With a few days left for the garden party, the Celeste household was busy after a long time. It was just a small party but the preparations being made, didn’t make it seem so. I sat under a tree as the mansion bustled with activity; it was peaceful here. I was temporarily banned from horse riding for a week or so after what had happened and I couldn’t say anything against it. One by one, I went through the list of the names of the invitees; there were ten of them. Juliette said that they were all from good backgrounds so I could slightly be at ease. I was excited yet so nervous.
Sometime later, a carriage stopped at the main gate. I went back to see who had come since it was rare to see somebody come to the Celeste Mansion apart from Juliette, who visited almost every 2 weeks.
I asked the maid, who just happened to walk out of the visitor’s room.
“It’s Lord Keilan. He said he came to meet the duchess.”
My heart jumped when I heard his name and allowed the maid to leave. I took a deep breath, composed myself and entered the room.
“Good afternoon Lord Keilan. Welcome to the Celeste Mansion.” I greeted him as I made a wobbly curtsy. I was definitely nervous!
“You’re shaking. Are you all right?” he asked as he stood up.
“I-I’m fine, all fit and fine. All fine, just as how fine you are.”
“What?” he asked.
“What?” I said quickly.
What the hell did I just say?
“I-I mean how fine the weather is, is how fine you are.”
I wanted to disappear at that moment. Just when I couldn’t deal with my embarrassment, mother came in. Saved!
I prepared to excuse myself and walk out of the room when my mother glared at me and made me sit there. I wanted this talk to end quickly.
“I’m sorry I came here without prior notice. Here’s is a gift from the House of Ascian.” Mr. Keilan handed over a gift to mother that looked quite expensive.
“Oh my, you didn’t have to do this but thank you very much.” Mother said as she accepted it.
“I also came here to formally thank you for the invitation to the party.” He said as he bowed.
Mother and Mr. Keilan talked for some time while I sat there in embarrassment, thinking of ways to make myself disappear.
“I’ll take my leave then.” Mr. Keilan said.
I could finally get away from here but mother asked me to accompany Mr. Keilan till his carriage and I did not have the guts to say no to her.
As we walked towards the entrance, Mr. Keilan spoke.
“Al wanted to come over today but he was given orders by father to go somewhere else in his place.”
“I see.” I replied.
Why was he even telling me this? Every time he spoke to me it was always something or the other about Al. Does he think I’m interested in Al? Hell no! I’m interested in you, you breathtakingly attractive man.
“Do you have any one you’re seeing right now, Lord Keilan?” I asked. I know it was weird but I had to know.
“Ah.” He blushed.
‘Omg did he just blush? Does that mean he h-’
My thoughts were interrupted as he spoke.
“I don’t have anyone that I’m seeing right now.” He smiled. “I didn’t expect you to ask me that, Lady Jerinah.”
“Oh, I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable” I apologized.
“Not at all.”
If he didn’t have anyone he’s seeing right now then I could presume that the relationship he had with that lady teacher was just in the real world and it had nothing to do here in this world. Ah, I felt relieved; well at least he isn't dating anyone here yet.
“That’ll be enough, Lady Jerinah. Thank you for escorting me till here.” He said.
“Thank you for visiting, Lord Keilan.”
“I look forward to the party.” He said. “And also, I think you are quite ‘fine’ too, Lady Jerinah.”
He winked at me and got on the carriage, leaving me erupting like a volcano at the entrance of the house.
Embarrassed and at the same time exhausted from everything, I laid on my bed.
I can’t believe I said that to Mr. Keilan but I didn’t expect him to say that to me. I rolled on the bed blushing and screamed into the pillow with excitement.
It was finally the day for the party. The garden at the back of the house was decorated beautifully. The grass was nicely mowed and the bushes were trimmed to different shapes where the flowers bloomed at full. Tables and chairs were laid outside with tea and varieties of sweets and cakes.
The time drew closer for the guests to arrive. I felt nervous even though there weren't going to be much people.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
Juliette arrived and I felt at ease but there was somebody else with her. I tilted my head slightly and asked Juliette who it was.
“He’s my older brother Kai.”
He’s the crown prince?! He had the same name as the one in the real world but something was off.
I scanned him from head to toe when suddenly I felt a glare from behind. It was mother. I quickly made a curtsy to the prince and welcomed him. Then I scanned him for a second time and realized he had well trimmed hair. I mean his hair was short! Kai of the real world had long luscious hair which he took care of really well. He did look like the Kai from the real world, just that his hair made a very big difference.
“What a lovely party, Lady Jerinah. Lovely just as you are.” He gently took my hand and kissed it.
I felt embarrassed. Maybe this was what they usually did but I wasn’t used to it at all.
“T-thank you Your Royal Highness.”
“I heard about your sudden illness. I was deeply saddened to hear about it, do tell me if you need anything. Are you comfortable with things around you?”
“Uhh” He kept talking and drew closer to me whichmade me somewhat uncomfortable.
“You’re making her uncomfortable, Crown Prince.”
A familiar voice spoke from behind Kai. It was Al and behind him was Mr.Keilan.
“Al, you made it.” I walked past the prince as he let go of my hand and welcomed the brothers.
•••
“Tsk. It’s the iceberg.” Kai clicked his tongue.
“Brother, how many times did I tell you not to call Lord Al an iceberg?” Juliette said.
“How can that be a person? I don’t like the way he acts and talks either, he's too cold.” He replied.
Juliette sighed. “Lord Al’s way of approaching people is rather cold and distant but he’s a good person, you don’t need to take it so personally. Now, we’re here for Jerinah’s first ever Garden Party. Make sure you behave yourself.”
“I’m the Crown Prince, I know what I am supposed to do.” Kai walked away as he said that.
•••
“Hello, Lady Jerinah. Thank you once again for inviting us to your party. You look fine today too.” Mr. Keilan said as he smiled.
My face flushed out of embarrassment. Why was he still saying that?
“I meant you look very lovely, Lady Jerinah.”
“Ah, thank you.” I said twiddling my fingers together.
“What’s going on? Am I missing something here?” Al looked at us confused at my reaction.
“It’s a secret between Lady Jerinah and I. Now I’ll be heading off to that table.” Mr. Keilan leaves leaving Al and I.
“A secret? What secret?” Al glared at me.
“ Ah, well it’s-” I tried to come up with something that’ll help me get away from this when more guests arrived.
“Lady Jerinah, thank you for inviting us to your party.” A young lady spoke. “I’m Veronique Meier. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“It’s my pleasure to meet you too. Welcome to the Celeste Mansion.”
“Lady Veronique, you made it.” Juliette came from behind and greeted this new lady.
“Hello, Princess Juliette.” Lady Veronique said as she made a curtsy to Juliette.
They seemed to be very close. But all the invitees are people whom Juliette knew so that was expected. As I stood there, Juliette turned to me.
“This is Lady Veronique, the daughter of Marquess Leon Meier. We were friends ever since we were little.” Juliette introduced me to the lady named Veronique and vice versa.
“Lady Jerinah!”
Another guest came to me. The lady this time was so beautiful with her golden hair and pastel white skin. She stood in front of me and looked at me. The next minute, she pulled me into an embrace.
“Aw, you’re so cute!” She started patting on my head.
'Who was this person?! The way she behaves is nothing like her sophisticated looks!' I glanced over to Juliette with eyes pleading to make her stop.
“Lady Celine, I don’t think it’s good to do that to Lady Jerinah right now.” Juliette spoke as soon as she saw me and the lady named Celine let me go.
“I’m so sorry Lady Jerinah, I didn’t mean any harm. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Celine Fyodor. Thank you for inviting me to this lovely party of yours.”
I brushed my hair that was a little messed up and welcomed Lady Celine. There were still more people that came in (I thought there were only ten invitees to this party). After welcoming all of them, we sat down for some tea. The ladies surrounded me and started asking all sorts of questions. I had to make up some of my own stories when they asked how it felt to have my memory lost to which I found Al grinning from a corner. Were my stories that funny that he had to do that?! I thought he was just a cold-scary dude.
The party was soon over and only a few people remained, that being Juliette, Kai, Al and Mr. Keilan. I was able to find some time alone with Al. We went to the middle of the garden and sat on the sides of the fountain to talk.
“So what was it you wanted to talk about regarding going back the real world?” he asked. “Also what was the reason you had to mention to bring brother in capitalized letters? Does it have something to do with that secret?”
“Huh? It’s nothing like that.” Like I’d tell him it was because I had been crushing on his brother for years. “Any ways, about returning to the real world I’ve heard that..” I told him everything the tutor had said and what my thoughts were.
He thought for some time and said that my guess might be true but the problem was to find the sorcerer.
“I’ve been to the outskirts of Azalea.”
“You have?”
He continued saying it was for an expedition the Duke had sent him to, some months back. But just as I heard, he said that there were many bandits that lived in the outskirts of Azalea and was dangerous. We thought for sometime but was unable to come with any solutions so, we decided to return to where the other three were at.
“You both sure took your time.” Juliette said.
“Sorry! We took some time.”
Kai suddenly appeared in front of me and held my hand.
“Did the iceberg do anything to you, Lady Jerinah?”
Iceberg? Oh I guess he meant Al. “Uh, no he didn’t. Actually we only talked.” I replied.
“You don’t need to hide it from me. All men are beasts when they’re with a lady as lovely as you are. He really didn’t do anything to you, did he?” He continued to hold my hand and spoke.
“What did you say?!” Al growled. “Where did you even get that notion from? It isn’t all men; it’s you who is the beast. And let go of her hand!”
What’s wrong with this man? And what kind of relationship did Al and the Crown Prince have? As Kai released my hand while arguing with Al, I slowly walked to where Juliette and Mr. Keilan were at. Then, I saw something I wished I didn’t have.
“Are you guys’ holding hands?” I asked directly.
They quickly let go of each other’s hand. What was I seeing? Juliette and Mr. Keilan had something going on between them?
“Juliette, can we go over there and have a talk?” My brain couldn’t process things anymore that made me leave out her title.
On the other side of the garden, I started questioning Juliette like an investigator.
Juliette said that they weren’t dating but she liked Mr. Keilan and he felt the same. At that instant, the world behind me crumbled to pieces. Even in a parallel universe, I could not get the man I liked. What was this fate?! And not only that, in the parallel world, it’s my best friend who gets him? This is not fair at all!
“But I don’t think our love would be approved since our age gap is wide.” Juliette said.
I thought about it and remembered what Juliette in the real world and Sara had told me, 'that Mr. Keilan was too old for me'. But I believed that wasn’t true, if our feelings were mutual what’s age got to do with it? Hearing the tone of how Juliette spoke, I had to take the best friend role.
I told her that things would go well and that she didn’t need to worry. I don’t know how much I assured her but she looked a lot more at ease.
‘Yeah you’d better find a way to make your love work.’ I thought. 'Did Juliette back from the real world liked Mr. Keilan too? I need to ask her as soon as I go back to the real world.'
I tried to hold it in as long as I could but I wanted to cry so bad. Tears rolled own little by little. Juliette was surprised seeing me cry all out of a sudden to which I said I was just happy for them and these were just tears of joy. After crying my heart out for the last time, we returned back.
Al and Kai didn’t stop questioning about my eyes. As for Mr. Keilan, he did seem concerned for me but I knew everything now and believed he cared for me as someone who's close to Juliette.
I really had to let go of these feelings, be it here and also in the real world.
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