"Wait, aren't we deviating from the entrance to where the banquet hall is?" Shelly commented as she leaned to peek outside the window.
Mona wasn't familiar with the royal palace so she had no idea, but she could also see their carriage going far from where the other carriages were. She looked at Lionel, wanting to ask the same question.
"We were headed at the Sun Palace, by the order of his grace," Lionel answered his sister's question. He looked over to Mona as he spoke, which made the latter realize what the order was for.
Mona felt somehow relieved by that, but instead of asking about the reason, she asked otherwise, "Why at the Sun Palace?"
Shelly was the one who answered her. "The Sun Palace is where the emperor resides. Although I do not know why the Grand Duke wants us there, I guess we were really not needed?" She glanced at her brother when she finished those words, "Brother, we were just going to drop her off there, right?"
Lionel nodded.
"You aren't coming?" Mona asked after seeing his response.
"The Sun Palace isn't something we can just enter, Lady Mona. The security in that place is extreme, and only those who receive permission from the emperor can enter. His grace will be waiting for you at the entrance, while both of us will go ahead at the banquet."
It seems that the siblings notice her nervousness upon hearing those words, they look at her with worry. But both showed her a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, my lady. His grace will be with you."
She answered Shelly with a subtle smile. Even though she doesn't want to feel like that, she can't help it. She was always like that, even back then, no matter how many job interviews she went to, she always felt nervous and lost confidence. Afraid to make mistakes and ruined everything she practiced and prepared for. What's more, she wasn't just attending an interview this time, but a gathering where she might be the highlight. That thought made her weaker.
When the carriage stopped, Lionel reached to open the door but also stopped when it suddenly opened from the outside.
What greeted them was a tall man in a white formal suit with gems and accessories decorated in his outer suit. A conspicuous brooch was placed in his coat, above his chest; it was a blue diamond curve in a snowflake with intricate design. His white hair is neatly combed in the side, revealing his entire face bathed in the lights of the evening sky.
The man looks dashing and magnificent.
He reached out his hand wearing a white glove, and the pale blue gem in his cuff caught her sight. It wasn't carved in the same way as the brooch, only shaped in a circle with silver holdings. Yet Mona was reminded of a round full moon.
"I'm sorry for coming to you this late." That man spoke with tenderness while looking at her, "Won't you still accept my hand?" He asked that way, but his eyes didn't show anxiety that she might reject.
"Do you really need to ask?" She answered with an evident joy in her voice. She felt excited, exuberant, grateful, and contented. She even felt like crying after seeing her beloved's appearance and thought to herself that 'this man was hers'. She doesn't need to feel anxious or disheartened. Being chosen by him is already proof that she is worthy.
"Then. Let me have your hand." He firmly replied, eyes sparking at her sight. Eyes that reflected her.
Mona put her hands on him, and he carefully supported her as she descended from the carriage. The furry shawl she was wearing slid down her shoulders and revealed her bare clavicle and neck with just a white choker, but the night breeze didn't bother her anymore. The simple touch of their hands already sends enough warmth to her. Enough to make her forget the reason why she'd been trying to meet him for the past few days.
"Let's meet at the banquet later." The Grand Duke said to the Ferrers before the carriage turned and continued on its way.
When he turned his head to her again, she was caught staring and it made the man chuckle. She could feel the heat rising on her face. But she did not avert her eyes, instead, she spoke her mind.
"You look gorgeous." She said in almost a whisper, but since the entrance of the Sun Palace was so quiet, she could tell that it was heard.
Looking at him, she was reminded of the lyrics she once sang in her world.
'Ocean blue eyes, looking at mine, I feel like sinking, drowning and dying…'
She wasn't expecting what happened and her mind was still occupied with the song that somehow matched the man in her front, so she was startled when he bent down and pulled her in a kiss. The kiss did not take long, it was short yet enough to make her knees tremble. When his lips left hers, they glided into her temple and planted a light kiss on it.
"Look who is talking." His deep voice echoed in her ears, "You should know you are far more stunning, my lady."
Her cheeks became red in an instant. She averted her gaze in panic and embarrassment, but when it landed in his hands holding the shawl that slid down in her arms, her hand moved and fixed the cloth on her shoulders.
In her befuddled mind, it wasn't that long since they confessed to each other and became more intimate, yet she felt like the Grand Duke became more open and…more forward.
"T-Thank you."
"Are you cold?"
She heard him ask, so she nodded slightly. He guided her to the steps and they both entered the palace, where the guards stationed on both sides of the entrance door, slightly bowed at them.
"Although the dress matches mine, I do not like that you're uncomfortable. Do you want to change? There are plenty of dresses in this palace, I can ask the servants to attend to you as soon as possible."
She smiled at his attentiveness but also shook her head. "I just felt cold earlier on the road, so I wear this. But surely, it won't be cold inside the hall, is it?"
Kyden stopped and turned to her, "Do you plan on taking them off?"
His voice was lower than before, but she didn't feel intimidated or scared at all. Instead, she answered with a question, "Do you not want me to?"
If he tells her he doesn't want to, then she won't.
But Kyden was silent for a while. He just reached for the shawl and took it off from her, thankfully, they were already inside the palace so it wasn't cold anymore. Although she was confused by his actions, she didn't ask and still waited for his answer.
"Now, you look even more captivating without this." He said in a serious tone afterward. It was so serious, but still made her heart beat like a drum. She pursed her lips and tried to reply, but he continued before she did, "Although I hate the thought of you being stared at by other men, I don't like to stop you from wearing something that will make you more confident."
His answer was unexpected. She actually thought the opposite knowing his attitude, but she felt relieved and happy that she was being respected for her choice.
"Let's go. His Majesty is waiting for us. I told him my plan, and he agreed to help me. But first, he wanted to meet you at least before the banquet starts." He looked at her and seemed to misunderstand her silence, so he grabbed her hand holding at his other arm, and squeezed it, "Don't worry. You won't be alone."
Her silence wasn't because she was still afraid and nervous, it was because of her overwhelming feelings towards this man standing in front of her.
She smiled with her eyes and answered confidently, "I know. You're with me."
Really, this man is too good for her. She thought of that, yet she had no desire to let him go no matter what. Her hand clutched his arm tightly, and they continued on their way after he slung her shawl on his shoulder.