I took a glimpse of him before heading inside the mansion, our eyes latched concurrently as if we never want to break our stare. There was distress in his eyes but softness underneath them, I stared at his angelic feature. How can someone look like this? He's like a greek deity.
The warmth rose from my chest up to my cheeks, giving verve to my pale skin of mine. "I shall see you again tomorrow?" He asked.
Nodding, he chaperoned me to the front veranda. The guard unlocked the door for me. Again, we gazed at each other. "Um, it's such a wonderful evening. Thanks a lot" I said, my voice almost cracked.
I can't understand why, why my heart is obstructing me.
It's not my heart, it's the person that I am inside's heart. My ancestor. Perhaps, she's plummeted in love with him more than her fiancé.
"It's my pleasure" Germaine snickered. It's delightful how his eyes are altered in crescents whenever he snickers, and his cheeks flawlessly hoist to the perfect places. He bowed at me. As he lift his head to look at me with his bewitching smile, my heart betrayed me more. It thuds more promptly than it did while we were dancing on the palace's rooftop.
Germaine took my hand, placing a kiss on top of my hand before giving me a wink. "Have a good night's sleep, my lady" he smirked before turning to his back accentuating his broad shoulder and fair body shape. An exemplary one. I watched him walk away. The black color suits him but I love beige more on him, I love the way the tail of his coat swayed as the night breeze caressed it. It swayed from side to side beautifully, swiftly like those from the movies. The set of the situation became fascinating when the moonlight shone its brisk on him.
I reached the door, peeping a slight to see if he was going to glance at me again. Just as I expected, he halted walking. Germaine glanced over his shoulder, taking a last look at me before walking away. Both of us wore a smile as the door shut.
"Is it rightful to go up there? I suspected that Arania woman hates me!" I argued.
Germaine confidently strolled, whistling. His hands jammed inside of his pockets, he cheerfully swiveled from side to side with an elegant hop as if he inhabits the place.
"Oy!" I yelled loudly.
Finally, he faced me. Germaine proceeded to walk reversed, still in a similar jolly stance. "What are you frightened of? Doesn't mean she's supreme, you're going to perish if we visit the rooftop. We're going to have our party there!" He chortled.
Germaine halted, he stepped towards me and grabbed my hand gently. "Trust me" his words...
'Trust me
It sounds assuring, sweet, and...
trustworthy.
"At least, try to have fun tonight"
The thoughts that I've been holding up since I arrived are somehow defunct. I found myself coming with him. Our waves of laughter filled the air as we ran up the ringlet staircase steering to the rooftop. Hands twined together.
When we entered the top, Germaine smoothly pulled me by the waist as if I were lightweight. His precious smile never fade, it kept me mesmerized.
I'm too enthralled to chat with him, all I know is that I'm getting by heart his facial outlines. Eyes fixed on him, I found myself settling my hands on his broad shoulders. Germaine heaved me close to him, he started humming a beautiful melody as he meandered me. Each thump of one's heart, each stare, and each stride... Made me feel like I'm promenading in the clouds with him.
Germaine smoothly grabbed my hand while the other tread on his left shoulder, this waltz... It's traditional, I've seen them in Philton movies... Most of them were dramas. Dramas that show a banquet with boisterous music. People dancing and socializing. Yet, Germaine and I were lost in each other's harmony.
He spun me around, I found myself doing it with him appropriately. Thankfully, I did not stagger like those I did in physical education lessons. My clumsiness took off for the night, allowing me to take pleasure in every second I have with this man.
A stranger, yet... It felt like I'd known him eternally.
I never believe in fairytales and love at first sight, is this it?
Germaine went on with humming, as the night breeze caressed our attires giving a beautiful sway in each step. The moonlight shone at us, accentuating each other's characteristics. As the moonlight shone on his complexion, I saw how his eye color deviated. From sea deep, it changed to a soft color of flame.
Is it logical?
I have many notions inside my head, unanswered. I'm trying to speculate about it as I dance with him but his eyes were too distracting as if it's a pull keeping me fastened to him as we dance the night away.
Each heartbeat, each thud...
It grew more vociferous, and flamboyant than bands.
Germaine pulled me close, I felt his cold hand on my lower back. Our faces were an inch near to each other, our noses almost touching. My chest's against his. His sweet-scented breath did it for me, I shut my eyes as I danced with him.
Leaning our foreheads against each other, I relished the dance more than anything I have enjoyed in my entire life.
I never danced with anyone, not even in my previous relationship. Not even when I'm studying, I always skip it due to my lack of skills in dancing. I would have stepped at their feet if they forced me to dance with them.
I found myself gleaming in front of the mirror, stroking my hair. Looking down, an unexplainable chuckle eluded my lips.
"Seems like ye had a great night eh..." Anida tried to clench her laughter but ended up playfully smacking Cleda on the arm. It made Cleda laugh too with a nod before hurrying close to my side.
"Did you?" Cleda asked. Both of them chafing excited smiles.
I looked at them for a few minutes before shaking my head. "No, so quit gossiping" I pouted and bluffed I'm disgruntled.
They asked forgiveness in instant, backing away from me. "I was just joking!" I giggled softly. Anida and Cleda scrambled close to me again, giggling excitedly.
"Tell us!" They squealed.
Never have I treated these two maids, I treat them nicely as if their best friends. They're the only people I can trust for now. "Well..."
"What does the ball looks like? I've never been to one!" Cleda giggled. She propped her hands under her chin as she blinked a few times, same with her sister Anida.
"It's lavish, loud music, lots of people dancing in the middle of the ballroom...and well... The mean princess..." Their smiles dropped when I said it.
"I think... I knew who you're referring to Lady Rose" Anida said.
Nodding, I put down the brush. Getting off the powder chair, I clutched my night gown's skirt. Pursing my lips, I fiddled with my fingers. "Yes, she hates me. From the smell she's releasing, it seems like she hates me"
"Princess Arania's known for that when women are around her dream man" Cleda scoffed, she rolled her eyes and held my hand. "Don't let it bother you, I saw the way Count Germaine gazes at you"
Anida nodded, snaking her arms around mine. "He likes you"
"Me? Why me?" I asked.
"Simple, you've changed. You're nice now, you play nice music and you're talkative" Anida said.
"What am I before?" I asked, again. I want to know more. I want to know more about my great-grandmother.
"You never step out of your room, you're quiet... You hate music... You only embroider when you like. We've seen you cry several times for Doctor Dawn"
Blinking a few times, questions swarmed my head. "What?"
Cleda pursed her lips. "You said Doctor Dawn never loved you, that he hates you that's why... Your mother is glad when the marriage is canceled..."
My mouth gaped. Dawn never loved this woman? Yet... He's close to me.
I can't believe what I'm finding out right now. "You hate Germaine, you said he's too irritating" Anida added.
"That's why everyone's shocked when you started walking with the count, even coming with him in the ball..." Cleda said.
"It's great progress!" Anida giggled. She smiled after. "You make a good match!"
Baffled, I'm baffled. What's wrong with Dawn? Why is he like that? I almost cursed. From a happy night, my mood changed. They noticed it. However, I hid it quickly.
"It is, I think the count is fun to hang out with. He's easy to talk to, I take back that he's irritating" I smiled.
I have to pretend, I apologize.
It changed their mood too, they giggled. "We never saw him smile like that before, he might smile but it's a formal smile," Anida said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
The bell rang downstairs, a different sound. It means we have to go to bed. They were about to leave the room when my inquisitive thoughts settled.
All candled were off, and the only thing giving light to us was the moonlight. The three of us sat next to the balcony doors, Lady Elene and Lord Clark hasn't returned yet.
"Tell me about him treating other girls," I said.
"Well, the count doesn't usually talk to someone that easy. He's too easy, too talkative when he's with you!"
"Shh!" Anida said to Cleda who instantly apologized with a small giggle. "Lower your voice" she whispered.
"What's he before?" I asked.
"Some rumors claim that he's a womanizer if he doesn't like the woman he encountered with... He ghosts them" Cleda whispered.
"What? Why?"
"Many doesn't know, he seemed pretty decent tho. Smart looking..." Cleda added.
I looked down, thinking why he avoid women. Must have been "because of his writing passion?" I raised a query.
"He rarely goes out," Anida said. "He usually spends his time in his office where the pile of books is stacked neatly on his shelves"
"What? How did you guys know about it?" I asked.
"One of my friends used to work inside of their house but one day, they're no longer accepting maids due to rumors" Anida pouted. "I would apply there for General Kane"
"Oh..."
"Do you think he likes me that much?" I asked. Both of them nodded. We spent the rest of the night talking about the Monvere family. When they left, thoughts flooded my mind about what kind of person Germaine is. The old man earlier screamed in agony when Germaine shoved his hand away from me. It's the first time I saw him react that way, he's always soft and talkative when he's around me.