"I thought you weren't going to sit beside me," Lancelot spoke into the ear of Seraphina.
In return, Seraphina retorted with a scoff, "Why would you think I wouldn't sit here? Were you expecting me to sit on the floor?"
"You're quite brave or should say I charming tonight?" Lancelot continued to whisper, intent on getting a reaction from Seraphina.
"I have always been brave and it usually comes with my charming self. Is it now you noticed?" Seraphina countered back in the same low voice as Lancelot, her lips barely moving for anyone to notice that was there a conversation going on between her and Lancelot.
"I don't know which side of you I like more now. The side quick to react and become easily flustered or this brave side of yours. But, I think I like both all the same."
Seraphina couldn't maintain the brave face she was putting on as her face was quick to turn a small shade of pink. "What do you think you are saying?"
"The truth?" Lancelot answered as if it was the obvious answer.
"We are in the presence of your parents, your family." Seraphina chided and kept a straight face while trying to concentrate on what Lord William was speaking to her father about but the silver-haired man wouldn't let her be.
"I love your reactions to my compliments," Lancelot grinned and leaned to his side of the couch while watching the way Seraphina was trying to hold the blush that wanted to creep up her face.
Seraphina decided not to speak knowing that Lancelot will continue to spout nonsense, but his stares were hard to ignore prompting her to always cast a quick side glance at him.
The voice of Lord William cut through their conversation saying, "Allow me to properly introduce everyone."
"Meet my lovely wife, Lady William Annora, Lancelot my first son, and Richard William my second son." Lord William introduced to Mr. Castiel and his family.
Seraphina subtly frowned. She noticed how Lord William skipped calling his first son by his surname. Or was she thinking too much into it already because of the story of Hansbrouck's family that had taken her interest and curiosity?
Lord William continued, "This is Mr. Castiel, his wife, Lady Lydia, and their daughter Lady Seraphina." He finished the introduction.
"A pleasure to make an acquaintance with all of you," Came the voice of Richard, the youngest son. He stood up, took the hand of Seraphina, and kissed the back of the gloved hand. "Especially with a beaut like her." He added making Seraphina blush.
She replied with a small bow, "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Richard."
Richard gave a small laugh and retreated to his seat. He remarked, "You're welcome, but please drop the formalities. We will become family anyway."
Seems like these people had finalized this so-called marriage. Seraphina thought and inwardly rolled her eyes at them. Which makes her question, who among the sons of Lord William was she going to marry?
"I'll keep that in mind," Seraphina responded to Richard and saw him nod his head, unaware of the glare that was cast on both she and Richard by a silver-haired man seated beside her.
Richard smiled and suddenly proposed, "Why don't I show you around while the elders discuss before the time for dinner reaches?"
Elders? Was he implying his elder brother was old? Funny. Seraphina thought with a smile.
"Ehm..." Seraphina scratched the palm of her hand, unsure of what to do. They were in the middle of the Lord speaking and it would be rude to leave the room.
Richard seemed to have noticed Seraphina's line of thought as he said, "Don't worry about leaving the room or not. I'm sure talks about business and kingdom affairs would bore you."
Lord William laughed. "My son is always outspoken when it comes to his thoughts."
"As expected of a Williams," Interjected Lady Annora, her chin up in pride.
Seraphina looked between Lord William and Lady Annora, and at the same time, she heard a light scoff coming from Lancelot that prompted her to take a glance at him.
Interesting. Seraphina thought, already getting a sniff of how the family went. A dotted son and proud parents. What about Lancelot? Where did he fall in? Arrogant.
"Since it's settled, allow me to tour you around the house, My Lady." Richard not giving up reached out his hand for Seraphina to take.
"Okay," Seraphina nodded and stood up while swiftly and subtly avoiding taking Richard's outstretched hand while pretending to strengthen her dress.
Richard smiled and instead used the same hand to direct Seraphina. "This way, My Lady."
Once they left, Lancelot continued looking at the door through which his brother left with Seraphina. His eyes flashed with a glint and he also stood up.
"As my younger brother stated, I'll leave the elders to speak among themselves." With that, he also left through the same door the duo left. Whatever swirled in his head brought a wicked smile to stretch on his lips hidden by his silver mask.
Lord William's eyes lingered more than a second on the retreating back of Lancelot with complicated thoughts. He shook his head and resumed the conversation initiated by Mr. Castiel.
On one side of the mansion walked Seraphina and Richard as they took small strides while engaged in small conversation.
"—That is quite impressive of you, Mr. Richard," Seraphina said over what Richard told her about passing the court exams meant for adults at the age of nine.
Being one of the court members of the royal castle was already considered a great achievement. Richard passing the exams at such age had been the talk of the kingdom. It earned him not only being a court member but also being one of the advisors of the king, whereby the status of Lord William elevated greatly.
Richard took Seraphina out on one of the balconies in the mansion and Seraphina couldn't help but be awed at the beauty of every part of the mansion she had walked past since the tour started.
The balcony held nothing in particular except a table and a single chair placed at the far end of the balcony. The quietness and emptiness brought with it were soothing as the evening breeze blew cool air on her pale skin.
"This is where I stay and study the most when I was younger. My bro..." Richard paused as if contemplating to complete his words which Seraphina noted too. "My brother and I spend our free time sparing with each other here too." He completed his sentence, his eyes looking downcast for a moment before they brightened once more.
"So, My Lady, it's your turn." Richard chimed with a smile, standing an inch away from Seraphina.
"My turn?" Seraphina questioned back, unsure of what he meant by her turn.
"Yes, your turn to tell about yourself. I've done most of the talking. I'd love to hear from you too." Richard explained while staring at Seraphina.
"Well," Seraphina began but then paused.
Tell about herself. What was she going to say? She didn't have memories to share. It had always been, don't do this it's forbidden, do that. Stay here don't move, now follow us, had been her fate in her house. She was always confined in one place. Not having a carefree breath of her own world. And now, she was being ordered into this marriage against her wish.
"I—" Seraphina started again to be cut off by Richard.
"It's okay if you don't want to share them yet. Sometimes, our memories are the cherished ones we don't wish to share."
Well, she didn't have any memory or even one she could say she cherished. None. It was how bad hers was. No memory, nothing but empty spaces in her head filled with do's and don'ts of the society.
"Do you know how to dance?" Richard suddenly questioned with a warm smile on his face.
Taken aback by the question, Seraphina blinked and a smile crept up her face. "Of course, I do. Every maiden knows how to dance."
"Not every," Richard corrected and Seraphina nodded in acknowledgement. Not every woman was fortunate to learn how to dance.
"May I have this dance then?" Came the question of Richard that got Seraphina's brows raising in question.
"Do not worry, the music is here." He said and pulled a box out of his coat pocket. He flipped it open, and soon, music sweet and gentle as the cool air filled the place. With the place dark with the walls lamps illuminating the place, it added to the thrill and allure of the night.
"Maybe, this could be one of the memories you will come to cherish," Richard spoke calmly and he watched Seraphina.
This could be the one memory in her brain that will not be about rules and instructions. Seraphina thought and took a step with a nod of her head accepting the unharmful dance request from Richard.
Richard raised his right hand waiting for Seraphina to place hers on it.
Just as Seraphina's hand raised itself, Lancelot arrived at the balcony. His shoes clicked sharply on the hard marble floor, in a way indicating the displeased and annoyed look on his face that the duo couldn't see.
"What are you doing, brother?" Lancelot's deep and masculine voice boomed as he stopped two steps away from Seraphina and Richard.