Verse Two
'It seems like we came at a bad time,' CK thought wryly as she removed her sunhat and glasses. She was exhausted from travelling but there she was, crashing a tea party with her mother as soon as she got back.
But Isabella saw nothing wrong with it. She approached CK with a loving smile and extended her arms, "Welcome back, mi Esmeralda. You've no idea how relieved I am to see you safe and sound. You've grown so much!"
"I'm home, mama. I've missed you dearly," CK replied as she hugged Isabella. The fabrics of her dress were just as soft and welcoming as the hug.
"She's looking more like you every day, my lady," Joaquin said with a grin. "Yes, yes~! Doesn't she look wonderful?" Isabella clasped CK's hand happily.
Isabella was healthy and well, and CK couldn't ask for more. But although joy was bursting through her body, she had to temper herself as several well-dressed women approached them.
"So this is the young…CK, was it?" a mature woman in a plum-colored dress asked, slightly curious but also skeptical upon checking CK head to toe, "The name is slightly unusual, but she does bear semblance to you, Lady Isabella."
"Of course, she does," Isabella said and introduced her and her companions to CK, "This is Marchioness Palmisano, Marchioness Espinosa, and Countess Tafani. Marchioness Palmisano owns one of the most prominent cosmetic brands in Rouge City, Marchioness Espinosa is a renowned wine connoisseur, and the Countess is a fashion designer. "
"Ah, so that explains the exquisite texture of your skin, madam. It compliments your skin tone! Does the eye shadow you use also belong to your business?" CK asked Marchioness Palmisano with a smile. "It is," the noblewoman in plum nodded pleasantly, causing CK to smile wider.
"It's a beautiful shade," she complimented. "Hm… Thank you. She is well-mannered and has taste," Marchioness Palmisano made the last comment to Lady Isabella, who giggled.
"I am CK, sole daughter of House Vincenzo. Very pleased to make your acquaintance," CK curtsied and stood back up with a wry smile, "I must apologize, however. I was unaware my mother will be hosting a tea party and had not dressed the part. I came from a long trip, you see."
"From wherever, my dear?" Countess Tafani asked curiously. "This is the first time we are seeing Lady Isabella's daughter. We were told there was a child, but none has really seen her these past few years," Marchioness Espinosa mused, "Have you been overseas?"
"Yes, madame," CK smiled politely. "And she must be terribly exhausted. Mi Esmeralda, why don't you take a brief rest? I can see that you've been restless and in need of sleep," Isabella said worryingly, "Lucila? Joaquin? Vicente? Please take her inside and look after her."
"Right away, my lady," Lucila bowed and gently ushered CK into the manor. "Please excuse us, my ladies," Joaquin bowed to the noblewomen, leaving one of the other consorts to follow behind while carrying CK's sunhat and glasses.
As soon as the door closed behind them, CK's smile contorted into a sour look. "If there's one thing I dislike about returning, it's the pleasantries with strangers," she said and removed her jacket, giving it to Lucila.
"It seems that Lady Isabella has noticed and immediately found an excuse to dismiss you from the conversation," Lucila smiled. "I'm hungry," CK muttered randomly as she sat on the couch.
"Where shall I take the little lady's belongings?" Vicente asked. "Please leave it aside. The maids will take care of it," Lucila replied.
"To the stables, then," Joaquin smirked. "You are an unpleasant oaf. Why hasn't my mother gotten rid of you yet?" CK asked irritatingly.
"Do my ears deceive me, or am I hearing the sweet voice of my dreams calling me to sleep?"
The buzzing of servants and the newly-arrived group paused at the sound of a gasp. A man stood atop the stairs, his hair disheveled and dressed in only black trousers and a sleeping shirt. His glasses were crooked in a panic, and he looked like he only came out of bed, but his wide emerald eyes and the book about to fall out of his hand said otherwise.
He gasped. "Now, my eyes deceive me! Has Isabella taken an age-reduction potion?!" he asked in horror, "Isabella, why?! Now people will think I'm into teenagers and that I'll be coming after their daughters!"
"My lord… Lady Isabella is outside entertaining guests," Vicente said while giving the sunhat and glasses to a servant. "Huh? Then who…" the confused man furrowed his eyebrows, his vision blurred and doubling.
The sight of the man upstairs brightened CK's smile, and she raised a hand to wave, "Papa! I'm home!"
The man quickly adjusted his glasses and squinted at CK for a better look. His jaw dropped and his eyes sparkled. This sweet face of an angel… No way!
"It can't be… My little bambinaaa!"
"Wah! M-My lord!" Lucila gasped as the lord of the house jumped over the railing and landed before them with a thud. He rocketed towards CK and immediately scooped her up, his eyes full of shock and adoration.
"So it IS my bambina! Ahh, you've grown so beautifully that I mistook you for your mother," he rubbed his cheek against CK's head affectionately, "I'm not dreaming, am I?!"
"I'm pretty sure if you can hold her with your hands, she's very real," Joaquin shrugged. "She's real…" Lord Flavio sniveled and dragged CK close to his chest, "So beautiful, so sweet. You're finally home! Were you tired on your way here? Has anyone pestered you? Tell me everything while I cook you some food!"
"The butler will tell the chef to make something. There's no need to trouble yourself, my lord," Lucila said. "Lucila!" Flavio said happily, then paused in confusion, "Wait… I'm glad to see you, too, but shouldn't you be at Hot Cross?"
"Erm… The young lady stopped by the summer villa first. I couldn't let her travel here on her own, so I accompanied her. I'm sure Ophelia and Marionetta won't be burning the villa down while I'm gone," Lucila answered.
"Hot Cross? What would you be doing at Hot Cross, my sweet?" Flavio looked at CK confusingly. "I passed by Montgomery first so I would meet you first. Then Lucila told me you would be here with mama, so I didn't stay at the villa for long," CK smiled sheepishly.
"Ah, so you've met Ophelia?" Flavio asked. "Yes. She needs lessons on how to receive guests in the future," CK replied with an innocent glance away. Flavio grumbled.
"You mischievous child. Why didn't you send me a letter that you'll be coming home? I would have waited for you so we could travel together," he said sulkily. "It was a sudden trip home, and I wanted to surprise you," CK grinned.
"Well, you did surprise me. I'm just glad you're home at last! It's been an eternity since my little bambina left the nest. Now, she's returned as a beautiful swan," Flavio sniffed dramatically and turned to Lucila resolutely, "Lucila, tell Francois to ready a feast just enough for us. We're celebrating my daughter's safe return!"
The feast was prepared in two hours, the same time Isabella's tea party ended. CK had changed out of her travel clothes and settled into a comfortable dress for the dinner feast. Much to her delight, there were plenty of desserts to choose from. She was quick with a slice of cheesecake, munching on it while the servants laid the meals before her family members.
Flavio was seated at the head of the table, Isabella on his right and CK seated on the left. Next to CK were Joaquin and Vicente. Food platters were served, and Flavio took a tentative sip of the wine. His brows furrowed.
"Is it just me, or has the wine changed? The flavor is…different," he said. "I had Francois open the bottle of Fleurmine. It's been stashed in the liquor cabinet for years now. I thought it'd be nice to give it a try," Isabella said, causing Flavio's face to turn sour.
"Eugh, that bottle of spicy grits?" he said. "What? It tastes just fine. Right, everyone?" Isabella said and turned to the others.
"It's…unique," Vicente smiled awkwardly. Joaquin suppressed a groan as he placed the wineglass back on the table, "Perhaps I'm too weak to match my lady's strong taste buds…"
"You should've left that bottle to rot on the cabinet. I can't understand how anyone can appreciate this fermented nonsense," Flavio shook his head. "It was a gift from the Duchess, in case you forgot. I just wanted to drink something special with our daughter's return. Hmph!" Isabella huffed.
"You have horrible taste, Bella," Flavio scrunched his nose, causing the others to cough awkwardly. "What? In men? Hah! Surely, it must be if I chose to marry you," Isabella harrumphed.
"Bleh," Flavio stuck his tongue out tauntingly, causing Isabella's eye to twitch. "I ought to dice that tongue of yours to pieces," she threatened with her fork, "If you don't like it, then don't drink it!"
"No. I should give it another sip and understand what you found 'special' about it," Flavio said and muttered, "Who knows, the Duchess might have gifted it so she could get rid of it, too…"
"You annoy me."
"Heh. The feeling is mutual, mi amor."
'I see my parents are the same as always,' CK thought while munching on her food. Malphas chuckled.
'Ew. Quit gawking at my mother,' CK thought displeasingly.
'Stop ogling my parents, you perverted daemon,' CK thought irritatingly and was responded with a taunting chuckle.
"Mi Esmeralda, you don't look good. Is the chicken not cooked well?" Isabella asked CK, causing the girl to look at her. "Hm? Ah, sorry. I was stuck in my thoughts for a while," CK replied, "Don't worry, the chicken is delicious."
"Haha! You behave just like your father," Isabella giggled, "Did you know that your father would space out many times while you were away? He'd always be staring out the window, constantly sulking that you wouldn't send a letter."
"Really?" CK laughed lightly. "B-But you can't blame me! Why would the school prohibit communication with her own parents? I nearly died of heartache many times!" Flavio protested.
"Speaking of dying, there've been rumors flying around these past years, saying that young lady CK has died or some other wild tale," Vicente said. "Was my absence that much of a big deal?" CK asked dubiously, "My position is hardly noteworthy."
"Ah, you know how bored nobles behave," Joaquin said, making Isabella snort. "Hmph! You have your father to blame for those rumors," Isabella said, "During the social season the same year you left for the Nonaphrontistery, some nobles saw Flavio crying and sniveling while looking at a picture of you. They were then convinced you passed away! I swear, if it weren't for his power, I would be convinced he wouldn't survive out in the wild."
"Aww, papa," CK looked at Flavio with a soft smile. "Don't look at me with those sweet eyes of yours, bambina. You've hurt your father many times for the past four years," Flavio grumbled sulkily. He blinked in surprise when CK patted his hand.
"That's alright, papa. I'm here now, see? Safe and sound," CK smiled.
'Shut up.'
"Yes, what matters is that you come back to me," Flavio stroked CK's hair affectionately, "It's your mother that made the rumors worse. Have you heard about them yet?"
"That was NOT my fault! I tried to prevent them from hosting an empty funeral, you know?"
"One time, the daughter of Duke Donati from Briar City wished to extend an invitation for her debut party. She wanted to invite you—which I found odd since we aren't acquainted with House Donati. But when asked where you were and if rumors that you died were true, your mother made a ridiculous answer and said that you might have gone to jail overseas!" Lord Flavio said displeasingly.
CK nearly choked on her drink after hearing Malphas' sudden chortles in the back of her mind. Isabella reddened from embarrassment.
"W-Well I never said that she actually got into jail! It was better than making people think we just lost a child," Isabella tried to reason while CK silently recovered from her coughing.
'It was for my family's safety. I'm not the only wordsmith on this planet and we didn't need enemies from afar to come after my family. Funnily enough, I was the one who got into more trouble,' CK responded in thought. The irony.
"Have they really persisted in asking about me during these past years? How adamant," CK said.
"No, not anymore. They either believed you were dead, or that you were overseas and stuck in some random country," Lord Flavio shook his head, "But enough about those whimsical rumors—It's just part of being a noble in Pentamerone."
"Yes, let's leave them to think about the actual truth," Isabella said and asked excitedly, "How was the school? Did you have a good time?"
"It was…a noteworthy experience. I saw Sasha there. She was admitted this year," CK replied. "Sasha? The daughter of Marquis Lochlainn?" Isabella asked in surprise.
"They did say that someone from House Lochlainn managed to enter the Nonaphrontistery. People claim she was the prodigy of the decade and first to enter the school, but well… The true first is here in front of us," Joaquin said and smiled at CK.
"How I wish to correct them and give my little bambina the credits, but that would blow our cover. Humility is so hard to practice," Lord Flavio sighed in dismay. CK giggled. It really was.
"Anything else? Was it really an entire world of its own?" Isabella asked. "Yes, mama. It has its own government and stands independently without the Empire's influence. There were many other students from various worlds there, too. I can't count how many times I've been culture-shocked, but I had fun," CK smiled.
"That must have been an invaluable experience. You're lucky, my sweet. We could never hope to be in that situation," Isabella said pleasantly. Flavio smiled silently.
"Maybe. Ah, I almost forgot," CK grinned, "I actually almost got jailed, hehe."
It fell silent as wide-eyed stares fell on CK.
"What?!"