Sici scoffed, "Who are you for me to do such a courtesy?"
"Peasant," she added making him agitated and earning a glare for doing so.
"Dare try to call me that again," he said approaching her.
As she parted her lips to repeat out the exact word that has agitated him, Leisha interrupts her, "Stop! Both of you!"
They both get startled and to start to feel guilty for behaving like this in front their little brother, for dragging him into this.
"Leisha, come here," she calls out.
Leisha does as he is told and Sici pulls him closer for a hug, surprising both of them with this act.
She adds a pat on his back. She doesn't know what else to do.
"Go pick out a book for your dear sister," she says with a warm smile.
Leisha nods and heads towards the second floor as soon as she lets go of him, avoiding Luke.
She lets out a sigh followed by Luke.
She is once again interrupted before getting to let out a word. This time it was a stranger, clapping in amusement, witnessing their chemistry.
The stranger talks first, "Sorry, didn't mean to eavesdrop but.." He shrugs off his shoulder, indicating he had no choice.
"Doesn't seem like you're repenting though," Sici says, her patience is as good as gone to deal with anyone but Leisha.
He covers his mouth, hiding his grin while Luke is bewildered, "This woman!"
Like gestures her to shut up but she refuses to take the hint.
"Well, my mother told me to treat people the way they treat me," he says, stretching his arm out towards her.
She doesn't bother returning the gesture by accepting the handshake.
"What she said is right but doesn't seem like you're doing it right," she starts to walk away, not wanting to waste another second.
"Trust me, bunny. I'm doing it right," he replies politely as he stops her by grabbing her wrist and forcing a handshake.
"Bunny? The fuck what?" She thought.
Luke comes in between them, breaking off their gesture, "That's not a polite thing to do, your grace."
Sici takes cover behind him, "Guess he can be useful."
She rubs her wrist that is now forming a bruise from that not so forceful contact, "Fuck. Still so weak!"
The duke tilts his head, his black hair waves along to his movement smoothly, adding to his charm, "I know."
Sici takes a proper look at him now, making eye contact. He smirks, "But I believe I am due an apology at least."
Luke asks on her behalf, "For what, your grace?"
"I would love to know her thoughts on this first," he replies.
Sici frowns, "I have no clue, your grace."
He smiles as if he was expecting her like this, "But it hasn't even been a whole day since an unfortunate accident. That's what I believe."
Her heart sinks in as the puzzle in her head meets it's missing piece as she hears those words. Instantly, understanding who this so called person was and that no, that awful excuse for lighting didn't hide her features last night. She started regretting not putting on a disguise.
Though then again, how was she supposed to know the same noble would be around a place like this?
The duke felt entertained as he saw her frightened expression, indicating her understanding of the situation.
"It was an accident..." She muttered softly.
"Yeah, I'm sure it was," he mocks her words, disappointed as he was expecting a more amusing reply from her.
Luke whispers to her, "The heck did you do?"
She avoids his gaze.
"Help," she thought.
Surprisingly, Melina answered back, "I did say, don't come to me when you mess up."
"Fuckin when?!" She silently cried inside, "Even you fucking did so. Why am I suffering so soon??"
She gives up mentally, the only thing she excels at.
She comes out from her hiding and bows, "I am sincerely sorry about that unfortunate accident."
She stands straight, holding her head high, "How can I repay you for the inconvenience I have caused?"
"Oh, interesting," the duke thought.
Luke sighed, "No wonder she kept wanting to go back early yesterday."
After much contemplation the duke replied, "We haven't introduced ourselves, have we?"
She lifts the hem of the dress, lowering her upper body a little as she swifts her right foot behind her left, "I am Melina Noirey, the one and only daughter of Kayser Noirey, your grace."
He smiles and returns the same gesture, "Nice to be acquainted with you."
She raises her brow as he doesn't add more and lets curiosity get the best of her, "You sure your mother would like you behaving like this?"
He laughs and Luke just lowers his head as he rubs his forehead.
"My apologies," he says, "I am Koji Sylvess. The heir of the Sylvess household."
She makes a small 'O' with her mouth, "It is a pleasure to meet you, your grace."
She didn't want to stay quiet so ends up saying something that doesn't match the situation. She knows it too but still went on. The situation was also messy so what more can be done to add more fuel to the fire? It's already burning regardless of what is done.
"Yes," he hesitates a little but still voices his thoughts out loud, "My mother would love to make your acquaintance, lady Melina."
"Take it as a way of repaying me for the night," he adds.
Sici nods, "He sure had to word it like that."