Chapter 23

Yua poured the tea into the two ladies teacup. Aretha took a sip, and put down the teacup carefully as to not make the clinking sound that amateur usually does.

"Such a brilliant teatime etiquette. It was good that you learn, for ignorance is the enemy of beauty." Leyna said.

"I was surprised by how quick My Lady sent the letter, informing your visit. Pardon me for the lacking in entertainment."

Leyna laughed quietly. "I was too excited, if I had to say… Oh! Right. The servants in the castle was hustling and bustling. Was there any occasion?"

"We are preparing for His Excellency birthday banquet. I believed My Lady had received the invitation?"

"Yes! I had received it. It would be great if I could dance with His Excellency, however, it is a known fact that His Excellency never dance in any banquet."

"Is that so?"

"It was true. Such a pity. His Excellency must had not realized how many women would like to dance with him. However, I must said, that was a charm of his. It was charming how His Excellency could remained aloof in the sea of beautiful men and women. Even I, could not help but to admire that part of him."

Aretha truly, could not help but to question the dignity of nobles. It just felt weird to her for almost everyone to be obsessed with a person that were the opposite of kind and gentle. How could one love someone who was cold and indifferent to them? Could it be they took pleasure in their own pain? She thought.

"His Excellency was truly fortunate to have so many people showed tremendous love toward him. That, including you My Lady," Aretha said, though, what she wanted to said, was something else, but she would kept that to herself.

"Miss Ella, you do not knew how much I like you."

"My Lady flattered me too much. How could I deserved your interest."

"Truly! Unlike certain people, you were such a smart young lady. You do not coveted something that was not yours. That was why I like you."

Agustin came and greeted the two ladies. Aretha said, "Was it already time for lunch? Dear me, time fled so fast when you were having fun."

"Miss Ella, would it be nice of you if you could invite me for a meal?" Leyna announced. She was hoping she could meet with Vladimir, for he was the reason she even waste her precious time being here, having tea with someone of low status.

Aretha grinned. "Of course I would love to, My Lady." She turned to Agustin. "Sir Agustin, could you informed His Excellency, that Lady Sancus will be having lunch here, today."

"Yes, My Lady," he replied and retired from there.

Aretha invited Leyna inside the castle and they went to the dining hall. Through the hallway, they walked. Leyna could not stop talking about architecture of the building, and sometimes, she would gawked at the painting and voiced out her comment and critics. Aretha would listened, nodded, and sometimes add a little flattery to whatever Leyna said. That did not stop until they reached the dining hall.

The seating arrangement were different than usual. They usually be arranged with only two seat, both at the opposite side of the table, meant for Aretha and Vladimir only. However, that day, the seat was arranged in a way that, the lord of the house, seated at the center followed by seat on his right and his left. Leyna passed by Aretha, took the seat on the right side, and Aretha, sat on the left.

Vladimir walked in. He flinched. The right seat beside the lord was meant for the first lady of the house. He scrunched his eyebrows. He glimpsed over the calm Aretha. 'Does she felt nothing seeing another woman claiming the place by his side,' he thought. He suddenly remembered what he had talked with his aide before. He felt uncomfortable.

"Your Excellency." Leyna greeted him with a bright, wide smile.

"My Lord." Aretha said. Her lips curled up a little bit, but that was all. There was no enthusiasm in her greeting and her expression.

Vladimir bowed his head and took his seat. The food came in, served for them. Vladimir contemplated, should he or should he not get away from there, for he felt uncomfortable for whatever reason it could be. The lady on his right was excitedly asking him question and even when he did not responded any to her chatter, she did not stop talking. On the other hand, the lady on his left was silently picking her food, and chewing them, ignoring everything that unfolded in front of her.

"Your Excellency, on this visit of mine today, I witnessed the servants frantically preparing for the banquet. I knew from my brother that it was your aide that usually managed the banquet. I knew how conceited I sound, but, would you let me host the banquet for you? I am more than willing to do it for nothing in exchange." Leyna said, her body leaning forward.

"It would be unnecessary for I had appointed Lady Ella right here to do it on my behalf." Vladimir said, head tilted to his left.

"Pardon me?" Leyna eyes widen, her lips twitched. She was confused. Why? Why would he done that? Was that lady not supposed to be a mere fling of short affair? She did not understand. Does he realized by appointing her as the host of the banquet was the same as implying that she was the first lady of the house, and hence should be respected as such. However, that position were not meant for a woman of humble background, in another word, a commoner. Her hand trembled. 'That position was mine!'

"Did you not hear or had you gone deaf?"

Leyna shuddered at the chilling air that seem to suppress her. "Ah. That was not what I meant, Your Excellency. I was just worried whether Lady Ella could managed by herself." She turned to face Aretha. "Perhaps, if you need my help, I would be more than happy to lend my hand."

Aretha was about to reply, however, Vladimir beat her to it. "She already had all the help she need. There was no need to trouble Lady Sancus more than necessary," he said.

The meal ended with an awkward silence. Leyna withdrew herself and went back home. Afraid that she might said something that could provoke Vladimir, she decided to return home.

"Next time, just ignore her." Vladimir said, as they walked through the garden.

"How could I dared to do such."

"Why could you not?"

"Lord Vladimir, pardon for my rudeness. However, it seem you forgot from where did I came. Surely, you would not asked a person from humble background to act rudely toward a noble, would you?"

Vladimir clenched his fist. "Why could you not do such? You were a person of mine. No one would dared to say anything about you, unless, they were trying to seek for death."

"Is that so… Thank you, My Lord." Aretha held her head. "I apologize, however, I must excuse myself for I felt a little bit unwell."

Vladimir was a bit flustered, he did not know what he was supposed to do. "You. Bring the Lady to her room." He pointed toward Yua. "Mark, fetch Casandra, now."

"Yes, Your Excellency," Mark replied, rushing on his feet to fetch the person.

Aretha sighed. She just wanted to get away from him, yet things escalated in unpredictable way.

______________________

*Little Theater*

Lev : "See~ I told you already, My Lord. Young lady such as Lady Ella desire exclusiveness. Loyalty! True love!"

Vladimir sighed : "Then?"

Lev : "?"

Vladimir gritted his teeth : "What am I supposed to do?!"

Lev : "Oh dear, My Lord. Come, come. Let me teach you how to conquer a woman's heart."