Unbecoming 02

The staff quietly dismissed himself as the person he was escorting was fixed upon Cailina as if she would disappear if he would blink. 

"Good day, my Lady," Cassius said, beaming his smile.

Cailina gave him a glance. Her attention returned to the brochure in her hand, these designs have the same theme: grand, and enticing.

She cared not much about her posture that her back appeared slouch. She stared aimlessly at the designs, but a hand snatched away the compilations of things that she would never show interest in. 

Cassius looked at the flimsy paper and back to Cailina. He flashed a grin at her glare, "You seem troubled. Is there something I could do to lessen your burdens?"

"Leave me be."

Cailina sipped her tea without sparing another look at him. He was never an acquaintance, why must she open up her thoughts to him? She side-glanced at Lai as the latter avoided her gaze. She clicked her tongue, it seemed that her attendant has plenty of time in his hands.

The silence stayed not for long as Cassius took a seat opposite of her. He burned his warm eyes on Cailina as if he wanted to listen to her. No matter what she may say, he would only hear and not speak. 

"What is your business with me?" Cailina asked, her voice sounded nonchalant. 

Cassius' lips tugged upwards. His smiling face made Cailina's brows twitch in annoyance; she wanted to be alone, but her simple wish seemed impossible. 

"It's been quite a while since we last met," he touched his chest, "I wanted to meet my friend during my stay here in the capital."

Cailina ignored his pleasantries as she stood and gave a small smile, "You can have the room, my Lord."

She darted her gaze to Lai. Her look saying that Lai would be dealt with accordingly later, which means he would be on stable duty until Cailina decided to show him mercy. 

Lai shivered at the thought of scooping another bucket of horse excrement. He wanted to smack his head for thinking that Cassius and his Lady were close enough to exchange their heart's problems.

The door closed with a resounding click. Cassius was left alone in the room that was for a short time felt warm and peaceful. 

He chuckled as his hair gradually returned to its original color: the semblance of winter. 

~

Cailina plopped down her chair. Her new office felt different as it held no sign of Aris. If it was the office she had in the fief, he would be smiling at her as he awaits another order from her, but the side of her desk was empty. 

She tapped her finger as she eyed the documents sent by her father. These were the papers her father meant during breakfast. It was the profile of each Imperial Noble, including the illegitimate sons and daughters. 

Duke Grandis expected her to memorize this before the summer banquet which would be held a few weeks from now. 

She sighed. The nobles in the capital have an endless amount of energy reserved for social gatherings. Cailina let out another breath, she preferred to waste her time reading rather than attending parties that would end until the sun would rise.

The pocket watch on her hand ticked as it filled the heavy silence around her. She lost herself in the memories of Aris. 

Cailina leaned back on her chair as she gave the pile another squinted look. The indoors never felts this suffocating before. She greatly missed Aris' presence, she should've told him that she was leaving, and it would be a long time before they meet again.

She snapped her attention at the sound of a person stepping inside her room. She made it clear to the knights guarding her door to not let anyone inside, even if it was to be her mother.

 At the sight of Lai's smiling face, her mood turned sour. He was holding a tray of refreshments, her favorite kind; strawberry milk.

Cailina has no appetite to consume anything as she was about to dismiss her ever so faithful attendant, Lai had already served the drink on the table.

The ice glistened under the warm light of the summer sun.

"I know my Lady's day has been difficult," he offered the glass, "this would cool you down before you read another letter from the Monarch."

Cailina raised her brow at his remark. The first day she arrived here in the capital, the Emperor already summoned her and asked a few questions. It was a brief meeting which she was grateful for. She was in no mood to stay in the same place as another royal.

She approached Lai like a wary cat. She could never be too relaxed with this attendant of hers. The refreshing liquid flowed down her throat as it cleared the negative emotions in her heart.

She stared at the empty glass as she used to enjoy this with her puppy. Aris would down the entire milk in one gulp and would leave a mustache on his face.

Cailina smiled at the memory of her puppy's moment of naivety. If she was given a chance, she would immediately return to his side. The thought of not seeing Aris for a while made her heart ache.

Her bottom lip pulled up as she handed the glass to Lai.

"I do not wish to read the letter today," Cailina waved her hand, "keep it for now."

Lai stood still as he looked at his master with all seriousness, "The messenger said that it carries important matters that my Lady must know.'

She turned her gaze at him, "Leave."

Cailina sighed at Lai's stubbornness. It wouldn't change anything if she had known the matter at a much later time. 

"I urge my Lady to read the letter," Lai said.

Cailina sat back on her desk. She clasped her hands together as her head tilted in curiosity as to the reason her attendant seemed persistent than usual. 

"Fetch me the letter then."