A week has passed as Rui's lover's identity was found out as well. Her name was Ellen Olvun, a noble of small status, yet was also rumored to be two-faced after they had heard of her in her message in the party. She was a nice lady to many but the events in the party had changed the minds of many
Her reputation as a noble and as Rui's lover had made her hit rock bottom.
Yen was told they had met in Rui's school years and they eventually got close, secretly dating a year before Rui even asked Yen out.
Yen frowned at the news as she sat by herself on the balcony, drinking tea.
Yen: "What use is there to reputation anyway? It could destroy thousands in just a few words."
Kayla: "People a many risk a lot for reputation, as it puts them in a high place."
Yen: 'How irritating.'
Kayla just stood quietly, watching as the young lady she has taken care of for years gets madder each time politics and scandals cross her mind.
Kayla: 'She's been quite in a grumpy mood lately, and I doubt mentioning Sir Rui would ease her.'
Kayla: "Oh, I forgot to mention to you something my lady.."
Yen: "Hm?"
Kayla: "There are quite a lot of letters that were sent for you this morning. Do you want me to go fetch it?"
Yen: "..Just leave it in my room. I'll read it later."
With that, Kayla left Yen alone as she watched nature from afar.
Duchess of Ceresé: "I didn't know you'd be here."
Yen looked at the door as Aquie entered and sat on the empty chair beside her.
Yen: "You aren't busy at all?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "I've become more of an expert in finishing work quickly."
Yen: 'She is quite the woman after all.'
Aquie had a high level of magic, almost nearing the expert level. Not only that, she has also been known as the smartest in the empire, never even having a mistake in any work she has been given all these years.
She became the duchess as soon as she was 18 as their parents had moved in Ceresé Villa, where all members who have retired resided in till the end of their lives.
Duchess of Ceresé: "I heard a lot of letters have been sent to you."
Yen: "Yes. I've asked Kayla to bring them all into my room."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Then shall we take a read? I could help you know their true intentions."
Yen: 'Now that's what they call a smartie..'
They made their way to Yen's room, where a bunch of letters were placed on her table beside the couches. Aquie was shocked with the amount, as there were about 30 letters sitting as a pile. She just took a seat on the couch as Yen sat opposite of her, taking one letter to read.
Yen: "Dear Lady Yen Ceresé, I have been a witness to yesterday's events. I hope you are able to recover very soon. I came to also ask if you would like to spend time in my garden? I will try my best to get your mind off this. Sincerely Yours, Jacob Marquez"
Yen: "What does this mean?"
Yen looked up to see Aquie, with an annoyed smile on her face. It sent shivers down her spine.
Duchess of Ceresé: "He intends to date you even though you just broke up."
Yen: "W-what?! Surely not..!"
Duchess of Ceresé: "Bringing you to his garden, which is rumored to be what he loves so much? Surely."
Yen: "I just broke up with Rui though."
Duchess of Ceresé: "The Ceresés are heavily targeted because of their beauty. It's normal yet scary."
Yen just decided to write a reply, saying she couldn't go and moved to the next one.
Yen: "Dear Lady Ceresé, I feel terrible imagining upon what you have felt seeing as my brother dare to do such heinous things behind your back. The Devoz family have disowned him for his actions and we have sent a gift, which would arrive by the next day. I hope this brings a smile to your face. Sincere Gratitude, Raphael Devoz."
Duchess of Ceresé: "He's sincere with his words and surely disowning him is the right thing to do."
Yen: "I agree.."
Yen: "Dear Lady Yen, I'm truly sorry for all you've been through together with Rui. Even the though of his name must've made your blood boil. I am a tutor to these humble children and I hope you'll be able to accompany us in our trip. I am certain it would help to ease you. William Winson"
Duchess of Ceresé: "He's also asking you out."
Yen: "But this is just the third letter!" Duchess of Ceresé: "And I'm sure it wouldnt be the last. But I could see how he was trying his best to be humble. Yet using children as an excuse to get closer to you is just heinous!"
Yen: "Do you know him?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "He's being interrogated for being accused for murder of one of his students."
Yen: "..Heinous indeed..."
__________________
By the time they were able to finish reading all of it, Aquie had to go back to work.
Duchess of Ceresé: "The papers wont sign themselves!"
Is what she said as she left a bar of chocolate on the table before leaving, insisting she eats some sweets to boost her energy.
Yen: 'How generous..'
Kayla: "My Lady, may I come in?"
Kayla was waiting outside for her instructions.
Yen: "You may come in."
Kayla looked a bit shy, as if she had done or seen something embarrassing enough to say it.
Yen: "What is it?"
Kayla: "Sir Haru requests your presence."
Yen: "..Alright."
Yen: 'It's not like I have anything else to do.'
Yen made her way to the guest room, where she was told Haru was staying in. As she entered, Haru has just been reading a book he got on the shelf. He didn't seem to notice her presence.
Yen: "A royal guard yet you have no idea I'm even standing in front of you."
Haru jumped on his seat, seeing Yen's disappointed face.
Haru: "Haha.. sorry."
Yen: "Anyways, what brings you here?"
Haru: "I've come to take your mind off of.. you know who."
Yen: "You could've sent a letter."
Haru: "You could have denied it."
Yen: "..."
Yen sighs as she sat down on the chair opposite to his.
Yen: "What do you intend to do?"
Haru: "Have you heard of an amusement park?"
Yen: "That new successful invention that caused an uproar among both nobles and commoners? Of course! Only Marione wouldn't know about it."
Haru: "To ease you, I would like to hang out with you there.. as friends."
Yen: 'Why'd he have to add 'as friends'? Taking me out as noble and guard was something he never did before.'
Yen: "I've never been there before so.. I trust you know what we're supposed to do."
Haru: "Yes of course. I'll pick you up after dinner."
Yen: "Yes, yes. Go do your knightly duties or you'll get scolded."
Haru left the room, leaving Yen to ponder in thought.
Yen: 'Why'd I agree to go..'
____________________
At the dinner table, all three sisters were chatting away about politics and magic, talking about the different scandals and crimes. The mention of it ached Yen's head, but she knew it might've been of help to Aquie if this was mentioned.
She remembered she didn't ask Aquie for permission for her hangout with Haru. It was best to ask now.
Yen: "I'd like to go somewhere after dinner."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Where exactly? Please specify."
Yen: "Haru invited me to the amusement park and I accepted it. I just forgot to ask you about it."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Of course. I trust Haru and Sei more than any other person. You're free to go."
Yen: "Thank you."
Yen: 'Well, that seemed too easy than asking to hang out with Rui.. what kind of grudge does she have upon him that she hates him to quite an extent.'
Yen: "Right, I also have a question."
Duchess of Ceresé: "..?"
Yen: "Why do you have some sort of grudge to Rui? Even before we had dated or before he was exposed, you always gave him quite the glare that scared him off, he had to hide behind me."
Yen: 'It was embarrassing to have your own boyfriend hide behind you like you were a shield. Just what did he do back then?'
Duchess of Ceresé: "I had my suspicions before then to his actual self."
Yen: "What..?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "One. He's flirty. It's alright but that can cause trouble as he could flirt with others."
Yen: "I-"
Duchess of Ceresé: "Two. He has no time for you. Love has no boundaries and not having that much time just to hang out once every one or two weeks is such a headache, a suspicious action, and a major red flag."
Marione: "Oh my.."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Third. He's a coward. How could he always vow to protect you when he asks others to do things for him and hide behind you once there is someone or something he fears. For example, he hides behind you whenever I give him a glance to show him how I don't approve of the relationship."
Yen: "Oh.."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Learn how to avoid getting blinded by his lies and excuses to just end things faster and easier. I was getting a headache watching you both get all lovey-dovey despite the things he's done."
Marione: "I agree."
Yen: 'Now they're both just calling my past self out.'
Yen finished faster as she just listened to the two converse about much more difficult matters.
Yen: "I'll excuse myself before Haru arrives."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Sure. Just stay by his side at all times."
Yen: "Of course."
Yen took some time to think of any clothes to wear, but she remembered the comfortable dresses Marione gave her after she confessed how comfortable the one she wore in the afternoon of her birthday was.
'Marione: "It cannot be helped."'
Is what she said before giving those to her.
Yen: 'I'll just wear one of those appropriate for an amusement park."
She chose to wear a comfortable light green dress that looked a bit similar to the one she wore before, but it had much more design that made it look much more beautiful. She also decided to wear that same flower crown. Marione had guaranteed that it wouldn't easily fall off her head as she used magic for it, and also added some white ribbons to it as a design.
Yen: "It's also a bit breezy outside.."
She decided to bring a white fur coat with her that reached until her waist. It didn't match with the flower crown but she didn't care at this point. She didn't want to go without the flower crown.
She waited inside, near the door of the mansion as she waited for any announcements.
Butler: "Sir Haru has come to pick you up, my lady."
Yen just hummed in reply as she headed outside and into the carriage.
Haru was there as she sat opposite of him.
He was wearing a white polo shirt with black pants. It was plain enough for others to mistake him those of common folk. The only problem was his sheathed sword, which could cause a problem and scare those present nearby.
Yen: "Your sword.."
Haru: "You never know when danger will arise."
Yen: "Just at least let me hide it with magic. It might scare the others there.."
Haru stayed silent for a moment.
Haru: "..Okay. But how will I get it to appear again?"
Yen: "Think of your sword?"
Haru: "..."
Yen: "..."
They chatted for a bit but the rest of the ride became silent after.
They arrived in about 30 minutes as Yen stepped out the carriage, enjoying her surroundings. It was bright and the smiles of the people inside were as clear as the atmosphere placed inside.
Yen: "I never knew it looked this beautiful.."
Haru: "Let's head inside."
Haru took Yen's hand and they each tried the different stalls first. There was so much to explore that Yen didn't know where else to go next. Thanks to Haru, who was there beside her, he was able to choose some rides for them. She saw a big ride that spun slowly yet those who rode in it were so happy. She wanted too try it too.
Haru: "It's getting late. Let's try one last ride."
Yen: "Uhm.."
Haru: "..?"
Yen: "Could we try that spinning ride..?"
Haru looked to where her hand directed. It was the Ferris Wheel.
Haru: "The Ferris Wheel?"
Yen nodded in embarrassment, hoping he wouldn't think she was boring to be able to choose such rides, even though she knew he would never say such a thing to her. He was the nicest guy she knew.
Haru: "Alright."
They went in line and it took a few minutes, but it was their turn to hop in.
Yen: "I'm a bit nervous.. heights are something I fear.."
Haru: "It's alright. I'll save you if something happens."
Yen: "That makes me more concerned.."
Haru: "Then let's lighten up the mood."
Yen: "..?"
Haru: "Why do you think I brought you to the amusement park?"
Yen: "To get my mind off of Rui? Or is it because we haven't hung out in a while and you took the opportunity to ask me?"
Haru took her hand and kissed it, smiling at her sweetly. Yen seemed to melt at his honey sounding voice.
Haru: "It's because you amuse me."
Yen: 'He used the word amuse from amusement park..!'
Yen couldn't help but laugh at the joke. It was something Haru never always did, but he always did so whenever she was sad or in a negative mood.
Haru: "Are your worries lifted?"
Yen: "Haha! After what you said? Of course."
Her smile flustered Haru.
Haru: 'She hasn't smiled like that in a while.'
It made him smile at the achievement he had just recieved.
Haru: "Making Yen smile.. I'm happy at such an achievement."
Yen: "Huh..?"
Yen: "But I smile all the time..!"
Haru: "But you were in such a grumpy mood all the time these days.. It worries me."
Yen: 'Right..'
Yen: "Sorry.. I'll try to brighten up a bit."
They ended up back down, where Haru took her back into the carriage.
They conversed the whole ride, as Haru talked about Sei.
Haru: "I asked Sei if he could come but he told me that he had a knight exam today. They want him to become the Captain of the Royal Knights."
Yen: "That's amazing! But he won't be able to spend that much time with us anymore.."
Haru: "It isn't his fault but maybe someday, we'll be able to hangout as a trio again."
Yen: "Yes, of course."
The carriage arrived in the Ceresé mansion as Yen waved Haru goodbye.
She made her way back into her room, changing into her night clothes after taking a bath. She dried her hair with magic and then laid down to sleep.
'Haru: "It's because you amuse me."'
She turned red at the memory.
Yen: 'Why am I thinking of that?'
'Haru: "Making Yen smile.. I'm happy at such an achievement."'
Yen: 'Oh no.. tonight's memories are pouring in my head, it's not helping me sleep..'
She could tell that it would take a while before she could be able to sleep.