Chapter 27

The hall was filled with whispers. Their eyes were staring right at the young lady in the olive green dress. Leyna's voice lured the people into their conversation.

"I have never knew your voice would be so loud and clear,"Minerva said, mocking the pretentious act of care. "I also never knew that you were the kind of person that would believed in baseless rumors, Lady Leyna. That would be quite disappointing."

The corner of her lip twitched. "Why would you word it like that, Lady Adad? I was worried about Ella for having such… rumors behind her back. She would be devastated if she were to face it alone. No matter what she was, I would never abandoned her."

Minerva scoffed. Aretha step in, she said, "I am not sure from where did the rumor came from, however, I believed, today was not supposed to be about me, but a day to celebrate His Excellency. Was it not?" She patted Leyna's hands that was clutching on her left hand.

The audience and the two young lady beside Leyna were flustered. Leyna herself could only smile awkwardly in frustration as she let go her hands. The small grin on Minerva face curved upward. She sneered.

"Miss Ella was right. It would not be a beautiful scenery if a commotion were to erupt. Indeed, His Excellency truly had made such good discovery to have found himself a brilliant lady as his companion," Marchioness Adad said.

Aretha added, "Today should be filled with laughter of joy and cheers for celebration. His Excellency would not be pleased if relationship were destroyed and dreadful rumors were to stem from his own celebration banquet…" she took a glass of wine and extended her hand upward, "…I shall make a toast for new relationship and partnership that happened and would happen in today's banquet, and I shall make a toast, to all the honorable guest, for your attendance had gratified today's banquet. Cheers…"

The crowd looked at one another, bewildered by the change of the course. Some of them were amused, some of them approved, and some of them were reluctant. Vladimir, with Marquis Adad, Count Sancus, and Jonathan were perplexed by the scene that befell their eyes the moment they entered the hall.

Vladimir lips curved up little bit. Satisfied with how calm the young lady managed to control the situation. "Would I be right to assume this was one of your sister's talent, Jonathan?" he said, his eyes never left Aretha.

"My daughter is naive when it came to people. She care and worry about people without discrimination. However, some people would use that against her and make her the bad guy instead. I hope that Your Excellency would not judge her solely based on this situation." Count Sancus countered.

"Your Excellency… Perhaps, the situation was not as we seen." Jonathan exclaimed, worried his sister's reputation would be damaged.

Vladimir ignored them and strode off, claiming his spot next to Aretha. He whispered to her ear, "You have done well."

The banquet proceeded with ease. They tapped on the keyboard, hit on the string, and blew out the wind that created the melody. The instruments were played, as the band moved their hand and body. The resonance of the song filled the entire hall. They danced to the rhythm of the melody.

"May I have this dance, my lady?" Vladimir extended his hand to Aretha.

"That would be my pleasure," she replied as she laid her hand onto his palm, and they began to move along with the crowd.

Minerva grinned brightly seeing the grim expression on Leyna's face. Indeed, seeing the suffering of two-faced little bird brought her joys more than any jewelries does.

***

No matter how late he slept at night, he would always woke up early in the morning. He would have training before breakfast, and continued his work in the office after. Sometimes he went out for inspection or expedition however, most of the time, he would be in his office, if he do not have any outside business. After all, people would came looking for him instead of him looking for them when it came to matter regarding legal business.

The morning after the banquet, as usual, Vladimir would finish his piled up work in the office, when a knocked came to his door. The person behind the door came in. The man with blonde hair and blue eyes greeted him.

"Your Excellency," he said as he placed a file of document on his desk, "one death and three were injured. The family of the dead had been compensated, and the injured had been sent for medical care and properly compensated."

"Death?" Vladimir scowled his forehead as he asked, not satisfied with the outcome.

"Yes. Based on the report from the group, they had encountered new breed of monster. Your Excellency, please give me the order to lead a group for another expedition. I will see it to my own eyes."

Vladimir tapped his fingers on the surface of his desk. "Tell Jordan, Vincent and Llyod to prepare. The same goes to you. Be ready by tomorrow morning, and… call Mark in."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

After he met Mark and gave his order, he continued his work until it was lunch time. He went to the dining hall and locked eyes with the young lady whom he was attracted to. They had quite the usual pleasant lunch. He hesitated.

He said, "I will be gone for expedition for a while."

Aretha blinked her eyes. She looked at him and replied, "When will you set out, My Lord?"

"Tomorrow morning. Perhaps, for the whole week."

"Then, I will be waiting for you to come back."

He chuckled, "I shall be quick then."

"Lord Vladimir… May I bring Lady Minerva to meet my siblings? She had been wanting to meet them for a while now."

"If it was her, then you may."

***

The next morning, Aretha woke up early to send Vladimir off. "During my absence, Mark will be in charge of protecting the castle. He is one of my trusted men who ability I had approved. If there were anything that you need, just asked Lev," he said, as he tucked a strand of hair that was fluttering on her cheek.

"Please do not worry and take care of your well being, My Lord. My prayer will always be with you."

Vladimir and other four men hopped on the horses. They bid their farewell and rode the horses away. The clopping of the hooves began to dissipate into thin air. Aretha plopped onto the ground. Her bony muscle went limp.

"MY LADY!" Nika shouted as she held Aretha up and supported the young lady with her own body.

"Lev. Go and bring Casandra here," Agustin commanded, "Mark, carry Lady to her room."

Lev quickly ran upon the old butler's order. Mark carry Aretha in his arms and strode off to her room. Agustin, Pomona, Nika and Yua followed suit.

The man laid her down carefully on the bed. Lev came in with a woman in gray dress. "Miss Sanchez here," Lev said.

"Casandra! Have a look on Lady Ella. She suddenly fainted," Pomona rushed the woman who had just arrived, worried something would befell the young lady.

Casandra stood beside the bed. She placed her palm on Aretha's forehead. She sighed, and said, "It was just a cold, perhaps from all the accumulated fatigue she had. Make sure Lady Ella get enough rest. Lady Ella had a weak constitution to begin with, hence why she would faint suddenly. Although I had healed her for now, make sure she do not overwork herself."

All of them breathe a sigh of relief. Their face which had been drained of color, brighten up. "Thank goodness… Thank you, thank you O Angels," Pomona said, with her hand clasped together.

However, their relief do not last for long. Next day, in the evening, Ella was sweating bucket on her bed. Her body temperature rose up to the point her pale face turned bright red.

_______________________

*Little Theater*

Lev, barged into the room : "CASANDRA!"

Casandra, shocked : "WHAT?"

Lev : "La—lady!"

Casandra : "Lady? Lady Ella?"

Lev, nodded : "Lady Ella suddenly fainted! Hurry!"

Casandra : "Okay! Okay!"

Lev, pulled her hand : "Hurry!"

Casandra : "Wait!"

Lev, pulled her hand : "No time! Hurry!"

Casandra : "Let me wear my shoe at least! Stop pulling me!"

Lev, kneel down, took her shoe, carried her on his shoulder, and ran.

Casandra : "PUT ME DOWN YOU FREAK! I JUST NEED TO WEAR MY SHOE!"

C.Udon : "Sorry… I—I was… My mind kind of reminded by meme at this time… So… Ha Ha…"