Marquis Edgar Marveille, when I saw the glint in his blue sliced eyes, I knew he had been waiting for me for a long time. Not the bookish nobleman who loved sweet romance as I thought, he was the romance himself. The worried look on her face did not mask the charm of her beautiful face with its charming nose. Her shoulder-length golden hair shimmered in the light of the dim lamp shining nearby.
And when I saw the rings on our ring fingers that were clashing because of our clasped hands, I still couldn't believe that he was the man who had proposed to me just a few months ago. I'd almost forgotten that he comes to every town meeting.
My reflexes pulled me back. "I-I'm sorry, sir. I was just…."
Shortly after I raised my gaze slightly, I could see a beautiful smile line engraved on his dazzling face. And a moment later, he gave a small chuckle. God, that smile and laughter were so warming. No wonder so many women out there admired him as the perfect gentleman, despite the fact that he was a wealthy aristocrat with important influence in government circles—and in Ravela, too.
Edgar Marveille smiled again. "You seem to be a very inquisitive woman, my dear lady." He walked away from the meeting room door, and gestured for me to follow him. "But I'm saddened that you're not more interested in finding out who wants to see you."
I walked over to Edgar Marveille who was now standing by the window, not far from the meeting room. "I'm sorry. Ah... besides, it seems they mentioned something about your family. What exactly happened?"
Edgar Marveille raised his eyebrows. "Oh, so you're not interested in this fiancé of yours, and are more concerned with the problems going on in Ravela like your father who is crazy about this small town?"
I paused. It wasn't right, but it wasn't wrong either.
Edgar Marveille was staring out the window. His eyes carried him through visions of the future far beyond. "I admire you so much because you are a kind, gentle and caring woman. That's why I want to marry you so much. But, for this matter, I hope you don't worry too much. Wouldn't it be better for you to think about your future?"
"I can't think about my own life if the place where I live is filled with terror and fear," I said.
Edgar Marveille looked away from there, then walked over to me who was only about three steps away from where he was standing. He looked at me intently, then took my hand and landed a sweet peck on the back of my hand—really, this time he made me unable to look away from his charm. "I can't promise more, but I'll try my best, including in resolving this matter. Maybe I'm not doing it for your sake, because I myself also love this small town. But, I hope my efforts can make you happy. Make us happy. Therefore, you don't have to worry."
I sometimes don't understand the mind of a man. When they can get what they deserve, they want something that others sometimes think they shouldn't have, especially for a man as perfect as Marquis Edgar Marveille. Ever since our first meeting he had been persistent in approaching me, who was even lower in nobility than he was. I liked him too, especially with his kind and gentle personality. It was just that I felt he deserved better. If it hadn't been for Father, I would have tried to love and accept myself first before accepting his proposal—and his love.
But the truth is that a jewel can't choose who will become its owner.
"Thank you for your kindness, sir."
"Ah, about that talk inside," said Edgar Marveille, "I'm sure you heard something about that horrible creature."
I nodded eagerly. Now I really couldn't escape the snare of her eyes and charm that held so much mystery.
Edgar Marveille smiled slightly. Perhaps he was pleased that I was finally interested in him—though he wasn't. But he quickly wiped the smile off his lips as he finally spoke the first word of the series of tales he was about to tell. "My paternal great-grandfather used to be one of the administrators of the royal library. He had written many journals related to the development of Ravela as one of the town that brought much profit to the kingdom in the agricultural sector. In addition, outside of his work, he had an adventurous spirit so he often explored and did a lot of research on what was around Ravela. When he was exploring the forest in the southwest, he found something interesting."
Every sentence that Edgar Marveille spoke hit my chest and made it beat faster and faster. The curiosity that bound me made it even more difficult for me to look away from the man who was often adored by many women. The longer I was transfixed, the warmer I felt the air he exhaled. And seeing my thinly made-up face glistening in the lamplight, Edgar Marveille took a breath and continued his story.
"My great-grandfather discovered a new world filled with magic. Trees with crystal trunks and leaves, flower dust that could make them levitate, little sheep that flew around like insects, and many other magical things." Edgar Marveille's beaming face turned serious. "On top of that, he also discovered a terrible creature."
"Horrible... creature?" I was getting curious.
"Yes," Edgar Marveille replied. "Have you heard the story of the great fire of Ravela about a hundred years ago?"
"The great fire of Ravela? I think I have."
"According to my great-grandfather's records, the tragedy was caused by that creature. To this day we still don't know what that creature was. My great-grandfather called it A Black Creature. It went on a rampage and devastated Ravela. There were many casualties, and because of its rampage, Ravela burned down."
The flames in the oil lamp that illuminated the room danced to a rhythmic beat, as if responding to Edgar Marveille's story, which was like a bedtime story for naughty children who often disturbed livestock and trespassed in the forest. The shadows of the two of us grew and shrank with the shocks of the flames in the lamp, adding to the dramatic impression between us that began to be swallowed by the silence.
The stale air slowly drowned me in a sea of sweat, but the cold wind that blew from nowhere froze me at the same time.
A man came out of the meeting room. He stared at both of us with a sharp gaze. Raymond, with his slightly stomping steps, walked towards us with a sour face.
"Can't find the toilet of our house, Marquis Marveille?" Raymond quipped coldly.
"It seems your sister hasn't been able to find what he's looking for. I just can't help seeing the worried look on her pretty face. It's purely my fault," said Edgar Marveille with a broad smile.
For a few moments Raymond looked at me, then he turned his attention back to Edgar Marveille. He signaled Edgar Marveille to enter the room immediately.
"We'll talk later," Edgar Marveille whispered to me, then he left and disappeared behind the meeting room door.
Raymond was still standing next to me. I could see him letting out a long sigh as he scratched his head without itching. "He's been looking for you since this afternoon. If Father hadn't started the meeting soon, I think he would have followed you to the room."
"At least tonight he met me, and didn't come to my room," I replied.
"I think he said something to you. But whatever it was, I can guess he didn't want you to worry. Including the planned sword duel."
"Well, I'm actually worried that he'll lose," I taunted.
"Edgar Marveille is a great man. He won't be easy to beat. But, take it easy. I'll make sure he doesn't get hurt," Raymond said with a teasing smile. We both chuckled a little.
Loud stomping steps came from the direction of the stairs. Its chaotic and hurried rhythm captured the attention of those of us who were about to part ways. A man in shabby clothes ran towards us with his face strained and his body covered in sweat. His eyes were bulging, as if they were about to fall out of their lids.
"What's wrong?" asked Raymond trying to remain calm with his face also getting tense.
"Where is Earl Favre?" The man's breathing was labored.
"Father is inside. What's wrong?" asked Raymond
The man staggered and deliberately slammed into Raymond's burly body quite hard. Although Raymond probably did not feel the effect, it was enough to make him almost grab the man's neck and slam him down, if he did not immediately control his hand reflexes.
"I... have to tell... something." The man let go of Raymond, then walked towards the meeting room door. With what energy he had left, he kicked the door violently. His sudden arrival made the attention of everyone in the room turn to him and his shabby body.
Father, who stood at the center of attention, frowned. If he had seen me standing in front of the meeting room, he probably would have walked up to me and dragged me into the room. However, the frightened-looking shabby man caught Father's attention more.
"What's wrong?" asked Father with a scowl on his face.
The man walked across the room, then fell down in front of Father who was still looking at him unhappily. "My lord... it's serious! That... creature... attacked the village... in the West!"