Lazy afternoons

POV: Isabelle Langford

With a discreet sideways glance I watched the princess eyeing the pages in front of her with a monotonous expression.

I couldn't tell if she was enjoying the book or was terribly bored even after several minutes.

"Is everything all right, Isabelle?"

I wasn't particularly surprised that the redhead suddenly addressed me without looking up. She'd always been very sensitive to looks.

"Do you like the author?"

My question was a pretext, as was my mousy interest in the book. I just wanted to find out how the younger girl was doing at the moment.

"The writing style is too turgid for me.", she replied with a little smirk.

"As if the author had to prove that he could write every sentence as complicated as possible in order to appear cultured."

With an amused sound, Serena closed the book the next moment and dropped it in a small bow on the table.

"You'd better sit down and have a drink with me."

With an almost mischievous grin, the younger girl looked at me expectantly.

As I also opened my mouth, her lower lip pushed out defiantly.

"I won't take no for an answer."

An unnecessary piece of information. That had been clear to me from the start.

Defeated, therefore, I took a seat across from the redhead, who was now beaming joyfully at me.

We had had this scenario far too often, which is why I didn't even try.

Even a cup of tea was provided for me at the same moment. Without hesitation also a piece of chocolate cake pushed in my direction. One of my favorite desserts.

"Thank you."

With a sincere smile, the fine porcelain slipped between my fingers, while Serena only gave me a humming sound in reply with a satisfied expression.

Leaning back now, relaxed, she laid her head shallowly on the back of her neck.

The sun made her red hair appear even brighter, even more luminous.

It really was incredibly beautiful.

I found it unfortunate that she so rarely let it fall open over her shoulders.

She often wore it in a chignon, while only occasional strands framed her face, bravely forging a path.

It was a strong, deep red.

Serena could almost be called a doppelganger of her mother.

Despite this, her charisma was very different. She radiated a completely different feeling than her mother.

Lady Odett always seemed very gentle, almost fragile. Even if one disregarded her state of health.

Serena, on the other hand, seemed aloof at first glance. Many found her too introverted and distant.

Few took the trouble to get to know her.

A big mistake.

Hardly anyone knew what a great personality stood before them.

Especially lately, because the redhead wanted to sever her connection with the Laratje family altogether.

Even the servants were talking. Called her moody and complicated.

The more I countered, the louder the voices became. They said I was prejudiced. Privileged. Blinded.

They were all blinded. Not me.

"You're worrying unnecessarily."

I immediately lifted my head at these soft words.

Countered bright eyes watching me intently. Both the dessinterest and the mischievousness have completely disappeared from her face.

I quwestiongly looked at my counterpart.

"The people in the mansion are quite noisy. Should either be more discreet or not even try to gossip behind our backs."

Quietly, her laughter could be heard.

"But..."

I interrupted myself when I saw her expression.

"You and me. I don't care about the rest at all, or do you feel differently?"

Immediately, I shook my head vigorously.

Of course not!

"Then hold on a little longer too, Isabelle."

The smile the younger one was giving me now made me smile inevitably myself.

"As long as we stay together."

I agreed with her, replying the next moment to sparkling gray.

I really didn't know if I liked her eyes or hair better.

"Do you actually like the cake? This one is supposed to be a new creation, apparently.", Serena hummed. Indirectly prompting me to finally pick up my fork.

I couldn't suppress a quiet laugh as I complied with her request.

The satisfied expression in her face did not escape me of course.

"Mother loved lazy afternoons in the garden."

I paused.

It was rare for Serena to talk about the former lady of the house on her own. She did it very rarely.

I eyed my counterpart inconspicuously, but immediately made eye contact with her.

She smiled shallowly at me.

Was I overreacting?

My attention slid to my left for a moment.

Was I imagining it or actually hearing someone?

"Isabelle?"

My eyes shifted back to my counterpart before I gave her a smile as well, now turning my attention back to the cake in front of me to reassure her.