[Celia's POV]
She cursed her past self for ever agreeing to become an apprentice. Her panicked gaze darted to Lucian, who was openly glaring at the Duke.
"She is too good to be an apprentice hence I came here myself to thank her and invite her to the Ball that I will be organizing." Celia's eyes flickered to the Duke's. His lips were tilted upward, curving into a smug smile sort of.
"What did I tell you last evening, Your Highness?" Lucian gritted out with his fists clenched. Celia gulped nervously. She wanted to escape, to let the brothers argue over whatever issues they had between them, but she could not. She was not in that position.
Why was the Duke so keen on inviting her to a ball? She was an employee after all, no one special, so why?
She clasped her hands in front, clutching onto her notebook as she watched the drama unfold.
"You did, but I am the Duke, remember? I just wanted to thank her in person and invite her. Don't get so agitated by that, Doctor Enzo," the Duke said in a mocking tone. Lucian's fake name received more emphasis from the Duke as if he wanted her to know.
She knew though, but would she dare say that? Absolutely not.
"You have thanked now I would like you to leave. We have a busy day ahead," Lucian said in a level voice as he came to stand in front of Celia, effectively obstructing her view of the Duke.
The Duke chuckled. "No need to get so territorial, doctor, I will be out of your hair now. And Miss Heart?" Celia closed her eyes and cursed her past self again. Why did she blurt out her actual surname at that time? She peers at the Duke and finds herself being watched by two pairs of eyes ― one is watching her with amusement, while another gazes at her dismay or is it anger? She couldn't say.
"Heart?" Lucian repeats.
"I…" Celia trailed off. God, she wanted the ground to swallow her whole and take her to her room. But none of that would happen.
"Her surname? Didn't you know?" Gods, the smugness in the Duke's tone was so obvious. Celia peaked a glance and saw that even his expression screamed smugness. Her eyes flickered to Lucian and the blank gaze made her throat dry with fear. What was with him?
"By your look, I think you didn't. Anyway, I will leave now. Good day to you both," the Duke said in the most unkingly manner. Celia felt anger and humiliation course through her veins. Duke or not, she did not like the man at all. Arrogant, Spoilt, and devious were a few characteristics that Celia could name.
As the Duke left, Celia's anxious gaze traced Lucian's movements.
"My lord, I…" she began as soon as they were alone. Lucian whirled around and in the blink of an eye, he was invading her personal space. This close, Celia could see the black flakes in his blue eyes.
"Why?" He asked, and Celia was at a loss. She did not know how to explain. He sounded so…
"Why did you tell him something so…intimate?" He sounded so miserable and Celia couldn't understand why.
She opened her mouth and then closed it.
"Be ready to accompany me to the Ball," he commanded in an icy tone, his eyes averted and jaw ticking.
Celia realized that she did not like being at the receiving end of Lucian's anger. She tried to explain again, but by then he had turned his back and was leaving as well.
Celia sank to the floor, uncaring whether her gown would get soiled.
"What will I do now?" She mumbled to herself, helpless as she stared at a row of herbs.
She stayed like that for some time, mulling over her decisions before standing up and going to look out for Lucian.
She found her employer preparing to leave for another visit to a patient's house.
"My lord," she called, her voice shaky with anxiousness. Lucian stopped, his broad back rigid, and turned back to her.
"I did not tell His Highness my last name purposely," she began when he did not respond to her call.
"It slipped out and I am honestly not sure why." She fidgeted with her notebook as she stood there for a reply.
Her employer merely turned to look over his shoulder and nod. Celia let out a breath as he began to make his way to the door. However, he stopped again and said, "I left some money with Mrs. Gibson. Please buy a dress for today's event."
Celia did not know whether to cry with relief or giggle like a teenage girl who has been finally noticed by the man she has been fancying for some time now.
However, she bowed. "That is so kind of you, my lord. Thank you so much."
She almost ran to Mrs. Gibson and found her doing the laundry outside, in a backyard adjacent to the back garden.
She looked at Celia in dismay, or better to say in annoyance.
"Doctor O'Neil said―" Celia stopped mid-way as the older woman stood up, dried her hands, and took out a few bills from her apron's pocket and thrust them towards her.
"You came for this I assume," she said icily. Celia did not try to explain herself and just nodded instead.
"I will be out for a while, to buy a gown for today's Ball," she informed her as she took the money and when the older woman simply went back to her chore, she too,
Celia went back to her room, put on a cloak, and went out. She had never been given extra money to purchase anything for herself and this made her incredibly happy despite what had transpired before this.
She hummed under her breath as she walked down the alley that led to the market. She wondered if she should visit the dressmaker whom she used to visit when Lady Wilson wanted to order a dress.
But she decided to not go. Celia meandered through the market trying to locate a shop that sold read-to-wear dresses. She was about to enter one when a familiar voice called her.
Gloria.
Celia contemplated whether to turn around, but her friend had already reached her and was standing in front of her.
"Gods, Celia, how have you been?" The girl wrapped her hands around her as she asked.
"I am well, how are you?" Celia replied. She pulled away and stepped back.
"Ah, I am so happy to hear," Gloria said with a genuine smile.
"How has everyone else been?" Celia asked reluctantly.
Gloria frowned. "Lady Wilson said she fired you from the job overnight, and I was so sad. They are well…" She looked hesitant and looked around then leaned closer and said, "The young master of the manor went insane you know?"
Celia stared at her in shock. "What?"
No wonder, she never saw him visit the doctor's house or come after her.
Gloria nodded grimly. "The young master supposedly went insane overnight or something. Doctor O'Neil visited even though Lady Wilson did not want him to, but he couldn't do anything."
Celia asked, "When?"
"Two days after your supposed leaving," her friend replied thoughtfully.
Celia inhaled sharply. "Did he tell how the young master went insane?"
Gloria shrugged. "No. The lord and the lady are tight-lipped. I am not sure why."
But then she whispered, "But I have heard some of the maids speak that the young master was taking some kind of herbal medicine. It was apparently for some headache, but no one knows who prescribed it. Even Doctor O'Neil is speechless."
Celia swallowed thickly. The image of Ambrosia Memoire flashed across her mind. Could it be? No…Why would he?
Despite her refusing to believe the connection, she couldn't shirk it off even as she bid farewell to Gloria. Whatever happened to Austin was too much of a coincidence and somehow related to her and Lucian.