The whispering has died down. But, their eyes are still fixated on the lady who is currently the center of attention of all. The lady with the silver hair.
"How the heck did they give birth to that?" one guest whispered to the other.
"Quiet, the duke might hear you."
It was not the duke who heard them, it was Chiyo. She held her mother's arm tightly. Her mother looked at her with worry, but she just shook her head. She can't let her mother know. Otherwise, she cannot go outside of the manor again.
"What a beautiful daughter, Duke Michael." exclaimed one. Chiyo looked at the man. He's smiling, but it didn't reach his eyes. She can see the gold rings in his fingers and the gold accessories of his companion. These people are the same with others.
The Irenty Family has been living longer than the royal family which is the Orion Family. The throne should have been theirs. But because of the loyalty of their ancestors to the gods that they believed in, they refused it when it was offered to them.
"The right hand of the royal family, huh." Luke muttered. Philip looked at him.
Countless Irenty Heads had eyes on the throne. A lot of them were executed by the royal family. And now…
"How will Duke Michael Irenty serve the royal family? Will they bow down? Or will they point their swords at me?" asked Luke.
"M-My lord, what are you talking about?" Philip asked him. He looked at him. His knight was terrified, it's like the prince is testing the loyalty of the current family head.
"Nothing." Luke replied.
Loyalty to the gods? What a joke! Luke thought.
Chiyo's POV
It is said in the book in our library that our family blood line runs long. Some are not here in our city. Some have migrated in a different country.
The books were passed down from generation to generation. It includes the family heads life. Technically, it's the biography of our ancestors.
That's why I have knowledge of how the royal family sees and thinks of Irenty family. Traitors.
"Duke, about what we talked days ago. Do you have any reply now?" another Viscount said. My father furrowed his eyebrows.
"Viscount, this is an important day for my daughter. Please respect her, we'll talk about that next time." My father replied. He grabbed my arm and walked me away from them. I didn't want to look back. Because I knew the face that that viscount will make.
A lot of people want to do harm on Irenty Family. But, they cannot do that because we are the right hand of the king.
No, maybe one thing to us is The Second Royal Family. It was written in one of those books that once, a king called us this name and it made the people even more terrified of the power that we hold.
"What is he talking about, father?" I asked.
"That scoundrel wants to build a house where a lot of plantations that people use to live are present. I have no intention of letting him get his way. I have a lot of evidence that he runs illegal matters concerning our country." He replied. This was the reason why people are terrified. My father's loyalty to the king was hard rock. No one can sway him to take the throne for himself.
Even if his family is in danger.
"Father, I can take it from here." I said and we stopped on our tracks.
"Are you sure?" he asked me.
"Yes, my brother is returning tomorrow, isn't he? You have to prepare for his home coming." He sighed and let go of my hand.
"Anne is not here. Your mother is in her room, she can't be out too much. You're alone, my daughter. Will you be alright?" I nodded. I'm of legal age now. I can handle this much. He kissed my forehead.
"If you feel uncomfortable, you can always go back. I'll handle the rest." He left after that. I looked at all the guests who were now busy talking and wandering inside the room. Only one person, though, seems to be observing those people. And that's Luke.
Prince Luke, who is currently walking towards me. Eh? No, no. I quickly walked backwards and grabbed anyone that could talk to me.
"I'm sorry, bear with me for a moment." I told the person. A lady, just like me. She was a little confused but she chuckled and nodded.
"Well, then, I can't refuse a request from the debutante, can I?"
"Oh, no…"
"Consider this as my gift." She said and bowed to me. I did the same. It's a sign that we're respecting each other's presence and ranks. She's wearing a lavender dress; the outline is a little similar to mine. She had her hair tied in an elegant crown braid and with a gold accessory on the side and a purple gem on the center.
Purple means it's 'that' family.
"Duchess Blaire Agosti of Bendetta, my lady." She introduced. For a gathering this big, it is not surprising that the Bendetta Family is present. However, for me to grab the only heir, what luck do I have?
"Greetings to the duchess." I told her.
"Oh, no. We're both duchess of a different town, there's no need of formality."
"It's because we're both duchess that I greet you with formality." I answered. She looked quite a bit shocked but she smiled and shook her head afterwards.
"Please correct me if I'm wrong but, were you running away from the prince?" she asked me. I gulped and slightly nodded.
"Come, I have tea in my room. "She offered her hand and I took it. This is my chance. I knew Luke was eyeing me from a far. I am still not ready to face him.
It's dangerous, don't go with her. There's that voice again. It's not my own voice. It was the past 'me'. Is she telling me that Duchess Agosti is dangerous?
"Are there any problems, Lady Irenty?" she asked me when I stopped on my tracks. I looked at her, innocence lies within her face. Maybe the past 'me' has some history with the Agosti family.
"I was just thinking what kind of tea would the duchess of Bendetta offer to me." I said.
"You will surely love it." We exited that room and walked through the hallway. Opposite on the way to my garden were rooms. They were the rooms prepared for guests; each family who will attend has one.
We reached a brown door which has the words "Agosti" inscribed on it. So this was her room, huh. She opened it and a smell of mint welcomed me.
No, I think it was beans? But, it was mint earlier. Just what has Lady Agosti done to her room?
"I apologize for the smell. I was preparing tea earlier for his royal highness but, it all went to vain. So, the smell has been stuck in my room." I just nodded. I scanned her room. I guess Irenty family is quite glamorous in accepting guests.
"Come and have a seat, Lady Irenty." She offered. Again, I obliged. There were two teacups on the table. One for Lady Agosti and the other one were for me. It was a black liquid but it has a nice scent.
I took a sip. "This is the first time I've tasted tea like this, my lady." I told her. The tea was bitter but in a good way. I like it.
"Brewing tea has been my hobby ever since. I'm glad you liked it."
"What is this called, by the way?" I asked her.
"Darjeeling. That is one of my mother's favourite teas." A voice said behind me. Luke.
"Your royal highness." Duchess Agosti and I exclaimed.
"Duke Irenty has been looking for you." He said. He's alone; Philip was nowhere to be found.
"I—if you may excuse me, Lady Agosti." I said and left Agosti's room.
Third Person's POV
After Lady Irenty left, the prince turned his back on Lady Agosti. But, she stopped him.
"Your royal highness, you really did forget me?" she asked. Prince Orion looked at her with confusion.
"My apologies but this is the first time we have met, my lady." He answered and left. Lady Agosti smiled sadly while watching the prince walking out of the door.
The prince, then, saw Lady Irenty walking towards the room so he hurriedly went after her. After all, it was a lie that Duke Irenty is looking for her.
"Lady Irenty!" he called and it echoed through the hallway. Lady Irenty stopped and faced the prince.
"Do you need help with anything, your royal highness?" Lady Irenty asked with her head bowed down. Fascinated by her eyes, the prince placed her his hand on her chin to make her look up. The lady was shocked.
"What are you doing, Prince Luke? You shouldn't casually touch a lady like that." She said and shoved his hand. A bit disrespectful, if someone sees.
"I like your eyes."
"What?"
"It's like a sun when it is setting. Does your family have this, too?" the prince asked. Her eyes, it was what captivated the attention of the prince at first. The lady felt it, her heart skipped a beat when he said those words to her.
"If you'll excuse me, your royal highness, my father is looking for me." she said.
"It was a lie, Lady Irenty."
"What do you mean?"
"I wanted to talk to you that's why I lied about your father looking for you." He explained. She thought it was some reasonable excuse.
"My guests are waiting, Prince Luke. If you'll excuse me." she said and bowed. The prince only looked at her, not having the desire to excuse her. Lady Irenty cannot leave like that.
"Prince Luke." She called. The prince sighed and raised his right hand. That's the cue of our Lady Irenty to leave.
He didn't want her to leave. It's just that he forgot the question he should be asking a while ago. It took him time to remember it. But now, he can't ask it anymore because Lady Irenty is now in front of the door to the room.
"What am I trying to do? That's an Irenty, Luke." He said to his self. He's wary of the Irenty, thus he has his eyes on their daughter.
"Your royal highness, I was looking for you. Just where have…" and here goes Philip again, lecturing him. The prince ignored him as they made their way back into the room where Lady Irenty went.
The Irenty family is dangerous. Who knows what they will do as their family stands? The prince thought.
"Let's invite Lady Irenty to the palace, Philip." He suddenly said and it stopped Philip's talking.
"W-What?" he didn't wait for Philip's reply and entered the room, again.
He saw Lady Irenty standing beside the table where beverages were prepared. She was watching the people; the people also watched her every moves. She looks elegant standing with a drink in her hand but her eyes were everywhere.
Nobody wanted to go near her. Or some may want but they cannot. For they fear that Lady Irenty will not acknowledge them. Getting on the good side of the Irenty Family means you have secured half of your life. It's the opposite when you mess with them.
"Lady Irenty." The prince said. Now, all eyes are glancing at them. The Prince of Anastifa and the young Duchess of Eternina are talking.
Lady Irenty bowed. "How may I be of service, your royal highness?"
"I want you to come with me." some of the people who heard him gasped. The prince was inviting someone to enter the castle.
"Y-your royal highness." Philip called. The prince raised his right hand.
"You see, I didn't know this was a debutante's ball and I didn't prepare any present. We have a garden in the palace, may I invite you to come with me tomorrow morning?" the prince placed his right hand on his left chest and bowed a little.
The room was once again filled with whisperings. It's not because the prince asked Lady Irenty to enter the palace. It's because Lady Agosti was standing behind the prince and was watching them.
"Lady Irenty." Philip called her. She was back to her senses. She saw Lady Agosti standing behind the prince. Her eyes were not smiling.
"Prince Luke, I appreciate the invitation." She started. "But, I have to decline you."