I'm with Her

"What the hell is going on here?" A thunderous voice echoed through the hall. Footsteps immediately reached Elijah and she was soon engulfed in a familiar warm and protective embrace. Duke Orvin was shocked to see her daughter surrounded by everyone as soon as he entered the hall. Rage filled him when he thought of how all these people might have hurt her when he wasn't around. Letting her go, he gently gazed at her and asked, "Were you hurt? Did anyone do something to you?"

Only then did Lady Vanessa come to her senses and tried take advantage of the situation, she then apologized repeatedly to Lady Gweneth. "It was all my fault for not being a good host. I allowed someone to be physically maltreated in our manor. It's truly my fault. But no matter what Lady Elizabeth said, Lady Melanie shouldn't have hit her. As her distant relative, I am truly ashamed of her action."

After apologizing to Lady Gweneth, Lady Vanessa turned to slightly scold Lady Melanie. "Lady Melanie should always consider the reputation of Von Diovre Dukedom. As an heir, you must always have a clear mind and sound judgement. How could you just hit someone because you didn't like what they said. Duke Orvin, Your Grace, I implore you not be bias and to judge the situation in righteousness. You are known for being fair. Thus, I hope you can urge your daughter to apologize to Lady Elizabeth and Lady Gweneth now! We don't want conflicts with Von Diovre Family and Franchesca Family, right?"

"Hah! We can't afford the apology of the superior Von Diovre family!" Lady Gweneth was relentless with her words as she glared at them and spewed words in sarcasm. "I see that the Von Diovre is too prestigious for our Franchesca Family to befriend. To the point that one can just easily raise their hand and hit someone from our family without an ounce of shame nor guilt."

Everyone said a slight prayer for Lady Melanie...Lady Gweneth who holds huge power and influence in the high society, was banishing her in front of everyone; how was the Von Diovre Family ever going to establish themselves in high society again? And what about Lady Melanie who just debuted tonight?

Elijah, however, smirked with confidence. She moved gracefully in front of her father and looked around oozing with elegance as if she was the most noble of them all. With a serious expression, she spoke with authority, "I see that the Franchesca Family has such strict domestic discipline. Lady Gweneth must have taught her second daughter very well. Is that why Lady Elizabeth knows how to come up with the most groundless slander? She's so good at framing other people, ruining their reputation, and spreading rumors. Is that all the result of your wonderful teaching?"

'Awesome!!!' Caleb chuckled inwardly as he watched in secret. He was also shocked at first but was amused to see the young lady deal with the situation with confidence and authority. 'Is she really just 12? How can she not be intimidated by my Aunt and act so maturely?'

Viscount Colleen who felt the tension in the air couldn't help but move to Lady Vanessa with a frown. He whispered,"What's wrong?"

But before Lady Vanessa could say anything, Lady Gweneth who was just questioned by a young girl exploded.

Lady Gweneth had never expected Lady Melanie to be bold enough to talk back. She wouldn't have it! She is one of the most noble lady in the empire who holds the biggest influence and yet this young lady who just debuted is questioning how she raised her daughter and Franchesca Family's teachings?

"Kick her out! Now! Now!!!" Infuriated, Lady Gwebeth thumped her heels loudly on the floor as she commanded with full authority. "How dare you disrespect your elder and me and my teachings? Is that how Von Diovre Family raised their children?"

Many were now giving Lady Melanie strange looks...The tension in the hall was now so suffocating that the others wouldn't even dare to speak up.

Lord Travis, who happened to see his graceful wife burst out of nowhere, turned his cold gaze on Lady Melanie. "Aren't you going to apologize and leave, young lady?"

Lady Gweneth who heard the support in her husband's voice smirked in a condescending manner. "It's really a headache. I knew that the young lady was arrogant, but I finally see how arrogant she can actually be. She slapped our dear Lady Elizavetg first, then offended the Franchesca Family. Such an ill-bred girl. I can't believe she's the Duke's only daughter."

Duke Orvin frowned. "If your daughter was slapped, it is her fault for speaking lies."

"Did you just take that girl's side, Your Grace?!" The old lady, Viscount Colleen's mother, almost stuck her walking stick as she came out of nowhere. "It is still not acceptable to hit someone because of words."

"Mother, don't be mad. It's not good for your health..." Viscount Colleen immediately intervened and reached out for his mother.

A pregnant lady who spoke in a gentle voice also cajoled the old lady. She had one hand behind her waist and the other over her plump belly. It was none other than Lady Theressa, Viscount Colleen's first wife. She then turned to Lady Melanie. "Lady Melanie, our mother, who is also your grandmother, isn't in great health and we can't have her losing her temper. Just please apologize to her and to Lady Elizabeth whom you've hurt. Lady Gweneth raised her well and she's such a kind lady that she'll forgive you as soon as you say you're sorry. The Franchesca's are known for their benevolence after all."

However, no one noticed how grim Duke Orvin's face was when he heard her words!

'Everyone's pressuring my daughter to apologize. Tsk.' Duke Orvin thought in rage. If not for the small hand hooked on his arm that calms him down, he might have bloodied this hall to shut their disgusting mouths.

Lady Melanie couldn't help but sigh before she darted Lady Theressa a dirty look, then she suddenly pointed at her belly. "That baby is not Viscount Colleen's child."

"W-what?" Lady Theressa blurted out, flabberghasted at what she heard.

Murmurs erupted around the hall as everyone looked at the Viscountess and then back at the young lady who brazenly pointed at her protruding belly.

"One day, I was travelling in town in secret and saw the Viscountess in a dark alley with another man. He looked liked a knight who is young, tall, and handsome. Then I heard a bit of their conversation. They were having a secret love affair and they were planning to give birth to that child who doesn't have Viscount Colleen's blood and raise him to be the heir of this manor. It's true, not only that, they were even kissing in the dark alley that --"

"You!!!" A yell was heard as the Viscountess hurriedly move towards Lady Melanie ready to slap her but the latter was quick to catch her hand. "Let go of my hand! How dare you spout lies in front of me!"

Elijah smirked and looked around at the confused and questioning gazes of the crowd. "The Viscountess was right. I was just speaking lies and none of my words were true. But didn't you all witness Lady Theressa's natural reaction when someone slandered her in front of everyone? She, a noble lady with a very good family and upbringing, also came to me and was ready to slap me."

Silence filled the hall and everyone listened, not wanting to miss any details of all these juicy drama.

"I, myself, no matter how good my upbringing was, also felt the same way when I heard Lady Elizabeth slandering me and my reputation in front of everyone. And so I reacted naturally and slapped her from spouting lies." Elijah continued. "Could I really be blamed for feeling wronged and mad to that point? Not only that, both Lady Gweneth and Lady Elizabeth together with Lady Vanessa, they all were mocking me in front of everyone since earlier while I was just silently minding my own business. I was never taught to fight trivial matters. I never initiate attacks. I, only, retaliate. I could have just let their mocking slide off but Lady Elizabeth touched my bottom line and declared lies in front of my face. I am just a young lady who debuted. What would my future be if I allow her to tarnish my name further? Then now, everyone wants me to apologize to such a liar? Should I really be pressured like to apologize for something that wasn't my fault in the first place?"

The guests all looked ashamed of themselves as they looked around and realize that the young girl's words made sense. Even the kind and gente Lady Theressa was not able to stop herself from getting mad when she was slandered, what more of a young girl without much experience in self control?

"Lady Theressa, I do apologize for using you as I demonstrated how I truly felt earlier when I heard someone slandering me. I believe that you are a well raised lady who is kind and benevolent and that you will forgive me if I say sorry." Elijah said and finally let go of the Viscountess hand. "I'm truly sorry. I hope you understand. You forgive me now, right?"

Lady Theressa who was choked of her own words couldn't help but shake off her anger and just nod. Then she walked back to her husband and to the old lady.

"Lady Colleen, I am sorry for causing this trouble in your birthday banquet. I couldn't control my natural reaction and slapped one of your guests. However, I am not sorry for what I've done to her because she deserved it for being a liar." Elijah then aaid gracefuly, emphasizing the end part, word per word.

The old lady was also speechless.

"As for Lady Elizabeth, I don't like talking to stupid people." Elijah said as a matter of factly and sighed.

Caleb who was watching in hiding couldn't help but burst out laughing. Luckily, he placed a spell around him so that nobody could hear him.

"Lady Gweneth, I am also not sorry to you. I questioned Lady Elizabeth's upbringing because it is questionable. How can a lady from a prestigious Franchesca Family spout lies so brazenly? I assumed that maybe because of her family's protection that's why she was confident that she wouldn't be punished for speaking lies. However, I am not one who will tolerate insults and lies. So I did what I thought was the right thing and taught her a lesson myself. I hope that you will teach your daughter well in the future." Elijah added and then turned to her father, who looked gloomy beside her. "I may have grown up without a mother, but don't forget that I still have my father with me. Of course, my father, Duke Orvin Von Diovre, taught me well."

"You!" Lady Gweneth started but was stopped by Lord Travis who pulled her to his side with a warning gaze.

Hooking her hand over to the Duke's arm and smiling at him charmingly, the Duke was rendered speechless, but he felt her warmth. "Yes, my daughter, grew up so well."

Elijah then smirked inwardly and lowered her gaze, letting her dense eyelashes shield the glint in her eyes from everyone else. Lady Elizabeth should have known better and not crossed her line. Afterall, Elijah was anything but stupid.

"Lady Melanie...you have to take resposibility for--" Lady Elizabeth said aggressively.

Elijah frowned and was about to reply when Lady Elizabeth was cut off by a sudden announcement. A hubbub of excited voices came from outside —

"All hail His Royal Highness — the second prince!!!"

"His Royal Highness?!!!" Everyone was dumbfounded!

The second prince was like the most dazzling star in the sky! He was too superior and unattainable to even dream of getting close to. Attending the same event as the second prince was something worth boasting about for three years and even a lifetime! And so everyone's attention was swiftly caught the other way.

"His Royal Highness is here?" Murmurs errupted once more that the hall became so lively.

Even an experienced and level-headed bureaucrat like Viscount Colleen couldn't help but get flustered. Afterall, the prince came to attend his mother's birthday banquet. It will be a great honor to their family for such prestigious attendance.

Fearing that his ears had failed him, he asked again, "His Royal Highness? As in the second prince? Prince Joaqin?"

The Colleen Manor's steward who just came beside him nodded affirmatively. "Yes, it's His Royal Highness himself. And as I see it, he's even come with his official Knights of Honor, saying that they're here to celebrate our old lady's birthday!"

'Even the knights of Honor came?' They thought.

'Since when was the Colleen Family became important enough for the second prince to come and attend the birthday banquet himself?' Everyone was dumbfounded.

'Was the Colleen family about to get lucky?'

Viscount Colleen shook with excitement. Lifting his feet off the floor, he dashed out the door! Many officials who were also here today for the birthday banquet dashed out after Viscount Colleen, hoping to have even a few seconds of interaction with the prince. Before long, the yard was filled with prostrating officials.

Everyone of those that had been smirking at and talking about the clash between Lady Melanie and the Franchesca Dukedom a moment ago had forgotten all about it. They were too busy going down and giving respect to the prestigious newcomer. The officials knelt down on the left. And their wives did so on the right. All of them focused solely on that one person surrounded by his Knights of Honor.

'What a flashy entrance.' Elijah thought and shook her head.

"Don't you want to go and meet his highness?" Duke Orvin asked when he saw her daughter looking at the entrance of the hall.

"Who cares about him, Your Grace. It's better for him to stay far far away from me. I' ve had enough stress for tonight." She said and the Duke chuckled.

"That's my good daughter." He said with a satisfied smile.

***

Prince Joaqin hardly ever visited any officials nor even attended banquets such as this. Thus, all eyes were fixed on second prince when he walked in. Everyone was eager to know why he has come to this banquet. He wore a dazzling black suit and had put on a red fur cape that matched his outfit and highlighted his feautures. The outfit emphasized the distinguished air he was giving off. Then, he walked at an unhurried but intimidating pace. He paid his lethal charisma no mind as he moved through the crowd, his head searching and seeking for something...or someone. There was an indecipherable look in his brooding eyes eventhough his expression was emotionless.

"Your Royal Highness —"

The officials actually didn't need to kneel in the second prince's presence. No one remembered who started it, but somehow, everyone felt like going down on their knees whenever he showed up, and though they wanted to be recognized, they weren't even bold enough to look at him in the eye. In all the years that the Empire had been established, this prince was one of a kind. That is why he was well supported by the people and the nobles even if he was the second child.

"Your Royal Highness —" Viscount knelt down at the very front, his expression very solemn. "It is my family's great honor to have you as our guest for tonight's banquet."

The others also lowered their gazes deferentially, not daring to take a peek at the prince.

"Hmmm." Prince Joaqin responded in acknowledgement and looked around until his eyes found what he was searching for. Three years. He knew three years were long enough for a person to grow. He was quite taken aback to see such a stunning beauty in the little girl in his memories. Although it was expected, he was still pleasantly susprised. Taking in her beauty, he almost forgot his promise to punish her for ignoring him all this time. He suddenly wanted to grab her to his side and keep her hidden under his sleeves so only he could see her. Only when he remembered that she didn't even come out tobgreet him after arriving here that his mood began to sour once more.

Leo, the prince's trusted aide, then brought the gifts prepared for the old lady and presented them accordingly. Colleen family was very ecstatic to receive them.

However, none of these mattered to the prince. As Prince Joaqin's cold gaze had been fixed in just one direction since he found what he came here for, and he also headed that way with a grim look on his face.

'It was you who started to break the promise. So let's see how you'll play the game this time.' The prince thought.

Elijah frowned a little when she noticed that the second prince was coming her way. He's truly a man in a million. His grown up looks is out of this world. He grew up so well Elijah was a bit speechless after seeing him. She had prepared several backup plans for different scenarios in advance for this occasion just in case unfortunate events happen. That was why even after the successive pressuring from everyone in the hall, she was able to remain unperturbed. However, the second prince wasn't part of Elijah's plan...she was truly surprised that his highness would attend today's banquet. Seeing him now after a very long time, she felt how much time had passed. Seeing his approaching presence, the prince had definitely grown taller with more distinct manly features. His built was now thicker and his presence more intimidating and authoritative. She should have thought of the second prince as her natural enemy, each time any one of them showed up 3 years ago before he left for the academy, she would be forced to argue with him in someway. However, even she's faced with a lot of unexpected complications with him, she realized that she doesn't truly hate his presence. She was even responsive of his letters to her and even sent him gifts for special occasions just to gain his trust and favor.

'Was it because I know that we are both villains in the making?' Elijah thought and laughed at her inner thought.

Elijah couldn't even force a smile when the prince finally neared her. She just then felt flames seemed to shoot out of her father's blue eyes. The prince is obviously just gawking at his daughter. He totally made a beeline for Melanie.

A pair of long, straight legs stopped in front of Lady Melanie and the Duke.

"Greetings to his highness, the second prince." Both father and daughter said in respect.

"Greetings, Grand Duke Orvin and Lady Melanie." He responded.

Prince Joaqin just stared at her with a face that was colder than frost.

"Can I be excused with your daughter for a moment, Duke Orvin?" Prince Joaqin finally asked.

The Duke was about to sternly disagree when he saw his daughter shaking her head, signing that it was fine. And so the Duke sighed in resignation before he gave the prince a stern glare and let go of her.

"Continue to enjoy the banquet!" The prince suddenly announced before offering his hand out to the young lady. Then he smirked as he added, "I'm with her."

***