Untouchable 05

Cailina took another glance outside her carriage's window. Her bottom lip pulled up as she observed Cassius on his horse. His wavy umber-black hair shone under the warm light of the setting sun. He sat upright as he followed beside her carriage, he seemed to be a person with a lot of free time.

Whatever reason that this young man has, she wouldn't care, as long as he truly means no harm, she would let him do what he pleases. 

She returned her attention inside, and her attendant sat across her with a small smile on his face. Lai had been carrying that curved line ever since. 

Cailina crossed her hands, "Do you have any idea where Aris went?" 

Lai rubbed his hands together and pursed his lips. He battled with his thoughts for a while before looking up to Cailina. He gulped and said, "I believe they went to see the play's actors."

The carriage rattled as it crossed the bridge. There was a river that flowed from the mountains down to the Grandis Residence. The entire foot of the mountain was her family's personal space. It was a magnificent view during the summertime. 

Cailina clicked her tongue. She wouldn't mind letting Aris meet the actors; she would even allow him to have tea with them, and the actors would take it as a great privilege to sit down with a noble. 

The entire way back was silent beside Cassius initiating a conversation. He would ask about anything, but Cailina would return a silence. Him being blatantly ignored by the cold lady didn't discourage him to stop his one-sided conversation.

Cailina occasionally stole a glance at Cassius, and upon another stare at the young man, she realized that he visited the mansion a few months back. How could she forget him? He seemed different.

The one she met at the mansion was cold and distant, but now, this young man was nothing but a ball of sunshine that chirped every time their eyes met. 

Cassius took a deep breath, he noticed that the path was indeed headed towards the Duke's mansion. His heart began to race in his chest, he denied the thought that the person he was escorting was the only daughter of the Grandis. 

He chuckled lowly, there was no way... If the lady was the person he thought, he needed to apologize immediately.

The familiar gate greeted his sight. It was the confirmation that the young woman inside the carriage was the favored one. Cassius inhaled a sharp breath and prepared himself for the worst, he might lose his sponsorship from the Duke if his daughter decided to tell what he had done.

As the horses neighed, two rows of servants were lined as they bowed to greet the Lady of the house. The entire process made Cassius' heart pound even more as he got down from his horse.

"Welcome home, Lady Cailina." 

The servants greeted, and some fetched their Lady's things. Cailina nodded and held Lai's hand for support. She turned to Cassius and smiled, "I appreciate your effort, sir?"

"It's Cassius, my Lady." 

He said and kissed the back of her hand, "I apologize for my rudeness earlier."

"It's nothing," Cailina said, "I wish to invite you for tea, but it's already late."

"I thank my Lady for her generosity," Cassius chuckled, but his weak attempt to cover up his nervousness didn't go unnoticed by Cailina.

She nodded and saw her father with a wide smile on his face. She rarely sees her father in that way, she turned to Cassius and wondered what kind of talent this young man possessed to have the Duke greet him personally.

"Ah, you have met my daughter," her father chimed, "I would like to talk to you about some matters, Lord Cassius."

Her father and Cassius gradually disappeared from her sight. She was tired for the day to even argue her way in the conversation of the two. She waved at Lai to signal him that she was to retire for the day.

Cailina saw her mother sitting inside her room. She paused and waited, is it another round of seemingly endless scolding? Whatever it is, she has no energy to fight back. She inhaled and greeted her mother.

"What brings you here, mother?" she kissed both of Duchess Grandis' cheeks.

Her mother patted her back, "I was informed you return without your puppy."

Cailina sat opposite her mother and flashed another smile. She knew what her mother was thinking. She was aware of how much her mother wanted to get rid of Aris, but couldn't.

"He wanted to stroll around by himself," she said, but before she could continue, Duchess Grandis scoffed.

 "Don't let something become your weakness, my daughter," Duchess Grandis stood and touched her daughter's face, "The capital would not show mercy to those who has one."

Cailina sighed, "I understand."

-

The candlelight flickered as it served its purpose to light the room. Cailina's reading was interrupted by a knock on her door. She paused as her brows furrowed.

Aris stood still with his eyes on the floor, waiting for his Lady to open the door. The darkness hid the bruise on his neck, he flinched as he remembered how strong his uncle was. 

~

"You've become much bolder since the last time we've met," the man said as his grip tightened, "what business do you have with me?"

Fione observed from a distance. She quietly listened as the man and her Lady's puppy talked. She widened her eyes when the man yelled for her to come out of her hiding. 

"Whoever you are, you're dead! Come out and show yourself!"

Aris dug his nails on his uncle's hand which cause him to hiss in pain. He glared at Aris and smirked, "You think you can escape?"

The man whispered in Aris' ear, "I will behead you if you step in our territory, you traitor."

~

"Aris? What are you doing here?" Cailina's soft voice called him out of his stupor. 

He stuttered as he greeted her. He was ashamed to let his Lady see him in this state, but he must clear the misunderstanding before the day ends.

"Where is Fione?" she asked.

"I am here, my Lady," Fione emerged out of the shadows and stood beside Aris with her head bowed. 

Cailina frowned. She was about to dismiss Aris, and talk to Fione in private, but her puppy stepped forward and kneeled.

"I apologize for not being by my Lady's side," he said. 

"It's alright. There is no need to worry about what happened today," she replied, her clenched fists shook, "I will be returning to the capital tomorrow."

Aris was surprised by the sudden news. He was unaware of it. The mansion kept silent about matters regarding their masters'. He looked at Cailina in confusion, his eyes glimmered as it sought answers from his master.

The door closed before he could utter another word, He was left alone with his raging unanswered questions. 

Silence permeated the air for a while. The Fione kept her gaze low as Cailina sat, her amber eyes reflected the flickering candle.

"My Lady, why did you hide your departure from Aris," her maid asked.

"If he would have known earlier, I would be the one having a hard time leaving him behind," Cailina replied, her eyes fixed upon the candlelight, "You're quite chatty tonight."

Fione immediately got to her knees, her hands trembling. She was prepared for the worst.

Cailina sighed, "Where did you two disappear to?"

Their disappearance was unnoticed by her and Lai. It was as if Aris knew the shop was enchanted. The thought of it made Cailina's heart began to be suspicious of him. She tapped her fingers on her arm as she listened to her maid's narration.

 Fione reported everything from the start, where Aris acted out of character when he saw the carriage of her father's guest. Cailina began to question who was the person that made Aris nervous. 

Her maid continued that she had heard the man say that Aris was their kind's traitor and the anger that burned in the puppy's eyes that followed.

"I believe that my Lady's dog isn't as innocent as he appeared to be," Fione warned, her voice trembled under Cailina's gaze.

"Leave."

 Cailina exhaled her frustrations. Her mind no longer knew what to believe in. If Aris was truly not what she thought he would be, then she had long been fooled by a mere dog. 

She stared at the tea on her table. Her mother was right, never to trust a dog. She was foolish to think that he would never keep any secrets from her. 

She has long realized that Aris would stir away from any conversation related to his past. She didn't mind it. Cailina wholeheartedly favored Aris, she was patient with him until he personally would come to tell her everything.

But until the very end, Aris remained as her puppy. 

It greatly disappointed her. She could've asked her father about Aris' past, but she didn't. 

Left alone with the swirling thoughts, Cailina swore in her heart not to confuse a servant for a friend. She stood and stared at the moon, whatever happens, she must never let her emotions rule over her ever again.