After leaving the party hall, Elisabeth went to the western flower garden to take a walk. She often does so to clear up her mind. And after what happened, she needed a very long walk.
The duke's image flashed again in her mind. She was thinking about what happened since she got out of there. She was still confused. Not because of the man's behaviour _he clearly just mistook her for someone else_ but because of how she felt when his hands reached her face. She couldn't understand those feelings. It was like she was used to his touch. No, it was more like she missed it. Is it longing?
' Longing! What are you thinking about, Bethy! You're already in a relationship, remember? ' she scolded herself.
She loves Alex and she was satisfied with their current relationship. Although they didn't have any physical intimacy yet, but still, she believed that it is what made their love even nobler.
'Now that I think about it, they look quite similar.' She thought to herself. Except for the golden blond hair the duke has which is different from Alex's honey-like hair, the similarity in their features can't be denied.
She inhaled a good amount of air, taking in the beautiful scent of the flowers and roses surrounding her. There were a lot of flowers of different kinds and colours. It gave her a relaxing feeling. Like there was nothing in the world to worry about.
Of all the garden's captivating flowers, a particular one caught her attention. It was a beautiful blue flower. It has three light blue sepals drooping downward, expanding from their narrow base to a broader expanded portion, adorned with golden veining and lines. The three petals were of the same colour, standing upright, partly behind the sepals' bases.
Seeing the flower, a strange feeling crept in her chest. What was that feeling exactly? She didn't know.
"Irises. Beautiful flowers indeed." A manly voice said. She turned around to find a man with brown hair and hazelnut eyes. Seeing her surprised face, he smiled amicably.
" Is seeing a man as handsome as myself so surprising?" he said teasingly.
"W What? N NO! It is just... I didn't hear you approaching so..." she replied.
"Oh, is that so?" he said in a serious voice. "I was not hiding my presence though. And with the royal family's ZIHR abilities, I am quite sure sensing my presence wouldn't be hard for you." He said with a slightly raised eyebrow.
"Yes. But unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to use it. If I ever had any to begin with." She said the last sentence in a low voice.
"Ah, I see." He replied, deep in thought.
The bell in the western watch tower rang loud enough for the whole people in the royal palace to know it is evening time now.
"Oh, already evening! Well then, we should part ways in here today. It was nice to converse with you, princess." he smiled friendly.
" I am glad, sir..."
"Jerome... Jerome Bruce Drake. Please, just call me Jerome."
"O, then nice to make your acquaintance, Jerome." Elisabeth said with a smile. She bowed slightly to the nobleman then left.
Jerome smirked realizing she didn't ask him to her by her name like he did, clearly unwilling to get close to him.
He looked at the retreating woman's back like a predator who has just found the perfect prey.
"Not the easy type, I see." He smirked devilishly.
*****
"Right this way, sir." The butler said bowing his head in respect. He is an old man in his mid sixties and yet had a fairly good built for someone of his age. He had an emerald green eyes and white hair that recites the many hardships he had faced in his life.
"Is my brother here yet?"The nobleman walking behind him asked. His cornflower-like blue eyes scanning every corridor they pass by.
"Yes. His highness and lord David have arrived not long ago. They are in the receiving room figh.... discussing some matters. Oh, here we are. Let me inform..."
"No need for that, Harold. You may see to your business now." His voice was gentle but clearly commanding. It was the way he carried himself, how he talked, the tone he used in every different situation, and his polite and gentlemanly demeanor, what made him attractive and charismatic.
"As you wish, sir." He said bowing his head then left.
"THIS is the LAST TIME you EVER use your ZIHR on ME!! Do you understand, Nickolas?!!" As soon as the he opened the door, Davids voice roared inside of the room.
The receiving room was in a mess. With broken vases and shattered glass on the ground, a clear sign that a fight occurred in here.
In the center of the room were two couches facing each other, separated by a small coffee table where two glasses and one bottle were put. One glass was filled with the wine from the bottle while the other that contained a bright red liquid, was nearly empty.
The smaller couch was occupied by the crown prince, a handsome man with dark silver hair and light grey eyes. His arms crossed below his chest and his legs one above the other. His white shirt, nearly transparent because of wetness, revealed how firm his muscles are. With a small cut on his cheekbone, an annoyed and angry expression was on his face.
In the long part of the opposite L like couch, the duke of Krams was seated. His blonde hair disheveled and his dark blue shirt half unbuttoned. A deep frown on his face, irritated.
"I had to stop your foolishness, David. If you want to womanize and flirt around, then do it somewhere less crowded and in a more convenient time!" the crown prince said angrily.
" You do not have a say in what I do..."
" When it involves me and my reputation as the crown prince, then YES, I DO. You even hugged her!"
"He did?"
"You wouldn't believe what happened today, Alexander." Nickolas said, averting his gaze towards the new comer.
"What about Lady Drake? I thought you like her, Dave. I mean, you stayed with her for over six months which is unprecedented in your dating history." He said while having a seat in the short part of the L couch so that Nickolas was now to his left and David to his right.
"Stop spitting nonsense, Alex. Who told you I like her?" David rolled his eyes.
It's true that David slept with countless women, but he would never give them any promises. He would always tell them beforehand what kind of relationship they would have_ a sexual one, with no feelings or attachments_ And yet, the women were always so willing and accepting.
"When did you break up?" Alexander asked.
"It's been nearly a month now. If you were home at that time and not in the capital courting some Lady, you would have known earlier." David said scolding his brother indirectly.
"I would like to meet her, Alexander." Nickolas said in a brotherly tone.
"I'll introduce her to the both of you this evening at the ball. I am sure you'll like her." He said with a smile.
"Is she the one?" David said in a serious voice that changed the atmosphere instantly.
"W Well. I am not sure o...."Alex was saying when David cut off his sentence in a high tone: "What do you mean you're not sure?" He was clearly displeased with his younger brother's answer. "You know we can't live without our halves once we find them. Or do you intend on doing the same as that man?"
Alexander was deep in thought after that. His big brother was right and he has to decide what to do. Bethy was adorable and a good partner. Despite her being distant sometimes and not accepting when it comes to physical intimacy, but still, he has affections towards her that cannot be denied. And yet, deep inside, he knows she is not the destined soulmate of his.
"I'll put things in their right place, don't worry." He said in a determined voice.
"Good. Better now than later." David replied. And with that, silence engulfed the room.
"Anyway, was your search fruitful?" Nickolas asked Alexander after sometime of uncomfortable silence. Hearing the question, he smirked triumphantly.
" Very."