'' Don't I look different in this dress, Milia?'' Looking at my reflection I had a hard time believing it was me. Milia chuckled and patted my shoulder, '' This is you, Young Miss. Let's go First Aster is waiting for you.'' Taking a deep breath I smiled and nodded. Milia was one of those few people who showed me kindness after I came to Casvoner. A woman who gave me warmth but I couldn't appreciate that for a long cause she caught a fatal disease and died. But this time, I will surely protect her.
'' Milia, Thank You For Always Looking After Me,'' Saying that I left the room to meet the man who appeared out of nowhere as my partner.
THIRD PERSON POV
'' Milia, Thank You For Always Looking After Me,'' When Valentiara said those Milia couldn't believe it at first. The bright smile on her face was something that she always wanted to see but never saw. A tear rolled down her face as she smiled while looking at Valentiara's fading back. In her heart, she prayed to god with her utmost sincerity.
'' Make my Young Lady the happiest person in this world.'' God knows if it was Valentiara's fate or Milia's sincere prayer but in Valentiara's fate line of happiness started to be drawn one by one.
END OF THIRD-PERSON POV
IZAAK'S POV
My discussion with Grand Duke resulted in a better way than I planned. By his reaction, it was obvious that he won't support either of those two princes and my not asking for his support made me feel at ease because he won't be dragged into the power struggle. That's enough assurance for me for now. I was still sitting in the living room with those three talking about different stuff and a maid came to inform Grand Duke that Valentiara was ready. He ordered her to bring her there and the maid left.
'' Hey Prince!'' Valmud leaned closer to me and continued, '' Don't eye on my little sister, or else you will regret it!'' His warning sounded useless to me but I smiled in response. Valentiara looks like a kid. Though her behavior is nothing closer to her age. The speed of my thoughts came to a halt when Valentiara came. And at that exact moment, I knew, I have been greatly blessed by the one sitting over 7 skies.
She was wearing a peach-colored ball gown and the neckline was covered by white roses embroideries, her sleeves were thin. Her hair was combed into a bun which was done by a peony hairpin, the tulip earrings went perfectly with the design of her dress. The first time I saw her wearing make-up it wasn't too much but perfect, her eyes seemed a little bigger and her lips were colored in a light pink shade. My heart was beating at an unusual speed looking at the person in front of me who looked nothing less than an angel. I wonder if she felt the same thing when she saw me today cause whenever both of us met we were in our worst looks. Valentiara stood in front of me. She lifted her dress a little elegantly and bowed a little to greet me,
'' I, Valentiara Von Casvoner greet the First Aster Izaak Gabriall De Amanso.''
Even her voice sounded sweeter. Maybe enough to melt the ice walls around my heart. Is there any person who can match her level of beauty in the Empire? I don't know and I don't want to know. I clenched my fist and took a deep breath. I can't think nonsense now.
'' Valentiara, you will go to the Imperial Palace with His Highness now. We will come later.'' Grand Duke's voice made me snap back to reality. Valentiara looked at him coldly and nodded. I extended my hand like a gentleman and said,
'' May I Have The Honor of Escorting My Lady?'' Her cold face turned warm and she responded to me with a sweet smile. She put her hand on her mind and said, '' I will be in your care, Your Highness.''
Her hands were different than I thought. They had callous just like a knight but they were smaller and much warmer than my hands. For some reason, the feeling of her felt familiar. We did hold hands while making blood oath but it didn't like this. The feeling of yearning and an obsessive instinct rose in my heart. F#ck! I must have lost my mind.
'' We have a lot to talk about, Your Highness.'' I heard her whispering. I looked at her and a thought popped into my mind while looking at her crystal-clear pinkish eyes which looked at me with gazes full of warmth, if I find warmth, will I be able to protect that?
END OF IZAAK'S POV
Sitting in the Imperial Carriage with Izaak reminds me of my past life when I first sat in it with Atticus to attend the ball thrown by the Second Queen in honor of Atticus's graduation.
'' Woah! Imperial Carriages are different than Casvoner's.'' I excitedly told Atticus who chuckled looking at my expression. He held my hand and kissed it lightly, '' If you like it that much I can give it to you.'' I blushed hearing him. I refused, '' It will be better if you just come to pick me up from time to time.'' '' You won't have to ask me for that, baby of mine.'' I pouted and narrowed my eyes, '' Who is baby?'' He pecked my nose while grinning, '' Of Course this pouty girl.'' Both of us laughed while holding hands that time.
Remembering about that sweet time, I couldn't help but smile yet feel sad. '' Why do you look down?'' I snapped back after hearing Izaak's question. I shook my head and looked outside the carriage watching us pass through woods, '' Some bitter-sweet memories.'' His gaze was still on me but he didn't ask me anything further which assured me that I won't break down then because one more question was enough to break the barrier of emotions of mine.
'' An oracle came down two days ago to High Priest,'' My eyes widen when Izaak said that. My pain and memories of Atticus were gone in instances because something that never happened in my past life happened.
'' Oracle?'' I asked him to confirm. He nodded and looked at me seriously, '' And it is the reason why I am given my position back and also why I am your partner.''
I face-palmed myself and closed my eyes. An Oracle out of the blue? And Why now? I tilted my head and said, '' Tell me everything only after that can we decide it's fortunate or unfortunate for us.''