CHAPTER 8: Met One of THEM

"Greetings to His Grace and Her Grace, Duke and Duchess of House Red, to the young masters and young lady of House Red. I wish to greet the young lady with a happy birthday. May you have a flowery path ahead of you." I looked at the couple who greeted us. I immediately hid my surprise when I realized who these people were. They're one of the people I wanted to meet and make allies with. I know my family is powerful, but I know there were still people out there who want to drag us down. From the memories of the old Avyana, Marquess and Marchioness Pink are not one of those people. They're righteous people. But, they became an enemy to the Reds from the past, since the old Avyana did those evil deeds. They may not be that powerful as the Red, but they're still influential to the people. People believed their words. They were one of those people who made the Reds executed. So, if I make them my allies while I'm still young, I can get close to them and earn their favor. The fates of the Reds may change. They would protect my family if any dangerous situation comes. That's why I need to use my ultimate power tonight to gain their attention.

"Auntie!" I said with my sparkling eyes and sweet smile. Yes, that's my ultimate power---my cuteness. *laughs* I know the Marchioness couldn't resist the charm of a cute child because she loves kids. Sorry for using that weakness, Marchioness. Don't worry, I'll treat you well.

"Greetings, Marquis and Marchioness Pink. Thank you for coming. I'm so sorry for my child's reckless attitude. She becomes like this if she likes a person." Mom was shocked that I did that. I'm sorry, mom.

Marchioness Pink just giggled. Hoho! I guess my charm worked for her. Hehe!

"You don't have to apologize, Duchess. The young lady was just so cute that I find it hard to look away," she said and giggled. I know right! *smirk* Hehe!

I stopped celebrating in my head when I saw the look my mom had. She looked like she regretted having a birthday party for me. Oh, mom, you don't know how much you mean to me. I would never replace you. I'm doing this for the sake of this family. I hugged my mom's legs and it caught my mom off guard.

"I love you, mommy." The look she had earlier was gone and was replaced by her sweet smile. Yes, that's what I want to see, mom.

I looked back at Marchioness Pink whom I almost forgot was in front of us. She had that look of awe. I smiled at her and opened my arms wide gesturing her to carry me.

"Auntie, cawy (carry) me!" I still didn't perfect the way I speak, so that's why I talked like that. I saw the marchioness and my mom widen their eyes in shock. Marchioness Pink looked at my mom like she's asking for permission. Mom seemed reluctant at first but she nodded at the end. The marchioness looked like a child who was given a lollipop when she saw my mom nod. Why did I compare her to a child? *laughs*

She carried me in her arms. I said 'hi' to her daughter who was carried by her father, the marquis. She blushed and hid in his father's neck. Hoho! How cute! You could really see the resemblance she had with her father and mother. The House of Pink is known to have pink hairs. Of course, Marchioness Pink is the only one who didn't have pink hair. She has blue hair and orange eyes which are very familiar to me. Now, come to think of it, why was I familiar with her hair and eyes? Tch. Nevermind. This is not the time to overthink.

It's funny to think that the color of the nobles' hair is also their last name. Pfft. Just like my family and the Pinks, I know other nobles were like this, but I didn't know their names and what's their power and authority here in this kingdom. I only know the Pinks because they're the old Avyana's enemy. She put her attention to them, so that's why she knew them. She didn't even know the names of the men she liked. She also didn't know the other people involved in the Reds' ruin who were useless and insignificant in her eyes. The old Avyana was not interested in all of them. She just knew their faces. Those were my challenges here, but at least, she knew their faces. If I saw them, I would instantly recognize them. The old Avyana neglected her studies, so it answers why she didn't know them. *sigh* The burden is on me. I need to make allies with the people who would be beneficial to my family ASAP.

After the Pinks greeted us, other nobles started to greet us and also greet me a happy birthday. They put their gifts at the center where my other gifts are piled like a mountain.

My mom and dad have a conversation with the Pinks. I was put down by the marchioness and let me play with their child, Hana, who is the same age as me. We're in a seat not far from our parents, but we still heard them. And I can also hear the nobles gossiped us. My brothers are nowhere in sight, but I know they're just stalking me wherever they are. Mom and dad would never let me go alone without any one of them. And I'm sure my guards are here wearing formal clothes disguising as nobles.

"I heard that the young lady Red is a genius! She can read books when she was three months old without anyone teaching her." It's five months, lady. You got the wrong information.

"I also heard that she can hold a sword when she was eight months old. She's really the young lady of the Red ducal family." I almost choked when I heard that. It's a lie, ladies. Why did you believe that? How can a baby hold a sword?

"Hey, do you know that the first young master of Red is so mature now? I saw him earlier and he acts like a true noble." I agree with what she said. I don't know what happened. He just instantly become matured.

"Did you also see the young master of the ducal family, Blue?" Now, I'm interested. From the memories of the old Avyana, if the Reds produce knights for the kingdom, the Blues produce scholars for the kingdom. We are equal to authority but we have the upper hand in terms of power. However, this ducal family is more influential than us. They're respected for their knowledge and intelligence. People will always look up to them. But, those were the only information that the old Avyana knows. The members of the Blue family? Nah! She didn't know them. The old Avyana was so indifferent to the people in her surroundings, just like my mom from my past life. *sigh* Let's forget that I mentioned her. The Blue ducal family will also be of help to the Reds if I would make them my allies.

"The Blue ducal family still didn't arrive yet, but I'm sure you'll be stunned by their young master's looks. I know he will be a very good-looking gentleman in the future." I heard the ladies' gossips again. I was really amazed by my sense of hearing. I can hear them even if they're in another chair in the corner not far from us.

"Awe you ohkay, Av..y..ya.na?" I turned my attention to Hana who I almost forgot she's my companion just now. In the old Avyana's memories, she was Avyana's enemy. She liked Adonis in the past and Avyana did everything to make her unpleasant to her brother's eyes. Hana didn't even do anything to Avyana and was just kind to her. This time, if she like Adonis, maybe I could find a way to give her a chance to have a close relationship with him.

"I'm ohkay, Hana. Thank you fow asking. And jush caw (call) me, Yana." I said to this cute girl beside me who was holding a teddy bear in her lap. I smiled at her. She blushed and that makes her even cuter.

"Ohkay, Yana," she said and smiled at me with happiness written on her face. She's so cute!

"The Blues are here!" I automatically turned to see the Blues when I heard their name from the nobles' mouths. I saw a family walked in who emit intelligence and elegance. Their appearances shout dignity and respect. The duke has blue hair and orange eyes, while the duchess has gold hair and blue eyes. Wait. I looked at Marchioness Pink and looked back again to Duke Blue. I stared at them in awe. So, the marchioness was from the ducal family, Blue. Wow. And I thought I needed a plan to make the Blues my allies. Hoho! Making the Marquess and Marchioness Pink my allies is like hitting two birds with one stone. But, why was I familiar with their looks? I didn't recognize Duke Blue. And why is Duchess Blue familiar to me? With that radiant gold hair, I think I saw it somewhere. I just couldn't pinpoint where was it.

I looked at the boy who was around 4-5 years old beside the duke and the duchess and wearing a blank expression on his face. He also has blue hair and orange eyes. He's good-looking! Tee-hee!---WAIT! Now that I'm staring at him, I could see his face clearly. Oh my gosh! He--He's one of the three men who was smiling while watching us being executed from the past! So, that's why I was familiar with Marchioness Pink's looks! She's HIS relative. My eyes widen in shock when I recognized him. I muttered curses under my breath. Why are you here now! This is so not happening! I still held a little grudge against him because of the past, even if he's..ahem..cute today. *sigh* I felt like my strength is gone when I remembered the last words I said before I was executed:'Please don't let us meet again. But, if fate wants the other way, I'll make sure you'll be crazy for me.' *facepalm* Why did I say that? I need to smack myself for this.

This is just crazy! I was planning to make allies to the Pinks and Blues to prevent the past to repeat, and do not meet those three men again. But, here am I, meeting one of them when my plans still didn't work out. How unfortunate. It's time for me to change plans. Hmm.

I saw their family ignored the nobles who tried to get their attention and just walked straight towards my mom and dad. They never looked at their sides and just looked straight. When they pass by the chair that I was in, I was startled when the boy looked my way. My heart beats so much. I saw him widen his eyes for a moment when our eyes met. His face turned red and looked away. What's his problem? Is he angry with me? This bad kiddo! What did I even do to him!

"Greetings, Duke and Duchess Red." I watched the Blues greet my parents, the Pinks greet the Blues, and my parents greet the Blues back. I saw Duke Blue kissed the hand of Marchioness Pink after my mom. The marchioness smiled at the duke like she's seeing a family member. I think she's the duke's sister.

"How are you, Duke and Duchess Red?" I saw my mom and dad just laughed at what the duke said. What the heck is happening here?

"Don't be formal on us, Mojito. I couldn't get used to your formality. Just be casual as usual," my dad said. I saw Duke Blue laughed with my father. What! This is quite a shock to me.

From the smiles and laughs they just share now, means, the Blues and Reds are originally allies with each other! So, the old Avyana was the reason why they became enemies. She did something evil to them in the past. But, I won't make it happen again. If I keep this alliance intact, there's a possibility that the Reds' terrible fates are going to change.

"By the way, this is my son, Jack Daniel Blue. He's going to be 5 years old next year and if it's alright with you, I want him to be trained by you, Alessandro." The duke said to my father.

The boy stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings to Your Grace, Duke, and Duchess Red." Wow, he's good! I think he's a fast learner. My brothers were studying etiquette, but they still act like kids and they're so rowdy in our home.

My mom stared at him in amazement. She also thought that he's good.

"The young master is truly so disciplined. I wish my three boys were like you too." mom said while smiling sweetly at that boy. Oh, mom. If you just knew that he's watching you being executed in the past.

"Thank you, Duchess," he answered politely. Tch. This bad kiddo. He acts like he didn't saw me when he already knew where I was. I know he knew who I am since my hair is red. That's a distinct trait we all nobles have and that's what I learned in this kingdom. This kid really has some anger issues with me.

This Jack Daniel boy---Wait. Jack Daniel? Like the whiskey Jack Daniel's? Pfftt. Oh, I remember my father mentioned Duke Blue's name earlier. What was it? Mojito? Pfft. I think his other family members' names are liquor brands too. *internal evil laugh*

It was late when I realize that I laughed out loud from the knowledge that I got. My parents, the Pinks, the Blues, and the other nobles looked at my way. In short, all of the people in this room turned their attention to me.

Uh-oh!