~✧~✧~✧~✧~✧~✧~
Later after the encounter with the crown prince, Astrid got me ready for dinner.
I walked down the stairs wearing an elegant black and purple dress that matched both my hair and eyes and with tiny earrings that shone in a little blue glow under the chandelier.
*Way to make an entrance. Geez, this feels dramatic, other people's drama amuses me but when drama comes to me, I wanna kick, punch, throw and smash it away.*
Alex is waiting in the last step of the stairs and at least fifty steps of stairs away from me. While looking up at me. I walked down till I was in the same level as him and he smoothly offered an arm which I took with a small smile.
"Thank you, brother." I say as we walk to the dining room through an elegant hall.
"We have a guest today." Alex says, in a not so pleased tone.
*Another guest? And Alex delivering that news in that tone? Either it's the male lead, Luke or his best friend, Erick, whom he had a fight with.*
I held back a frustrating sigh as we already had the crown prince as a visitor earlier and are now getting a new one.
*Give me a break. Can't these people dial it down and visit at at least a week apart?*
"May I ask who, brother?" Asking that question took effort to not sound annoyed.
Alex stayed silent for a minute then spoke with a stoic tone, "Erick Blaze."
*Knew it. Maybe I should be a foreteller.*
I shrugged my thought when the doors of the dining room came to sight, two guard standing at each side.
The guard on the right opened the door while greeting us, "Welcome, young lady and young master. The duke and 'The crimson magician' is waiting for you inside."
*The crimson magician would be Erick Blaze. Earned the title from his hair and his blue cat eyes turning blooded red when in rage.*
Alex and I entered the room, arm in arm. My eyes instantly darted to the red headed young man, in a white open collar shirt that revealed his muscular neck and ever so thin that they faintly showcased his abs. And matched it with black pants and a coat over his shoulder.
*He'd make a priceless item to auction in the black market. Geez, so handsome.*
Father is sitting on the center and Erick sat on his right.
Alex didn't bat him an eye and nodded at father while guiding me to my seat next to him. He pulled my chair out for me I sat down with a, "Thank you, brother."
Erick also bother glancing Alex's way, seemingly in a foul mood because of his 'argument' with Alex.
*Just what on earth did this two 3-year old-like men argue about? Geez.*
With six meters length and two meters width, the wide table was filled with food as if it was a banquet. From appetizers to dinner and to desert, beverages that are mostly alcohol.
Alex then sat down at father's left. The four of us completely silent. The tension was palpable when Alex and Erick locked eyes at each other with both stoic faces.
Father cleared his throat then spoke, "Now that you two are here, let us eat first before discussing business."
"Absolutely duke." Erick said in his usual playful tone that never seems to change and started eating after the duke and both Alex and I followed.
*Mm? Business? What busi- Oh, that business.*
~✧~✧~✧~✧~✧~✧~
"I want the flowers in the flower field changed. The new season is coming after all." The duke says.
We just finished the dinner and the servants have already cleared the table except for the flowers as decoration.
This was a big deal for father likes looking at flowers, he got that hobby from the deceased duchess, his wife.
Erick smiled unwaveringly. "It's always an honor for the duke to invite me here for these tasks."
Alex remained silent and completely stoic.
*Geez. They fought all right.*
"What flower would you like, Duke Hendrix?" Erick asks with a snap of his finger, a gold flicker appeared and went across the room then stretched into varieties of flowers that appeared with colors of purple, pink, red, orange, green, blue, yellow and their light and dark shades.
The room was beautifully decorated with flowers floating around the room, the air covered with a floral scent that was way more pleasant than I'd care to admit.
With the moonlight coming from the window, the flowers were illuminated with a gentle and captivating light and it took my breath away. My mouth went slightly agape and my eyes stared in a lovestruck gaze. It was exactly my favorite color combination.
*Whoa... Magic. Pretty as the caster.*
Father remained stoic yet nodded in acknowledgement. But after he saw my reaction... He smiled. Brightly. Alex glanced at me and his stoic expression slowly bent into a relaxed one.
Erick was rather pleased to see that I liked his little trick.
I blinked then instantly schooled my expression after noticing their looks.
*Eh, Wait, did the father just smile brightly?.. Oh boy. That was a wrong move.*
"I want them all in the flower field. Every. Single. One." The duke said with a stern tone and his fingers steepled in front on him.
*Wait... Did Erick knew that father was focusing on my reaction? So he intentionally focused on the color scheme that matched my taste buds? Smart...*
Erick smiled triumphantly, "Of course, your grace. Consider it done." He said confidently.
"Send me the check and Alex will send you the payment." Father stated, not even bothering to ask about the price.
*Rich people, based on how I wrote the book, things like these costs, a whole damn lot. But considering the Duke's fortune, this won't even take away one zero on his assets.*
Father stood up and excused himself saying he has something to take care of and insisted that we, teenagers in the same age should talk more.
~Half an hour later~
*Someone get me away from this heck of a situation! Kidnap me if necessary, tsk.*
I screamed internally as Erick and Alex continued to be quiet the whole time. Staring at my two visually pleasing characters that I wrote was nice enough for me to be able to spend thirty minutes here and I'm freaking done.
I stood up with a pretend yawn. "Bother, I'll be going to my chambers to take a rest. Feel free to stay more, Young Master Blaze."
After earning an 'okay' from Alex and a 'thank you, may you have a good rest, young lady' from Erick, I smiled slightly and head to the door.
*Okay, let's leave those two to talk it out. Knowing when to exit is my forte... I think.*
~As Alexandria left the room~
"Alexander Miraze Dandelion of the Dandelion Duchy, glad to see that you got home safe from last night." Erick smirked, intentionally trying to get a reaction from Alex.
"Thank you for the kind words, Erick Elsher Blaze of the Blaze Duchy." Alex retorted stoically. Not giving Erick the reaction he anticipated.
After a pause, Erick finally sighs. "Come on, Alex, can we stop fighting?" He spat through gritted teeth despite his sky high level pride.
Alex kept giving his cold shoulder treatment.
Erick then balled his fists then stood up straight, giving Alex a glare. "Alex." He said seriously.
After hearing that, Alex turned to look at Erick with a stubborn look and finally replied with a stoic, "what?"
Erick inhaled deeply to calm himself. "Captain, can we stop acting like three year olds and be sensible? And hell, I can't believe it the one saying this."
Erick couldn't help but sigh and rub his forehead in slight frustration and weariness.
It was understandable that Alex was stubborn at this, after all, if it was about his sister, he wouldn't back down. Despite being the one who's normally matured, things about his older sister makes him act his stupid heart out and not his smart head.
Alex ignored Erick then stood up and was about to walk out the door when Erick pulled him by the wrist. "Alexander, don't test me. I'm serious."
Alex stilled then spoke in his stern voice, "Unhand me, knight."
Hearing his captain's command, Erick immediately released Alex's hand. "I apologize, captain." Erick remained quiet for a second then spoke, "I bid my farewell." He said dutifully then teleported back to the Blaze estate, not bothering to exit through the gates that he entered in.