If she had to be frank and honest, Arisanna wasn't quite sure why she paired Theodore with Cecilia, making him her escort. Although she did play it off as a joke, when given actual thought, she couldn't find a better way to form a connection between the two.
"Every interaction would look like flirting…" she would try to reason.
"I said I was against this," he frowned.
"If she comes up to you, it's flirting. If you come up to her, it's flirting. The matter of whether or not you are actually interested in her will not matter to the public."
"Didn't you say you were going to spread a rumor?" Reynold chimed in to ask.
"I already asked the maids to do so once we reach the capital," she nodded.
She then turned her head to the unsatisfied man, "All you would be doing is courting her for the looks. You don't even need to dance with her. Just show you know each other is fine."
It did take a while, but everything goes once Arisanna proposes something. No matter how absurd it may sound, her plans always fall through, producing the trust between the aide and the Grand Duke.
Seeing them from the backside, she had to admit their figures complement each other well—the cape he was wearing was draped as he walked. The dress flowed beautifully with every step she took. One was elegant while the other was regal. One was a polished emerald while the other was an intricately refined snowflake. Both possessing their own charms, the attention was mainly on the pair. It was all according to plan, a bit too well in fact.
'He is really good at acting the part. So much for complaining,' commented Arisanna as the pair of siblings start chatting in the head.
'Top-notch actor. Being exposed to such a society, his skills have really been molded,' Reynold agreed.
As usual, Reynold was escorting Arisanna. The two start to scan the room, observing the people's expressions surrounding them.
Their faces were shocked to say none the least. The noble ladies started to whisper under the protection of their embroidered fans. Their gazes sharpened, unable to understand their relationship.
She could practically hear it come to life, the upcoming rumors.
'I heard they made a deal'. 'Their relationship seems ambiguous'. 'Last I heard, he was not available'. 'I wonder what deal she made'. 'The villainess in the flesh, what trouble will she cause'. 'Perhaps to ruin another household'.
'There goes all his marriage proposals. They disappear just as quickly as they appeared,' Reynold laughed.
'Oh please. When will you get proposed to?'
'What do you mean? I receive more than you would think.'
'No one has caught your eye?'
'Not in a million years.'
'Even our dear princess?'
Their walk was considered short, all four of them approaching the Royal Family.
Not surprisingly, even the members were caught off-guard. Everyone, except the emperor, had a faint look of awe and confusion. Arisanna couldn't blame them. She didn't specifically mention who the person was or how they were going to be introduced. They had no idea of the deal made between them.
However, she knew they would quickly catch on, understanding the situation after a moment's deliberation.
Bridgette especially. Staring at both the pair of siblings looking for a concrete answer.
All four of the bowed in the face of the Royal Family and strongly made their official greetings, loud enough for the people in the entire room to hear.
"Those of the North greet the Royal Family."
"Please rise," the voice sounded.
They all politely rise, their demeanor never wavered for a moment.
"Please excuse our parent's absent," Theodore gave a small bow.
"No matter. You came as representatives. That should be enough," the emperor nodded.
"We have much to speak with, your majesty," Theodore continued.
He gave the woman next to him a look, seemingly confirming her identity.
"It seems like more than a normal conversation," he commented.
"Perhaps after the ball," the empress chimed in.
Everyone silently nodded at her suggestion.
"Then, please, enjoy yourselves. We are family," the emperor gave them a small smile.
"Then, if I may be excused first," Cecilia, or Emberlynn, bowed her head and gave a deep curtsy.
A bit hesitant, "You may be… excused."
She eyed those below and gave a cunning smile as if she found an interesting toy to mess with. She swiftly takes her to leave.
Bridgette was the first to voice her curiosity, "What, how, when, why?"
"It's a long story. Seriously. It's complicated," Arisanna sighed.
"I would have never thought Theodore would actually escort anyone besides Ari to a formal event," Arthur studied the Grand Duke.
"It must have taken quite a bit of convincing," Alexander gave a light laugh at their entrance.
"Leave it to my sister to do the convincing," Reynold chuckled.
"Yes. What a silver tongue you have there," Theodore smiled a smile that wasn't really a smile.
"Have you seen the way you went along with my plan?" she teased.
"To be fair, you didn't even flinch with the number of stares they have given you," Reynold nodded.
"He might have broken the record," Bridgette giggled.
"But, it does come as strange. I would have never thought she was the person," Arthur tilted his head to think.
"Yes. That woman would be the last person in mind," Alexander stared at her moving figure.
"Oh right! That girl was the one who chased brother furiously. She seemed to have disappeared for a bit. So that was where she went?" Bridgette widened her eyes.
"Yeah, apparently she changed a lot through these couple of months she was away. Wonder why?" Reynold commented.
"Bet brother's glad she is gone. Truly, he viewed her as a pest," Arthur laughed.
Alexander didn't reply to his sibling's prying accusations but gave Theodore a meaningful gaze. As if understanding, he nods back.
"Though I do wonder. Will she make trouble?" Arthur asked Arisanna.
"If everything she does is planned out well, then yes."
"Sorry in advance," she looked back at the Royal siblings in a helpless manner.
She can't stop what was about to happen next.