more reason behind your action?"
Madam Finna's eyes widened when she saw Gian's blank expression. His cold voice was too low that it brings panic not only to Madam Finna but also to the other maids inside the room. Even Shannen feels a loud thump in her chest when she heard how cold his voice was.
"I am old enough to know how to take good care of myself. You don't need to treat me like a useless fool." Gian stressed.
"Young Master Gian, I would not—"
"Leave this room and patiently wait outside for my next order. I will definitely call if I need something."
"Young Master..."
"Leave. Don't make me repeat myself again, Madam Finna."
Even if Madam Finna is the head maid who served the Cres Val family for almost three decades, she is, after all, still a servant. She can never disobey her master's orders. Leaving her no choice, Madam Finna bows her head and obediently follow Gian's order. When the maids left the receiving room, only Gian and Shannen were left in the receiving room.
"Gia— Lord Gian, are you alright?" Shannen asked.
"Don't mind me. I am fine." Gian said. "I apologize that I displayed such an attitude in front of you. I hope you excuse my rude behavior just now."
"No, it's okay. You don't have to apologize for it." Lady Shannen reassured Gian.
"I see," Gian said. "But still, thank you for overlooking my display of rude behavior just now."
Gian feels a little guilty for being rude to Madam Finna just now. He made her the receiving end of his anger and annoyance. Gian knew that Madam Finna is really concerned about him, but he was too frustrated and dissatisfied with the things happening around him that he accidentally lashed out on her. Pressing down his emotions deep inside his heart, Gian turns his attention back to Lady Shannen once again.
"Can you now tell me the reason for your visit today, Lady Shannen?"