Months passed by without any disturbances in the Orpheus Manor. Every morning Isabella would wait outside Envius' room and they would accompany each other to the forest where they first met.
Isabella's parents left Envius alone without batting him an eye. It seemed like their daughter's words had left a huge effect on them.
It seemed like everything was going well for the couple, it almost seemed like they were already betrothed to each other.
However, worries swelled deep in Isabella's mind. Though this was a gut instinct, she can't put off the feeling that Envius was acting odd. It trifled her.
Some days Isabella didn't bother to pay her sword any mind even though the Ares Competition was coming up in less then a week. She spent almost all her time making small talk with the mysterious Envius. She still couldn't get used to his green eyes, they seemed to blend in with the nature around him. Mythical, she thought. Bending down and getting a closer look.
Unbeknownst to her, she started drooling while Envius took a handkerchief to wipe her drool. Once she snapped out from her daydream, she figured what happened and immediately cocked her head back with embarrassment and stumbled backwards, her face turning red while she tripped over her sword and fell on her back. This felt like deja vu.
"I'm fine! S-stay there." Isabella said, making use of the opportunity to calm herself down. "Huuu" she breathed in. She slowly tilted her head back to his direction. "I have a competition I'll be attending in 3 days. Will you..come watch?"
"I don't mind." Envius replied with a small smile.
"Great. Guess I didn't have to worry about anything.." Isabella said, getting soft at the second part of her sentence.
"Tomorrow afternoon, I'm departing.. I want you to go with me to the capital where the competition is held. I need to be there earlier for preparations..but I want us to spend time together too." Isabella spoke her mind with little pauses of hesitation in between. "There's a manor there too that my parents own, all of us will be staying there." she finished, nervously looking at him, knowing that he felt uncomfortable around her parents.
"It's alright. As long as you stay with me."
Isabella blushed again but this time she couldn't look away. Her heart started thumping loudly, she could feel it beating and it was vibrating throughout her whole body. She could feel her temperature rising rapidly even though it was a windy day. Was he feeling the same way too? His tan face had a light red tint plastered over his cheeks. He did.
They both headed home happy, heading to their individual rooms before Isabella stopped Envius. "Tonight..stay with me. I want to feel your embrace."
Flustered as he was, Envius agreed.
They spent the night together, skin to skin, with their bodies close, their breaths fanning each others' faces, then soft, warm lips meeting each other, electricity running through their bodies. The night got more intense and so did their love.
If this was not true love, what was it then? The feeling that thumped deep in their hearts?
That night there was a full moon, Envius stood in the moonlight. He stared at the bright moon while a single teardrop made its way down his face. "I must have committed a great sin in my past life." he whispered. The moonlight shifted as if agreeing with his statement.
He left and headed out of the mansion silently through the windows and into the forest he went. He dropped a piece of paper near a peculiar tree and turned his back. The paper was damped and soaked with tears. That paper was the prelude to the great Orpheus family end.
During daylight, everyone was nervous and getting ready to leave for the capital. Reluctantly, everyone had their breakfast together at the dining table. It was a quiet and tension filled meal.
"Did you get everything..ready?" Duke Orpheus asked his daughter, he was worried that she was going to ignore him again since their last argument.
"Yeah." Isabella awkwardly replied before standing up and washing her hands.
"She's still young. Leave her be." the Duchess said in a kind tone while watching Envius chomped down his meal with a pair of lifeless eyes. "Is the food good, dear? The meat dish is something I've voluntarily made for all of us." she initiated the conversation casually, she was a born natural conversation starter. It definitely fits her name of being the Queen of high society.
"It's nice."
"If you want I can give you the recipe after you marry my daughter." she joked.
This sparked a repulsive reaction from the Duke. He clanged his fork on the plate loudly and glared at Envius. However, he stopped the moment he felt his daughter's presence looming over him. "I hope you treat my daughter well." he murmured under his breath.
Envius nodded robotically as if he wasn't in the right state of mind. He finished his meal and bowed before following after Isabella. He found her helping the servants loading the items into the wooden carriage. He quickly picked up the bag and helped her. The moment they made eye contact, they blushed and looked away immediately.
Once preparations were finished,they started the trip to the capital. There were 3 carriages, one for Envius and Isabella, one for the Duke and the Duchess and one for the guards that trailed behind those who they swore to protect.
The ride was rocky and stuffy but they endured for hours, while they watched the sun set and the sky turn a mash of pink and orange. Soon, a beautiful view can be seen once they made it outside the vast forest. Buildings were covered in greenery. Nature lived harmoniously with humans. It was a bewildering sight to see. No signs of nature being obstructed or destroyed were to be seen.
Citizens crowded near the path where the carriages headed down, once they recognised the sword symbol with a rose, they knelt down with utmost respect.
This was the capital where the Ares Competition was being held.