"I appreciate that you took the time for us to meet, Lord Liam. I might have acted very weird and rude, I hope you will forgive me for my actions." Cordelia apologized as Liam escorted her back to her carriage.
He had learned a lot with Cordelia. Somehow, his expectations that this date would result in something horrible, turns out a bit of fun for him. He learned that Cordelia prefers books, music, and poetry. She also likes the idea of equestrian, a sport that involves riding a horse.
He smiled at him, something that came out of him. It wasn't fake and it wasn't a big deal. He liked the various topics that they explored, especially since he was enthralled by how she delivered her thoughts and expressions about some things.
"I had already forgiven you. Please, do ride comfortably. I enjoyed the time you spared." Liam said, bowing his head while Cordelia just smiled at him, her cheeks flustered as she witnessed the smile on his face. It wasn't purely business or forced out, but it came out naturally.
"I too, enjoyed it. Thank you, Lord Liam." She said, looking away as she could feel her cheeks burning in flames. Soon, the carriage started to move as Cordelia bid her goodbye once again, waving her hand towards Liam who did the same until the carriage disappeared in his eyes.
The smile plastered on his lips fell and his persona came back from being cold. As he stared above, the sky was already set into the hues of a setting sun. That means he missed the opportunity to visit Felicia and teach her.
"Fuck." He couldn't help but cuss, sighing as he went to his carriage, waiting for him to board in. He had lost track of time and eventually spent most of his day with Cordelia, his fiancee.
He doesn't want it, he doesn't want the idea of someone other than the woman he had in his heart take the place, the spot in which he wanted to place her there. However, it's complicated.
Felicia is already set to marry the Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, what would he do?
He sighed, boarding the carriage as Benjamin opened the door for him to enter, then locked it as he finally sat and took the pleasure of rest. It must have been quite a long day as he spent more than an hour inside.
"What a long day. So, how was the date?" Benjamin asked, curious about how it went well. He saw the Lady when Liam brought her out of the cafe, she's extremely beautiful, like how nobles achieve looking pure.
"Shut up," Liam commented, leaning on the carriage seat and just staring outside, troubled with thoughts. Meanwhile, Benjamin didn't bother to push the topic further as it would only fuel an argument between the two of them.
The carriage didn't feel like it was a long ride. As a matter of fact, Liam arrived back in their castle while the Sun was still hot. They said that time runs fast when one's thought is occupied, it was true after all.
As he arrived, he stopped in his tracks as he saw the Marquis just meters away from him. The Marquis was staring at him, with such cold eyes one would think that he was no son of his.
"I greet the Marquis." He said coldly, returning the aura that the marquis exudes. His body was under the gaze of the old man, he never lifted his body as he remained bowing in his presence.
"I hope you didn't disappoint me, Liam." The Marquis commented. "That child is worth more than your life. She will become a great Marquess, so pull your shit together and stop running in that woman's direction. Such filthy bastard shouldn't be acquainted with the person who killed her mother." He added, sneering as he looked at Liam with such disgusted expression.
"But I guess birds with the same feathers flock together." He insulted, making Liam's jaw tightened in anger. "Whatever your relationship with that woman, end it. Or else you won't like what I'm about to do to you, once I found out about you still sticking with that brat." He added, turning his back against Liam as he climbed the stairs, leaving his son who was still bowing in his presence.
Liam was fueled with anger and hate towards his father who couldn't even act cordially with him. Why was he blaming him for the death of his brother? What's this grudge that he still currently had in his heart and that he couldn't even forget about it?
What is he so mad about?!
"Young Master..." The old butler cold, pitying Liam who remained unresponsive, enveloped by his own thoughts filled with nothing but fury and resentment over his father.
"I'm fine. Please, bring my dinner to my room. I would like to have my dinner there." He said, as firm and as cold as he could, walking towards the stairs to go to his room.
If only he wasn't born in this family.
—
Later that evening, Rachelle woke up, hungry and tired. She could feel the soreness getting into her every nerve she let out a groan, trying to lift herself to have her dinner.
Good thing that her clothes look actually suitable for the dinner, it must be Olivia who changed her clothes. Every part of her body was screaming in pain as if she was being punished for being a bitch.
How can she even wake herself up with this situation of hers? It'll be hard doing training tomorrow.
She managed to go to the kitchen but with great hustle and endurance on her part. She was walking awkwardly, like an aged woman with weak bones. Everyone was staring at her like she was filthy.
God dang it, her stomach is already shouting in hunger. She wanted to devour every food offered on the table. If not for eyes that scorch her soul, she would really do it without caring for the world.
"Felicia," Alexander called as he stood up from his seat and assisted her, making her seat next to him while Helena was silently looking at them. Jealousy flared in her eyes as she watched the two of them caring for each other.
She could only stare at them. Because if she were to open her mouth, surely Alexander would retort back and insult her further. The character development era for Alexander seems to change him well.
"Where is the Duke?" Felicia asked after looking at the chair in front of them, empty. This is the first time that the Duke's seat is unoccupied by himself.
"He wasn't feeling well and he wished to eat his dinner at his office. We tried offering him the blessing but he declined and said he was fine." Alexander replied to her question while cutting the meat for her.
"Hm, I see," Felicia answered shortly while looking down at her food. Not feeling well? Since when was the Duke feeling down when he was always strong? Is there something about it? It feels suspicious but she couldn't lead it to something.
Whatever the reason was, she just didn't think of it clearly and just finished her meal and went back to her room afterwards. She didn't push herself to think more about the situation because it seemed like she was just invalidating that person's rest or something.
So why think of it? She's putting a malice on him.
"Felicia..." Someone suddenly said, stopping her from pondering about the Duke's sudden empty participation during dinner. It was Noctua on the bed, looking at her with confusion.
"What?" She asked, closing the door behind her. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked, walking towards his direction and sitting on the bed.
"I don't know. You feel so weird right now." Noctua said, flapping his wings as he flew his way towards the vanity mirror. "Are you okay? Why are you crying?" Noctua asked, looking at her.
"I'm crying?" She asked, started touching her cheeks. It does feel wet and sticky, why is she crying? "Why am I crying?" She asked, confused about her feelings right now.
"Felicia, look out!" Noctua screamed as she suddenly fell on the floor, a loud thud echoed as her body dropped. Blood started to pour out of her as an arrow seeped through her back, pushing through her heart.
She gasped, feeling the pain that she felt in her body as she started to let out grunts and groans. The bird then flew in her direction, trying to talk to her yet she could not hear a thing from him.
The only thing that she could hear was the static echoing in her ears as she slowly lost herself in unconsciousness, drifting in death's river stream.
—
"HAAH! HAAAHH!" She suddenly woke up, sitting back on her bed. Large sweats appeared on her face down to her body, drenching her dress with the dream. She was gasping, chasing the oxygen that seemed to escape her.
She looked around, trying to assess what just happened. Why is it that every dream of her includes the scenario where she always dies? Is she destined to die in this life too? God damn it!
"Felicia! You're finally awake! Thank God!"