Rheid Financial Group Main Office Building
When they arrived at the front of the Company Building, all eyes were on the four of them especially to the Lady beside the Archduke and Michael. She looks like a sheep surrounded by pack of wolves.
She is still wearing a hat but based on her figure and fair skin, everyone who haven't seen her face believed that she's a beauty.
The Three Men with her is being greeted by the Employees of the company then they will try steal a glance at her. But before they could, the three men especially Ezekiel will give them a deadly stare. They can only look down and sighed in defeat.
After going inside the CEO's elevator, the employees who saw them at the entrance immediately discussed.
"Did anyone see the face of the woman beside His Grace today? "Asked the Woman on her late 20s.
"Yeah. I saw her when she came out from the Archduke's car. She's so young and pretty! "The other girl exclaimed.
"Really? I tried to see her face but the Archduke shot me a deadly glance. I thought that I'll be eaten alive. "
"Last time, the Archduke also leaved the building with a woman. Is that the same woman that we saw today? "
"I think she is. Since she has the same black hair and body build. "
"What do you think is her relationship to His Grace? "
"Isn't it obvious? The Archduke is overly protective of her. And he let her in his car and private elevator. Even Lord Michael and Lord Lawrence is also protective of her. It only means that she and the Archduke are a thing! "
"You mean… She is Archduke's Girlfriend?!! But how about the Princess? Isn't she the Archduke's Fiancée?"
"It is not yet official. Those are just gossips!"
"But what do you think is the identity of the woman who caught the Archduke's heart? "
"She's so young and pretty. Who would have thought that the Archduke's type is someone like her? I thought he will choose a more mature and daring woman. "
"That only means that the Archduke's taste is much better than the other high-ranking nobles. "
Their discussion ended when they start working.
Meanwhile in the CEO's office, Rin is casually seating on the floor while reading the books. The first subject is Foreign Language. Ezekiel teach her the Basics then he proceeded to his meeting leaving Rin alone in his office.
Your Majesty, can I come out?
"Em. You can." She answered and in a second, Kyell appeared.
He slightly bows then lye beside her. He is like protecting Rin from any anomalies.
The first book she read is about the Languages in the Continent of Lithnia. After that, she lists the items that she did not understand. Next are the Other Continents Language: Germania, Taliana, Zhicosvakia, and etc.
"Ah. Why do humans have so many languages? Why can't they have only one? "She murmured but still continue her reading.
After 3 hours, the door opened and Ezekiel walked in. He was not surprised when seeing Kyell.
"Your back. "She smiled and lifted her face.
"Em. It's already lunch time. I have asked to deliver our lunch here, is that okay with you? "
"Em. Oh, I am already done with the Basic and Intermediate for Foreign Languages. And I am now studying the Hard level. And before I forgot, I have few questions."
She stood up not caring to wear her shoes then placed the notes on Ezekiel's hand.
"Wow. So, it's true that you really have read the Basic and Intermediate. "
"Of course! Didn't I tell you that I am a genius? "She answered with her proud look.
"Yes. Yes. My Rinrin is genius. "He said smiling from ear to ear. Earlier at his meeting, he has always been in a good mood since he knows that Rin is just waiting in his office. Also, he changes the schedules of his meeting; as much as possible, all his meetings should only be done on mornings.
After several minutes, they heard a knock on the door. Rin happily walked to the door then opened it.
It was the Secretary and she's holding packs of food.
"Oh. Come in. "She said.
Ezekiel tried to say something but later on he just keeps it to himself. It looks like Kyell is invisible to others.
The tiger in question is just casually lying beside the sofa. It just lifts his face then go back to sleeping. It means, he is uninterested.
The Secretary placed the food packs on the table. Then excused herself.
"Where is Mister Michael and Lawrence? "
"Lawrence is with Michael outside. He has different meetings. "
"Oh. Come on, let's eat."
This became the scenario every day in the CEOs office. At morning he will attend meetings then came back for lunch with Rin then he will stay in the office for the whole afternoon except if he has urgent meetings or things that need to check personally.
The whole company is also aware of this and since day 1, they have been curious about Rin. The talks did not end at the company but it even travel as far as to the ears of other nobles and the Imperial family.
In one afternoon at the Imperial Palace, the First Princess of the Empire is having a Tea Party with her friends that also came from powerful and influential noble houses.
"Oh, speaking of the Archduke, I have heard something interesting about him these past few days. "Said Chloe, she is the 2nd Eldest Daughter of Marquis Godwin. She is the same age with her Imperial Highness the First Princess.
Princess Jezelle looked at her then said, "What is it? "
"I have heard that someone is always accompanying him in his Office. "She answered.
"What do you mean? Isn't he always being accompanied by his Aides? "Said the Eldest Daughter of the Ducal House of Luxton, Sherry.
"Yes he is. But the thing is, it's not just them. "She pursed her lips and observe the faces of the girls around.
Jezelle frowned. She is getting impatient. "Just tell us directly! "She commanded.
Chloe snickered then said, "The Archduke is always being accompanied by a woman. They said that she is young and pretty. And not just that, the Archduke is said to be overprotective on her. He even let her use his personal elevator and she is seen to always arrive and leave with the Archduke. "
Jezelle's face is getting darker and darker hearing everything she said.
"Nah. They must have been blind; the Archduke will never do that. It must be a mistake. "Said one of the Twin Daughters of Greymore. "Cousin, do not mind those gossips. The Archduke is as cold as an ice so it is really impossible. "She added trying to comfort the First Princess.
"I don't think it's not. My Brother also went to the Archduke's company and he also saw it. Of course, I didn't believe it at first, but one of my Personal Maid's friend who is a servant in the Archduke's mansion said that a young girl is staying at the mansion. "
"Maybe it's the Archduke's step sister, Lorraine Rheid. She just turned 20 this year. "
"Lorraine Rheid? She and the Archduke doesn't have that kind of relationship. And besides that, she is staying at a Luxurious Condo in the Business District. "
"Then who is that girl? "
Jezelle was just silent on her sit. She is wracking her brain and she just want to know who is that woman! How dare she seduce her man!
"Oh. I almost forgot the important part; the servant told my maid that the Archduke is so caring towards that girl. He even said that they should treat her like they treat him. "
The group of noble ladies gasped upon hearing it. Who would have thought that the Archduke has that kind of side! He is always been cold and indifferent to others. And now, someone suddenly appeared and she had already gained the Archduke's favor!
"Ah. I really want to know who is that girl. "
"Tsk. Whoever she is, she's just a shameless slut! The Archduke is soon to be married to my Cousin, Princess Jezelle! "
Chloe raise her eyebrow and snorted. "But the Archduke is not interested with our Princess. And he is not bind with anyone. I for one knows that the Archduke has a power to marry anyone he likes. "
Mary sprang up from her sit and slam the table. "Chloe!! You are being rude to her Imperial Highness!! "She shouted and reprimanded the Marquis Daughter.
"What? Did I say something wrong?" She narrowed her eyes then glanced at the silent Princess. "Princess Jezelle, did I say something wrong? If I am, then are you saying that the Archduke is not that powerful? That he still needs more power to stand at the top? "She said in a threatening tone.
The Archduke is a symbol of power in the Empire. He has the blood of the First Emperor running to his veins. If anyone is saying that the Archduke is not that powerful, it will be a slapped to the entire empire!
Jezelle pursed her lips and answered, "Mary, Chloe is right. You should not say anything that will cause misunderstanding. And besides, the engagement between the Archduke and I are still not yet official. "
What she means is, it will be official soon. So, they just need to wait. What a sly Princess. Chloe can't help but to silently laugh at her. Actually, she really doesn't like this princess. She looks innocent outside but the truth is, she is the exact opposite! She is a two-faced woman. She proud and haughty and only few of them know her true face.
"Oh Mary, there is a Banquet tomorrow in your House, right? Is the Archduke coming? "Chloe asked.
"We still don't know. His aide, Lord Michael only accepted the invitation and as per him, he still not sure if he will come. "
Chloe smiled. "Looks like our Archduke is busy with someone."
She said with a hidden meaning behind her words.
Jezelle clenched her fist and buried her nails. She will investigate who is that woman. And she will make sure that she will never appear again in front of her man. Yes, the Archduke is hers. He can only be hers and no one can take him away from her.
Since today is Saturday, she and Ezekiel is just at the mansion. While reading some manga, she suddenly sneezed.
Ezekiel immediately glanced at her. "Did you catch a cold? "He asked worriedly. Although he knows the possibility is really low, he is still can't help but be worried.
"No. Someone might be talking bad about me behind my back. "She casually answered.
Ezekiel frowned then just let it go. He knows that whoever it is, they are no match to her and he will not let anyone bother or hurt her.
"Hey Boss, Duke Greymore is asking if you will attend their Banquet. "
"I will not. Me and Rin is going somewhere tomorrow. "He answered.
Michael's eyes glowed. "Oh? Are you two going on a date?! Hey Little Lady, is it true? "
Rin looked at him then smiled. "Date? Yes, we are going somewhere tomorrow. "She answered and return her eyes on the manga she's reading.
"Where? Why am I not informed about this? Hey Rence, did you know also about this? "
Lawrence shake his head. He seems not to be interested.
"You will attend the Banquet. Ask Butler Kang to prepare the gifts. "
He commanded and Michael can just only nod.