Alexander's hands gently but firmly grasped Maeve's shoulders, pushing her away. "Maeve, no," Alexander said, his voice firm but respectful. Maeve's eyes widened, her face falling.
Alexanders' concern deepened as Maeve's silence stretched, her porcelain skin paled clammy in the dimly lit garden. Her emerald eyes, once sparkling with mischief, now seemed star-struck. A hint of anguish buried in its depth.
"Whatever you had in mind can't happen, and I would prefer this stay between us." He said as he retreated from her.
Maeve's gaze remained fixed on the floor's intricate marble pattern. Her dampened auburn hair stuck to her face, and her head bent in defeat.
"Please, I would like to be escorted to my room, from there we can depart ways," Maeve whispered, her voice barely audible.
Alexander hesitated, sensing something off, but his chivalrous instincts prevailed. He guided Maeve through the labyrinthine corridors, the silence heavy between them. They reached her room, the doors adorned with intricate carvings. "I'll leave you here," Alexander said. Maeve nodded
As he turned to leave, she grasped his dampened shirt, "I need help undoing the dress," she pleaded with doleful eyes.
"Maeve...I can't possibly do that for you. I will inform a servant to come help you instead." he suggested.
"Alexander don't be silly. I'll catch a cold if it's not removed immediately," Maeve warned. "Besides, If anyone saw my state after you had told them. Imagine the rumours that may spread among them. We wouldn't want something like that so it's better you help me instead."
With a deep breath, Alexander stepped into Maeve's room enveloped by the warm glow lights. Soft shadows danced across the walls as he stepped inside. The air was alive with the scent of sweet lavender and vanilla, the heady fragrance of "Midnight blune" perfume, intertwined with the subtle tang of old books from shelves lining one wall, and the faint hint of smoky wood from the fireplace wafted through the air.
Maeve went to stand before her ornate mirror. Her auburn hair cascaded down her back, the lights made her porcelain skin glow. Alexander's gaze lingered.
"Undo the laces, I can't reach," Maeve explained. Alexander's heart raced as he approached her. His broad shoulders sagged.
"Maeve, perhaps-" he stammered.
"Now, Alexander," Maeve commanded. With unsteady hands, Alexander reached out to her, a small pause on his end. He undid the intricate laces. Maeve shuddered when his finger grazed her back.
"I'm really sorry if I have kept you so long," she said as she turned instantly to his surprise, her dress got caught under his foot and Maeve stumbled. Her slender frame tilted. Alexander grasped her waist. His strong hands closed around her. Together they tumbled onto the plush, velvet bed. It's softness enveloped them.
Just then the door swung open. Cecilia stood frozen, her amber eyes blazed. "Maeve!" Cecilia gasped, her voice dripped with venom.
Cecilia's gaze locked onto the tangled figures on the bed, her eyes widening in horror. Her porcelain face contorted in rage, cheeks flushing crimson. "Maeve, You deceitful, manipulative-"
Maeve lounged against the plush pillows, her white gown rumpled. A sly smile spread across her face. "Ah, Cecilia, sister. You misunderstand-"
Alexander sprang up, his tall frame towering over the bed. "Cecilia, listen-" Cecilia's voice rose, echoing off the ornate mirror. "You're engaged to me! How could you?" Maeve's smile grew. "I think there's been a terrible mistake," Maeve said. Her voice dripped with innocence. Alexander's hazel eyes narrowed. "Maeve, what are you doing?" Maeve's laugh echoed.
"You both are disgusting and to just think we almost got engaged" Cecilia's face contorted in anguish, her amber eyes blazing with tears that threatened to spill. She spun on her heel, her purple gown swirling around her like a whirlwind. The rustle of silk echoed through the hallway. Alexander reached out, his hands almost grasping her. "Cecilia, wait-" His deep voice resonated. Cecilia stormed out, her heels stomping on the marble floor. The sound reverberated.
Alexander followed, but not before he gave Maeve a very brief but hard stare. His longs strides devouring the distance in his chase after her. "Please, Cecilia-" his pleas echoed. She burst into the grand hall, its opulent chandeliers casting a kaleidoscope of colours. The scent of freshly picked flowers wafted.
Cecilia had made a dramatic entrance into the ballroom with Alexander at her heels. The guests turned, their faces etched with curiosity and some concern. What was going on between them? Victoria noticed the sudden shift in mood and caught a glimpse of Cecilia in what seemed to be a turmoiled frenzy. Cecilia slammed the doors leading to the library room, locking her supposed fiancé out where he could only beg from behind the doors. Conversation ceased, an uncomfortable silence settling.
The wooden panel shook, rattling the door handle. The sound resonated across the room, leaving everyone alarmed. "Cecilia, come out and let's talk," his fist thudded against the door. The wood creaked.
Cecilia had locked herself in, surrounded by dusty tomes. Leather-bound books shielded her from prying eyes. The musty scent enveloped her. Tears streamed down her face and her hair tumbled down in a tangled mess. Alexander's knocks echoed insistently. They went unanswered. Maeve watched from the shadows. A sly smile spread across her triumphant face. Her emerald eyes sparkled.
Victoria glided beside Henry, her gown whispering softly against the marble floor. "Damage control, now," Victoria murmured, his voice low and urgent. Henry nodded as he turned to the guests. "Guests. let's adjourn to the garden," he announced, his deep voice resonating within the room.
"The scent of freshly cut grass and blooming roses awaits." The string quartet began a lively tune, violins soaring. Guests hesitantly followed Victoria, their footsteps echoing. Henry approached Alexander, his leather shoes creaking.
"Son, what happened?" Henry asked, his deep voice low. Alexander's face twisted, his eyes welling. "It was a big misunderstanding, Maeve...She and I-" Henry's stern expression silenced him.
"Maybe not here and now," Henry warned. Alexander nodded, his shoulders sagging. Henry turned to Maeve, whom he had spotted hidden within the shadows.
"Maeve, a word," He commanded.
Her perfume a delicate floral scent, wafted. Henry's eyes narrowed. "There will be consequences if I find out, you planned this" he muttered.
Maeve and her father arrived at his office, Maeve being the last one to walk in, "Enter and shut the door behind you," he commanded and she obeyed. "Explain."
Maeve's voice mellowed softly, her eyes dropping sadly. "It was really nothing, Cecilia is misunderstanding the whole thing"
Her eyes widened, innocence personified as she faced her stern father. " Father, it was a simple accident," she pleaded, her voice laced with sweetness. "Alexander and I were walking by the inner pool, and we both slipped. Him being a gentleman and escorted me back to my room. That's all."
Henry's piercing gaze bore into Maeve's, his expression unyielding. "And Cecilia's tantrum?" he asked.
Maeve's smile faltered for an instant before she recovered. "Cecilia was being extravagantly dramatic, father. She overreacts to everything."
Henry's eyes narrowed. "Maeve, I want the truth." Maeve's voice trembled slightly. "I'm telling the truth, father, I swear" Henry's silence was oppressive.
Henry's face darkened, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. "Maeve, don't lie to me," he growled. Maeve's smile dissolved, her lips trembling. Henry had approached her slow and menacingly each step warning her to spill the truth. He grasped her arm tightly, his finger wrapped around her like a vice.
"Maeve, look at me," he commanded, his voice dripping with authority. Maeve's gaze met Henry's, a spark of defiance flickering like a candle flame before being snuffed out by the weight of his stare. Henry's grip tightened, his fingers digging into her skin. "Maeve, tell me the truth, NOW!" he demanded.
Maeve's eyes flashed, fear and resentment warring within their depths. Henry's face was inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin.
"I know you had something to do with why she threw that tantrum," He warned. "Maeve, don't test me." The air vibrated with tension. Maeve's lips trembled. "I understand" He released Maeve's arm abruptly. She stumbled backwards. Henry turned and walked away. Leaving Maeve shaken and seething.