Capital, Clovis Empire
Michael and Lawrence arrived at the Banquet Hall located at the Mansion of the Ducal House of Greymore. They greeted first the Ducal Couple and present the gifts from the House of Rheid. After several exchange of words, the duo went to the table where almost all the sits are occupied. The people present are: The Imperial Family's Crown Prince, 3rd Prince and First Princess, Hue, Travis, the Twins and Chloe.
Hue narrowed his eyes upon seeing that it's just them. "Where is His Grace? "He asked.
Lawrence shrugged his shoulders and shot a look at Michael.
"He's busy. "Michael answered then took a glass of wine from the server.
"Busy? Hey. Hey. I heard that your Boss is keeping someone."
Travis grinned. The other members of the Group immediately got curious, except the girls.
Michael and Lawrence frowned upon hearing the type of words being used to describe their Little Lady.
"Keeping someone? And where the hell did you heard it?"
Although they are already aware about the gossip, but they just can't help but be annoyed. Their little Lady is not a mistress nor being kept!! It's just that the Archduke is an overly jealous person! And besides that, she is not a normal girl! She is the Ruler of the Forest of No Return!! She is a powerful mage and the Archduke's Savior!!!
"I just got a lot of sources. "Travis playfully answered.
Tyler who suddenly remembered something sprang up from his sit. "Oh wait! I think I know what you are talking about. "He said then shift his gaze to Michael and Lawrence. Seeing his expression, the duo immediately knew what he wanted to ask or say to them. "Is it the girl that I saw while you were shopping at the Premier Mall? "
Everyone got surprised on Tyler's question. Chloe's mouth curved a lazy smile while looking at the face of Jezelle. Looks like a lot of interesting things will happen from now on. "Your Highness, what do you mean? Premier Mall? Isn't the Archduke not a fan of going to those places? "She said adding salt to the wounds.
"Hmmn… Now that I think about it… "He slowly swift back his gaze to Michael. "Is my Cousin just accompanying that Girl with him? "
Michael pursed his lips and remembered what the Archduke said before he and Rin left earlier. "Fine. Fine. Since all of you are interested in my Boss, then I will just say it for the first and last time. He and that girl is not couple… "He stopped then grinned. "Yet. "
The people around him gasped in surprised again. Even the Nobles in the other table, all of them seemed shocked when they heard it. Michael silently laugh to himself upon realizing that his plan is working. But of course, everything he said and will said are all true!!
While he is enjoying himself, Jezelle and the Meylin are now trembling with anger. Jezelle's nails where almost buried to her palms and Meylin is biting her lower lip. The latter wanted to react but being in the presence of many nobles, she will not look good. Her twin Sister Reylin was just listening and from time to time she will steal glances at the Crown Prince. On the other hand, Chloe is enjoying the event.
"Hey Michael! Are you trying to trick us? "Hue complained.
"Do I look like I'm joking? "He laughed. "Everything that I said is true. The Archduke is still wooing our Little Lady. Even us his aides can't believe it. He is even throwing cheesy lines on her."
"Hmmnn… Looking at his reaction that time, he even doesn't want me to meet or see the face of the Lady. But base from what I remembered, she is most likely 21 or 20-year-old? She looks so young and pretty. Ah, that bastard has really a delicate type of girl. "
Lawrence and Michael looked at each other, then snorted. Delicate? Likely. Well, she really looks like a delicate girl. But knowing her real identity? Ah… Our Little Lady is really awesome.
"Good evening Handsome Gentlemen and Ladies." Countess Rosette greet them all. Then she looked at Michael. "Oh, is the Archduke and the Little Lady not coming? "She asked him.
Actually, she already heard about the gossips surrounding the Archduke and Rin. And when she was talking with some other nobles, she heard Michael's statement.
"Does the Countess already met the Famous Lady of the Archduke? "It was Tyler who asked.
Countess Rossette mischievously smiled. "Yes, Your Highness. I already met her a few times in the Archduke's mansion. Are all of you curious about her? Speaking of the Archduke, where is he? "
"He is busy. He and our Little Lady had some urgent matters to attend. "Michael answered.
The Countess gave a wide smile. "Urgent matters? Or… Ah, your Boss is really head over heels for her. Anyway, send my regards to your Little Lady. "She said then excused herself.
Hearing those words from the Famous Countess, all of them are in awe. Just who is this girl that even the Countess Rosette is fond of her? Countess Rosette is famous in the Noble Ladies Society. It's because she is the epitome of what a graceful lady must be and she is a strict Etiquette Teacher to the young Noble Ladies. But of course, still the most famous is the Empress of the Empire.
"Hey cousin, where did the Archduke met the Lady? And who is she? From what house is she? "
Michael looked at Travis helplessly. "I can't tell you the details, but our Little Lady is a perfect match to our Archduke. She is awesome, kind and pretty. No one can match her. "He answered. Ah. I can't wait to report everything to him!
Meylin who seems to be enveloped with hatred suddenly said, "But isn't the Archduke and Princess Jezelle are soon to be engaged with each other? "
The Duo's face turned sour in an instant. The others also looked at her in contempt.
Seeing their reactions, Crown Prince Hunter said, "Lady Greymore, it's not good to say those things in public as it will cause misunderstandings. Please conduct yourself well. You are not just talking about some Noble in our Empire. "He said in a cold tone, the he turned his gaze towards his sister. "Jezelle, I don't want to hear about this anymore or I can no longer shield you from the Archduke's anger. "
"Your Highness, it's not her Highness fault. It was I who failed to understand the situation. "Meylin immediately shield the Princess.
The Crown Prince is not dumb. He knew from the start that it was her sister who spread the story about the engagement.
Although there were some talks about it in their family, but since the Archduke have never agreed nor interested, it only ended just like that. And besides, he knows his cousin very well.
If he like something, he will do everything to obtain it. But if he is not, then he is not. He will never be easily persuaded. And upon hearing those story from his Aides, he already knew that the Archduke has genuine feelings towards that girl.
Now I'm also curious about her. About the lady who can move that stone-cold heart.
At the same time, the Main Characters of the story just arrived at the Capital. Remembering the request of Rin, he drive the car to the famous Barbeque Restaurant that they went before.
He gazes at the sleeping bunny beside him and gently brushed her cheeks. "Rinrin, wake up. "He said. And a few times more, she at last open her eyes.
She smiled the looked around. "Oh, were already here? "She said and her eyes lit up upon recognizing the place.
"Em. "He nodded and helped her fix her hair..
"Do I look weird? "She asked.
"No. You are still pretty. Come on. Aren't you hungry? "
She smiled widely then nodded..
Before coming here, Ezekiel already made a reservation so they are directly escorted to the Restaurants private room..
They ordered: beef, shrimps, bacon, lamb meat and other seafood. On their table is a grilling machine and a tube that absorbs the smoke. Also, the room is well ventilated so their shirts won't smell like barbeque.
While grilling and eating at the same time, she suddenly remembered what she wanted to ask earlier. She bit her lower lip then slowly placed back her fork to the plate. Then she looked at him with her clear eyes.
Ezekiel noticed her curious face, so he also placed back his fork on the plate. "What is it?" He asked.
She pursed her lips then look to the side then heaved a deep sigh. It was her first time to be anxious. "Ahm… About earlier… "She gazes at him and her heart is pounding like crazy. She really like him! No, maybe it's even deeper. But when did it start? Is it from when he saved him? Or… Who knows, if only heart could talk.
"Rin? "
"Ah… From when we were in the Forest. The thing that Grandpa Elder said… Ah. Never mind. Let's just eat. "She said shaking her head and went back eating.
Ezekiel who easily got what she wanted to ask can't help but smile. She really looked cute even if she's anxious. Ah. Can he really control his feelings for her? Should he say it to her more clearly? Or just wait for the right moment. Anyways, no matter what it is, he will not let her go. He will do everything just to make her stay beside him. And even if he had to go against anyone, even the Imperial Family, no one can separate him from her.
"Eat up. But don't eat too much that will hurt your stomach." He said in a loving voice.
She nodded and continue to grill and eat. She pushed her should be question down to back of her mind. The most important thing now is being by his side. And she will not let anyone destroy what they have. After thinking about it, she smiled to herself and completely ignore those questions.
After an hour, Ezekiel paid their bill and both of them went outside.
The weather outside is now even colder as the winter is almost coming. Seeing that the girl by his side is not wearing a thick clothes nor jacket, he decided to remove his coat and placed it on her shoulders.
"Wear it. Next time bring a coat or jacket, okay? "
"Nah. You should wear this. I can cast a magic so- "
"No." He said without giving her time to argue. "This is the capital; you should not use your magic casually. I am worried about you, so please? "He added in a gentler tone.
Rin smiled and did not argue any longer. "I understood, Your Grace. "She replied in a playful tone.
Ezekiel laughed and pinched the tip of her nose. "Very Good, My Lady." He said and both of them laugh. "Stay here first, I'll go and get the car." He then said and before he could turn his body, Rin grabbed his arms and she gave him a serious look.
"There is someone staring at us. I can feel their bloodlust. "She said. Ezekiel's face turned dark.
"Where is he? How many?" He asked and took out his phone.
"I can eliminate all of them at once."
"No. Didn't I tell you earlier that you can't just use your magic casually?"
She pouted and pursed her lips. She looked like a child who is showing a silent tantrum!
He pats her head and smile. "Look, I know that you are worried about me. But this is the Capital. And who do you think is the person in front of you? Am I that unreliable in your eyes?"
Rin immediately shook her head. "Ah. No!! That's not it. Of course, I know that you are capable and powerful. I just can't help myself but be worried about you." She murmured, like a child feeling guilty of something she did not do.
"I know. Telling me about them is one of the most important things. That's why at this moment, let me also do my part. Okay?"
Rin nodded. "Okay. But if they try to use magic, I will interfere. Okay? "
Ezekiel can't help but laugh at the girl on his front. "Okay, My Lady. "He answered. "Then, may I know how many and their locations?"
Rin smiled then she said. "There are 10. Three are stationed on the left building, three are also on the neighboring Restaurant, one is on the Blue sports car just 50 meters away from us, One on a Black Van near the exit and two on the other Black Van near your car."
Ezekiel was quiet taken surprise by what she did. She actually used a telepathy to communicate with him! And it was his first time experiencing something like this!
Rin tilted her head when she saw his expression. Then, she suddenly realized what she did. "Oh! I'm sorry. Did I surprise you? It's just that I don't want them-"
"It's alright. I was just surprised for a moment but now I'm okay. Thank you." He smiled then held her hand and both of them walked to where their car is currently park. And while they are on their way, Ezekiel sent an emergency message to Lawrence and Michael.
Ezekiel pressed the car key and the door is unlocked. But before he could go inside, she was stop by Rin. "Wait. There is something wrong with your car. I'll go check it first. You stay out. Okay? "She said warning him. She cast only a glint of magic to scan the car. "I have disabled the magic traps. But there is something in here that seems to be a hearing device? "
"Just leave those bugs. If you also disable them, they'll suspect us that we are aware of them. "
Rin mischievously smiled and thought of something interesting. "You can now enter the car. Hehe. Are we playing with them? "She also went inside the car same time with Ezekiel.
"Yes. "He answered.
Let us see who dares to hurt her Zhi.