Painting 1

Noble men and women, elites and the middle class people marched into the town hall while chattering with each other happily, especially the woman with one another.

More carriages pulled by at the road side and more people stepped out with their heads held high due to the rank they held.

This was an auction for only rich and wealthy people, common people wouldn't dare come uninvited when they knew they had no riches.

Soon two carriages pulled to a stop and out came the Duke from one of the carriage while lady Gladys stepped out of the other carriage clad in a simple but flamboyant dressing.

Her hair was beautifully styled in a curled plait bringing out her oval framed face and she wore a simple light blue dress. The sleeves where long and skillfully designed from the shoulders down to her wrists.

She had a charming smile plastered on her face, as soon as some women spotted her they grew envious because even without doing much she still stood out.

The duke walked up to her and offered her his arm in which she didn't hesitate to slip her fingers into the space at his arm and hold him.

"Thankfully you took my advice."

"Why wouldn't I," she said with a bright smile that stole his heart. As they walked past many nobles and elites, they received bows from them.

"Duke Celeste, an honour to finally meet you after many days have passed." An elite approached them with a bright smile.

"Lady Gladys," he greeted while taking her hand in his and he placed a light kiss at the back of it.

"Same here Mr Von." She politely greeted back.

Celeste smiled back at the man and nodded his head without saying a word and they walked past him.

Many eyes were on them, following their every move until they where suddenly distracted by another sound of a carriage, not just any carriage but the 'Royal Carriage,' meaning the king had arrived.

Gladys heart skipped when she took a glimpse to see him step out nonchalantly and stood in the midst of high ranked men and women.

She quickly tore her gaze and searched the place, looking for the man she was drawn to.

"Lady Gladys!"

Someone interrupted her, it was Nero. He had a wide grin as he approached them with open arms, waiting for his sister to cover the remaining distance and hug him.

And she did exactly that.

"Didn't you notice me as well brother?" Celeste arched an eyebrow at him after saying that and Nero snorted out a laugh.

"I see you all the time brother." Nero and Celeste shared a look before focusing on other things.

"Do you mind if i go check out those wonderful work of art?"

"I wouldn't mind it sister go on."

Nero agreed and her smile extended before she found her way out of their midst.

She left because she sensed the king, her brother Theon getting close to them.

"Why do I feel like you're hiding something brother." Nero narrowed his eyes at his brother Celeste who stared back at him.

"I feel the same Nero and its very strong, you know we are bonded for life right? So you better come clean."

"Why would I ever hide a thing from you or the others Celeste?"

"I don't know." Celeste shrugged his shoulders in a carefree manner and Nero punched his shoulder playfully.

"What are you young men up to?" It was Theon who came to stand behind them and whisper those words.

"Why do I feel like am always left out." Someone complained and the brothers turned their heads in the direction of the voice.

"The ever busy doctor," Nero clapped for him.

"Precisely." Celeste exclaimed while Theon just watched Humphrey approach them.

"At least I care about people." He defended himself.

"More than us," came Theon's dull protest.

"Don't be ridiculous...where is Gladys?" Humphrey asked.

"Who knows." Celeste raised his hands and shrugged his shoulders. Humphrey gave him a knowing look.

"Lord Theon, an honour to meet you again" one of the middle class men along with his wife came to greet the king.

"Mr and Mrs Weisly, how are you both?"

"Good my lord." They responded before greeting the rest and more people began to gather round which Humphrey and Celeste didn't appreciate.

"Please excuse me," Celeste excused himself and found his way out of the toxic group. He took long strides, dodging many people.

His eyes scanned the big and very spacious hall which was wide enough to fit in a lot of people, looking for his sister.

But while walking, he came across an eye catching painting. His eyes slowly widened in shock, awe and disbelief when he recognized whom it was.

Their mother...

He stood rooted to the ground, his feet couldn't move again, it was like every running cell stopped. His eyes glittered with tears and he tried so much to hold them back.

She was smiling and her almond eyes stared ahead brightly, she had a basket of different flowers in them while sitting in the garden covered with colorful flowers. Her black long shiny hair cascades down her shoulders and the warm sunlight beautified her skin with its glory.

Oh Nero...

Celeste shut his eyes tightly when he noticed the bump at her stomach. If not that he could hold back his emotions, he would've teared up pitifully.

"A lovely painting," a gentle feminine voice reached his ears softly and he couldn't help but agree with her.

He imprinted every inch of this particular painting into his head. Treasuring it.

"And she's very gorgeous." The lady beside him complimented again and this time he decided to give her his attention.

"Miss McClendon."

She looked up to him with a bright enchanting smile and curtsied.

"Good to finally meet you my lord." She spoke carefully with a tender tone. Celeste had a look of disinterest, he knew who she was.

An annoying lady who always pestered his life nonstop. He could tell how excited she was by her smile and facial expression.

"How are you?"

"Never been better my lord." She was brightening further at the fact that the conversation was being prolonged.

"Good to know, now if you'll excuse me lady Rosabel." He politely said and the brightness quickly vanished off her face. It was replaced with a disheartening look.

"B-bu..."

She couldn't even say a word because he hurriedly left her side, leaving her speechless.

Hurtful tears brewed up and she tried as much as she could to restrain herself from shedding tears, it would be a disaster if she cried. She darted her eyes about, making sure no one saw what happened.

Her eyes caught sight of a lady staring at a painting hanged on the wall. She gritted her teeth and hastily approached her.

"Lady Gladys." Rosabel called her name in a disrespectful tone.

"Huh?" Gladys looked away from Nero's artwork and stared at the lady beside her.

"Oh, lady Rosabel. Good to see you."

Gladys had a cheerful smile, she embraced her but Rosabel didn't return the gesture. When Gladys distanced herself a little she noticed the obvious frown on Rosabel's face. This made her frown as well.

"What is it Rosabel?"

"Its your brother, he's always avoiding me every single time." Rosabel complained in a sullen tone and her face was slightly red.

"Oh Rose, come now, walk with me." Gladys took pity on her, after all they were friends.

From a distance, Humphrey watched Gladys like a prey, following her every move with his eyes. He didn't have the time to greet her due to the guests who wanted his undivided attention.

What she wore was plain and very unlike her, yet she still stood out with her simple look.

"Should I tell her?" He muttered to himself absentmindedly.

"Tell her what?"

Humphrey quickly avert his gaze from his sister and focused them on his brother's face. He nervously adjusted his spectacles before clearing his throat.

"Looks like someone's in love." Nero wriggled his eyebrows at his brother in a taunting manner.

"I am?" Humphrey questioned with a look of surprise as if he didn't understand Nero's point.

"Don't do that brother, I can already sense it." Nero said in a dull tone.

"Sense what?"

Humphrey irked him further and Nero glared silently at him.

"You know what, never mind."

Nero spoke unhappily and left his side, this action made Humphrey chuckle. While chuckling, he turned his gaze only for them to meet Gladys' pair of light brown eyes staring back at him.

His eyes slightly widened in surprise behind his spectacles but he tactfully smiled at her with a wink before looking away. He could hear his heart beat in nervousness.

He kept wondering why he felt that way, it made him feel vulnerable. Slowly his eyes looked up again and thankfully she wasn't staring at him anymore.

"Humphrey." Celeste came to his side with a serious look and Humphrey began to wonder what he was about to say.

"I shall purchase a portrait of mother."