A beautiful day to do work!
Today is Sunday, Maria wants to hang out with Olivia at the mall, but her dad says no. She has to go to the teahouse with Mr. Lenormand to meet his business partner. He says that Maria will be inheriting his whole jewelry business in the future, so she needs to learn everything from now on.
Maria didn't really want to go, however, her dad promised that he'll let her go to the UNITE concert next month. Maria agreed without hesitation.
"We're arrived Mr. Lenormand". Mr. Lewis, the driver said.
Maria and her dad quickly get out of the car, and they come into a teahouse.
"Aix Galericulata Teahouse". Maria read the sign out loud.
"Today we'll have a meeting with Mr. Henderson, the Duke". Maria's dad gently walked toward the garden.
Aix Galericulata Teahouse is built based on the idea of a comfortable tea house surrounded with lush plants and verdant greenery. This whole place is filled with flowers and berry shrubs.
"Wait HENDERSON ????". Maria just actualized something. "His daughter's name is Esserine right???".
"How do you know?". Maria's dad looked at her confusingly.
"We go to the same school, with the same Prestige class, even have the same normal class too". Maria was holding her head, she can't believe that her string of fate and Esserine's string of fate have intertwined.
"Must be fate". Maria's dad calmly said. "Last week, the King just called me and Mr. Henderson to talk about making an engagement between 2 families".
"Our economic power is as strong as the political power of the Henderson family". Mr. Lenormand continued. "The king wants to balance the country out by using these powers to take down the rebels commission".
"The Commission of Freedom?". Maria asked. "The people that usually create chaos in the capital?".
"Yes my dear". Mr. Lenormand temperancely replied. "Today's purpose isn't only talking about business, Duke Henderson also brought his son here too".
"If he's ugly, I'd rather die". Maria pridefully spoke.
Maria and her father come to the table under the giant mushroom. Duke Henderson is sitting there next to a handsome guy. He has one golden eye and one black eye just like his little sister. About the golden eye, people said that his ability to manipulate time comes from his eye.
"Hello Maria, I heard much about you". Duke Henderson greeted politely. "Mr. Lenormand and little one, you two can sit down".
"Hello Duke Henderson, may I know the name of your son?". Maria bowed.
"Oh, my name is Everado Henderson, the Vice President of Oglourine Academy". The handsome guy introduced himself. "I've heard from Adelphia about you, Lady Maria".
Maria already knew what Everado and Adelphia talked about, definitely unconceivable things that she did in the Academy.
After the greeting of both sides, Mr. Lenormand and Duke Henderson jump right into the problem. While Maria and Everado are walking around the garden of the tea house. Their job is getting to know each other. When Maria asks Everado about Esserine, he says that his father doesn't allow anyone to tell Esserine about this. Just to prevent failure.
"Everyone in the Academy knows that Esserine and I are competitors right?" - Maria questioned curiously.
"Yeah, especially the office people and the Student Council". Everado answered. "Both of you are famous ladies with amazing talents, it's really hard to stop the information from spreading".
"For sure that Esserine will not accept me as her brother's bride and become a part of the Henderson family". Maria analyzed the situation.
"Let's hope she'll endure her fury for me". Everado answered exhaustively.
"To be honest, I don't want to marry you". Maria looked at Everado's eyes. "You are good, but I don't have feelings for you, and I will run away if my father forces me to".
"I understand that, because I have my reason too". Everado spoke emotionally. "It's Ophelia Mangrove, Adelphia's best friend".
"I heard about your love story, it was sad". Maria sat down on the bench near the water fountain. "I'm tired".
For the whole day, Everado and Maria talked so much. Maria even had a genius idea, it was hanging out with him in the mall. Everado was just a reason for Maria to avoid political business from her dad.
They had fun, joy, and even ate together. Everado bought Maria a new dress as a meeting gift. Maria bought a lot of things, most of them are shoes, UNITE discs, UNITE albums, makeup products, and brooches.
Maria's dad and Duke Henderson thought that their children love at the first sight. It was really funny to watch their reaction.
After the fun day, Maria and Everado ended up gazing at the stars and admiring the elegance of moonlight. Celestial Spirits of the Night were flying around them and they were having fun under the moonlight too.
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At midnight in the Henderson family's mansion.
"Where have you been all day?!". Esserine yelled at Everado immediately after he stepped in. "Do you know how much I worry about you?!".
"I'm sorry Esserine, our father told me to follow him to help him deal with some business people". Everado kindly comforted her. "It's late already, get some rest, tomorrow is Monday".
"Shadow Cloak". Esserine was too angry. "See you tomorrow". She teleported herself to her room.
Esserine changes her clothes and goes to bed. She prays and talks to her mom about everything that happened today. Then she sleeps.
"Goodnight mother" - Esserine whispered peacefully.