Banquet Party

The bright yellow dress with a touch of blue as a sweetener looked very elegant, the golden yellow hair that was beautifully tied up looked very charming. The bright blue eyes that stared at her reflection in the mirror, smiled, before a familiar voice faded her smile.

"I'm waiting for someone who will come home after this party." Viscountess Varhadt's voice was heard from behind the bedroom door.

"Just one day, Mother, I beg you not to discuss marriage, men, or anything like that." The corners of Vilda's lips curved down, showing that she didn't like it.

"You should start looking now, getting a handsome young nobleman will be even more difficult as you get older."

"I know, so I'll be going now." Vilda immediately bowed her body as a farewell before she left. It was better for her to immediately head to Riana's residence than to continue listening to her mother's ramblings about marriage, couldn't she stop talking about it?

Vilda did not forget her promise, she brought three of her family's guards just in case, she couldn't bring much because her mother would definitely scold her. The plan was that they would only be on guard for a week there, Vilda didn't want to risk her mother finding out about this.

A horse-drawn carriage with the Varhadt family crest drove through the slightly crowded streets. This summer would witness the birth of Duke Walterz's first grandchild, the next successor to the Walterz family. Suddenly Viscountess Varhadt's words came to Vilda's mind and made her mood turn sour. Should she accept the arranged marriage?

****

Persuading Riana to accept three new guards who would only work for her for a week turned out to be quite difficult and it almost made them late for the party.

"If we're really late, I'll blame you and won't talk to you for a month." Vilda said, she wasn't angry, just a little threatening because of Riana's slightly stubborn attitude.

"Okay, I apologize." Riana could only surrender and accept three additional guards from Vilda.

"Come on, get in!" Vilda pulled Riana's arm a little faster so they wouldn't miss the big party.

The wide open hall door now revealed the figures of the nobles, beautiful dresses and neat suits scattered. Vilda's eyes were perfectly round, she was really looking forward to a moment like this, unlike Riana who looked a little nervous.

"Come on, you don't want to miss this event, right?"

"But, I'm nervous."

"Calm down, Riana, I'm here." Vilda held Riana's hands gently, reassuring her. Vilda and Riana chose to stand near a large pillar so as not to be too visible, that was actually Riana's request, she was very nervous after entering.

A voice was heard that the Duke and Duchess would soon enter, the atmosphere immediately became calm, only the strains of music were heard accompanying them. Two figures appeared that Riana had not seen for a long time, their faces had not changed much, only wrinkles were starting to appear. Behind them were her son, Joseph Walterz, his wife Rosaline Bougard, and a baby boy who was sleeping soundly in his mother's arms.

"Where is Lady Jeanna Walterz?" Riana asked in a whisper.

"It looks like she won't show her face." Answered Vilda whispering.

Riana was a little disappointed, she hoped to see Jeanna Walterz, even though she was not interested in rumors of the nobles but rumors about the duke family were an exception.

"Do you want to come with me or wait here?" Vilda asked.

"I'll just stay here." Riana answered.

"Okay, then you wait here, I'll talk to my friends for a while."

Riana nodded. Vilda left Riana and rushed to meet her friends, it seemed like she would get the latest news seeing her friends whispering to each other.

Riana's eyes looked at every corner of the room, the luxurious ornaments gave the impression that the owner was very rich, as well as the food served looked tempting. Riana took some bread and ate it, her guess was right this bread was very delicious.

Her green eyes that had been watching the guests who had arrived now stopped at a figure she had not seen for a long time, it was Victor Varhadt, Vilda Varhadt's twin. Riana followed Victor's gaze who seemed to be looking at something interesting without blinking. A woman with silver hair that looked very smooth, flowing down covering her beautiful, clean back, her bright red eyes were staring back at Victor.

"Isn't that Lady Bella Montena." Riana said softly.

"Who? Where is Lady Bella?" Asked Vilda who had come and was standing beside Riana.

Riana pointed with her eyes, "Victor is there too."

"What! Victor is here?"

Riana nodded, she also pointed with her eyes again.

"Looks like I'm going to leave you again."

Riana nodded, she was sure that soon Vilda would nag Victor non-stop, she really wanted to see her if only the figure of the black-haired woman sitting alone did not attract her attention. The woman sometimes smiled when someone greeted her, she also seemed to reject the invitation of several men who wanted to dance or chat longer with her. Ah! Yes, that could happen to her.

Riana forgot one thing, she couldn't dance properly, what if someone asked her to dance, she couldn't possibly refuse it because her status was only a low noble. Riana rushed out of the party room, she had to save herself before everyone laughed at her.

****

"It seems like someone is in a hurry, do you need help, Lady." A man in a dark blue suit was looking at Riana who had just come out of the banquet room, the man was standing not far from there.

"Greetings, Sir." Riana bowed her body slightly. For nobles with lower status, they must always respect nobles who are higher than them.

"What makes you rush?"

"I was just, just looking for some fresh air." Riana's words were a little hesitant, that was not a good excuse, everyone who was avoiding something would definitely say the same thing.

"Yes, I want to take a walk." Her correction was quick, but isn't walking alone also unreasonable?

"No, I just want to go out, yes go out." Riana's words were getting more and more confused, she had never faced a situation like this, nervousness, fear, and worry all mixed together.

"Calm down, I won't tell you to go back to that room." The man in front of her said calmly.

"Thank you for understanding." Riana bowed then hurriedly left she didn't want to meet anyone here.

"If you want to go for a walk alone I don't recommend going there, that's where the duke's family resides, I think you'll get in trouble if you sneak in there."

Riana turned around. "Okay." She then walked in the opposite direction, not forgetting to bow her body when passing the man.

"If you don't know this place you shouldn't go there, it leads to the Duchess' private garden, she doesn't like strangers visiting her without permission."

Riana turned around again, now she walked towards the man and stopped right in front of him. "So where should I go?" There was a tone of annoyance clearly visible on Riana's face.

"It seems like you just got here, huh?"

Riana nodded. "With all due respect, I feel very indebted if you would show me the right way."

"Come with me, I'm not interested in this party either."

"With you?" Riana asked hesitantly.

"If you don't mind, but if you want to be alone, please go ahead." The man then walked away, he didn't seem to really intend to help Riana.

"Thank you for your help, I'll come with you." Riana hurriedly followed the man and walked behind him.

Her guess was right, the man didn't really want to help her, he had been silent and busy walking somewhere. Riana regretted following him, but at least she was saved from being invited to dance even though she wasn't sure if someone would ask her.

"Thank you for your help, if you don't mind may I ask why you don't come into the party hall?" Riana tried to talk with the man, they wouldn't stay silent forever, right?

"I can enjoy the party from here." He said, he then stopped in front of the fountain and sat on the edge.

"Enjoy it here?" Riana asked confused.

The man directed his gaze which was followed by Riana, from here she could see the large open windows, the nobles were busy talking and dancing. They could also see the second floor area which looked no less crowded.

"Usually I often spend time there." The man now headed towards the empty second floor balcony.

"Then why are you here?"

"I'm just looking for some fresh air, like you."

"I'm not looking for some fresh air. Actually I'm avoiding if someone asks me to dance."

"Wouldn't women like you be very happy if they were asked to dance?"

Riana nodded. "It should be, but I'm really bad at dancing."

"Want to try with me? I haven't danced in a long time either, so if my foot or yours gets stepped on, we don't have to be embarrassed and guilty."

****