Soon, everyone had given Grandfather Cosgrove their respective gifts, and though the air was still filled with gossip concerning the scandal, the party began in full swing.
Amelia had walked away from the Cosgrove family as she could see Mason fuming inwardly, Eve's gloating smile, and Lilac coquettishly leaning on Ace's arms, her eyes threatening to drip tears. Staying with them one more second would most likely lead to another drama, one she wasn't currently in the mood to deal with.
Amelia walked to the far end of the ball, wanting to relax a bit and probably prepare mentally before going out to socialize.
A waitress carrying a tray of champagne passed by, and Amelia reached out, taking a champagne flute.
Just as she was about to take a sip, a figure came close.
Noting that it was Kai, Amelia acknowledged his presence with a small smile.
Besides, she had unexpectedly dragged him into an engagement he probably did not want to be entangled with, and with her, who was supposed to be his sister-in-law, no less.
He was probably there to demand an explanation.
"Ahh, we finally meet again," Kai said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Came for a birthday party, ended up with an engagement. Quite the unexpected turn of events, don't you think?"
Amelia's eyes fell as she took a sip from the flute.
"I am sorry this burden was placed on you. I detest it as much as you do."
Kai raised an eyebrow, swirling the wine in his glass as if contemplating her words. "Oh?"
Amelia looked up with an apologetic smile. "However, I will have to burden you to bear with this farce for a little time."
"Do you wish not to go through with this engagement because I am but an illegitimate son?" he questioned.
"Not because you are an illegitimate son," she clarified. "But because I do not wish to be engaged to anyone. It's a burden I do not wish to carry." She took a sip of her drink. "And judging by your expression earlier, I assume you feel the same way."
Kai chuckled, his voice deep and magnetic. "How perceptive of you." He tilted his head slightly, studying her. "So? How long do you intend to keep up this farce?"
Amelia tapped a finger against the stem of her glass, considering. Three months should be enough time before she disappeared from the Cosgrove household and settled down in a quiet place.
"Three months," she said finally.
Kai hummed, setting his glass down on a nearby table. "Three months? That's hardly enough time to enjoy the perks of being someone's fiancé." His lips curled into a smile. "Let's make it six. I've been rather disturbed by persistent marriage talks, and this should grant me some peace of mind for a while."
Amelia studied him, then gave a slight nod. "Fine. Six months."
"Good." He extended his hand toward her. "Shall we shake on it, fiancée?"
She placed her fingers lightly in his palm. "Of course, fiancé."
Their hands lingered for a moment too long before she pulled away, and for the briefest second, she swore she saw something flicker in his eyes, something unreadable, something dangerous.
Kai stepped back, his smirk still in place. "Then, let's not interfere with each other's lives, shall we?"
"Agreed."
---
Soon, the banquet ended, and everyone began to disperse.
Grandfather Cosgrove held Amelia's hands, unwilling to let go.
"Are you sure you do not want to stay with Grandpa a little longer?"
Amelia gave a forceful smile.
"If I stay back, I may just become a nuisance, ruining Grandfather's image of me."
"You can never be a nuisance, Amelia."
Amelia was exhausted. As much as she would have loved to stay with her grandfather, she really wanted to continue planning her escape. Staying with him might restrict her to some extent, as unlike the Cosgrove family, where no one barely cared about her, she had a feeling that if she stayed with Grandfather Cosgrove, her every move would be monitored, and she didn't want that.
"Grandfather, I really can't stay, but I promise to visit frequently," she said and gently patted his hands.
Grandfather Cosgrove's face fell, and Amelia felt as if she could see two dog ears drooping down.
"Alright, Amelia, I won't force you to stay."
"Thank you, Grandpa." She leaned in for a hug, and Grandfather Cosgrove, though still surprised by her action, did not hesitate this time as he pulled her into a warm hug.
After Grandfather Cosgrove let go, Amelia turned to Marie, who had come to greet him, and said,
"It was really nice talking to Aunt today."
Grandfather Cosgrove's eyes flickered between both of them.
"You know each other?"
"We had a conversation today, and she felt like the daughter I never had," Marie Denver said.
"Ohh, Aunt..." Amelia said, a faint blush on her face.
Marie pulled out her complementary card from her purse and handed it to Amelia.
"Here, I would love to see you sometime."
Amelia's lips curled into a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Auntie."
Bingo.
She had a golden thigh to hug for the time being.