For some reason Florah kept on feeling uneasy looking at the man seated across her. She made a mental note to rush out of the carriage the moment it stopped.
Florah didn't know how much time was left before they reached Dradfold as she was starting to dread every second of the carriage ride.
Gavriel enjoyed observing the girl across him getting jittery, he presumed she will try to run away as soon as the carriage stopped. But he knew she will be running to him unknowingly. Such thoughts made his lips curve into a devious smile.
Back in the castle, two dukes sat across each other, one glaring and the other unbothered while sipping his wine.
The soon to be Marquess Jeremiah Dalton sat leisurely in the parlor room looking at the old dumb Duke who was dancing to the tunes of the Duke,Lester Tarvald.
"My Lord, what are you trying to imply?" Duke Elvis Davidson asked through gritted teeth.
"I didn't imply anything My Lord, you must have misinterpreted me" Lester replied with a small smile on his lips.
"No, I don't think I misinterpreted. It seemed that you were implying that 'The south harbours witches'."
"No, l said the witches seem to love the south. That interpretation of yours must be biased,sire". Lester said while sipping his wine.
Duke Elvis glared at the boy infront of him who had changed his words. He was about to argue back when the parlor door opened.
The head butler walked in saying "My Lords and Lady" he addressed them politely.
"The king is currently occupied with some important matters and will not be able to have lunch with you. But he will be sure to host all of you, his esteemed guests, for a sumptuous dinner". Matthew bowed his head and exited.
Those words picked Lester's interest and he stood up with his wine in tow to follow the butler.
Jeremiah also stood up and bowed at the Duke with whom he had the least interest to talk too.
Jeremiah walked around the halls of the castle searching among the maids for a 5'10 redhead who he knew would stand out like a sore thumb.
But so far he hadn't spotted his friend who was his main reason for attending this ball.
His plan was to take her away the moment he saw her, using whatever means he could employ.
He was worried about Lorah as he knew with her personality, she would have most likely drawn attention to herself.
"Such an idiot, l warned her about being around purebloods or any other creatures in general. But here she decided to pick the place with the most conniving creatures of all, such an idiot" Jeremiah rumbled on in frustration.
The more he searched and couldn't find her, the more worried he became for her safety.
Jeremiah knew that he couldn't search for
Florah on the whole castle ground without raising any suspicions. Looking around, his eyes landed on a young human maid who was replacing the old flowers in the vases with fresh ones.
Walking towards her in soundless steps, he said "Excuse me". The maid turned around startled as she didn't hear anyone walking behind her.
The moment she turned around, Jeremiah looked directly into her eyes, compelling her, he asked "Where is the maid, Florah Crest?"
"I don't know her" The maid answered truthfully.
Jeremiah thought of a different approach to ask her, sure that she had heard something.
Because his experience with maids proved that they were excellent at gossiping.
"Where is the tall new maid with long red hair" Jeremiah asked differently.
"She left with his Majesty, this morning" the maid answered again.
"Damn you, Florah". Jeremiah cursed under his breath. What he feared most had already happened, now his plan would be very hard to execute.
"Forget we ever met and go back to work" he told the maid who obliged and went back to arranging the flowers in the vases.
"Two fucking days, and you already managed to capture the King's attention, wow Lorah" Jeremiah didn't know whether to applaud his friend or lock her away in her little house.
"Such a trouble magnet" He complained.
In one of the hallways on the second floor, the head butler of the castle dashed from end to end quickly.
He looked like he was evading someone.
"Matthew, Matthew" Lester sang behind the already annoyed butler.
Matthew stopped, turning around he responded grimly "How can l be of use to you, My Lord".
"Where did Gavriel go?" Lester asked.
"I do not know of the King's travels, my Lord". Matthew answered vaguely
"Tck tck" the Duke clicked his tongue in annoyance looking at the tight-lipped butler who he knew wouldn't give him the answer to his question.
Right when Lester was about to intrude more, Lady Roselinda and her daughter Stacey walked out of the well decorated ball room.
Walking with poise and elegance, lifting the front part of there dresses to walk easily.
Stacey spotted the Duke of the North, Lester Tarvald talking to the butler on the other end of the hallway.
"Mother you can carry on alone for a moment, I would be right back". Stacey said eying the Duke.
"What do you intend to.." Roselinda's voice trailed off when she followed her daughter's line of sight.
Smiling sweetly at her daughter, she said "well hurry along, my love". She loved this daughter of hers, just as ambitious as she was unlike her other daughter who preferred to keep to herself and hide away.
"Such a nuisance, Where is she now, hadn't even bothered to greet her own mother, good morning".
Roselinda complained and went to ask a servant about her daughter's whereabouts.