The festival 2

Florence was shocked by the sudden embarrassment, she was expecting these two to steam up something but not to this extent, after all she was use to their troubles, calling her names and making her look like a fool amongst a lot of people was not a good news. Her mother had asked her to stay clear from these two and she had done exactly as her mother had told her but who knew they would be watching her every move.

Florence kept looking at Lydia and Dorathy, contemplating on what to say..

i didn't say anything wrong, she finally said with courage even though she was still scared.

Of course you did, Lydia said with an angry look.

"But I was only saying the truth" and it's not as if i have an ill intention towards her, the truth is tha--

The truth is not minding your business and saying something wrong will put you in trouble and you will need to be disciplined, Dorathy said.

Between the three of us who need to be disciplined? Florence glared at them

What did you say? Lydia furrowed her brow.

Nothing you haven't heard before and i think you will be needing the discipline instead, after all we have been doing the same thing, "poking our nose where it doesn't belong"

With that Florence earned a slap from Lydia.

SLAP!

Florence's cheek burned

That's for disrespecting us and this is for disregarding ibitein's choice and this i-- before she could land her yet another hot slap she was held by someone strong, it was a man not just any man, it was Ferdinand Douglas, one of the handsome men in the village.

"It's him" Florence whispered to herself even though her cheek was burning, she blushed when their eyes met.

So handsome, she said in her thought.

Ladies!! calm down, raising your hands on a beautiful lady doesn't make you quite a lady, he said gauging Lydia.

What? me, no no I wasn't doing anything, I was just removing a bug on her face that's all, she stammered.

Florence wanted to protest but her cheek was sore, so she retreated.

"Oh really, I didn't know a beautiful girl like this would have a bug on her face" he played along and dropped her hand.

Just the thought of calling Florence beautiful and not her made her face sore and she would rebuke anyone but here he was calling Florence beautiful, it made her feel disgust, it was Ferdinand Douglas after all, the man she admire so much and even love.

"I didn't know either, but it happens",she responded with a smile that didn't reach her eye.

Yeah, but did she ask for it?, he asked

"Yes, she asked for it and i had no choice but to grant her wish, she glared at Florence".

Florence was confused, why were they still having the conversation when he already saw what transpired, it was becoming uncomfortable for her.

'Hmm is that so', he walked towards Florence looking at her unblinkingly, that's very kind of you Lydia.

"Of course I will do it again without hesitation", Lydia replied

Ferdinand Douglas, he introduced himself, picking and raising her hand to kiss and she gulped. That little action stirred something in her stomach and she blushed.

Florence Duke, she responded shyly.

Both Lydia and Dorathy saw this little exchange and their face went sore.. we'll go ahead, Lydia said and they both went away.

No!! this is not happening, of all the maidens, not her, it cannot be, I've been keeping myself only for him and here he is calling another woman beautiful, she pondered.

I am shocked as well but you don't want to do anything that will provoke him, said Dorathy.

Of course not, I will put my best behavior, especially after what just happened, Lydia replied

That's good, come on let's get to the others, we are not suppose to be under this tree, Dorathy said and they left.

In the ancient village of George, it was believed that not all trees were trees, as some were portals to the other world while some were forbidden to be close to for some unknown reasons, the few reasons was because most of them were [disguiser]. The disguiser were unknown tree like creatures, they would come out only during these festivals to feed on humans. The festival was somewhat dangerous during the night time but people don't really care, like the saying "something must kill a man"

The carriage continue to ride on the dry mud ground.

Papa are you okay? asked ibitein

Hmm, he replied looking outside the window of the carriage

Are sure? please tell me papa, she coaxed him.

"I am worried about another disappointed" he blurted.

But papa we're going to the festival and you don't have to be worried about anything, she reassured.

Ibitein it's not about going to the festival, it's about achieving the goal, he said.

"I understand papa and I will make sure to make you proud this time", she said holding her father's hand.

But that's what you keep saying, you're young and you don't understand.. our family reputation is at stake, people who look up to us are disappointed and I -

Papa you will be fine, I promise, everything will be fine, okay, and I know how you feel, I'm sorry for putting our family name in jeopardy, I will do the right thing, even if I don't accept today we can still make arrangements tommorow, right? i promise, she raised her hand with a gesture and her father smiled.

Okay!! it must not be today, he said patting her head.