"Mrs. Snowfield, I think I have the right to know the reason why he'll pull off the engagement," I asked
"Miss Nana is kind, generous, elegant, and energetic. She's smart and has a better future than being tied with me. That's what he said" she replied
"Aren't he throwing away the years he's spent waiting for me? Or..."
I stared at my parents disdained by the thoughts that they've lied to me. Are they filling me with lies? My head is aching as all my thoughts are argued with each other. I don't hate my parents nor do I blame him if he thinks I am not enough. I know I'm not capable like those other noblesses. I'm just so-so in embroidery, art, and other girl-like talents. I am an average cook who speaks proudly of myself even though I am blinded by the lies that I am a good one. I am immature, a childish fool that made fun of herself, I can't even face nor do I stay in the crowd because I'm a freak in the group of fairies. I don't belong anywhere and refused invitation banquets. I'm a loner. The more I think of all the things I lack, the heavier my chest becomes.
"Please, don't misunderstand. The Master cared for you sincerely. Your parents tell no lies about how much he loves your cooking and his eagerness to meet you. But, the master contemplated that he will hinder you from what you want to do in life. He wants you to be like the wind, to freely soar up the clouds and forget about your worries. He's afraid he'll burden you with distress,"
"Does he also thought that he already trouble me of seeing myself worthless by just letting him pull off the engagement he prepared for years?" I said and ran away
I can't understand men. They always made us feel we are special, however, we tend to be just an option. I think I shouldn't trust what my parents told me, besides, noble families never had the right to fall in love in the first place. Ivy was right. Love is the least priority that matters. Ivy? Who is it? I tried to figure out the blurry memories I had with the girl I named, but it's all useless. I shrugged.
"I need a breather" I announced and snuck out of our house
I still know where Reynard climbed when he's escaping his practice. All I have to do is to jump high in this... My jaw dropped as I saw the wall of our house. This is insane. How did he just hop this high? It was an 8 feet tall wall with a smooth surface. I was about to give up when I was carried. I hugged him tightly because I'm scared of falling.
"I followed you and expected to see you there. Why do you want to leave? Sir was worried and he ordered me to observe you secretly" he spoke
"Why did you help me? Then your cover was blown" I said
"It's fine. I will comfort my sister for being rejected" he uttered and fell on the ground safely
"Where should we go?" he asked
"To Mr. Harold. He has fine wine, doesn't he?" I responded and walked ahead
"Are you serious? You're a woman, they will tarnish your reputation saying you're a drunkard!" he warned me
"No one will know unless someone speaks" I answered and rented a carriage
"Pay!" I ordered Reynard
"Such a spoiled brat. It's a good thing I brought my allowance and Father gave me additional" he whispered
"It didn't come to my mind I'd run away. I didn't bring money" I felt sorry
"You're the boss" he mumbled and pay the carriage
We stopped by Delia's shop and she lent me Lea's male clothes to hide my identity. She told me to be careful and do not play around with the girl's heart. I wonder why she told me that. Reynard was against me, but he has no choice. We are just visiting Mr. Harold and have a taste of his wine. Besides, I am in the legal age of drinking.
"Hey Nana, are you sure you want to smear your reputation?"
"Who cares? It's already ruined when he pulled off the engagement, isn't it? I don't care if I'll become a laughingstock of the world. I don't give a damn about everything" I said
"You're not even drunk and you spoke like you are" he smirked
"I hate you, Fox!" I pouted
I crashed into a man's chest when I was about to enter Mr. Harold's shop.
"Are you blind? Do you know who I am?" he yelled at me
"No, I'm not and I don't know who you are" I simply replied
"Airhead! You should just apologize and lower yourself" Reynard whispered
"Men don't lower themselves. I'm in my role" I proudly said
"Stupid! That man is a close friend of the Marquis. Do not mess up with him" Reynard uttered and get in between
"My apologies, Sir. We should not disturb you anymore" he excused to the fat businessman
Everything happened in a blink of an eye. Reynard was sent flying by one of his bodyguards.
"How dare you hurt my brother?" I blurted out of anger
"Listen here Little Sheep, if you don't kneel in front of me and beg for your life. I will cut your head and refine you in my hall," he threatened
"That was rude, Mr. Goldea. They are my company,"
I slinked and reached for Reynard who keeps his composure despite being hurt.
"Are you all right?" I asked
"Thank God, it wasn't you," he whispered in pain
"General Snowfield, I didn't know you're visiting this kind of place. You should've said I can accompany you anytime" the Fatman, Mr. Goldea greeted
"I don't care. You should be responsible for the mayhem you've just created. My acquaintances will enter, move" the man who helped us spoke
I supported Reynard and entered the shop. Everyone was silent and it killed the fun in the air. It's supposedly a happy day! How can this be?
"Follow me" the man commanded
Because of his strong and domineering voice, I found myself obeying him. My breaths were heavier and I felt like my body was so stiff. As we sat in one of the tables he glanced at me.
"Why does the Lady of Galester wandering around and pretending to be a man? Are you revolting?" he questioned
As I properly saw him, I recognized him.
"You are the man in the garden accompanying, Mrs. Snowfield, aren't you?" I said, astonished.
"You left me without bidding goodbye and I didn't see you inside the carriage. Where did you go?" I added
"I have some errands to attend. Will the Miss answer my question now?" he asked
"Young Miss, you shouldn't speak audaciously to the Master" Reynard warned
"You don't need to restrain her on doing what she wanted. I like Miss Nana's personality" the masked man stated
"I just want to have some fun, Mr," I spoke
"Would you like to accompany me? I never stroll around here and coincidentally Miss Nana is in trouble. I helped her in exchange for her time if she's not busy" he smiled
"Sure. However, can you change into something? Wearing your uniform in the city gives out too much attention" I said and looked at those people eyeing us
"Oh, are you in duty? It's fine if you're in duty" I continued
"No, I just got off. If Miss Nana said so, I will," he uttered
"General Snowfield, what brings you here? This old man had been thinking if you've lost your trust in my humble shop" Mr. Harold greeted
"Good day, Mr. Harold. How's Rina?" I asked him
Rina was adopted by Mr. Harold when we saw her in the streets where she was almost killed by his carriage. I think Mr. Harold gave his heart to Rina because he has no daughter nor family and we became friends. She often visited me when we were young to play until we've lost our communication because of my stubbornness. Since then, I have no news about her.
"Young Miss, what are you doing... Does Gary know you'd come here? Rina traveled to the next city for education," Mr. Harold was surprised
"That's wonderful. Rina never stopped believing that she'll be better on her own, thus she's working hard even until now. Well, as to the question of why am I here, I ran away" I mumbled shyly
"I see. You've finally gone out because your house is suffocating" he analyzed
"No... My fiance doesn't want to marry me" I muttered
"Oh, my apologies. I'm just glad that you go out often" he chuckled
"Mr. Harold, your shop is so comforting" I complimented
"I'm happy you appreciate it. What do want to eat?" he asked
"Order" Mr. Maskedman ordered me as he gave the menu
I obeyed him and order foods enough for me and Reynard. I can't concentrate because of the Mister gazing at me. I want to chat with Reynard but my confidence shivers and die before I can't come out with a topic. The food arrived and we ate in silence. This is embarrassing.
"I'll watch in shadows, see you!" Reynard whispered when we got out of the shop
"Your guard is close to you" he spoke to start the conversation
"Yes, he's like a brother to me. Reynard had been my little brother when father adopted him, how about you, General? Is there someone close to you too? Your brothers?" I replied
"If you meant my brothers, yes. We are close, especially my twin. My older brother had been busy in politics and is happily married, thus, I believe we are close and distant to one another" he said
"You're so open, General" I uttered in shock and he laughed
"I'm just being honest, Miss Nana" he stated
"I believe there are four brothers in your family that also include my good future husband who broke up with me. How about the brother you didn't mention?" I asked
"My half-brother loves to travel and we don't keep in touch with him in the past years except for yesterday" he spoke
"Miss Nana, I understand if you feel aloof right now. I sincerely apologize for my brother's behavior to you and I'm willing to give you any compensation to ease your anger. My brother loves to travel, the news about him being disabled weren't even true. Maybe he broke the engagement because he just thought that a lady like you wouldn't want to burden herself traveling and getting all dirty" he appended
"It's not your fault, General. I will be fine soon" I faked a smile
One soldier approached us and whispered something to the General. Then he bid farewell and moved in haste. Maybe there's an emergency. Reynard accompanies me in my walk.
"I see now. The man who rejected you and his brother who's into you" Reynard initiated the talk
"Shut up, wily fox! You left me and now you gossip? Don't forget I am still the daughter of my father" I mentioned
"And I only follow your father's order" he smirked
"Annoying" I hissed
"Did you know that you overreacted just a while ago?" he spoke
"When?" I asked curiously
"When Grandma Snowfield told you that your soon-to-be husband pulled off the engagement. He's a stranger to you, why do you push yourself to him?" he questioned
"Because if I marry a Snowfield, mother and father will never worry about me" I admitted
"But you'll still marry a Snowfield's son," he said
"What?"
"I said, you'll still marry a Snowfield. The engagement will still proceed however, you'll marry one of his brothers instead of him. I want to tell you about it but the General gets into us. I believe it will be awkward to the General if I told you when he's infront of us because there's a high possibility that it is the general or his twin brother who will be your partner" he elaborated
"Are you serious?" I said