"A capture target...?!" I rubbed my eyes just to make sure that I'm seeing this correctly. Unfortunately, my eyes didn't deceive me, my sister is indeed talking with a handsome young blond around our age. How did this happen so quickly when we were literally just walking beside each other earlier?
Isn't this a bit too fast? What the hell just happened? He also seems very familiar...
I pushed my thoughts aside and made my way there as fast as I could. Hearing the unknown voice that belonged to the golden-haired boy, I stopped him midway from talking. "It seems that my sister is acquainted with you, so if I may, I want to introduce myself as well." I showed him my usual professional noble smile.
The boy blinked twice at me before chuckling and nodding, "I'd be honored… although I already know the name of the important person today, I still wish to hear it from you personally." Now that I'm actually paying attention to him, his voice isn't as smooth as honey as I thought it'd be. It sounded more natural and his downturned icy-colored eyes emphasized the innocence on his face.
"I, Alianne Rosshope Glenn Flaine," I bowed, "am grateful that you've attended my party." My introduction was as graceful as usual so I wonder why he seemed a bit surprised. "Is there something wrong?"
"No, no, you just reminded me of someone I know." He smiled and even if it made his eyes smaller, it still sparkled. Hm… he has a natural charm. I definitely need to protect my sister from this guy before anything romantic develops between them.
Helen tugged at my dress. Her face seemed to be saying something but I'm not sure what it meant so I just smiled at her. "Is there anything you need, Helen?" She was a bit reluctant at first but she soon whispered in my ear. My eyes widened a bit and I couldn't help but giggle.
Well, at least the trip to the toilet would mean that romance between these two can be postponed or even avoided.
"It's a shame to say this but something urgent came up. My sister and I will be going on our way now, I hope that you'd understand." His smile didn't fade away. I wonder what kind of character this boy has.
"No need to explain yourselves, you may go." I genuinely smiled at him this time and appreciated how mature he can be. Seeing his calm and mature demeanor, I feel as if I'm missing something important.
I was about to give him another bow as a farewell but then he said: "I almost forgot to introduce myself. I'm Ikhael Opheron, pleased to meet you two." With his hand over his chest, he bowed with a lazy smile on his face. Wait a minute… why does that sound familiar?
Ikhael Opheron… Opheron… blonde woman.... blond boy…
My jaw dropped when I was finally able to connect the puzzle pieces. This is why he felt familiar; he's the son of that Marchioness I just talked to earlier! Gah, not only did I cut the conversation quickly with the Marchioness but I also did the same to her son!
Can I get any more unlucky on my birthday?
I stared at him for a while before I could finally close back my jaw. "N-no, it's my pleasure to be acquainted with the son of the Opheron household," glancing at my sister who started to knit her brows together, I gave him a quick bow. "But unfortunately, we have to go now so see ya later!"
My hand swiftly took my sister's and I started to lead her out of there. Ahh, I spoke informally with a noble son from a higher rank, I totally blew my cover now. Sorry Father but it seems like your daughter messed up a bit… teehee?
I'm just glad Rachel is busy and she wouldn't be able to report anything weird to my Father. He always asks whatever I've done... it's a pain but I'm sure he wouldn't know about this one!
"How are you feeling now, Helen?" I asked my sister who just came out from a stall. She whispered to me earlier that she had a bit of a stomach ache and needed to rush to the toilet quickly. Helen nodded at my question with a bright smile.
That's good to hear!
I took her hand again and we went back to walking around and talking about anything we can think of.
*** *** ***
"It's been a while since we talked." Pale green eyes, dark hair that resembled the night, sharp features, yet there was a small smile on his face: the man was a noble that had a title of a Viscount. He is Neil Flaine - the right-hand man of the Lord that rules over this county - and the father of the birthday girl.
He looked at the man that chuckled at his statement, taking a sip from the wine in his hand. "You've grown older the last time I saw you, Lord Flaine." The nobleman seemed older than the Viscount and had a larger build but the youth in his eyes remained. "How have you been?" His voice was also filled with friendliness.
"Oh drop your jokes, Ian," Neil shook his head, the corner of his lips rising just a bit. "Since when do we have to be formal towards each other?"
The man named Ian snickered and drank the glass in one go. "I've been doing good. Y'know, doing whatever I can to keep business going smoothly." His striking blue eyes oddly matched the warm grin he always wore. "My son has been growing well too so everything seems to be smooth sailing."
The person who Viscount Neil is talking to is someone he's been close with since his teenage days. They've met through the connection of their families but their bond never broke even through the years.
"I'm glad to hear that. Ever since my wife passed away, every single day felt like I lost a huge part of me," Neil mumbled before sipping quietly. "But now my daughters are here to remind me that it's all in the past and that I should focus on being a father."
His friend looked at him wordlessly for a few moments. With a satisfied smile, he drank another glass and placed it on a table nearby. "Looks like your children are the ones teaching you to move on. You should be proud of them."
"I already am," Neil spoke calmly with a smile. He closed his eyes and saw his life flash before his eyes - the toothy grin the late Viscountess had, her smooth brown hair that swayed in the wind, and her carefree laughter - he could see it all in his first-born. His green eyes shimmered for a moment at the memories he would never be able to forget.
"Heh, look at you, acting all sentimental."
"It's only natural for a father to be satisfied and content with his children."
"Glad to know you're honest with your feelings." Ian, commonly known as Marquis Lethinian Rondell Opheron, is a man who knew Neil from childhood and knew exactly what his friend's weak points are. "You tend to hide what you really feel and start acting like," he squinted his eyes and tried to imitate Neil's stern face, "that."
Yet he ended up looking like a man that has bad eyesight. "...What was 'that'? I do not make myself look like an idiot."
"Knowing you, I'm sure you try to act all serious and strict towards your daughters," Neil simply sipped his wine at that statement, "but they're still children that need constant attention and affection from the people around them so don't be too harsh on them, Neil."
"I simply want them to be prepared for society at a young age. The world is a cruel place, if I go too soft on them I'm afraid I wouldn't be fulfilling my duty as a good father. A life of luxury and ease isn't what you'd think it is and we know how dangerously harsh it can be." The Viscount looked at the Marquis. "Ian, you've always been a person who can express himself greatly but you know the amount of trouble you've gone through because of it."
Ian laughed loudly as he remembered his troublesome young self. "You do have a point." He couldn't deny that Neil was right, "but you should know when to shower them with love. You must know how to balance your words and actions." He may be a bit too filial and expressive but that's because he experienced receiving no amount of love from his parents.
"I am balanced and I know what I'm doing."
"Says the guy that kept bugging and asking me if a necklace made from precious jewels would be the perfect gift for his seven-year-old daughter."
"...The woman at the jewelry store told me it'll be a good gift."
"Why would you go to a jewelry store in hopes of finding a gift for a child?!" Ian sighed and shook his head repeatedly, exasperated. "I'm glad I'm the one you asked me about it because it's only common sense girls around her age would enjoy stuffed toys or dresses."
"I did take your advice to heart but didn't know what she likes so I ordered around five dresses and five stuffed toys… I hope she'd like at least one of them."
This man, seriously… that's already a lot, the Marquis thought to himself as he stared at his friend in disbelief. I would never understand how that carefree Viscountess fell for this uptight and overthinker of a man… though I'm more than happy to know that she did, he thought to himself again. "I'm sure your daughter would be more than happy to receive lots of gifts from you."
Neil was quiet and his face that was so emotionless for a while soon cracked up. With a small smile, he sighed out in relief. "I suppose so."
Their talk was interrupted when another person walked towards them. "I hope it's not rude of me to suddenly join in but I simply want to know how the Viscount is doing nowadays." A smile as bright as her golden hair: that woman is Marquess Malia Opheron. "I'm also here to make sure my husband isn't bothering you."
"What do you mean by that, Mallie?"
"You're more than welcome to talk with us, Malia. And don't worry too much about me since I'm already used to Ian's… usual antics."
"Hey, hey, am I hearing this wrong, or are you two seriously ganging up on me?!" Ian groaned, taking a whole bottle and started to chug it down. Malia giggled and tried to stop him from drinking too much while Neil simply finished his drink in peace.
No matter how suffocating an aristocrat's life can be, there are times they'd let themselves go and simply enjoy the moment.
*** *** ***
"That was quite unexpected," a boy mumbled to himself as he watched the two girls excuse themselves from him. Ikhael Opheron, the only child of the Opheron household, initially didn't plan to socialize with other people aside from adult nobles but it seems some things are just unavoidable.
It was a shame he wasn't able to ask the name of the girl with the wavy pink hair though he already knew their names anyway. After all, less than a year ago, the Flaine household was the main topic of the rumors. The noble children heard their parents talking about the circumstances of the Viscount and his family so it's not shocking they'd talk about it too.
"Adults should be more careful." Ikhael glanced at the crowd of adults and children that were having their share of socializing. Though his energetic smile made him approachable, he genuinely liked the company of himself and only himself most of the time.
That's why it made him curious about why he talked to Helen first. There was no special reason except for the fact that he felt like a moth drawn to a flame; it just happened all of a sudden.
"What's shocking about it is that..." Ikhael trailed off. When he noticed his parents walking towards him, the boy didn't bother continuing his sentence and just let the Marquis ruffle his hair. His father, Marquis Lethinian, grinned at him.
"It's getting late so we should head back by now." Ikhael's lazy eyes seemed to brighten up all of a sudden and Lethinian immediately knew what it meant. He roared with laughter, "I understand that you're not a fan of social events but you make it really obvious, Khae."
"Fufu, your father is right, Khae. You may still be young but you should be more cautious of your expressions. It's fine to act like that in front of us but you have to hide your emotions in public."
"Your mother is right! You two have a similar smile, it's actually frightening so just keep that up. I don't even know what your mother is thinking because of that smile on her face... but hey, that just means that your expressiveness came from me!"
Ikhael looked at his parents who always acted this way. Even if they get into arguments, it never turns into a big fight and they're both understanding even if their son forgets his responsibilities from time to time. His smile grew softer at the thought of it.
The Opherons entered their carriage, and as usual, Lethinian would always be the talkative one while Malia would giggle at her husband's liveliness. The Marquess started to talk about Alianne - the Viscount's daughter - and how mature she seemed.
"I managed to talk to her, she was such an adorable young lady. It seems that she takes after her mother a lot though it's quite unfortunate I wasn't able to talk to her younger sister, she seems like a lovely young lady as well."
"That's true! Neil told me he's proud of his daughters and now one of them even managed to impress you. I think that's already saying something."
Ikhael didn't pay much attention to the conversation of his parents most of the time but today was different. He's been quite interested in something for a while now. Knowing that he had to satisfy his curiosity, he turned to Malia, "I've been thinking about something for a while now so I wonder if it's fine to ask?"
"Of course, Khae." Ikhael was glad that his mother was willing to listen but he wasn't sure how to put his thoughts into words. His mind was muddled and he had mixed feelings with what he's about to ask but he knew he had to say it one way or another.
"I remember that Mother and Father were talking about me being engaged soon and I think I have a suggestion for that." Malia's permanent smile broke and she was genuinely surprised while Lethinian had his jaw dropped to the floor. They didn't expect this kind of topic from their eleven-year-old son.
"My suggestion is… since you two seem to like the Viscount's daughter if it's fine, may I ask for an engagement with her instead of the Count's daughter? I know it's sudden but..." Ikhael paused and fought the urge to laugh at the priceless expressions on his parents' faces. "But I think she's interesting the moment I met her."
Malia and Lethinian were quiet for a while before they both cheered on with all their might for their son. Neil has been a close friend of theirs for so long so the engagement between the two houses would only strengthen their bond more, and not to mention, Ikhael himself was the one who suggested it.
"Khae is growing up too fast...!"
"You're not wrong about that, Mallie!"
Ikhael could only laugh awkwardly. Whatever happens from now on started from this sudden decision and it doesn't seem like he could run from it.