Though blood-thirsty man the duke may seem, as he slew his enemies and even his blood relations who threaten the eastern empire, Adelard was a man that Stefan felt sorry for an unknown reason. When he looked at the duke's eyes, there appeared to be countless stories in there just waiting to be unraveled. It was sad and suffocating that the chief knight felt like gasping for an air if he stared for too long. And Stefan wasn't alone at all. No one, even the emperors they come to visit, had the courage to stare at the duke's eyes for long.
Stefan hoped that this empire they will visit next would bring them not just good political relations but also fulfill the duke's wish.
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Finally, the day of the ball came. Cataleya already prepared herself with the help of the maids serving her in the Briston estate. There were praises coming from them about her extraordinary beauty and she couldn't agree more. Ruby considered Cataleya's appearance as a hybrid one. Like she descended from a fairy herself and that her face could captivate anyone if she wasn't only too engrossed in acting as a villainess.
"My lady, we are certain you'll be the most beautiful noble lady at the ball." Sasha, her maid, gushed once again while fixing her auburn hair into light curls on each of her side cheeks. Doing so, slightly covered her light blue-colored eyes and pinkish lips.
"No need to overdo it, Sasha. I'll be just in the corner and do a lady-waiting kinds of stuff." Cataleya said.
"Oh nonsense. Don't let Madame Shu's dress goes to waste. You need to nab the heart of the duke before anyone else does." Sasha said which earned her an agreeing exclamations among her co-maids.
"No. Thank you. I'd rather deal with a spoiled Frencia and her chatterbox friends." Cataleya said.
"Why not? I heard that the duke is gorgeous and dreamy. The maids who were serving the Aristol estate said that he might look scary but he's polite to them. Oh, the chance to serve him. I wish I could." Karina said in clasped hands.
"Dreamy? A nightmare you say." Cataleya had another opinion. "Honestly, he's a nightmare in the making. I don't intend to even go near his shadows."
"Oh, milady. You have a vivid imagination." Lia giggled. "
"I don't only imagine. I speak with the truth. The daily papers always paraded his conquest on rebel lands. He killed many including his blood relatives!" Cataleya exclaimed.
"Relatives that threatened the throne of the southern kingdom." Sasha corrected. "And you're due to leave. Come on, up and give us a nice twirl."
Cataleya only grimaced at her maids who stayed loyal to her despite how she treated them bad before. Surprisingly, they were the only ones who tolerated her now and even before.
Cataleya ended up giving a perfect twirl motion that made the maids squeal in excitement. She rolled her eyes but she smiled at them nevertheless.
"Remember, you must show your humility before the emperor and sincerely serve the Baron's daughter during the ball." Cxenon reminded as they sat together inside the carriage.
"I won't act like a mad dog in the ball, brother. No need to remind me countless times." Cataleya said.
"This attitude of yours is already unbecoming. If we could just only excuse you from this party, we've done it. Thanks to lady Frencia, you're given the chance to be in social gatherings on your probationary state." Cxenon snapped.
"What? Should I thank her for the favor? I dislike attending the ball since Frencia only wants me there so that she could look better to the nobles and to the emperor himself." Cataleya said. "My muscle is still aching for running errands to that little witch."
"Don't call her that." Cxenon glared at her.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I heard that you're planning on sending your marriage proposal to her after the season. But still, my opinion about her won't change. If you think she's an angel then you're utterly mistaken. All of you who fell for her smile are nothing but babbling idiots."
"I said don't call her that!"
Cataleya closed her eyes when she thought that she'll be hit by her brother but it didn't come when she opened her eyes.
"Enough, you two." The marques finally spoke in a stern voice. He stared long to Cxenon and then to Cataleya. "I'm meeting the emperor tonight and you two are not going to give me some headache just before it happens. Cxenon, no need to scream when she's just in front of you. And you Cataleya shall conduct yourself accordingly. The emperor is not one to easily forget about what you did to Frencia and the princess before. If you mess up tonight, I will be the one to lock you up for how long I would like into your room. Am I understood here?"
Cataleya and Cxenon briefly glanced at each other before they nodded.
"I want words, Cataleya." The marquess demanded.
"Yes, father," Cataleya said.
Reaching the palace, Cataleya fought the urge to roll her eyes when she saw Frencia and her group of 'gossip ladies'. They looked at her as if she sinned them as she approached them.
"How dare a mere lady-in-waiting wear Madame Shu's collection?" Athena remarked.
Cataleya didn't mind the disgusted faces of the gossip ladies and greeted Frencia politely with a proper curtsy, knowing that her father and brother were just watching in the corner.
"How are you, milady?" she asked Frencia who gave her a scrutinizing look.
"I didn't know you had spare time in fitting some dress at Madame's shop," Frencia said, successfully hiding the jealousy in her tone. But Cataleya knew it very well.
"A marquess daughter can't appear like a bum in this wonderful ball. It is a gift from my loving brother. " Cataleya said. 'Loving my ass. He's a jerk and an a**hole. That man should thank me for putting a good word to Frencia.' she thought to herself.