Overwhelming Contempt.

For a brief moment, there was calm, as both the addresser and the addresse locked eyes with each other, neither one of them uttering a single syllable towards the other. "Your ignorance is only caused by your absence at the living room this morning." Thalia informed him, with her hands on her waist. Targen rolled his eyes. "What a vixen you are." He added, with a click of his tongue. "Say again?" Thalia inquired with the most hospitable grin on her face. "Don't pin the blame on him Thalia; it Is my fault as well." Diane immediately quipped in with an anxious look on her face, not wanting to be the seed which sowed discourse between the two.. er-siblings. "He did inquire of Me, My identity upon my arrival at this terrain." Diane explained herself, as she glanced in the direction of the man once More. He seemed to be fairly attractive, no, even much more attractive than Diego Was, with that chiseled jawline And muscular physique, it perplexed Diane as to the cause why he was yet to get married. 'It is without doubt that this is indeed the duchess's son.' Diane thought, as she stared at him. Though Diane was of the opinion that he was slightly haughty, his physical feautures and characteristics genetically leaned towards being on the side of his mother, If he had not inherited that legacy which every Raymond seemed to possess. She pondered on how he would look like if he were to due his hair black. "So.. Who is she exactly?" Targen interrogated, causing Diane to break her gaze, as she glanced awkwardly into another direction. "Well, this person so happened to be Diego's wife, if I be privileged to improve upon your shallow knowledge." Thalia intervened, when she noticed that Diane was not going to speak at anytime soon. "Oh? Is that so?" Tegan muttered, as he slightly tilted his head, to observe the lady more properly. "To think that I almost nearly ended up killing my cousin's wife." He added half heartedly. "I am the one to be faulted for not replying to you in time." Diane said, as she finally regained her composure. "My name is Diane Raymond, a daughter who was born into the household of the Lewis." She stated, while giving a Courtsey. "So you are the Marquis's daughter." Targen observed her with an exceedingly bored expression. "Targen, that shouldn't be the way you should speak to a lady." Thalia Warned strictly. "And by the way, are you not supposed to introduce yourself to her as well?" She inquired as she stared intently at him. "I am not interested in associating with her." Targen uttered, as he rose up and walked away, leaving the two ladies behind. "Targen! You uncivilized brute, get back here this instant!" But the man accorded no attention to the lady behind, and continued to press forward as though he was deaf. "I apologize for his behavior, Diane. You ought not to feel hurt; he just ended up developing a despicable personality." She told the latter. "Oh, I am perfectly alright, so there isn't much of a need for you to be worried." Diane replied with a smile. She stared at the man's receding back, wondering what it would have been that occurred In his life that caused him to be so cold and detached. While she yet stared into the distance, she saw a familiar figure from afar, walking down the Same path of which Targen trode, but In the opposite direction. Sure enough, when both entities eventually came to face each other, they did not so much as render a single word or gesture of acknowledgement amongst themselves. Targen went on his way, and so did Diego. "Is she yet to give you a detour?" Diego inquired, an obvious smile on his face as he approached them. Diane smiled back at him, although her right fists visibly gripped her dress. Her companion equally beamed In Diego's direction as well. "I was of the impression that you would hole yourself in your room for the entire day." Thalia told him, as soon as he came into close proximity with them. "When I am neither captive nor animal?" Diego asked the latter with a smirk, as he reached out for Diane. "Do not touch me." She told him sternly, causing his hand to halt in the mid- air. "And why Is that?" The man interrogated, as he gazed into her eyes. "You always fail to show up at the moments I need you the most." She explained, as she gazed up at him angrily. "Do you know that the sole of my foot aches at the moment because of you?" She added, as the anger had not fully dissipated from her eyes. "How so?" Diego inquired, as the grin on his face became even broader. "That.. Oh nevermind. It is nothing of importance." Diane casually replied, as she glanced away from his direction, as her cheeks slowly turned crimson. She lightly placed her hand on her chest- that sensation, what was it exactly? Had he become so important to her, that his Mere presence alone guaranteed her security? Was that why she felt dismayed having been fooled by that mirage of Earlier? That organ was going wild for the second time that day, and her chest began to hurt with every thump. "Say, something, Diane." Diego's voice urged her. "What do you possibly expect me to say?" Diane inquired in a low tone, as she recoiled even further from him, away from his grasp. He always smirked when he was In the mood to tease her- but, unfortunately for him, Diane was in no such mood to be teased; especially not before Thalia, who just stood there with a wide grin on her face, staring at them both. "Ahem." Thalia cleared her throat in order to remind the couple that she was still there. She then put on a serious expression, as though she was displeased over an issue. "It was not very courteous for you to let your wife to roam about the garden without an aide, Diego." She told him, her arms crossed. Diane's ears turned red at the mention of that statement, and she hurriedly glanced around the garden. 'Perharps, Is there a hole large enough for me to jump into at this place?' She inquired inwardly, as her blue eyes darted around. Diego glanced at the fidgeting Diane for a while, before lightly clasping her hand, which caused the latter to gaze up at him in shock. "I' did tell her to remain indoors. Didn't I, my dear?" He began as he gazed down at her. For the second of which Diane glanced up at him, she found those silver like eyes of his to be quite alluring. "You can't cage me like a bird, Diego." She stated, as she strained hard against him, which further led the man to grip Her harder. "Even the bird's master will permit it to dry its wings in the Sun's rays, although it might be for a while." She further emphasised. "Anyways Thalia. Diane and I will be obligated to depart from your presence, thus." Diego said, as he turned towards the woman, who had hand clasped to her mouth, for reasons which were known to her. "How so?" Diane questioned, as she glanced up at her husband. She resisted him no further; but rather gazed at him incredulously. Diego felt strongly enticed to pull at her cheek. "Because my uncle demands for our presence; he has a message to convey to us both." Diego told her. "Alright then, it is best that I let you two be, if so be the case." Thalia commented, with a beaming smile. "Oh, and lady Diane?" She called out hurriedly before they could Leave. "May I have the privilege of beholding you once again tommorow?"

*********************************

 "Do your feet still hurt?" Diego inquired to the blonde beside him, who was struggling desperately to keep up with his pace. "Actually, I.. lied to you when I said that." Diane mumbled almost incomprehensibly. If one did not pay apt attention, they would have thought she said another. "Why? In order to gain my attention? Well you must surely have it at the moment." He said, as they strode down the long corridors. "I actually meant for you to feel guilty." Diane admitted, not casting a glance at him for the fear of the opinion that may be formed about her. Diego just shook his head. "What is the matter? Are you perharps disappointed in me?" She inquired, as she lightly used her hand to pull his sleeve. On a more contrary note, why was she so concerned about this one fact? "I am not." Diego said, as he glanced at her briefly. "But I will admit that you can be rather obstinate, however." He stated, before sighing. "I am perfectly aware that Lisa may be temporarily unavailable for today, and that was the exact reason why I didn't want you to step out. If that wasn't the case, I would have let you to do as you please. As for the other servants of this household, well they don't really tend to be of their best behavior- which is was the very reason that I insisted for Lisa to come with." Diego exhaustively explained. "They didn't seem that bad to me though." Diane told him, with a slight frown on her face. "They were kind enough to point out the directions for me at least." "And yet, you still lost your way." "Such a thing would not have occurred if my husband had just gone along with me, as I requested ." She mumbled unsatisfactorily, as she folded hands gazing at him through those bright eyes of hers. "You are funny Diane." Diego muttered, as a smile came to his face. "So you want me to forlorn amongst the fields with you, without a proper change of clothing and without a proper rest after such an arduous journey?" Diego inquired. "Well, you do have a Point." Diane stated, as she glanced at him. The garment which she had on was not quite convenient to move in, she perspired a lot from being underneath the sun for so long, that she wonder how it came to be that she did not appear tanned in complexion, and moreover, she was exhausted both mentally and physically, caused mainly due to her dismay of suddenly feeling helpless when all the paths became undifferentiable to her, and by the encounter she had with Targen. She felt a bit of hunger as well, for she has nothing more in her stomach than a cup of tea which was presented to her on her initial arrival. "Well, you need not worry too much. I am certain that my uncle shall not keep us for long." Diego said, as he knocked on the door.

 They were admitted into the office not too long afterwards, and Diane couldn't help but marvel at how large and different it was from that of Diego's. Even Diego's office back at the manor could be likened for an overly large bedroom when brought into comparison with this one, although she found certain things to be unnecessary. And seated on a grand chair, while writing on the table before him, viewing his documents with the aid of spectacles, was none other than the actual head of the Raymond household, Nardock Raymond. "Be privileged to take your seats." He told the two young adults when they drew near, without bothering to glance away from his assignment. Diego first drew a chair out for Diane, before seating himself next to her, adjacent to area which Nardock was seated. "I hope the both of you have settled in comfortably?" Nardock interrogated as he Paused his occupation for while, while gazing intently at the two before him. "Yes, of course, uncle." Diane replied humbly. "Thalia even gave me the chance to view the scenery of the garden. It was quite a Pleasant experience." She informed him. Well before she got lost, she was truly awed by the garden- that was the first thing which captivated her upon her arrival. "I am pleased to hear that from you, Diane." Nardock said, as he glanced at his neice-in-law. "By the way, Diane- may I ask if we have perharps met somewhere before? Your facial feautures so happen to correspond to that in my memory." Nardock quipped, as he squinted his eyes at her. "I am afraid not." Diego was the one who spoke, when Diane was yet to reply. "Diane isn't really the type that steps out that often.." Diego began, as he glanced at the latter while he spoke slowly, paying heed to his choice of words. "...Unless it is absolutely necessary, I am afraid. Perhaps Uncle mistook her for another." He elaborated, with a small grin on his face. "Well, such an outcome Is not entirely impossible." Nardock said with a pondering gaze, while tapping the desk with his pen. "Nontheless, thank you for clarifying my doubts, Diego. If not I would have actually formed the impression that the your maiden and I have been previously acquainted." Diane gazed at Diego, who was seated, patiently, with an unrealistic grin on his face. To top it off, the top of his brows were furrowed, he was probably giving it his utmost best to conceal that hostile expression of his. 'He did admit that his cousin and he were not of the best of terms, so I was not surprised when they showed no regard towards each other.' Diane thought, as she glanced at the man seated in front of her. 'But what about the relationship of which he shares with his uncle? Why do I sense hostility in his voice whenever Diego speaks with him? And also..' Diane turned her head towards the right once more. 'It seems as though his emotions have been a mess since we arrived at this Place.' "So, my dear." Nardock spoke, naturally referring to Diane. "Regis tells me that you possess powers, but are unsure of the means of attainment?" He gazed at her steadily. Diane could not really tell why, but she felt compelled to tell the truth. "That is indeed the case- primary element, water. However, I was unable to establish a connection with my Evergio." She reported, in a straight-forward manner. "Well, that Is normal. Some of us might even be so unfortunate that will establish a connection with them late." Nardock mused, as he wrote something down for a while. "Who in your family do you expect to likely possess magical powers, your matrileanal descent? Or your patrilenal?" Nardock posed yet another question. "Well, my father is most definitely out of the picture, I have never once seen him cast any spell of any sorts since I was little.. as for my mother, well I never really got an opportunity to know more about her." As soon as Diane said The latter part, she felt overwhelmed by grief- it was as though melancholy had personified itself and wrapped herself around her. Diego felt his heart constrict when he saw those tears spilling out of those beautiful eyes of hers. "Uncle.." He growled, as the facade he put up for so long finally began to crumble. But his uncle bid him to halt. "Pardon me.. I don't understand what suddenly came over me." Diane wiped at her eyes, as she sniffled. "It is alright child; let it all out." Nardock stated, his voice tranquil. "Afterall, you will feel much better when you do." He added, as a smile came to his face. "I hear that your younger brother shows signs of magical prowess as well. Is that not so?" Nardock asked once more, as he relaxed into his chair, as soon as he observed that the Lass had regained her composure. "Yes he does. But I am unsure if my other two brothers have magical capabilities as well." Diane responded with reddened eyes, Amidst sobs. "I see." Nardock muttered, his expression solemn. "May I ask one more thing, my dear?" Nardock inquired, as he glanced at the already fuming Diego for a brief moment. "Are Diego and yourself, truly In love with each other?" At this point, Diego slammed his right hand on the table loudly. "I am sorry, Uncle." He began, as he rose up. "But the sole reason why I did not interrupt you this whole while is largely due to the respect I have for you." He added, an unsightly scowl On his face. "Had I known that this was your true intention, I would have never brought her here." He added. "But I am not quite done with the damsel, am I, my dear?" Nardock's replied, as he turned his head once more to the latter. Diane on hearing about this, shook her head slowly, as though she were uncertain about the appropriate reply to give. "I am sorry, but we had Tarried for quite some time on out way here; we are both exhausted." Diego said, as he picked his wife up, bridal style. "That is the reason why I gave you a period of respite, rather than summoning the both of you here instantly." Nardock replied. "That you did, and I really appreciate it." Diego nodded. "But as you can see quite clearly, that Diane had no time to rest. Thank goodness she gave you an account towards her visitation to the garden." Diego told him. "And as for tracing her genealogy, there is no cause for you to bother; I have already assigned that task to Thaniel." He stated once more. The duke smirked. "You are really thinking of investing In that Mobilian brat?" He inquired. Diego sighed. "I don't see why not? He is one of the few that I am acquainted with, that I can actually trust." Diego said. "Very well then." Nardock stated, as he placed his spectacles unto his face. "You may be dismissed."

******************************************

 Diego pushed the door open, being as gentle as possible, while also holding in consideration, the woman in his arms. He peered down at her- those bright blue eyes of hers had long taken on a hazy hue. "Diane." He whispered her name, even rocking her gently, but still there was no response. He gently made her to seat on the bed, before gazing about the room. He got a ceramic bowl, which he filed up with water. He proceeded to insert his index finger into it; only when the surface of the water appeared nearly freezing did he withdraw his hand. "Diane." He called her name, sounding a bit more desperate now, as he flicked some of the water on her. Diane flinched as the droplets landed on her, and she used both hands to shield her head, her eyes still shut, the whole while murmuring: "How in the name of the cosmos is it raining inside the manor?" She asked, when she felt some weight being flung against her. "Diego?" She muttered, her hands still in the air. "Are you alright?" She inquired, patting the man lightly on his back. "I should be the one to be asking you that." The man's baritone voice drifted into her hearing, his chin rubbing against her shoulder as he spoke, causing her to feel ticklish. As though he realized himself, he withdrew immediately. "Diego, don't stand there quietly. Are you certain you are alright?" Diane asked once more, when Diego just stood at the center of the room, his hand on his head. "I have a thousand and one reasons to oppose your being here, Diane." He muttered, almost to himself. "Pardon?" Diane inquired, wanting to obtain more information, but a wave of dizziness suddenly stroke her. "Can you not seat still!" Diego caught her, gripping her firmly by both hands. "Diego, you are hurting me." Diane whimpered, as she looked up at him. Diego looked downwards, at the woman whose bright blue eyes seemed to have the stars themselves in them. But at the moment, there was something else.. Was it fear? He exhaled as he released her. Indeed he gripped her a lot tighter than usual. "Why don't you freshen up? You have been in that outfit all day." He simply said, why Diane nodded like an obedient child.

 Not too long afterwards, she emerged from the bathroom putting an elegant nightwear. Diego On the other hand, had lain on the bed, while staring at the ceiling. While Diane dried her hair with a towel, someone knocked on the door. "Who is it?" Diego called out, from where he laid. "It is Lisa, my lord." The voice replied. "Come in." Diego muttered, as he sat upright. Lisa unlocked the door, bringing in a trolley of food. "What is this about, Lisa?" Diane inquired, as she stared at the trolley. "Why, it Is you and my lord's Dinner." Lisa humbly replied, as she stood aside, awaiting further instructions. "We are not to dine with them?" Diane inquired, as her eyes darted into Diegi direction. "We shall not." Diego stated simply, as he avoided eye contact with his wife. "Will they not inquire of us the reason for our absence?" Diane inquired, her hair bundled into one shoulder, as she sat on the bed. "I already have a perfectly reasonable excuse for that." Diego stated, before glancing towards the maid. "And you." He began, addressing Lisa. "Clear your schedule for tomorrow. You are expected to bid your time in the company of Diane and Thalia. Understood?" He inquired. "Yes, my lord. Surely." Lisa replied, as she lowered her head. "You may Leave." Diego told her. "Of course, my lord. My lady, have a good night's rest." Lisa said, as she departed. "For what cause do you glare at me so?" Diego inquired, as he stood up taking his shirt. Diane did not shy away- she was already accustomed to him exposure his upper body, that Is. "What exactly happened at the office for you to have reacted that way?" She asked the man. "Nothing important, really." Diego replied, as he put on another shirt. "Just try to stay away from my uncle- and my cousin, if you please." Diego emphasized. "Do you not hunger? Why aren't you eating?" Diego asked, when he saw the blonde staring at him intently. "You can't keep everything from me as you so wish, Diego." Diane said, as she Glanced upwards. "I am aware that we shall part ways soon, but do I not have a right to know for as long as I am with you?" She asked. "Start eating first." Diane's eyes lit up when she heard that. She immediately placed took a single spoonful of the soup into her mouth, before gazing at the man expectantly. Diego sat down next to her, wondering what would be the most simplified means to go about his expression. "Do you remember what occured at the office today?" Diane shook her head. "I only recall blacking out all of the sudden...Did I faint by any chance?" If that was indeed the case, then that would serve to expand why Diego was so worried about her. But what the man said surprised her. "Young did not. My uncle used his powers on you today, Diane." He simply stated. "And those powers, when activated, would force the truth out of someone, even if that person intended to tell a lie." He explained. "Although to do that, he must qualify one criteria- he would have to make direct eye contact with the person." "Is that the reason as to why he took his spectacle off earlier?" Diane interrogated. "You are quite on point." Diego replied, glad that she didn't have difficulty comprehending. "Even I was too slow in understanding what his true intentions were." Diego admitted. "Say, ah." Diane suddenly blurted, as she held the spoon in front of her. Diego had no choice but to accept the offering- the look on Diane's eyes said it all. Here he was talking about a serious situation, but it seemed as though all Diane could think of was her food. He wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand before commencing. "Not only that, but his powers can also amplify the emotions of his subject, if he so chooses." He continued. "And the only way I can cause the effects to break, is through external stimulus- either through pain or shock." "That is quite an impressive ability." Diane admitted, as she shoved the same spoon into her own mouth. Sharing the same spoon as her husband? Well he was her husband. Diego stared at her, she seemed not to recall that she shed tears. "You are not upset?" Diego inquired. Diane shook her head. "If it was you, would you be?" Diane asked him in turn. "Of course I would." Diego said, as he stood up suddenly. "Do you wish to know the reason why I am so cold towards My own uncle?" Diego inquired, as he suddenly turned around towards her. Diane as though she has been waiting for all of eternity for this question. "Because that man brought a halt to the investigation of my parents deaths." Diego responded, as he glanced down. "If not for him, perhaps I would have long had the head of the one who Dared to kill them.." "Perhaps, had a good reason for that, Diego." The lady stated casually, unaware that this irked Diego, who had already heard this statement countless times. "Such as what!" Diego exclaimed suddenly, causing Diane to flinch. As though in response to his agitation, one of the glasses broke, causing shards to fly about. One of the shards even cut through Diego's arm, drawing blood. "Diego!" Diane bolted up, as she dashed towards him. "Your hand.." She began, but Diego didn't seem to hear her. Rather he clenched it ever more tightly, causing even more blood to drip to the floor. The pain which he felt in his heart greatly surpassed any other physical pain he felt at that moment. "Diego.." Diane called out softly, when she observed the fluid that dripped from above. This was the second time that she had seen Diego cry- besides from the time she got kidnapped. She calmly took her head in his arms, compelling him to look at her. "Let us be logical here." She began, In a soft voice. "Your parents had powers, did they not?" Without even waiting for his reply she continued. "So If someone succeeded in eliminate them despite their powers, does it not tell of how dangerous they are? It may just be my speculation but what if your uncle placed the investigation on hold out of concern for your own safety?" She pressed. "What if he made that decision so more lives would not be Lost?"

***************************************************************

 It was dark In the room now, and Diego laid in close proximity with Diane, so close that one could feel the warmth emanating from the other. Fortunate enough, Diane had managed to make him to calm down, for the moment. She had also bandaged his hands as well, although the latter obstinately refused. As for the rest of their dinner? It laid outside the room, waiting for Lisa or some other servant to clear it out. "You and I are really alike in some ways." Diane whispered to herself, as she gently used her hand to brush away the hair of the sleeping man. "If only..." Diane could not complete her thoughts, as her body succumbed to exhaustion..

 Upon feeling the sensation of the wind calmly blowing through her hair, she opened her eyes. Standing before her was a tree, withholding different colorful fruits. She was.. Here again..